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LEGISLATIVE
BEAT

pg 6

COUPON
SCANDAL?
Lawmaker Allegedly
Diverted Fuel,
Under Probe

COMMUNITY NEWS

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UNLAWFUL
New Matadi Estate
Tenants Decry NHA
Forced Closure

POLITICS

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JEWEL,
TOKPAH
RERUN

FrontPage

Senate Race Set for September


Amid Withdrawal Speculations

www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.132

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

PRICE L$40

LIBERIAS FORMER FORESTRY


BOSS, OTHERS GET 10 YEARS

RULING REVERSED

The defendants, Moses Wogbeh, John Kantor, Jangar Kamara, David Blayee and Maxwell
Gwee are hereby ordered by this court to restitute the amount of US$6m to government
as of August 25, 2015, fined US$10,000 pay to government within 72 hours and hereby
sentenced to 10-yrs in imprisonment,- Judge Peter Gbeneweleh of Criminal Court C

Law & Order- pg. 5

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES


LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING

SELLING

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

L$88.00/US$1

L$89.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2015

L$88.00/US$1

L$89.00/US$1

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2015

L$88.00/US$1

L$89.00/US$1

These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of the foreign exchange market
in Monrovia and its environs. The rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the
commercials banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

FROM PAGE 1

Page 2 | Frontpage

Tuesday, September 1, 2015


This is an important act for me because at this moment Im
involved in a deep reflection as to where this journey of career
will take me, Woods said.
He continued: I still believe there is much more in Liberia to be
done beyond this and as I think through these things I ponder;
certainly I intend to make a clear decision on where I go from
here and how we can continue to fulfill the dreams and ideals of
Arch Bishop Michael Francis.
Two months later, President Sirleaf confirmed the resignation of
Woods from government, still praising him for his contribution
to government.
Yes Minister Woods resigned, we discussed it, he wants to be
able to revive the justice and peace commission which as you
know he worked with, with Bishop Francis and he did so when
Bishop Francis died, President Sirleaf said.
The Liberian leader disclosed at the time that she spoke to
Minister Woods and accepted his resignation adding that he will
continue to make his contribution to the development of the
country in his new endeavor. The President was quick to rubbish
critics assertion that Woods resignation was a controversial
one.
People can say whatever they want; you know if he had not
resigned they would be on his case too that hes not doing those
roads good; whats happening to all the money and all of that.
People here talk plenty. Minister Woods have served his country
well.
Request for technical audit

Samwar S. Fallah, samwar.fallah@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviaresident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her one time trusted


or loyal lieutenant, former Public Works Minister
Samuel K. Woods are trading words over who should
take responsibility for what might have gone wrong at
two state institutions.
Sirleaf described Woods as her loyal lieutenant when he served
as Minister of Public Works but following his resignation from
government, Woods has been a strong critic of the Sirleaf led
regime, very critical of major decisions.
In the latest of Woods critical stance, he declared that President
Sirleaf and the entire regime should take full responsibility for
the current crisis facing the National Oil Company of Liberia,
where the company has gone bad to the extent of now carrying
out a layoff of 110 of its total 160 employees.
"The leadership of this country is fully responsible and must
take responsibility of what's happening at NOCAL, all the things
they are talking about giving them severance pay is not correct
giving those guys money is not adequate, it is sufficient and is
limited you cannot talk about an oil company collapsing and
you are talking about retiring the head of the entity and giving
him severance pay, how can you give people money at an Oil
Company that has collapsed?" Woods said.
While President Sirleaf has not responded directly to several
comments from her one time trusted lieutenant, she has, this
time, hit back at Woods.
Well as the head of the country, I have to take responsibility
even though you had a very able Board of Directors, a very
able senior management whom I left to make the decisions on
the management of the company; but as head of the country,
anything that does not work the way we want, I ultimately will
be responsible, said President Sirleaf when quizzed on the
comments made by former Minister Woods.
President Sirleaf as well wants Woods to take responsibility for
what might have gone wrong at the Ministry of Public Works.
Said President Sirleaf I suspect that former Minister Woods will
be equally responsible for things that happened under his watch
when it comes to the problems we had at public works, so the
head person takes responsibility even though they may not be
directly responsible. That is my response to that.
The Ministry of Public Works after the departure of Minister

Woods encountered numerous problems including several


abandoned projects and huge financial commitments to many
construction companies but Woods said he did not eat any
money while in government and has denied any wrongdoing at
the Ministry of Public Works.
One time friends

When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won Liberias first post


war general and presidential elections in 2005, forming a new
government meant bringing on board her closet allies and
longtime friends as is the usual case with successive Liberian
presidents.
It was no doubt when the Liberian leader appointed human
rights lawyer, Atty. Samuel k. Woods who was one of the
strongest critics against human rights abuses committed under
the regime of President Charles Taylor. During Woods work
with the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, he was very
vocal against the Taylor regime just as Madam Sirleaf who spent
much of the Taylor days in neighboring Ivory Coast, constantly
commenting on trend of events in Liberia.
Sirleaf named Woods as the Minister of Labour which placed him
in the position to face the task of ensuring respect for the rights
of workers including those at the Firestone Rubber Plantations
Company. Woods before his appointment had criticized the
company for several years for allegedly violating the rights of
workers.
Woods tenure at the Labour Ministry was short-lived as
President Sirleaf appointed him to another position with huge
task at hand to revamp the infrastructure sector of Liberia,
appointing him Minister of Public Works.
Prior to Woods appointment, his predecessor, Public Works
Minister Luseni Donzo had presided over numerous failed
projects, including the Jallah Town Road project and delays in
the implementation of other projects across the country.
Loyal lieutenants

During Woods time as Public Works Minister, he was one of the


officials of government regularly recognized and singled out for
praises and public recognition by President Sirleaf.
While dedicating the Gbonota to Piata Road in Sanuyea District,
Lower Bong County, President Sirleaf described Woods as a
loyal lieutenant.
President Sirleaf said Minister Woods and his team should be
celebrated as loyal lieutenants for their commitment and
support to the implementation of government programs and
promises in the country.
The Liberian leader also described Woods as loyal servant
at some public functions but things started going sour when
the talk of Woods harboring a presidential ambition in 2017
increased.
President Sirleaf, the onetime admirer of the work of Woods,
began publicly expressing dissatisfaction over the quality of
some of the construction work under the supervision of Minister
Woods including the Tubman Boulevard Road in Paynesville.
The once cherished relationship was gradually fading and things
going bad and Woods, in May 2013 during the signing ceremony
of a memorandum of understanding between the Liberian
government and the China Henan International Cooperation
Group (CHICO) to give Caldwell Township a new bridge, dropped
hint of his desire to leave the Sirleaf government.

Following the departure of Woods, President Sirleaf mandated


the General Auditing Commission of Liberia to audit the Ministry
of Public Works, stating in her letter that she is directing the
commission to conduct the audit.
"As you know, the Government of Liberia is committed to fully
addressing the serious issue of extra-budgetary commitments
for the conduct of roads works, which emerged last year
between the Ministry of Public Works and road contractors. As
part of our commitment to deal with this issue decisively and in
conforming with the Public Financial management (PFM) Law
of 2009 and associated legal frameworks, I am directing the
General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a full financial
audit of these projects", stated the Presidents letter. President
Sirleaf in the letter outlined what should be achieved by the
audit.
Stated the President: "The special investigate exercise should
provide a clear and comprehensive picture of events leading
to the commitments that have been made; and, in particular,
determine whether all of these contracts were obtained in
adherence to the laws governing such commitments. This will
help us establish whether any legal action is warranted, and will
also guide us in making appropriate payment settlements for
outstanding contracts".
Woods barks

After his exit from Government, Woods became a strong critic of


the regime, commenting on major issues in government similar
to his stance against the regime of former President Charles
Taylor.
When President Sirleaf declared a state of emergency to fight
Ebola, Woods warned that the virus should not be used to
violate the rights of the Liberian people.
Woods condemned the shooting to death of little Shaki Kamara
in West Point by soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia, as well
as the closure of the National Chronicle Newspaper; terming
those actions as overreaching, heavy handed and unwarranted.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Frontpage

Page 3

FrontPage COMMENTARY
WEAH AND HIS PROTEST MOVEMENT:
EDITORIAL WHAT FUTURE EXIST FOR THEM?
LIBERIA: EBOLA
GONE BUT
T
SCARS REMAIN:
v

By: William Smith, wsmith1979@yahoo.com; Contributing Writer

SURVIVORS
DESERVE BETTER

THE OUTBREAK of the deadly Ebola virus took the


affected countries mainly Liberia, Sierra Leone
and Guinea by surprise which made containing
the virus very difficult from the beginning.
PEOPLE WERE uneducated about the virus
which led to rapid spread and high death rates
in all three countries. In Liberia, President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf described the virus as an
unknown enemy that waged war against the
Liberian people.
HEALTH WORKERS and many citizens felt prey to
the virus which, from the beginning, was seen as
an instant death sentence upon contracting.
WITH TIME, FEW PEOPLE began surviving from
the virus based on improved care in many of the
Ebola Treatment units and the availability of
more information about the virus.
THERE IS YET NO KNOWN cure for the virus,
leaving doctors with no options but to experiment
with mixture of different types of medications
which led to complications for many survivors.
MANY SURVIVORS ARE complaining about
experiencing new kinds of illness since their
discharged from the Ebola Treat Unit-some
going blind, others suffering impotency, severe
headache and other sad effects.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY including
the World Bank promised over US$ 1 billion post
Ebola support to the three affected countries
with care for survivors highlighted.
DURING A VISIT TO LIBERIA World Bank
President Dr. Jim Yong Kim held meetings with
Ebola survivors and, according to some survivors,
he pledged the Banks support the recovery
process of these survivors.
AFTER EBOLA, THE PLIGHT of these survivors,
some of whom lost all family members, is very
disturbing-no program has been developed to
look after these survivors by providing them
medical attention and other forms of support.
IN MONROVIA AND ALL the counties, survivors
continue to look up for assistance which is yet to
come.
MERCY KROMAH, a 12- year old Ebola survivor
who told FrontPageAfrica she lost both parents
to the virus is still in a state of confusion not
knowing where her life is going at the moment.
THE PHYSICAL APPEARANCE of Mercy tells it allrashes on the skin, poor look and visibly looking
malnourished. She says since she was discharged
from the MSF ETU on August 7, 2014, she has not
visited a hospital because she cant afford to pay
for treatment.
LIKE MERCY WHO LIVES in Monrovia, survivors
in rural counties are far worse as one survivor

