John S. Morlu

Ebola Is Beyond Politics And Tribal Taboos: All Liberians Must Work Together
By: John S. Morlu II
Liberia is a health crisis. The President of Liberia is right to have declared the fight against this deadly disease as a national emergency.  More than 120 of our fellow Liberians have died because of the decease, another 100 plus are suffering from the disease and there is still yet an unknown number that could be affected.

Amputees Visit To United States Postponed; Join Ebola Awareness Efforts
The Liberia Amputees Football Federation and the United States Amputees Football Federation have jointly postponed the August 9, 2014 international friendly football match in Maryland, United States of America.

George Klay Kieh

“Toward Breaking The Cycle Of Missed Opportunities In Liberia’s History”
Liberia's 167th Independence Day Oration
Delivered by George Klay Kieh, Jr. in (Atlanta, Georgia)
My dear fellow Liberians and distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we assemble here tonight in our new community center to celebrate 167 years of our country’s independence, amid the current deplorable conditions of the majority of our fellow Liberians at home. For them, the celebration of our country’s independence is more of a struggle for survival than an occasion for happiness. In short, the lives of the overwhelming majority of our fellow Liberians at home hang in a precarious balance, as they live on the margins of our society.

Rev. Dr. WilliamHarris

"Why Is Ebola In Liberia?"
A Pastoral Letter to the Nation By Rev. Dr. William B. G. K. Harris
This year, July 26, 2014 is the one hundred and sixty-seventh independence anniversary of the Republic of Liberia which was declared in 1847 that is celebrated annually. Since the country’s declaration of independence and to the present, the nation has faced many challenges. These  challenges include the deadly 1980 military coup which turned into a  senseless civil war. Instead of things becoming better, there is now mass poverty; the lack of  major infrastructures such as quality public educational  institutions

President Sirleaf Receives Honorary Degree At Tubman University from Dr. Russell

Transformation of our Minds, Attitudes and Behaviors
Liberia's 167th Independence Day Oration
By Elizabeth Davis-Russell, EdD, PhD
As Liberia rebuilds itself after several years of civil war, it is faced with many competing priorities. Infrastructure development, roads and bridges that were torn apart need to be rebuilt. Education needs attention, as does providing healthcare. The list goes on. However, little or no attention is paid to the transformation of minds, attitudes and behaviors.

Senatorial Candidates for the 2014 Mid-Term Election In Liberia
The National Elections Commission has issued a list of candidates qualified for the ensuing 2014 Mid-Term Election in Liberia. Click the link above to browse the list of candidates

Beyond the curtain of pomp and pageantry in Liberia
By Teah R. Jardia, MPA
The maxim, if you were not at the rehearsal, watch the play has become increasingly true in the political kaleidoscope of Liberia. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the legislatures are in Susu; you eat I eat gimmick to bankrupt the country and she is a reminder and a true symbol of the past oligarchy; a tempestuously suppressive era of divide and rule.

President Obama And Liberian President Sirleaf

President Obama Sends Notice on Liberia to Congress
To deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions and policies of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other persons, in particular their unlawful depletion of Liberian resources and their removal from Liberia and secreting of Liberian funds and property, which have undermined Liberia's transition to democracy and the orderly development of its political, administrative, and economic institutions and resources...

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"You Pull Rope, Rope Pull Bush": Woewiyou Writes From Prison
“Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who was one of the distinguished victims of the onslaught of the Doe regime, is now the President of the country and has been laboring to reconcile the nation while at the same time looking in the faces of the men who tortured and abused her during the heinous Doe regime. Can the American government understand how much anguish that is and the psychological steadfastness needed on the part of the Liberian Leader to bring peace to our nation?”

Ellen G. Cooper

Taking Charge of Our Health through Preventive Healthcare
By Ellen G. Cooper
While busying ourselves to celebrate Liberia’s independence this year on July 26 at home and abroad, I thought that a good way to truly celebrate another milestone would be to take charge of our health by taking advantage of preventive health care services. Too often, many of us who are privileged to live in societies that afford us health benefits neglect to take advantage of preventive health and seek health care only when we have symptoms that are unbearable or a condition that worsens with time.  

Harper City, Maryland County, Liberia

Harper - A city of Sunshine and Happiness
By Groba Leo Williams
Harper City, the capital city of Liberia's Southeastern most county, is situated on Cape Palmas. It is a coastal town situated between the grand Atlantic Ocean and the Hoffman River. It has a population of approximately 20,000 persons.

Many Disasters Can Be Avoided If …
By Elder Siahyonkron Nyanseor
The world we live in is full of many surprises and misfortunes; some are temporary, while others are avoidable; but most of them I believe are caused by man’s disobedience to God. It is regarding this, I am sharing my recent encounters with you.

Reason, Public Policy And Violence: The Case Of Tokadeh, Nimba County
By Bai M. Gbala, Sr.
During the past week or so, the Liberian media - print and electronic - reported, entertained and shocked the Liberian people with chilling events of violence in the iron ore mining town of Tokadeh, including the towns of Zolowee and Yekepa, in the northeastern Province of Nimba County.

Listen to Ellen Corkrum’s Latest recordings
What has happened to the US $4.4 million reportedly given to the Liberian Government to resurface the runway of Roberts International Airport?  Why did Air France leave Liberia? Why is Delta leaving?  What are the reasons for which USAID Suspended the Kpatawee mini hydro project in Bong County?

President Obama And Liberian President Sirleaf

President Obama Puts Human Rights Abusers on Notice
By Jay Wehtee Wion
U.S. President Barack Obama has put ALL on NOTICE that it is not going to be business as usual for those who sponsor war, commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, human rights abuses and economic crimes. And in his own words, President Obama said: "From Nuremberg to Yugoslavia to LIBERIA , the United States has seen that the end of impunity and the promotion of justice are not just moral imperatives; they are stabilizing forces in international affairs.

Chairman Jerome Korkoya

About Allegations of Fraud, Official Misconduct and Liberia’s Bumpy Road to Elections 2017
By John H. T. Stewart Jr.
In October this year, Liberians will be going to the polls to elect senators in what will be special elections because they will be held to replace only senators whose tenure would be expiring this year. According to political observers, these elections will to a large extent prove to be a dress rehearsal for Legislative and Presidential elections in 2017. Earlier in April, the National Elections Commission (NEC), kicked off the process commencing with the updating of the voters registry (put at an official cost of US$1,909,876.50).

An Artist View of Matilda Newport in Action

Expunging Our National Symbols of Falsehoods: A Rejoinder to James Thomas-Queh's "Preserve Our Historical National Symbols,..."
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor & J. Kpanneh Doe
This rejoinder is a response to James Thomas-Queh’s article: “Preserve Our Historical National Symbols, But Cleanse Our Minds into a Positive Future” that was published in the July 2, 2014 edition of theperspective.org. While we find the discussion of our national symbols very important, on second thought, we considered it a distraction from the burning issues that confronts our country today...

Liberia May Be Heading For Its Worst Crisis Ever
By Charles B. Russell
I may be wrong and stand to be corrected, but I have never heard of a country in Africa or any other continent where a group of indigenous lawmakers will come out to organize a political party with the desire to field an indigenous presidential candidate in an election. Only in Liberia can anything happen!

Dr. Rudolph McClain of NOCAL

NOCAL’s $38 M: In GOL’S Coffer Or President Sirleaf's Coffer?
By J. Yanqui Zaza     
On June 30, 2014, during a press conference, according to FrontPage Africa, Dr. Rudolph McClain, chief executive of the Liberian National Oil Company (NOCAL), took on critics of his boss, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as NOCAL. He said that NOCAL is performing a super job, apparently, trying to counter critics such as Mr. Christopher Neyor, who has accused President Sirleaf and NOCAL of siphoning money from NOCAL to President Sirleaf’s coffer.

President Sirleaf Receives Honorary Degree At Tubman University from Dr. Russell

Tubman University's President, Dr. Davis-Russell , To Serve As Orator For Liberia's 167th Independence Day Program
Dr. Davis-Russell was born in Harper, Maryland County Liberia, to Former Supreme Court Associate Justice O. Natty B. Davis and Diana Dueh. Imbued with the ambition to prepare herself in order to render better service to her country, she began her education at AME Day School in Harper and then transferred to Cape Palmas High School where she completed the eighth grade. She attended Suehn Academy from where she graduated from high school. She continued her studies at London Tutorial College, London, England, where she completed her O Levels.

Liberian Team

Liberia for 10th World Amputee Cup
By Omari Jackson   
Emotions that gripped thousands at the just ended FIFA Brazil World Cup were felt by the world. In Brazil, 200 million people wept as their pride was hurt after the humiliating 7-1 drubbing in the semi-finals by eventual winners, Germany, whose nationals are still celebrating their win against Argentina.

The Cancelation Of This Year's July 26 Celebration Destined For Sinoe And Grand Kru Must Be Condemned
By P. Nimely-Sie Tuon
It has never happen before in Liberia for a national event approved to be held in one part of the country for the venue to be changed. Not because of a natural disaster, or a threat of a nuclear bomb. However, it happened.

Theodore T. Hodge

The Liberian Dual Citizenship Debate: Another Viewpoint
By Theodore T. Hodge
Public intellectuals who take upon themselves the opportunity to educate and inform their audiences about public issues have a responsibility to be objective. They hold a responsibility to present opposing sides of the issue and allow the readers or listeners to decide the merits of the case depending on the evidence for or against the issue. It should be undisputed that the public deserves to know the truth, the entire truth, and should be allowed to determine the outcome of the issue under public debate.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Liberia Receives $500,000 From Goodluck To Fight Ebola
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Goodluck Jonathan has announced his country’s donation of Five Hundred Thousand ((500,000.00) United States Dollars to the Government of Liberia to aid with the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus. President Jonathan made the donation on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at the ongoing 45th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government taking place in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

Deadliest ever outbreak of Ebola virus: What you need to know - CNN
It began with a just a handful of cases in Guinea in March. But it spread quickly to two other countries and is now the deadliest outbreak of Ebola virus on record.

Beyond The Arcelor Mittal Violence: Behind-The-Scene, Future Lessons To Pick
By Nat Bayjay
Some called it the Nimba ‘scare’, others termed it Nimba disturbance; for some, it was the ‘Yekepa Raid’, among others. But what is clear is that last week’s violent incidence in Nimba is a national wakeup call that must be checked on from all fronts; behind-the-scene happenings, hidden but eventual causes, and mechanisms that would prevent future occurrences on not just ArcelorMittal but also all current and future investments, whether foreign or locally-owned.

Wollor E. Topor, PhD

The Slow Success Story of Liberia Transformation  From War To Development
By Wollor E. Topor, PhD
The origin of Liberia’s diverse problems is well established: a unique history of immigrant settlers or freed slaves who “snatched” the indigenous people’s land and declared independence from an American NGO, Christianizing the “natives” to become civilized. The elites benefited by plundering the nation’s resources with a weak infrastructure economic system that is  based principally on swidden farming with a subsequent low productivity, lack of rule of law and transparency.

What is wrong with Liberians?
By Bai M. Gbala, Sr.
The Subject of Chapter 2 of the book (Liberia: A Century of Survival, 1847-1947) by Raymond Leslie Buell was or is “What is wrong with Liberia?” The book was published on the 100th birth anniversary of the founding and declaration of political independence of the Liberian State in the year of 1947. This was a rhetorical question, the answer to which was the subject of Mr. Buell’s analysis contained the book (Buell, 1947). Liberia was found in 1822 and declared a sovereign, independent nation-state, styled and known as the Republic of Liberia

The Review of Our National Symbols: Another Good for Nothing Exercise or Not?
Siahyonkron Nyanseor
The review of Liberia’s National Symbols is nothing new. For example on July 22, 1974, the Liberian National Legislature enacted an Act authorizing the late President William Richard Tolbert, Jr. to set up a commission to address the issue of Liberia’s National Symbols.

“Foreigner In Charge, Crazy Question”; Dual Citizens?:  A Commentary
By: Bai M. Gbala, Sr.
The New Democrat newspaper (New Democrat, June 27, 2014) reports that “despite Liberia being independent since . . . 1847, the country is still controlled by individuals who pay allegiance to the USA”. They are dual citizens - Liberians who are naturalized citizens of foreign countries but claim Liberian citizenships...

Theodore T. Hodge

Lessons in Persuasive Communication: Liberian Political Discourse
By: Theodore T. Hodge
William Shakespeare’s play, “Julius Caesar”, has remained a masterpiece in the annals of English literature; indeed a masterpiece in world literature. Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator was slain by conspirators. The charge, an attempt to turn republican Rome into a monarchy under Caesar’s rule… The conspirators defended their action by claiming that they did it for the love of country; in other words, it was their patriotic duty to protect the greater good of the country by eliminating him. Brutus, on behalf of the conspirators delivers a rational speech and gets the crowd on their side.

Does Aresting the Ring Leaders Restore Calm in Yekepa as the Liberian Government Claims?
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has restored calm to the mining city of Yekepa, Nimba County and the concession area of Arcelor Mittal, after individuals identifying themselves as the Tokadeh Progressive Youths for Peace and Development led a rampage on the mining site and surrounding areas.

Hon. Bai Gbala, Sr.

“DROWNING IN SUBSERVIENCE Legislature struggles under Imperial Executive”
Speaker & Pro-Temp Lament: A Reaction
By: Bai M. Gbala, Sr.
According to the Analyst Liberia newspaper (Analyst Liberia, June 30, 2014), “The Constitution of Liberia, since the birth of (this nation and) government in 1847, is pillared on three-hinged legs – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – professedly bequeathed with equal, coordinate powers in the governance of the state. Though much of the people’s power is theoretically, technically placed in the hands of the Legislature whose elected members directly represent every facet of the nation, the President, head of the Executive Branch, has stolen the entire show”.

 

Preserve Our Historical National Symbols, But Cleanse Our Minds Into A Positive Future
By: James Thomas-Queh
At the current Symposium: “Reviewing Liberia’s National Symbols to Renew National Identity”- Justice Gladys Kiawion Johnson spoke on the topic: “A Critical Review of Liberia’s National Symbols” (www.theperspective.org/2014/061820140.php). In that presentation,  she made many assertions to which I have opposing views, especially if our intend is to appease and reconcile ourselves.

Charles Taylor

Redeeming Liberia For Liberians
By Kenneth Y. Best
December 24, 1989 Charles Taylor and his National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) crossed the Ivorian border, entered Buutuo, Nimba County and  fired the first shots of their invasion.  This immediately ignited the calamitous civil war that would topple and kill the Liberian dictator Samuel Doe and most of his closest associates.  And because Taylor was himself equally or perhaps even more greedy, corrupt, and unpatriotic...

