Liberia: Government, Students, And Parents Laud USAID-Funded Twelfth Grader Cash Stipend Program
Students from various parts of Liberia who sat the Exams, administered from August 17 to September 2, attended the ceremony to recognize and celebrate these successes of the USAID funded 12th grader cash stipend initiative. Monrovia – The Minister of Education, Professor Ansu Sonii, has expressed the profound thanks and appreciation of the Liberian people to the Government and People of the United States for the 12th Grader Cash Stipend program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Parents and teachers’ representatives also attended the ceremony. Students, parents, and teachers who spoke during the ceremony, thanked the U.S. Government for the stipend program, which they said greatly helped students and their families cope with some of the economic constraints caused by COVID-19. USAID/Liberia Mission Director, Sara Walter, said the cash stipend transfer program was part of the broader United Government COVID-19 assistance to Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 14, 2020 00:07 UTC
Calling on the Government of Liberia and its people to take advantage of CCTV cameras system
Calling on the Government of Liberia and its people to take advantage of CCTV cameras systemClosed Circuit Television (CCTV) also known as video surveillance, is the usage of video cameras to transmit signals to a specific place – on a limited set of monitors. If CCTV cameras constantly monitors a retail business, criminals would likely seek an easier target. I recalled, CCTV system was lately used to track contact traces of people of corona virus suspect within Liberia. Banks, and few of governmental and non-governmental agencies use CCTV cameras within Liberia. The GOVERNMENT OF LIBERIA AND ITS PEOPLE really need to look in this direction of highly using CCTV cameras system on the streets, at agencies, banks, schools, and homes.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 13, 2020 23:37 UTC
Liberia: Customs Intercepts Illegally Imported Ammunition
MONROVIA – The Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has seized and turned over to security authorities four (4) boxes of single barrel rounds smuggled into the country. The single barrel rounds were discovered by Customs Anti-Smuggling officers during physical inspection of trafficked goods at the LRA Headquarters in Paynesville. Assistant Commissioner Kofa, reaffirmed the commitment of the LRA Customs Department in ensuring effective border security and protection under the LRA’s border management strategy. LRA Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement, Attorney D. Blamo Kofa handing over the seized ammunition to Madam Bennietta T. Jarbo, Vice-Chairperson of the Liberia Small Arms CommissionThe Vice Chairperson of the Liberia Small Arms Commission, Madam Bennietta T. Jarbo, meanwhile, lauded the Customs Department of LRA for being very vigilant in discovering and seizing ammunitions illegally imported into the country. The Customs Department of the LRA in April this year intercepted and turned over to the National Security Agency single barrel shotgun rounds illegally imported into the country by a land border truck from Sierra Leone.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 22:23 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Ellen Attoh-Wreh Dedicates Bridge Connecting Dartu-ta and Mandingo Quarter Communities in Kakata
Rep. Ellen Attoh-Wreh said that the construction of the footpath bridge was in fulfillment of her campaign promise made to inhabitants of the two communities. Kakata, Margibi County – Margibi County Electoral District 3 Representative Ellen Attoh-Wreh has completed and dedicated a 47-meter long footpath bridge connecting Dartu-ta and Mandingo Quarter Communities in Kakata, Margibi County. Rep. Ellen Attoh-Wreh said that the construction of the footpath bridge was in fulfillment of her campaign promise made to inhabitants of the two communities. So, we saw the need to make this bridge one of our priorities”, Rep. Attoh-Wreh noted. She, however, admonished the residents and leaderships of Dartu-ta and Mandingo Quarter communities to properly maintain the bridge facility by ensuring that the materials placed there are not stolen.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 21:45 UTC
Liberia: First Lady’s Dream for Underprivileged Liberians Turns Reality
City of Hope project reaches 65 percent completion. Fast-forward, the project – being constructed in Marshall, Margibi County by the Clar Hope Foundation – has now reached sixty-five percent completion. During her guided tour, Mrs. Weah was taken to several buildings and sites including the academic buildings, theatre, clinic, dormitories and the sports centers. Upon completion of the multi-million dollar project, Mrs. Weah plans to recruit and fully educate at least 200 girls at the tender ages of 3 to 5 years. Meanwhile, Mrs. Weah has expressed gratitude to the Clar Hope Foundation donors including well-meaning Liberians along with local and international partners who believe in her dream for transforming fellow Liberians.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 21:22 UTC