he Congress for Democratic Change (CDC),


organized in 2004, is inarguably the single
largest political party in Liberian democratic
history and has proven over and over that it
is a mere protest movement; unable to garner the votes
required to win an election.
The CDC and its political leader, George Weah, have not
been able to convince the Liberian people that they are
able to govern even though they have shown time and
again that they control a sizable portion of the electorate.
This sizable portion (28 to 30% of the voting population)
is heavily concentrated in Montserrado County; has no
potential of growing further; and has not demonstrated
an appeal to the intellectual class.
In 2005, the CDC was able to win the first round of
elections with about 28% of the valid vote cast but could
not go on to win the second round as the Liberian people
were not prepared to put the future of the country in the
hands of an unprepared hand even though the first round
of the elections showed that the Liberian people were
protesting the role of the political class.
Again in 2011, the CDC demonstrated enormous political
force by coming second place to the incumbent Unity
Party in the first round of elections. Even though the Unity
Party was very unpopular, the CDC was not able to win
the elections. However, the message was very clear that
ordinary people again were frustrated with the political
class but putting the country in the hands of the CDC,
though Tubman was on top of the ticket.
In all these instances, the protest have been loud and clear
and the message unequivocal but the Liberian people are
still waiting for the proper governing alternative which
the CDC has been unable to present.
For a Party that has been in existence for more than 10
years and with such a natural support base to be unable
to present a respectful front even though it enjoys a huge
tail wing is mind boggling. The CDC has not been able to
convince the vast majority of the Liberian people that it is
able to govern.
This lack of governance appeal is in the caliber of people
who lead the protest movement; its level of organization;
and its capacity to present clearer policy alternatives. The
CDC does not even have the capacity to raise money to
launch a major campaign. For a major party with such a
huge support base to be unable to raise resources speaks
volume. The party has not attracted the right kind of
people to lead the movement.
Additionally, the quality of the political leader is a problem
by itself. George Weah has allowed the desire for money
to support his personal life style to prostitute the party.
He has duped nearly every political actor on the scene
today to the extent that he has not credibility amongst
the key actors. And why the support base may be huge
v

from the remote village of Quewin in Grand Bassa


County said one paracetamol tablet is sold in her
village for L$30 and she cannot afford to buy a
dose containing at least 12 tablets at the $30 price
per tablet to take whenever she is experiencing
severe headache.
DURING THE PEAK of the outbreak in Liberia,
there was huge international support with the
presence of many international non-governmental
organizations on the ground but with the virus
now defeated, it looks like the world has left the
country.
ALTHOUGH THE VIRUS is now gone but the
scars are very visible and the desperate living
conditions of many survivors is one big example
of the indelible mark of Ebola on the country and

and excited, the ability to raise resources goes beyond the


ordinary people.
Well with 2017 in sight, there is probably the last
opportunity for Weah and his CDC to make their final
mark on the political landscape. If Weah loses this chance,
the possibility for the Weah and his CDC to ever take
state power is extinguished for good. I can argue that the
Party, beyond 2017, is an empty drum. Many of the party
faithfuls will jump ship and abandon the CDC.
What I believe really needs to happen at this stage is the
CDC to carefully consider the options before it and make
strategic decisions that will extend the Partys lease on
political life. If the CDC allows itself to be controlled and
raw emotions from the bottom, it might lose this golden
opportunity. Those misguided loyalists in the CDC who
believe that this is Weahs time to be president are terribly
mistaken. The CDC might be able to call the shots but the
country is not definitely not prepared to place the country
in the hands of George Weah.
What the CDC might want to do is begin to holding
serious, strategic conversations with other opposition
actors. The radical wing of the CDC might need to rethink
their position that it MUST be George Weah or nothing
else. Well, the good news is that it WILL be someone else
but not George Weah.
It is conspicuously clear is that Liberia will never get up
in the morning and vote for George Weah as president
in a two horse race. I say a two horse race because with
Weah in the race, the incontestable fact is that Weah will
definitely make it to the second round. The challenge is
with Weah as head of ticket, will Liberia ever elect him?
Repeatedly the country has said NO and will always say
NO.
While Weah is blessing to the CDC, he also the biggest
liability. The key is how best can the CDC use Weah to
achieve its overall objective? The objective has to be
something larger than making Weah president. If that
thing exist then they need to identify that objective and
design strategy towards achieving it.
At this stage those in the CDC who are closing doors on
constructive conversations have not the slightest clue on
political strategy. Or their primary objective is for Weah
to be president, then they will die without achieving that
goal because Weah has not prepared himself adequately
for the presidency and the country, though they love
him, is not prepared to risk that much. They have made a
Senator and maybe they are prepared to go one more step
but to make the face of the country, many would be weary
to take that leap of faith.
William Smith is a Liberian student living in Georgia. He
can be reached at wsmith1979@yahoo.com

its population.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT of Liberia has not
even been able to document the actual number of
survivors, which further proves the disorganize
manner in which the crisis was tackled, something
is urgently required to help Ebola survivors
reintegrate into the society.
THE PLIGHT OF SURVIVORS is awful and needs the
world attention just as the deaths and infections
claimed the attention of the world to act fast.
PLEDGES MADE by the international community
to the three countries needs to be turned into
reality to bring some relief to people who lives
have been shattered by the virus. A promise is a
debt.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

Send your letters and comments to:


editor@frontpageafricaonline.com
YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING


ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

RE: "SEX FOR HOUSE?


COMMENTS FROM
UNMIL STAFF ALLEGEDLY
FPA ONLINE
TRICKS LIBERIAN GIRL"

ELECTRICITY
RESTORATION

THE BIG LIGHT

TOMORROW CHALLENGE
Jesse Fahngon-Metropolitan State University
The provisions of electricity n water supply to its
citizens are not milestones achievements. These are
BASIC and the simply utilities a government can make
available to its citizens. The FORMER n LATTER are not
legacy items, my friends.

Esther Richards -Pikesville, Maryland


Forgive me for being such a sceptic, but I have lost
all hope of seeing electricity on Duport Road, right in
Paynesville. It is so depressing to sit and watch how
development occurs in Liberia. Duport Road (Du River
side), is a small but very growing community, which
has seen road, light, water schools, clinic development
just pass right by them and go on to Zubah town,
ELWA community, etc. I can't imagine this happening,
but it did. We are tired of pleading with the relevant
authorities to help us out. These utility companies have
used friendship to run a few poles to accommodate
their friends and relatives. Even the road project which
was started has been abandoned. It is as if some people
are not entitled while others have it all. I just want it to
be known that we are entitled to these developments
and shoud not just be passed by. Someday, we will see
the manifestation of our dream.
George K. Fahnbulleh
Mt. Coffee is a white elephant, which at nearly $500
million will not even meet the needs of Monrovia.
For that price we could have built one of the Rwanda
style projects in EVERY COUNTY.
Rwanda completed an Africa's first utility scale solar
project in 13 months: from signature to connection,
for only 23.1 Million USD. You can read about it here:
http://thisisafrica.me/rwanda-launches-east-africas.../
"Rwandas doing a number of things right. I mean
one, security. It is a place where people can trust their
PPAs for 25 years. [For] geo-political stability, Rwanda
probably is the most attractive place in east Africa. And
Rwandas regulatory framework - no corruption. It is a
very, very transparent system,
Lorenzo D Gartor-First Assembly of God
'To run is not necessarily to arrive', making a political
promise and fulling it is another thing, in most cases the
fulfilment part relies on the sincerity of the promisor,
and the last I check.......................

Eric Massoud-St. Peter Claver's High School


This should have ben priority number one from the
beginning more like 'Big Light Now' and small light
later' as oppose to making the increment of Law makers
pay a priority. And what about Bassa? Buchanan is in
darkness. The second largest city in the country ..

Peterson Kortuwah
"President Sirleaf is racing against time to fulfill her
promise to the Liberian people and protect her legacy."
At this point, the question of legacy is off the table;
rather, it is now a matter of investigating, auditing,
and prosecuting this failed administration on charges
of Economic Crimes committed against the Liberian
people.

DISCLAIMER: The comments expressed here are


those of our online readers and bloggers and do no
represent the views of FrontPageAfrica

The Editor,

am writing in reference to the article "Sex for House?" in the


Monday, 31 August edition of FrontPage and online.
The United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual
exploitation and abuse, and this issue is a top priority for the
UNMIL leadership and the United Nations as a whole.
Far from washing its hands of the matter, UNMIL referred the
allegation of sexual exploitation to the Office of Internal Oversight
Services (OIOS) on 28 August, immediately after the Mission
became aware of the allegation during the course of the pre-trial
conference described in the article. This is in accordance with the
UN rules and regulations.
The letter to UNMIL's Conduct and Discipline Team, dated 30
June, raised the issue of disputed ownership of the house in
question, but did not contain the allegation. Accordingly, UNMIL
reminded the staff member of his responsibility to resolve any
private legal obligation. The staff member has since cooperated
with the relevant authorities, which included his appearance at
the pre-trial conference. The Liberian court will determine the
way forward in the property dispute, in accordance with Liberian
law.
In addition to the actions outlined above, the Mission's Conduct
and Discipline Team has noted the assertion in the article that a
structure next to Liberia Government Hospital in Tubmanburg is
being used as "a center for sex trade," and is currently verifying
the assertion. Immediate corrective action will be taken, if the
allegation is substantiated.
Over several years, UNMIL has intensified its efforts to prevent
sexual exploitation and abuse by Mission personnel. These efforts
have resulted in lowering the number of substantiated allegations
since 2010. The Mission remains committed to taking all possible
action to prevent any kind of sexual abuse and exploitation by its
personnel and to pursuing the most robust disciplinary action in
cases where it does occur.
As the United Nations Secretary-General has said repeatedly, one
case of sexual exploitation or abuse is one too many.
Sincerely,
Russell Geekie
Chief, UNMIL Public Information
geekie@un.org

LIBERIA AND CHINA KINDRED


--AN OUTSTANDING AND APPRECIABLE RELATIONS

The Editor,

iberia and the People's Republic of China relations that


is well thought-out as bilateral relations of the People's
Republic of China and the Republic of Liberia. The
authorized relations began in 1977, but were broken on
manifold occasions; this was however re-established in 2009,
significant amounts of both investment and foreign aid came from
China to Liberia.

The Relations between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and


Liberia have been broken and reestablished several times since
February 17, 1977, when diplomatic relations between the PRC
and Liberia were first formed. I think this is a remarkable historical
facts that we must honestly look at and considered as emerging
intellectuals of Liberia. The PRC broke off relations with Liberia
on October 10, 1989 in response to Liberia's recognition of the

Republic of China (Taiwan). History has it that Taiwan offered


$200 million in aid to Liberia for education and infrastructure
in exchange for this recognition. As a means of China continual
interest in Liberia and I believe this is still manifesting in our
country today considering aids and the building of human capital
speaking of Liberians is an issue to reference. However, The PRC
reestablished relations with Liberia on August 10, 1993 and
opened an embassy in Monrovia, making Liberia one of the few
nations which established diplomatic ties to both the PRC and ROC.
In 1997, Charles Taylor's government proclaimed to recognize
"two Chinas" and the PRC subsequently severed diplomatic
relations. This again became another huge controversial issue.
There is of course huge political tention within China before and
even now on this issue of one China Policy.
Based on President Taylors decision with such policy, Liberia
again dropped diplomatic relations with the ROC. In continuation
of the ups and downs with this relationship, on October 12, 2003
Liberia reestablished ties with the People's Republic of China.
This move was seen largely as a result of the PRC's lobbying in the
UN and plans to deploy a peacekeeping force in Liberia.
However, tracing historically from 2000 to 2011, there are in
the region of 68 Chinese official development finance projects
branded in Liberia through various media reports. These projects
range from renovating and constructing the Fendell Campus
for Engineering of the University of Liberia, to a US$10 million
contract with the Government of Liberia for the construction of a
100 bedroom hospital in Nimba County in 2008 and even the SKD
Sports Complex.

