Greenville, Sinoe County – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with funding from the Swedish government has extended its Sexual and Reproductive Health Program targeting adolescent boys and girls to Sinoe County. The program, he said has made a huge success in the three counties where teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality have reduced. “We are reducing teenage pregnancy because when teenager get pregnant, most of all, they lose opportunity, they drop out of school,” he said. “At the top of maternal mortality, young people are still suffering, that is why the maternal mortality rate is very high. Make sure you make smart choices to know about your reproductive health status.

Kakata, Margibi County – Community Healthcare Initiative-CHI, a local NGO into health and advocacy Wednesday conducted a one-day consultative maternal health meeting in partnership with the Margibi Health Team to brainstorm on how the relationship between Train Traditional Midwives-TTM and Medical facilities in Margibi County can be strengthen. These meetings are a part of activities under the project titled: “strengthening the health system while challenging colonialism,” which is being funded by the Open Society in West Africa-OSIWA. This meeting will open up a lot of things that we can discuss besides maternal health,” stated Dr. Pajibo. The CHO of Margibi acknowledged that there have been some issues arising in health facilities specifically among TTM and facility staff that has brought conflict to said party’s relationship in promoting maternal health care. Participants at the meeting included TTM, Traditional/community leaders, Members of the county health team, community members, Commissioners, Representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

MONROVIA – The National Elections Commission, (NEC) says it has received a notification from the Honorable House of Representatives informing them of four vacancies in the 54th National Legislature. The Nimba County notification from the House of Representatives brings to four the numbers of vacancies within the 54th National Legislature. Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution says, “In the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, and expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days notify the Elections Commission thereof. The Elections Commission shall not later than 90 days thereafter cause a by-election to be held; provided that where such vacancy occurs within 90 days prior to the holding of general elections, the filling of the vacancy shall await the holding of such general elections”. The Country witnessed similar situation in the just ended December 8, 2020 special senatorial elections.

MONROVIA – A US Based Liberian Cherish Morlu has donated five hundred United States Dollars (USD$500) to facilitate human rights activist Leroy Archie Ponpon’s travel for advance medical treatment in Ghana. In a statement, Madam Morlu said the amount (USD$500) was raised through a program with other diaspora Liberians and humanitarians residing in the United States to aid Mr. Archie Ponpon. Morlu, who resides in the United States, is currently a student of Penn State University in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Finley Y. Karngar urged activist Ponpon to continue his advocacy against social injustice and ills in society. However, Mr. Ponpon is expected to depart the country today to Ghana for advance medical treatment.

Ministry has also lifted the suspension on the Dock Workers Union (DOWUL) and all its rights under the Labour Law of Liberia fully restored. Labour Minister Cllr. Charles H. Gibson made the pronouncement Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at a major press conference held at his Labour Ministry office in Congo Town. During news conference, Minister Gibson presented his Ministry’s findings and decision from inquiries conducted into the Industrial dispute between the Management of APM Terminal and its aggrieved employees. Speaking during the press conference, Labour Minister Gibson said that the investigation revealed that the APM Terminal Management failed to provide evidence to prove their allegations against any of the 24 suspended workers.

Monrovia – AIFO-Liberia, a professional non-profit organization and partners, have embarked on a five-day training session focused on highlighting coordinated action on persons living with disabilities in Liberia. The project titled, Coordinated Action on Disability (CAD-L also intends to address gender imbalances in the participation of disabled women to development initiatives and has identified Organizations of Women with Disabilities to work with at county level. Find more information on the Coordinated Action on Disability in Liberia in the document attached. Charles Gibson committed government to providing an inclusive society for people living with disabilities in Liberia. In the same way, Minister Gibson reemphasized the Sweden’s government’s commitment in promoting greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in Liberia.

Grand Kru County — Citizens of four communities in Buah Statutory District —Geeken, Chenwriken, Worpluken and Tarken Wednesday night took to the streets in jubilation of the 55 solar-powered streets light turned on by Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. For many of them, this is a lifetime opportunity and arguably the first time in Grand Kru County. Each street lights are powered by a mini solar panel, according to Grand Kru County District #2 Representative, Cllr. The Deputy Speaker has also committed to take over the responsibility to fund the operations of Buah Jlateken and Bolloh Doeswen Clinics. Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker will climax his constituency visit by serving as Guest Speaker at the 2021 Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Congress on Monday, May 3, in Barclayville, Grand Kru County.

Monrovia – The State Department of the United States of America has placed Liberia among 20 countries safe to travel, out of 197 countries in the world. “This report will boost the country image around the globe, the message is clear, Liberia is doing many things right, which our international partners are closely monitoring, we should receive this news with open arms”, a veteran diplomat said. The remaining countries are all now listed as “Reconsider Travel,” or even more restrictive. Every one of the eight most popular international destinations for U.S. travelers — Canada, Mexico, the U.K, Italy, France, the Dominican Republic, Spain and Germany — are listed as “Do Not Travel.”The change “will result in a significant increase in the number of countries at Level 4: Do Not Travel, to approximately 80% of countries worldwide,” the department said in a statement. “This does not imply a reassessment of the current health situation in a given country, but rather reflects an adjustment in the State Department’s Travel Advisory system to rely more on CDC’s existing epidemiological assessment.”Since the global outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019, there have been 142.2 million cases worldwide and over 3 million deaths.

