PENSION FUNDS: The Government of Liberia Borrowed USD 40M But Paid No Interest Income
A Press Release Issued by the Liberian People’s Party
The Liberian People’s Party (LPP): Calls on our Liberian Lawmakers to encourage “The National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP)” to reduce “risky portfolios, or private equity such as real estate” and invest into stocks, bonds, etc. The General Audit Commission of Liberia (GAC), in its Audit Report, dated October 2020 for the fiscal period ended on 6/30/2019 and 6/30/2018, stated that the entity reported USD 141M “Assets Available for Benefits” or which NASSCORP called “Total Reserve.”

A Critical Perspective Evaluating The CPP
Recent waves of prejudicial proxy fights within the ranks of the most formidable opposition collaboration may have appeared to define the pragmatic objectives of some alliance parties within the CPP.  Some alliance members questioning the readiness of the CPP to lead come 2023, along with the fraudulent and nefarious personality painting done without the involvement of other collaborating members, are the woes many pundits have allegedly inferred as tragedy in this garden of integrity, the CPP.  With these latest threats of insincerity festering in the quarters of the Liberian society, the ordinary people still feel relieved that there are characters within the CPP, which hold the integrity spokes and shall deliver them to victory against the ongoing mass looting and ritualistic disappearance in the motherland. However, the mass turnout during the taking over ceremony of the former VP as Chairman of the CPP validates the people’s confidence reposed in the most popular character within the CPP. Such heroic turnout seems to radiate the caution that the Unity Party Standard Bearer still carries the hope of the impoverished masses.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

We Cannot Build A Free Society Without Freedom Of Expression
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
While views expressed by lawyers, party-litigants, and observers of the judiciary may be considered not constructive or merely intended to make the judiciary look bad, no reaction of a judicial officer at any level of the judiciary should be for the protection of the image of the judiciary. Image-building is an expression that is meant for those whose positions are motivated by the impression of the public such as elected officials or appointed officials without a tenure. Public opinions about a judge are not a pre-condition for maintaining a judicial office. What is needed of a judicial officer is to uphold the oath of his/her office at all times and to remain loyal to his/her conscience and country in the performance of his/her duties as a judge. There is no history that a judge has ever been removed from office in Liberia because of a newspaper report or comment made by any citizen or observer of the court.

Liberia and Concession Agreement: The Case of MITTAL STEEL
By Seltue Karweaye
Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law, adopted in April 2000, encourages foreign investment. It includes a requirement for a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the government and an eligible applicant for a Class A mining license with concessions awarded for up to 25 years and renewable consecutively if evidence of mineral reserves is found. On 17 August 2005, the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) headed by Gyude Bryant entered into an MDA with the world’s largest steel company, ArcelorMittal (AML) to explore Liberia’s extensive reserves of iron ore, which could see, ArcelorMittal investing around US$900 million over the next 25 years.  ArcelorMittal agreed to an annual payment of US$3 million for communities that would be affected by  ArcelorMittal operations. A five-year renewable tax holiday was granted to the company as well as royalties and transfer pricing, the transference of the state assets, the stabilization clause, land rights, private security forces, rights to minerals, and confidentiality.

J. Patrick Flomo

Liberia: Ritualistic Killing With Impunity
By J. Patrick Flomo
I find it extremely confounding and incredulous that Liberian society, especially the government, seems to have a benign acceptance of these depraved and abominable acts.   These acts should cause moral outrage among Liberians everywhere around the globe.  But wretchedly and shockingly, that is not the case.  For example, the horrific case of a very young woman killed with all inner organs missing should have all Liberians apoplectic and demanding that the government find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. NO! We are all silent at home and in the diasporas.  This is a societal travesty of unprecedented proportion committed by us all.  Liberia is awash in a proliferation of churches.  It seems the country is in a vast religious awakening, and yet such demonic practices are not vigorously condemned.  When a former Methodist minister decided to run for county superintendent, court papers charge, he tried to add special ingredients to the campaign.  The candidate, David K. Clarke, and three politically ambitious friends ''agreed to kidnap and murder a human being to obtain body parts after having consulted with a native witch doctor.'' 

LPP Calls On Lawmakers To Reject MITTAL Steel US$800m Amended Agreement
A Press Release
The Liberian People’s Party (LPP) concurs with the decision of the citizens of Grand Bassa and Nimba Counties and asks the Lawmakers to reject the latest Mittal Steel US$800m Amended Agreement. The LPP accordingly demands that Arcelor Mittal Liberia fulfills its obligations in keeping with the law and in accordance with best practice.Further, the Party urges Legislators to be guided by evidence that Mittal Steel (Arcelor Mittal Liberia), Firestone, Liberia Agriculture Company, Salalah Rubber Corporation, Aureus Gold, and 13 other companies paid a paltry US$1.5m in taxes.

Fahnie S. Kollie

Liberia: A Horror Movie – How Did We Get Here?
By Fahnie S. Kollie
Mysterious deaths and ritualistic killings were visible during President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration. But why has it drastically increased during this administration? Why now and what’s going on? After the ascendency of ex-Soccer Legend George M. Weah in 2018, Liberians were promised and reassured of a better and safer Liberia; A Liberia where women and children would feel protected and secured; One where the press would be free and citizens would not be haunted because of their individual stance on issues or political affiliation. A Liberia where the rule of law would be respected and justice would be equally discharged/dispensed to all regardless of status, religion, ethnicity, and background. One that puts the security, safety, and wellbeing of the citizens above all other national priorities.

Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.

“Reliving the Spirit of the Original Intent of the Founders: Unity and Advocacy"
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
The Union of Liberian Association in the Americas (ULAA), Inc. 47th National General Assembly held in Columbus, Ohio, brought close to one thousand delegates from all over the United States. Despite the COVID-19 Crisis, delegates came in drove by car and air determined to participate in the 47th National General Assembly. In my close to fifty years of attending ULAA’s Convention, this year’s attendance was the largest. However, there was something about this Convention that did not look right. I thought it had to do with the new voting system that was being used for the elections; only to find out that there was a serious division in the Community of the host chapter that had not been resolved.

Ms. Nee Allison

The Fate of NAMCAL Hangs in a Balance as Elections Loom
By George H. Nubo
The elections are a crucial part of the convention.  But as the elections draw closer, the organization is apparently in a precarious state.  Its primal objective is “to support and promote unity among all Marylanders,” but unity in the organization hangs in the balance.  In other words, NAMCAL has become its own enemy. These coming elections might even be worse than the elections that brought Dr. Mariah Seton, a NAMCAL nonmember, to power over Patrick Tuon who was a registered member of the organization. That gave rise to hatred, divisiveness, back-biting, thereby plunging the organization into disarray.  To understand why these coming elections could be considered as a déjà vu of the Mariah Seton episode, let us look at the timeline in terms of what is brewing.

Plenty for the Selected Few and Hunger for the Majority: The Case of Liberia
By Seltue Karweaye
A good proportion of young people today were taught from primary school that agriculture is the mainstay of the Liberia economy. Agricultural Science as a subject is part of our educational curriculum and therefore taught at all levels of education. Despite the constant emphasis on agriculture as a core aspect of the Liberia economy by government officials, the sector has long since ceased to be the main revenue source since our country was formed. Israel is the poster child for a nation that has turned the odds in its favor agriculturally. More than half its land is desert and the climate is unsuitable for agriculture, yet, it is a world leader in agricultural technologies and a major exporter of fresh produce. Only 20% of Israeli land is arable yet it produces 95% of its nutritional requirements.

The African Development Bank’s US$158K New Market Building Abandoned In Maryland County
Sent To The Perspective By Langston Wilson of the Maryland TV
"Our people who live around the border for [whom] the market was built do not actually have produce to take to the market for people leaving from Pleebo, Harper and other areas to buy. Imagine, if you were selling a T-shirt 200 and take it to the border for the same price, you will expect yourself to buy cassava, plantains, peppers and other stuff when you sell that will cover your transportation expenses up, but they are not there." Maryland County superintendent George Prowd, according to him, has on three different occasions led delegations to the Ivory Coast to discuss with authority of the Tabou Region on how they could rotate market days weekly on both sides of the border and the improvement of other cross order activities, but their efforts yielded no fruit.

Liberia: Points and Questions to Ponder
By Theodore T. Hodge
It is time to move away from trivial to substance; the substance of probing such thought-provoking questions as: What has this candidate done to convince me that he has the requisite skill sets necessary for the job?  In other words, are his acquired skills commiserate with the required skills for the job he seeks? Has he ever done anything at this magnitude? Does he have the potential to win this race? And most fundamentally, ‘What does he stand for? Do his viewpoints even complement mine? In other words, do we have a similar outlook and expectation for our collective future… a common cause? It is essential to ponder and establish this framework in the earlier stages of the affair. That is, before so much emotional energy is disbursed.

Is The Executive Mansion Doomed or Ghostly?
By J. Patrick Flomo
Since 1944, the Executive Mansion has been the gravitational center of our political universe.  For this generation to have this edifice relegated (since 2006) to ghostly superstition nonsense is the greatest absurdity of our time.  The fact that former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf gave credence to the ludicrous ghostly claims and refused to renovate the building during her two-term presidency (12 years) should have caused outrage and great consternation among Liberians everywhere, especially in the diaspora.  It did not!  The silence of the Liberian community around the world on this issue seems to indicate that we Liberians have no sense of pride in our country.

President-Elect Biden and VP-Elect Harris

Biden Can Change The Course Of The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The summit between President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett came at a time of tremendous political complications and uncertainty that occupied both leaders. Despite the turmoil, they appear to have agreed upon a few important issues in essence: halting the building of new housing units and eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, maintaining the status quo, and collaborating on addressing the Iranian nuclear program. Neither sought to delve into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Bennett wants only to manage and Biden does not want to be sunk into regardless of the mid and long-term dangerous implications of doing next to nothing.

A Sudden Surrender to Utopian Forces or Unenlightened Foes?
A Tribute By Martin K. N. Kollie
Struck by shock and stormed by sorrow, I became severely subdued by silence when I watched how Chairman Mao was casketed in Monrovia as thousands of mourners grieved his demise in disbelief. Faster than expected, Mao expired to an unexplained “ailment”. His sudden surrender has not only triggered a skeptic scene but it has also rattled a new generation of emerging scholars in Liberia. This unbridled fear is too much of a burden to bear. The class of intelligentsia has lost yet another gifted gem. Vallai M. Dorley alias Chairman Mao was indeed a gentle soul and a gallant soldier. Though pained by his loss, but his never-ending impetus or enthusiasm for superior knowledge inspired a whole new generation. And it is in this outstanding legacy that we must seek true solace.

Electricity Theft in Liberia
By S. Karweaye
On Thursday, August 26, 2021,  the United States Ambassador, Michael McCarthy conducted a press conference in Monrovia. During the press conference, he revealed that  the US Government and other partners have contributed US$257 million to Liberia’s Energy Sector to rehabilitate the Mount Coffee Dam and restore power, but “If power theft and corruption continues in Liberia, the country will lose donors’ support.”  According to him, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has lost US$220 million to technical and commercial losses and unpaid bills.  He lamented “Nowhere in the world is electricity-free. I pay an electric bill at my home in the United States.” Ambassador Michael McCarthy's revelation is evidence that the horrendous energy sector in Liberia has become a source of national embarrassment and is arguably the most debilitated sector of the Liberian economy.

Liberia, A Search For A Patriotic Leadership
By Jackson Bropleh
With less than 24 months to 2023 Presidential and General Elections in Liberia, the daunting challenge Liberians are faced with is who will be the next very good President. On every street corner, the arguments are raging like California fire.  Markets women are actively pitching in. Academicians, universities students as well as others are comparing notes of who will ensure full financial support and a smooth or uninterrupted academic program. The grand Student Unification Party and other students’ groups are worrying and wondering who will guarantee academic freedom and social justice. Jurists are busy looking forward to practicing law without any interference. Businessmen, as well as other professionals, are contemplating the next President that will create a level playing field, develop and implement business-friendly policies that would engender economic growth, attract investors, and ensure businesses flourish. Yana boys, motorcyclists, and Kekes’ drivers can’t wait to form the long cue to cast their votes for the next Commander-in-Chief.

Min. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr.

A Republic in Crisis – The Paralysis of a Failing Economy under a Sophist of an Economist
A Rebuttal To Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah by Martin K. N. Kollie
The free flow of traffic on Carey Street was obstructed for hours due to a stage-managed forum that was predominantly attended by pro-Government apologists. The Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinions (CEIO) fleetingly became a fortress of falsehood and a refuge for political relics. The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah, had trooped at CEIO on August 11, 2021, to spew out loaded lies which have zero links to microeconomic fundamentals.

Where Did We Go So Wrong In Afghanistan?
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
In his address to the nation last Monday, President Biden used the majority of it to try to justify the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, which needed hardly any justification given that after 20 years the US has not come any closer to defeating the Taliban permanently. The vast majority of the American people supported his decision when he first announced his intention to end the war based on the agreement concluded between Trump and the Taliban last February. Biden’s decision to withdraw was certainly the right one and was overdue by 19 years. His determination to not pass the war onto a fifth president was wise, as it would spare the country from continuing to invest blood and treasure in an unwinnable war

Understanding The Budgeting Process in Liberia
By S. Karweaye
The nation’s attention has once again been captured by controversy over the budget formulation and implementation after an interview conducted by President Weah in Kakata, Margibi County on August 16, 2021. During the interview, a journalist asked the President about the Liberia National Fire Service complaining about the agency low budgetary allotment. The President responded by saying " “I am from the Executive; I don’t create a budget."

The Happy Few’s Happy Places: How Liberian politicians and officials escape accounting for their wealth - ZAM
Bettie Johnson-Mbayo
Liberia’s Anti Corruption Commission (LACC), in conjunction with a set of relatively recent anti-corruption laws, are supposed to get public officials to declare their assets. The effort is based on the tremendous inequality between an impoverished people and a wealthy political elite in the West African country of five million, as well as on the lack of transparent public spending by the same elite. As such, the anti-corruption structures and regulations are supported by international donors and good governance activists.

President Weah: It’s Half-Time
By S. Karweaye
At the CEIO, Minister Tweah celebrated with much pomp and pageantry. To an onlooker or a visitor to the country, the review of the administration’s performance was right on course and almost believable. The paradox is that the same people who set the examinations sat for them and graded themselves. Sadly, contrary to the current administration’s celebration of success, the grand ‘economic’ figures that were reeled out by Minister Tweah mean nothing to the ordinary person. President Weah through his Minister of Finance has asked that we score him. That is what exactly will be covered by this concluding piece of mid-term assessment; not from the perspective of the government, but from the angle of the perceived ‘beneficiaries’ of the various schemes and policies that have been enacted since 2018

Student Unification Party ( SUP) calls on the University of Liberia Administration to reopen the Student Union Building
By: Augustine F. Taylor, Jr.
Campus-based Student Unification Party- SUP, a party formulated on the principles and precepts of Marxist-Leninism and Massescracy on October 20, 1970, has called on the administration of the University of Liberia to expeditiously and immediately open the Student Union Building. The University of Liberia Student Union (ULSU) is the mother organization for all campus-based student groupings on the campuses of the University of Liberia. ULSU is charged with the responsibility to promote, protect, defend and seek the well-being of all students at the University.

Abraham Darius Dillon

A Promise Betrayed – "The Light” is in Free Fall
By Martin K. N. Kollie
When Abraham Darius Dillon chose to ride a US$40,000 car as a public official, “The Light” got dimmed. When ADD admitted that he took money from corrupt Albert Chie to finance his senatorial campaign, "The Light" got dimmer. When he sacrilegiously defended Musa Bility’s loot, “The Light” got blurred. When ADD lied about not flying business class, “The Light” became more blurred. The receipt of 30k, without any remorse for competing national priorities and public interest amid COVID-19 pandemic, has placed “The Light” in the position of Free Fall. ADD alias “The Light” is indeed in free fall. The fast fall or downward crash of “The Light” due to legislative gravitational force is a betrayal of public trust and confidence.

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Inside Dr. Tipoteh’s Two New Books: Bite and Blow and Pepperbird Bound for Freedom
This piece summarizes two new books written by Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh and released on the eve of his 80th birthday recently celebrated. The first book, Bite and Blow: My Story, published by Publish Wiz based in Accra, Ghana, and dedicated to his parents (father, Korwreh Duwree Togba, and mother Geenah Wreh Kai), gives a riveting account of his early years and upbringing in the Old Kru Town and later at Snapper Hill, Monrovia; his exciting journey through higher education that landed him in the United States of America, in the heat of the civil rights struggle, and culminated in obtaining the Doctorate Degree in Economics in 1969 at the young age of 27; and more significantly, his over 50 years of progressive work in promoting economic and community development, social justice, and peace in Liberia and Africa.

The State of The Republic of Liberia: One Hundred Seventy-four Years of Independence
By: J. Patrick Flomo
On Monday, July 26, 2021, Liberia will celebrate 174 years of sovereignty.   Each year, during the month of July, I ponder the celebratory festive mood that consumes the Liberian people regarding Independence.  The struggle for Liberia's independence is sui generis among the nations of the world.  That is, unlike many nations, Liberia's sovereignty was handed to her on a "silver platter" rather than through the sacrifice of blood, toil, tears, and sweat.

1847: Who became independent and who was enslaved? Happy ‘26!
Liberia will be celebrating its “independence day” on July 26 this coming week as they have done so for 173 years. It is considered to be Liberia’s independence day. This is taken for granted and Liberians will again bemoan the fact that the country lags behind in terms of human development. The prophets and politicians will make comparisons with Ivory Coast or Ghana or Nigeria. They will cry so much that everyone will feel sorry for them. How can a country be 174 years old and be in this state of mal-education, low human capacity, a rundown economy, and roads that are not worthy of being called car roads?

