Liberian Journalist Solomon Wakins to Challenge Incumbent Yekeh Kolubah in District #10
MONROVIA – Montserrado County Electoral District #10 in Liberia is set to witness a significant political showdown during the upcoming October 10 General Presidential and Legislative Elections. Among the contenders vying for the representative seat is Solomon Wakins, a well-known journalist in Liberia who has now stepped into the realm of politics. By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr. [email protected]Wakins, who recently secured the nomination of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP) following a successful primary on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, is set to go head-to-head with the controversial incumbent, Representative Yekeh Kolubah. Wakins believes that District #10 deserves a representative with technical expertise to address the governance and leadership lapses at both the district and national levels. As the election approaches, all eyes are on District #10 to witness a battle between the incumbent Yekeh Kolubah and the fresh face of politics, Solomon Wakins.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 21, 2023 20:18 UTC
Liberia: “U.S. Doesn’t Give Out Anything for Free" — Says USAID Enterprise Officer
Shearer stated that AGOA is a great opportunity for Liberia and the United States to utilize such a trade agreement. The USAID Private Enterprise Officer believed that when Liberian businesses grow, the United States will benefit from high-quality agricultural products. "We like palm oil; we like other agricultural products that come from Liberia; and when Liberia grows, it presents another market for United States businesses to tap into," Shearer explained. Instead of exporting in raw form with value-added processing, just make sure that Liberians get a larger share of their product," Shearer urged Liberian businesses. However, despite the potential opportunities, there haven’t been enough efforts from Liberian businesses to transport goods to the United States.
Source:Daily Observer
July 20, 2023 21:17 UTC
Liberia: Civil Law Court Fines 19 Spoon FM Staff Members After Contempt Conviction
The Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice has fined 19 journalists and support staff members of the embattled Spoon FM radio and television stations after they were found guilty of contempt on Tuesday July 18. After imposing the fines, Civil Law Court Judge, Kennedy Peabody, suspended prison sentences against the defendants. The closure order was based on a lawsuit of defamation filed by Wilmot Smith, a dismissed former Deputy Director General of Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), against Spoon FM. “You are very important in disseminating information that can destroy lives and property or make people live peacefully with each other,” Peabody reminded the spoon FM employees. “This attitude clearly shows disrespect and disregard for the judiciary and the court, the rule of law and your fellow citizens,” Peabody told the spoon FM employees.
Source:Daily Observer
July 20, 2023 19:14 UTC
Liberia: The Broken Promises of a Private Palm Plantation
Controversies with Franklin Jackson, Local Farm’s owner, and CEO, have changed the inspiration for hope among townspeople into despair. “[Franklin Jackson] told us that Local Farm was a pumpkin and he was planting the pumpkin to spread in Coniwein. Local Farm planted palm trees on about 750 acres of the land found in the Marblee Clan, the villagers, and the company say. He says Ebola, which broke out in Liberia in 2014, disrupted the farm’s initial efforts to produce palm oil. Reporters of The DayLight photographed and video-recorded one man carrying a container of palm oil from the plantation.
Source:Daily Observer
July 20, 2023 04:33 UTC
Liberia: Gongloe Calls on Gov’t to Halt Carbon Deal with UAE Company
“We are concerned about the granting of exclusive carbon rights to Blue Carbon, especially in the absence of adequate community participation in the negotiation,” the group said in a statement on July 17. The forestry law prohibits the government from including private land in forestry contracts and said forestry contract areas must not exceed 400,000 hectares. “Allocating 1 million hectares under a single contract and including communities Customary Land in the said contract would violate the forestry law,” Gongloe said in the statement on Tuesday. “Allocating communities’ Customary Land to Blue Carbon would violate their rights under these laws,” he said. In 2009 and 2010, the government of Liberia at the behest of the FDA entered into 4 Forest Management Contracts (FMCs), 5 Timber Sale Contracts, and 23 Private Use Permits covering.
