Taylor's
Accounts: Associates, Top LBDI Executives Linked (Forum)
Confidential update reports about exiled former President Charles Taylor's
bank accounts in several banks in Africa, Europe and the Americas are
emerging. The accounts, according to document in the possession of The
FORUM, are being coordinated by associates of the exiled president including
former President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Grace Minor and
others (names withheld) through a network of top executives of the Liberian
Bank for Development & Investment (LBDI) in Monrovia.
Kofi Annan
Flowers UNMIL Military Officers, Observers (Forum)
The Secretary General of United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan, during the
weekend honored over 300 top military brass of the United Nations
Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for their sacrificial services being rendered
in war-torn Liberia.
As He Proclaims
His Presidential Ambition: George Oppong Weah Stands between Condemnation
and Admiration (Forum)
From where he sits on the bench of retirement having
successfully reached the apex of world's soccer, Liberia's
most famous soccer legend George Oppong Weah may be feeling the warmth
of politics, especially so that which has to do with the nation's
challenging and highest seat- the presidency.
The Death
of Yormie, Vaye: Accused Threatens to Sue FORUM Editor (Forum)
Gone are the painful and dreadful moments when two prominent sons
of Nimba County and former Deputy Ministers in the Charles Taylor
regime, Isaac Vaye and John Yormie met their brutal end, but at every
passage of time the instant of wonderment remains pointing to the
origin and cause leading to such heinous crime which has deprived
the families of the deceased of their once shinning stars.
UNHCR
Holds Programme Management, Financial Reporting Workshop (Forum)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), conducted
a two-day training workshop on Programme Management and Financial
Reporting for its implementing partners.
Crisis Smoke
Still Hangs Over NPA (Forum)
It appears that House Speaker George Dweh is partly, if not wholly
responsible for fueling the ongoing leadership wrangling at the National
Port Authority (NPA).
Why
Would The ICGL Want Sanctions Lifted At This Time?
(
By Gbe Sneh)
Certain issues in this reconstruction process simply will not go away.
The appropriate time to seek the lifting of Timber and Diamonds Sanctions
is flush in the midst. Just when we thought that we had this issue tabled
for the right conditions under which we would concert our efforts to
appeal for a relief from the sanctions, we now have the International
Contact Group for Liberia (ICGL) that is jumping the gun.
Dr.
Byron Tarr, The Perspective & Its Managing Editor May Be Heading
To Court
This letter was necessitated by the postscript to "The end of
Liberia's Cellular Phone Problem is in Sight", dated September
4, 2004. In the name of fairness, I request that the wrong information
implied by the author who failed to search for the truth be corrected
by the publication of this letter.
Jacques
Klein Dumps Bryant, NTGL (Forum)
The prolonged honeymoon that once existed between the National Transitional
Government of Liberia (NTGL), and the United Nations Mission in Liberia
(UNMIL), seems to be fading away. The Special Representative of the
Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jacques Paul Klein, continues
to register his mission's displeasure over the lack of cooperation
by the Bryant transitional group to effect the travel ban and the
seizing of Taylor and his associates' assets in accordance with
the UN Security Resolution 1521 of 2003.
Bryant
Wants UNMIL To Bite (Forum)
National Transitional Chairman Gyude Bryant has warned those fermenting
chaos in the country to desist and give peace a chance.
Brumskine
May Quit LUP (Forum)
The political euphoria that once characterized Liberia Unification
Party's (LUP) stalwart, Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, seems
to be fraught with twists and turns as the presidential aspirant is
still meandering through to find an easy outlet by which he can clinch
to state power, come 2005 general and presidential elections.
Hundreds to
Grace This Year's World Peace Day (Forum)
Hundreds of Liberians and foreign residents are expected to grace
this year's World Peace Day Celebration. The day will be celebrated
across the globe today, Tuesday.