The Soul of Liberia
By: Murv L. Kandakai Gardiner, Ph.D
In this article we seek to urgently awaken the reader to actively engage in envisaging a qualitative future of Liberia by comprehending the soul of the Liberian State.  We begin with one of the greatest canons of civilizations, The Republic as Plato articulates Socrates' descent into the depths of Piraeus, that economically flourishing port city with a politically redemptive possibility in order to excavate the truth. In the initial stage of the archeology of his soul, he descended with his friend Glaucon to meet the Greek gods in futility because they could not do anything for him. He argued, "I went down to the Piraeus" (kateben zthis eis peiraeus). In his upward trajectory via the depths, at his eschatological (final) trial Socrates succinctly said, "The unexamined life is the life not worth living. For unrighteousness runs deeper than death." (Apology, 38a5-6).

Menia Jugbeh Nyanseor

Tribute to a Transitioned Matriarch: Ms. Menia Jugbeh Nyanseor aka “Sister”
It is with profound sadness and wealth of lasting memories, I write this tribute for the Korlah and Nyanseor families - on the transition of Matriarch Menia Jugbeh Nyanseor aka “Sister”, who departed this world at 3:14 pm, Thursday afternoon, June 3rd, 2021, at Fidelity Healthcare, 20th street, Sinkor, Monrovia.Sister, as she was affectionately called by both family members and friends was born into the union of Tetee Torborh Korlah Nyanseor and Worhwinn Mardea Sarkpah of Monrovia (Old Kru Town), Montserrado County, Liberia, on December 1st, 1954. All of us siblings were born on the unpaved side of Clay Street (off Camp Johnson Road). On this section of Clay Street, you had to cross over Sonewin (pond) to get onto United Nations Drive. This area was part of Rocktown, Monrovia. We who were born in Monrovia proper were so proud to be called ‘Rock Time Boys’ or ‘Girls’; the name distinguished us from those that were born outside of Monrovia (a false pride we wore as a badge of honor).

A Darius Dillon

Light and Darkness cannot Cohabitate – Ten Contradictions and why Sen. Abe Darius Dillon should return his 15k Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and pro-ADD apologists are asking, “Why should ADD return his 15k?” It is a form of mockery for ADD to even post on his Facebook page “Return it Vs. Don’t return it”. Since a few of you are asking “Why should ADD return it”, here are reasons: A. Senator Dillon said he was only going to accept a salary in the full sum of only US$5,000. This was what he said in August 2019, “Any amount over $5,000 will be deposited in an escrow account and it will go towards social development.” ADD cannot cut down his monthly earnings to $5k from $15k and after a few months, he goes running to unjustifiably grab another $15k for so-called “Legislative Engagement”. This is called Two-Facedness. And this is Contradiction #1.

 

 

The second Liberian Republic has had a lot of ups and downs. Between George Weah, Ousmane Bamba, The Europeans, The Russians, And How 2017 Elections Were Rigged – Episode 1
By Martin K. N. Kollie
1980 and 2017, no presidential candidate has ever won a landslide in any given election as compared to NPP flagbearer Charles G. Taylor. 13 political parties participated in the 1997 presidential election. Taylor won all of them at once with 75.33% (468,443 votes). There was no second round or run-off. This was indeed a landslide victory. There were also 13 counties at that time but Taylor still could not win 12 out of 13. Even Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who won two successive democratic elections in 2005 and 2011 respectively, could not win 14 out of 15 counties at any given electoral interval. How come did George Weah win 14 out of 15 counties in the 2017 presidential election. Imagine for a moment, a man who could not even win 39% in round one. CDC George Weah only got 38.37% (596,037 votes) while UP Joseph Boakai got 28.76% (446,716 votes). The margin was as minimum as 9.61%. This was Weah’s real political strength even when NPP and LPDP added to CDC in 2017.

The Poverty of Historical Analysis: Darius Dillion and the Tragedy of Revisionism
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Following his constellation of vitriolic falsifications of the historical records about the violent occurrence on April 14, 1979, in Liberia, the accidental senator for Montserrsado county Darius Dillion has refused to retract his disgraceful statement and apologize for polluting the historical pages with frightening inaccuracies. His intransigence is intentional and well thought of as it is aimed at achieving his grotesque, partisan wet dream of discrediting the progressive forces and desecrating their struggle. Furthermore, his refusal to offer mea culpa, bordering on Napoleon complex and Olympian arrogance, has elicited a slew of brilliantly sharp polemics from the camp of the progressive forces, particularly from the ranks of radical students and stalwart veterans, predominantly a new generation of progressive elements unfazed by the vicious revisionism of class enemies of the Dillion type. People like Darius Dillon are known to us because of their apriori rejection of the pro-democratic struggle and the cause for social transformation in the Fatherland.

Maryland Police Commander's near Murder of Head of Women, Children & Social Protection…

Maryland Police Commander's near Murder of Head of Women, Children & Social Protection…
By Ekena Wesley
Our foreign partners invested hugely in Liberia’s Security Sector Reform (SSR). But did they expect that someone they trained 10 years ago would become a rogue police officer who is characterized by deliberately inflicting brutality against even his junior officer? Such is the pathetic situation with Sgt. Rebecca Nimley, Head of the Women, Children & Social Protection Division of the Maryland Detachment of the Liberia National Police. She was allegedly brutalized by the County Commander, Jacob Cummeh.

Isreal's Plight: An Absense of Leadership
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
Last month, Israelis went to the polls for the fourth time in two years. Not surprisingly, like all three previous elections, the result of the fourth one provided no clear winners. Israel’s political system is effectively broken. Thirteen of the nearly forty political parties that ran managed to cross the threshold and earn seats in the new Knesset. Ironically, hardly any of the parties ran on specific foreign and domestic policies that would advance the greater interest of the nation. Instead, what looms larger than their socio-economic and national security policies and peace, is the personal ambition of the parties’ leaders who, almost with no exception, feel they are the most qualified to become prime minister.

Cocaine Discovered By Some Residents Of Fish Town, Maryland County

A REPORT: The Story of How Cocaine Brought Ashore in Fish Town Liberia Varnished!
By Ekena Wesley
It is a little over two months since local Ghanaian fishermen resident in the seaside town of Fish Town in Maryland County went on their usual fishing expedition. Unsuspectingly, the Ghanaian fishermen discovered some enclosed floating boxes or packages. In addition to their limited catch of fish at sea, they returned ashore with a couple of the unknown packages. At the close of every fishing expedition, local fish traders from Harper and Pleebo would be along the beaches to buy fish for the local markets in Pleebo or Harper respectively.

Commentary: The Spirit Of Easter
Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
It is always good to find an opportunity to solve a problem, especially a societal one. This is what is being done in this Commentary. The Spirit of Easter is about Falling Down and Getting Up or Making Mistakes and Correcting Mistakes. As Liberia falls down but does not get up and the same mistakes are being made to make the poor poorer and the rich richer, it is of highest importance that the Spirit of Easter be drawn upon to Raise Liberia and Prevent the Making of the Same Mistakes. Easter falls on this coming Sunday and it is celebrated as a Christian Event but the Spirit of Easter is for everybody in all Religions of the world.

Female Protesters of Pleebo-Sodoken District Trek to Harper to Seek Justice

Unthinkable! Barbaric! Gruesome! Callous! Ritualistic Killings in this Day and Age: Why Maryland?
By Ekena Wesley
The peace-loving people of Harper unexpectedly on a dull and cloudy Sunday evening in 1977 were forced to go to bed without LEC-powered lights. There were signs of rain on that Sunday, but the rain never came. The city was engulfed by a dark cloud. The day was for the most part hazy. Religious faithfuls went to their various places of worship in reverence to Our Creator. Some of the folks whose hands were later allegedly caught in the cookies jar even sadly attended Divine Worship Service. Such are the wicked hearts of humankind folks.

Participation Of Women Not Domination Of Women
Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
When there is longstanding and widespread poverty, with its attendant violent orientation, during the male domination of women pushing the limitation of the participation of women in local and national decision making that affects them and designating women to the kitchen and bedroom instead of the Boardroom of decision-making. It is time to stand up for the participation of women. Therefore, this commentary is about promoting the Participation of women, Not the Domination of Women.

Artwork by Sam Ben-Meir

“Never Again” Seems To Never Apply Anymore
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
In July 2011, South Sudan became independent from Sudan following six years of autonomy and 20 years of a brutal war. Only two years later, a mostly ethnic divide in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, which led the independence movement for the country, pitted President Salva Kiir against his Vice President, Riek Machar. Their rival militias clashed, fueled by long-standing tension between the Dinka and Nuer, the country’s largest and second-largest ethnic groups respectively. Now, however, that the two sides have once again agreed on a peace accord based on power-sharing, the question is how to solidify an accord that remains extremely fragile, especially following a merciless civil war that left deep scars and a powerful urge for revenge and retribution.

Rep. Nyumalin

Analysis| Why Lawmakers Cannot Be Arrested, Detained, Prosecuted, And Tried
By: James N. Jensen
The Congress for Democratic Change government of Liberia under George Weah through its National Security Agency (NSA), recently invited a Liberian lawmaker from Lofa County, Francis Sakila Nyumalin to answer to an opinion the government seems to describe as treason, a breach of the peace, or felony. The opinion expressed, “if the seat of newly elected Senator, Brownie J. Samukai is declared vacant, all other elected positions to include President will be declared vacant and that will begin the process of negotiating for an interim government.” This lettering is examining whether an opinion expressed by a sitting lawmaker shows intent to overthrow a government to which an arrest, detention, prosecution, or trial can be effected or whether a member of the Legislature, in general, can be arrested why serving the country?

River Gee County

County Social Development Fund Disappoints Hopes For Community-Based Development In River Gee County
By Seltue Karweaye
The creation of the County Development Fund (CDF) and the Social Development Fund (SDF) was welcomed by Liberians as a means of focusing national budget expenditures on the specific development needs of local communities. The main objective of the CDF and SDF is to open a new window of opportunity for the promotion of social development at the county level and, therefore, to lend reality to the imperative of subsidiarity as a global response to sub-national demands for development policy attention. Following closely on the heels of a constitutional reform effort aimed at economic devolution and deconcentration of political power in post-conflict Liberia, many Liberians felt that for the first time in Liberia, the execution of the budget process would once and for all be freed from the dictates of the Executive. Until now, budget allocation for development has always been carried out in the shadow of executive manipulation.

J. Patrick Flomo

Lofa County V. The Liberian National Elections Commission: A Looming Political Firestorm
By J. Patrick Flomo
Under the Republic of Liberia Electoral Reform Law of December 17, 2004, section 3.2: for the 2005 elections, citizens of Liberia who meet the qualifications set out in Article 30 (a) of the Liberian Constitution and who are taxpayers in Liberia are eligible to become members of the Legislature.   Mr. Brownie J. Samukai of the Unity Party met the constitutional and electoral requirement to canvas for the Republic of Liberia's electoral office.  Adhering to the constitutional and electoral qualifications, Mr. Brownie J. Samukai did canvas in the 2020 midterm election as the Unity Party candidate for Senate for Lofa County, and he was victorious.  It has been 101 days and counting since his election, and he has been barred from taking his oath of office. And thus, the people of Lofa County have been denied a senatorial representation in the Liberian Legislature.  

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Movie Making For The Better
By Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh
In a drive to find a way out of the longstanding and widespread poverty in Liberia and other countries, we can take some helpful lessons from some movies, like the Nigerian Movie called Sons of Thunder, to help us solve the poverty problem... The movie, Sons of Thunder, is about the Struggle to get rid of the system of injustice and bring in the system of Justice for All, the only ingredient that leads to peace and sustainable better-living conditions. A Struggler for Justice died and left living his Wife and Son. The Son, taking the family tradition and struggling against injustice, saw two men trying to rape a woman who was on her way to the village creek to get some water. Immediately, upon seeing the rape attempt, the Son wrestled with the two men and defeated them to the point that they ran away. The Son then comforted the woman and made sure that she got her water and went back to her home in the village.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

Response to the Opening Address of the Chief Justice
By Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe
On behalf of the Liberian National Bar Association, we congratulate your honors for opening the Court for the March Term of Court. Today, we are unable to say to your Honors, “welcome from a well-deserved vacation” as we usually do, because we know, and it is public knowledge, that you did not rest during the last term of this Court, as a result of the several election cases that were brought before you. We hope that during this term of court you will find some time to rest, after hearing all cases growing out of the past Special Senatorial Election that may be brought before you.

An urgent call for women's participation in political leadership as we celebrate International Women's Day (IWD)
By Fahnie S. Kollie
On March 8 of every year, the world usually gathers to reflect and celebrate women's achievements. People around the globe dress in purple, green, and white to celebrate how far women have come in society and how they’ve accomplished so much in different spheres of life including politics, business, health, science, education, technology, etc. Liberia will on Monday join the rest of the world to celebrate this year's IWD under the theme: “Choose To Challenge”. I have seen several posts on social media in commemoration of this great day. I have also listened to officials of government, civil society actors, women advocates, activists, and Liberians, in general, discussing the historicity and importance of this day.

From Hard Times To Soft Times
By Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh
When anybody who must see clearly, travels around Liberia today, what does he or she see? He or she sees that nearly all the people are catching hard times. Some people do not have food to eat, and most people do not have good food to eat. Some people do not have land to grow food, while some people do not have enough land to grow food for themselves and have some leftover to sell to get things that they do not produce or send their children to school... Are the hard times that the people are catching now new? No, the hard times catching the people is nothing new. These hard times have been catching people for centuries. We remembered the Slave Trade over five hundred years ago when greedy local rulers sold people as slaves to greedy foreign slave buyers. We remember how powerful nations took poor people’s land by force. We remember how greedy local rulers used the Hut Tax to take land from the poor people, making them poorer. We remember how powerful international companies supported greedy local rulers to be elected through a bad electoral system so that they could promote the production of raw materials for export. The local rulers were schooled to copy the values of the company owners by producing what the people do not consume and consuming what the people do not produce.

Senator-Elect Brownie J. Samukai of Lofa County

Liberia Democracy: The Pickle Of The Liberian Senate, Justice Ministry And Samukai’s Senatorial Win
By: James N. Jensen
In Liberia’s democratic form of governance, the Constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of the country and its provisions are binding, have force, and effect on all authorities and persons throughout the Republic. What’s concerning is the institution, Justice Ministry, assigned the obligation to ensure truth, justice, and integrity is found in violation with an impunity-a case in point is the pickle of The Liberian Senate, Justice Ministry, and Samukai’s Senatorial win... The recent midterm Senatorial election under the presidency of George Weah, held on the 8th of December, 2020, has revealed some fundamental issues of governance involving actors within the three branches of government over Lofa County Senator-elect Brownie J Samukai: the Justice Minister and Solicitor General’s communications to the National Elections Commissioners, and the Liberian Senate’s exercise of oversight into the matter. 

Dr. Wleh Wilson With his Fishtown cigar, while President Weah looks on.

President Weah And Dr. Wleh-Wilson Dribble Tubman University's Students
Editor’s Note:
Deception is a hallmark of sports: dribbling is deception, steal in basketball is deception, faking in American Football is also a deception. Dancing "Mr. Liar Man" amidst students' predicament is also deception. We are aware that the aggrieved students at Tubman University saw it all. Published below is a notice from the students concerning the rigor of their plight:

COVID Vaccines And Its Power Dynamics Where Does Africa Stand
By Amara Quardu Mohammed Kamara
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID 19 as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This eventually allowed the World Health Organization to play coordinating and advisory roles in global response mechanisms. A month later, on March 11, a pandemic was declared to over 118.000 cases of coronavirus illness in over 110 countries and territories worldwide, with more than 4300 deaths attributed to the disease.  To date, the global statistics of the infection is 106 million, with the total recovered placed at 59.3million, while the death toll at current is 2.32million. Out of these statistics, Africa has so far recorded 3.5% of global virus cases and 4% of global deaths, according to Africa- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC, 2020).

It Is Critical Time For New Leadership In Israel
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
As the Israelis will soon cast their vote for the fourth time in two years, they should pause and think where the country is heading under Netanyahu’s leadership, and what will be the prospect of ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should he form the next coalition government. For too long have the Israelis and Palestinians wronged each other. Mutual hatred, hostility, and scorn have equally been consuming them. Neither side seems to grasp that there is no escape from the other, and the longer they wait to resolve their conflict, the harder and more complex it becomes.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

We Must Privately And Openly Be Critical Of Our Fellow Alumni Who Betray The Motto “Light In Darkness”
A Key Note Address By Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe
Some of our fellow alumni were lights when they were here at the university as students; but, upon their graduation they immediately switched off and became dark. We must privately and openly be critical of our fellow alumni who betray the motto “light in darkness” in order to promote the good name of our university and to prevent our country from collapsing again. Nobody trained by the University of Liberia can ever count himself or herself among the poor. A University of Liberia graduate can use his or her creativity developed by this university to find an honest means of survival. Those alumni of our dear university who betray lux in tenebris by amassing wealth through dishonorable means are driven by the greed for wealth and not the mere desire to survive. We must keep our distance from such alumni and even expose them for the good name of our Alma Mater and the good of our country. Otherwise, we risk being termed birds of the same feathers. As Albert Einstein once said, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.”

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Humanity Brings Morality Which Brings Credibility
By Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh
A credible person is a good person, a person with a record of acting in the interest of voters, most of whom are poor, like the voters in Madina. What happened in the election in Madina was that the voters were driven by emotion and money rather than by reason, resulting in greedy persons getting elected. So, it is not surprising that these greedy persons did not care about the interests of the voters. The Medina Community Hall was jammed pack with hundreds of people, most of whom had just come from burying two persons who died a day before the speech. As most of the people in Madina were Muslims, their burials took place a day after death. Although condolences for the bereaved were in order, the people realized correctly they must draw inspiration from the good things that the dead persons did not complete. And central to the good things left undone was the interest of the Youth in knowing how to choose good leaders. Upon listening to my speech, a vigorous discussion followed and ended up with the admission by the Medina people that the voters were money-driven than reason-driven, resulting in the election of greedy persons.