Voice of the Voiceless
By Wollor E. Topor, PhD.
Oh brave Liberian Media . Take advantage of press freedom. No need to fear and never hesitate  

Amb. Sulunteh

Ambassador Sulunteh Lauded Liberian Athletes, Asked For More To Be Done
By Duannah Siryon

The Liberian ambassador accredited to the United States of America, Jeremiah Sulunteh said, it’s about time that the government of Liberia begin to address and provide vigorous investment in sports. Speaking recently at the 1st Liberian Athletes Reunion award banquet held on June 14, in Philadelphia, USA, ambassador Sulunteh noted that, not much has been done about the insurance and continuous wellbeing of athletes who bear the national color.

President Sirleaf Receives Honorary Degree At Tubman University

“The Quest for Quality Education"
Commencement Address Delivered at Tubman University By President Sirleaf
Tubman University is serving as a regional magnet, offering degrees in a host of disciplines so that students can be assured of getting the best education Liberia has to offer. Young people are gravitating towards Harper because they know that they will obtain the quality education that is fundamental for their own success, and for Liberia’s economic, social and political transformation...

Tribute to a True Christian and a Liberian Patriot: Rev. Dr. Blamo Benedict Nyentue Seekie
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
On February 26, 2012, I paid tribute to my Blojlu Geesayfahnnonkon Tarty Teh, my Protégé (a name we called each other), and a close friend and brother to Patriot Rev. Dr. Blamo Benedict Nyentue Seekie, to whom I refer as “The Silent Warrior”.  Now, two years after the home going of Blojlu Teh, Blamo, the co-publisher and Assistant Editor of the famous thought provoking and stimulating Blojlu Journal is called to glory on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at his home in Dacula, Georgia, USA, following a protracted illness

Ritualistic Killings in Maryland Again: Two Bodies Found With Parts Missing In Maryland - (LINA )
By John Bropleh, LINA Maryland County Correspondent
HARPER, June 23 (LINA) -The mutilated body of a 26-year-old man identified as Prince Reeves, a resident in Nimkombo Community in Harper, Maryland County, has been found on the shores of  the Hoffman River. Reeves, who went missing on Friday, June 20, was found Sunday morning with a broken neck, bust head and body mutilated with fresh blood dripping from it. This brings to two the number of bodies found in Harper in less than a week.

Saving the African Child
By: Lekpele Nyamalon
When thousands of black school children took to the streets in Soweto, South Africa in 1976, to protest the quality of education they were receiving, and demanding that they be taught in their own language, they were sending a message.  Although hundreds of those kids were shot down, and several wounded by security forces, their message was simple- equality. 

Justice Gladys Kiawion Johnson

A Critical Review of Liberia’s National Symbols
Remarks by Justice Gladys K. Johnson
The history of our country began with contradictions of purpose, direction, aims and objectives, and identity, and has continued in that vein for the past 167 years, including the decade that followed the coup d’etat of 1980 and the recent 14 years of anarchy that nearly ended our existence as a sovereign state. It is therefore a welcome decision to have these inconsistences or contradictions removed through this transformational process.

Liberia, Ghana Sign Mutually Rewarding Agreement
Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, signed on behalf of their respective countries as the latter ends a two-day official visit to Liberia.

State Entrepreneurship: Increases Revenue & Minimizes Downsizing, Monopolizing, Etc
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Every country, including the United States of America has tried and continues to try to reduce income inequality. It was primarily about reducing income inequality that nationalities fought civil wars in Italy, France, Russia, China or evil individuals such as Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, etc. emerged as overnight liberators. Besides violent methods, nationalities also recommend literature, host seminars, and write books/articles in order to fine-tune the economic system

The agony of a plutocrat

The Mysterious and Spectacular Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA Degree: Unmasking a Tyrant and a Plutocrat
By Sarr Abdulai Vandi
Obtaining an MC/MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, has become a coveted enterprise in the Ellen Johnson-SIRLEAF administration. The Mysterious and Spectacular Harvard Kennedy School MC/MPA degree in the Edward Sagendorph MASON Program has become a passport to spectacular and lucrative executive portfolios and presidential cabinet preferment in the administration of President Ellen Johnson-SIRLEAF.

Open Letter To President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
By Christopher Zeohn Neyor
I have been reliably informed of your venomous statement on more than one occasion that you will destroy me so that your son Robert A. Sirleaf can have an easy path to the Senate seat for Montserrado County and eventually to the Presidency of Liberia in the 2017 election to succeed you. Your threat to destroy me comes at a time when there are media reports of your son, Robert frantically trying to buy off all the Montserrado County’s senatorial candidates and promising cash

The Man Called D. Twe
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
Among all of the stories Sergeant Moore told us, the two that had lasting impact on me were the stories about Welleh Didwho Twe (1879-1961) and Plenyono Gbe Wolo (1883-1940), the son of the Paramount Chief Gbe. 

Changing the Conversation Diabolically
By Sarr Abdulai Vandi
The underling was instructed to change the conversation diabolically, in an arrogant and capricious manner. Jerolinmek PIAH’s silly cut and paste narrative is diversion, diversion, and diversion. There is danger in half education and mis-education. It clouds your comprehension and distorts your communications and information skills. Harnessing proxies, propagating hate and fear, preying on ignorance, manufacturing rumors and myths, and demonizing opponents and dissidents as traitors to the Ellen JOHNSON-SIRLEAF political tribe and administration are the tactics of the crafty despot with her back against the wall.

ELWA Junction Taking Modern Shift
By Solomon Watkins
Following protracted period of war fought in Liberia coupled with the benefits of a ten year of fragile peace, it seems that development is becoming the major priority of the Ellen led regain.One of the places that recently attracted public attention is the ELWA Junction which is taking modern shift.   ELWA Junction is located in Paynesville outside Monrovia, Liberia’s main political capitol city. ELWA is a major intersection that connects Monrovia to the Paynesville City and the only international air port in Margibi County-Roberts International Air Port.  

Hon. Garmai Sianee Tokpah National President, FLAA

The State of Affairs At The Federation Of Lofa County Associations In The Americas
Annual Report Made By President Garmai Sianee Tokpah
At the time, my administration reported that despite the many challenges we faced when we initially assumed the helm of this office, we were hopeful that our efforts would put us on the right trajectory to ensure progress. It was our sincere belief then that the state of our Federation was resilient and still offered prospects for accelerated development. Ladies and gentlemen, after another year into our administration, it is with heavy heart and disappointment to inform you today that the state of our Federation remains precarious at best. Undoubtedly, this year’s Convention theme:

Once Liberia’s #1 Goalkeeper, What Happened to William Nah?
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
As if we are programmed, when conversations about football take place, our focus is placed on players who score goals for our teams. In this case, we celebrate forwards and midfielders whose responsibility it is to score goals and ignore defenders and goalkeepers except for their mistakes that lead to the defeats of our teams.

Liberians are Tired of Excuses From President Sirleaf
The Liberia Institute for Public Integrity (LIPI) takes note of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s recent statement on the state of the Liberian economy. The President has interestingly admitted that constraints on the economy have caused Liberians to fall behind!  In defining the causes of the tragic state of the Liberian economy, she provided explanations that do not explain anything, but rather dribble into superficialities and misrepresentation of material facts. 

Nationwide Address Delivered by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the State of the Liberian Economy
Our continued post-conflict recovery process is of such that we must continue do everything at the same time. We have likened this challenge to driving a bus while at the same time repairing its many deficient and dysfunctional parts. As we know, for past years, our bus has been parked, some of the parts have gotten rusty, some are unusable, and many of our people were left stranded and abandoned on the sides of the road. From opportunity to morality, our children, and in many respects ourselves, have fallen too far behind.

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Finance Minister Amara Konneh

No 'Budget Shortfall’ in Liberia: It is Fraud, Waste and Abuse
By: John S. Morlu, II and Isaac V. Tukpah, Jr.
We have received numerous calls and emails asking us about our opinion on the budget shortfall and the projected 2014-2015 budget. We don’t want to get into the nitty gritty or the hard numbers in this article but we addressed broader points for Liberians and our international partners to consider as the Liberian Legislature debates the proposed national budget. Liberians should focus on these big issues.

Ambassador Deborah Malac

GOOD LUCK LIBERIA: 34 Years of a long and Painful Transition to Democracy (April 14, 1979-April 12, 2014)
By: James Thomas-Queh
In pursuance of the recent Peace and National Reconciliation initiative  launched  by Peace Ambassador George Opong Weah on May 19, 2014, the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Madam Deborah Malac, has also unveiled a War Memorial dedicated to the people of Liberia at the former Greystone, where the US Embassy compound is situated. 

The $73 Million District Development Plan, A Good Idea But…
By: John S. Morlu, II and Isaac V. Tukpah, Jr.
The proposed $73 million district development appropriation is constitutional. It also sends a signal that after mismanaging $2.7 billion in public monies, the Legislature wants to decentralize the budget to have an impact on ordinary Liberians. In the West, such funding has been viewed as “pork barrel spending” (legislation for local development geared to ingratiate legislators with their constituents) or in a good way as earmarks.

Fabrar Makes Unprecedented Rice Purchase, Motivates Farmers
Press Release Issued By USAID (Liberia)
Fabrar Liberia spends $22,000 USD to buy over 1200 bags of paddy rice from Lofa farmers, the largest local rice purchase in recent history. Lofa County - For some farmers in Lofa county, the local market is as far as their rice will go. For others, their rice may go the extra distance and make it across the border into Guinea. For the majority, however, the annual rice harvest does not leave the farm. The farmers’ family, neighbors and farm hands consume all of it.

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Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant

A Tribute To Charles Gyude Bryant, Chairman Of The NTGL: A Family Man, Peacemaker And Unifier
By Igolima T. D. Amachree
In 2004, Gyude was determined to remove the fear that was still hanging in the country and to bring hope to the people and encourage them to travel freely in the country. To this end he led his cabinet on a nation-wide tour when it was almost impossible to travel due to fear and bad road conditions. The purpose of that trip was to remove fear, bring hope to the people, and encourage them to travel freely.  Amidst the challenges of vehicles getting stuck in the mud and falling trees across the roads, that mission was accomplished. He not only said but he acted to dispel fear and the sense of insecurity; and hope and security were restored.

Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff Quits CDC
You will agree with me, no doubt, that the purpose for which we founded this once noble party has lost. Our goal was to form an institution with the sole purpose to emancipate our people, the downtrodden included, from the dungeon of poverty to the celestial heights of a decent life through participatory democracy.

Thomas Jucontee Woewiyu

“You Will Remain in Federal Custody until Your Trial” Judge Tells Woewiyu
By P. Nimely-Sie Tuon
Thomas Woewiyu, Former Minister of Defense of Liberia’s most notorious rebel faction, National Patriotic Front of Liberia, or NPFL, appeared before a 3-federal judge panel with one judge leading the charge. Mr. Woewiyu was brought into the court while in the middle of another trial in an olive green jump- suit... Despite being restrained by handcuffs, Woewiyu made a grand entrance by bowing down to his family members and lawyer.

President Sirleaf Left for U.S. and the State of Qatar Yesterday
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf departed the country late Wednesday, May 14, for the United States, to participate in the Opening Plenary of a two-day Forum, IDEASpHERE,celebrating the launch of the Campaign for the Harvard Kennedy School. The Liberian President is a distinguished alumna of the School’s Edward S. Mason Fellows Program.

Thomas Jucontee Woewiyu Arrested for Perjury, Fraud and Failure to Disclose his Involvement in the Senseless Liberian Civil War
Liberian politician Thomas Jucontee Woewiyu is arrested.  According to a press release published on the FBI website, "An indictment was unsealed yesterday charging Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu, a/k/a “Jucontee Thomas Smith,” 68, of Collingdale, Pennsylvania, with lying on his application for U.S. citizenship by not disclosing his alleged affiliation with a violent political group in Liberia

Finance Minister Amara Konneh

Amara Konneh must put up or shut up!
By John H. T. Stewart, Jr.
Very recently, Finance Ministry officials were involved in what from the outside would have appeared as a war of words between the Minister of Finance and two members of the House of Representatives who had openly called for the resignation of Finance Minister, Amara Konneh for repeated budgetary shortfalls resulting from poor financial forecasting.

A Eulogy to Musue Haddad, the Writer
On December 17, 2013, a virtual memorial teleconference was held for Musue Haddad, the Liberian photojournalist and writer for The Perspective who died in late 2013. The teleconference was attended by 300 people across the globe. Among the speakers at the memorial teleconference was Mr. Ray Martin Toe, the Liberian linguist and associate editor of the Sea Breeze literary magazine for contemporary Liberian writings. Mr. Toe made the following remarks:

Executive Mansion Responds to: "Reckless and Controversial Public Servant Salary Regime Legalizes Bribery and Normalizes Corruption in Liberia"
By Jerolinmek Matthew Piah
A growing feature of Liberia’s deepening democracy, for which this administration is proud, is the effusive freedom with which Liberians are expressing themselves. At home and abroad, bordering on truths, half-truths, and sometimes, outright falsehoods, Liberians are speaking out without fear or restraints. Of course, Liberians have always been opinionated

#BringBackOurGirls: Eminent Figures Urge Global Effort To Help Free Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolgirls
Desmond Tutu, Bill and Melinda Gates, Aliko Dangote, Rupert Murdoch, Mo Ibrahim, Ted Turner and Francois-Henri Pinault among global business, civil society and religious leaders calling for urgent action and resources to #BringBackOurGirls

Congress for Democratic Change NEC must stop political gallivanting
By Charles B Russell
The National Executive Committee of  the Congress for Democratic Change letter sent to presidential hopeful, Benani Urey suggests that the CDC popularity amongst the younger generation is eroding at a fast speed and can no longer bragged as a strong opposition political party  in the Republic of Liberia.

President Ellen Johnson SIRLEAF: The Liberian Nightmare

Reckless and Controversial Public Servant Salary Régime Legalizes Bribery and Normalizes Corruption in Liberia
By Sarr Abdulai Vandi
There is a huge compensation of salary to imported indigene Liberians in the Ellen Johnson-SIRLEAF administration. Paying a monthly salary in excess of US$5K, US$10K, US$15K, US$20K, US$25K and US$30K per month to a public servant in any category is in insane and a reckless pattern of governance that makes public service a path to personal wealth, which is totally out of step with democracies around the world.

The Syrian War, Saudi Arabia’s Struggle for Global Influence, and Control of Africa (Elombah.com)
The Saudis’ plan for Liberia is to first ensure that a candidate of Muslim faith and background contest and win the Liberian presidency. To do this, the Saudis brought the Kuwaitis onboard to influence Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in identifying and supporting such candidate. The bottom-line is to make Liberia an indirect Muslim nation through the application of aspects of the Shari a law when at such time a Muslim becomes president. The Liberian president who briefly became a devout Muslim by marriage and direct family ties seems to be in agreement, but skeptical of a drawback

Robert Sirleaf

Oil Company: Spent US $138m In 2012/13; No Report In 2013/14
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Liberia’s annual budgetary document, like any other budget, should fulfill at least the civil obligation in providing transparent, verifiable information to the public. This practice, used partly to gain public confidence, has been around for centuries. In fact it was the desire for transparency and accountability that gave birth to the idea of capitalism in 1602, according to Jacob Soll, a professor of history and accounting at the University of Southern California.

S. Tiawan Gongloe

The Impact of Predicate offenses and its Antecedents: Corruption, Money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery and illicit Drug Trafficking...
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
Money laundering is the process of taking the proceeds of criminal activity and making them appear clean and legal. Those notoriously known for money laundering in the world are drug traffickers. They generate so much money from this criminal enterprise and their intention is to put the proceeds of their criminal conduct in the financial system in the same manner as people engaged in legal business activities. It is easy to do this in countries that do not have limitations on how much money a person is allowed to carry on his person through a border or to deposit at one time in a bank.

If April 14 and April 12 Had Not Happened
By Dougbeh Chris Nyan, M.D.
The April 14, 1979 Rights and Rice Demonstration and the April 12, 1980 military seizure of political power in Liberia are two events that altered the course of Liberian political history. It dethroned the socio-politico-economic domination of one group over the rest of the country. April 14 and April 12 ushered in a change that generations of oppressed people in Liberia collectively and individually fought for almost a century. Change eventually came, but was characterized by extreme greed and opportunism by some political elements.

The Liberian Media, 25 Years Back: A Comparative Analysis
A presentation by Tiawan S. Gongloe
Let me first congratulate, Attorney Wilson Tarpeh, founder and the management and staff of this time-tested media entity for keeping it alive for 25 years. To survive as a private media entity in Liberia for even one year takes a lot of will-power. This achievement may not have been possible without the efforts of Kloh Hinneh, the first Managing Editor of the Newspaper and Sam Van Kesselly, its Editor-in-chief. May we rise in moment of silence to the memory of the Late Kloh Hinneh who died during the war due to the lack of proper medical care.

Chairman BGyude Bryant (L) is dead

Chairman Charles  Gyude Bryant, Former Transitional Chairman Of Liberia Is Dead
The Government of the Republic of Liberia announces with profound regrets the sudden death in his 65th year, of His Excellency Charles Gyude Bryant, former Chairman of the Liberia National Transitional Government (LNTG).This sad and mournful event occurred at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital at about 5 pm, on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 after a period illness.

Nobel Prize Winners: President Sirleaf & Madam Gbowee

Taxes: Have Liberia Nobel Prize Winners Paid Taxes US$1 Million Received?
By: John S. Morlu, II
"But in terms of owning something, zero! People say that the family got all this money. Money where? The only thing I have is my bank account, and the biggest amount in my bank account is that Nobel Prize money," Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Interview with LBS, Executive Mansion Website, Monday, July 1, 2013.

ULAA Puts All of Its Eggs in One Basket
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
Prof Alaric Tokpa challenged those of us in the Diaspora to return to the days when our contributions made valuable impact on Liberia. He pointed out that Diaspora Liberians have masterminded both positive and negative changes in our country, including multi-party democracy and the devastating civil war. The somewhat violent struggle for democracy and the 14-year internecine war were the direct results of the intractable political, social and economic conditions...

Francisco Ferreira

World Bank Wants Poor Countries to Monitor Flawed Contracts
By J. Yanqui Zaza
The recent story that the World Bank believes that monitoring and, or enforcing concessionary agreements would yield higher benefits for poor countries, but continuing to write sweetheart deals for multinational corporations is another interesting news about concessionary contracts. Before contract agreement became controversial, the first bizarre news was about President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s unilateral decision to cancel, what Liberians call the Russian oil contract.

The Resilient Council of Elders Solicits Funds For The Defendant In The LAC Murder Trial
A Comunication Issued By The Resilient Council of Elders of Grand Bassa County
This letter solicits financial support to defray the cost of the transportation, feeding, related cost and especially the legal cost of defending the good name and lives of subsistence farmers and a public school principal indicted for murder, from all persons of good will. All these persons are accused of pulling the trigger of a single barrel gun that killed a Belgium national who at the time was Manager of the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC).

A Rejoinder to Jerry Wehtee Wion’s Article on the US $200 Million Lobby Saga
By: Ruel Francis Dempster
Liberia’s House of Representatives has commenced probing allegations that the Liberian Government under the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Administration spent over US$200 Million on lobbying. President Sirleaf has denied the allegations and reported to the Legislature that her government has spent an average of approximately US$52,601 annually over a period of seven years, totaling approximately US$ 368,609, and used a single lobbying firm (KRL International).

USA Grand Gedeans, Other Liberians Petition Samual K. Doe, Jr.
By Jerry Wehtee Wion
United States Of America witnessed a political baptism and rebirth at a downtown Philadelphia hotel Saturday as the son of former President Samuel K. Doe wants to test the turbulent political waters of Liberia . And so they showed up in their hundreds for a fundraising gala and opened their wallets, purses and bank accounts and were chanting: “we want Doe, we want Doe; run Sammy run, run Sammy run.”

President Sirleaf (R) and Governor Jones

Liberia’s Excess Cash Reserves Of $262 M: Cash Cow For Governor J. Mill Jones And President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
By: J. Yanqui Zaza
The Central Bank of Liberia has had two controversial issues since the 1999 law repealing the Act of the National Bank, and the Act creating the Central Bank of Liberia. The first revelation was about the excessive Board of Director fees, for example, $56,000 paid to Cllr Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh in 2002. The second is the current debate about the disbursement of loans to small-sized businesses, allegedly disbursed by the Chief Executive Governor, Dr. J. Mill Jones to prepare himself for the 2017 presidential election.

Liberia - How To Avert An Almost Inevitable Implosion
By Isaac Vah Tukpah, Jr.
From whence do we commence? Too many people are giving up. Too many people are at their wit's end..  It is that bad!!! When some of the most "your let's leave the people thing" persons I know are calling me to say WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, I know it's time for well-meaning Liberians collectively engage in positive actions to avert an almost inevitable implosion. Just HOW do we begin these series of onerous and unpalatable tasks?  I think I should first add some perspective so that we understand some of the emotions and undercurrent behind this article. I was in the company of two friends couple of nights ago.

Annie G. Cooper

High Blood Pressure, A "Silent Killer" Of Young Liberians
By Annie G. Cooper
In recent times, we have heard of many stories and have had experiences of our young men and women in their 30's, 40's and 50 dying suddenly. Many families narrate stories such as: "My uncle was not even sick; he was laughing and joking with us yesterday and today he's dead! Something behind it! "Or, "My good, good son is paralyzed on one side, he can't talk, they put something in his chair, oooh my people!" "The doctor says I have heart problem, and I don't know where that came from."

LIPI Calls for the Unconditional Release of Journalist Henry Coasta
The Liberia Institute for Public Integrity (LIPI) expresses deep concern with the rapid decline and steady erosion of the rule of law and free speech - including freedom of the press in Liberia. More importantly, LIPI is gravely appalled about the subservient "loyalty and willingness" of the Liberian judiciary _to knowingly or unknowingly implement- the - deeds of the Executive Branch which contravenes the laws of Liberia in silencing, harassing and intimidating journalists and civil society actors - who are watch dogs of society.  

Beyond Oil Exploration Could Liberia Infuse Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Policy For Inclusive Growth?
By Wollor E. Topor, PhD
Can much needed decent jobs really be created under the current economic situation in Liberia? The present policy challenge facing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's government is how to accelerate inclusive growth; the types that creates more and better jobs and reduce poverty. Both formal and informal work, wage workers and self-employment. In the 60s Liberia attempted the commodity approach to development, which was  focused on the extractive exploration of finite resources mainly iron ore; at the end, Liberia was described as "Growth without Development," or plundered state's natural resources to create double-digit growth rate

Amb. Dew Mason

What's Going On In Our Country......?
By Ambassador (Prof) Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson
In recent times, so many things have been happening in our Liberia that give cause for worry and concern to all patriots.  First there are the many scandals regarding corruption at every level of Government leading Transparency International to label our country as "one of the most corrupt in the world". The continued lack of jobs, adequate food, housing, education, health, transport and security--all the basic elements necessary for a half-decent standard of living--have meant that the mass of our people have been permanently banished to that awful state of poverty and backwardness. 

History is Being Repeated in Liberia: Fomba Following the Footsteps of Chuckie Taylor
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
The illegal arrest and incarceration of Henry Costa, a popular talk show host of Hott 107.9 FM Radio, on insubstantial charges is a classic example of history being repeated in Liberia by another son of a president. Fomba Sirleaf, the son of President Sirleaf is following in the footsteps of Chuckie Taylor, the son of former President Charles Taylor who was convicted of leading a campaign of torture against people opposed to his father's rule...

The Role Of The Church In Fighting Hunger And Poverty
A Key Note Address By
Bishop Dr Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, TFG, JP, DOB
The role of the church in fighting hunger and poverty is the fight against the severe deprivation of basic human needs and the passionate effort to eradicate the weakness or pain occasioned by a prolonged lack of food by ensuring the provision of food and the empowerment of people with sustainable livelihood ventures.

Liberians Must Be Empowered: Mills Jones Is Right, The Legislature Is Wrong
By Ambassador (Prof) Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson
Once again, only the patriotic responsibility to respond to our Legislature's latest  primitive, discriminatory, and anti-democratic act has made me feel obliged to break the omerta--vow of silence--which I have adopted following the acrimonious  elections in our country in October 2011.In a piece of legislation railroaded through the legislative process with uncommon speed and in neglect of the usual procedures, the Legislature has targeted for "cruel and unusual" sanction the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Dr. Mills Jones, a man of unquestionable integrity, great intelligence and experience, and singular devotion to duty.

Liberian Government Must Take Action for "Growth with Development"
By: Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
On February 3rd, Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh, founding leader of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) and Presidential Candidate in Liberia's 2011 Elections, delivered his annual ‘State of the People' message to Liberians at an event organized by the Fiamah Future Intellectual Discourse Center. Delivered a week after President Sirleaf's 2014 Annual Message to the nation, Dr. Tipoteh's speech clearly outlined the serious economic problems (particularly the deepening mass poverty)...

Preesident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Liberian Lawmakers Demand Answers on Foreign Lobbying Fees (VOA)
James Butty
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has denied allegations that her government spent more than $200 million in lobbying fees to foreign firms in the United States.

LIBERIA: Is This Ellen's WATERGATE? (Updated 3/16/2014)
A Harvard Economist's Fuzzy Math not adding up in PR Money Debate against US Govt. Tallies
By Jerry Wehtee Wion
Could this be her ELLENGATE, Liberian President Ellen Johnson's equivalent of Richard Nixon's Watergate?  The debate is over the crunching of the numbers, numbers as in correctly or incorrectly adding up the dollars Liberia is accused of unlawfully spending by key agencies of the United States government on powerful DC law firms as paid lobbyists.  So get out your calculators out and do the math: Ellen, a Harvard "economist" versus the administration of US President Barack Obama, another Harvard graduate.

GOOD LUCK LIBERIA: 35 Years of a Long and Painful Transition to Democracy (April 14, 1979 - April 12, 2014)
By: James Thomas-Queh
After the bloody rice riot of April 14, 1979, President Tolbert missed an opportunity to engage genuine  democratic and liberal reforms that  he had  so courageously announced almost 10 years earlier.  The military coup of  April 12, 1980, disrupted the trend, and Sergeant Samuel Kanyan Doe ignored the necessity to reconcile Liberians by imposing himself as a military-turned-civilian president in 1986. Then from Dec. 24, 1989, Charles Taylor took our country on the highest human destructive spree in its history – more than 250, 000 innocent victims in a  senseless civil war.

A Personal Viewpoint on "The Land of My Father's Birth: A Memoir of the Liberian Civil War"
By: Theodore Hodge
I have been called upon this afternoon to give a literary perspective on Nvasekie Konneh's book, "The Land of My Father's Birth: A Memoir of the Liberian Civil War." I will like to stress an important distinction here for our discussion. It is my understanding that in the case of a work of fiction, a literary perspective encompasses delving into such technical matters as mode of narration, plot development, character development, general style, etc.

A Comparative Law Perspective on How to Defeat Liberia's "Major Public Enemy"
By: Atty Wonderr Koryenen Freeman
The United States Government (USG) Human Rights (HR) Report (2013) recently summed up a grim indictment of Liberia's fight against corruption. According to the USG HR Report (2013), the Liberian Anti Corruption Commission (LACC), the Liberian Government lead agency in the war on graft, during the year (2013), "received 25 cases, investigated 23 cases, and recommended four for prosecution, resulting in no convictions".

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Chief Justice Francis Korkpor Will Uphold Press Freedom?
By Jerry Wehtee Wion
Liberia is a funny place: to hear the Chief Justice say he will uphold press freedom in Liberia. Who is he kidding? Where was he when Rodney Sieh was railroaded and dragged to jail over a kangaroo trial that led to the jailing of Sieh first and then the closing down of his FPA newspaper later which was supposed to be the other way around: close business first and then if the damages sought by Chris Toe were not paid, then sell the assets of the business, and then the talk of jailing the officers of the business.

Why Liberia Should Stop Celebrating William Tubman's Birthday
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
Last year, the birthday of the late president, William Tubman, was celebrated as a national holiday. This year, 2014, I suppose that as November approaches, the government of Liberia, in collaboration with the family of Tubman, will begin making plans to celebrate his birthday.  I suppose because Tubman's birthday was celebrated as a national holiday during the 27-year life of his presidency and 42 years after his death. On this date, then and now, every meaningful activity of life in the country is sequestered to celebrate Tubman

Human Rights Practices in Liberia in 2013
The following report from the U.S State Department chronicles declining human rights practices in Liberia in 2013.  The report is a must read for all Liberians and friends of Liberia. Promanent among the abuses are "those tied to a lack of justice:  judicial inefficiency and corruption; lengthy pretrial detention; denial of due process; and harsh prison conditions. Violence against women and children, including rape and domestic violence, and child labor were also serious problems...police abuse, harassment, and intimidation of detainees and others; arbitrary arrest and detention; official corruption; human trafficking; racial and ethnic discrimination;...

Angelique Weeks' Confirmation: Not Only A Disappointment But A Travesty
By Alston C. Armah
To say that the confirmation of Madam Angelique Weeks as LTA chairman is a disappointment would be an understatement. It is a travesty and a sheer lack of fortitude and leadership at the Liberian Senate. Chinua Achebe, an African writer of sainted memory, wrote in 1983 that "the problem of Africa is the lack of leadership." No assertion could be more truthful than this. I have often paraphrased the author to say that the problem of Liberia is poor leadership or the lack thereof.