Ganta, Nimba County – A one-day demonstration fueled by some angry residents over the burning of a warehouse Tuesday paralyzed the commercial city of Ganta in Nimba County. Unending land dispute cases in NimbaSeveral attempts have been made to resolve land dispute cases in the county, but none has yielded any significant final result. The Special Presidential Nimba Land Commission was set up Johnson-Sirleaf. The Commission did not look for who was right or wrong; it was meant to reconcile the people and bring peace.”People in Nimba remain unreconciled as a result of the land dispute. “The land dispute in Nimba has dragged on for too long, sometimes creating constraint for some of the things we want to do.

The ANC political leader said the nation is governed in a way that excludes individuals from the rights and privileges to which all citizens ought to be equally entitled to. Speaking at 17th Commencement Convocation of the United Methodist University at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex Tuesday, Mr. Cummings said every Liberian does not need to work in government. According the ANC strongman, those who have the responsibility to guarantee equality in opportunity are not doing well to ensure the wellbeing of the citizens. “Rather than change, we continue to see opportunities which are conferred by citizenship reapportioned not based on equality in citizenship but a warped sense of partisanship and the corruption of cronyism,” Mr. Cummings said. Mr. Cummings added if the Liberian government continues to look to other countries for feeding and direct their course of development and national decision-making the sense of its independence will be undermined.

Rep. Kolubah was suspended on March 25, 2021 by Plenary, the highest decision-making body of the House of Representatives over what it termed as his constant habit of raining insults at President George Weah and exposing the House to public disrepute. However, Justice Nagbe did not grant the writ of probation, rather he cited both parties to a conference this Thursday, April 22. While both parties await the outcome of the conference, supporters from both side of the isle (CPP and ruling party) have begun throwing jibes at each other. However, the CPP lawmakers said the group was supported by the ruling CDC and does not represent majority of District #10, currently represented by Rep. Kolubah. “Disingenuous Comments’In a quick response to the CPP Legislative Caucus, Rep. Acarous M. Gray of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) said the opposition lawmakers were not sincere in their comments and vowed to lead a campaign to remove Rep. Kolubah if he continues his actions.

MONROVIA – A visiting team from Kroll & Associates, accompanied by a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met with senior executives of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to discuss issues of collaboration with the CBL as the Bank prepares to undertake the printing of a new family of Liberian dollar banknotes. The head of the Kroll team, Paul Nash, expressed delight to work with the CBL team and expressed hope that the team will build on the success of the previous collaboration between their respective institutions. Nash said his team is prepared to work along with CBL technicians to discuss all the technical details that would facilitate the process. In response, CBL Executive Governor, J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. lauded Kroll Associates and the USAID Liberia team for the partnership. Governor Tarlue said the CBL welcomes the collaboration and is willing to continue on that path.

Bishop Brown observed that there are mounting concerns within the public on the whereabouts of monies printed during the administration of ex-Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and the present regime of President George Manneh Weah. He admitted that though those managing the country’s economy are making frantic efforts to address the situation, genuine concerns being raised by citizens on the printing of new Liberian bank notes must be addressed. Play supervisory roleBishop Brown stated that though members of both Houses have given a partial approval for the printing of the new Liberian bank notes, they (lawmakers) must now play a “supervisory role” over the entire process. He maintained that the Council remains concerned about the issue of accountability relative to the printing of new family of Liberian bank notes. He called on members of the Banking and Currency Committee of both Houses to ask the hard questions and conduct public hearings on speculations and doubts over the previous printing of monies before making a final determination on the printing of new Liberian bank notes.

GRAND BASSA COUNTY – A non-profit organization based in the US, “the Gbawin Literacy Project has made intervention through the donation of several assorted school materials to over 200 less fortunate students at the Barsee-Giah Public School, a government-run institution that is located in remote Barsee-Giah Town, Grand Bassa County, one of the oldest counties in Liberia. Monxhwedy described as terrible and disappointing the learning conditions of school going kids in Liberia and as such, his stay in the United States can never be considered successful without immensely contributing to Liberia’s education. I see myself as an African being birthed in Grenada and so I see quality education for Liberian children and their development into positive future leaders as my own priority. Madam Thomas said for the Liberian society to be transformed, government must invest more in childhood education and provide them the necessary opportunity to explore their talents. According to her, as a professional classroom teacher, she feels passionate and committed to kid’s development in Liberia and to provide every necessary assistance in helping to transform their lives.

MONROVIA – QNET, a pioneer of the direct selling industry in many emerging economies has rubbished claims of being ‘a scam company’ in Liberia. She further explained: “Direct selling companies the world over find that they are competing with the influx of flashy new businesses that offer side hustles. QNET, the global direct selling industry is worth more than US$180 billion and has been steadily making inroads into the Africa and Middle East regions. In fact, both these regions are seen as the new frontier for the direct selling industry. Both sub-Saharan Africa region and the Middle East are growth markets for QNET, which most recently opened an office in Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa.