According to Liberia football writer Wleh Bedell, Bailly said in a chat via social media on Wednesday that the story in Liberia about a lady claiming to be the mother of Franck Kessie is untrue. He also said the player’s mother Nathalie is residing in Abidjan. He called me last year and told me that there was a story in Liberia that a lady was claiming to be the mother of Kessie. They both live in the same house in Abidjan, and he told me he could not do that because the player’s mother is in Abidjan, and there was no need to waste time on that.”Who’s telling the truth? An anonymous source informed Bedell that the Liberian lady, Nancy Pyne, has a point and is telling the truth.

“It was in 2002 and 2001,” said “H2,” whose name is withheld to protect him from retributions. Prosecutors say Massaquoi committed heinous crimes, including rape and ritual murders in towns and villages in Lofa County, and at Waterside in Monrovia. A prosecution witness is hospitalized in Sierra Leone, while a defense witness—a policeman couldn’t come to Liberia, because his superior didn’t approve his travel. This leaves the Court with the only option of admitting the witnesses’ statements to Finnish police into evidence, which will be done in Finland. The Court leaves Liberia for Finland Friday.

Liberia: Presidential Aspirant Alexander Cummings Expected To Select Running Mate At ANC And CPP’s Conventions Scheduled For This Week EndThe Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) is expected to hold its first National Convention in Ganta, Nimba County to elect its Standard Bearer, Senatorial and Representatives candidates for the ensuing October 10 general elections in Liberia. The ANC, a formidable and Liberia’s leading political party is built on the core values of equality, hard work, patriotism and development. Cummings is the Founder of Cummings Africa Foundation, providing scholarships and educational assistance to hundreds of needy Liberian students. Mr. Cummings is expected to select his running mate at the climax of the CPP convention. With barely five months to the elections, the CPP Political Leader has expressed interest in selecting a female as his running mate.

— Says representative democracy is being undermined; chides the Supreme Court for abetting constitutional breaches. Renowned Liberian legal practitioner and former Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, Cllr. Warner added that in order for constitutional democracy to thrive in Liberia, it would require the collective effort of “everyone, particularly for us lawyers, who are presumed to be the gatekeepers of society. “Constitutional democracy is one of justice and fairness; it gives power to the people; it upholds people’s rights to life, liberty and property; it makes mother Justicia proud. We must not bend the law and think constitutional democracy will blossom seamlessly,” he urged his colleagues.

I know of one Angel Gabriel, said “Defense 3” [name and names of other witnesses withheld to protect them from retributions]. But like many other witnesses, Wednesday’s two defense witnesses questioned his charges and exonerated him of such. They also corroborated the testimonies of other defense witnesses that Massaquoi did come to Liberia in the early 2000s, but only for peace purposes. “The Obama two peace agreement was in 2001.”But his classification of the peace talks contradicts the testimonies of other defense witnesses. This story was produced in collaboration with New Narratives as part of its West Africa Justice Reporting Project.

Francis S. Fayiah, who allegedly stole thousands of United States dollars from Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO) has been arrested by international security-INTERPOL. Fayiah worked for MANO Manufacturing Company as a salesman whose job it was to take orders, supervise deliveries, and collect money from customers. Last July 2022, after deliveries, and receiving payment, suspect Fayiah failed to report back to the office of Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO). When he got to the border to cross into Ivory Coast, he was arrested by the Ghanaian security,” a top security officer told the media. Fayiah was a player on the Mighty Barrolle basketball team, sponsored by Mano Manufacturing Company (MANCO).

My dear good friend Nyonblee, let me express how hurt I am that after all the hard work you put into powering the engine to drive the Boakai for President in 2023, you were not only unnoticed but unappreciated. Right now, there may be many options available to you, including political suitors seeking to coalesce with you. But like they say, if you’re not good for the feast, how good are you? Both Senators Prince Johnson and Jeremiah Koung are as responsible as George Weah and Jewel Taylor for every mess in the country today. I’ve told people watching the elections in Liberia that it would take something extraordinary to shake the top of the pack and change the CDC-UP dominance in Liberia this term.

Monrovia – After years of searching, Nancy Pyne, a Liberian woman, claims that Ivorian football superstar Franck Yannick Kessie is her son. “I learned that Kessie and his brother were sent to Europe after several attempts to find my children,” Madam Pyne explained. Kessie’s father, who was once a professional footballer and also served in the Ivorian Army, is now deceased. Madam Pyne said she has had sleepless nights over the years hoping to one day find her two children. The Liberian lady, who is believed to be in her 60s, said she met Kessie’s father in Liberia when he was working there.

