Dr. Cassell Inspires Young Liberians; Donates Food And Cash To Vulnerable Youths, Others At “World Trade Center”, Pelhum Building In MonroviaMONROVIA – Renowned Liberian humanitarian Dr. Daniel E. Cassell has inspired young Liberians to adequately utilize their skills and remain hopeful of a brighter future, despite the numerous challenges they are presently encountering in the country. He provided several bags of rice and gallons of cooking oil to the less fortunate Liberians and presented the amount of L$50,000 each to the two groups. Earlier on, the President of ALIPROSEC, Mustapha K. Metzger, commended Dr. Cassell for the gesture. He dispelled rumors that the “World Trade Center” serves as the epicenter for the falsifying of significant documents in Liberia. At the Pelhum Building in Monrovia, the less fortunate youths commended Dr. Cassell for extending help to them at the time they are in dire need.

The government of Liberia through NaFAA reached the decision over the weekend following a three-day consultative meeting held at the Mesurado Pier on Bushrod Island with paddle canoe representatives (Kru Fishing Chiefs) outside Monrovia from January 20-23, 2021. The adjustment in paddle canoes fishing license fees was done in consultation with representatives of the various fishing communities (Kru fishing Chiefs) across the nine coastal counties (Cape Mount, Bomi, Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, River Cess, Sinoe, Grand Kru, and Maryland). The more than 30 fishing Kru Chiefs in attendance at the consultative meeting declared their commitment in ensuring the full compliance of all paddle canoe operators across the nine coastal counties in Liberia. They vowed to ensure that all Kru canoe operators cooperate with government through NaFAA to enhance the already existing transformation within the fisheries sector. Meanwhile, the Kru fishing chiefs have lauded the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority administration for being willing to incorporate them in the fight against illegal fishing.

Recently players of the Grand Bassa team were leaving their camping ground due to the lack of support from the county authorities. Making the donation, Simeon Freeman encouraged the players not to give up though they are not being supported. Coach Ottis Tarnue, coach of the Grand Bassa County team spoke out. The Chairman of the Grand Bassa Sport Association, (BSA) Jerry Vonyeegar could not hold his smiles as he greeted Mr. Freeman in a friendly manner. After making the donation to the team, Simeon Freeman however promised the players more of his support if the team will win their pending game against Margibi County.

MONROVIA – The Prince & Tawa Woods Foundation has awarded eight scholarships in Logan Town. The community have welcomed me and wholeheartedly received my gesture,” said Prince Woods. Woods said he has never been afraid to return to his community unlike some Liberians, who harbored fears for good or bad reasons. As long as there is a God, we always put those things [fear factors] behind us,” added Woods. St. Edward defeated St. Matthew by 46 to 40 points while Bushrod Bulls lost by 41 to 47 points to All Stars.

GBARNGA – The opposition Liberty Party has elected Musa Hassan Bility as chairman to pilot the affairs of the party. Those elected along with Bility were Rugie Barry, Vice Chairman for Administration, J. Elder Jallah, Vice Chairman for operations, Eric Augustine Frederick, Vice Chairman for Inter-Party and NEC Affairs and senator Abraham Dillon, Vice Chairman for Political and Legislative Affairs. Yougie, Vice Chairman for Planning, Policy, Policy and Programs, Cllr Kuku Y. Dorbor, Vice Chairman for Gender and Social Policy, Prince A. Toles, Vice Chairman for Mobilization and Martin S. Kolah, National Secretary. “This is not the Liberty Party that we fought for.

MONROVIA – Opposition Liberty Party Chairman Senator Steve Zargo (LP –Lofa County) has resigned his position as Chair of the party. Addressing a news conference Friday, he said, it now appears to him that his continuous service as a chairman of the Liberty Party may not serve the spirit, intent and purpose which Cllr. Senator Zargo failed to recognized the political leader, Senator Nyounblee Karnga-Lawrence’s efforts to his leadership. According to Article 6 of the Liberty Party revised constitution, the Standard Bearer shall be the leader and Chief Representative Spokesperson only during election year. However, if the Standard Bearer is not elected President, the Standard Bearer position shall cease to exist ninety (90) days immediately after the presidential election, and the Standard Bearer automatically becomes the political leader”.

Graduates of the Liberia Returnee Network Vocational Training Program at the Cycle 6th held at the Jubilee Praise Church on the Old RoadMonrovia – Liberia Returnee Network Vocational Training Program, a vocational institution training program established by a group of Liberian professional volunteers who returned from exile (refugee camps) has graduated 106 students, mostly women from its cycle 6th training program. The Liberia Returnee Network Vocational Training Program Cycle 6th graduating ceremony was held at the Jubilee Praise Center Edifice on the Old Road. He called on the graduates to use the skills they have acquired and contribute to society. It’s an asset that you have acquired and you will take it with you wherever and whenever,” Representative Morris said. Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Liberia Returnee Network Vocational Training Program Tyrone Taigar Marshall says as a professional returnee volunteers group, their desire is to contribute to the rebuilding process of Liberia.