Legislative Restriction On CBL Officials VS. Claims Of ‘Equal Protection' And ‘Due Process' Violations
By J. Aloysius Toe
Recently, the Liberian Legislature amended the Act creating the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). The Amendment limits and restricts, within a specified time-frame, all present and future governors and deputy governors of the CBL from contesting for elected offices as long as they remain officials of the CBL. Furthermore, the Amendment provides that they shall not be qualified to contest any elected office until three years, consecutively, after the end of their tenure at the CBL, or after their resignation therefrom. 

Rejoinder to Musa Bility's Rants
By: Harry A. Greaves, Jr.  
I learned  something new about the circumstances surrounding our recent fuel debacle. It was Aminata, not Srimex (my apologies to Musa Bility) that was given the exclusive right by LPRC management to bring in 6,500 tons of diesel (equivalent to 2 million gallons, about 2 weeks' consumption). All other importers were forbidden to bring in any product until Aminata's had landed.  Problem is that Aminata's cargo was supposed to have come in on January 10th. It is February 16th and no sign of that cargo.

Rethinking, Rebranding, And Rebuilding Nimba County
By: Emmanuel Dolo
I am grateful to you the leaders of FENYSO for inviting me to be one of your guest speakers on this your first post-war retreat. That delegates came from all over the county to attend this event is heart-warming. Platform guests, leaders of FENYSO, and all: thank you. I would like to speak to you this afternoon on the theme: Rethinking, Rebranding, and Rebuilding Nimba County.

The CBL Act Amendment: The First Major Anti-Political Corruption Act in Liberia
By John S. Morlu, II
In May 2011, the Germany Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Dirk Niebel, on a visit to Liberia, cried out loud about the high level of "political corruption" in Liberia, mainly the abuse of public office to advance personal political and financial agendas, against the interest of the state. The amendment of the CBL Act of 1999, regardless of what motives we attach to it, is the first attempt to rein political corruption in Liberia. All those who claimed to be anti-corruption and anti-abuse of public office should support the Legislature on this issue.

Foreign Min. Ngafuan Urges National Interest Above Personal Interest
By Horatio Bobby Willie
Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has urged young students and his fellow compatriots to never put personal interest above national interest. Addressing hundreds of students as the keynote speaker  at Tubman University's first Career Day Fair Friday, February 21, 2014 in Harper, Maryland County, the Foreign Minister noted that it is not wrong for any Liberian to have an individual dream or ambition or objective, but stressed that it is important for Liberians not to lose sight of the fact that they all live in a country called Liberia

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Solving the Unemployment Issue of Liberia
By Wollor E. Topor, PhD.
It is disheartening that in spite of the attraction of ‘16 billion United States dollars foreign investment' by the Liberian government during the last eight years, millions of Liberians are still unemployed and/or underemployed. Economists termed it as "jobless growth." This phenomenon debunks the myth that "the nation is stronger, safer, secure and steadier than it had been in many years" as stated in the President's 9th Annual Message to the Third Session of the 53rd National Legislature on January 27, 2014.

Redeem Mighty Barrolle or Lose a Prime Unification Heritage: The ways out!
By Musa Dukuly (PhD)
The loss of another vital social heritage is hunting Liberia's renowned football club, Mighty Barrolle. The Club is gradually transitioning from ‘Mighty' to ‘Indolent' Barrolle, and the situation remains agonizing for most of those who adore the team as their domestic happiness and ways of having fun.

Bassa Citizens are not the Personal Property of Charles Brumskine
A Press Release Issued By Grand Bassa County Association in the Americas, Inc.
Charles Walker Brumskine was born into one of Grand Bassa County's pseudo elite families that had always felt entitled to everything BASSA. In a classic old order Liberian political control, this handful of families ran county affairs from the 1830s until the military takeover of 1980. Since the birth of this new Republic, the old order or remnants of the old guards continue to assert themselves in new ways by aligning with self-appointed traditional leaders in the county.

United Bassa Organizations in the Americas (UNIBOA) Reacts to the Press Release Issued by Grand Bassa Citizens Association in the Americas
A Press Release Issued UNIBOA
The press release issued by Mr. Gayman does not in any way or any stretch of imagination represent the view or sentiment of the Bassa People in the Diaspora.  As the leading, largest and umbrella organization of all the Bassa people in the United States, in the strongest terms disassociate itself from the potentially divisive press release by Mr. Gayman.

Fueling The Bassa Political Tension Is Needless: The Case Of The American Based Bassa Association's One-Sided Rant
By: Nat Bayjay
Grand Bassa County is once again in the news. This time, it is not about the county's recent impressive twin National County Meet glories which the people of that unique county are still celebrating.

Can Charles Brumskine Address "Gross Income Inequality?"
By: J. Yanqui Zaza     
Former Presidential candidate, Counselor Charles Brumskine and his Liberty Party have accused President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her Unity Party for failing to address "Gross Income Inequality," according to an article carried by FrontPage Africa, a Liberian Web Site. So, can a new leader such as one of Liberia's best lawyers, Charles Brumskine, who embraces the same economic system that the current President has instituted, find the trick and spur prosperity within this war-weary country?

Grand Bassa Citizens Association in the Americas Lambasts Brumskine
A Press Release issued by Grand Bassa Citizens Association in the Americas
Grand Bassa County Association in the Americas, has come in defense of the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Honorable Gbehzohngar Findley, describing the opposition Liberty Party Political Leader, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine as a failed politician whose life style does not impact the livelihood of the people of Grand Bassa. The Association stressed that Cllr. Brumskine is one man who has not done anything meaningful to impact the lives of Bassa citizens. 

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National AIDS Commission Takes HIV Coordinating Structure to Southeastern Liberia
Economic activities remarkably expanded in Liberia, averaging 7-8 percent growth rate over the last 5 years, but inherent supply-side risks are eroding the gains. Existing economic indicators of spiraling inflation, depreciating exchange rate and diverse fiscal constraints are imminent economic challenges requiring wide range of policy debates and discussions to elicit pragmatic solutions. Sustaining the growth calls for pragmatic policy actions from all strategic fronts to help mitigate ‘economic waste' and redirect resources to productive sectors.

Government Of Liberia Robbed My Family
By Gibson W. Jerue
In the last three days, I have endeavored to provide to the public very valuable pieces of information about how the Finance Minister of Liberia, Amara Konneh, thinks about the rest of us. We have discussed his draconian Administrative Regulation that seeks to punish, or rather that has been punishing, the rest of us since the coming into force on December 8, 2013 of the punitive tax measure. I have provided the document to that. I would leave that to the public to make their judgment.

Blyden Forum to Dissect $73m District Impact Fund
The Press Union of Liberia will  on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 resume its intellectual platform, the  Edward Wilmot Blyden Forum with a cross sectional discussion on the  $73m District Impact Fund, being proposed by House Speaker Alex Tyler.

Liberia's staggering macro-economic woes: tackle supply-side constraints
By Musa Dukuly (PhD)
Economic activities remarkably expanded in Liberia, averaging 7-8 percent growth rate over the last 5 years, but inherent supply-side risks are eroding the gains. Existing economic indicators of spiraling inflation, depreciating exchange rate and diverse fiscal constraints are imminent economic challenges requiring wide range of policy debates and discussions to elicit pragmatic solutions. Sustaining the growth calls for pragmatic policy actions from all strategic fronts to help mitigate ‘economic waste' and redirect resources to productive sectors

Why Does Peace Continue To Elude Liberia?
By Lawrence A. Zumo, MD
Personally, I think there are several issues and missteps at play here. We, however, must have the courage to look at history, at our inner selves on this cartwheel of sociology and history to crystallize out a few things, bite the bullet for posterity sake, seek forgiveness where we erred and rise up to be the representatives/ambassadors of the Lord or Religious Deity that we should have been in the first place, all of us one by one and then I think peace will begin to flow.  We must do the heavy lifting ourselves instead of lifting the wrong stones out of the way or just throwing water at the real stones in the way...

The Liberian Constitution:  An Outcome of Improper Behavior!
By: Tibelrosa Summoh Tarponweh
The making of a truly self-governing constitution often impels several critical questions. What should be the minimum mechanisms and guiding principles for the making of a constitution? Who selects the staff and leadership of a Constitutional Review Commission? And what are the assurances that those in power will uphold and respect the results of the process?

Economic Nationalism And Liberia – A Reply To Sam Jackson
By: Emmanuel Dolo
This article is a contribution to debates triggered by Mr. Sam Jackson's conversation on the Henry Costa Show regarding Economic Nationalism. Mr. Jackson essentially argued that multinationals in Liberia should be nationalized and this would address growing inequality and spur economic growth. This is not a full assessment of the successes, failures, dangers, and downfalls of Economic Nationalism. But what one cannot deny is that in its current phase of development, post-war Liberia is not ready to embrace Economic Nationalism.

It's Time for Nimba County to Win
By Joe Bartuah
As the great people of Nimba County anxiously await a crucial opportunity, as sanctioned by article 46 of the Liberian Constitution, to robustly exercise their democratic rights through the ballot box on the second Tuesday in October this year, I'm convinced that this time around, Nimba County will definitely win, because there are more principled, farsighted voters in Nimba who actually want the county to succeed and ensure sustainable development. I hear Nimbaians saying, "You can fool some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all of the people all the time."

National County Meet: The perfect opportunity for football recidivism
By: Urias Goll
Football is incontrovertibly the biggest unifier in our country and, to a larger extent, plays a bigger role uniting global citizens. No wonder FIFA has demonstrated that the only universal language we all speak is football. My grand father told me that during the 60s & 70s, this game was so popular that it became a national predilection where the entire citizenry would pulse for moment glue to their radio in firm anticipation for the team of their likings to triumph at the sound of the final whistle

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WORLD HIV/AIDS DAY: HOW CAN LIBERIANS IN THE DIASPORA HELP RAISE AWARENESS?
By: Annie G. Cooper, MSN, FNP- BC
On December 1, 2013  people  in Liberia  and  around  the world celebrated World AIDS Day, a day set aside to raise public awareness on HIV/AIDS.  As the day was celebrated,
 I could  not  help  but  think  about  the  many  lives lost in  Liberia in recent times from preventable  and  or  treatable diseases such as typhoid fever, hepatitis , tuberculosis (TB)  etc.  This brings me to wonder if lives are lost from these Preventable and treatable ailments, what will happen if HIV becomes wide spread in our country.

The Banker Magazine Award: A Source of Motivation; Not an Evidence of Vindication
By: Alfred J. Johnson
Let us first begin with a genuine recognition of Minister Amara Konneh's achievement as the "African Finance Minister of the Year". It is no doubt that a wealth of thought went into this decision given the apparent credibility of The Banker Magazine. In addition, we are compelled to agree with a colleague that solely blaming the dismal state of the financial sector and our economy as a whole on the Hon. Minister, (one reason why some people feel he is not deserving of the award) is not only unfair and, frankly, ignorant, but exponentially disingenuous. Clearly, the Minister shares in the blame, but so are the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Dr. Mill Jones, the National Legislature and other government agencies.

EJS is Right for Neglecting Liberia's Poor
By:  James W. Harris
If the results of the last two elections in Liberia meant anything then Liberians certainly have nothing to be complaining about today.  In the two elections held in 2005 and 2011 respectively, Liberians voted overwhelmingly for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  As far as they were concerned, she was the best person to lead their war-ravaged nation, never mind the fact that she too had contributed to the carnage that raged there for almost two decades.

Rejecting Artificial Ethnic Divide to Safe our Democracy
By: Emmanuel Dolo
ETHNIC IDENTITY-BAITING has several characteristics. First, the perpetrators politicize ethnic difference. Second, they manipulate ethnic difference to cause unreasonable fear. Third, they use the mistrust as a basis to purge their perceived rivals from positions of power. Fourth, having eliminated their "rivals" from power, they then use the opportunity to plunder national wealth for personal gains.

John S. Morlu

Debunking Finance Minister Konneh-Corruption Not A Victimless Crime
By: John S. Morlu, II
"They hate me," Minister Konneh is crying out. But I wondered what Former Ministers of Finance Augustine K. Ngafuan and Dr. Antoinette M. Sayeh will say when they had a more forceful Auditor General who was constantly on their backs each year during the debate of the budget, beginning with two months of media packed budget debate at the Unity Conference Center in June 2007. The Minister has also indicted his colleagues arguing that they are wasteful, greedy, selfish and do not like transparency. Further, the Minister says his colleagues are angry because he is spending money on programs that benefit Liberians

At The Ministry Of Education, A Case Of Monkey Works And Bamboo Draws
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
When the Liberian civil war concluded, it was cleared that it has left the infrastructure of the country in tatters.  Everything that constituted the infrastructure of Liberia as a country was destroyed.  Buildings that housed schools were damaged, leaving the educational system unable to provide needed quality educational services to students.  Throughout the country, this was known to ordinary Liberians and education officials. But, under Charles Taylor as president, no efforts were made to arrest and ameliorate the poor educational standard in Liberian public schools.  Therefore, when Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became president, it was no surprise when she announced that reforming the structural deteriorations that compromised the quality of education in Liberian schools would be a top priority.

South Africa and world mourn Mandela - (BBC)
South Africans and world leaders pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, who led the transition from white minority rule and has died aged 95.

Sirleaf Administration Has Failed To Police Itself, LIPI Asks Legislature for An Independent Prosecutor
A Press Release from The Liberia Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI)
The Liberia Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI) has followed governance issues in Liberia. Bad governance, mainly uncontrolled corruption and impunity, has been the fundamental problem that faces Liberia for 166 years, and which has retarded progress in Liberia and undermined the collective well being of Liberians. In her inaugural speech on January 16, 2006, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf assured Liberians and international partners of her unrelenting commitment to fight corruption, when she declared corruption as the "major public enemy", and promised to ensure zero tolerance for corruption.

Liberia: Mourning Musue Haddad - The News & allAfrica
The Unexpected Demise of Musue Noha Haddad, a celebrated member of the ink fraternity shocked everyone including her co-workers and closed friends. Her death was astonishing because Musue didn't look like someone who was ill; she looked healthy and was always seen smiling or in a buoyant mood. But you know in life nobody knows how and when her or his life ends.

LIBERIAN CORRUPTION: Typology and Definition
A Socio-criminological Analysis
By: James Thomas-Queh
In the first part of this paper already published in these same columns , we tried to establish how the errors of bad governance have encouraged the spread of corruption, incompetence and inefficiency. It is from this perspective that I have also been able to draw up the typology of corruption under our current democratic government.