Turkish Prisons Are Beyond The Pale Of Inhumanity
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
Human rights abuses under Erdogan are beyond the pale of inhumanity and moral decadence. The list of Erdogan’s violations and cruelty is too long to numerate. The detention and horrifying torture of thousands of innocent people for months and at times for years, without being charged, is hard to fathom. Many prisoners are left languishing in dark cells, often in solitary confinement. The detention of tens of thousands of men and hundreds of women, many with their children, especially following the 2016 failed coup, has become common. It is calculated to inflict horrendous pain and suffering to bring the prisoners to the breaking point, so that they confess to crimes they have never committed.

Tubman University

The Corruption And Declining Standards At Tubman University: Will President Weah Listen To The Aggrieved Students of the University?
Editorial
Education is a right, it is not a privilege to be doled out by officials of Government to a select few, or for only their children, relatives, friends, and associates. It is the responsibility of  every government to make available to its citizens requisite learning resources and to provide the enabling environment to acquire quality education.  No nation can  make progress or  attain a competitive developmental edge without science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic (STEAM) education in today’s world. The Tubman University is an outgrowth of the Tubman College of Technology, founded in the 1970s. The Tubman College of Technology prepared mid-level technicians who could even compete with bachelor’s degree level engineers in the country.  This happened because the institution had qualified instructors, standard textbooks, and equipped laboratories.  It is this world-class standard that paved the way for the transformation of the college to a university.

Student Protestors at Tubman University Await President Weah To Claim Their Rights to Quality Education
The W. V. S. Tubman University is the leading institution of higher learning in southeastern Liberia. Founded in 2009, the university is an offshoot of what was Tubman College of Technology in Harper, Maryland County. It draws from across the country hundreds of enthusiastic students seeking quality education. Since it started offering courses in various academic disciplines, the university has changed presidents two times. The second president, Dr. Edward Wonkeryor, was unceremoniously replaced  with Dr. Elliot-Wleh Wilson following the election of George Weah. Dr. Wleh-Wilson is said to be an experienced educator with a thick academic resume. He was a  familiar face at Tubman University, so the students warmed up to his appointment. It's nearly three years since he became president of the university. But the students are now alleging that Dr. Wleh-Wilson is corrupt,  and that standards at the university have fallen under his leadership because of the lack requisite educational resources and corruption.  Please click the link above to read the statement from the aggrieved students of the university:

Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis

Rampant Official Corruption and the Legacy of Archbishop Michael K. Francis
By Jackson Bropleh
In the wake of the scandal, during a regular Sunday Mass, the late Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis decried corruption in government offices. The Catholic prelate wondered why, after a brutal civil war, people would not change their attitudes. He wondered why government officials still engaged in acts of corruption, ills for which the previous government was battered and brought down.  The Archbishop's exhortation on official corruption in the postwar Taylor administration, of course, did not go down well with the then officials at the Ministry of Finance. In a very glitzy way, they launched a vicious vendetta in the media to malign the Archbishop. Using government resources, they bought favor from major newspapers, including the Inquirer. Instead of addressing the scandal as reported from the Ministry, the media massively scolded the Catholic prelate simply for speaking out against pervasive official corruption.

Sen. Dillon (L) and Unity Party Chairman Musa Bility (R)

Liberty Party, You Cannot Fight Corruption With Corruption
Editorial
For the past few weeks, since the Liberty Party (LP) national convention, the brand of its new chairman, Mr. Musa Billity, has been in the media. Liberia is still bleeding from not only the recent senseless civil war launched by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Charles Taylor, but also from the rampant corruption of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Government of which Musa Bility was a major player.  At the onset, Liberians and the international community were made to believe that the almighty corruption was common enemy #1 of the Liberian people.  But the new president, following the 2005 elections, who was called “Iron Lady” admonished her constituents to desist from calling her “Iron Lady” once she became President, indicating a different intention.  Asking Liberians and the international community to drop her name “Iron Lady” after the election signaled a bad attitude to come. And it did not take long to see ominous signs when the likes of Musa Bility and others became her confidantes, meaning that she was not all-set to fight corruption head-on.

Dr. Tipoteh & Baccus

Has The  Liberian 1970s Revolution come full circle?
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
If asked “how’s the Revolution?” many would answer: “it failed.” That’s because there seems to have been many false starts. There were many moments when leaders claimed to be leading a revolution just to fall well short and chased away. People believe the revolution has failed because they tend to focus on events, rather than processes... A revolution is a process that spans at least a generation. That would be thirty years. It’s how long it took China to finalize the Mao movement with a Cultural Revolution. It’s how long it took Vietnam and USSR to become the nations they aspired to be.

When a “saint” becomes stained with sin – The Case of Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and an introspective look at post-Brumskine Liberty Party
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The soul of Liberia is being wrecked under a deluxe ex-soccer star and integrity is urgently required to salvage Liberians from this nightmare. The cherished ideals of our democracy are being briskly backpedaled. Must we sit back and allow this pervasive misfortune to inhibit our collective destiny and sovereignty? History affords us only one choice at this critical juncture. And this choice is to speak truth to power – a truth that hurts but also heals – a truth that evokes boldness and not bias. Martin Luther King Jr. was more than right when he said, “Silence is betrayal”. In my opinion, this betrayal does not only pierce one’s conscience, but it also deepens public discontent and emboldens governance failure.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

“Enhancing Military and Legislative Interaction in a Democracy: Liberia in perspective”
Before speaking on the topic of the day, permit me to briefly reflect on the past of the Liberian military. Military activities started in Liberia as a small militia force to defend the colonies of black settlers from the United States of America established along the coasts of Liberia, especially the one that was established on the Providence Island and later moved to Cape Mesurado. The settler who is historically given credit for the beginning of the Liberian state, Elijah Johnson and Joseph Jenkins Roberts were all militia generals.  After the colonies collectively declared themselves an independent state called Liberia, with the exception of Maryland, which later joined the republic, the boundaries of Liberia were constantly encroached upon by the bordering French and British colonies of what is known today as Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, respectively. Also, the authority of the Government of the newly declared independent Republic was not accepted by some kings and chiefs of many rural parts of the country. In order to deal with these issues, the Legislature created the first military force of Liberia in 1908 and named it the Liberian Frontier Force (LFF). The Frontier Force was also used to collect taxes and to recruit, mostly young men from the interior parts for forced labor on the farms of officials of government, carry out public works, such as road-building, and to work on commercial farms at home and abroad.

Sen. Darius Dillon

Liberia - Senator Darius Dillon the game is up
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
On yesterday, Darius Dillon took to Facebook to double down on his support for Musa Bility, the new chairperson of the Liberty Party. Despite claiming to be the self-styled ‘light’ at the legislature who is all for propriety in public service, Dillon enthusiastically defended his friend as he gyrated between throwing in biblical exegesis to suit his absurd special pleading while supplying arrogant defense to shut down dissent. His latest action, if it is any meter to measure his sincerity, shows he gives his friends a free pass on corruption while scolding the regime. Dillon is getting politically dangerous. All his self-righteous bluster about getting rid of graft, abuse, and waste in public service is buried under an abhorrent contempt for scrutiny of himself and people who are in his circle.

Time For Kosovo To Secure Its True Independence
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
It’s time for the political leaders in Kosovo to provide a clear, cohesive, and consistent socio-economic and political program to put Kosovo on the path of recovery and progress and become a truly independent state. No foreigner should advise the Kosovar public who to vote for in the upcoming election, and I certainly dare not make such a recommendation. However, every Kosovar citizen should demand that each individual running for office provide a clear and comprehensive socio-economic program that will put the public on a course of economic recovery and growth, along with social and political reforms. Such programs have been missing since the establishment of Kosovo in 2008. Although even well-established countries constantly face new challenges, a newly-born state confronts even greater challenges in just about every field of life and assuredly it takes strong, visionary, and committed leaders to rise to the occasion.

Sara Walter USAID Mission Director

America Punished Senator Sherman, Should USAID Account For The US 535 Million Dollars Allocated For Education In Liberia?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Did the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Liberian government misuse US $535M and subsequently failed to build public high schools in Monrovia, for example? The 2008-2011 Montserrado County Development Agenda reported that the Liberian government should have constructed a high school in West Point, a technical high school in Congo town, for people with disabilities, etc., as per page # 59 of the report. However, besides the high schools built in Monrovia prior to April 12, 1980’s Coup, past and current administrations have not built the Tubman-High type-high schools in Monrovia.

The Bidens and the Harrises

Note of Caution to Liberia: Unity cum ‘Uncivil War’ Must Inform A New Day
By: Ekena Wesley
Sitting meekly before a television set on America’s East Coast, as we listened religiously to the proceedings of the inauguration of America’s 46th President, Joseph R. Biden, and Vice President, Kamala Harris at the U.S. Capitol. Our attention was drawn keenly by the wordings in the National Anthem and Pledge/Allegiance. Agreed, our forebears sought to remodel the systems in a newfound nation after the United States; for heaven’s sake – where was some iota of creativity? Such is our history, a deliberate intent to refuse to think out of the box although we have been around for 173 years.

America: It’s beyond time to reckon with our uncomfortable truths
By Michael Cecil, Esq.
The storming of the Capitol building by an unruly mob was, generally, an unprecedented moment in this nation’s history. Speaking after the calamity, President Joseph Biden stated, “the scenes of chaos at the Capitol do not reflect a true America, do not represent who we are. What we’re seeing is a small number of extremists dedicated to lawlessness… .” In some respects, the then President-elect is correct, but in more ways, than he is comfortable coming to terms with, he is unfortunately not.

Sen Dillon and Sen Kangar-Lawerence

The Liberian Midterm Election: A Referendum On The Weah Presidency
By J. Patrick Flomo
Midterm elections in democratic societies constitute a verdict rendered by the electorate on the performance of the executive during his or her first half of the constitutional term of office.  The December 8, 2020 midterm election was a referendum on the Weah Presidency and was clearly a resounding shellacking for the ruling party, the CDC.  While it is true that we do not have a sophisticated polling system in Liberia to give us some prognostication of what is to come before election day, we had the sense that the December 8 election results would not be a surprise.   And as it turned out, CDC went down in defeat. I do not think CDC leadership was surprised either... After three years of incompetent leadership, a high degree of kleptocracy, economic hardship for the masses, and other governmental maleficence, the election result speaks volumes about the level of political sophistication of the Liberian electorates. They have come a long way despite the nation’s poor civic education. While the economic conditions have worsened for the masses in the past three years, the top political leaders have amassed an unprecedented level of wealth—not from the sweat of their brow, but from government coffers. 

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

2021 New Year’s Message
By Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh
Having served as Chairman of the African Group of Governors of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), I am aware of the principal objective of these biggest financial institutions. While the Marshall Plan focused on the rehabilitation of post-World War Two Western Europe, these Bretton Woods entities focused on providing funds globally, especially for the developing countries, who constitute most of the membership of these institutions, but the majority of the shareholdership remains in the hands of the Group of Six (United States of America, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, and Japan), led by the USA, with over 50 percent of the shares. Therefore, the decision-making of the WB/IMF remains under the control of the Group of Six. It was the Group of Six that approved the USD 1.2 billion loan to the apartheid regime of South Africa when Arch-Bishop Desmond Tutu led a global campaign, in which I served as Coordinator, to block the loan.

American Democracy: Bruised, But Not Broken
By Samuel Barbay Gaye, Jr.
In a democracy, you can't legislate everything. Some things are left to mere human decency. America is a country where the "honor system" is expected to prevail and thrive. That is why people are expected to resign from public positions when they cross certain ethical lines, even though their actions or behavior may not be illegal. In the four years, I spent in graduate school in America, there were no proctors for our examinations. However, no student attempted to cheat or even ask his/her classmate a question. When you enter a bank or other public places where people are waiting to be served, you don't jump the line. When you are stuck in rush hour traffic, you are expected to remain in the queue and not use the shoulders of the road or highway. These are some unwritten rules that guide this great society

Alpha Condé of Guinea and Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast

West Africa: Reckless and Dangerous 3rd Terms in Guinea and Ivory Coast
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Outgoing presidents Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast and Alpha Condé of Guinea enthroned themselves and took an oath to “defend the Constitution.” Both men amended their constitutions to stay in power. They organized violence-ridden elections and one after the other, in well-choreographed political ballet, were sworn in for a 3rd term, one day apart.  Two of the leaders of the Ivorian opposition, former President Henri Konan Bédié (PDCI), and former prime minister Guillaume Soro were both allies of Ouattara and went along with the changes. As the saying goes, elections are not stolen on the day the ballots are cast, it happened long before. In Guinea, Condé ran a referendum during the Covid-19 lockdown and made constitutional amendments.

CWA CLASS OF ‘70 - 50TH ANNIVERSARY
A Speech by Seward M. Cooper
Innovations during this Information Age have fundamentally changed the world. Each month brings us new revelations.In science class, we were taught that Pluto was the ninth and farthest planet from Earth. Now astronomers have downgraded Pluto - no longer is it classified as a planet but as just another star. Our Milky Way is now known as just one of several galaxies. New discoveries have brought different lessons. Man set foot on the moon the year before we finished high school and the fabled, mythical man on the moon vanished.Gadgets we never imagined or, which we perceived as fictional devices in James Bond movies, are now commonplace; cars self-drive; and technology keeps track of our every move - sometimes understanding more about us than we know about ourselves.

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Community-Interest Not Self-Interest
By Dr. Togbah-Nah Tipoteh
Since earning my doctorate degree in economics at the age of 27, and I am now 79 years of age, I havewritten in the public space on numerous local and global issues and problems, as well as provided solutions to societal problems, based on historical experience. A year ago, the Liberian Economy Group (LEG), chaired by me and composed of some highly qualified Liberian professionals, presented Its Report on the Liberian Economy, free of charge, to all government and non-government leaders, the general public, and foreign partners. These professionals are Mr. David Vinton, MBA; Mrs. Estelle Liberty, MSc; Dr. Geepu Nah Tiepoh, Ph.D. and Mr. Amin Modad, MBA.

Liberia - the answers lie with ordinary people
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
It is now blatant even to the not too keen observers of Liberian politics that George Weah is a dangerous fraud and spiffing disaster. He has become a disgrace—a disgrace to our country, a disgrace to the people, and a disgrace to even the few persons who genuinely thought he could have propelled the country into geater heights. He is a hedonistic junkie choking on personal animus and lacking in political graces and pedigree to preside over a backward country, but yet he emerged victorious in an electoral process which was everything a hatchet register of fraudulence. He, along with the forces of ignorance and bckwardness — the dangerous mob of the latest fad of intolerance-are plugging a knife in the Republic’s heart while lolloping in the soiled garment of jingoism and mobilizing primordial prejudices as a bulwark against progressive mobilizations that try to rescue the country.

Rep Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis (L) and Rep Thomas Fallah

The Curse Of Leadership In Liberia: A Review Of The Legislature In Liberia 
By S Karweaye
Last week, we were served another national comedy when Representative Thomas Fallah wrote on his official Facebook page “18 years ago, I was denied from entering a university because I couldn’t afford —by September 2021, the T. Five University will open to the poorest of the poor. Never give up, remember that nothing is more powerful than the resilience of the human spirit." The question is, "Da your pa f-cking money?” For her part Rep. Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis (District #4, Montserrado) said she will not seek treatment at the John F Kennedy Memorial Medical Center under its current administration for fear of her life after the recent passing of Representative Jay Nagbe Sloh of District #2, Sinoe County at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia. On July 8, 2020, we got the unfortunate news of the passing of Rep. Munah Pelham-Youngblood (CDC, District No. 9 Montserrado) a short while ago in Accra, Ghana.

The Forky Klons

A Letter To President Weah
From Ambulai Johnson
Treat the people as though it is their place in society to elect you and receive handouts in return. Don't create jobs for them to make them dignified and respected citizens. Give them military-styled outfits. Make them talk miles to your headquarters to sing praises to you, while you ride the most expensive vehicles in the country. Don't provide security protection for them, but tell them to buy their CCTV cameras. Build a few miles of public roads but invest millions in your private properties with public money. Sit and do nothing when public medical facilities become death traps for ordinary citizens. Meanwhile, you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat yourself and senior officials abroad on taxpayers’ money.

100 reasons why Liberian voters should NOT vote for any CDC candidate
By Martin K. N. Kollie
This is a laundry list for eligible voters in Liberia.  These hard truths are intended for Liberians, especially peasants, in shantytowns and rural hamlets to reflect and rethink. Ahead of December 8th polls, we must remind our people of how CDC and President GMW have miserably failed them in less than 3 years: 

Passing on the corruption legacy

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Wants Liberians to Vote Smart
This tweet from former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has created confusion in the minds of many Liberians. Since the 2017 elections, she has been accused of helping Mr. Weah against her VP Joe Boakai. It is also said that candidate Weah had promised to protect former President Sirleaf, her family members and to perpetuate her legacy. Although a son of hers, Charles Sirleaf, was briefly detained in the Central Bank fiasco, he was released, and the case was watered down. Everyone involved in the case was a close appointee of Sirleaf.  We have seen the murders of auditors or people who disagree with the government’s spins on things, as was in the case of Allison and Harry Greaves during Sirleaf’s administration.  Observers, therefore, believe that President Weah is following and perpetuating the legacy of former President Sirleaf to the letter.

The Danger To Our Democracy Is The Republican Party
By Dr, Alon Ben-Meir
While I cheer Biden’s victory in the presidential election, I lament the state of the union Trump is leaving behind. Sadly, Biden’s victory has not been a repudiation of Trump, as he received more votes than any Republican candidate before him, which shocked millions of Americans. Why? Trump is a creature of our own making. He may be seen as an aberration, but he is not. Unless we pay more attention to the tens of millions who voted for him, among many other despairing Americans, and address their grievances and frustration, a hypocrite just like Trump will rise and feed on the public discontent—another rebel in Trump’s image who appeals to the masses sickened by being ignored, another demagogue who personifies Trump and thrives on hatred, division, and contempt.