The War and the
Siege Mentality: Staying Alive & Getting Out at all Costs
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
It was back in 1991, July. I had just returned home to work with the
Interim Government and was out on Carey Street having lunch with a friend
who was a Minister. When we were ready to leave, he opened his attaché-case
to settle the bill. I glanced in and saw a passport, an airline ticket
and US hundred dollar bills. I asked my friend if he was about to travel.
He simply said "no."
Liberian
Bio-Medical Scientist and Others Hit a Medical Milestone: Invent Noninvasive
Diagnosis for Ulcer
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan, a Liberian bio-medical scientist currently
at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and others have developed
a noninvasive diagnosis method for the bacteria that causes ulcer.
Ulcer is a gastric intestinal disease that "effects about 50%
of the world population at various levels". The invention by
Dr. Nyan and others was published in the September 2004 edition of
the Journal of Infection and Immunity of American Society for Microbiology
Chairman
C. Gyude Bryant On Corruption And Other Isssues Affecting Liberia
(By Lamini Warrity - Media Advisor to Chairman Bryant)
It's the first such Assembly the National Transitional Government is
going to attend. It's an opportunity to brief the international community
on Liberia's on-going peace process including disarmament. The international
community is to be called on to stay the course on Liberia in terms
of our Disarmament, Resettlement, Reintegration programs and our mandate
to create the enabling environment for the timely holding of free and
fair elections.
What's
Wrong With Us? (Weah's LFA Presidency Issue)
(
By: George D. Yuoh)
Many times I would sit alone in the quiet of the cool Minnesota night
and wonder what is the problem with us (Liberians). Are we a cursed
people? Why do we flaunt progress and embrace degradation and incompetence?
Why do we turn our backs to that which the rest of the world would fight
to hold on to? Why do we so often fail to learn from the successes of
others? And again, are we a cursed people?
"Dr.
Conteh's Appointment Is irreversible," Says Chairman Bryant
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The visitor to the University of Liberia (UL) and Chairman of the power
sharing National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), Charles
Gyude Bryant said the appointment of Dr. Al Hassan Conteh, president
of the University remains bold and unchanged.
Flashbacks
From War-Trauma: Reactions To The Reinvention Syndrome
(By: Emmanuel Dolo, Ph. D.)
When I read Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer's article attempting to correct
alleged misrepresentations by E. Sumo Jones, Sr and Dr. Harry Moniba,
I felt a sense of obligation to my generation to intervene, although
uninvited. I felt a flashback of the gross disappointment and dismay
at the generation that unreasonably agitated against the Tolbert Administration
and promised Liberians better life. And when the opportunities arose
for them to change the course of events, they failed us miserably.
Chairman
Bryant Addresses UN General Assembly September 22, Leaves for U.S.
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, Charles
Gyude Bryant heads a high power delegation that departed Monrovia
on 15 September for the United States on a two weeks working visit.
 |
|
Cllr. Varney Sherman
|
Interview
With Counselor Varney Sherman
I agree with you that the country is in a very difficult period, the
most difficult of her history. And you ask why would anyone want to
be interested. The answer could be "to get us out of the mess."
One of the reasons why I want to become President of the republic of
Liberia is to ensure that none of those who got us in the mess becomes
President of Liberia. Or If may put it another way, we must not allow
those who helped others to get us in the mess to become President of
Liberia. We believe very strongly that if any of the protagonists of
our civil crisis were to be elected president of this country there
is a strong likelihood that the country would return to violence - because
a large group of Liberians will feel threatened.
Radio
Broadcast: Best Medium of The Times
How do we enfranchise the entire nation for the 2005 Elections? Let's
hit the radio waves. Given the abysmal literacy rate in our country,
the duty to reach out to the electorate, through radio broadcasts,
cannot be overemphasized.
Let There
Be The Cooling Period (Forum)
WHEN HE WAS being officially inducted into office as Transitional
leader, following his selection by parties to the Liberian crisis
in Ghana last year, Chairman Gyude Bryant promised to do all in his
power to make sure that the transitional period would be wholly and
solely a period of cooling.