Liberia: President Declares Rape a National Emergency
Under the National Rape Emergency, the President has announced initial measures to include, the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for rape, the setting up of a National Sex Offender Registry,Monrovia-President George Manneh Weah has issued a proclamation declaring RAPE a ‘National Emergency.’The President issued the proclamation Friday, after Cabinet convened and received the National Anti Rape & SGBV Roadmap. The roadmap on SGBV which evolved deliberations of Inter-Ministerial Task Force was validated by the National Anti-Rape & Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Conference held at the Ministerial Complex on September 8 – 9, 2020. Under the National Rape Emergency, the President has announced initial measures to include, the appointment of a Special Prosecutor for rape, the setting up of a National Sex Offender Registry, the establishment of a National Security Task Force on SGBV, the allotment of an initial amount of USD TwoMillion (USD$2,000,000) to fund and beef up the fight against rape and SGBV. Speaking following the issuance of the proclamation, President Weah said: “My administration will spare no effort in ensuring that the epidemic of rape and SGBV is curtailed.”He said additional measures will be announced subsequently including Executive Orders, aimed at protecting the vulnerable and banning harmful traditional practices. The President then urged all Liberians, activist, advocates along with local and international stakeholders to work with the government in defeating the scourge of rape in the country.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 20:03 UTC
Liberia: Rep. Fonati Koffa Requests US$590k Budgetary Allotment to Grand Kru County
Citing the 2008 census conducted by the Liberia Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Rep. Koffa said the entire population of Grand Kru is 63,000. Citing the 2008 census conducted by the Liberia Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Rep. Koffa said the entire population of Grand Kru is 63,000. Most of the recent developments in Grand Kru, the lawmaker mentioned, has occurred through presidential initiatives, personal projects sponsored by lawmakers, or projects undertaken by non-governmental organizations. Koffa requested. Finally, the lawmaker is requesting the remaining US$90,000 for the rehabilitation of the Wakpo-Nyankopo road, a 24-kilometer road with in District #2 in Grand Kru County.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 12:09 UTC
Rare Sighting Of Forest Elephants From Guinea Brings Renewed Hope For Elephant Conservation In Liberia
The sighting of the two forest elephants, which had crossed over from the Ziama Man and Biosphere Reserve in Guinea, was a rarity that captivated the imagination of onlookers. In this digital age, it wasn’t long before photos and videos of the elephants were circulating on social media. Mr Goll further stated that Liberia has made significant progress in elephant conservation, joining the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) since 2015. He added “Liberia has also developed a National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP), which will provide guidance and actions for the sustainable management of forest elephants in Liberia.”Hon. However, the excitement this has caused creates a rare opportunity to raise awareness about the importance and plight of the African forest elephant, a threatened species, which is at the risk of extinction across its geographic range.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 12:02 UTC
Liberia: ‘This Has Created Trauma for my Family’: Passport Director Blacklisted by US, Threatens Lawsuit
On Thursday, US State Department of State designated Wonplo and his entire family blacklisted from entering the US. The law also requires the Secretary of State to either publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to Mr. Wonplo, I am announcing the public designation of his spouse, Dennice Wonplo, and their minor children. Also uncertain is the fate of Criminal Court ‘C’ Judge Yarmie Quiqui, who presided over the case and dismissed charges against Mr. Wonplo. The US stance on Mr. Wonplo follows a recent wave of concerns over major lapses in Liberia’s judicial system.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 09:35 UTC
Liberia: The Real Facts Surrounding African Union’s Sanctions Over Liberia’s Failure to Pay Dues