Position Statement Of The Liberian National Bar Association    
On the national referendum, it is the position of the Liberian National Bar Association that same be postponed. The reason for the position taken by the bar is that the government is not proceeding with the referendum, in keeping with the Constitution of Liberia. Article 91 of the Constitution provides, amongst other things, that, voting in a referendum be conducted by the Elections Commission not sooner than one year after the action of the Legislature. And Article 92 of the Constitution provides, “Proposed constitutional amendments shall be accompanied by statements setting forth the reasons therefor and shall be published in the Official Gazette and made known to the people through the information services of the Republic.” It is the observation of the bar that although the date on the Official Gazette shows that it was published in October 2019, it was not made known to the people through the information services of the Republic until a few months ago.

Comrade Rawlings and the Clintons

Rawlings Remembered
By Tom Kamara
Editor's Note:
The late Tom Kamara wrote a prophetic eulogy of Comrade Jerry J. Rawlings on December 7, 2000, when Comrade Rawlings was about to leave office as President of Ghana.  Though Comrade Kamara, unfortunately pre-deceased Rawlings,  the eulogy published in The Perspective still lives on.  Published below is the eulogy:
After about two decades of dominance on the Ghanaian political scene, charismatic Flight Lieutenant Jerry Johns Rawlings will follow few African leaders who have bowed in peace instead of to the gun. And despite JJ's many violent and gray political spots, his place in Ghanaian history will certainly be near that of the legendary Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Rawlings: A Pan African Champion Passes Away
A Tribute By Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
Perennial and pervasive poverty in any African country calls for Pan African action to alleviate it because the source of the Poverty Pandemic is the Transnational Corporate Entity in alliance with State actors who benefit from the Poverty Pandemic, as seen in the poor getting poorer as the rich get richer ( see data from Reports of the United Nations, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund). Essentially, it was within the context of the Struggle to alleviate poverty that we come to make this Tribute to honor the Memory of Former President Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana, who Passed Away this morning.

President-Elect Biden and VP-Elect Harris

Why Joe Biden’s Meekness Prevailed?
By: Samuel Barbay Gaye
Joseph R. Biden, Jr., the scrappy kid from Scranton has defeated the bombastic New York billionaire, Donald Trump in the US Presidential Elections. President-elect Biden was born on November 20, 1943, in the city of Scranton, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to a working-class family. His father was a furnace cleaner and a used car salesperson.

For One Cent Surcharge (US $0.00065 Plus US $0.008) GSM Companies And Pro-Poor Government Squeezed US $3.00 And US $2.00 From Liberians
By J. Yanqui Zaza
In Liberia, news about squeezing money from the poor is frequent. I guess, it is regular because the government allows profiteers to squeeze money from the poor. For example, currently, money exchangers are stealing from Liberians L$170, which is about 23% (L$920 minus L$750 Divided by L$750), when they change US$5.00. At the beginning of October 2020, Liberians got L$920 in exchange for US$5, but now L$750. In 2014, the foreign-based Audit Firm, Moore Stephens reported that profiteers will be stealing money from Liberia because the government had awarded 66 fraudulent concessionary agreements out of 68, for example. In less than six months in 2019, Liberia did not have the cash to pay its employees, even though the high-paid-foreign-investigator, Kroll Forensic Audit Firm, had deceptively reported that Liberia’s Central Bank Officials deposited the L$16B banknotes.

Comrade Archie Ponpon Set Himself Ablaze in a Protest

Self-Immolation: A Proud Tradition of Protest
By: Theodore T. Hodge
As many gathered and watched in amazement, Comrade Archie Ponpon set himself ablaze on the grounds of the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Liberia. Social media, in the form of FaceBook, went wild reporting the event, hardly doing any justice in analyzing the story behind the event. The conclusion was quickly reached that Mr. Ponpon had taken such a bold and audacious act because the Liberian government had failed to pay some of its employees, including Mr. Ponpon himself, for almost an entire year.

DID USAID, IDA, ETC.  SPEND USD $612M ON AGRICULTURE IN LIBERIA?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Is there any evidence (rice farm, cassava farm, and/or coffee farm, etc.) to support the claims that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her advisers, United States Agency International Development (USAID), International Development Association (IDA), African Development Bank (ADB), etc. invested USD $612M in agricultural projects during 2012/13 through 2018/2019? Did her Government use any of the USD $612M donation/loans to buy any agricultural equipment, supplies, employ former combatants, etc.? If so, where are the records?

LACC and Its Chairmanship—Emblematic of Mockery and More
By Dr. Sakui W. G. Malakpa
No doubt, corruption remains a virulent enemy of the Liberian state. Lamentably, it is only getting worse with no end in sight. Thus, any effort to attack and possibly minimize corruption is a welcome gesture. However, to win, an attacker must fight on several grounds, not the least of which are cause, moral and ethical conviction/standing, integrity, and indefatigable determination. In the absence of any of these and similar ingredients for a just and fierce fight detracts from the cause and calls into question, the attacker’s motives. It is in this light that one wonders about the September 16, 2020, National Anti-Corruption Conference.

Serbia-Kosovo Agreement Falls Far Short Of Ending Their Conflict
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
The recent agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, brokered by the US, to normalize economic relations between the two countries fell short of the needed reconciliation process that would lead to full recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Serbia. Some elements of the economic normalization agreement are positive, including operationalizing the peace highway and the rail link between Pristina and Merdare, sharing Gazivode/Ujmani Lake and exploring its use as a reliable water and energy supply, and receiving financial support from the US International Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for the above. These and other projects will create job opportunities for several thousand Kosovars and alleviate some of the economic hardship in the country.

In Liberia: A Comparative Look At Senior Government Officials’ Salaries And Benefits Fixed By Statute And Annual Budgetary Provided Appropriation
By: James N. Jensen, LLM, LLB, BA/PSU/LAG/UL
Recently, a lot has been said about salaries’ reduction, harmonization to include the twenty-Five percent cut in President Weah’s salary as announced in his first state of the nation’s address and a proposal from Montserrado County Senator Darrius Dillon to create a law setting salaries for the Legislature. The pejorative or huge Salary payments to a few citizens while the majority lived in poverty are increasing concerns in Liberia. Despite existing statutes that determined salaries for President, Vice president, Speaker, members of the Legislature, the Chief Justice, Associate Justices and judges and despite the first branch of government having that conferring authority to determine its own and other official’s salaries as unambiguously mandated by the 1847 and 1986 Constitutions to decide pay for services rendered to the Republic; that context that no salary should be self-executing neither by the President, Vice president, Speaker nor the Chief Justice, except by the expressed will of lawmakers is the constitutional directive and prescribed in statutes for salaries of these most senior officials.

Senator Kamala Harris

2020: The Year Of The Black Women In US Politics
By J. Patrick Flomo
Watching AMJOY on Sunday morning, August 2, 2020,  I felt the bliss of ecstasy to learn that 122 black women are vying for U.S. Congress in the 2020 elections. This is a momentous event in American history, especially African-American history ever since 1619.  The event seems to speak to the late John Lewis’s farewell message: “Together, We Can Redeem the Soul of Our Country” (the New York Times), and to the preamble of the constitution… “In order to form a more perfect Union”   and to Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech … “That my children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of the character.” In addition to this epic story, the Democratic vice presidential selection has become the most significant political story of the 2020 Democratic campaign because of the number of black women on the final list for consideration.  This has given black women politicians greater attention than ever before.  The selection of Kamala Harris has changed the 2020 electoral calculus and dynamics and electrified black women, the bedrock of the Democratic Party voting base.  

Unjust American Prisons Prison - Courtesy of Trueword Ministries

America’s Prisons Are Outrageously Unjust
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Even a cursory review of our prison system reveals the outrageous inhumanity to which hundreds of thousands of prisoners, especially young adults, are subjected to, many of whom are imprisoned for non-violent crimes, sometimes for life. Some of the cases I came across are simply heart wrenching, bringing tears to my eyes. The over-policing of America, which results in the disproportionate incarceration of people of color, and the numerous flaws in the judicial system, most particularly highlighted in sentencing disparities by race and class, and habitual offender (aka three-strikes) laws, have contributed greatly to the travesty of the American prison system. It is time for the whole country to demand extensive prison reforms and remove the stigma of the current prison system that dishonors America and puts it to shame.

Inland Water Transport System and Regional Connectivity In Liberia: A Potential Driver for Economic Growth- Drawing From The Experiences of Tanzania, Uganda and Egypt
By Amara Quardu Mohammed Kamara
Governments and donors in Sub-Saharan Africa have devoted considerable resources to the construction and rehabilitation of roads. An emphasis on transport infrastructure is evident in the lending pattern of the World Bank, which commits a larger share of resources to transport infrastructure than education, health, and social services combined (World Bank 2007). Total transport commitments in the fiscal year 2013 amounted to US$5.9 billion and rural and inter-urban roads remained the largest sub-sector with 60 percent of lending in FY13 US$3.2 billion (World Bank 2014). Africa has the lowest density of roads in the world, with 204 kilometers of road per 1,000 square km, nearly one-fifth the world average, and less than 30% of the next worst region, South Asia.

James Biney

How James Biney Exploited Pleebo-Sodoken District When He Served As NPP Representative
By Steven Karly, Jr.
Indisputably in recent times, Pleebo Sodoken District has become the epicenter of Maryland County’s Senatorial Campaign activities. This has forever been the case. During an election, candidates of senatorial elections of Maryland County would normally say, “in addition to winning my stronghold, we will all fight over Pleebo’s votes to get our individual share. And when added to my stronghold’s, I expect to win”. In other words, Pleebo is considered a no man’s land in a senatorial election. As a consequence of the ‘no man’s land’ notion, Pleebo does not have a project that it can boast of from a senator.

President Donald Trump

Trump: The Wannabe Dictator
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
I, like many of my fellow Americans, am extremely concerned about Trump’s dictatorial tendencies. Given his behavior – what he said and did over the past four years – he may well act on some of these tendencies, especially if he loses the election by a narrow margin. The concerns I have are not numerous, but are extremely critical: what if he challenges the results of the election and remains adamant on calling for a recount or a new election entirely? What if he refuses to leave the White House and prevents the peaceful transition of power? What if he calls on the military to occupy all major American cities while he still is the Commander-in-Chief between Election Day and the inauguration of the new president? And what if he prompts his supporters to take up arms, converge into the streets, and violently confront the likely massive number of protesters who would demand Trump’s removal from the White House, which could lead to some kind of a civil war?

The Liberian Coat of Arms

Symbols And Motto Matter: Its Time Has Come For Change
By J. Patrick Flomo
The fight for the destruction of the symbols that do not fully represent the values, culture, and aspirations of all people in a truly just society is achieving victory across the world.   In this evolutionary struggle for the rights and dignity of black people and the protest against the opposition of equality and social justice, I never dreamed that the state of Mississippi, the bedrock and beacon of American racism, would see its Republican-controlled Legislature vote for the taking down of the Confederate Flag – the symbol of slavery, racism, and the denigration and subjugation of Blacks.  The flag’s supporters have resisted efforts to change it for decades. Yet, Mississippi did change it, despite having a long history of systemic racism and seeing more lynching of African-Americans than any other state in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Min. Samuel D. Tweah, Jr.

Castrating just four (4) of Min. Samuel D. Tweah’s LIES – Is he a wholesaler of falsehood?
By Martin K. N. Kollie
We cannot sit here and allow Min. Samuel D. Tweah to distort the narrative, especially ahead of 2020 and 2023 polls. In just 30 months as Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah, Jr. has told many LIES. And most partisans of CDC, including some senior officials of government, have become so comfortable with his usual LIES. Either because of their ignorance or because they just have to praise this “king” even though he is NAKED. It is all about survival (struggle for the stomach). But permit me to deal with just 4 of Tweah’s numerous lies:

Poor Lives Matter In Liberia Not Black Lives
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Why are the elites of Liberia not addressing the high number of deaths cause by our healthcare system, bad roads, etc., but they are criticizing America’s Police brutality? For instance, the latest photo of the late Mr. Jay Nagbe Sloh, the Liberian Representative of District # 2 Sinoe County, Republic of Liberia, depicts our hospital (JFK) as a death center, but not a center to safe life. Another story, which is in the Report from the 2018 World Health Organization (WHO), shows that Liberia’s health-related death was 32,000, or 20% of Liberia’s 4.6M population. In fact, the diseases are preventable and/or curable, and the leading killing diseases are; (1) coronary heart disease, (2) tuberculosis, (3) influenza and Pneumonia, (4) diarrheal, and (5) stroke.

Black Lives Matter Protests, London, 2020 | Joao Pereira

The Pandemic Of Racism In America
By Prof. Alon Ben-Meir
The continuing demonstrations throughout the country suggest not only the obvious—that Black lives matter—but that racism is consuming America from within, that injustice affects the perpetrators just as much as the victims, that enough is enough... The rage, desperation, and determination which continue to bring tens of thousands of Americans to the streets in protest against racism and injustice hopefully will be just the beginning. They are sick and tired of systemic racism against Black people, of bigotry at the top, crude discrimination, police brutality, a prejudiced criminal justice system, economic disparity, and society’s robbing black people of experiencing real freedom and equality. Hypocritically, white people blame the victims of racism for their own plight, claiming that Black people would do better in life if they were only willing to work harder.

Nanu Dee (Anna Worwlee Tenbloh) 1937 – 2020

Good Bye, Mama
By Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
When you are in the business of opinion writing, advocacy, and politics in general as I have been for decades, you see, you hear and you feel it all – everything – the good and the bad that are thrown at you constantly. Because I am used to people badmouthing me when they feel that I am on the other side of the issue that they care so much about, and others applaud me for the same article because it certainly advocates their interests, makes me always want to do what I think is right.It hasn’t been an easy week for me, either, and for a guy who sees himself as thick-skinned and private to reveal my vulnerable side says a lot about me and the life I live, or the life we human beings live, and how we are here today and gone tomorrow. I have been drenched in tears, sorrow, and unspeakable grief with the unexpected passing of my dear mother, Nanu Dee (Anna Worwlee Tenbloh) age 83, years who passed away on July 16, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia.

A Critical Look at the Importance of E-Health Management System In Building A Resilient Healthcare System In Liberia
By Amara Quardu Mohammed Kamara
In a book recently published (April 2018) entitled “The Beginning and Growth of Modern Medicine in Liberia and the Founding of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Liberia,” by retired senior Medical practitioner and Chairman of Internal Medicine Department of JFK Medical Center, Prof. Joseph N’joh espoused that the book traces the early history of modern medicine in Liberia and the gradual evolution of the nation’s health care delivery system from its inchoate stage to what it is today – a highly organized nationwide health care delivery system. Within it, there is information about the early physicians and nurses, when and where they practiced, the nature of the health issues they grappled with (e.g. chronic diseases of general debility, nose bleeds, dropsy and anasarca, dysentery and diarrhea, intestinal worms, consumption, remittent and intermittent tropical fever, various ulcers, enlarged liver, and spleen, etc.), the various treatments they administered, and the fate of the physicians themselves who worked under some of the hardest conditions.,, Also available is information about some of the nation’s earliest hospitals (St. Mark’s Hospital, Cape Palmas (1860) of the Protestant Episcopal Church – 1st hospital in Liberia; McKane’s Hospital and Training School, Monrovia (1895) of Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) McKane – 1st hospital in Monrovia; Tubman National Hospital, later renamed James Jenkins Dossen Memorial Hospital, Cape Palmas; St. Timothy’s Hospital, Robertsport, Cape Mount County of the Protestant Episcopal Mission...

Life Sketch Of Mrs. Elizabeth  Menguah Gongloe AKA "Mama Degree"
Mrs. Elizabeth Vonyee Menguah-Gongloe was born in 1923 to Coppee Menguah and Lalebay Seleh Menguah in Quoipa, Wolota Clan, Upper Bong County.  She met her late husband, teacher Wilfred Kehleboe Gongloe in 1946 and they became husband and wife in 1948. In 1951, a group of early mid-Baptist missionaries and evangelists had traveled to Quoipa to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mother was among those in the crowd.  She would later narrate the story of how deeply touched she was by the preaching of the gospel by the missionaries. She accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the end of the service. From that day in 1951, our mother followed every teaching and Christian philosophies with staunched devotion.  

The Name Monrovia (Capital of Liberia) Should Be Changed
By J. Patrick Flomo
Monrovia, the capital city of the Republic of Liberia, is named in honor of President James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States—and a slave owner. This honoring of a slave owner is a travesty to the autochthonous and should be an abomination to the children of the settlers (the Americo-Liberians). The 1810 census record shows that 49 enslaved individuals lived at Monroe’s Plantation in Highland, Virginia.  This made Monroe one of the country’s largest slave owners (National Archives and Record Administration).   Today, we are experiencing an epiphany from the lynching of George Floyd and must join the chorus to bring down and eviscerate the legacy of the symbols of slavery—the anathema of our humanity.  It is time to change the name Monrovia.

How Dillon And CPP Can Avert This Predatory Plot  
By Martin K. N. Kollie
In this brief analysis, I have exposed four (4) vicious strategies of CDC and advanced five (5) suggestions to CPP ahead of 2020 and 2023 polls in Liberia. Without Montserrado, CDC and Weah’s second term bid is a DEAD DREAM. Opposition Senator Abe Darius Dillon currently poses a serious threat to CDC’s political lifespan. If the opposition wins Montserrado County for the second time in the roll in this upcoming December’s senatorial election, it means that CDC is done for good. Weah and his idol worshippers will have no hope for 2023.

Galakpai Mulbah: 2nd from right

Galakpai (Alex) Mulbah: A Pride of Liberia at Boeing
By Dr. Sakui W. G. Malakpa
“Small Soldier!” the commander barked. “Yes Sir!” Galakpai replied standing upright. With no shoes, he stood at attention to salute his superior officer, with his shrill voice conveying respect and submission. Like his colleagues, he had no choice but to submit unreservedly to the commands of his superior officers though he did not fully understand the soldiering business. How could he? He was only eleven.

Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus - a son of the famous "Pay Me Weah"?