It can be recalled that in October 2009, the Chinese embassy


in Monrovia opened language Chinese language courses for
Liberians. The need for such courses was due to the growing
business relations and the total lack of Chinese speakers among
Liberian citizens. The Liberians hoped to possibly work for and
study in China.

On April 26, Amb. Zhou Yuxiao delivered a keynote speech titled


"China today and its relations with Liberia" on the China-Liberia
relations workshop organized by Liberia-China Friendship
Organization (LICFO). Hon. Etmonia Tarpeh, Minister of Youth &
Sports, Hon. Henry Fahnbulleh, Assistant Minister for Afro-Asian
Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomats from the
Chinese Embassy and LICFO members attended the workshop.
Amb. Zhou introduced today's China with 4 Ps, namely,
population, progress, problems and policies. He said that, China's
population, 1.5 times as big as the total population in the whole
Africa continent, is still growing at a rate of one percent every
year, even with the well-implemented one-child-per-couplepolicy in place. In other words, China still produces an additional
population of about 10 million a year, roughly an equivalent of 3
Liberian populations. With such a big population, Only China can
help itself. China has made great progress in the past 30 years
with the implementation of the policy of reform and opening up.
First, China has changed from a closed or semi-closed society to
one that is widely open for cooperation with all counties in the
world regardless their size, ideology and political system; second,
its economic management has made historic transition from a
highly centralized planned economy to a robust socialist market
economy;
Akoi Dakala
akoidakala@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL TEAM

Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;


077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com
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541, samwar.fallah@frontpageafricaonline.com
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gboko.stewart@frontpageafricaonline.con
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marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
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& Layout Editor, echange4life@gmail.com;
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Henry Karmo, Reporter, henry.karmo@
frontpageafricaonline.com
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frontpageafricaonline.com/0886971922

Al-varney Rogers, Reporter, al.rogers@


frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-304498
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frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781
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FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
COUNTY NEWS TEAM
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BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
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advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com

COURT
REVERSES
RULING
Wogbeh Nailed for 10 years
Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Frontpage

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781


MonroviaJudge Peter Gbeneweleh of
Criminal Court C at the
Temple of Justice has reversed
his earlier decision to sentence
the former Managing Director
of the Forestry Development
Authority
(FDA)
Moses
Wogbeh and four other codefendants to five years instead
ordering their imprisonment
to 10 years.
The
Former
FDA
boss
Wogbeh and the other codefendants were accused by
the state of allegedly issuing
61 Private Use Permits (PUPs)
illegally to several logging
companies thereby causing the
government losses of US$6m
in revenue, a claim all they
have denied.
After standing trial since April
1, 2015, the five defendants
were found guilty of economic
sabotage and obstruction
of governments function as
public servants on Tuesday,
August 25, 2015.
The illegal issuance of 61
Private Use Permits (PUP) by
the Wogbehs administration
is in contravention of Section
18.9 of the National Forestry
Reform Laws of 2006 which
provides amongst others that

FDA Former Boss Wogbeh Leaving Court After Ruling


the granting of permits or
permission to harvest or use
forest resources contrary to
any provision of the NFRL
(2006) commits economic
sabotage, stated the courts
ruling.
He and other co-defendants
were sentenced by the court
to five years imprisonment in

a common jail in Montserrado


County and ordered to restitute
US$6m in government coffers
but the court failed to state the
time frame for the restitution
of the money.
Lawyers representing the
defendants took exception to
the ruling and announced an
appeal to the Supreme Court

sitting in its October 2015


Term of Court. The appeal was
granted by the lower court
as a right under the law but
contents of the appeal is yet to
be revealed.
State
lawyers
led
by
Montserrado County Attorney
also excepted to the five
years jail sentence for the

convicts arguing that the Judge


Gbeneweleh was in error to
have granted the convicts five
years when the law requires
that one guilty of economic
sabotage must be fined under
a time frame and sent to jail for
10 years.
Barely a week after the ruling
in the case in the wake of
the prosecutions excerption
the Criminal Court C Peter
Gbeneweleh Monday reversed
his previous decision to
sentence the five convicts
to five years and made to
restitute the US$6m without a
time frame.
In his pronouncement on
Monday under the caption
courts correction of sentence,
Judge Gbeneweleh, citing
the Criminal Procedure Law
Section 23.5, page 385, stated
that the law provides for the
correction and modification of
sentence.
Judge Gbeneweleh continued
that Section 15.87 of the
penal code relating to fines
and restitution provides that
a person tried and convicted
under Sub- Chapter F shall be
made to restitute the amount
stolen and shall be fined an
amount not less than $10,000
or be imprisoned for not less
than 10 years or both, if the
amount involved is 1,000 he
shall pay a fine of $5,000 or be
imprisoned for not less than

GROWING MENTAL DISORDER

Carter Center trains over one hundred and fifty mental health clinicians
By: Al-Varney Rogers alvarney.rogersfrontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498

Monroviaecked in red, white


and blue with their
faces beaming with
similes, the newest
class of twenty two clinicians
totaling the number of mental
clinicians in Liberia to one
hundred
and
sixty-six
probably has no idea of the
huge work that lies ahead.
They are about to join their
colleagues to assume the
responsibility of catering
to over 300,000 Liberians
suffering from mental illness. It

is a sector that is underfunded


and does not seem to be a
priority to the Government of
Liberia.
Despite this, the graduates
seem courageous in assuming
their new role in curbing the
challenges in Liberias mental
sector.
The 22 clinicians, ending the
six month training provided by
the carter center, are the last
set of graduates to be trained.
In 2010, Liberia had limited
mental health facility for
patients to receive care for

depression, substance abuse


or other mental health and
neurological disorders such as
epilepsy. Many Liberians suffer
needlessly and experience
stigma and discrimination for
having these highly treatable
conditions.
But today, Liberia can boast of
at least six clinicians in each of
its fifteen counties.
Serving as a guest speaker
at the graduation of the
Clinicians, Senate Pro-Tempore
Armah Jallah thanked the
Carter Center for the role they

are playing in strengthening


the mental health sector of
Liberia.
The resolve of the Carter
Center to train specialists
to effectively deal with this
segment of our population is
laudable and is a contribution
that will ensure and reduce
our
mentally
deranged
population, Jallah said.
Jallah continued: You have
not chosen to discriminate
against our mentally ill
population nor opted that they
be ostracized, but you have

accepted their conditions and


the responsibility to deal with
them.
Jallah said with the limited
treatment
centers,
the
mentally ill live and eat just
anywhere in complete oblivion
of all health rules bearing upon
their situation.
The
dumps
heaps,
marketplaces, bus stops, street
corners, dilapidated buildings
are all their habitats.
Jallah added: Their fate
generally has been one of
rejection, neglect, and unkind
treatment from members of
their communities.
According to Carter Center in
a release, the recent graduates
of mental health clinicians
mark a milestone in Liberia by
training over 150 clinicians.
Since 2010, the program
alumni have made a lasting
impact in their communities
by establishing new services
at the ground level. Clinicians
have opened 10 practices in
prison systems, trained nurses
and midwives to screen for
maternal depression, work
in Ebola Treatment Units and
provided psychosocial support
to individuals and families
affected by the Ebola virus.
The release further stated
While every county now has
at least three mental health
clinicians, there remains a need
to build up services in places
with immense treatment gaps.
Carter Center added that in
Montserrado, 43 clinicians are
serving a population of more
than 1 million.

Page 5

five years or both.


According to Judge Gbeneweleh
consistent with the relevant
provision of the new Penal
code of Liberia, the court
decided to correct the portion
relating to the restitution, fine
and imprisonment.
The
defendants,
Moses
Wogbeh, John Kantor, Jangar
Kamara, David Blayee and
Maxwell Gwee are hereby
ordered by this court to
restitute the amount of US$6m
to government as of August 25,
2015, fined US$10,000 pay to
government within 72 hours
and hereby sentenced to 10yrs in imprisonment, said the
courts ruling.
State lawyer Cllr. Daku
Mulbah when contacted by
FrontPageAfrica welcomed the
courts latest decision adding
that the court has done what
the law basically requires.
For now we have dropped our
exception to the courts ruling
because the court has ruled in
line with the law so there is no
more need to go forward, said
Cllr. Mulbah.
However, the five convicts will
not pay the fine now neither
will they restitute the US6m
dollars or serve the 10 years
jail sentence while their appeal
has been granted by the court
until the Supreme Court can
hear the appeal and make
determination.

With every group of clinicians


trained, there is a special
excitement around how they
will contribute to gaps in
the emerging mental health
system. We are especially
proud of their contributions
to meet the mental and
psychosocial needs of the
population during the last six
months, Dr. Janice Cooper
said.
Dr.
Cooper
said
the
psychological impact of more
than a decade of civil conflict,
which ended in 2003, has
contributed to a mental health
crisis in Liberia.
That has been intensified by
misconceptions, stigma, and
the resulting discrimination
surrounding mental illnesses;
lack of mental health care
training professionals and
inadequate
supplies
of
necessary medications. The
Ebola crisis exacerbated these
needs, Dr. Cooper said.
This class of graduates
marks an important shift to
strengthen mental health
services in Liberia.
Health Minister Dr. Bernice
Dahn said The Carter Center
program
graduates
have
provided life changing mental
health
and
psycho-social
support services throughout
Liberia, especially for those
facing the aftermath of the
Ebola epidemic, .
The decade-long civil conflict
in Liberia ended in 2003,
the psychological impact of
the war has contributed to
a mental health crisis in the
post-conflict nation.
Only a small percentage of the
Liberian population has access
to appropriate mental health
care, although the need for
these services is much greater.