For Credibility And Transparency, The Legislature Must Be Modernized!
By: Musue Haddad
Participants at a one-day Policy Dialogue in Monrovia called for the immediate re-engagement of the modernization of the Liberian Legislature, if that august body is to function efficiently, and be seen as credible and transparent. The modernization of the Liberian Legislature was initiated a few years ago, but came to a halt a few years later because of several reasons. The Donor partners are willing to re-engage in the modernization process.

Redskins: More Than a Name
By Raynard Jackson
I was once told that the only bad thing about being a good sport is that you have to lose to prove it. So it is with democracy; you have to have the freedom to disagree to prove that it works. This brings me to the issue of the Washington Redskins. They are one of the oldest teams in the National Football League (NFL).  Lately, they have come under unrelenting pressure from certain quarters to change their storied name from the Redskins.  Some are suggesting that the name is offensive to Native American. 

Aggrieved and Concerned Employees of GAC (ACE) Remember November 6, 2012
By Sylvester K. Pewee & Emmanuel T. Azango
Today, November 6, 2013 makes it exactly one since the unqualified, incompetence, inefficient former Auditor General who was earlier denied by the Liberian Senate for fraudulent academic credential dismissed over forty employees from the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on the basis of budgetary constraints. The former AG who said he had come with clean hands to safe guard the country's treasury from people who had misapplied them rather became the rank leader of financial misappropriation.

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Nigeria and Liberia's Central Banks Thread Separate Paths on Micro-Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) Financing
By: Wonderr K. Freeman
The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL, herein after) and its Governor, Dr. Mills Jones, have been under pressure lately. Its microfinance and SME policy has come under heavy suspicion by the Liberia Senate and other Liberian technocrats. It's not farfetched to say that most of the senators don't quite understand that boring subject called economics – the bankers' "bread and butter". But senators surely do understand politics when they see it. And as far as they can see, the CBL's Credit-to-Consumers-Direct MSME policy looks like politics, feels like politics and smells like politics – hence the senatorial inquest.

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Corruption & Bad Governance: Evolution and Typology since 2006
A Socio-criminological Analysis
By: James Thomas-Queh
No doubt, we all seem to have an idea of the problem – it is corruption, corruption and corruption. Unfortunately for this government and Liberia, this is the generalized perception that has been firmly installed since the alert was first given, long ago, by one of the government's most famous watchdog agencies then, the General Auditing Commission, GAC. And eight years on, Cllr. Harry Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman, Chairman of the ruling Unity Party, in his excellent July 26, 2013 oration or rather a manifesto to salvage the party and probably our democracy, served this vexing reminder to the attention of the Standard Bearer:

Illicit Financial Flows from Africa: A Wake up call for Major Stakeholders
By: C.Gyude Bedell
In 2012, African Ministers of Finance and Development Planning endorsed the establishment of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa. Chaired by Thabo Mbeki with the aim of conducting wide range of consultation among major stakeholders, the panel is expected to design practical recommendations in order to mitigate the alarming rate of illicit flows.

We Speak Through The Constitution
By D. Garkpe Gedepoh
I pity those narrow-minded beneficiaries of President Sirleaf's corrupt administration and those blind loyalists who lack the knowledge to understand the simple words that are written in the Liberian constitution, but instead rain accusations and ambiguously misinterpret patriotism as "irresponsible". They say they won't support the resignation of the president even though she has failed to properly govern the Liberian people and grossly violated the constitution, the supreme law of the land.

Robert Sirleaf

The Need For Class Action Against The Government Of Liberia, Companies & The World Bank,
By CLLR. Frederick A. B. Jayweh
The confession of Robert A. Sirleaf as to the role played by The World Bank in writing the Concessionary Oil Agreement (Block 13) in Liberia is quite interesting. The revelation and public confession of Robert A. Sirleaf appears to bring to light and to public attention the roles that multi-National Concessions have played and are playing to promote and protect their business and primary interests in poor nations, while assisting corrupt leaders in Africa including Liberia to drill the hole of poverty, disease, ...

World Bank Made $3.00 Billion Dollars In Profits In 3 Years, While African Countries (Its Clients) Got Poorer
By J. Yanqui Zaza 
Harsh conditions in many African countries, many of which have been chronicled in news media and public reports, are not different from the narratives of the 10/16/2013 NY Times article called "Poverty And Stigma Give An Edge To Disease." In this article, as well as in previous ones, the writer narrated the issues of corruption, incompetence and limited resources as the root causes of Africa's plagues, including high infant mortality rate, poor education, etc. Also, the writers have and continue to discuss the generous efforts made by individuals, groups and, or international organizations such as the World Bank, but, nonetheless, conditions continue to deteriorate year after year.

We Speak Through The Constitution…
By D. Garkpe Gedepoh
The Liberian constitution speaks loud and clear in the real cause of the people. And this loud voice must not be taken lightly when it speaks in unison; least we find ourselves suspending the entire organic law of our country. You see: We cannot afford to down play the constitution continuously and think its ok, because this is what led to chaos and tensions in Liberia 's not too distant past.

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The African Union summit on the International Criminal Court: in whose interest?
By Wonderr K. Freeman
On 13 October 2013, leaders of African states meet in Addis Ababa to consider a possible withdrawal from the Rome Statute creating the International Criminal Court (ICC). African leaders do not find favour with the ICC's pursuit of Kenya's "big men"- President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto. The AU draws links between the indictment of Kenyatta and Ruto with that of President (Omar al-Bashir) and Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast. Having drawn such links, the AU concluded that the ICC is a western plot to finish-off African leaders. What is striking of the AU's ICC analysis is the complete lack of consideration for the victims, 99.9% of whom are Africans

Decision Regarding First Day Of School In Liberia
By Sonkarley Tiatun Beaie
The decision regarding the "First Day of School" is crucial, and practically has numerous implications on a society. Generally, "it is the first day when a school opens after the summer vacation, but varies in different areas around the world because of the differences in weather, climate, season, and culture"

FIRESTONE AND AFL: A Rebirth For Better or For Worse? (Republished)
By James Thomas-Queh
Firestone and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) - are two entities that have marked the social, economic and political history of Liberia, and also the Liberian -US relationship. Therefore their very synchronised and publicised reactivation is not a coincidence. What is more, it is our generation that brought both entities to the political spotlight from the 1970s. And like today, both entities were established at the beginning of the 20th century when Liberia was on her knees; though, they also perished with her at the end of the same century. Thus their coming into being again in this manner and fashion do merit a re-examination of our conscience- in silence.

Mo Ibrahim prize for African leaders: No winner ... again (CNN)
For a second consecutive year, no leader has been deemed worthy of the $5 million Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.The foundation's prize committee announced Monday that it had decided not to award the prize -- the fourth time there has been no winner in its seven-year history

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Preesident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Liberian Officials Accused of Resisting Anti-Corruption Probe
By James Butty (VOA)
Liberia's Anti-Corruption Commission has accused government officials of refusing to cooperate with efforts to verify their assets.  In a report released over the weekend, the commission accused 22 senior government officials, including Defense Minister Brownie Samukai and Police Director Chris Massaquoi of "deliberately" refusing to cooperate with its assets verification team. 

President Sirleaf/World Bank: Can Big Business Reduce Unemployment And Make Big Profits?
By J. Yanqui Zaza   
Unemployment, the second man-made cancer to corruption, has many ways of showing its ugly effects. For example, in Zorzor, Lofa County, Liberia, it did not only prevent breadwinners from putting food on the table, but it also forces recipients of Western Union controlled number and government checks holders to travel far away to get cash, according to participants at a Committee Meeting. At that Zorzor District Meeting held in Liberia in January, 2013, during my visit, participants stated that a branch of Ecobank, one of the established banks in Lofa County, has closed its doors, due largely to the unemployed residents' inability to purchase goods and services

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Liberty Party Is A 'Regime Collaborator', Wrong On Resignation Issue
Written by: John S. Morlu II
September 2013, we have heard some great sermons at Church. We have read Paul's letters asking for us to pray for our leaders, politicians, kings, presidents etc even when we know they are running the government in ways we disapprove and in ways that undermine our collective well being. I have prayed for the Liberian President for good health, compassion and good judgment in running Liberia.

When Politics Threatens Concessions Vis-à-vis An Economic Hub: The Bassa-EPO Scenario
By:  Nat Bayjay
Grand Bassa County, home to the country's second largest seaport, is an enviable county with investment opportunities and prospects that paraded the likes of LAMCO, LAC, Palm Bay now Equatorial Palm Oil or EPO), Flour Mill, TIMCO and other timber companies, among others.

Who are the Real Extortionists and Hustlers?
By Kolec Jessey
President Sirleaf anger directed at the press and critics who have accused her government for corruption, nepotism and muzzling of the press through the kangaroo court system is misdirected and thoughtless. Her anger clearly demonstrate a President that is out of touch and live in a bubble surrounded by her network of cronies and family members in her government.

Open Letter To The Honorable House Of Representatives Of The Republic Of Liberia: Impeach The President…
By D. Garkpe Gedepoh
It deeply saddens me to note that after many years of a brutal civil war; a war that divided our country; that uprooted our family trees, and took away hundreds of thousands of innocent lives; where looters plundered and desecrated the entire country; a war that finally put us 100 years backward; we the citizens of this republic, are once again witnessing the same vices that ignited the civil war perpetrated by those who advocated and financed the bloody genocide and desecration of our country.
For efficiency, Legislature Must Have Committee Staff 
By:  Musue Haddad
It is known around the world that, if it were not for Committees, the Legislature would probably be in session for an entire year. Without functional Committees, it would take that long for the entire Senate and the entire House of Representatives to scrutinize and take public testimony on every bill.

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Presidential Committee to "Further Investigate" MOJ Findings on Dismissals: Pearine David Parkison?
By John S. Morlu, II,
I reported yesterday, providing sufficient, appropriate and material evidence that former dismissed Director General of GSA, Pearine Davis-Parkison has been nominated  as Ambassador at Large. In response, the President has set up a Special Presidential Committee to "further investigate" the findings of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on Dismissed Officials. Interestingly, officials of Justice and Information  ministries have said the GAC reports need further investigation

The Reappointment Of Dismissed GSA Director Pearine Davis-Parkinson Exposed  President Sirleaf
By John Morlu II
Rodney Sieh has been in prison since August 21, 2013. We are approaching his one-month "anniversary" for being sentenced to spend 5,000 years in prison, all because FrontPageAfrica exposed the corrupt practices of former Agriculture Minister, Dr. J. Chris Toe. Dr. Toe only defense has been that he has not been indicted and prosecuted for corruption by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's administration, an administration that gives him the opportunity to loot the state coffers.

The Lies and Snake Oil Excuse To Not prosecute Corrupt Officials
By Kolec Jessey, CPA
We live in a time in Liberia where government officials think they can spew lies and expect to get away with it. They cast the Liberian people as being so stupid to easily buy into their campaigns of misinformation and outright lies. We need to treat their lies with the contempt it deserves. I know by now you know what I am talking about.

John Morlu Rebukes: Chris Toe, Deputy Minister Of Information, Justice Minister, and Solicitor General
By John Morlu II
President Sirleaf said, "To tell you the truth, it frustrates me. This is one thing (corruption) that is holding us back right now in terms of the progress of this government," AFP, 'Liberian president says corruption holding country back,' May 27, 2009.  Instead of being frustrated,  just take action by firing and prosecuting. Don't allow people like Chris Toe to walk away free and then go on to sue on the grounds that he has not been prosecuted by the President for corruption, when it is clear as light of day he is "walking guilty." This is my own only advice to President Sirleaf.

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Can a Public Figure Win Libel Suit?
By Kolec Jessey, CPA
We all know by now that the Managing Editor of Frontpageafrica, Rodney Sieh, has been jailed and his paper closed for nonpayment of a $1.5 million civil award stemming from a civil suit filed by Former Agriculture Minister Chris Toe. The suit derived from a news article the paper published in which the minister considered to be libelous. There are those who contend that the $1.5 million award is too excessive.

In Defense of the Public Interest: LIPI To Take Corrupt Liberian officials to Civil Court in USA and Liberia
The Liberia Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI) has initiated discussion with a team of lawyers in the United States, and in Liberia to commence series of civil legal actions against certain persons of the Liberian government who have been accused and implicated in corruption practices in Liberia. Far too long, Liberians and international partners have tried and insisted that the current Government of Liberia institute legal actions against officials and private individuals who have defrauded the taxpayers of Liberia.

Lack of Zoning Hampers Redevelopment and Public Safety
By Wynfred Russell
A few months ago, I stopped at a newly opened, ultra-modern western-style grocery store near the ELWA junction in Paynesville. Upon entering the bard-wired, fenced supermarket, one thing became painfully conspicuous, like most major facilities (private and public) in Liberia, a severe shortage of adequate parking slots for customers.

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Why George Weah Excluded Certain Players From Peace Match?
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
Last year, President Sirleaf appointed football icon, George Weah, peace ambassador. In this position, Weah is expected to undertake initiatives to reconcile Liberians and secure peace among them. Since the appointment, no comprehensive pronouncements about the roadmap to secure peace and reconciliation were made until in May when Weah announced that he was staging a "peace match" as the first step on his roadmap, if he has any roadmap, to secure national peace and reconciliation.

LIPI Condemns the Arrest and Subsequent Incarceration of Rodney Sieh
A Statement Issued by The Liberian Institute for Public Integrity
The Liberian Institute for Public Integrity (LIPI), condemns in the strongest terms, the arrest and subsequent incarceration of the Publisher and Founder of Frontpage Africa Newspaper and Online Magazine, Mr. Rodney Sieh by the government of Liberia using its functionaries.

Rodney Sieh Must Be Set Free & the Front Page Africa Newspaper Office Re-opened
A Position Statement by The ULAA Council of Eminent Persons (UCEP)
On behalf of the officers and members of the ULAA Council of Eminent Persons (UCEP), Inc., an organization comprising of former ULAA National Presidents and Chairmen of the National Board of Directors, call on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and the Unity Party (UP) Government to immediately release journalist & managing editor of FrontPageAfrica, Mr. Rodney Sieh.

Robert L. Kilby – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Failed Project to Weaken the Fight against Corruption in Liberia
By: Learsi Aynebil Alis, Philadelphia, USA
It was May 2012, I had just returned to Liberia for vacation following 19 months of being away in the United States of America (USA) when the news of Robert Kilby re-nomination as Auditor General of the Republic of Liberia stormed the premises of the GAC. I was in discussion with some longstanding friends in the front of the Old Executive Mansion building which currently houses the GAC when the subject came up.