The Rotten Carcass, not the Maggots - From the Archives of The Perspective
By H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr.
The likes of James Sellie, Reginald Goodridge, Sayma Cephas and other mercenaries of the pen who gate-crashed onto the murderous bandwagon of the NPFL very late in the orgy of bloodletting only know what Taylor tells them. They have forgotten the aphorism that for a man who murders and steals, lying is child's play. The question is whether they believe these lies or are blinded by greed and cannot see through the deviousness of Taylor! They were not present at the creation of the NPFL neither were they au-courant with its gory modus operandi before the NPFL and the Burkinabe soldiers of fortune reached Buchanan. They do not know the lies told to the Libyans by the fugitive from American justice. They do not have the foggiest notion of the torture and mutilation of brothers in Burkina Faso who had expressed disagreement with the antics of the Brooklyn hoodlum - Charles Taylor. They have no idea of the monstrous crimes committed against innocent and decent Liberians throughout West Africa in order for the little bogus patriot to reach the Executive Mansion.

The Three-Facedness of Ali Sylla – ALCOP, CDC, or UP? - Part 1
By Martin K. N. Kollie
In 2014, young Ali Sylla had a golden opportunity to etch his name in Liberia’s political history. The Unity Party (UP) chose Sylla as its Senatorial Hopeful to contest in Liberia’s populous County, Montserrado. Young Sylla cheerfully chose to eat his lunch before the recess period. This was a missed opportunity. Even though Sylla was never the most qualified or the most competent candidate to contest on UP’s ticket in 2014 Senatorial Election, but he was preferred, through a democratic process, because the Unity Party thought that Sylla was a symbol of their party’s youthful future. The platform that UP gave Sylla was far bigger than his political stature and political capital.

Derek Chauvin Killing George Floyd

In the Current Sweeping Wind of Change, Where Does Liberia Stand?
By Dr. Sakui W. G. Malakpa
In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, the cry that “Black Lives Matter” has not only gotten louder but it has taken different dimensions. In this cause, the compass is pointing notonly at addressing racial inequalities of the present but also the origin and relics of slavery and colonization. Thus, statutes of individuals who symbolize any of these “evils” are tumbling down in the United States, Europe, Australia, and other places. Beyond statues, there are advocacies for changing the names of streets and places that immortalize the names of slave traders, the confederacy (in the United States), systemic racism, and/or white supremacy. In the midst of these sweeping changes, where does Liberia stand?

LNBA Expells Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike With Immediate Effect
The purpose of this press engagement is for the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) to inform the Liberian people through the press about its findings and decision on the critical issue of the Liberian citizenship of Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike and his controversial membership of the Liberian National Bar Association. You will recall that during the Senate confirmation hearings of Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike for the position of Chairman of the National Elections Commission, the issue of the validity of his Liberian citizenship was brought into question and his woeful failure to convince members of the Senate, dominated the hearing and became the single reason for his outright rejection by the Senate and subsequent withdrawal of his nomination by the President of Liberia.

ECOWAS Countries

Alarming Security Threats In The Ecowas Region
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
The current Covid-19 has brought the entire world to a standstill. Economies in Africa will shrink by at least 2-3 percent according to the most optimistic predictions. It took the continent tremendous work and discipline to reach this level of growth. The continent contained 6  of the 10 fastest economies in the world and three of those (Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire) were in West Africa. That progress has been stopped and will be reversed, plunging the sub-region into a new tunnel of social and economic challenges.

President Mahmoud Abbass

Do Not Squander The Last Vestiges Of A Fading Opportunity
An Open Letter Sent To President Abbass By Dr. Alon Ben-meir
I hope that this final appeal will awaken you to the reality that you can no longer ignore. Time has just about run out and your immediate decision to agree or refuse to enter into new peace negotiations with Israel will determine the future of your people for generations to come. They will either live in peace and harmony with Israel, growing and prospering, or remain a shattered nation despairing for a ray of hope that has eluded them for seven decades – with you sealing their fate... Now that Netanyahu is poised to annex a significant part of the West Bank, you are faced with a historic juncture: either you wake up to reality and preempt Netanyahu’s plan by calling for new peace negotiations, or squander the last vestiges of a fading opportunity. You must rise to the occasion as a leader should and grasp the moment because you have reached the precipice of no return.

William G. Nyanue

The Dilemma of the Liberian youth—balancing issues of survival and issues of the future of a Nation
By William G. Nyanue
For the better part of two decades, several friends of mine and I have been engaged in a conversation about Liberia’s challenges.  We often widened the conversation to include the whole continent.  Why do we rank so low on the development ladder—infrastructural, educational, economic, technological, etcetera—and our people so poor despite our rich natural endowments and decades of interactions with the developed world, has been the question that we have been grappling with. 

Slavery . Colonialism . Racism
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Last week I posted something on the linkages between racism, colonialism, and slavery and few people asked me to elaborate. My post was related to the murder of George Floyd, the protests, and discussions on de-funding the police. Police brutality is an instrument of racist policies, instituted to protect a certain status quo, a world order, that rationalized the domination and exploitation of certain people by another group of people

Why Derek Chauvin should be charged with first-degree murder – An African Argument in defense of George Floyd
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The killing of George Floyd was intentional and not unintentional as local prosecutors would want the world to believe. Derek Chauvin should go to jail for life (first-degree murder) instead of going to jail for 40 years at most (second-degree murder). No reasoning or justification should acquit or absolve Chauvin from being charged with ‘first-degree murder’. His deliberate and vicious action goes far beyond ‘second-degree murder’. It is just unparalleled or unequaled to this feeble charge. The world is craving for impartial justice. This global nostalgia seems more of a litmus test to the Justice System of the United States of America. The murder of George Floyd is fast provoking widespread protests across major cities in the USA and evoking mass solidarity elsewhere including Africa. This public outcry or rage is in response to Derek Chauvin’s heinous atrocity.

Did Sierra Leone Use Customers’ $138M To Pay For Government’s Expenses, Imitating Liberia’s Use Of $260M In 2016?
By Yanqui Zaza
Has the Government of Sierra Leone embraced the idea to use customers’ cash deposited with commercial banks to finance government expenses? Businesses and governments around the world usually borrow money, for example, in exchange for treasury (bonds) sold to investors to make up the revenue shortfall. The Government of Sierra Leone, through its subsidiary (i.e., the Central Bank of Sierra Leone-BSL), sells bonds to commercial banks, and also sells bonds to its 100% owned subsidiary (BSL).

CPP Framework is a "Carte Blanche" for Patronage and Protectionism – A Critique
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Article 10 Section 10:11 of "The CPP Framework" seemingly defeats the purpose and the genuineness of a viable opposition collaboration that is based on ideological conviction and philosophical belief(s). The framework is contentious, contagious, and undemocratic. It needs a careful relook and a critical readjustment. As I said, this framework is a “carte blanche” for patronage and protectionism. Here’s why...

AU Conference Center built by China

Africa & The Next Cold War
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Three decades ago, Africa was on an ideological pendulum, swinging left or right, between East and West, never managing to find its own ideological path. A new Cold War is pointing in the horizon and Africa may again be caught in a game where she could be torn between the US and China this time around.

Collaborating Political Parties Complete Final Collaboration Document
Knowing that with the grace and guidance of God, our Creator and with the support of the Liberian people we can harness our peace through a solid democratic foundation that will curtail all forms of corruption, injustices, marginalization, suppression and oppression; Convinced that our coming together will fulfill the Liberian people’s long-awaited alternative to democratic governance anchored on the provision of basic social services to our people; Have resolved as follows:

Dr. Maima Darbah Fahnbulleh (1946 - 2020)

A Tribute to Dr. Maima Darbah Fahnbulleh: A Tireless Advocate For People With Disabilities
By Dr. Sakui Malakpa
Prior to the early 1960s, the government of Liberia did not have a formal program for people with disabilities. Churches and private organizations established institutions for orphans and others with physical disabilities, including lepers. Bishop Dickson and his wife started a school for the deaf in Brewerville which still exists. In 1961, the government started a program for people with mental health problems. Although the center was dubbed a rehabilitation center, it emphasized drug therapy more than rehabilitation. Today, while Liberia has a long way to go with regard to providing educational, rehabilitative, and other services for people with disabilities, the country has legislation for people with disabilities and a National Council on Disabilities. Among the sung and unsung heroes and heroines who laid the foundation for this accomplishment was Maima Darbah Fahnbulleh.

The Main Problem in Liberia is Long-standing and Widespread Poverty
By Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
In the midst of the long-standing and widespread use of the wrong way to solve the main problem in Liberia, the Global Pandemic, the Corona Virus or COVID-19, gives us an opportunity to reflect on what is going on and come up with the correct way to solve Liberia's main problem. The main problem in Liberia is long-standing and widespread poverty.

Israel and Palestinians: Architects Of Their Own Destruction
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
As Israel celebrates the 72nd anniversary of its independence, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to simmer as neither side seems to have learned anything from their seven decades-old conflict, and dramatic changes on the ground are readily dismissed. Charges and counter-charges against one another continue unabated as if everything was frozen in time. Israelis and Palestinians remain intensely distrustful of one another and blame the other for the lingering impasse.

UNDP: Fattens Up Wall Street With $4B; Fattens Up The Rich With $2.03B
By Yanqui Zaza
How did the idea to reduce poverty, etc. by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) change onto profit-making (i.e., the idea to invest $4.7B of donors’ money into investment portfolios)?  (See page # 159 of UNDP 2017 Financial Statements). Or why did UNDP pay $5M to 13 officers and pay generous salary and benefits to 600 employees, but then hired third parties to perform its key Program, the $4.3B Development Program? (See Page 149).  More so, why did UNDP allocate a significant portion of the program ($2.0B) to individuals, but allocated a minuscule amount to companies? (See page # 153).

President Donald Trump

The Dire Consequences of Territorial Annexation
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The formation of an Israeli coalition government led by Netanyahu and Gantz, the leaders of Likud and Kahol Lavan respectively, will finally put an end to Israel’s nearly 18 month-long political paralyzes and, for now, personal rivalry following three elections. Both agreed on a host of important socio-economic and security matters. The most ominous issue they strongly embraced, however, is the annexation of a substantial swath of Palestinian territories based on Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan. Should Israel move to implement the plan, it will lead to ominous consequences and drastically change Israel’s character as a democratic, Jewish state.

How the Deputy Minister of Justice Nyenati Tuan is abusing power and taking advantage of poor Liberians
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The mother of three kids cried aloud on my phone last Friday when she called me via messenger. According to her, she has no one to fight for her 3 girls. She said her kids were being denied justice after they were severely hit on March 1, 2020, by the Deputy Minister of Justice, Cllr. Nyenati Tuan, as a result of reckless driving... I felt guilty and thought to act without any further delay. I lifted this story on April 13, 2020, on my Facebook page. I engaged several law firms and prominent lawyers to represent the legal interest of Ms. Jamesetta Taylor and her three daughters in Court. Finally, one of Liberia’s renowned lawyers, Cllr. Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, along with his legal team from the Public Interest Law Firm, has agreed to represent the legal interest of Ms. Taylor and her hospitalized daughters.

Mercy Corps/NGO-Compensation, $200M, But Programs & Supplies, $35M
By J. Yanqui Zaza
In 1979, another human suffering, due to the Cambodian genocide under the Pol Pot regime, was put to a halt. Good men won over evil men because someone envisioned the idea to establish an entity (i.e., Mercy Corps) to reduce human suffering. So, now is the idea of reducing human calamity such as the pandemic Coronavirus still relevant? If yes, why some nongovernmental agencies such as Mercy Corps failed to build clinics, train medical personnel, buy protective equipment and respirators supplies that would have reduced the spread of diseases such as the Coronavirus?

A State of Emergency in Liberia - Courtesy of Reuters

President Weah Declared A State Of Emergency: Where Are The Measures?
On April 8, 2020, President Weah of Liberia imposed a state of emergency as a part of his government’s response in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.  The action was taken weeks after the menace was brought into Liberia by the head of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia – an agency that should have been at the forefront in protecting Liberians from the pandemic. Though the action is long overdue, many Liberians and friends of Liberia welcome it.  We believe that if the state of emergency is planned and executed correctly, Liberia could, sooner than later, declare victory against the pandemic.  But the state of emergency can also affect certain rights and freedoms of the citizenry and therefore should not be used for silencing or witch-hunting political opponents and critical voices in civil society.

Death from Corona Virus or Death from Starvation – Two Miserable Options under President George M. Weah
During these tragic and troubling times of global health emergency, we must unite with the oneness of purpose, a sense of solidarity, and fraternal love to fight this common global enemy (COVID-19). As COVID-19 rages worldwide, nations and governments are taking concrete steps and hopeful measures to curb this life-threatening pandemic. Liberia cannot and must not be defiant and/or insensitive in this pressing pursuit of considering a more holistic roadmap or an all-inclusive course of ‘control and response mechanism’.

Trump’s Pandemic Failure: A Missed Opportunity
By Dr. Alon Ben-meir
For a man who is a self-absorbed, power-hungry narcissist who wants to be recognized as one of the greatest presidents of the United States while desperately trying to be reelected, Trump failed miserably to rise to the occasion precipitated by the unfortunate advent and spread of the coronavirus. Instead of minimizing the ominous danger of the virus and ignoring the warning of top scientists about the prospective disastrous consequences it could unleash, he could have mobilized from the onset of this pandemic every national resource to tackle the virus head-on. This includes the military, the National Guards, and thousands of companies and medical institutions to produce critical equipment and testing on a national scale, and creating an aggressive national program to fight this virus as a war on all fronts.

Liberia – Mitigating Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19
By Francis Nyepon
A coronavirus recession in Liberia is inevitable. COVID-19 commonly known as the coronavirus could lay siege and overwhelm critical socio-economic sectors in the country. The pandemic poses an existential threat to public health as much as an unprecedented socioeconomic danger to every Liberian. Urgent actions desperately need to be taken to mitigate the severe impact of the pandemic. Like most other countries in the Global South, Liberia, has gotten a reprieve from COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic ravaged China and now spreading across Europe and the United States. The country’s grace period was over on March 13 when a government official returned from Europe and tested positive for the virus; paired with transmission to others and successive positive testing of visitors to the country. The shock of COVID-19 to the Liberian economy will be enormously dire.

UNICEF: $1.4b For Employees’ Benefits; Only $0.141b Left For Children?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Would deadly diseases (i.e., Ebola, Coronavirus, etc.) spread so fast in poor countries if UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) had directly transferred to beneficiaries “Cash Assistance” of $2.2B? (Page # 171 of UNICEF 2018 Financial Statements)... It transferred “Cash Assistance” of $2B to other NGOs, and directly transferred to beneficiaries only $141 million, (see page #171 of UNICEF 2018 Financial Statements). With 13,000 good-salary-paying employees, UNICEF had the manpower to directly transfer to beneficiaries the $2.2B “Cash Assistance.” Or better yet, why did UNICEF not reduce some of their $1.4 billion pay for employees benefits and use the savings to finance education, healthcare, etc.?

L-R: LACC Chairman Ndubusi Nwabudike and President George Weah

Five Possible Criminal Charges against Ndubusi Nkwuka Nwabudike if…
By Martin K. N. Kollie
I am not a lawyer. Neither do I claim to be a legal scholar nor a paralegal. I am an activist and an emerging economist. But if I were the Minister of Justice (Attorney General), I would have been prosecuting A. Ndubusi Nkwuka Nwabudike on these charges or criminal offenses by now.

Marylanders for Progress Donates Radio & TV Equipment to Phoenix FM
By Rocheford T. Gardiner
A Maryland County diaspora organization based mainly in the United States has donated several pieces of equipment to Tubman University’s Radio Phoenix 102.7 (The Voice of Tubman University (TU))... The equipment include a high quality 12-channel audio console for the radio station as well as cameras, complete with tripods, software, a high-end laptop, multi adaptors and other smart gadgets for the opening of an online TV station. Several pieces of MFP 20th Anniversary souvenirs flashlights were also included in the package... Mr. Jefferson Elliott who presented the items to TU on behalf of Board Chair of the MFP, Dr. James Elliott, conveyed good tidings from the organization and prayed the items be used for the intended purpose of community and social outreach throughout the county.

Ensuring Macroeconomic Stability and Sustained Growth: A Critical Pathway to National Reconciliation and Social Inclusion in Liberia
By Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
The “macro-economy” is the term that economists use to refer to the behavior and performance of the economy as a whole and it deals with such aggregate variables as a gross domestic product (GDP), the GDP growth rate, unemployment, inflation, money supply, public debt, fiscal deficit, exchange rate, interest rate, etc. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), macroeconomic stability is a situation where these major aggregates grow or evolve “in a steady and durable way, inflation is under control, the financial system is sound… and the economy is resilient to shocks and is not likely to face crisis”

Is Liberia Prepared To Deal With the Coronavirus Pandemic, COVID-19?
By Francis Nyepon
The World Health Organization, WHO, has declared Coronavirus, COVID-19, a pandemic, instead of an epidemic. Since the explosion of the COVID-19 in December 2019, the pandemic has been spreading at alarming rates and frightening levels throughout the world. The pandemic has spread to over 100 countries, infecting over 200,000 people, and killing over 7,000. The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the heartland of the West African sub-region. Several countries in the sub-region have already recorded cases of COVID-19. Some of these countries include: Togo, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gabon, Senegal, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Elsewhere on the continent; DR Congo, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco have all recorded cases with more yet to come. In the sub-region, Ghana has allocated a $100 million US dollars towards a Coronavirus Fund to combat the COVID-19 outbreak and also ban official travel; while Senegal, on the other hand, is set to roll out a COVID-19 test kit, which will indeed be a game-changer.