MONROVIA – The General Auditing Commission (GAC) has identified multiple issues of significant materiality that affect the operations of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 in the audit report recently released to the National Legislature. According to the audit report, payments amounting to US$47,922.50 were made in the name of CARI Finance staff rather than the vendors / service providers or the authorized representatives. The audit further noted a variance of US$59,369.29 between the total amounts disbursed to CARI as per the Fiscal Outturn Report 2019/2020 and the total amount received as per the Expenditure Report. Therefore, given the nature of this transaction, the GAC has referred this matter to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation. The total salaries paid in the names of the separated staff for the period under audit was US$14,006.85.

Officials of EPA at the one-day stakeholders’ dialogue in Dean’s Town, Kokoyah DistrictKokoyah District, Bong County – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded a one-day stakeholders’ dialogue with citizens of affected communities in Kokoyah Statutory District, where the Turkish mining company MNG is currently carrying on underground mining. The dialogue was concentrated on the ongoing underground mining exploration being done by the company and the permit granted the company by the government of Liberia to carry on underground mining. Jallah said that dialogue was also geared towards obliterating the fears that underground mining would cause nearby towns and villages to sink in. “The revised document seeks an Environmental Permit for the operations of an underground gold mining in the existing open pit through its independent environmental consultant, Petra Resource, Inc,” he said. Presenting the roadmap for the underground mining, a senior Liberian staff at MNG, Eugine Kollie, said the underground mining would be done vertically, which means the holes would be dug downward and not horizontal towards any other towns or villages.

Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia Michael A. McCarthy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador McCarthy thanked President Weah for his gracious letter to U.S. President Joseph R. Biden expressing congratulations on his inauguration, noting it was one of the first such messages from an African country. Ambassador McCarthy hailed the extension as a sign of the longstanding partnership and friendship between the United States and Liberia. Both President Weah and Ambassador McCarthy agreed on the importance of nurturing Liberia’s youth and helping Liberia’s next generation of leaders meet their full potentials. Ambassador McCarthy noted that Peace Corps, USAID, and State Department educational and outreach programswill continue to support our countries’ historic and important relationship, moving forward together.

Other Liberian women are changing the world in various ways outside the UN. For example, two Liberian women won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011—her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Madam Leymah Gbowee. Liberian women are trailblazing in civil society at leadership levels as well. You do not have to be recognized by the Secretary-General for us to know that you are a strong, determined, and achieving Liberian woman. Strong men support strong women!

Volunteers of the Migrants As Messengers project along with partners and community youthsMONROVIA – In continuation of efforts to discourage Liberians from migrating irregularly around the globe, Migrants As Messenger (MAM) volunteers conducted a community awareness campaign in collaboration with the Hope For Migrants International in Montserrado County. Migrants As Messengers is a group of Liberian migrants (returnees) who voluntarily share their stories through various programs as a means of discouraging irregular migration through a 3-year project under the auspices of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). According to her, the community engagement through cleaning up exercise under the MAM project, was “introduce to rekindle a sense of community engagement through conservation, education, and assisting in massive cleanup activities” in urban areas. “This project will provide youth and other community dwellers with authentic information on the dangers of irregular migration and the benefits of regular migration. The Assistant Project Manager disclosed that a Migrants As Messengers (MAM) team will be setup in the various communities to help propagate messages against the irregular migration of people while at the same time promoting regular migration.

Monrovia – The Youth Climate Change Initiative –Liberia is calling on the Government of Liberia to join its campaign as they embark on a compulsory Climate Education in every institution of learning. “Education is an essential element of the global response to climate change. Speaking further, “The campaign aims at making climate change education more central and visible part of the national response to climate change. They believes that humans must take immediate steps to change activities that contribute to global climate change and continue-development and implementation of environmentally sound practices that abate global climate change and its effects in partnership with the global community. However, we are hopeful that this Government will see the need to introduce the “Compulsory Climate Education” in grade schools as climate education falls under Article 12 of the Agreement known as Action for Climate Empowerment.

Under the FLOW Program, NIPO was funded to work in two districts of Sinoe County: the Commonwealth District of Greenville and Juarzon. Gender justice was an issue of priority in the county and we can largely credit this to the FLOW program. These two women leaders were members of the Sinoe County Women Platform prior to their nomination and appointment to these top posts. Strengthening the Sinoe County Women Platform was one of the biggest achievements made by the FLOW Program. It is apt to mention that the platform is the most ideal factor for sustaining the FLOW program.

Senator Dillon Pushes for Vote of No Confidence in ‘Nigerian’ Head of Liberia Anti-Corruption Agency over His Nationality CrisisMONROVIA – The Liberian Senate will on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, deliberate on how to address issues surrounding the nationality of Cllr. The Senate in its plenary session on Thursday, set the date to discuss the status of the Nigerian native’s Liberian citizenship. A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, position as chairman at the LACC is a long standing debate in the Liberian Senate. Section 6.2 of the LACC Act states that “The five (5) Commissioners shall be nominated by the President. The President may consult the civil society pursuant to the partnership between Governments and said civil society in the fight against corruption.