Source:Daily Observer
July 20, 2023 02:58 UTC
Liberia: CDC Reportedly Engages in Talks with ALP Leader Benoni Urey to Garner Support for President Weah’s Re-election Campaign
Monrovia – The ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has reportedly initiated discussions with Benoni Urey, leader of the All Liberian Party (ALP), in an effort to secure his endorsement for the re-election campaign of incumbent President George Weah. According to ALP insiders, the meeting, held on Tuesday, July 18, concluded without a resolution, prompting the rescheduling of further discussions. Urey and representatives of President Weah failed to reach a consensus on potential financial benefits associated with Urey’s support. Moreover, Urey has requested a meeting with President Weah at his own residence, citing privacy concerns. Urey’s decision to withdraw support from Boakai was triggered by Boakai’s choice of running mate, Senator Jeremiah Koung.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 19, 2023 15:04 UTC
Liberia Maritime Authority Wins Intra-governmental Tourney
Paynesville City – The Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) was crowned champions of the Intra-Governmental Tournament after a 2-0 win over the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex. They had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the 23rd minute but failed to capitalize on it. LAA continued to dominate proceedings, finding spaces in the LMA’s defense but wasted their opportunities to find the opening goal. In the Kickball category, the National Port Authority (NPA) was crowned champions after defeating the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Additionally, NPA and the Ministry of Finance, Development, and Planning secured third place in the Football and Kickball categories, respectively.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 19, 2023 13:17 UTC
Under the Radar: Low-key Presidential Aspirants Push for A Better Liberia Amidst Focus on Weah, Boakai, Cummings & Gongloe
Joseph Boakai of the former ruling Unity Party (UP), Alexander Cummings of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), and Cllr. THE OTHER CANDIDATES:DR. CLARENCE K. MONIBA:The 43-year-old is the son of the founding father of Liberia National Union (LINU) political party. Dr. Moniba is the 5th person to have occupied such the highest post within LINU, namely, Dr. Harry Moniba, Cllr. Dr. Moniba at various times also headed the Diaspora Engagement Unit, the Philanthropy Secretariat and the President’s Delivery Unit which oversaw the implementation of priority projects. Allen BrownThe standard bearer of the Liberia Restoration Party (LRP) says he has a huge vision for Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 18, 2023 19:15 UTC
“Liberia is not a Test Tube for Failed Experiments”- Pres. Weah Warns Opponents against Former VP Boakai
Addressing a large crowd of supporters, President Weah emphasized the need for a new era of dedicated and practical leaders who are prepared to confront challenges head-on. During his impassioned speech, President Weah acknowledged the dire state of education, infrastructure, and other sectors before his presidency. Under President Weah’s leadership, Liberia has witnessed significant progress in various sectors. To strengthen his campaign for this year’s elections, President Weah announced the appointment of Lenn Eugene Nagbe, the Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner, as the CDC’s campaign manager. By urging Liberians to reject failed experiments and empty promises, President Weah emphasized his vision for a prosperous Liberia that continues to move forward.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 18, 2023 19:13 UTC
Liberia: YOCEL Launches 12-Months Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship Targeting Ten Entrepreneurs
The initiative is part of YOCEL five-year strategy to reduce poverty through increasing economic opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs in Liberia, funded by the Fund for Global Human Rights. MONROVIA – Youth Coalition for Education in Liberia (YOCEL), on the 22nd of June, launched the Impact fellowship, a 12 months social entrepreneurship fellowship targeting 10 entrepreneurs at the Colony Hotel in Congo town. By Francis G. Boayue – francis.boayueafrontpageafricaonline.comThe Impact fellowship is a cohort-styled social enterprise accelerator program that aims to create modern social businesses driven by a balance between profits and impact. The initiative is part of YOCEL five-year strategy to reduce poverty through increasing economic opportunities for women and youth entrepreneurs in Liberia, funded by the Fund for Global Human Rights. Others in attendance included youth entrepreneurs and agribusiness farmers from counties in which YOCEL is currently operating.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 14, 2023 23:17 UTC