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President Sirleaf/World Bank: Can We Fight Corruption, While Big Business Greases The Wheels Of Business?
By J. Yanqui Zaza   
Corruption, as a vice President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf calls Liberia's number one enemy, is back in the news. It was rampant before her presidency, but now, Liberia has become one of the most corrupt countries in the world. This notorious status came after we killed three Presidents (E. J. Roy on 2/11/1872; W.R. Tolbert on 4/12/1980 and S.K. Doe on 9/09/1990), sent the fourth (Charles Taylor) to the Hague, and prosecuted the fifth (Gudye Bryant), all in the name of fighting corruption.

Liberia Failed Progressives…
By D. Garkpe Gedepoh
In the late 1970s, I was intrigued as a teenager to see a little man who was barely 5 feet tall walking on Broad Street in Central Monrovia with a mat under his arm. From a glance I thought he was a Muslim who was going to the mosque to pray, because was he wearing a plain Vai shirt, long trousers, and a pair of sandals. But I immediately shifted my thoughts when someone spoke to him and said, "Good afternoon Mr. Porte". Then I realized that it was Albert Porte the writer who was also viewed as a radical..

Poetic Tribute to Charles "Gangster" Taylor
By Nvasekie N. Konneh
Time does fly as they say. It's unbelievable that it's been 10 years since the former Liberian Dictator, Kleptocrat, Murderer in Chief, Rebel Kingpin Charles "Gangster" Taylor disgracefully abdicated his throne under the combined pressure from the international community, the rebel forces of LURD and MODEL. As Liberia celebrates a decade of peace in August 2013

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Is The Sirleaf Government "Consolidating Peace and Reconciliation for the Transformation" of Liberia?
A Speech Delivered By Clr. Varney Sherman
Today, after nearly ten years since the last gun was fired, we celebrate Independence Day with the theme "Consolidating Peace and Reconciliation for Transformation". But my fellow Liberians, peace and reconciliation in Liberia can never be fully achieved if we ignore what caused our civil war and if we don't resolve to remove those causes and change ourselves and our country around for the better. Does the mere absence of war in our country constitute peace?

Morlu Turned down Weah and CDC Graduation and Party Conference Invitations
By Lee H. Williams
The former Auditor  General John S.  Morlu has turned down invitations from the political leader of Congress of Democratic Change (CDC) Standard Bearer George Weah to attend Weah MBA graduation ceremony scheduled July 27, 2013 in Florida and the CDC leadership conference slated August 1 through 4 in Philadelphia. CDC partisans, sympathizers, well-wishes and those at the helm of party leadership who have been optimistic in recent time for a potential Morlu- Weah or Weah-Morlu 2017 Dream Ticket were taken aback that Morlu was not in attendance for the graduation. There Dream Ticket hopefulness appears to be further gloomy when he turned down the next invitation, this time the Party international conference.

Open Letter To President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf…
The recent state of affairs in our country seems very troubling and despicably disheartening. We have seen the return of social injustices and corruption in government, as well as your lieutenants embezzling state coffers with impunity while thousands of Liberians languish in abject poverty. It is apparent that you have no desire to curb down on these unhealthy vices that has the propensity to recreate a chaotic atmosphere in our already fragile country.

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BURIED SECRETS: How an Israeli billionaire wrested control of one of Africa's biggest prizes? (New Yorker)
By Patrick Radden Keefe (New Yorker Magazine)
This article published by the New Yorker is a MUST READ article for all Liberians.  Though it is about Guinea, Liberian leaders are making the same mistakes. Yesterday, it was Block 13 as well as several other agreements, and today we are again talking about giving away the Wologizi mountain for peanuts.  The article is a warning on the wall for the Liberian leaderships. The company in Guinea using F.T.I., which is based in Palm Beach, to polish its image, while the Liberia Government is reportedly using Jefferson Waterman International (the same company used by the Charles Taylor regime) to paint its image good. "A hint to the wise is quite sufficient."

Liberian Newspaper Slapped with $1.5m Libel Ruling 
By James Butty (VOA)
Liberia's Supreme Court has ruled that a $1.5 million verdict against the FrontPage Africa newspaper should be enforced.  A lower court ruling in 2010 found the paper guilty of libelling former Agriculture Minister J. Christopher Toe. It said then that FrontPage Africa did not provide evidence to support its claims that Toe diverted millions of dollars intended to fight an army worm infestation in Bong and Lofa Counties. Toe later resigned without stating why.  

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President Sirleaf And World Bank/IMF: Debate Employment Policy; Don't Fuss Over The Rate Of Unemployment 
By  J. Yanqui Zaza 
For over seven years Liberians, including President Sirleaf's advisers have discussed the rate of unemployment.  Government says the rate of unemployment is 3.7%, indicating that the country's security is good. Critics say the rate of unemployment is 80%, implying that the country is sitting on a time bomb. 

Obama: 'Honor' Trayvon Martin by Preventing Future Tragedies 
Saying "we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken," President Barack Obama on Sunday urged Americans to stay calm in the wake of George Zimmerman's acquittal in the Trayvon Martin case and "honor" the slain teen's memory by preventing similar tragedies in the future. 

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Liberians Underwhelmed By Anti-Graft Promises (Deutsche Welle)
By Julius Kanuba, Nadina Schwarzbeck
The battle against graft is at the top of Liberia's agenda, says President Johnson Sirleaf. But every second Liberian believes corruption has got worse over the past two years. When Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf came to power in 2006, she promised she would crack down hard on corruption. Seven years later, her fight against graft has left many disappointed.

The WTO Farce and the IFM Conspiracy
By  J. Yanqui Zaza
Thanks to Fasukoi for the interesting comment made by him about the relationship between local facilitators (elected officials) and the real criminal enterprise (big business/IMF). The statement as to why IMF would loan millions of dollars to President Sirleaf who has not accounted for billions of dollars donated to Liberia could be viewed as protecting an interest. I surmise the statement is based on his experience that any regular bank or lending institution would review the past activity of a loan applicant to determine the applicant's eligibility. However, the IMF is not a regular bank. It has other interest such as creating an economic and political environment for big business to make huge profit. 

The Next Liberia President: Foreign Imposed Or Reflection Of The People's Vote?
By  P. Nimely-Sie Tuon
There is an intense debate ongoing outside the Liberian Community or political circles but within the international community that is focusing on who will be Liberia's next president, we are told. This debate is being driven by concerns among the Sirleaf government so-called foreign partners and friends, dubbed with various titles, such as investors, UN experts, NGOs, just to name a few.

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Robert Llewellyn Kilby: the Corrupt Auditor General of Liberia is Fired by President Sirleaf
After review of documentary evidence over the weekend, I am today formally requesting the concurrence of the Honorable Legislature to dismiss the Auditor General, Robert Kilby, for failure to disclose private business activities that represent a clear conflict of interest with his official duties as Head of the institution with prime responsibility to investigate and advise on non-compliance with our public financial management and procurement laws.

Fifty Nine PSIP Stalled In 2012/2013 Nat'l Budget
Preliminary statistics updated on the web-based monitoring portal hosted by the Liberia Media Center (LMC) says about fifty nine (59) Public Sector Investment Projects (PSIP) listed in the 2012/2013 national budget have stalled out of a total of two hundred and one (201) listed for implementation by sixty four (64) ministries and agencies of government.

On trip, Obama brings out the African in the American - (Reuters)
Midway through a three-country trip to Africa and shortly after an emotional tour of his hero Nelson Mandela's Robben Island prison cell, Barack Obama was greeted by another revered African leader, Desmond Tutu, with the words: "Welcome home." America's first black president - 'the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas', as Obama describes himself - had returned to Africa for his first extended trip as the world's most powerful leader.

Obama to announce new power initiative for Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - President Barack Obama on Sunday will announce a new initiative to double access to electric power in sub-Saharan Africa, part of his effort to build on the legacy of equality and opportunity forged by his personal hero, Nelson Mandela.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Endorses Criminality
The Worst Democratically Elected Liberian President, Ever!
By Ramses K Nah
When John Morlu stated that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's administration is three times more corrupt than the previous goverment, he was ridiculed and that was seen as the rift in not renewing his tenure as Auditor General. Nevertheless, we have seen incompetence, corruption, deliberate deception by government officials of personal assets declared, impunity and blatant embezzlement rampant in this administration. How can most government officials account for supporting their families in the United States, while maintaining a lavish lifestyle in Liberian?

Africa's Riches: The New Scramble and Core Causes for Conflict
By: Josephus Moses Gray
Moving from a trivial status to the most dynamic role in international relations has placed the African continent which was once considered as inferior to other continents especially to Europe, North and South America on the world stage.  Africa existing role in the context of global politics and international relations is becoming lively and of interest to the world. In the framework of a contemporary international politics, Africa is in motion, moving away from the periphery of the international system to a dynamic one, prompting calls for the continent to occupy a seat on the Security Council with an equal veto, but the question is which of the three?. Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco are all vying and not ready to allow either one of the three to represents Africa if the occasion arises. The continent in recent time has been repositioning in the international system as far as international relations and politics are concerned.

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The People of Lofa MUST benefit substantially from any exploration and mining of Wologizi
A Press Release Issued By The FEDERATION OF LOFA ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AMERICAS, FLAA
The officers and members of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas, FLAA have learned through various sources and the press that the government of Liberia (GOL) is considering negotiating with Jindal, a giant Indian company for the exploration and mining of Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County. Some sources maintain with certainty that negotiations are already ongoing. While we cannot verify all sources, we nonetheless have reasons to be concerned by these revelations

The National Lorma Association in the Americas Warns President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
An Open Letter To Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President Of The Republic Of Liberia
The National Lorma Association in the Americas, NLAA, has learned, with dismay that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led government is in the process of negotiating with an Indian company for the mining of Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County. In this light, the NLAA joins concerned citizens of Lofa in particular and of Liberia in general in appealing strongly to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, her son and our Uncle, Vice President Boakai not to turn Wologisi mountain to an Indian company or indeed any company without the full involvement of the people of Lofa County.

4 MORE DAYS: VOTE LIBERIA, VOTE KANVEE FOR INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
The countdown to the prestigious internationally acclaimed Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMA's) 4th annual event is at hand with just four days left for the voting period to close. Liberians are being urged to vote ‘Mama Liberia' by voting Gospel icon Ambassador Kanvee Gaines-Adams who has been nominated for two international esteemed awards: ‘Artiste of The Year For West Africa' and ‘Female Artist of The Year For Africa'.

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Fifty Five Million United States Dollars for Vehicles in Sirleaf's Government:  Is this Money Well Spent?
Policy Paper (PP-002) Issued By LIPI
Liberia is a country of unprecendented contradictions. On the one hand, the country is endowed with abundant natural resources, with the current administration claiming to have attracted over $19 billion dollars in foreign investments . Approved Budgeted revenue, excluding donors' funding, stand at around $672 million for fiscal  year 2012-2013. Yet Forbes magazine relegates Liberia as the 3rd worst place to live on Earth, and the 2nd poorest country in the world. Liberia is amongst the bottom 5th of the Human Development Index. The logic that explains this tragic paradox is simple. Liberian leaders are known  for wasting and lavishing the country's wealth on their personal luxuries and extravagance, rather than the neccessities that address poverty and strengthen the human development needs of all Liberians.

Good Bye Bishop
A Tribute to Late Arc-bishop Emeritius Michael Kpakala  Francis, a Great Preacher, Teacher, Humanitarian and Advocate of Social Justic
Good by Bishop, you did well on earth. Now that God has called you from labor to rest, I say good bye or as the Mano people say, ko lapee aye or ko to aye, meaning we shall meet in the morning or tomorrow.   It is not how long a man or woman lives, but how well he or she lives.   You lived very well. For example, your work in promoting education in rural Liberia, particularly in Nimba County, my county, was a great contribution to meeting the manpower needs of Liberia. The high school started by you, the St. Mary's High School  produced men and women who have made their marks in Liberia and abroad, including but not limited to, His Honor Francis Saye Korkpor, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia; the Late George Bolo, the first Director-General of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation; Dr. Saye Parwon, a well-known medical doctor who has served the Liberian Government in a number of medical positions...

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President Sirleaf And IMF: Rosy Economic Prediction Begets More Debt, But No Development
By J. Yanqui Zaza
The adage that says "Bad Habits Die H" is alive in Liberia. Fardor instance, corruption, for which Liberians fought a civil war to reduce, is not just back, but is rampant. Another bad habit, the practice of government officials to make rosy prediction, is also on the rise. Yes, rosy predictions, that usually gives rise to false hope, is once again encouraging public officials to borrow more money.

Homage to my Supervisors: Lessons to Address Liberia's Workforce Productivity Woes
By Emmanuel Dolo
As a young college graduate in the 1980s, I was employed at the Roberts International Airport, where I trained to become an Air Traffic Controller. I took a position as an Aeronautical Information Officer, basically doing flight planning. My supervisor at the time was Mr. Henry Valhum. He was exceptionally knowledgeable of his field and a strong disciplinarian. His immediate boss was the Director of the Air Traffic Control Department, Mr. Edward Wreh. Combined, these two men built a work culture in the department characterized by strong work ethic, stringent dress code,  timely attendance, a willingness to learn, eagerness to be coached and an enthusiasm to acquire good communication skills.

Protecting the tenets of democracy through constructive Advocacy
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
I want to make some general comments about advocacy for change. Those who advocate for change must themselves be the change that they want for the rest of their community, society or nation. Mahatma Ghana advised all change advocates in the world in the following words, "Be the Change You want the world to be" This statement is profound. The only way for a change advocate to be trusted is for him to live the change that he wants for others. This life of trust and respect is only possible if a change advocate is prepared to make difficult choices and to be consistent in the choices that he makes under every situation. A change advocate should be prepared to go through pains.

Democratic sustenance or national development priority: Economic perspective of bill to fund political parties
By Dr. Musa Dukuly
The pronouncement of the 2011 Elections results induced me to release a cautionary piece of development article titled: "Liberia's Post 2011 Electoral Development Paradigms: International appeasement, self-enrichment or national development priority". The thematic emphasis was on eliciting the conjectural expectations about the performance of officials-elect relative to preference for international appeasement, national development or self-enrichment (source: African news standard, 2012). The article also endeavored to guide officials-elect to trade self-enrichment as well as international appeasement for gross national happiness by putting human capacity at the center stage of national development. Looking at the below excerpt from the article, Liberians, in particular, the current political leaders may apparently redefine their thought:

Preesident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Liberia systematically breaking its own laws in oil, mineral, forest and land deals worth billions of dollars, new audit reveals
Global Witness welcomes a new audit recommending that the Liberian government take immediate action to address systematic gaps in compliance with laws on how its natural resources are allocated. The report, commissioned by LEITI, Liberia's groundbreaking transparency initiative, revealed that laws had been broken in virtually every natural resource deal since 2009.

