MONROVIA – Farmers in Liberia have been urged to collectively work together to ensure sustainability in the rice and fish farming sectors. Launching the Africa Rice De-SIRA project in Bong County, Minster Cooper said, Liberia as a low-income country where hunger and food insecurity still remain a challenge need programs in the agriculture sector to swiftly address some of the food insecurity. The Agriculture Minister disclosed that the Africa Rice De-SIRA project will help in maximizing the use of assets and resources available in the fish and rice farming industry. Minister Cooper committed the Agriculture Ministry continues collaboration with Africa Rice in developing the fish and rice farming and other projects in an effort to alleviate poverty and food insecurity. Meanwhile, Africa Rice Executive Director Dr. Inoussa Akintayo disclosed that millions of impoverished Africans and particularly Liberians depend on fish and rice farming.

Monrovia – The Women Coalition for County Development (WCCD) and the Center for Media Studies and Peace-building (CEMESP) have petitioned the Legislature to take concrete steps in reducing poverty among Liberian women and girls. The group of women with representation in Bomi, Bong, Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Nimba and Montserrado Counties says the petition when implemented will benefit of all Liberian women from the 15 Sub-political divisions. Presenting the petition, the Co-chair of WCCD Roseline Cassell said a survey commissioned by the Liberia Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC) reviewed that only 32 out of 381 or 8% of respondents confirmed that they knew about the County Social Development Funds (CSDF). The impact, she says is still not gender-sensitive adding that there has been little investment in market structures, hospitals, schools, and even playgrounds for children. “As you know, there is a unit at the Ministry of Finance called Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting and they have done a survey to see how the budget -both the County Development and the Social benefit women,” Representative Schaack added.

Members of the Peace Brigades of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA). There were 85 cases involving gender-based violence and domestic violence just within the first two months of this year (the latest available stats), according to the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Protection. “The government and the citizens need to play their role in minimizing domestic violence in the country,” Atty. David Konneh, the head of Programs at the Gbowee’s Peace Foundation said that he was very impressed with the work the women are doing. “My organization intends to provide more funding to the women to create more awareness on drugs or domestic violence,” he said.

Monrovia – A Pan African non-for-profit, has launched its “I Lift Africa” project in Liberia with a commitment to cast out Africa’s curse of food insecurity. I LIFT Africa, he announced at the launch is in collaboration with philanthropies, individuals, partners, organizations, stakeholders, and governments, on the continent and outside to initiate series of programs to end food poverty crises from the continent. Boweh also disclosed that the organization has developed a series of programs that will involve the diaspora communities of African national and enhance the condition of the African Diaspora whilst directly helping the Pan African Diaspora Youth Organization (PADYCO). “PADYCO will launch chains of groceries shops in various diaspora countries that would directly buy products and other produces on the African continent” he said. The I LIFT AFRICA official branded his organization as a bold vision step for a better Africa tomorrow which targets a ten year drive focusing on eliminating food poverty on the continent beginning with Liberia.

MONROVIA – The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) will on Monday, May 31, 2021 observe its 47th Anniversary as a national youth advocacy body. The celebrations will be held under the theme: “Young people taking action to end HIV/AIDS in Liberia (Take Control, Prevent HIV)”. Young people, he believes, need to engage more because the current statistics from the National AIDS Commission is terrible. He also encouraged the youthful population of the country to be proactive and engaged into meaningful activities that will better their lives. Former youth and student leader Tiklo Maxwell Grigsby is expected to take the kickoff while former student and youth leaders are also expected to Grace the occasion.

MONROVIA – The Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) has signed a licensing agreement with the Liberia Research and Education Network (LRREN) which gives LRREN permission to operate as an internet Service Provider for Academia. The license is a special purpose license that gives LRREN the right to operate as internet service provider for higher institution and primary and secondary learning institution at a very affordable price for effective internet service provider. Dr. Darren Wilkins if the CEO of the Organization said the organization will begin operation for the benefits of students. Dr. Wilkins said: “Taking into consideration the Economic situation in the Country, and challenges students face in terms of using the internet, LRREN serves will be affordable. Our intent is to make sure that internet is affordable for every student.”This according to Wilkins will also help improve Liberia’ education capacity.

The UN followed their lead and accepted the call to declare 3 May as World Press Freedom Day. The Declaration emphasised that information is a public good to which everyone is entitled, and this was the theme for this year’s celebration of World Press Freedom Day. Too often, and in too many countries, journalists work in an environment that imperils both their lives and their livelihoods. In this same period, Liberia slipped three spots, to 95 of 180 countries surveyed, in the 2021 Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index. In everything we do in Liberia, we work with the Government to help expand peoples’ options and opportunities.

MONROVIA – The Valedictorian of the first-ever LRA Customs Officers Class Mohammed M. Kiawhen is encouraging his fellow graduates to remain professional and committed to duty. Kiawhen was named dux of his class over the weekend during the graduation of thirty-three (33) LRA Customs officers from the Liberia National Police Academy and Training School. Speaking when he was certificated as Dux of his class, Mohammed M. Kiawhen who is also a Customs’ Supervisor at the LRA indicated that professionalism and commitment to service are vital in executing the assigned task as customs officers. To the Administration and Staff of the Liberia Revenue Authority, we could not achieve this success without your support. In November 2020, the Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) signed a Memorandum of Understand (MoU) for the training of Customs Officers at the Liberia National Police Academy and Training School.