Page 6 | Frontpage

MonroviarontPageAfrica has
gathered that the
plenary of the House
of Representatives
has set up a committee to
investigate Representative
Byron Brown (LP-District#4
Grand Bassa County) over
an allegation of diverting
staffers gas coupons.
According to legislative
sources, the Grand Bassa
County
Lawmaker
has
over the past eighteen (18)
months allegedly diverted
gas coupons intended for
political officers working in
the office of the lawmakers
(House of Representatives)
into his personal use.
Multiple sources told FPA
that Representative Brown,
now chairman on the
House of Representatives
Committee
on
Rules,
Orders and Administration
allegedly started this when
he served as co- chairman of
the committee.
The sources also said that
a five (5) man committee
chaired by Representative
Alex Grant (MPC-District#3
Grand Gedeh County) is
currently
investigating
the
lawmaker
but
Representative Grant has
denied the allegation by
replying Not True to a text
message from our reporter

CORRUPTION WATCH

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

GRAND BASSA LAWMAKER BROWN UNDER PROBE


FOR ALLEGEDLY DIVERTING OVER 18 MONTHS SUPPLY

COUPON SCANDAL?
Multiple legislative sources confirmed to FrontPageAfrica that an emergency meeting was called during the weekend
in the office of the Deputy House Speaker Hans Barchue where the committee investigating the scandal was asked to
properly manage the information since the lawmaker under probe is a senior member of the Alex Tyler Block

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com


who wanted to confirm
whether he (Grant) was
truly chairing the probe
committee.
But sources have also told
FrontPageAfrica that an
emergency meeting was
called during the weekend
in the office of the Deputy
Speaker Hans Barchue and
the committee investigating
the scandal was asked
to properly manage the
information because the
individual involved is a
senior member of the Alex
Tylers bloc.
The Tyler bloc comprises
lawmakers loyal to Speaker
Tyler who usually defend
him on issues and resist any
attempt to oust the Speaker.
When
contacted,

Representative
Brown
said he is not aware of any
ongoing investigation as
alleged. If it comes to the
issue of coupon, it is not my
job.
I am one of the most
peaceful and free lawmaker
who is always ensuring that
the right things are done,
Representative Brown said.
The Grand Bassa County
lawmaker rose to the
position of chairman of
the Committee on Rules,
Orders and Administration
during the crisis to unseat
Speaker Alex Tyler headed
by Representatives Edwin
Snowe Montserrado and
Emmanuel
Nuquay
of
Margibi Counties.

COMMUNITY NEWS

UNLAWFUL

NEW MATADI ESTATE TENANTS DECRY NHA FORCED CLOSURE

They have not given us a policy document, but they are asking us to go into an
agreement and if they keep locking and welding our doors to me, the NHA is
intimidating, coercing us and this is unlawful- Isaac Junye, Tenant New Matadi Estate

Monroviaver 10 residents
of the New Matadi
Housing Estate who
homes were locked
by the National Housing
Authority say the action is
illegal.
The NHA according to the
affected tenants moved into
the estate last Thursday and
began locking homes without
prior notice and continued the
action Monday morning when
many of those affected had left
for jobs.
Isaac Junye, owner of RC43,
told
FrontPageAfrica
that a mortgage scheme was
proposed by the NHA but was
not fully explained to them on
how it will be done.
He disclosed that the NHA
requested them to pay 5,000
USD or 6,000 USD on arbitrary
values but wondered what
their benefits will be after
spending 20 to 30 years in
some of these houses and
properly maintaining them.
We are not saying we cant
pay but we need this mortgage
thing to be clarified, though
some of our units owners
have paid but what becomes
of some of us who arent
working who were retired or

Bettie K. Johnson/ betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

aging to work, I think they


have to revisit the scheme, he
stated.
Another affected tenant of RC04 said look at my door so-so
nail and they have spoiled the
door, for us we are not refusing
but we asked that they explain
this mortgage thing, what I
know is that they only told us
to pay our arrears which all of
us have discussed.
Madam Nancy Goll also
disclosed that her doors
were taken down by the NHA
staffs. I dont know how they
arrived at the 6,000 but all
I can say is to me its illegal

because no notice neither



the Court was involved in
the closure of homes, for me
I dont know how my family
and I will sleep, when our both
doors are down.
She continued: we know we
have been negotiating so I am
thinking why they will nail our
gates, doors and so forth, we
called the lawyer and he told
us to get our identities to meet
at the Court.
Many of the tenants told FPA
that there was no agreement
signed with the NHA and the
closure of their homes had no
legal basis.

Andrew Kenneh of RC-03


told FPA For me my cylinder
was changed on Thursday
when they came without
my knowledge, they put my
children out and they locked
the door, when I went to the
Housing a lady told me that
we had mortgage arrears so
it was shocking to me because
we had not gone through
that because we have been
negotiating on the money for
the unit.
Said Kenneh I have been here
since 1984, and they have not
done anything on this house.
Are they telling me that the

money spent on these units


will be free? Since that time
we had the discussion they
have not come to us every
time we go to them they fail to
meet us until the Ebola came
and action was halted.
He further disclosed
that

some of the tenants signed
agreement with the NHA
whereas they labeled some of
the tenants as non-compliance
and delinquent tenants.
I recalled we were told
to meet the bank and an
agreement will be signed but
when we met the bank they
told us that no money, so how
do they want us to live, we
know that this place was built
for the poor, do they want us
to leave and the rich come in,

is that what they want, she


expressed.
It can be recalled that the
National Housing Authority
(NHA) gave out 28 titled deeds
to residents of the Old and
New Matadi Housing Estates
who have paid for the units.
The then NHA Managing
Director Samuel Thompson
said that the rest of about
200 deeds will be given to
the residents following the
completion of an ongoing
survey being conducted by the
Ministry of Lands, Mines and
Energy.
He at the time said the NHA
is working closely with the
Ministry to speed up the
process.

TIC TAC TOE


CAMPAIGN
Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Frontpage

Page 7

SECOND WINNER WALKS AWAY WITH US$10,000 FROM CELLCOM

Monroviaarely
a
week
after Mr. Heme
Dennis
claimed
his
US$10,000
prize as the first winner
of Cellcoms Tic Tac Toe
campaign, another lucky
individual has come forward
to claim another cash prize
of US$10,000 won through
the Tic Tac Toe promotion.
The lucky winner, was Mr.
Mamadu Fofana a 21 years
old petite cold water sales
person from the Jamaica
Road area. In addition to
these two winners, hundreds
of other Cellcom subscribers

have claimed thousands of


dollars in prizes and airtime.
Presenting the prize to Mr.
Fofana, the Chairman of
Cellcoms Board of Directors
Mr. Avi Zaidenberg said he
was delighted that a young
Liberian had won the prize
money.
I am very happy
and proud that you as a
young person was the lucky
winner of this prize. I urge
you to use this money wisely,
as it can do many good
things in your life, Advised
Zaidenberg. He admonished
Mr. Fofana to use the money
in a way that would have real
impact in his life. This is a

COUNTY NEWS

new beginning for you. It is


my hope that you will use it
to invest in education, health
or as seed money for a new
business or to improve your
current business.
Mr. Zaidenberg went on
to encourage Mr. Fofana to
remain an Ambassadors for
Cellcom. Observed There
is no other company that
has remained as dedicated
to Liberia and Liberians
as Cellcom has been. The
skeptics always wonder if
Cellcom will deliver on our
promises and every time we
show that when Cellcom says
something, we do it. This is

another example of us doing


what we say we will.
For his part, Mamadu
Fofana thanked Cellcom for
its level of commitment to
customers. I never before
imagined that I would ever
see this kind of money in
my life, said Fofana, this
is a true blessing for me.
Mr. Fofana revealed that

he would invest the prize


money in establishing a
larger business.
At the conclusion of the
press
conference,
Mr.
Zaidenberg also encouraged
Cellcom subscribers and
the general public to come
out and cheer the National
team to victory in their first
African Cup Qualifier match

JEWEL, TOKPAH RERUN


Senate Race Set for September Amid Withdrawal Speculations


Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviahe
National
Elections
Commission (NEC)
has set Tuesday,
September 29, 2015 as the
date for the re-run of the
Special Senatorial Election
in parts of Bong County,
although the aggrieved
party, Dr. Henrique Tokpa,
has pulled out.
The areas comprise two
precincts and one polling
center and include Sanoyea
Market, Polling Place # 5,
Yarbayeh Public School
Precinct and Beletenda
Palava Hut Precinct, all
of which are in Electoral
District # 7.
The date for the re-run of
the election was announced
Monday at a ceremony held
at the headquarters of the
commission in Monrovia.
During
the
ceremony,
Chairman Jerome Korkoya
mandated the Clerk of Writs,
Antoinette Johnson, to Issue
a Writ for the Re-run of the
Special Senatorial Election
on the Elections Magistrate

of Lower Bong County,


Barzie Kpangba.
Madam Johnson mandated
the Magistrate to conduct
a re-run of the Special
Senatorial Election in the
precincts and polling center
in Electoral District 7, Bong

County, on September 29,


2015 from the hours of 8:00
AM to 6:00 PM.
She authorized the Lower
Bong
County
Elections
Magistrate to certify the
endorsement of the writ
of election by submitting

to her office, the results of


the Election following the
completion of the electoral
process.
On August 7, 2015, the
Supreme Court in the
Case: Henrique F. Tokpa
vs.
National
Elections
Commission
and
the
National Patriotic Party
(NPP)
Candidate
Jewel
Howard Taylor mandated
the NEC to conduct a re-run
of the election within sixty
(60) days as of August 7.
A Writ of Election is a legal
instrument that authorizes
Elections Magistrates to
proceed with the conduct of
elections.
The issuance of the writ of
Election is a requirement of
Chapter 4 sub-section 4.3
of the New Elections Law of
1986.
Meanwhile, the National
Elections Commission (NEC)
has launched the National
Civic and Voter Education
Toolkit of Liberia.
The CVE Toolkit was
launched Monday, August
31, 2015 at a ceremony

held at the headquarters


of the Commission in
collaboration
with
the
United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) and the
International Foundation for
Electoral Systems (IFES).
The Chairman of the NEC,
at the ceremony, said the
Commission will shortly
engage
the
Ministry
of
Education
for
the
development of a Democracy
and Elections package that
will be taught in secondary
schools in Liberia under
the Citizenship Education
Component of the revised
national curriculum.
He said the CVE Section of
the Commission is currently
working out details of the
engagement which will
consider the input of all
stakeholders in the electoral
process.
In essence, this undertaking
by the Commission reaffirms
its
commitment
and
determination to apply all
of the best practices that
will further deepen the
understanding of voters
and candidates in order
to
encourage
greater

scheduled for September


5, 2015 at the ATS. Cellcom
is the sole sponsor of the
Liberia National Team and
tickets for the game are now
on sale at all of Cellcoms
Point of Sales locations at
Total Service Stations across
the country.
participation in all aspects
of the electoral process. In
particular, the development
of this important instrument
could not have come at a
better time than now when
the Commission is preparing
for the conduct of a possible
referendum in 2016 and the
Legislative and Presidential
Elections in 2017, Chairman
Korkoya intimated.
The Chairman expressed
delight over the accentuation
of the role of political
parties in CVE delivery as
well as the reflection of the
interest of minority groups,
the physically challenged,
the media, civil society and
religious groups, women
and youth groups as well as
local and traditional leaders
in the CVE Toolkit.
In an effort to ensure
scrupulous implementation
and to engender national
ownership of the Toolkit,
I would like to take this
opportunity to inform you
that the Commission will
shortly embark on strings
of
regional
discussions
with all stakeholders in
order to roll out the Toolkit.
These nation-wide public
engagements will create a
platform for stakeholders to
fully understand the steps
and procedures in planning,
designing and implementing
CVE programs as well
as reporting methods as
required by the Toolkit. This
initiative is also part of the
support from the European
Union (EU) through the
United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) for which
the Commission remains
grateful, he concluded.
The
Toolkit
is
a
comprehensive package of
information and items that
provide a standard for the
effective dissemination of
electoral messages with the
aim of ensuring equitable
and increased participation
in elections.