Exclusive: Resource deals audit overshadows Liberia anti-graft push - DAKAR (Reuters) - Almost all the $8 billion worth of resource contracts signed by Liberia since 2009 have violated its laws, according to a draft audit report commissioned by the government, casting doubt on anti-graft and good governance efforts under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has said the billions of dollars in foreign investment she has drawn since becoming Africa's first freely-elected female president in 2006 should help ordinary Liberians to climb out of poverty. In a continent often blighted by corruption and mismanagement, the Liberian government has promised greater openness in its dealings with foreign investors. The country's transparency watchdog LEITI - which is co-chaired by the Finance Ministry - itself commissioned the audit of deals involving oil, mining, agriculture and forestry in the West African country.

Source Of Liberia's Revenue: Consumers Tax And, Or More Debt
J. Yanqui Zaza
If Liberia is to maintain the fragile peace and spur economic prosperity then the government cannot continue to rely on consumption tax and, or more debt. However, the announcements from a Liberian lawmaker, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's economic adviser and the chart below indicate that Liberia might be in trouble.

Africa's logging permit crisis puts EU at risk of laundering illegal timber imports
Global Witness
The new report, Logging in the shadows, identifies a largely hidden pattern of abuse across Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana and Liberia, in which permits designed to promote small businesses and meet local needs are being allocated in their hundreds to industrial logging companies. These "shadow permits" open the door to highly lucrative, large-scale logging operations which bypass oversight by the authorities.

Liberia's GDP Paradox: Looking Beyond the "Fastest Growing Economy" Public Relations
Charles Taylor's Economy Recorded the Highest Growth
The Liberia Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI) welcomes statements by the World Bank (WB) Chief Economist for Africa, Shanta Davaranja, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) head of the visiting team to Liberia, Mrs. Catherine McAuliffe, that Liberia's economy is amongst the fastest growing economies (at 7% or higher) in the world , and that Liberia's economic growth is on an upward trajectory and economic prospects over the medium term remain favorable respectively." These disclosures, though not new to Liberia, are heartening and commendable, for they indicate Liberia's potential for growth,

The Normal Liberian Excuse
In response to the U S state department's Human Rights reports on Liberia in which the Johnson-Sirleaf government was indicted for the lack of transparency and impunity on the part of corruption officials, the attorney general of Liberia said " I have not seen the report". Is this new? No, this is what they always say in addition to "considering we are post conflict, we are doing well".

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US$2.02 Billion Spent By Sirleaf Administration: No Accountability of Funds
A periodic policy paper on the financial performance of the Government presented by the Liberian Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI)
On January 16, 2006, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf assumed office as the 23rd President of Liberia, a country whose independence, in 1847, was considered as a beacon of hope for black people all around the world. Liberians, and their international partners, were elated that Liberia had managed to set an example in male dominated Africa by electing the first woman President on the continent. But more gratifying was that this President, a highly educated and experienced woman, made a stunning pronouncement that under her administration, corruption, which has retarded the growth and wellbeing of Liberians, was "public enemy number one" and there would be "zero tolerance." Also in 2006, she authored the Foreword to the UNDP Human Development Index, articulating that a sustainable democracy must be built on the pillars of accountability, transparency and the rule of law. This was reassuring! Bearing these commitments in mind and retrospecting seven years of Liberia's development trajectory, the Liberian Institute of Public Integrity (LIPI) has reviewed the annual budgets and fiscal reports produced by the Ministry of Finance.

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The Block 13 Agreement
There has been a spate of accusations concerning the Block 13 Agreement, with some members of the House accusing the Executive Branch of Government of some impropriety. But when the Agreement reached the Legislature recently, the lawmakers hastily ratified the agreement. They invited some expert witnesses, but their recommendations have been, perhaps, relegated to the recycle bin. Many observers opine that the lawmakers may have received some kickbacks to hurriedly ratify the agreement. Here is a copy of the agreement.

Stopping One Protest Builds Momentum For A Larger Mass Protest
By: P. Nimley-Sie Tuon
The recent "suspension" of the proposed April 12 demonstration may appears as a relief to the Sirleaf government, or according to a Liberian newspaper headline, describing the suspension as "the storm has passed over Liberia." If this was a real attempt to hold a demonstration, its suspension means nothing, but rather a preparation for a much larger demonstration that will be unstoppable: one that will be inclusive and very hard for the government divide or infiltrate...

Our Imperative For Coexistence: Countering Looming Distrust And Tensions
By: Emmanuel Dolo
Liberia is a deeply divided society: politically, socially, economically, religiously, and even culturally. We have yet not learned the necessary and essential craft of taking optimal advantage of its diversity. Discrimination and inequality are serious and pervasive problems when large segments of the population still live in abject poverty. Common courtesies are quite scarce in daily life.

The New Petroleum Law of Liberia
Here is a copy of the New Petroleum Law of Liberia.

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Testimony Before the House of Representatives of the Republic Of Liberia
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
On Wednesday March 20, 2013, I received a letter from the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives inviting me, by directive of the chairperson of the Joint Committee on Lands, Mines and Energy, Public Utility, Investment and Concessions, Judiciary, Contracts and Monopolies and State Enterprises, Public Autonomous Commissions and Agencies to a public hearing on the Restated and Amended Production Sharing Contract between the Republic of Liberia and Exxon Mobil Exploration and Production affecting Block-13 of the Oil and Gas Sector of the Republic of Liberia.

The Land of My Father's Birth: Memoir of the Liberian Civil War by Nvasekie N. Konneh
A Book Review by Theodore T. Hodge
The author's primary purpose is to set the record straight about his nationality, and that of his father before him. That is too easy a case to make. He uses strong and impressive arguments from the outset by using general history and personal genealogy. To borrow a popular cliché of our times, it is a slam-dunk.

Liberia's Middle Income Momentum: Ten Economic Commandments
By Dr. Musa Dukuly
Amidst diverse structural constraints, middle income is now the renewed focus of third world countries. This economic phenomenon is characterized by country whose ratio of GDP to its population falls within the income threshold of at least 1026 USD annually (World Bank, 2012). Such a threshold is only meaningful depending on the pervasive impacts of income distribution amongst the poor.

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Superintendent Grace Kpan's case, House action, legally, debatable, but Acting Mayor Mary Broh's action criminal, wrong and threatens the peace and stability of the Republic of Liberia
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
The Action of the House of Representative to order the imprisonment of Superintendent Grace Kpan of Montserrado County for contempt for being not satisfied with her responses to questions asked by members of the House of Representative sitting plenary is, legally, debatable.

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Staggering from inflation and mounting deficits in Liberia: Non-parametric Analysis
By: Musa Dukuly (PhD) and C. Gyude Bedell (MBA)
Liberia's economic policy and statements revealed so many contrasts in relation to 2012 forecast. The economic indicators show that Liberia's economy experienced a challenging 2012, evident by double digit food inflation of 10.4%, declined in reserve money by 8.1%, worsening term of trade and increasing domestic debt to GDP of more than 50%.

Ambassador Karpeh

Karpeh has challenged Liberians to be Viable Asset in the Transformation of Liberia
Liberia's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union (EU), H.E. Francis Karpeh has challenged executives and members of the Liberian Association in Holland to be a viable asset in the over all transformation of socio-economic and political efforts in Liberia under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

Credit Transmission Mechanism of Liberia's Central Bank: Is it Pro-poor? (Theoretical Discussion)
By: Musa Dukuly (PhD)
Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Liberia have huge potential of reversing the negative consequences of conflict and spurring the Agenda for Transformation. Incorporating MSEs into credit program is a prudent approach for sustainable development to boost the Agenda for Transformation. Last year, 93.6 million Liberian dollars (about 1.4 million USD) was advanced as credit by the monetary authority to over 100 Liberian businesses (CBL, 2012).

Taweh J. Veikai

Former Deputy Auditor General Appointed Managing Partner of Veikai and Company Inc. (VCI)
The Board of Directors of Veikai and Company Inc, a local Certified Public Accounting Firm has appointed Mr. Taweh J. Veikai as its new Managing Partner with immediate effect.The decision of the Board of Directors of Veikai and Company Inc. to appoint Mr. Veikai comes in the wake of his professional competence and experience in both the public and private sectors.

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We the Victims: Why Liberians Must Demand a War Crimes Tribunal For the Prosecution of Crimes Against Humanity
By: Charles Kwalonue Sunwabe, Jr., Esq.
With the recent conviction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), attention is again focused on the need to establish a war crimes court for the victims of Liberia's greed-driven civil war. This noble quest for justice is being resisted by some biased Liberian politicians - notably, Bong County's senior senator and former Liberian first lady, Honorable Jowell Howard Taylor. Senator Prince Johnson, a notorious warlord who stands accused of committing some of the worst atrocities against Liberian humanity is also one of the leading voices of opposition to the call for justice in Liberia.

Liberian Ambassador In France Brutalizes Housekeeper, Breaks Victim's Teeth; Liberian Community Complains to President Sirleaf
The leadership of Liberian Association in France is appealing to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to take drastic action against the Liberian Ambassador to France, Mr. D McKinley Thomas for brutalizing and breaking the teeth of his house-keeper, Mr. Joseph Richards.

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Liberia's Medium Term Expenditure Framework Budget: Big on Ideas but short on Substance
By: John N.M. Coffey
On May 31, 2012, a draft National Budget of US$649.7 million for fiscal year 2012/13 was submitted to the National Legislature for review and approval. Months of deliberations led to the approval of a US$672,050,415 budget for the 2012/13 fiscal year. This year marks the introduction of the Medium Term –three years- Expenditure Framework budget referred to as the (MTEF).

Weah's Appointment as Peace Ambassador Signals the Ongoing Manipulation of Liberia's Reconciliation
By: P.Nimely-Sie Tuon
The recent appointment of George Weah, the political leader of Congress For Democratic Change, Liberia's main opposition party, is part of a manipulative and distractive trend designed by the Sirleaf government to prevent it from implementing the final report of the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Weah's appointment is also a life-line or a new lease for life for the continuation of Madam Sirleaf's clinch to power without providing the leadership necessary to genuinely reconcile the Liberian people as was outlined in the TRC report.

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The Case Against Dual Citizenship Law In Liberia
By: Cecil Franweah Frank
In recent time the issue of dual citizenship has captivated Liberians living abroad in the diaspora, particularly in the United States and some parts of Western Europe.

The Immorality, Unethicality and Unconstitutionality of Nepotism: An Open Letter to Mr. Abraham Darius Dillon
By: Alfred Jah Johnson
The French Enlightenment writer, François-Marie Arouet (pen name, Voltaire) said, "By appreciation, we make excellent in others our own property." In view of said, it is necessaryto begin this communication with a sincere recognition of your contribution to the socio-political landscape of Liberia. Your participation in the democratic process at the level of running for senator of the nation's most populated county deserves some appreciation. As superficial as it was (in terms of belief and given your close association with shady state actors), it is an encouraging sign that in the absence of tyranny and rampant cronyism, favoritism and nepotism, you can be nurtured to symbolically and practically embrace the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.

Brief History of Tarpeh and Tappita City
By: Sonkarley Tiatun Beaie
Tappita is a city located in lower Nimba County, Liberia and presently Headquarters of the Amalgamated Gio Chiefdom. The city was named after a prominent tribal ruler, Speaker Tarpeh during his chieftaincy in the region in the early 20th century. But, traditional history not being accurately recorded, for instance, sometimes given by senior elders orally, many ordinary Liberians including some Liberian historians had continued to refer to the city to be a town or settlement established by someone with a background or parental history originated from the South-east.

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Let Auditor General Kilby Show His Own Work
By: Abraham M. Attoh
Being an Auditor General is far beyond mere education and professional credentials, which the new Auditor General Kilby has demonstrated he lacks. It is about Integrity, which also the new Auditor General does not have. Robert L. Kilby continues to feed the public misinformation.

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The Case for Dual Citizenship and Overseas Voting Rights for the Liberian Diaspora
By J. Patrick Flomo
The question of dual citizenship is a "win-win" game for Liberia; as such, the receptivity of the Diaspora's pleas to the people of Liberia should be seen as a positive for both Liberia and the Diaspora, and as vitally important to our prosperity. Dual citizenship gives the Diaspora an unfettered fresh start and a fair chance to continue nourishing their affinity for the motherland in business, economics, education, healthcare etc.

The persistence of Silence & impunity
I have a concern that as the timeline for the United Nations mission in Liberia (UNMIL) draws to an end; much more is left to be done if Liberia's young democracy will survive the test of times. It is a shameful embarrassment that without any knowledge of the heights of corruption and unpatriotic activities taking place under President Serleaf's watch,the Oslo Nobel committee decided to even consider her as a candidate for the prestigious accolade in 2011.

Petition To The President Of The Republic Of Liberia And Honorables Of The National Legislature On Violations Of Extant Laws And Regulations And Financial Irregularities By The Auditor General, Robert L. Kilby
We the Aggrieved and Concerned Employees of the General Auditing Commission (ACE) are pleased to bring to the attention of the President of the Republic of Liberia and Honorables of the National Legislature, reportable violations of extant laws and regulations and financial wrongdoings committed by the Auditor General, Robert L. Kilby, just within the period of three (3) months after assuming the position of Auditor General.

Is The Auditor General of Liberia Dishonest?
Recently a report purportedly written by the European Commission after having conducted a "peer review" of the General Auditing Commission was circulated by the current Auditor General of Liberia, Mr. Robert Llewellyn Kilby. The so-called "EU Report" seems to be a farce and fabricated report aimed at putting down everything that has made GAC credible today. Though there is a spate of contradictory statements attributed to the Auditor General, The Perspective has opted to first publish the real EU report:

Nepotism Was Wrong Yesterday And Is Wrong Today
Constitution of Liberia, the people's own law. No President of Liberia has the right to break the law and still expect to enjoy the respect and trust of the people under the authority of the same constitution. Our country is a democracy where governance is by the people, of the people and for the people based upon the rule of law. It is not a monarchy where the king or emperor's will prevails. Never again in Liberia should we allow any President of Liberia to govern Liberia like monarch. A president who governs a democratic country like a monarch is an imperial president.

Liberia's Quest for the Public Funding of Political Parties: A Case of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in Public Policy Formulation
By Wonderr K. Freeman
The Liberian Legislature calls it "An Act to Sustain Democracy Through the Public Funding of Political Parties, Coalitions and Alliances, Providing for [an] Annual National Budget Appropriation to Political Parties, Coalitions, Alliances and Independent Candidates – abbreviated as the Democracy Sustainability Act. The rest of Liberia thinks it should rather be called the Act to Legalize the Use of The Liberian Taxpayers Hard-Earned Money to Fund Private Political Fiefdoms. But, is this a clear-cut case of legislative hubris? Do Liberians have reason to doubt their representatives at the Capitol? Is this law a faux pax ab initio?