U.S. State Department Issues A Report Card To The Weah Government
“Significant human rights issues included: arbitrary killings by police; arbitrary detention by government officials; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; substantial restrictions on free expression and the press, including site blocking; official corruption; lack of accountability in cases of violence against women due to government inaction in some instances, including rape, domestic violence, and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C); trafficking in persons… Impunity for individuals who committed human rights abuses, including atrocities during the civil wars that ended in 2003, remained a serious problem… There were several reports [that] the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. On June 24, police officers fired live ammunition while attempting to disperse protesters who had gathered to demand investigation into the death of two children discovered on June 3 with body parts removed in what appeared to be a ritualistic killing”.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

President of the Liberia National Bar Association Scowls at the Unlawful Sales of Land in Liberia
By Tiawan Saye Gongloe
Your Honor, the bar notes the importance of the concerns raised by you regarding the challenges faced by the judiciary in the resolution of real property disputes. Specifically, your honor highlighted the increase in the unlawful sale of land and the difficulties experienced by the Court in the execution of its judgments. It is our view, that the issues of unlawful sale of land and the challenges faced by the court in the enforcement of its judgments are so important that we believe that the holding of a one-week judicial conference that will bring together judges, lawyers, surveyors, ministerial officers of the court, and the police in order to find ways to resolve these issues will be helpful.

Israel Is Engaged In Systematic Self-Destruction
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
It is said that where there are two Jews, there are three opinions. And in the state of Israel, there is yet another version: where there are five Jews, there are nine political parties. There are certainly advantages to having different views on every topic, especially when the issues under discussion are seriously consequential and relate to the future national security and wellbeing of the state. However, when those different views are not guided by a unity of purpose, but rather personal interest, which is placed above that of the nation’s, the result could be extraordinary dire to the future of the state. Moreover, when corruption at the top seeps through the lower strata of the political parties, it is like an infectious disease forcing everyone to zealously guard his/her turf and leave the affairs of the state for another day, if that day ever comes

The 7 Invisible Stadiums – 10 Plain Truths about CDC Rally
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Liberia has two (2) recognized stadia/stadiums. Both were built by non-footballers. Thumps up to ex-President W. V. S. Tubman and ex-President Samuel K. Doe. The Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) was built in 1952 by William V. S. Tubman and it has a capacity of 10,000 while the Samuel Kanyan Doe Sports Stadium (SKD) was built in 1986 by Samuel K. Doe and it has a capacity of 35,000. The football legend turned President George Manneh Oppong Weah promised to build 7 stadiums in 7 counties in his first term. There is no sign of even one (1) being built up to date. The 7 stadiums/stadia remain invisible. Is this another LIE? CDCians along with their political leader gathered on ATS this gone Saturday for a political rally. Sadly, they could not muster the courage like me to ask their political leader about those 7 stadiums he promised to build. When will this project begin?

Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders

“… I Am Proud To Be A Socialist”
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
It is sad, appalling, and outrageous that much of what Bernie Sanders is advocating is denigrating label as socialist as if it were a stigma detached from the day-to-day realities of life that affect every American man, woman, and child. I have and continue to be apolitical, but for me, anything to do with human rights matters because, in the final analysis, no one has any right whatsoever to undermine another person’s right to be free, to believe, to feel secure, and to be treated humanely and equitably, as long as it does not infringe upon someone else’s rights.

ELWA–RIA Highway: A Dossier of Revealing Tragedies about a Chinese-Liberian Mafiosi
By Martin K. N. Kollie
East International Group Incorporated (EIGI) dubiously connived with high-ranking officials of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s government to rob Liberia and Liberians of millions of United States Dollars through road construction-related projects. This mafia syndicate has evolved once more under President George M. Weah. In it all, Liberia and Liberians have become victimized by this form of institutionalized corruption and systemic sabotage.

Mary T. Broh

Wrong Timing, Unsafe Zone, Risky Adventure:  An Open Letter To Mary Tanyonoh Broh
By Martin K. N. Kollie
I do not intend to be agreeably definite about this news that I have been hearing which somehow reveals your ambition to run as a candidate for the 2020 midterm senatorial election in Montserrado County. Of course, it is your right and this communiqué poses no objection to that right. Though this news is coming from some credible sources, I still consider it a rumor until you can confirm yourself. Do you care to confirm, General Broh, because I have begun seeing some political flyers with your picture “making rounds” on social media already?

Isaac T. Cla Russell

Tribute To Isaac T. Cla Russell
By Dr. Felicia Lamptey
God is an awesome God whose ways are never known nor understood by Man. Isaac’s passing has solidified this in my mind and has shown how vulnerable the human body is in all aspects of life, in sickness, in good times and even in the worst of times. The bible says in all things, we should give thanks to God because it is the will of God and His ways are not ours.

Central Bank of Liberia

Central Bank Reports: US $222 Deficit In 2018; For 2019, $42 Surplus. Wow!
By J. Yanqui Zaza
How did the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) leap from US $222M deficit in 2018 to a US $42 surplus in 2019? See page # 51 of the 2019 CBL Annual Report). Did officials generate the surplus by cutting social programs in 2019? Or did Officials siphon revenue in 2018, hence, the deficit? For whatever reason, CBL quickly removed the 2018 Annual Report from public view without explanation, and the revised 2018 Annual Report did not carry any information on government revenue.

Accounting For LRD Banknotes Used To Be So Easy, Cheap, Accurate And Reliable…
By Paul Collins
The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has always been an exceptional animal- a rare species. It is one of a kind in the country. Just like for every country, there is just one central bank. CBL is also very different from banks, except for its ancillary legal mandate of the fiscal agency, where it performs banking services for GoL (and for banks). 

The Forky Klons

Is First Lady Clar Weah a Philanthropist or an Opportunist? – A Patriotic Call To Audit Her Office for US$2.2 Million
By Martin K. N. Kollie
About 2 weeks ago, First Lady Clar M. Weah toured her privately-owned ‘City of Hope Project’ which sits on 15 acres of land in Marshall City, Margibi County. The First Lady has been priding herself as a ‘philanthropist’ even though she is overly dependent on public funding to implement her projects and programs... It was shocking but not surprising when Sheroes Forum in Ghana gave First Lady Clar Marie Weah a humanitarian award in May 2019. A few pro-regime establishments, seeking financial assistance and presidential approbation, have deceivingly bejeweled and gowned Madam Weah with similar honor as well.

Senator Prince Y. Johnson

Treat Prince Johnson’s Weah bashing with a Grain of Salt — George Weah Owns the Man
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Our opposition friends, to a great degree, are still in their 2017 electoral mold. In politics, locking yourself up in the mold of nostalgia has won no victory for any camp. Such could prove disastrous for any project to rout Weah out of power and begin rebuilding the nation, creating excitement, and explaining to the poor masses of the people that despite the backwardness of the country, Liberia can make a rebound. Most countries that have gone through the terrible wilderness of stagnation have extricated themselves from the doldrums with a political leadership committed to a social revolution which changes the poverty-stricken existence of the people.  This is what politics should be about: showing to the masses a better future is possible.

Candidate Bernie Sanders Makes A Point

Making Democratic Socialism Relatable
By Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir
The phrase “Democratic Socialism” continues to find its way into current national and political discourse of the United States. Vermont Senator and Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders embraces the term, while his opponents, both from within his own party as well as on the Republican aisle, using its label as a bit of an albatross. Mr. Sanders’ own description of the philosophical, theoretical, and pragmatic applications of Democratic Socialism have yet to lay the weaponizing of this concept to rest. In his emphasis on the universality of rights, be they environmental, economic, health-related, educative, or concerning human dignity, he leaves out the primary distinction of Democratic Socialism. If properly conveyed, he could directly appeal to even its most vehement opponents at present.

The Moral Devastation of the Continued Occupation - Part I
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
A version of this article was originally published on December 10, 2015. The changes from the original article to this piece below encompass the inclusion of Trump’s so-called “deal of the century”, which will only perpetuate the occupation. Sadly, the situation has not changed in the past four years, and given how the situation currently stands, I do not expect things to change anytime soon.

The Liberianization Of Our Economy
By J. Patrick Flomo
Since 2010, the result of African economic migrants’ perilous trek to Europe in search of a better life is unprecedented in the annals of 21st-century migration.   The human tragedy of this odyssey has prompted this article to discourage Liberians from partaking in this vicissitude.  The millions who have left the continent, and the thousands who have perished in the desert and in the Mediterranean Sea in desperation to escape economic hardship, hopelessness, and despair pose a serious threat to Africa’s future human Capital Development Index.  According to the Migration Policy Institute, 4.6 million African migrants are in Europe. Liberians form a small segment of this million and that should be a grave concern to all Liberian patriots, nationalists, and progressives

Protests vs. Reality in Liberia’s Emergent Democracy
By Nat Galarea Gbessagee
Every bread-and-butter issue in Liberia these days is a subject for street protests. Three major street protests involving the mass gathering of people were held in Monrovia between September 2018 and January 2020. On September 24, 2018, a previously unknown group, The Coalition of Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back (COCUBOMB), staged the first major street protest to demand governmental accountability for an alleged “missing” 16 billion Liberian banknotes. Another previously unknown group, the Council of Patriots (COP), staged the second protest on June 7, 2019, and the third on January 6, 2020.

Weah's Monstrous Complex Vs. The Tiny 14th Military Hospital – 10 Reasons why we cannot clap even for a minute
By Martin K. N. Kollie
As men and women in arms observe the 63rd Armed Forces Day, President George M. Weah has for the third time toured the 14th Military Hospital even though it is yet to be fully completed and equipped with medical facilities and the requisite manpower. The hospital which sits on 5 of 75 acres was inspected again by the Commander-in-Chief on Monday, February 10, 2020. This project appears to be the biggest achievement of the CDC-led government after 2 years in power.

President Donald Trump

Trump’s and Netanyahu’s Folly
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Since the Second Intifada in 2000, the Israelis have been steadily moving to the right-of-center. Successive Israeli governments have made national security central to Israel’s very survival, and linking it to the presumed existential threat posed by the Palestinians has become the national mantra. Thus, controlling the Palestinians’ lives and their territory became synonymous with Israel’s national security. Israel has, for all intents and purposes, given itself the license to do whatever it pleases in the Palestinian territories, including building settlements, erecting barriers and fences, demolishing Palestinian homes, and restricting their movement, and was poised to annex the Jordan Valley, all in the name of national security.

The Home Going Of Isaac T. Cla Russell
Isaac T. Cla Russell is no more with us.  Mr. Russell ably served The Perspective by distributing hard copies underground in Monrovia during the Liberian Civil war.  Though it was risky, his love of his country and for the wellbeing of the people propelled him to take the risk.  He is the current President of the National Maryland County Association of Liberia, USA (NAMCAL). His passing has left an indelible void in the family and in Liberian communities.  Please click the link above for funeral arrangements.

President George Weah's Annual Message To The Nation
This provision of the Constitution mandates the President, on the fourth working Monday in January of each year, to present the Legislative Program of the Administration for the ensuing session, and report to you on the State of the Republic, covering the economic condition of the Nation, including expenditure and income.

Social Change And Democratizing Of Policing In Liberia: A 2020 Pro Poor  Visionary Template
By Dr. Amos M. D.  Sirleaf
A visionary and a  constructively engaged perceptual struggle to maintain a proper balance between effective 2020 visionary post-conflict Liberia’s Law Enforcement-Criminal Justice and fairness under President George Weah’s Administration and beyond for individuals, pervades the entire criminal justice systems in Liberia. It is particularly crucial and apparent in police work globally because every police action can impinge directly, and perhaps hurtfully, on a citizen’s freedom of action. I am carefully apprehensive about the structural dynamics of the present security apparatus in Liberia.

(Photo: Pixabay)

Can Carob Save a Nation? Benefits of Carob Now and Then Its Potential for Sustainable Development in Morocco
By Nora Martetschläger
The carob tree has been appreciated for its various features throughout the ages. Nowadays, people are starting to rediscover this amazing plant. It is both a wild-growing forest tree and an easy to cultivate fruit tree. Because of this combination, the carob tree lends itself to a wide range of uses, thus making it the perfect tree to solve many of Morocco’s pressing economic and environmental issues.But what is it that makes this plant so unique? To answer this question, we ought to take a look at the usage of carob across time and space.

Moroccan Agriculture and Rural Development
Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir
In recent years, Morocco has put in place the right frameworks for mobilizing rural communities to advance the nation’s sustainable development goals, yet it falls woefully short when it comes to implementation. As someone who has been engaged in rural development in Morocco for the past 26 years, I have analyzed how these frameworks can work together and complement each other. Since 2000, I have led a Moroccan-U.S. civil organization that assists local communities in their identification and management of priority development projects—in agriculture, education, health, and women’s and youth empowerment—and achieved initiatives located in the 12 regions of Morocco. The community-driven data-gathering, assessments, consensus-building, and overall project experiences engaging with most ministries and administrative tiers have afforded me realistic local and national contextual perspectives.

Legality and Logic – Seven (7) Reasons why Sierra Leone could not extradite or turn over Henry P. Costa
By Martin K. N. Kollie
I am not a graduate or a student of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law. Neither do I claim to be a legal scholar or a paralegal, but I have made it my duty as a young activist to pen and proffer this legal defense on behalf of comrade brother Henry P. Costa.

Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus - a son of the famous "Pay Me Weah"?

Cllr.  Sayma Syrenius Cephus Reacts To LNBA Press Release
The Solicitor-General and Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus has described as very unfortunate and absolutely disgraceful but not surprising, an emotionally charged press release issued by the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) at the behest of its political activist President, Cllr. Tiawan S.  Gongloe, publicly rebuking and condemning him for a recent statement allegedly “attributed” to him (Cllr. Cephus).

 

Harry’s drawback of royalty is straightly not outta Compton
By Gboko Stewart
With a keen interest, I've followed Prince Harry and his quits from the life of royalty he's known all his life. As a little kid, growing up, I, alongside my mom, followed everything about Princess Diana and the lives of her kids. Truth be told, we always felt her death was an orchestration of powerful forces. Whether it was a decree from the Windsors or probably the British government's bid to save its traditional institution, the monarchy, from being polluted with Arab blood, it's a mystery for ages to come.

Liberia - Crisis, Stagnation, and Class Struggle
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
On January 6, 2020, Liberians erupted at the center stage with a bang. Scores of ordinary people took to the streets in a mass protest action reminiscent of June 7, 2019. Tens of thousands of ordinary people got mobilized under the banner of the Council of Patriots (COP) against the dismal regime of the know-nothing Weah administration. While some commentators derisively dismiss Liberians as too tepid to get involved in popular mobilizations to put pressure on failed regimes, these mobilizations against the risible Weah regime consign that notion to the garbage of history. The people are awakening to a radical consciousness that the established institutions in the state are too rotten to give them social relief, but the streets offer a viable answer.

Killing Soleimani Undermines Global Order
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Those who applaud the assassination of General Soleimani seem to simply equate him to a terrorist who certainly deserved to meet his fate. The question here is not whether he deserved to be killed, but can his killing be equated to those of Osama Bin Laden or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS respectively? They were the leaders of ferocious terrorist groups, stateless, not associated with any international organization, nor were they recognized by a single country. The same cannot be said about Soleimani. Regardless of how vicious, he was a very high-ranking government official in Iran, second only to Khamenei.

The Liberian National Bar Association Frowns on Attempts by State Actors to Harass Lawyers
The LNBA maintains the position that being the Solicitor General of Liberia does not give Cllr. Cephas, who is also a member of the LNBA, any authority to arrest a member of the LNBA who has not committed any offense under Liberian law. The Bar Association further says that for Cllr. Cephus to perceive, imagine, countenance or entertain the notion that he has such authority is sad, to say the least. The LNBA cautions the Solicitor General to exercise his authority within the scope of the law and with regard to the rights of all Liberian citizens, including lawyers, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Liberia and the international bill of human rights.

Sayma Syrenius Cephus: A Solicitor General or a Scam Genius? – 10 Hard Truths
The new Solicitor General (SG) of Liberia is a full package of fraud who has zero reputation. The SG has a stamp of scam on his forehead and he carries baggage of blemish on his back. Cllr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus has become an infamous henchman for CDC and president GMW. The fact is, this ‘hit-man’ is a bona fide rascal with a felonious past. Cephus, a maestro hustler, epitomizes blackmail and scheme. He is a byproduct of THE LEGAL PROFESSION who lacks every ounce of integrity and moral decency to even preside as Solicitor General of Liberia.

Weah, Koijee Destined for ICC Court?
Since Liberia is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and as a State Party the court has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute those government officials committing Crimes Against Humanity under various articles listed below of the Rome Statute.  This referral documents numerous published media accounts and open source information confirming the atrocities committed by the Weah administration and Jefferson Koijee.  There is a clear pattern of civil rights violations and human rights violations committed by the Government of Liberia.

Is VP Taylor Patriotic?
By Gboko Stewart
Not at the alleged homicide of 9-year old Linda Sherman which the Ministry of Justice has failed to conduct an autopsy. Or the discovery of Odell Sherman in the home of her (VP Taylor’s) cousin, Rev. Emmanuel Giddings... Sherman later died at ELWA hospital and after much dilly-dallying, including a floppy, sloppy and shoddy handling of the investigation, the Liberia National Police said it was a freak accident and Rev. Giddings was absolved, although it was in his home the deceased was found... Odell's mother would later take control of her body and buried her daughter with lingering questions abounding over closure and justice... Neither is she that over a year since the discovery of the remains of 15-year old Vivian Wright in Gardinersville, much has not been done to stop the pussyfooting of the case, bring closure to her mother as well as laying her killers at the feet of Lady Judica.

Stepping Back From the Brink of War
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Trump’s order to kill General Soleimani is one of the most reckless acts taken by a president, who once again has put his personal political interest above the nation’s security. Certainly, Soleimani deserved to meet his bitter fate. He was behind the killing of hundreds of American soldiers in Iraq while threatening and acting against American allies. However, killing him without considering the potentially dire regional repercussions and without a strategy, under the guise of national security concerns, is hard to fathom.

A Plea To Comrade Brother Henry P. Costa
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) is no longer credible and impartial. It has become a FRAUD like Patrick Sudue's LNP. They’ve been compromised to entrap you et al. The executive order is to arrest and harm you. The Country has become a POLICE STATE just in a period of 24 months. Almost all independent security apparatuses have succumbed to partisanship and political maneuverings. The CDC and President George M. Weah intend to settle political scores with you. It is all about paying back for your peaceful action through mass protests on June 7, 2019, and January 6, 2020.