Ms. Nyenpan has been recognized as the youngest graduate in the class of 2023 at Temple University in Pennsylvania. Before enrolling at Temple University, Ms. Nyenpan volunteered at the Ridley High School Peer Mentoring Program in Pennsylvania, where she graduated before entering college. Ms. Nyenpan wishes to return to Liberia after completing her medical degree to contribute to the health system. Frances J. Nyenpan, the youngest graduate from Temple University in Pennsylvania, spoke with intense emotion about her late father, Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan, a former Public Works Minister. Francess presently serves as the Secretary-General to the Temple University, Black Professionals Health Association.

MONROVIA – The Biometric Voter Registration in rural Liberia is raising eyebrows on the credibility of the exercise as several children have reportedly successfully registered and obtained their voting cards. He was issued voter ID numbered: 01615241696. However, the National Elections Commission has said that Biometric Voter Registration will expose all electoral registration malpractices, including multiple registrations and underage registration. But having children issued legitimate voter cards by NEC staff doesn’t only violate/contravene the organic law of Liberia but further exposes the lack of professional handling and verification of people obtaining voter registration cards at various centers. HeForShe Crusaders Liberia has gathered the trucking of people in Lofa County, particularly in the Foya by would-be contestants.

Liberia: Former RUF Soldier Contradicts Other Defense Witnesses on When Massaquoi Moved into UN “Safe House”MONROVIA, Liberia—A former soldier of Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary United Front (RUF), has contradicted other defense witnesses about when an accused warlord from the country was taken into a UN “safe house.”By Varney Dukuly with New Narratives“Defense 10” told the Turku Court of Appeal of Finland that Gibril Massaquoi was taken into the house as a “protected witness” on March 10, 2002. But his testimony contradicts the testimonies of Massaquoi and other witnesses, who told both the district and appeal courts that the former RUF commander was taken into the safe house in 2003. But there was another point of contradiction in his testimony: He told the court that Massaquoi did not return to Liberia afterwards. But prosecutors reminded him that he had told the district court Massaquoi returned to Liberia in 2001 for his girlfriend. “Defense 20,” Tuesday’s other defense witness, was praiseful of Massaquoi for his service to the RUF.

The forum highlighted the progress made in the formation of a National Urban Policy for Liberia, a process that started in 2016. Internal Affairs Assistant Minister for Administration, Momolu Johnson, gave a special statement on behalf of the Internal Affairs Minister, Varney A. Sirleaf. He reminded the mayors attending the forum that in 2022, Liberia’s urban population comprised 53.1% of the country’s total population of approximately 5.2 million. Presenting on “The Development Process and Progress of the National Urban Policy,” Bah emphasized that the urban sector encounters many challenges that are difficult to mitigate. He said the urban policy forum is intended to promote sustainable urban development in Liberia.

Hence, the establishment of the National Cocoa Seed Garden (NCSG) is important to ensure quality certified hybrid seeds distribution to the farmers. The NCSG will guarantee the availability of improved, certified and quality planting materials to stop the importation of cocoa seedlings. Approximately 25,000 cocoa farmers, who are members of cooperatives across Liberia, will start accessing the seedlings from the Center at a reasonable cost. The Center will serve to address the constraint faced by smallholder farmers getting improved cocoa hybrid seeds locally for planting. He said that the seed garden will enhance input supplies of cocoa seedlings and assist other beneficiaries along the cocoa value chain.

MONROVIA – United States Ambassador Michael McCarthy has been awarded the 2023 Mark Palmer Prize by Freedom House for his commitment and leadership in transforming state institutions and promoting democratic values and principles. “I am honored to accept this prestigious award, noting how impactfully Ambassador Palmer’s legacy has advanced diplomacy, democracy, and human rights for countless communities around the world,” said Ambassador McCarthy. Long journey in diplomacyAmbassador McCarthy has served as the US Ambassador to Liberia since January 2021. The Mark Palmer Prize is made possible through the generosity of the Mark and Sushma Palmer Legacy Fund, established by Sushma Palmer in loving memory of her late husband Ambassador Mark Palmer. Meanwhile, Freedom House says it is now soliciting nominations for the 2024 Mark Palmer Prize, and nominations must be submitted via the nomination webpage here by October 1, 2023.

Monrovia – The race to the second division league continued in the Montserrado County Sub-Association third Division Playoff. As teams from across the country prepare for the national playoff, four teams from Montserrado County have advanced to the semi-finals of this year’s Montserrado County Division Playoffs. By Christopher C. Walker [email protected]Giant Killers Pepper FC eliminated Roundus FC to secure their place in the semi-finals and a place in the national playoff. The Barnersville-based club sealed their qualification in grand style after trashing Roundus FC 7-0 in the Winners’ category of the Montserrado Sub-Association Third Division playoff. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Lone Star secured a 2-1 win over Amazing FC in the quarterfinal of Montserrado Sub-Association third Division Playoff.