Sinoe County – Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc. (GVL) donated to Sinoe County authorities to help in their preparation for the visit of President George Weah. Kofi also emphasized that GVL will continue to work with its host communities to improve livelihoods. Superintendent Chea also assured the GVL Management that his leadership will continue to work in good harmony and maintain the cordial working relationship between them. the Management of Voice of Sinoe Community Radio, a local radio station situated in Greenville City, extended a letter of gratitude and appreciation to the Management of Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc. (GVL) for the “numerous” assistance provided to them. Mr. Bolue also said this is not the first time that GVL has aided the local media institutions of Sinoe County, and prayed that GVL succeeds in its oil palm development in Liberia.

J. Adams Manobah presenting copies of the LLA Act and the Land Rights Act to Nimba County Superintendent, Hon. Nelson KorquioGbarnga/Ganta – A nationwide awareness campaign on the dissemination of information on the Land Rights Act (LRA) and the Liberia Land Authority Act (LLAA) has begun across Liberia with a focus on communication, the laws, women’s rights and community engagements. The Women Land Rights awareness aspect of the awareness campaign focuses on women and youth land rights in the context of customary land, and the inheritance and equal rights of customary land, among others; while the component of community engagement deals with the principles, methods, levels of community engagement in local communities across Liberia. Chedeh Davis said the overall objective is to increase public awareness and understanding on the Land Rights Act and the Act (LLA Act) that established the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) in 2016. The awareness is the first since President George Mannah Weah signed and passed the Land Rights Act into law, giving customary communities ownership to their land.

Ganta, Nimba County – Artisanal and small-scale miners participating in the second leg of the multi-stakeholders’ workshop on environment monitoring and human rights have called on the Government of Liberia and partners for more awareness on how to eradicate harmful mining activities in the country. Speaking to reporters, Sande Kiadii, an artisanal miner from Varney Peai mining site in Tappita stressed that there’s a need for more training workshops or tutorials so as to enable miners understand the issue of illegal mining or harmful mining activities. A Lot of people are dying on mining sites daily and not all of them are not being reported,” averred Kiadii. He stated that one of their major challenges at the moment is the lack of sophisticated tools to make mining easy. When asked about the issue of safeguarding the environment, Sandy agreed that protecting the environment is important and, in most cases,, miners tend to harm themselves first as a result of harmful mining practices.

Monrovia – Findings from Research conducted in Liberia by the London School of Economics and Political Science has revealed the need for strengthening Health Sciences Research in the country. According to a release issued, the London School of Economics and Political Science in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia and other partners conducted the research to examine the achievements and challenges of improving health sciences research in Liberia. The exercise, the release further pointed out was part of a multi-country research project involving in-depth case studies of national health research systems. Research leadership, Research Institutions, the existence of ethical review structures among others are some of the strength the findings revealed, the release indicated. The findings also revealed coordination, health research policy implementation, research prioritization, knowledge translation and policy coherence as well as regulatory frameworks as some of the weaknesses also discovered during the research, the release averred.

“Nearly hundred houses were affected from the storm; though it is not much, but we want you to look at the good intentions of your children towards you. We will take the message back to your children who send this donation, that there is more work to be done. Therefore, they in the US put together to donate relief supplies to the Gayah Hill storm disaster victims, because it is their root and they are identifying with them in times of need. He expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the Liberian Government and Liberian National Red Cross for coming to the aid of the storm victims. And said such timely aid brought a big relief to the already suffering victims.

Right Journalist Lewis Konoe and Son Saryor with swollen stomach due to liver infectionMONROVIA – Liberian Journalist Lewis E.B Konoe is seeking urgent financial assistance locally and internationally to have his oldest son Saryor get urgent international medical attention. Saryor a Senior student at the University of Liberia is currently suffering from liver infection and needs urgent international medical care to save his life. The ELWA medical report also mentioned that he has Hepatitis B affecting the liver. JFK did a medical check twice and confirmed that he has Hepatitis B.Neo-Life medical report points out Hepatitis B and huge amount of grease (fats) around his liver and Forever Living Mentioned Fatty Liver also to mention Hepatitis B. There following a lab test it was discovered that he has Hepatitis B and was recommended to ELWA after previous rounds of Hepatitis B test one at JFK earlier in 2020 before his condition became worse to date.

The MRU comprises Liberia, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Sierra. His departure was amid speculations that Liberia and neighboring Ivory Coast have in recent time had sour relationship, especially bordering on security. He said, “There’s no strain between Liberia and Ivory Coast. And that was because they had some issues in Ivory Coast and he was needed there.”Minister Rennie, however, did not say what the emergency was. On the other hand, it deplored the violent terrorist attacks recorded in some Member States of the MRU region.