USAID Awards $16m To Nathan To Fight Corruption, But Says Nothing About The 66 Fraudulent Concessionary Agreements And Illegal Wealth Accumulation  - PART II
The 2015 Survey by USAID reported that Liberia’s unemployment rate is around 3%. This number is wrong because it includes school-age boys and girls and rural residents who live on subsistence farming. Unfortunately, this favorable percentage is encouraging money-lending institutions into believing that Liberian consumers’ buying power is high since 97% percent of the population is employed. I surmise that is part of the reason why small businesses are not paying their loans because the low unemployment number indicated that their business would be profitable. Worse, money-lending institutions have and continue to encourage Liberia’s school-age children to abandon communities of education, religion, and culture and are now obligated and committed to the cutthroat community of fast-money making activities. 

Before 2017 Elections	After 2017 Elections

From Up To Down After 24 Months – Does Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor Have A Future In CDC?
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Two high-ranking officials of CDC, Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker, and CDC Chairman Mulbah Morlu, are on record for narrating through leaked audios about a hardcore conspiracy or sinister plot to remove H.E. Jewel Howard-Taylor as Vice Standard Bearer of CDC and Vice President of Liberia. Does this billboard of an impending CDC Retreat substantiate or validate such startling revelation?

The Perspective Condemns The Use Of Brute And Lethal Force To Disrupt The January Protest Staged By Peaceful And Unarmed Protesters
We, at The Perspective, decry the brute and lethal force used by the Liberian security forces yesterday on peaceful and unarmed protesters and call on all Liberians to condemn the police brutality. The police use of hot water cannons and excessive teargas on unarmed civilians is against international human rights protocol.  We also call on the United States Embassy, European Commission, ECOWAS, UN Mission to Liberia, the Inter-Religious Council, etc.  to equally condemn the police brutality and obtain a commitment from the ruthless Weah regime for a rerun of the protest at the same venue without a repeat of the police brutality we witnessed yesterday.  The planting of a gun and explosives by the police in the vehicles owned by Representative Kolubah is criminal mischief. We should like to also point out that the mixed signals sent by the international partners and local NGOs have emboldened the Weah Government in using police brutality on peaceful citizens.

Liberia’s 2020s Decade Resolution
By J. Patrick Flomo
It is time for Liberia to ring in 2020 with deep reflection, a sense of profound optimism, and hopes for a better decade after the ritual of ablution and catharsis of the sins of the past decade, e.g., economic and social injustice.   The third decade of the 21st century is here; and, Liberia needs to take stock of the past and begin engineering better governmental institutions, social and economic equality, and renewing aspirations and hopes for greater prosperity, peace, and stability in the new decade.  WE THE PEOPLE of Liberia must make this period the most seminal progressive decade in the history of our Republic by electing competent and patriotic men, and women, fighting corruption, taking back our domestic economy from foreign monopoly and more.

Reflect – Rise up – Resist – Reclaim: A Letter To The Liberian Masses In Rural And Urban Slums Ahead Of January 6 Protest
By Martin K. N. Kollie
With a sense of common struggle, shared values, renewed solidarity and unhindered allegiance to nationhood may this glorious land of liberty forever be ours as we seek solace in and evoke courage from this historic refrain of our National Anthem, “In union strong success is sure, we cannot fail. With God above Our rights to prove, we will o’er all prevail – we will o’er all prevail.” We can never and will never “prevail” when we allow our fears to subdue our willpower in an effort to averting imminent national tragedies.

Liberia: The Incompetence, Naïveté, Treachery, And Recklessness Of A Presidency
By Francis Nyepon
George Weah is an ineffective and incompetent president who surrounded himself with a network of sycophants and unpatriotic double-dealing traitors that are looting the Liberian treasury for their personal gain while enabling poverty to remain rampant and unbridled corruption ruthlessly stains the daily lives of Liberians. Over the past two years, President George Weah has failed to accumulate material economic gains of Liberia’s abundant natural resources, favorable climate to ensure food security and a vibrant youthful workforce to boost sustainable growth and socio-economic development. Liberians are fast coming to realize that the footprint of the George Weah administration is one of a sordid presidency that has made Liberia a laughing stock and failure.

USAID Director Sara Walter

USAID Awards $16M To Nathan To Fight Corruption, Says Nothing About The 66 Fraudulent Concessionary Agreements And Illegal Wealth Accumulation
By J. Yanqui Zaza
The United States Agency for International Development has awarded a $16M contract to Nathan, a private international economic and analytics consulting firm, to help Liberia fight corruption. Mr. Jeffrey Singer, Senior Vice President of Nathan, as per Nathan Website, stated that Nathan is excited that USAID selected its Team to help Liberia increase domestic revenue, enhance tax administration, and reduce inefficiency... Preceding Nathan, USAID has been operating in Liberia for a long time. It was established by US former President John F. Kennedy of the United States to help reduce conflict, support stable, and strengthen democratic societies, etc. in developing countries. In explaining its mission on its website, USAID states that it has strategized an activity called Revenue Generation for Governance and Growth (RG3). Specifically for Liberia, RG3, according to its website, is designed to build the capacity of the Ministry of Finance Development and Planning (MFDP) and Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).

Were African Slaves Sold on Friday at a Discount: True or False?
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” was applied not to holiday shopping but to the financial crisis: specifically, the crash of the U.S. gold market on September 24, 1869. Two notoriously ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk worked together to buy up as much as they could of the nation’s gold, hoping to drive the price sky-high and sell it for astonishing profits. On that Friday in September, the conspiracy finally unraveled, sending the stock market into free-fall and bankrupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers.

Faux Pas, Fairy-tale, Farce, and Fantasy – An Antithesis to President George M. Weah’s Incoherent Interview
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Lured into populist rhetoric, bewitched by political pageantry, and robbed through hardcore electoral maneuverings, the Liberian people missed out on yet another chance in 2017 to choose REAL CHANGE over FALSE HOPE. It seems like they are gradually waking up from the scars of fantasy and ecstasy. As though the Liberian people were spellbound or entrapped into enchantment, they made a risky choice to have experimented with a clueless and extravagant footballer who has zero knowledge in governance, leadership, and diplomacy. The election of ex-soccer star George Weah has proven to be an “experimento peligroso” (a dangerous experiment).

To the Comrades in Liberia — Let us write the history of this era through struggle and resistance!
By Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh
“Generational Traitor,” and “Few Cheers for Weah this Christmas,” reads a sign. “Cluelessness, Incompetence, Mendacity, Scandal, Weah” reads a headline in FrontPageAfrica... For a guy, Weah, who was celebrated not too long ago as the best thing to ever come out of Liberia since the founding of that football-crazed country to be reduced to a laughingstock less than two years after he became President of Liberia is in itself a laughing matter.

To the Comrades in Liberia — Let us write the history of this era through struggle and resistance!
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
I write to you today when we are about to mark two years of the nightmare of George M. Weah, and at a crucial historical conjuncture. I salute the bold courage of everyone resisting in various ways—whether be it civil servants that exposed the cruelty of the government, be they health workers whose go-slow actions undressed the regime as being contemptuous about the health of the people, be they the teachers whose actions have shown to the world that this regime has zero interest in education, be they students of the University of Liberia who stampeded to the streets to expose the political mirage of free education declared by Weah...

'Few cheers for George Weah' this Christmas - BBC
Rather than celebrating, many Liberians seem to be in mourning this Christmas - thanks to the fact that the financial crisis in this former colony of freed slaves has been worsening since former international football star George Weah was elected president two years ago.

Congressman Chris Smith - (R-NJ)

Liberia May Face the Wrath of Magnitsky Act Due to Human Rights Abuses and Rampant Corruption by officials of the Weah Administration – Says U.S. Rep. Chris Smith
The Magnitsky Act, initially known as the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Accountability Act of 2012 is a bi-partisan bill passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by former President Barack Obama on December 14, 2012, with the intention of administering punishments to those responsible for the death of a Russian Lawyer and Auditor Sergei Magnitsky.  Since 2016, the Act has been used to globally impose sanctions on human rights abusers, freeze their respective assets and ban them from entering the United States of America. Rep. Chris Smith’s concern about the prevailing worsening political and human rights situation in Liberia may force the US Government to impose Magnitsky Sanctions on Liberian Government officials.

Passing on the corruption legacy

Ellen Step-down vs. Weah Step-down, a Lack of Sustained Economic Alternatives for Liberia
By Amara Quardu Mohammed Kamara
I have argued that in Sub Sahara Africa most demonstrations, protests, and mass citizens’ actions are deeply attributed to rant seeking, political corruption, marginalization, mismanagement, malfeasances, pronounced deprivation of wellbeing, and unequal distribution of resources on the part of the political leaderships of the continent. These several menaces have harnessed and continue to midwife civil conflicts in most parts of Africa. Here I would build a comparative analysis between Liberia and Rwanda given the conspicuous similarities of both countries’ gloomy historical past. 

Rumors of Impending Demonstration
By J. Patrick Flomo
The tsunami of urban unrest propelled by economic inequality and uncertainty, poverty, corruption, and social injustices sweeping the globe should be of great concern to all Liberians because of the nation’s fragile peace and stability.  According to the New York Times, from Port-au-Prince to Lebanon, Bolivia, Chile, Iran, Sudan, etc., cities have been paralyzed by these protests. In some cases, they have brought down elected governments, e.g., Evo Morales of Bolivia. 

MOJA Calls on the Government and Organizers of the December 30th Protest to Maintain Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law
The Movement of Justice in Africa (MOJA) calls on both the government and the organizers of the December 30, 2019 protest to maintain respect for human rights and the rule of law, in the same manner as they did during the Bring Back Our Money Campaign last year September... The Bring Back Our Money Campaign manifested an unprecedented display of maturity and self-restraint by the protesters and the government. The subsequent protest on June 7, 2019, built upon the historic precedent set by the Bring Back Our Money Campaign and the day went without an incident.

Liberian Can’t Just Run and Print Off Scads of Cash-The Case of LD 4 Billion
By Seltue Karweaye
In a communication dated December 15, 2019, President Weah stressed the increasing liquidity needs of the economy, informing the Senate that the current liquidity projection of the CBL, compared with a very low Liberian dollars vault cash position of both the CBL and commercial banks, makes it imperative to infuse additional banknotes to ease the liquidity pressure as a short-term measure... President Weah intimated  “we are aware that the Legislature is currently deliberating pressing national issues, including finalizing deliberations on authorization of the CBL to print a new set of Liberian dollar banknotes, the existing situation presents a volatile financial environment such that the current Liberian dollar vault cash position with the CBL is very inadequate to meet both current and future Liberian dollar liquidity demand of commercial banks; posing a potential security risk..."

Is “Over-Americanization Of Liberia” The Main Problem to Our Underdevelopment And Mass Poverty? - (Part One)
By James Thomas-Queh
The Perspective launched a debate recently on the situation of our national economy upon the publication of the report by the Liberian Economy Group (LEG) –headed by the veteran politician and economist, Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh. We applaud this effort.  During the same period, an article appeared also in the FPA: “Liberia: Govt. ‘Presents the Fact’ in Response to Ex-Auditor General Morlu’s 400 CBL Jobs’ Revelation” (https:/frontpageafricaonline.com/news/Liberia-govt-presents-the-fact-in-response-to-ex-auditor-general-morlus-400-cbl-jobs-revelation/).  Both papers attest the serious economic crisis confronting the Weah government. And true to democracy, while some are proposing meaningful solutions, others crave joyfully for the downfall of the government.

2020 Will Be More Turbulent Than 2019, Unless…
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Unless some drastic measures are taken, the various conflicts in the Middle East will become ever more intractable and exact a horrifying toll in blood and massive economic dislocation. The continuing severity of these crises and their repercussions will depend on whether or not the combatants assume a realistic posture, or new leadership rise and commit to finding equitable solutions that can endure. We must keep in mind though that the turmoil we experienced in 2019 may further intensify in 2020 because of the continuing global crisis of leadership and the challenges posed to the global order that was established in the wake of World War II. The following brief review of seven Mideast conflicts reflects these developments and raises the question as to what must be done to change the dynamics in the hope of solving some of these conflicts.

Let’s Dialogue Rather Than Protest
By: TQ Harris
We make no apologies for our democratic credentials and support for the universal declaration of human rights. Our unwavering respect, endorsement, and reverence for the Liberian Constitution -- particularly, its stance on the individual rights which include freedom of expression and the right to petition the government -- is uncompromising. Now the prevailing circumstances in our country have yet again presented an opportunity to stand for our conviction. We must seize the moment.

Martin K. N. Kollie

I Fled Liberia After A Series Of Vicious Attacks On Me On My Graduation Day…
Wednesday, December 11, 2019, was overly terrifying and traumatic as State Security along with pro-regime operatives and thugs mainly from Sabu Unit and Zebra Unit devised a brutish conspiracy to arbitrarily arrest me and inflate severe wounds on my person as a result of my critical stance against President George M. Weah and his intolerant Government. Being unapologetically critical against cronyism, institutionalized thievery, and bad governance has been and remains my only crime or charge... The wave of vicious attacks, especially on my graduation day, was not only pre-planned and aforethought by hired plotters, most of whom are protégés of Weah and diehard loyalists of CDC, but those egregious attacks were mainly intended to fiercely capture and kill me. God saved my life from such malicious design. The scars of such horrifying memory still remain fresh and psychologically injurious even as I have mustered the courage to briefly narrate my ordeal through these few lines.

We knew dolt Weah and his political yoyos would have been an utter disaster. Resistance is the only corrective! 
By Alfred P. B. Kadii
What is happening in Liberia is polarizing and the evaporation of illusion and the building of another one. The Weah government is a gory failure. His vulgar governance excesses and the clear reaction of the people is the rejection of that dangerous idea that a rogue’s gallery of underclass buffoons and cavorting charlatans would take over a backward country and workout a magical transformation. But the lid is out, and it has shattered the fantasy: it is an utter failure of the regime and the sharp polarization of the country in consequence of the heady socio-economic conundrum taking a beating on the exploited masses.  This spike of revolutionary energy is a consequence of the regime lurched to primitive politics, the dismemberment of the country based on tribal revanchism, and the proclivity for systemic looting. They coincide with the building of consciousness by the forces of social justice against the trashy contraption, which parades itself as a government. 

CBL Governor Designate J. Aloysius Tarlue (L), and CBS Governor Kelfala Kallon

Liberia vs. Sierra Leone: Microscoping CBL Governor designate J. Aloysius Tarlue and CBS Governor Kelfala Kallon - An Unmatched Comparison 
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The most suitable mechanic or technician is needed right now to turn Liberia’s economy around, and not someone whose background is predominantly in politics and public administration. Does Tarlue understand the complexities of the Liberian economy? The CDC-led government cannot continue guessing and playing gamble based on political patronage and convenience... The Liberian economy is enduring its toughest time as a result of high inflation, high unemployment, and zero growth (stagflation). The economy has been unable to cushion shocks, especially exogenous because it is largely import-based. The Liberian markets are overly dependent on imports. Foreign currencies are being lost as a result of this dependency. These losses remain a threat to Liberia’s economy and sovereignty. Can J. Aloysius Tarlue remedy the prevailing crisis? Does he have the requisite tools to ignite recovery, stability, and sustained growth? In my opinion, Tarlue is not the best mechanic to repair Liberia’s collapsing economy because his background focuses more on politics and governance, and not economics and finance/accounting.

Bill would grant some Liberians permanent status and path to citizenship - MPRNEWS
A new bill expected to pass the U.S. Senate Monday would give some Liberian immigrants in Minnesota and across the country permanent residency and a path to citizenship. Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders would be eligible to apply for permanent status under a provision in the widely supported National Defense Authorization Act.

Senator Varney Sherman

We Refuse to Accept Second Class Citizenship In the Country of Our Birth
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
Senator Varney G. Sherman gave Liberians in the Diaspora hope with his double messaging - saying one thing and meaning a totally different thing. For example, during the kicked off the debate on the Act which called for Amendment in the Alien and Nationality Law, and Dual Citizenship, Senator Sherman, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, described the laws as “inhumane, cruel and is contrary to the new terms of nationality concepts and practices.”

Review Of Dr. Ben-Meir's Development Model As Viewed In Tandem With Morocco's Framework Of Reform
Foremost to acknowledge is to read the thirty-page development model as an analysis of potential implementation strategy where governmental framework designations remain in script. Given Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir's scope, having arrived in Morocco many years earlier, and followed by top-tier academic, managerial, and educational positions, each covering the vast range of collecting, interpreting, and sharing of his first-hand Moroccan experience, the model is not only rich in hindsight but also urgent in foresight.

Liberia to Host Miss Africa 2020 Beauty Pageant
In an effort to expand the tourism sector, the continentally acclaimed 2020 Miss Africa beauty the pageant is scheduled to be officially hosted in Liberia on 30 May 2020, the first time such event will be taking place in the country. Queens from fifty-three (53) African countries are expected to descend on Monrovia in May 2020 to join their Liberian counterpart in competing for the prestigious Miss Africa crown. The contestants will display beauty, cultures, and intellects. The competition is expected to produce a queen, who will be the ultimate winner of the pageant, followed by the "first and second princesses". 

Ending US-Iran Impasse Rests Only On Face-to-Face Negotiations
By Dr. Meir Ben-Alon
Even a cursory review of the turmoil sweeping the Middle East points to Iran as one of the main culprits behind most of the conflicts that have and continue to destabilize the region. We find Iran directly involved in the civil war in Yemen, it equips and supports Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it exerts huge political influence in Iraq, significantly contributing to the unrest in that country. Moreover, Iran maintains a strong military presence in Syria, opening a third front to threaten Israel, and it is beefing up Hamas’s arsenals and defenses against the Jewish state. Finally, Iran enlists, finances, and trains militias and an array of jihadist and terrorist organizations to do its bidding on all fronts.