Gbarpolu Citizens,
NGOs Hold Development Meeting (Forum)
A one-day consultative meeting aimed at discussing the development
needs of the citizens of Gbarpolu County was recently held in Bopolu
among the citizens and all NGOs operating in the county.
UNHCR
Deploys Community Empowerment Workers (Forum)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has deployed
35 Community Empowerment Project (CEP) workers in four district in
Lofa County namely: Voinjama, Zorzor, Salayea and Kolahun.
National Security
Budget Is A Handout (Forum)
National Security Minister, Lorsey Kendor says, the amount allotted
to his Ministry as its 2004-2005 fiscal budget by the National Transitional
Government of Liberia (NTGL) is a "handout."
Lone Star
Exposes LTC Management (Forum)
The General Manager of the Lone Star Communication Corporation (LCC),
Hassan Baydoum, has accused the Management of the Liberia Telecommunications
Corporation (LTC) of collecting interconnection fees from his company
but has failed to render such services.
In the
Midst of Violent Protest by Students, Outgoing UL President Says he
Will Hand Over to Dr. Conteh
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
While the massive destruction of billions of dollars worth of properties
and the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives are still visible in
the society as a result of the 14-year civil war in the country, some
Liberians are yet to learn to resolve their problems through a peaceful
and amicably ways. It seems that the guerilla warfare used as an approach
has become the order of the day. This violent approach is very prevalent
in the Liberian society nowadays.
In
Solidarity with Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis
(By Aagon F. Tingba, Jr.)
"To Achieve genuine and authentic peace, there must be reconciliation…but
to have reconciliation and therefore peace there must be justice.
If there is no justice, if the fundamental rights of our people are
not respected, it will be near impossible for genuine peace and reconciliation
to come about in our country. Faith-based organizations can and should
play a pivotal role."
A
high level delegation of Hub Ministries International to Visit Liberia
(Press Release)
A high level delegation of Church leaders , Medical Doctors and other
related professionals is scheduled to arrive in Liberia in late September
to conduct an independent assessment of Liberia's health needs with
special emphasis on rehabilitation and mental health.
Presidential
Aspirants Beware
(By William G. Nyanue)
Three incidents occurred in Liberia recently that I believe should
be of concern to all presidential aspirants in particular and all
Liberians in general. All three incidents involved the Chairman of
Interim Government, Mr. Gyude Bryant.
 |
|
Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh
|
Crisis
at University of Liberia Deepens as Dr. Conteh Arrives In Monrovia
The crisis at the University of Liberia (UL) over the appointment
of Dr. Al Hassan Conteh as President if the nation's highest
institution of learning by the Visitor to the University, Charles
Gyude Bryant, chairman of the two years power sharing transitional
government of Liberia, has deepened, to the extend that solution remains
elusive.
UN
Peace Keepers Release Statistics On The Disarmament Exercises In Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Authorities of the United Nations Mission in Liberia or UNMIL released
the latest statistics of the on-going disarmament, demobilization,
rehabilitation and reintegration or DDRR exercises across Liberia,
a West African nation devastated by fourteen years of bloody civil
war. The United Nations Mission is yet to release the actual figure
of the number of persons that took up arms during the civil war. The
statistics, which covers the period of six months, shows that up to
date, a total of 72,652 ex-combatants have been disarmed by UNMILL.
Elections
2005: Issues And Thoughts
(
By: George-Daweh Yuoh)
Although the National Elections Commission (NEC) may have just started
serious work on the elections slated for October 2005, we've heard
and read some comments emanating from the NEC on sensitive issues concerning
the elections, and some of these comments are cause for genuine concerns
as to the expected outcome and its relative fairness.
IGNU,
Moniba And Transitional Order: Responding To E. Sumo Jones, Sr.
(By Dr. Amos Sawyer)
I do crave indulgence to provide some information to Mr. E. Sumo Jones,
Sr. and others who have raised an issue regarding Dr. Moniba and the
interim government which I headed. I wish Mr. Jones would have raised
the issue separately instead of intermingling it with a discourse
regarding the appropriate governance arrangements for post-conflict
Liberia, an issue of immediate concern to a wider audience of Liberians,
as can be seen from published comments. I also wish he had raised
his concerns as questions rather than structuring them as charges
as if based on facts.
A Nation
In Terror, The True Story of the Liberian Civil War - James Youboty
(A Book Review By By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
If the story of the past twenty-five years of mayhem and destruction
that befell on Liberia were ever to be written, it would start with
every Liberian's personal experience of the era. There will be
many theoretical and philosophical attempts to explain what happened
to Liberia and what led Liberians to self-destruct almost to the point
of total annihilation.
In The
End, The People Win
(By Gbe Sneh)
Like my friend is fond of quoting his mentor, "You have made
the town become too small for yourself." The properties acquired
from corruption money are conspicuous. The stolen money stashed away
in banks, even under pillows, can and will be tracked. In due time,
they will all be reclaimed. Is that a win for the people? Of course!
Hon. E.
Sumo Jones Enters The Presidential Race Too
Because of overwhelming requests and expressions of support from many
of my friends, admirers and ordinary Liberians at home and abroad
that along with my own desire, because I have not seen anyone who
have expressed the same ideas and plans that I have with the sincere
intention to implement them if elected in the best interest of the
Liberian people, and Liberia, ideas and plans that will once more
place...
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|
Dr. Amos C. Sawyer
|
The
Need For Pre-Elections Governance Reforms: Continuing the Dialogue
(
By Dr. Amos Sawyer)
I am delighted that there is an emerging discourse about pre-elections
governance reforms. I would like to further contribute to this discourse
by addressing some of the issues that were recently raised in published
accounts. I would like to use those substantive issues raised by Mr.
E. Sumo Jones in his published statement, "Comments on Sawyer
and Weh-Dorliae's Postponement of Elections" as a point
of departure.
Demonstration
Marks Chairman Bryant's Visit to Buchanan
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The usual rousing welcome ceremony marked by traditional dances, powerful
speeches, songs, presentation of gifts and kola nuts to a head of
state in appreciation of the leader visit turned the other way on
4 September as hundreds of the inhabitants of the Port city of Buchanan,
Grand Bassa county, staged a peaceful demonstration in manifestation
of their dejection to the visit of Charmin Charles Gyude Bryant, head
of the power sharing government of Liberia, to the county.
David Kortee
Caught Between Scissors (Forum)
The recent visit of Governance Reform Commission member, David Kortee,
to exiled President Charles Taylor in Calaba, Nigeria, has propped
up threats for his dismissal from the Commission.
As Dr. Conteh's
Induction Date Draws Closer: NTLA Waters UL Crisis (Forum)
The National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) Plenary which
had promised to find an amicable solution to the foaming situation
at University of Liberia (UL), has reportedly moved to calm the storm.
After
30 Oct. 2004: Prosecution Awaits Illegal Arms Carriers (Forum)
At long last, the end of the first aspect of the Disarmament, Demobilization,
Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) process of the Liberian Comprehensive
Peace Accord, is expected to take effect 30 October of this year,
although with a stern warning accompanying the news that anyone caught
possessing illegal arms following said date would be prosecuted in
accordance with the Liberian Law; writes R. Karpeh Reeves.
As Iron Ore
Deal Gains Public Criticism (Forum)
The Chinese Embassy accredited near the capital city of Monrovia is
expected to hold a major press conference soon and declare its government's
position regarding the withdrawal of diplomatic ties with Liberia.