STUCK IN TRAFFIC
Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

Compound Three, Grand


Bassa County ad road conditions
in
Grand
Bassa
County is putting
locals and travelers
in difficulties day and night as
untimely road rehabilitation
during this rainy season
continue to further deteriorate
the roads. Companies using
the Buchanan-District Three
road have over the last couple
of days opted to carry out road
work to prevent the road from
cutting off.
But the road works are also
creating constraints for users
who are mainly marketers.
Scores of people were on
Friday, August 28 stranded for
hours when a container-truck
and a commercial bus got
stuck in the mud leaving.
FrontPage Africa recently
reported on the unpliable
condition of several roads
in the Grand Bassa County
including
the
deplorable
condition of the Grand Bassa
Rivercess County Highway.
Locals have continue to
express frustration over the
bad road condition which
they say adversely affect their
livelihood.
The impromptus work on
the
Buchanan-Compound
Three road by the Liberian
Agricultural Company (LAC)
and logging companies using
the road seem to be a relief
but engineers claim the
undertaking should had be
considered before the rain
intensify. While the road is
being repair the movement of
heavy log trucks and Lorries

Commuters Enduring Bad Road Condition in Grand Bassa


Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, alpha.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

are damaging parts of the


roads that need critical work,
an engineer who doesnt want
to be need said.
The Compound Three
Buchanan laterite road is often
in deplorable state during the
rainy season but it is regularly
reconditioned by LAC and

now locals continue to


increase calls for the company
to take responsibility every
year. Others want the county
administration to engage
all the companies using to
the road to collaborate their
resources and continuously
maintain the road as part

of
their
corporate-social
responsibilities
to
the
communities.
The Spokesman for the county
administration recently told
FrontPage Africa that bad
road condition is not unique
to Grand Bassa while adding
that the administration has

Star of the Sea, Barnersville


Clinic, among others.
LEDI is a Cleveland, Ohio
based nonprofit organization
seeking to reduce poverty
and change lives in Liberia.
The primary objective of
the organization is to build
modern
state-of-the-art
public libraries across Liberia
to improve the educational

sector as well as the general


economy indicating that an
educated workforce is a basis
of a sound economy.
LEDI
is
also
currently
providing
scholarships
through its Leann Peiffer
scholarship
program
to
impoverished
students
within the country. The
organization is undertaking
a holistic approach to reduce
poverty in the country by
focusing on building and
supplying healthcare facilities,
supporting small businesses,
building and supplies schools,
as well as building modern
libraries across Liberia.
In delivering the funds,
the LEDI Liberian staffers
commended the Liberian
medical organizations for
their various outstanding
works during the Ebola crisis.
They described the clinics and
hospitals as true heroes and
encouraged them to remain
defensive and protective of
the Liberian populace who are
always vulnerable to medical
challenges.
In response, the organizations
commended LEDI and its
donors for recognizing their
medical works in Liberia

LEDI COMMENDS EBOLA FIGHTERS,


PROVIDES MONETARY ASSISTANCE

Cleveland, Ohio-he United Statesbased


Liberia
Economic
Development
Initiative
(LEDI)
has
concluded
providing
monetary
assistance
to
several medical institutions
in Liberia in appreciation of
the beneficiaries heroic fight

against and defeat of the Ebola


virus.
Organizations that benefited
from the LEDI medical
assistance delivered in late
July 2015 include the John F.
Kennedy Memorial Hospital,
Samaritan Purse, Redemption
Hospital, and James Davis
Hospitals. Others are Jaw
Community Clinic, THT Clinic,

not been able to recondition


several roads since 2013
because the Ebola crisis made
it impossible for the county to
access funds from the Ministry
of Finance.
Williams ensured once the
county gets greenlight to
get the county development
and for the cash donations
provided. The administrators
of the medical institutions
that received the monetary
assistance
thanked
LEDI
and
collaborating
donor
institutions for standing with
the Liberian people in their
time of need. They said such
compassionate
assistance
from organizations within the
US is an indication that we
are our brothers and sisters
keepers, despite where we
live.
We are appreciative of this
contribution from LEDI and
those who contributed to it,
said Proprietor of the Jaw
Community Clinic. We see this
as relieving and particularly
patriotic because thinking
about us in this corner is an
indication for love of country.
Speaking to reporters upon
receipt of the report of the full
implementation of the LEDI
Medical Mission, Mr. Rufus
Darkortey, President of LEDI,
said the donations were in
partnership with many USA
based organizations, including
the Cleveland State University
(CSU), the Margaret Wong
and Associates Law firm,
among others. He said the
organizations are delighted to
stand by the people of Liberia
in the fight to eradicate the
deadly Ebola disease from
Liberia.
According to his official
newsletter to the CSU

and
Social
development
funds, several roads will be
rehabilitated in the county.
Responding to the usage of
the countys yellow machine,
Williams argued that the
machines have been parked in
the county superintendents
compound due to the lack
of funds although he later
mentioned that some of the
machines are rented to raise
funds to help keep them
functional.
Many people in the county
often criticized the local
authority for not using
the yellow machines to
rehabilitate the roads and
allege that the administration
is
commercializing
the
equipment to pocket the
money.
Liberias rural road challenge
stretches across all counties
and is considered a factor
impeding agriculture and
health. And Public Works
Minister
William
Gyude
Moore recently said US$1.5
billion will be needed to fulfill
the modernization of the
countrys road network.
With only 19% of the
Liberias 2015/2016 national
fiscal budget going toward
infrastructure
and
basic
services, commuters of Grand
Bassa and elsewhere in rural
Liberia
should
embrace
themselves for more difficult
travels every rainy season.
community,
Dr.
Ronald
Berkman,
President
of
CSU, said even from 5,000
miles away, we can help. He
therefore brought the CSU
community together to aid
institutions and individuals in
the country who were facing
the deadly Ebola virus.
Mr. Rufus Darkortey indicated
that every Liberian felt the
impact of the deadly Ebola
virus, irrespective of their
geographical location at the
moment. This created a
dire desire to do something
to save lives in the country.
That is why LEDI galvanized
the financial resources from
the United States to help the
vital medical institutions that
supported the Ebola fight, he
said.
Though the organization is
based in the United States, its
primary focus is to help reduce
poverty and change lives in
Liberia, he said. He concluded
by thanking the CSU, Margaret
Wong and Associates, the
Board of Directors, staff, and
donors of LEDI, and other
institutions for raising the
needed funds for the medical
institutions here in Liberia.
The LEDI leader also thanked
the people of Liberia and
the stakeholders, including
the government, local and
international
organizations
for helping to eradicate the
virus from the country.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Frontpage

TARGET
HR

RECRUITMENT

For a Reputable Banking Institution

Our Client is looking to recruit for the Positions listed below.


Competitive Salary and benefits: Please send your resume or CV with cover letter and 3 references

to: TargetHRInternational@gmail.com deadline is September 10, 2015



Position
Head, Human Capital
Management

Country Head, Legal &


Compliance

Legal Officer

Country Treasurer

Description

Responsible for overseeing the HR activities and


processes, adapting and recommending necessary
changes to the Group policies whilst ensuring group
standards are maintained.
Ensure processes are in place for the continuous supply of
highly skilled and well motivated personnel.
Proactive people management as a strategic resource
function through provision of adequate training, effective
career development and succession planning within the
country subsidiary;
Propose and implement incentives that reward
individual/group value added initiatives to drive the
performance driven culture within the country;
Organize and supervise the Salary, payroll and staff
benefit administration within the region;
All other duties as assigned;
Liaise with the legal division in the Head Office to adapt
the legal policies of the bank while ensuring compliance to
all local legal and statutory requirements within the
region;
Support the Compliance function and manage the legal
reporting of country subsidiaries of the banks various
businesses and functional areas;
Manage the provision of legal advice and input to the
country CEO, as well as the department heads;
Manage, establish and implement policy relating to local
matters impacting on the country subsidiary;
Manage, identify, evaluate legal and regulatory risk ;
Research and monitor in-country as well as international
legal and regulatory developments;
Manage and attend to negotiations and
discussion between internal parties as well as between the
bank and external parties and institutions;
Manage litigation on behalf of the subsidiary
Serve on relevant committees and represent the country
subsidiary on other related forum and protect its interest.
Drive KYC & EDD in every customers account & qualifying
transition to prevent money laundering and terrorist
financing in the UBA Group.
Provide AML/KYC Compliance counseling, advisory and
decision support services to the business units and
strategic resources functions;
Respond to business units enquiries on AML/CFT and
KYC issues.
Coordinate AML/KYC routine examination by the central
bank;
Prepare quarterly exceptions report to the management
team on the compliance status of the bank;
Manage Code of Ethics, Whistle Blowing Policy & Code of
Corporate Governance;
Supervisor and train on the job all other compliance staff

in the group through weekly meeting;
Manage the banks relationships with all government
regulatory authorities in relation to AML/KYC issues.
Responsible for full compliance with statutory and
regulatory legal requirements.
Responsible for overall reduction of debt recovery costs.
Responsible for effective and efficient management of
share registry in liaison with the
Group legal division.
Responsible for proper documentation of facilities granted
by the bank.
Offer legal advice and opinion to other bank units,
Monitors progress on external service providers and
feedback from branches and other bank Units,
Responsible for safe keeping of security document,
Development and Periodic Review of legal document,
effectively represent the bank with all third parties where
required;
Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and control within the
country subsidiary the functions of Risk Measurement;
Reporting, Monitoring, and Control of Treasury &
Securities Department in line with the groups business
goals, objectives and divisional strategy. Monitor
compliance and set limits for Dealers, Obligors, Products
and other precautionary limits such Balance Sheet
Triggers within the region.
Obtain sufficient information on regular basis to assess all
the market risk exposures through standardize reporting
format;
Develop the Hedge products for the subsidiary and its
customers;
Maximize return on investments by exploring available
instruments within the Banks Risk Exposure Guidelines;
Exchange income Generation from FX trading;
Currency trading on Account of the Banks customers;
Develop and implement an effective liquidity Management
Strategy;
Direct the management of foreign currency positions to
protect banks earning against adverse rate fluctuations,
Develop two way market capabilities for the affiliate to
facilitate funding flexibility;
All other duties as assigned.

Education and skills

A Bachelors degree in human


resources or related disciplines.
Resources Certification and MBA will
be an added advantage.