Liberia: Goodluck Jonathan Calls for Issue-Based Campaigning Ahead of Elections
“I caution Liberians and politicians to embrace issue-based campaigning, abusive languages, and insults have no place in our society and should have no place in our elections,” he said. He also warned against hate speeches, and politics of bitterness, adding its effects are dangerous for democracy, peace, and sustainable growth. He also cautioned Liberian politicians to honor the Farmington Peace Accord and refrain from acts that could threaten the conduct of peaceful elections. “As a way of posing confidence in the elections, we urge the National Elections Commission and the security apparatus to regularly communicate their programs and activities for the elections in order to reassure the citizens that elections are going on in accordance with the plans, he said. Mr. Jonathan was accompanied by the former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso and ECOWAS’ Commission President, Kadrie Desire Ouedraogo.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 14, 2023 15:50 UTC
Liberia’s Foreign Minister Highlights Unprecedented Freedom of Speech by Outgoing US Ambassador During His Term
Monrovia – Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, has emphasized that the outgoing US Ambassador to Liberia, Michael McCarthy, has enjoyed an exceptional level of freedom of expression during his three-year tenure. During his confirmation hearing after being nominated by former US President Donald J. Trump, Ambassador McCarthy pledged to make his presence felt by boldly speaking out against the “rampant corruption” plaguing the Weah-led government. The U.S. Department of the Treasury spends many hours and other significant resources to research and approve sanctions on individuals. Minister Kemayah stated, “Liberia is a beacon of freedom of expression, particularly freedom of speech. Your service here will be remembered.”The Liberian Foreign Minister emphasized that the international community is an indispensable partner in Liberia’s development efforts and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 14, 2023 13:50 UTC
Liberia: UP Chairman, Joseph Boakai, Jr. Give Conflicting Statements on Amb. Boakai’s Meeting with Foreign Campaign Financiers
Luther Tarpeh, swiftly refuted Costa’s claims, labeling them as false, Joseph Boakai Jr., son of the UP standard bearer, confirmed the meeting but denied any suggestion of his father offering concessions. Luther Tarpeh, the Chairman of the Unity Party, refuted Costa’s claims, particularly concerning campaign financing by foreign individuals. Luther Tarpeh, chairman of the Unity Party tells the VOA Daybreak Africa that Amb. Joseph Boakai, Jr. son of the Unity Party standard bearer admits to his father being in discussion with foreign business people opting to finance his campaign. Boakai was surprised at the undisclosed financiers basing their support for his campaign on selecting Costa as his running mate.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 13, 2023 13:03 UTC
Liberia: Why I Chose Dr. Urey Yarkpawolo as my Running Mate – Gongloe – FrontPageAfrica
By Selma Lomax [email protected]Dr. Urey, 42, was unveiled last week as running mate in Gbarnga at a program that brought together thousand of supporters of the party. At Saturday’s unveiling, Gongloe explained that it was a tough decision to arrive at his choice of a running mate, one which required wild consultations with various stakeholders. Prior to being named as running mate to Cllr. Gongloe, Dr. Urey had announced his intentions to contest as representative of District Four in October. The LPP supporters kick started their rally from the party’s Bong County headquarters in a mammoth crowd wearing customized LPP t-shirts.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 13, 2023 11:37 UTC
Liberia: Unity Party Standard Bearer Names Former Auditor General John Morlu as Lead Campaign Fundraiser
MONROVIA – The standard bearer of the Unity Party, Amb. Joseph Boakai on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Auditor General John Morlu, II as the lead campaign fundraiser. Expressing gratitude for Morlu’s involvement, the Unity Party views his addition to the team as a crucial step towards building a more prosperous Liberia. In response to his appointment, John Morlu emphasized the importance of taking action and supporting the political process. With former Auditor General John Morlu, II at the helm of their fundraising efforts, the Unity Party hopes to inspire capable and competent individuals to actively participate in rescuing Liberia from its current challenges.
Source:Front Page Africa
July 13, 2023 00:02 UTC