US Embassy
Empowers Journalists (Forum)
Over one hundred Liberian journalists were proud recipients of mini
tape recorders from the Public Affairs Office of the United States
Embassy.
 |
| It seems like everybody sports a cellphone in Monrovia - even cellphones that have been disconnected due to subscribers' inability to buy scratchcards. |
The End of
Liberia's Cellular Phone Problem is in Sight!
(
By George H. Nubo)
Before I left for Liberia in July, one of the first things I considered
was a cell phone. I made sure that I got a phone that could work in
the country - and I succeeded. I did not have to purchase a new telephone
because my wife's old T-Mobile phone did the trick. The first
day after my arrival in Monrovia, I activated the phone and bought a
US$15.00 scratch card, assuming that that would solve my communication
problem. It didn't. What it did efficiently was to enable me to
experience the problems that our brothers and sisters have to go through
on a daily basis. On our way back from the Lone Star office in central
Monrovia to Paynesville, we stopped in Sinkor at a gas station opposite
what used to be Relda, at which time I decided to try my "new" phone. I attempted to call a friend who works at the Elections Commission not knowing that the Commission was just adjacent to my location.
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|
Cllr. Charles W. Brumskine
|
Another
Open Letter To Senator Charles Brumskine
(
By: Theodore T. Hodge)
About a fortnight ago, I wrote and published an open letter appealing
to you to address an issue raised by one Mr. Emmanuel Munyeneh. The
issue at hand was the integrity and professional ethics of another presidential
candidate, Dr. Walter Gwenigale. In an article published by The New
Democrat, the writer asserted that Dr. Gwenigale had performed questionable
surgery on a number of victims of the Liberian civil war -- unnecessarily
amputating the limbs of as many as a thousand patients. Regardless of
one's political affiliation, this is a very serious allegation
that demands substantiation. No response has been forthcoming.
Proposition
12 for Decentralized Governance in Liberia: Power Sharing for Peace
and Progress
(A Book Review By Emmanuel T. Dolo, Ph. D)
Decentralization as a fundamental strategy for systemically effecting
national reforms and rebuilding post-conflict Liberia is a constructive
proposal. There are some strengths of the book that are worth highlighting.
It rightfully begins with a critique of the excesses of the imperial
presidency and a call for introducing equity amongst the three branches
of government. Dorliae is also right in his critique of the political,
social and economic hegemony created by the Settler elites, the centralism
that they fostered; and the unequal development that such a system
engendered. True, the rural sector where indigenous people predominantly
reside remains underdeveloped.
Former
Vice Presidents Bishop Bennie Warner, Dr. Harry Moniba, Others React
to the Postponement of 2005 Elections in Liberia
(
By Winsley S. Nanka)
Dr. Amos Sawyer's suggestion reported in the August 26, 2004 edition
of The Perspective Magazine that Liberians postpone the October 2005
national elections in Liberia "to allow for putting into place
the constitutional changes necessary for good governance to be sustainable
in Liberia" is drawing reactions from Liberians in the United
States. Dr. Sawyer's suggestion is in support of the book,
Proposition
12 For Decentralized Governance In Liberia Power Sharing For Peace And
Progress By Yarsuo Weh-Dorliae.
The
Bumpy Road to Democracy Continues
(By Theodore T. Hodge)
In a recent article published on this website, "Liberia's
Bumpy Road to Democracy: Past and Present", I lamented the
unfortunate state of the Liberian nation: The tendency for the citizens
to revert to lawlessness willfully. I wrote, "However, what
concerns and bothers me is the extent to which the citizens of the
new Liberia are willing to flex their newly-discovered political muscles.
I guess there is a thin line between demanding political rights in
a society and challenging authorities with the intent to destabilize
and create chaos. Liberians, in exercising their newly found freedom
must be mindful that there are those who would like to see the country
descend into chaos so they can capitalize on the ensuing statelessness".
Mrs.