By the end of 2008, the Government had succeeded in restoring full membership rights of Liberia in all international organizations. At the meeting, the AU decided to impose sanctions on member states who do not pay 50% of their assessed contributions within six months. Former Liberia AU Ambassador George Patten appealed with the AU for consideration while he tried to lobby with the Liberia government to pay its obligations, which unfortunately did not yield fruits. At the end of the financial year in 2019, only 50% of member states had paid their dues. The sanctions measures is aimed at ensuring that the AU’s 55 member states meet their financial obligations to the Union in time.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 05:03 UTC
Liberia: Pressure Mounts for Implementation of TRC Recommendations As Justice for War and Economic Crimes Takes Center Stage at Int’l Confab
The concerted demand came at a recent international conference sponsored by the European based Global Initiative for Justice (GIJ). Other participants included major stakeholders from the United Nations (UN), and leaders of various international organizations who emphasized the need for justice on the issue of war and economic crimes in Liberia. Under the theme “In pursuit of Justice”, the virtual conference convened by the GIJ in collaboration with the International Justice Group (IJG) was moderated by Morgan State University Professor Welma Redd. The conference comes eleven years since the official submission of the TRC Report and Recommendations of 2009. In the aftermath of the Liberian civil war, scores of Liberian war crimes suspects have been arrested and tried in the United States and Europe but none of such justice measures have taken place in Liberia.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:52 UTC
Liberia: A Wake-up Call from Uncle Sam – Blacklisting Ex-Passport Director Puts Judicial Branch on Notice
ON THURSDAY, the United States Department of State designated Wonplo and his entire familyblacklisted from entering the US. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, the judicial branch of government turned a blind eye to multiple reports detailing allegations of bribery and corruption in the judicial system. FOR EXAMPLE, the 2019 US State Department Human Rights Report noted that judicial officials and prosecutors appeared subject to pressure, and the outcomes of some trials appeared to be predetermined. In addition to Mr. Wonplo, I am announcing the public designation of his spouse, Dennice Wonplo, and their minor children. This designation reaffirms U.S. commitment to standing with the people and government of Liberia in their fight against corruption.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:52 UTC
Liberia: Anti-Rape Protesters Lament Snub from Government’s SGBV Conference
Madam Solanke also blamed the situation on the leadership of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia and the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL). So, we knew that it was something deliberate because it’s just impossible for the National Civil Society Council to see someone that is active less important. Taking into consideration a national conference on rape-it was not a conference to call one particular group or stakeholder”. “A national conference is a national conference; it is not a committee, corporation or stakeholder meeting. It is a national conference of a whole nation”.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:41 UTC
Liberia: FPA Boss Donates Laptops, Stationery Supplies, Masks to Press Union After Headquarters Was Burglarized
“I have been a beneficiary of the Press Union of Liberia. When I went to prison, the Press Union stood by us; when we are in trouble, the Press Union come to our aid. It’s important for us to recognize the Press Union when they have problems”. In an interview with reporters shortly after the donation, Mr. Sieh put the cost of the donation at US$1500. Receiving the items, the Vice President of the PUL, Mr. Daniel Nyankonah commended Mr. Sieh for the donation.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:30 UTC
Liberia: Fake University in Nimba Offers Graduate Degree Program in 16 Weeks
The institution is alleged to be offering Bachelor’s degree within 12 weeks and Masters’ degree within 16 weeks of studies. In recent days, there have been reports from Nimba County that a Sierra Leonean was operating what looks like a fake institution of higher learning in the area. “It is surprisingly bewildering that an institution granting degree will do so in 12 and 16 weeks for Barchelor and Master’s degrees respectively,” Rep. Domah complained. Zarwolo, said before graduation, students must complete a minimum of 144 courses approved by the school’s faculty based in Goderick, Sierra Leone. When asked what are some of the courses the institution is offering, he referred FPA to the school’s website.
Source:Front Page Africa
September 11, 2020 04:28 UTC