Experience
Minimum of 5 years experience
working in Human Resources

Education
Minimum of First degree in Law and
membership of relevant legal
professional organization/bodies,

Experience
5 years legal experience of which a
minimum of 3 years are within a
banking environment with specific
reference to banking law & legislature
within the local operating
environment,

Minimum education level-first


degree in Law

Experience
Minimum experience-three(3) years
work experience in commercial,
conveyance and civil law.

Education
Tertiary degree in any field,
Relevant certification will be an added
advantages,

Experience
Job holder must have at least 7 years
working experience of each 7 must
have been in treasury area of the
banking industry.

Page 9

Page 10 | Frontpage

WORLD NEWS

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

BACK TO WAR
F

PAGE

RONT

SOUTH SUDAN TROOPS BREAK CEASEFIRE - RIEK MACHAR

HURRICANE HITS
WEST AFRICA

hurricane, with winds of up to 140km/h (85mph)


has hit the island nation of Cape Verde, off the coast
of West Africa.
The government has grounded all flights until further

notice.
No hurricane has ever been recorded further east in the tropical
Atlantic.
A hurricane warning has been issued by the US-based National
Hurricane Center (NHC), which predicts coastal flooding due to
strong wind and heavy rains from Monday and overnight into
Tuesday.
The NHC says the last time a hurricane was recorded hitting
Cape Verde was 1892, although it cautions that records were
less exact before the advent of weather satellites in the mid1960s.
Hurricane conditions are occurring in islands in north-eastern
Cape Verde, with northern and north-western islands due to be
hit if the hurricane holds its current course, it adds.
The NHT has warned of flash flooding and mudslides as the
storm moves across the islands.
Hurricane Fred is forecast to gradually weaken from Tuesday
onwards, and will not affect other West African countries, says
BBC Weather's Sarah Keith-Lucas.
Cape Verde consists of 10 significant volcanic islands, nine of
which are inhabited.

NIGERIA'S BOKO HARAM


'SPREADS TO LAGOS'

outh Sudan's rebel


leader has accused
the government of
violating a ceasefire
hours after it came into effect.
Riek Machar said the army
attacked his forces in two
northern states, allegations
which the military denies.
President Salva Kiir, under the
threat of sanctions from the
UN, signed a peace agreement
on
Wednesday,
despite
"serious reservations".
Several ceasefires to end the
brutal 20-month conflict in the
world's youngest nation have
failed to hold.
The ceasefire came into effect
at midnight local time on
Saturday (21:00 GMT).
Mr Machar said his troops

remained committed to the


ceasefire despite the reported
attacks in northern Unity
and Upper Nile states, but
would act in self-defence if the
offensive continues.
"The government is unable
to control its own troops,"
Mr Machar told reporters in
Ethiopia.
He
also
accused
the
government of launching a
"belligerent convoy", including
gunships, on the River Nile
from the capital Juba.
The
convoy
had
been
bombarding villages as it
headed through rebel-held
territory on its way north, he
said.
Army spokesman Col Philip
Aguer denied that there

were any government troops


operating in the areas where
the alleged attacks took place.
"These are mere fabrications
by the rebels. We don't have
any report of clashes," he is
quoted by AFP news agency as
saying.
The government has also
accused Mr Machar of failing
to properly order his troops to
stop fighting.
Tens of thousands of people
have died and more than two
million have been displaced
from their homes since the
conflict started in December
2013.
In a unanimous statement
last week, the UN Security
Council called on both parties
"to adhere to the permanent

ceasefire immediately", or face


an arms embargo and other
sanctions.
Under the agreement, the
rebels will be given the post of
first vice-president, a position
Mr Machar held until 2013
when he was dismissed by
President Kiir.
South
Sudan
gained
independence from Sudan in
2011.
Fighting broke out in December
2013 after President Kiir
accused his sacked deputy Mr
Machar of plotting a coup.
Mr Machar denied the charges,
but then mobilised a rebel
force to fight the government.
Fighting to stop immediately.
Soldiers to be confined to
barracks in 30 days, foreign
forces to leave within 45
days, and child soldiers and
prisoners of war freed
All military forces to leave the
capital, Juba, to be replaced by
unspecified "guard forces" and
Joint Integrated Police
Rebels get post of "first vicepresident"
Transitional government of
national unity to take office
in 90 days and govern for 30
months
Elections to be held 60 days
before end of transitional
government's mandate
Commission for Truth,
Reconciliation and Healing
to investigate human rights
violations

UKRAINE CRISIS: DEADLY ANTI-AUTONOMY

PROTEST OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT

oko Haram is trying to expand its activities beyond


Nigeria's mainly Muslim north, to include the
commercial capital Lagos, as well as other parts of the
country, officials say.
Nigeria's intelligence agency says 12 members of the Islamist
militant group have been arrested in Lagos since July.
It is not possible to independently verify details of the statement.
Boko Haram has waged a six-year insurgency in Nigeria, mainly
in the north-east of the country.
Authorities arrested other self-confessed Boko Haram members
in the south-eastern city of Enugu as well as other parts of
central and northern Nigeria, the Department of State Services
(DSS) said in a statement.
The DSS attributes the attempted expansion of Boko Haram into
southern areas to the increased pressure the group is under in
its north-eastern heartland.
However, the BBC's Will Ross in Lagos says the group is still
causing havoc in the north-east, with reports that more than 50
people were killed in an attack in Borno State on Friday, about
100km (62 miles) north of the state capital Maiduguri.
For many in Lagos it will be alarming to hear that a dozen Boko
Haram members have been arrested here in recent weeks. I have
often been told by Lagosians that the jihadist group would never
dare attack this city, which seems more naive than reassuring,
especially as there was an attempt to bomb a fuel depot last year.
The announcement from the secret police, known as the DSS,
came just a day after another statement told us a teenager had
been picked up inside Abuja airport where he was gathering
intelligence for Boko Haram - another disturbing bit of news.
The DSS says the arrests have helped avert "devastating attacks"
and that "notable commanders and frontline members" have
been rounded up.
We have no way of independently verifying the information
in the statements but it is worth noting that all the security
departments are under pressure to demonstrate that they are
having an impact against Boko Haram, especially as President
Muhammadu Buhari has made tackling the jihadist insurgency
a priority and is still making senior appointments.

ne national guard
member has been
killed and over 100
injured in violent
protests outside Ukraine's
parliament,
the
interior
ministry said.
Clashes between nationalists
and riot police erupted after
MPs gave initial backing to
reforms for more autonomy in
the rebel-held east.
Some in the crowd lobbed
what police said were live
grenades at officers protecting
parliament.
The reforms are part of a peace
plan to end fighting in eastern
Ukraine.
The Ukrainian President, Petro
Poroshenko, said the violence
was "a stab in the back".
Protesters led by the populist
Radical Party and the ultranationalist Svoboda (Freedom)
party - who oppose any
concession to the Russianbacked separatists - gathered
outside parliament early on
Monday.
After a rowdy debate, 265 MPs
out of 450 backed the first
reading of the decentralisation
bill, granting more powers to
areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Initially, there were only
minor clashes but a BBC
correspondent then heard
small explosions followed by
a much larger one - apparently

from a grenade.
The demonstrators numbered
barely more than a few dozen
- mainly young men, most of
them masked. They started the
fights with police, but others
supported them.
The protesters tried to pull
the policemen away from their
lines. They beat them and took
their shields and helmets. Soon
about a dozen young men were
almost as well-equipped as the
police.
Several times the atmosphere
near the building seemed to
calm down for a while, with
clashes starting up again. And
then the explosions began.
I saw some people - policemen
and firemen - falling to the
ground, and some running
away from the site, limping.
I saw pools of blood just near

the wall of parliament.


The
Ukrainian
Interior
Minister, Arsen Avakov, said
some 30 people have been
detained, including a Svoboda
member who confessed to
throwing a grenade.
Of the 122 people hospitalised,
more than 11 were in a critical
condition, the minister added.
He bitterly criticised Svoboda
leader
Oleh
Tyahnybok,
writing on Facebook that
several explosive devices
had been thrown by people
wearing Svoboda T-shirts.
A policeman's leg was torn off
below the knee in the blast,
Interfax Ukraine reported,
while journalists at the scene
were also reported injured.
Shaky peace
Almost 7,000 people have died
since the conflict in eastern

Ukraine broke out in March


2014, after Russia's annexation
of the Ukrainian peninsula of
Crimea.
Pushing
through
greater
autonomy for the rebel-held
areas is a key part of the Minsk
peace deal, originally signed in
February.
During the summer, fighting
between Ukrainian army forces
and the rebels has escalated.
But the two sides agreed last
week to halt the violence on 1
September, the day children in
the region return to school.
Although the number of
ceasefire violations appears to
have fallen in recent days, OSCE
monitors have warned that
neither side was respecting the
truce.
Under the draft constitutional
changes
going
through
parliament, there will be a
special law covering local
government in rebel-held
areas.
However, parliament speaker
Volodymyr Hroysman was
adamant that would not mean
special status for Donetsk and
Luhansk, which rebel leaders
have declared republics.
In a national address late on
Monday, President Poroshenko
said if the proposals had been
voted down, Ukraine would
have been left "one-to-one
against the aggressor".

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

he Monaco forward
has
landed
in
England and arrived
at
Carrington
to
complete the formalities ahead
of his move to Old Trafford that
could be worth a reported 36
million
Anthony Martial has arrived
at Carrington to undergo a
medical and complete his bigmoney move from Monaco to
Manchester United, Goal has
learned.
United agreed a deal with
their French counterparts on
Monday, although while the
British media are reporting
a fee of 36 million (50m),
French outlets claim it is closer
to 50m (68m).
Martial, who was handed his
first international call-up by
Didier Deschamps for the
upcoming fixtures against
Portugal and Serbia, was given
permission by the French
Football Federation to leave
the camp and fly to England.
He landed in Manchester on
Monday afternoon and staff at
the club's training ground were
told to prepare for his arrival
ahead of a medical.
The 19-year-old scored nine
goals in Ligue 1 last season
and has been identified as one
of the hottest properties in
French football.
Following
interest
from
Tottenham back in June he
signed a new contract with
Monaco, and it has been
reported in France that
boss Leonardo Jardim has
threatened to quit if he is sold

Sports

BIG TRANSFER FINAL DAY

SPORTS

JANUZAJ LOAN SWOOP

Martial arrives for Manchester United medical

to United.
United's
non-international
players were given the day

off on Monday, with manager


Louis van Gaal arriving for
work at around midday.

Ed Woodward, the club's


executive vice-chairman who
was at Carrington past nightfall

FABIO BORINI: SUNDERLAND SIGN


LIVERPOOL STRIKER FOR 10M

underland have signed Liverpool


forward Fabio Borini for a fee that could
rise to 10m.
Italy international Borini had a loan spell
with the Black Cats during the 2013-14 season,
scoring seven goals in 32 matches, but then
rejected a permanent move to the Stadium of
Light.
The 24-year-old was also a target for Inter
Milan, Fiorentina and Watford, but their bids
were turned down.
Liverpool may also sell defender Jose Enrique,
who is a target for West Brom.
Watford, newly promoted to the Premier League,
had offered 7m for Borini, while Inter's bid was
worth 6m.
Fellow Serie A side Fiorentina were also keen on
the striker but Borini decided to join Sunderland.
The Black Cats will pay 8m up front, but
the deal could eventually be worth 10m to

Liverpool with add-ons.