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Dismissed Staff of the General Auditing Commission Call for the Removal of Auditor General Robert Kilby
Illegally dismissed staff of the General Auditing Commission are demanding the immediate removal of disgraced Auditor General Robert Kilby on grounds that he lacks integrity and the requisite professional competence to manage the Commission.

Advocacy and Anti-corruption
By Tiawan S. Gongloe (Cllr.)
In a democratic society, the people participate in the governance of their country through two basic ways. The first is by voting for persons among contestants for public posts, that they consider best suited to perform the functions of the offices for which they are contesting. The decision to vote for a person to occupy a public office is based, or better still, should be based on the past record of that person.

John S. Morlu

"Institutional Reform through Reconciliation"
Keynote Speech by: John S. Morlu, II
I want to thank you for the introduction. I also want to thank the Chairmen and the CDC leadership for selecting me to be the keynote speaker on this important occasion, an occasion that represents a new beginning to put CDC on the path of assuming national leadership in 2017. I believe CDC electing Mr. Solo as National Chairman and Mr. Tukpah as CDC USA Chairman will put CDC in good stead come 2014 and 2017, as both men are smart, committed, level headed, and willing to reach out to as many Liberians as possible.

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Liberia, Shed No Tears for Taylor
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
Not too long ago in May, in The Hague, Holland, former president Charles Taylor was convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) for war crimes committed in Sierra Leone. This marks the first time an African president, former or sitting, has been tried and convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes committed in a civil war in another African country.

How Costly is the Controversial Act to Fund Political Parties?
By Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei
The recent bill passed by the House of Representative, dubbed as ‘An Act to Sustain Democracy' does not serve the general interest of the masses of the Liberian state, but adds to the burdens of state reconstruction. With this law, our leaders have further proven their self-serving characters. It can be recalled that over the last few years, most of the popular legislations passed have been to service the ambitions, and financial gains of political leaders

Plenyono Gbe Wolo
By Charles F. Wordsworth
About thirteen years ago, I published a series of articles called" Profile In Excellence," in the Pepper Bird Magazine of Providence, Rhode Island. The articles focused on leading Liberian personalities who have distinguished themselves in their professions and contributed to their society. Plenyono Gbe Wolo of Grandcess, Liberia; a distinguished son of Liberia, was profiled in one of the articles.

The Practice of Diplomacy & the Balance of Power
By: Josephus Moses Gray
In every century there seems to surface a country with the influence and the intellectual and moral impetus and will to shape the entire international system in accordance with its own values. In the seventeenth century, France under Cardinal Richelieu introduced the modern approach to international relations, based on the nation state and motivated by national interest as its ultimate purpose

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Should the Draft Budget Be Approved As Is (The A-Z Challenges)?
(AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE)
From: R. Tombekai Senwah
The National Draft Budget, presently before your honorable body for Review and Approval, has generated enormous public interest. Our International Partners and the Liberian public are watching to see if due diligence will be accorded this historic (Liberia's first Medium Term Expenditure Framework budget) task.

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Consumer Rights: Electricity and Power Provision – The Case of RMA Liberia and SDMO Generator
By Ezekiel Pajibo
In January 2012 or thereabout, I bought two generators from RMA Liberia: one for my office and one for my home. A compelling reason for the purchase was the fact that RMA Liberia offered a service contract; each time I had a generator hiccup, their technicians would come and attend to it.

Liberians' Hypocritical Response to Corruption
By Johannes Zogbay Zlahn
On a daily basis, the Liberian print and electronic media are saturated with news about public corruption, how the Liberian Government has failed to eradicate or at least minimize this scourge, and in many cases lay the blame squarely on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. None of the news articles I have read about corruption has ever implicated the President in any acts of corruption

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International Justice: Taylor Trial Sets Positive Example
Sierra Leone Special Court Offers Lessons for Prosecuting Highest-Level Suspect
The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone's armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The trial benefitted from a high-quality defense, sound handling of witnesses, and dynamic outreach to communities affected by the crimes.

The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here
By J. Patrick Flomo
The impact, spiritualism, and nationalistic motivation for all citizensimparted by the Liberian motto (The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here) have been pondered before. Recently, I have been pondering this question again; specifically, in the context of how a high school civics teacher - or for that matter, a university political science professor - explains to students in 2012 the social, psychological, and political significance of this motto.

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Which Way Liberia? Are the so-called "Traditional Leaders of Liberia trying to take the country back to the 19th century?
By Tolo Bonah Corfah
The focus of this paper is to briefly try to take a critical look at the role of the traditional leaders in the modern Liberian society. Should the main role of our traditional leaders be to warn citizens for exercisizing their constitutional rights of free speech? Is it the duty of the traditional leaders of Liberia to interfere in the workings of the legislative branch of our government? Why is it that the traditional Leaders are now playing a prominent role that they never played in past administrations?

The Mandingo People of Liberia: A Historical Fact Most Liberians Overlook
By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
Ignorance is no excuse for not acquiring historical facts. Alexander Pope is on record as having said, "To err is human..." In my view not to admit your error, however, is not only wrong; it defeats the purpose of seeking genuine reconciliation. Reconciliation starts with the willingness to speak the truth with the intent of seeking forgiveness.

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Good Governance: A foundation for Collective Security
A speech delivered by Tiawan Saye Gongloe at the closing program of the St. Anthony of Padua School
Permit me, first, to thank the student body and the administration of the St. Anthony of Padua School for inviting me to serve as the keynote speaker for this year's closing program. Let me also congratulate those students who are today getting their just reward for hard and honest labor by being promoted to a higher grade. Further, I admonish those who did not work hard this year and will, therefore, repeat their classes during the next academic year, to learn from their peers who are leaving them behind and change their situations for the next academic year.

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Liberianomics of 2012/13 Fiscal Budget: Sound Allocation, but Financing and Monitoring Challenges
By Musa Dukuly, PhD Fellow/Lecturer of Economics, University of Liberia &
C. Gyude Bedell (MBA/Finance), Financial Analyst
Liberia's transition from "recovery" to "transformation" requires heavy investments, appropriate resource allocation and sound financing strategy. The budget is prepared when Liberia is still grappling with myriad conflict induced problems-youth unemployment, private sector impasse, macroeconomic constraint driven by minimum emphasis on "growth induced" programs and projects. The new challenges are emanated from external shocks (rising commodity prices, including fuel) and environmental related concerns (diamond, gold, iron ore mining and logging). To confront the resilience, the 2012/13 budget seems as cushioning instrument against these challenges.

An Unconstitutional And Destabilizing Report: Why The TRC's Final Report Should Not Be Implemented In Its Entirety As Recommended By Mr. Goah
By Johannes Zogbay Zlahn
In an article titled "The TRC Final Report: An Open Letter To The Political Party Leaders in Liberia," which was published on the Perspective Website on June 19, 2012, Mr. Bernard Gbayee Goah ("Mr. Goah") argues, among other things, as follows:

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A Tribute to Thomas "Tom" Saah Kamara: My Comrade in the Liberian People's Struggle for Rice & Rights

Tom Kamara

A Tribute By Siahyonkron Nyanseor
Andrew Jackson said once, "One man with courage can make a majority." Mike Murdock went on to say, "You will be remembered for two things: the problem you solve or the ones you create." Both statements remind me of my comrade and Liberia's patriotic son, the late Thomas Tom Saah Kamara to whom this tribute is devoted.

This, Too, Is Tom Kamara!
A Tribute By Julu M. Johnson, Jr.
In an attempt to arrest General D. Roosevelt Johnson of the ULIMO-J faction at his 20th Street residence in Sinkor, hell broke loose in Monrovia. Consequently, the New Democrat newspaper was badly hit as the building housing it on Center Street was burnt. Reason for the arson attack was no secret, given that the media group was deemed as critical as far as its reportage and editorial contents were concerned.

The TRC Final Report: An Open Letter To The Political Party Leaders in Liberia
By Bernard Gbayee Goah
The TRC report stands as a resurrecting pillar of our failed state (Liberia). If followed through, this pillar will uphold justice and truth for all Liberians. You all will agree with me that the TRC final report contains more than just accounts against perpetrators; the TRC's final report has given a complete picture of the gross human rights violations that occurred as a result of the horrible conflict that ripped our country apart.

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Good Governance Is A Prerequisite For National Recovery And Development In Liberia
By Eric S. Kaba
No nation can begin to solve its problems in any serious and meaningful way until and unless it has (or builds) the basic foundations for good governance. One of the foundations of good governance is accountability. An accountable government is one that feels, knows and acknowledges the requirement to answer to the citizenry as a cardinal responsibility. Such a government is composed of people (I call public servants) who do not feel they are better than or above the people who elected them to office and the laws of the country that form the legal and constitutional basis for and of the offices they hold.

Liberia: The Pain is Profound
By Charles Kwalonue Sunwabe, Jr.
For me, the building of transformational democracy in Liberia has wretchedly failed. There are multiple arguments to support this viewpoint. First, from the very onset of the election that brought President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to state power in 2006, and subsequently in 2012, it was apparent that Liberia was headed down the same old unceasingly failed paths that contributed to the wars that devastated the country for sixteen years.

New Liberian Tree Crop Rehabilitation Project to Benefit 26,000 Farming Household Members
A Press Release Issued By World Bank
Washington, June 5, 2012 – The Liberian Government has received a US$15 million credit from the World Bank to increase access to finance, inputs, technologies and markets for smallholder tree crop farmers in Liberia, and to develop a long term development program for the tree crops sector. This Smallholder Tree Crops Revitalization Support Project (STCRSP) would be implemented over a period of four years in several districts of Liberia's main tree crop producing counties.

A Sneezing West Should Not Give Us Cold:Emerging Markets Vs The Euro-America Economic Crisis- Where Are The Vantage Points?
By Moses Varfee Kowo
A prolific and internationally respected Indian-American Journalist, Commentator and author engaged the 2008 global economic crisis in a different way. Fareed Zakaria viewed the financial melt-down as what he calls the "the rise of the rest", pointing to the economic emergence of China, Brazil, India and other countries that are rapidly gaining grounds in the wake of the crisis.

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The Progressives Are Here: Debunking The Cowards Behind Koijee's Calumnies
By Rufus D. Neufville
I have known Jefferson Koijee for more than a decade. We fought many intellectual battles together against the forces of backwardness. While serving as president of the National Students Intellectual Council, the young politician demonstrated uncompromising independence in thoughts and actions.

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Ask Not For Whom the Bell Tolls: A Eulogy to Tarty Teh

Theodore Hodge

By: Theodore Hodge
I had the privilege of meeting the late Tarty Teh on only one occasion. We were introduced by a mutual friend; we chatted briefly and we went our separate ways. When I learned of the passing of Mr. Teh, I felt our common world was greatly diminished by his demise, and that is why I decided to attend a program (a memorial service) held in his honor on March 24th, 2012, and to write this eulogy dedicated to his memory.

Liberia: The Necessity For Restoration Of The Doctrine Of Separation Of Powers
By Johannes Zogaby Zlahn
Given the historical circumstances surrounding the inception of the Republic of Liberia ("Liberia") as a nation-state, it is safe to argue that the founders of Liberia and the framers of its 1847 and 1986 Constitutions envisaged a nation in which no single individual or group of individuals would exercise absolute and unbridled governmental powers to the detriment of the people as a whole.

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Dr. Geepu Nah Tiepoh

Limits of Cash Crop Production in Liberia's Food Security Strategy
By Geepu Nah Tiepoh
President Sirleaf recently launched a series of regional consultationsto solicit inputs from Liberians toward the formulation of a new long-term national development plan, known as Liberia Rising 2030 Vision, to succeed the country's Poverty Reduction Strategy that ended last year.A major objective of this new vision, asoutlined in a 2010 concept document by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, is to achieve agricultural modernization and national food security. Inclusion of food security in a plan of this magnitude was indeed a goal by default, given our current and expected future challenges in feeding the nation's burgeoning population.

Liberia Vision 2030: Towards a Middle-Income Economy
By Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei
Liberia's 18-year development plan dubbed Vision 2030 or Liberia Rising 2030 has become the issue of public discourses with skepticisms that it is no different from former development agendas promulgated by past administration but did not go beyond the shelves of the various government ministries. Even though, the cynics have reasons based on experience to be critical, the patterns of development of this vision makes it starkly different from others:

An Unconstitutional Declaration: Why Declaring Liberia A Christian State Or Christian Nation Is Bad For Liberia?
By Johannes Zogbay Zlahn
A number of articles have been written, condemning the move by some segments of the Liberian population to "Christianize Liberia," and rightly so. Because those articles, including a Commentary in the New Dawn Newspaper, have been written and hopefully widely read, I had intended to refrain from writing another article on the same issue but I had a change of mind when I came across the following headline in the February 21, 2012 edition of the Insight Newspaper:

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Liberia: The Challenge of Leadership
By: Theodore T. Hodge
The end of the year 2011 draws nigh. As we reflect on events shaping our country, we must admit that there were great and proud moments. It could be said that the country is slowly rising from the depths of self-destruction to international recognition; enjoying a certain goodwill extended by the comity of nations. It could also be argued that we owe this to the astute leadership of our President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. We must, however, hastily add that things weren't so good sometimes.

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Respect for Human Rights: The most necessary condition for collective security and sustainable peace in Liberia
A keynote Speech delivered at 2011 Commemoration of Human Rights Day
In Liberia By Tiawan Gongloe
Officials of Government, Representatives of the United Nations and members of the Diplomatic Community, Representatives of International Non-Governmental Organizations, Representatives of Human Rights and Other Civil Society Organizations of Liberia, Prelates and representatives of religious and moral institutions of Liberia, Representatives of Youth and Student Organizations, Representatives of Atayee shop discussion fora, other distinguished ladies and gentlemen.

The Way Forward
By: Ramses K Nah
The historic Liberian elections of 2011 are now a matter of history. Political analysts and historians can evaluate the merits and demerits of the all the events that have occurred.

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PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE LAUNCH OF THE WEST AFRICA REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTION PROGRAM-WARCIP LIBERIA
Liberia Telecommunications Authority Offices
Thursday, 29 September 2011

On behalf of the World Bank Group, and in the name of Dr. Nyanin, our Country Manager who is currently out of the country, I am very pleased to be here with you today, accompanying the Chairperson of the LTA and the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, in order to inform the people of Liberia about this exciting project that is being financed, in part, by a $US 25.6 million dollar concessional credit from the World Bank.     Liberia is now a member of the West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program - WARCIP - which is now making possible the construction of  the West Africa portion of an approximately 17,000 km submarine cable system, which will carry high speed internet from Europe to South Africa, connecting 23 countries including the landing station in Liberia.  

REASONS WHY THE MPC PETITION TO THE SUPREME COURT MUST BE DENIED

By Alphonso W. Nyenuh