Sirleaf Calls for Public Hearing On Budget
(The Inquirer)
The need for the Liberian populace to demand for an open hearing on
the US$80.million dollars budget presently before the National Transnational
Legislative Assembly (NTLA) has been stressed.
Comments
on Sawyer and Weh-Dorliae's Postponement of Elections
(
By E. Sumo Jones, Sr.)
I read with interest and article on your popular website dated August
26, 2004 under the caption "
Dr.
Amos Sawyer Calls For The Postponement Of The 2005 National Elections
In Liberia." Also, in the same article, I observed that Mr.
Weh-Dorliae has recently published a book with the title:
Proposition
12 For Decentralized Governance In Liberia Power Sharing For Peace
And Progress" who also shares the view expressed by
Dr. Sawyer that the 2005 elections be postponed.
State
of Our Transition to Democracy
(
By Gbe Sneh)
In vivid colors we are now seeing what the National Transitional Government
of Liberia is all about. We have a lame-duck Executive Branch caught
in a strangle hold by the tentacles of a vicious NTLA headed by a
Speaker bent on perpetuating disunity and lawlessness. UNMIL remains
oblivious to its surroundings.
|
|
Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh
|
The University of Liberia: Priorities for the Transitional Period and Beyond
(
By Al-Hassan Conteh, Ph.D., President
of the University of Liberia)
In his inaugural address of October 14 2003, Chairman Bryant articulated the NTGL's higher education goal as part of the restoration process of Liberia: "our institutions of higher learning will be crucial. We shall work hard to revive and support the University of Liberia and all other institutions of higher learning." Two important questions pertaining this goal statement are: how to make the University of Liberia relevant to the transitional process, and how to shrink the gaps in the quality of higher education between Liberia (affected by years of civil war) and the rest of the current world of globalization and advanced information technology.
Reaction
To "Liberians Are Ungrateful", A Statement Attributed
To D. Wah Hne
(By R. Wesley Harmon )
Reference is herewith made to your article of 31st of August instant,
culled from The Forum Newspaper, in which D. Wah Hne, Special Assistant
to "House Speaker Dweh" berated the Liberian populace
for, what he described as "The ungratefulness of the people
of Liberia towards their leaders". Mr. Hne went on to say that,
"this attitude has contributed to the downward trend of the
nation in all of its programs."
NEC
Wants 10-year Residency Clause Suspended
(The Inquirer)
The National Elections Commission of Liberia(NEC), has recommended
to the National Transitional Legislative Assembly, the suspension
of the controversial Article 52 of the Liberian constitution which
bans presidential aspirants who have not resided in the country ten
years prior to the holding of an elections from contesting.
RR
Component of DDRR Needs Much Attention (The
Inquirer)
UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy has said if the RR component
of the DDRR program is not given much attention, there might be an
environment of instability in the country.
 |
| NTLA Member Samuel Wilson Chats with The Perspective at his capitol building office in Monrovia |
Two
Maryland Lawmakers Express Concern (The Inquirer)
Two Maryland County NTLA lawmakers have warned that any attempt to
assign law enforcement officers in the county outside of their recommendations,
will provoke a mob action by the citizens. Representatives Samuel
Wilson and Adolphus Wallace sternly sounded the warning recently at
the Capitol, when they hosted a press briefing on issues affecting
Maryland County.
LBNM
Warns About Fake Nursing Schools
(The Inquirer)
The Liberian Board of Nursing & Midwifery {LBNM} has cautioned
students desirous of taking up nursing as a profession to enroll at
schools that have been duly accredited.
LWSC
Strives To Safeguard Water Facilities (The
Inquirer)
Management of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation(LWSC
) has begun safe guarding its water treatment facilities in leeward
counties from permanent dormancy.
Postal
Affairs Rescinds Order (The
Inquirer)
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications yesterday back-pedaled
on a decision made recently which ordered the Atlantic Wireless (Liberia)
Incorporated (AWLI/LiberCell) to cease operation in the country.