Borini became Brendan Rodgers's first signing
as manager when Liverpool paid Roma 11m
in July 2012 after working with him at previous
clubs Chelsea and Swansea.
He has scored three goals in 38 appearances for
the Reds.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Spanish left-back
Enrique is surplus to requirements after four
years at Anfield.
West Brom boss Tony Pulis is keen to strengthen
his squad and the Baggies have made their
interest known.
Liverpool counterpart Rodgers is willing to
let Enrique go as it is unlikely he will figure
prominently, if at all, this season.
Enrique, signed by Rodgers's predecessor Kenny
Dalglish from Newcastle United in a 6m deal in
August 2011, has also interested David Moyes's
Real Sociedad.

he
Belgium
international
announced his
move to the
Bundesliga in a bid for
first-team football after
limited playing time at Old
Trafford
Manchester
United
winger Adnan Januzaj has
completed a season-long
loan move to Borussia
Dortmund.
The 20-year-old has seen
his chances of first-team
football at Old Trafford
restricted under Louis
van Gaal and he has now
joined the Bundesliga
side until the end of the
season, where he will
wear number nine.
DAVID DE GEA: REAL MADRID
AND MAN UTD AGREE 29M
DEAL FOR GOALKEEPER

last week, was not on site on


Monday morning.

JAVIER HERNANDEZ
SIGNS FOR BAYER
LEVERKUSEN

he
Mexico
international
has
signed a three year
contract with the
German side after completing
a transfer from Manchester
United
Bayer
Leverkusen
have
completed the signing of Javier
Hernandez from Manchester
United.
The Mexico international, who
spent last season on loan at
Real Madrid, signed a contract
with the Bundesliga side which
ties him to the club until June
2018.
Hernandez had fallen out
of favour at United and had
long been heavily linked to a
move away from Old Trafford
and has been snapped up by
Leverkusen.
Hernandez expressed his
delight at moving to Roger
Schmidt's team, who finished
fourth in the league last term.
"I know the English Premier
League and the Primera
Division in Spain, two of the
three major European leagues.
Now I want to experience the
Bundesliga," the forward said.
"Joining Bayer Leverkusen is
a great opportunity for me,
I want to and can achieve
something here."

Page 11

OFFICIAL: DORTMUND COMPLETE

WHO GOES WHERE?

DANTE LEAVES BAYERN


MUNICH TO JOIN
WOLFSBURG

he Brazil international
has traded Bundesliga
teams as he leaves
last term's champions
to join the runners up
Wolfsburg have completed the
signing of centre-back Dante
from Bayern Munich.
Bayern had revealed on
Sunday that the 31-year-old
was set to leave the Bundesliga
champions for last season's
runners-up.
And Wolfsburg have now
revealed that the defender has
joined them on a three-year
deal for an undisclosed fee.
"We are pleased that Dante has
decided to join Wolfsburg," the
club's sporting director Klaus
Allofs said. "In him we have
signed a player who further
increases our capabilities and
quality defensively and who
also has a lot of international
experience, which is important
especially in our goal to
compete in the Bundesliga,
Champions League and DFBPokal."
Head coach Dieter Hecking
added: "Dante is a seasoned
Bundesliga player who will
help us immediately. With his
quality and his character he fits
perfectly into our squad."

Frontpage

n agreement for
David de Gea to
join Real Madrid
from Manchester
United is believed to have
been reached, with Kayler
Navas moving the other
way.
The deal is yet to be
completed but it will also
involve a cash payment
from the Spanish giants,
taking the overall value to
40m euros (29m).
De Gea, 24, has been
linked with a move to Real
throughout the summer.
United manager Louis
van Gaal opted not to pick
him until the uncertainty
over his future had been
resolved.

CHELSEA: SENEGAL DEFENDER


PAPY DJILOBODJI SET TO
JOIN FROM NANTES

helsea
are
set
to sign Senegal
international Papy
Djilobodji
from
Nantes in a 4m deal.
The defender is due for a
medical after agreement was
reached between the clubs for
the transfer of the 26-year-old.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho
has turned his attention to the
6ft 4in centre-back after failing
to sign England's John Stones
from Everton.

Page 6a
12 | Frontpage

MONROVIA oreign
Minister
Augustine
Kpehe
Ngafuan has told the
newly graduated 37
young men and women to be
Liberias diplomats wherever
they find themselves and not
just when they were in class at
the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign
Service Institute (FSI) within
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Min. Ngafuan, who
is also the Dean of the
Liberian Cabinet, also told the
graduates, he knows that all
of them desire to be placed at
some of Liberias best missions
in places like Washington
D.C., U.S.A.; Pretoria, South
Africa; Paris, France; Brussels,
Belgium;
London,
United
Kingdom; etc., but they dont
necessarily have to be in those
places before they can ably
represent Liberia as good
diplomats.
To be a good diplomat in
Washington, Pretoria or Paris,
firstly try to be a very good
diplomat on Broad Street
and in your present places of
work and your homes, the
Liberian Foreign Minister told
graduates on Friday, August
28, in the C. Cecil Dennis Hall
of the Foreign Ministry.
According to a Foreign Ministry
release, despite saying that, he
assured that there would be
placement for some of them.
However, he reminded them
that its not all milk and
honey at Liberias foreign
missions abroad.
The
Minister
renewed
an earlier promised and
announced that he would
immediately
place
the
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Misses Christiana Wablo
and
Georgette
Dennis,
respectively on mission.
He, however, announced that
he would include Ms. Wablo
within the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs delegation attending
this years United Nations
General Assembly in New
York in order to gain her first
experience.
Among other things, Minister
Ngafuan disclosed that in
the next FSI academic year
students would be prepared to
do mandatory service within
the Foreign Ministry.
The Institute also, in the same
week of its graduation, hosts
what it calls Ambassadorial
Lecture Forum (ALF).
The Forum highlights Liberias
former ambassadors role

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

BE DIPLOMATS WHEREVER YOU ARE,

LIBERIA FOREIGN MINISTER TELLS GRADS

and contribution to Liberian


Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
achievements; and it also
presents an opportunity for
lectures on topical diplomatic
issues on the international
agenda.
The
Minister,
however,
proposed to the Institutes
Director-General, Dr. Augustine
Konneh, that alongside the ALF,
what he (Min. Ngafuan) termed
as Ministerial Lecture Series.
He hoped that this will allow
Cabinet Ministers of various
ministries to come and lecture
on the progress and challenges
within their ministries so that
future diplomat trainees can
be all rounded and not only
verse on the nations foreign
policy issues.
The Guest Speaker of the
graduation day, Vice President
Joseph N. Boakai, stated that
it may come as a surprise to
some that the Liberian Foreign

Service is one of the oldest


Foreign Services in the world.
History has it that Liberia was
the first independent Republic
on the Africa Continent.
That gave necessity to the
establishment of diplomatic
contacts with other countries
at independence as far back as
1847. Both England and France
that subsequently recognized
Liberias sovereignty had to
have diplomatic representation
from the new Republic. We can
thus boast that our country is
old at this game and therefore
must show mastery of it. You
go forth today to prove that.
VP Boakai further stated that
as graduates majestically
stepped out of the doors of the
Institute, they (VP and others)
go with the expectation
that the students have been
tremendously
transformed
individually into a great new
person, that person who now

criminal complaint against


Mr Desaedeleer who resides
in the United States. They are

represented by the Belgian


lawyer Luc Walleyn. This
complaint
prompted
the

bears so much to positively


impact society.
The Liberian VP reminded the
graduates that Liberia stands in
want of improvement in many
areas of professional calling.
Those of you who have opted
to pursue diplomacy-- and as
such be the face of our nation
in distant landscannot afford
to falter and fall for mediocrity.
You have too much to shatter
if your indulgence shows
up in acts that demean your
nation and people. You are the
lenses that Liberia will be seen
through.
You are required by the
dictates of your certification
here today to exhibit highest
standard of professionalism
at all times in the execution of
your Foreign Service duties.
Cultivate that good spirit of
nationalism and be dutifully
loyal in the performance of your
respective responsibilities at

AMERICAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ROLE


IN THE SLS BLOOD DIAMONDS TRADE

ichel Desaedeleer,
American
and
Belgian
citizen,
was arrested in
Spain this week, pursuant to
an European arrest warrant.
He is suspected of having
participated, with former
Liberian President Charles
Taylor and the Sierra Leonean
rebels of the Revolutionary
United Front (RUF), in
enslavement as a crime against
humanity and pillage of blood
diamonds as a war crime
in the district of Kono in the
Eastern part of Sierra Leone
between 1999 and 2001.
Several citizens of Sierra
Leone, victims of enslavement
during the civil war, filed in
Brussels in January 2011 a

Belgian authorities to formally



open an investigation, which
culminated in the issuance

posts of assignment.
I encourage all of you to
engage in economic diplomacy.
This new direction has become
a prominent part of Liberian
diplomacy.
Speaking earlier, FSI DG,
Dr. Konneh, stated that the
students were post-Ebola
graduates,
who
having
survived the deadly Ebola
virus disease (EVD), returned
to the classroom with vigor
to continue their learning
process.
Dr. Konneh stated the two
main objectives of the FSI
include to develop competent
and expertise. However, the
objectives are not only limited
to those two. But to be able
to make inputs into foreign
policy developments, and also
to effectively carry out foreign
policy decisions, wherever one
is posted and representing his/
her country, he added.

of a European arrest warrant


against
Mr
Desaedeleer
in 2015. The Centre for
Accountability and Rule of Law
(CARL) in Freetown, Sierra
Leone, and Civitas Maxima
(CM) in Geneva, Switzerland,
have
been
working
in
partnership for several years
on this case to document
crimes and assist the victims
to obtain justice.
During the civil war in Sierra
Leone (1991-2002), the RUF
used civilians as slaves in the
district of Kono to mine in the
diamond pits. The proceeds of
the forced labor were brought
to Charles Taylor in Monrovia,
Liberia, and then sold on the
international market.
This is the very first time that a
businessman has been arrested
for his alleged
involvement

in the international crimes of
both pillage of blood diamonds
and enslavement of civilians.

He stated that 14 faculty


members helped in the
preparation of the nations
aspiring diplomats. Those
lecturers taught at least 26
different courses, including
Introduction to Diplomatic
Practices,
Protocol
and
Etiquette,
International
Regional Organization, Africa
Contemporary
Politics,
Liberian
Foreign
Policy,
Economic and Investment
Development, among others.
He
further
stated
that
enrollment when they started
in January 2014 was 45 but
on the day of graduation, only
37 students had successfully
made it.
On his plans for the immediate
future, Dr. Konneh said they
include doing practical and
internship and long distance
learning through video link.
He added: This can only be
realized through our farsighted
Minister, who will go out there
and gather support for the
Institute.
For her part, Valedictorian
Wablo stated that as she and
her colleagues begin their
diplomatic
journey,
they
werent certain that they are
going to make it to the zenith
of their career.
However, she

said that they now have within
them what it takes to succeed
in their career.
She told her colleagues that
they do not have to kill or do
things that are unbecoming of
a diplomat just to make it to
the top, but that they should
exercise patience.
She spoke on the topic, Be
not Too Complacent with Your
Present Status.
Ms. Wablo stated that while
all of them would want to be
placed in foreign missions, she,
however, urged her colleagues
not to only look at being placed
in foreign missions as their
ultimate goal, now. She told
them to exercise patience and
emulate some employees of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
who have spent years working
within the Ministry and not on
foreign missions.
The Val and her colleagues
were awarded a Post-Graduate
Diploma.
Ibrahim Tommy, Executive
Director of CARL, said today
from Freetown: This is another
significant step forward in our
collective efforts at ensuring
accountability for the crimes
that occurred during the
conflict in Sierra Leone. No
one should be allowed to
get away with participating
in serious offenses such as
enslaving people and forcing
them to mine for diamonds.
This case will also help to shed
light on the otherwise discreet
drivers of the infamous blood
diamond trade in Sierra
Leone". Alain Werner, the
Director of Civitas Maxima
added in Geneva: This is a
landmark case, the first of its
kind, and it will help to raise
awareness of the pivotal role
played by financial actors in
the trade of mineral resources
that fuel armed conflicts in
Africa and elsewhere.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Frontpage

WOODS: WORLD SHOULD BE ASHAMED


OF HUMAN TRAGEDY IN EUROPE

Monrovia
ttorney
Samuel
Kofi Woods, II says
the World should
be ashamed of the
Human Tragedy taking place in
Europe.
He has urged the United
Nations and the European
Union
to
convene
an
Emergency Security Council

meeting to address the horror


of refugees trooping into
Europe.
Western
Leaders
and
Governments must share
some
blame
for
their
misadventure, miscalculations
and intervention in Syria,
Libya, Iraq and other countries.
The residual effect of these
interventions is now being felt

around the world. The world


is now challenged to find
solutions rather than stand in
silence!
Woods who was speaking via
telephone with a journalist
based in Brussels and referred
to his Human Rights Day
Speech delivered on December
10, 2010 in The Hague when he
predicted these developments.

retreat. The rise of rightist and


so-called populist movement
continues to feed on insecurity
and indifference.
Your core values and those
values that brought honor
and respect to your nation are
being negated. This is a historic
tragedy for a continent whose
history is built on refuge and
terrible experience of violence.
Where is the Spanish Nunca
Mas!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!! This
society needs the real human
rights defenders to stand up.
My Dear Friends, I am in
Europe and must therefore
speak truth to Europe on this
International human rights
day. If the treatment to the
Dalit in India is wrong, the
TWA in Central Africa and
other minorities around the
world are inhumane then
we must in this day and age
condemn the treatment of the
Romas in Europe and their
expulsion from France. We
must not remain silent in the
face of ethnic separation and
genocidal acts reminiscence
of Jewish alienation during
the Second World War and the
experience of Sudans Darfur.
All decent men and women,
the churches and religious
communities, the media and

He on December 10, 2010 is


quoted below as saying:
The universal application of
respect for the rule of law
is lacking and democratic
entitlements are constantly
jeopardized.
In
Europe,
the desire and pursuit of
materialism compels the state
to pander to right-wing and
neo-conservative thinking as
the way of finding solutions to
their problem. This alternative
is reversing the historic gains
that Europe has made as a
forerunner for modern state
development. The so-called
Fortress Europe is fastly
becoming Dantes Hell.
The People of Europe know too
well that the Island of Paradise
that you seek to create can
disappear in a sea of anarchy,
as your prosperity will never
benefit you if it is achieved at
the expense of human dignity.
This is what I refer to as the
Western and Eurocentric
Tragedy: Human rights in
the West and particularly in
Europe are under threat and in

Page 6b
13

governments must frown


on this tragedy in Europe.
The European conscience
is being challenged and my
message to you today is to seek
redemption. Years ago, it took
a European Minister to lecture
our governments in Africa
about human rights. On this
day, an African Minister will
tell you that your act against
asylum seekers, the Romas and
others are wrong. You are on
the wrong side of history.
Your treatment of strangers
tells a lot about your civility.
Those who fail to demonstrate
leadership and conviction
when
their
values
are
challenged fail the test of
conviction and conscience.
This is what the Human Rights
Lawyer said on December
10, 2010 in The Hague. Few
years later the unfolding
developments
in
Europe
reveal that he was right in his
predictions.
Meanwhile, Attorney Woods
has indicated that he has
contacted the European Justice
and Peace Network and other
Human Rights Organizations
based in Europe on the need
to begin a campaign to address
this issue.

TIPOTEH SAYS NO TO BAD GOVERNANCE, WENT VERY WELL

YES TO GOOD GOVERNANCE

SIRLEAF BACK IN LIBERIA, HERALDS


WOMEN WORLD ASSEMBLY

Monrovia n the midst of political


campaigning calling for
the election of the next
President
of
Liberia
from the social group that has
dominated the governance of
Liberia since 1847, Dr. TogbaNah Tipoteh, a Presidential
Aspirant, has declared that
Presidents of Liberia from this
social group promoted bad
governance in the management
of the Liberian State. Dr.
Tipoteh points out that it is
this bad governance that has
Liberia as the second poorest
country in Africa and one of
the ten poorest countries in the
world, with corruption now in
its worst and mass killer form,
the Vampire.
This is precisely why Dr.
Tipoteh says that for Liberia
to be a better place, the people
of Liberia must elect as their
next President a person
who has a a good record of
promoting good governance.
Any leader of any group that
has a record of bad governance
is not good for Liberia because
what Liberia needs is good
governance that can use the
God-given resources of Liberia
to benefit the people of Liberia,
especially the poor people.
For those persons who are
saying that the governance
of Liberia has been and
continues to be good, Dr.
Tipoteh calls their attention
to the formation of the Good
Governance Commission, the
first Chairperson of which was
none other than Mrs. Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, now President
of Liberia. This Commission
still exists, under the name of
the Governance Commission,
because bad governance still
dominates the management of
the Liberia State, as seen in the
transformation of corruption
into its most deadly form,

the Vampire, and the massive


poverty that goes with it.
Dr. Tipoteh is quick to remind
the people of Liberia that it
was bad governance that led
to the Civil War which took
the lives of nearly one out of
every ten Liberians and left
all of the major institutions
and infrastructures broken
down to the point that the
government is still having
plenty hard time in trying to
get back to the institutions
and
infrastructures
that
existed before the Civil War. Dr.
Tipoteh says that the people of
Liberia are united on one thing
more than any other thing and
that is: WE WANT PEACE! NO
MORE WAR! So, to make sure
that there is NO MORE WAR,
the people of Liberia must not
make the mistakes of the past
by electing persons who have
records of bad governance.
Dr. Tipoteh calls the attention
of the people of Liberia to
the promises of the political
campaigners when they talk
about the better things that
they will do when they become
President and he, Dr, Tipoteh,

says that talking about doing


better things is bad when the
talker's record is bad.
Dr. Tipoteh goes on to say that
the person with a bad record
can not and will not keep his
or her promises about making
things better. These political
campaigners, according to
Dr. Tipoteh, are depending
on their money to get voters,
but the election experience in
Liberia shows that whenever
people use money to buy votes
and win, the people of Liberia
always lose, as corruption and
mass poverty become worse
and worse, while a few persons
get richer and richer.
Dr. Tipoteh insists that this
use of money to blindfold
voters, mainly poor people,
is bad because when money
is passed around to the poor
people to make them to feel
like they are getting help, only
very small money is given to
the poor people while the big
government people controlling
government money open the
door for the rich people to get
big money to get the power
to become richer and richer

while the poor people get


poorer and poorer. Dr. Tipoteh
says that we must not forget
that government money is the
people's money because this
is what the Constitution, the
biggest Law, of Liberia says.
Finally, Dr. Tipoteh says that
that there is a big problem to
getting good governance in
Liberia because the electoral
system that is supposed to get
good people elected is bad.
Dr. Tipoteh wants Liberians
to look well at the National
Elections Commission (NEC)
and they will find out that NEC
has a Commissioner who is a
foreigner, while foreigners are
candidates in elections and
foreigners vote in elections,
with the wrong names of
candidates deliberately placed
on the ballot papers to get
voters to vote the way that NEC
wants them to vote. The way
to change NEC for the better,
according to Dr. Tipoteh, is to
make sure that the President
of Liberia appoint NEC
Commissioners only from a
short list given to her by the
Civil Society of Liberia.

MONROVIA
resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the just
ended 2nd World Assembly for Women (WAW 2015)
held in Tokyo, Japan as a meeting that went very well.
The trip went very well. As you know, I was responding
to the Prime Ministers invitation to give the keynote address at
his program about the empowerment of women. I did that and
we also had bilateral meetings with him and a few of his officials
as well as the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA),
she indicated.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader
made the statement when she addressed journalists at the
Roberts International Airport upon her arrival from Tokyo, Japan
on Sunday, August 30, 2015.
On the bilateral discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe, President Sirleaf indicated that Liberia stands to
benefit from the construction of two additional lanes on Somalia
Drive which will be increased to four lanes from Freeport to Red
Light. The construction of the first two lanes and the bridges
commenced in the dry season of 2014, but was suspended during
the Ebola crisis. Work is expected to resume in October, this year.
She noted that the first thing is to get the Japanese contactors
back to be able to complete the work and other things they have
promised to assist in the health sector.
As regards the Women Assembly for Women held under the
theme: WAW! For All, which brought together over 140
leaders of various fields from more than 40 countries and seven
international organizations, the Liberian leader said it was one
of the efforts to achieve A Society where Women Shine and
continues to be one of the priority issues of the Government of
current Japanese Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has taken
responsibility for the current managerial and financial difficulties
that the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) is facing. She
said she takes responsibility for the situation because she is the
head of the government, though she never thought that things
could have turned out this way because she had the belief that
she had an able senior management and Board of Directors at the
entity.
As the head of the country you have to take responsibility
even though you have a very able director and a very able
senior management I entrusted to make decisions on behalf
of the company, she said, adding, As the head of the country
anything that does not work the way we want I ultimately will be
responsible.
NOCAL has begun some structural adjustments at the institution
to avoid its collapse. An interim management team is being put in
place to steer the affairs of the company going forward.
Former public works minister Attorney-at-Law Samuel Kofi
Woods, at a program for group of Liberian women last week,
called on President Sirleaf and her government to take full
responsibility for the financial impropriety at the entity by
suspending the payment of severance and other benefits to
those retired or requested to resign until a full investigation is
conducted.

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

Sports

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

VOL 9 NO.132

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