Disclose Liberia Revenue And Bank Balances Of State-Owned Entities - (Part II Of "Count The Liberian Banknotes And Reform Our Economy)
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Disclose bank balances of state-owned entities: President George Weah government should not only count Liberian currency and investigate large withdrawals of banknotes in 2018 and 2019. Also, his Administration should disclose cash balances of state-owned entities (LEC, NPA, LPRC, NASSCORP, Maritime, etc. For example, his government should verify why cash balance owned by state-owned entities at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) decreased to L$6.7 million in 2018 from L$1.5 billion in 2017 as per page # 65 of the CBL 2018 Audited Financial statements.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe President of the LNBA

The LNBA President’s Annual Report, 2019
Delivered by Tiawan Saye Gongloe
We have congregated at the annual convention of our association to take stock of our activities throughout the year. The purpose of our national convention is to strengthen our knowledge in the law through continuing legal education classes and reflect on organizational matters, in order to develop new ideas for making improvement in the practice of our profession. These activities are necessary, for us as a professional body, to remain relevant in leading our country in sustaining peace and attaining progress and prosperity through adherence to the rule of law. Since the last convention we have lost some of our members through the cruel hands of death.

Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson President, University of Liberia

The University of Liberia en route to Renaissance under Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson, Jr.
By Martin K. N. Kollie
About a day ago, the 15th President of the University of Liberia was inaugurated in a historic ceremony held at the Fendall Campus. Dr. Julius Julukon Sarwolo Nelson seems ready to efficaciously pilot this flight. As I sat keenly listening to Dr. Nelson outlining a number of reforms his administration is prepared to undertake, his power-packed inaugural address reawakened lost hope. His speech aroused resounding claps and cheers at different intervals. The tasks ahead are herculean but Dr. Nelson has promised to confront them through real vision and concrete action. Is UL en route to Renaissance? Liberia’s foremost and premier center of higher learning is still struggling in this subregion after 157 years of existence. It has been an insatiable craving for RENAISSANCE since 1862 but this golden moment is yet to come.

The Yazidis’ Crisis Continues to Unfold — Ending It Is a Moral Imperative
By Dr. Meir Ben-Alon
The genocide of the Yazidis in northern Iraq’s Sinjar District will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the rise and “fall” of ISIS. It is hard to fathom the pain, suffering, and losses the Yazidis have endured. Five years after the genocide, the community remains shattered and deserted. Most of its homes and farmland were destroyed. The number of boys and men who were summarily slaughtered is estimated at 7,000 to 10,000, and nearly 400,000 Yazidis continue to languish in camps. Thousands, including women and children, suffer from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Thousands of women were raped, many repeatedly, while thousands of others were sold as sex slaves. The many thousands who have been injured are still in desperate need of medical treatment. Alas, there seems to be no end in sight to the Yazidis’ unfolding crisis, as they are now living in extreme anxiety and fear, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.

Passing on the corruption legacy

Excavating The Mummies: A Historical Trace Of Wanton Misrules – Regime After Regime
By Mulbah Kesselly
The first-rate Liberian adage “cow poop,” which explicitly paints the dryness of the outer part of a cow’s feces whilst the innermost is drenched, consummates the innate psyche of the former slaves that were repatriated from slavery by their captors to experiment the black man’s ability with self-government in his homeland. These formerly repressed, oppressed, and well-nigh worn-out Africans were unable to break the umbilical cord from their slave masters, even though they had been set freed and brought back to the lands from whence they were exported as the most profitable goods of the day. They founded a republic in Africa with their backs turned against their brothers and sisters (native Liberians), considering the natives as less intelligent cannibals, unsophisticated brutes and cursed children of the devil; and, sadly, their faces were focused primarily on the United States of America.

President George M. Weah on Inauguration Day

Economic Paralysis vs. Resignation Wahala – Is CDC Cracking?
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Neatly dressed in his white pro-poor gown, President George M. Weah marched to the podium to be sworn in as Africa’s first footballing Head of State on January 22, 2018. Greeted by a jam-packed stadium, he was not cheered this time around for scoring a goal as a Soccer Legend, but was cheered after taking the oath of office “to preserve and defend the Constitution of Liberia and faithfully execute the law”.

Cultivating Digital Consciousness, Acceptability and Affordability – A National Imperative. November 2019
By Jay Brown
This is something that is physical but without intrinsic value (unlike gold, silver, etc.) that governments/sovereigns establish as money. For convenience, it can be defined as “paper money” although sometimes the material is at least not entirely, paper. Said money, because it does not have value within itself, is used because government declares it as money- so it is backed by the faith in the Government. Digital Currency: Unlike the fiat currency which has physical existence, digital currency (digital money, electronic money/e-money or electronic currency) exists in electronic form – it exists on computers, phones, and other gadgets. A very good example is Mobile Money! Digital currencies are normally denominated in legal tender. For instance, I can have $1,000.00 (USD/LRD) on my mobile money account. The exchange between most digital currencies and fiat currency is very frequent.

Understanding the role of Government in Market-based economies while debating the causes of Liberia’s recession
By John Solunta Smith, Jr.
In this first piece, I have decided to remind contributors to Liberia’s development debate from social media to blogs about the role of Government in Market-based Economies such as the Liberia Economy.  This piece will be followed by attempts to answer questions such as, what has gone wrong with our economy and why? Secondly, what is our understanding of the current proposal before the Legislature about the printing of New Currency? What are the expected short and long-runs impacts on the Liberian Economy? I will offer recommendations and suggest a way forward in every piece.  

GOL’s Message to the Blind and Others With Disabilities in Liberia
By Dr. Sakui W. G. Malakpa
Apart from being a founding member of both the United Nations and the African Union (formerly the OAU), Liberia is a signatory to a variety of international conventions relative to gender equality and human rights. Regarding people with disabilities, Liberia was applauded eight years ago when she ratified The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first human rights treaty negotiated by the United Nations in the 21st century. Liberia also signed the optional protocols of the Convention.

Liberian Currency

Count The Liberian Banknotes And Reform Our Economy - PART I
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Has the President of the Republic of Liberia, Mr. George Weah addressed some of the discrepancies reported by the Kroll Investigating Team? The Kroll Investigating Team hired to audit the L$15B saga, as per the February 2019 report, stated that “…certain information provided by the CBL…contained inaccuracies and was incomplete…” Also, Kroll stated that it “…has identified discrepancies at every stage…such as “…the movement of funds within and out of the CBL’s vaults.” It recommended that the Liberian government should reform the managerial and its accounting system of the Central Bank of Liberia. In my view, President Weah has performed the easy task by appointing Mr. Jolue Aloysius Tarlue as the Executive Governor-designate of the Central Bank of Liberia and constituted the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Liberia. Additionally, he and the Liberian Lawmakers should institute measures to address the controversy of the banknotes, the rapid depreciation of our currency, and other budgetary issues.

Former President Sirleaf and her V.P. Joe Boakai (Not on speaking terms)

President Sirleaf is Determined to Weaken UP, CPP to Make Cummings President at all Costs – Says UP, COP Youth Leader
By Ben B. Togbah, Jr.
The relationship between Ellen and the incompetent [man] she made President is rapidly fallen apart. She has started fetching out whom to work with. The information has it that she is currently throwing her political weight behind the inexperienced and power-greed Alexander Cummings in an attempt to again control the next ruling establishment of the CPP, if possible. Although you didn't inform us openly, Amb Boakai, we're aware of the planned reconciliation between you and Madam Sirleaf which we believe is not healthy for your political sojourn.

To Fight Corruption, Former President Sirleaf & UP Officials Must be Investigated
By J. Yanqui Zaza
I am sure many Liberians are pleased and do welcome the patriotic, honorable and peace and unity statement made by Dr. Joseph Nyemah Boakai, former presidential candidate and former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. Dr. Boakai has recommended to the members and officers of the former ruling Party (Unity Party) to forgive and unite for the good of the country. 

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Liberia’s Economic Problems: Longstanding and Widespread Poverty, Unbearably High Foreign Exchange Rate
A Report published by the Liberian Economy Group (LEG)
As the challenges of the Liberian economy and the sufferings of the Liberian people intensify, The Perspective welcomes the following paper, put together by Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh and his group, with the hope that it would encourage increased interests in the discussions and writings on the issues confronting the Liberian economy. Obviously, one paper or a position from one group of economists may not represent a consensus of the views of the majority of the Liberian economists and policy researchers on the causes and solutions to Liberia’s current economic and social problems. Notwithstanding, the paper raises alarm and draws attention to some of Liberia’s major problems: culture, infrastructure, and poverty. It certainly does not provide a silver bullet to address all of Liberia’s current economic problems. Nevertheless, we at The Perspective encourage all Liberian economists, researchers, policy enthusiasts, ordinary Liberians, etc. to give more attention to Liberia’s challenges by contributing to the discussions and writings on the economy to move the country forward. Please read the statement from LEG and join the debate.

Can The New Government Change Kosovo’s Fortunes?
By Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra
There is a new political day dawning in Kosovo—the newest, but a troubled country in Europe. The last 20 years were marred by bad governance, high unemployment, and pervasive corruption in and outside the government. Those who once bravely fought for the country’s freedom failed to secure a functioning democracy able to responsibly address the public’s aspirations. In his first trip to Kosovo after the end of the 1999 war between Kosovo and Serbia, US President Bill Clinton told the Kosovo Albanian crowd greeting him, “We won the war. But listen: Only you can win the peace. The time for fighting is passed.”

Gbanepea Gold Mine Photo: courtesy of Daily Observer

Artisanal Mining:  effects on Peace, Economy, Environment and Human Security
By: Jimmy Suah Shilue
Natural resources can be a blessing when used wisely and efficiently to address the needs of people and countries in which they are found. However, poor and mismanagement of natural resources is becoming a leitmotif thus giving currency to the term ‘Resource Curse’. It is a term that describes how, on average, countries with large endowments of natural resources tend to perform worse than countries that may be less well endowed. Liberia is endowed with natural resources, including iron ore, gold, timber, diamonds, natural rubber, and vast agriculture land for ensuring food security, yet the country resources are not positively transforming the lives of Liberians but only enriching few while vast majority of Liberians live in abject poverty.

West Africa Integration & Security Cooperation
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé, PhD
As West Africa moves towards regional economic integration, it becomes imperative that it pays attention to transnational security threats. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) follows a roadmap for cooperation in areas from agriculture to currency, but its security infrastructure has not evolved at that same pace and maybe its weakest link.

Liberian Legislators  Seek To Deny Diaspora Liberians the Right To Serve Their Country --As Dual Citizenship Debate Continues
By Francis K. Zazay
It is often said that history should be a source of wisdom, for the mere sake of making an informed decision, as is expected of wise leaders.  At the same time, however, nobody gives what they do not have, including ethical standards and sound judgment. No sooner, therefore, did I conclude reading the hate article about the Legislature’s passage of a Dual Citizenship proposition when I realized it represents an element that confirms the level of attrition meted out against returning Liberians and one that is also replete with discrimination. One is therefore left to wonder, as to how could it be that the Legislature could reach a decision on such a critical issue as the “Dual Citizenship Proposition” in such a short time as if it was making a breakfast decision!

What If They Didn’t Have Liberia In Their Heart?
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The offices of just seven (7) public officials are receiving over US$7.7 million (L$1.6 billion) from the national cake in 12 months. Should we give their offices this much? They are becoming overnight millionaires as a result of leeching on Liberia’s scarce resources. What do our people get or have to show for voting them? Liberians remain the poorest of the poor because their leaders are overly GREEDY and CORRUPT. I became perturbed beyond limit while driving through West Point on Saturday evening. Our people are really catching hard time. It is rough and tough. They are in a ‘Catch 22’ situation.

For peacefully appealing to the government to pay their teachers, these teenage students were tear-gassed, beaten and the bodies of some students gouged by the ruthless Liberian police. Don’t they have children?

The Dilemma: Unchecked Student Demonstration or Violent Police Check
By Theodore Hodge
Over the last couple of days, the Internet, at least the Liberian version of it, has been flooded with news about student demonstrations in Monrovia. There are various reports and punditry describing the police as “brutal” in its attempt to quell or contain the crises. It seems to be an open and shut case that the police over-reacted in its use of violence against the kids.

The Perspective Condemns the Unprovoked Police Brutalities Administered to Aggrieved Teenage Students of (MCSS)
On Tuesday, people in the Diaspora were awakened by chants from teenage students of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS).  They chanted: “We want take test.”  “You paid the Zogoes, pay the teachers.”  The Zogoes are said to be the unfortunate people who cannot make ends meet and as a result, they revert to criminal activities in the city. The information reaching us, the students indicates that President Forky Klon Weah and his Government paid the Zogoes L$5,000 (Liberian dollars) each on the Liberian Flag Day. The teachers of the school system have decided to lay down their chalks because as the saying goes, an “empty bag cannot stand.”  In other words, for the past three to four months the teachers have not gotten paid.

Illusions like fads are short-lived the Liberian masses in action
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
As one keen observer stated, footballers are the modern equivalents of the gladiators of antiquity. Like the gladiators they entertain people — that helps to ease out stress and distress. In this craft—most often—lumpen elements are the ones who permanently find solace in venturing into it to attain material salvation.

Washington DC, January 10, 2016. Kurds demonstrate against Turkey in front of the White House. Photo: Susan Melkisethian

An Act Of Betrayal And Infamy
Trump’s decision to withdraw American forces from Syria may well be remembered as one of the most egregious and inhuman disasters that he has ever taken since he came to power. For a President of the United States to make such a critical decision with so many implications, simply based on a conversation with Turkish President Erdogan, not only shows his shortsightedness and total lack of strategic approach, but his inability to appreciate how that will adversely affect our friends and please our foes. We are already witnessing the unfolding disaster, and there are no words to explain how and by what logic the President of the United States, in particular, can take such critical steps, knowing how disastrous the repercussions of his actions would be.

“For Us, We Shall Speak The Truth, If Bullets To Our Breasts”, Says Roland Tombekai Dempster
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
Today in Liberia, there are individuals who see no fault in the present leadership; instead, they shower praises on them; tell them what they want to hear, and care nothing about the poor citizens that cannot afford a cup of rice. These individuals are nothing but ‘dishonest hypocrites.’ Yet, they call themselves ADVISORS. You see, good friends are those who tell you the truth because they do not want to see you hurt now and in the long run. Remember, those who bring you lies also carry lies.

"Ex-rebel Gen. Power (a.k.a. Augustine Nagbe) leads riot police and government sympathizers to rescue Freedom FM, following the shutdown of Roots FM." - Courtesy of Daily Observer

The Vicious Attack on Roots FM is Autocratic and it reechoes ‘The Reign of Terror’ under a newborn Dictator
By Martin K. N. Kollie
With grave urgency and concern, we vehemently condemn President George M. Weah and his Government for violently attacking ROOTS FM 102.7 – a critical radio station owned and operated by popular and vocal talk-show host Henry P. Costa. The unprovoked action by this government to forcibly enter and illegally shut down Roots FM is not only autocratic and undemocratic but it reechoes ‘The Reign of Terror’ in Liberia.

We don’t oppose the people of the South-east- but Weah, Tweah, Chie and Chambers
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
The Fatherland is in grave danger! But the Liberian masses, even on the cusp of extinction, have asked the following questions: what sin have we committed to be treated to such wretched existence; how many more lives will we lose; how many more of our vanguard forces will be tortured through blacklisting; having we had enough from this rotten order bereft of progressive tendencies?

ANC Decries Illegal the Closure Roots FM
The Alternative National Congress (ANC) strongly condemns the invasion, break-in, illegal confiscation of the equipment, and arbitrary closure of Roots FM. ANC emphasizes that the illegal confiscation of Roots FM equipment and its closure violate Article 20 of the Liberian Constitution which says that “no person shall be deprived of …property ...except as the outcome of a hearing judgement consistent with…and in accordance with due process of law…”

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe

The Role of the Media in the Sustenance of the Liberian Democracy
A Keynote Address Delivered By Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe
For this great evening, climaxing three days of hard work, you have asked me to speak to you on the topic: The Role of the Media in The Sustenance of the Liberian Democracy.  In order to deal with this topic with some degree of clarity,  I must first begin by raising the issue of whether or not the Liberian media has a role to play in the sustenance of the Liberian democracy. My answer to this question is a resounding yes. The question that logically follows this answer is what is or should be the role of the Liberian media in the sustenance of democracy in Liberia. My short answer is to report the truth and to place the interest of Liberia first in the performance of their duties in information gathering, analysis and dissemination, even if bullet is placed to their breasts. These are my brief and honest answers to the questions imbedded in the topic I was asked to speak on tonight.

CBL Governor Nathaniel Patray

Ecowas Single Currency: Ghana’s Interest Payment Eats Up 24% Of Its Cash
By J. Yanqui Zaza
As the year 2020 comes closer for the fifteen-countries of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) to form a single currency (ECO), proponents and pessimists are expressing their views. For Liberians, I have yet to read any serious debate. Or if they are debating ECO, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), our monetary institution, has limited information. On page # 70 of CBL 2018 Annual Report, officials stated that “…the bank remains committed to the full implementation of the ECOWAS Single Currency Roadmap.” What would be the exchange rate between the Liberian currency and ECOWAS single currency, for example?

Israel’s Fractured Democracy And Its Repercussions
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Israel is a democracy and like most parliamentary democracies, the party that wins a plurality of the vote typically ends up forming the government, asking a few of the smaller parties to join a coalition government if they have not received an outright majority. Relative to most parliamentary (particularly West European) democracies, Israel has a larger number of parties which has only grown over the years, each vying for the biggest representation in the Israeli parliament.

Extradition Bill Protestors in Hong Kong

The Roots of Hong Kong’s Crisis
Hong Kong, the pearl of the East, yet lives in such a turmoil.  The ongoing political crisis and massive protests have drawn a large amount of international concern and attention.  There are multiple explanations of what has happened in Hong Kong.  Some may say it is for a “wider demands for democratic reform."   On the mainland side, some may argue, "The demonstrations in Hong Kong are not about rights or democracy. They are a result of foreign interference."

Empowerment: A Solution for Inequality in Rural Morocco
A poor self-image can influence one’s outlook on life, and potentially prevent one from realizing and achieving one’s interests. However, as a result of circumstance, the perception that these women and girls in the Agerzrane village hold within themselves is not unreasonable nor unfathomable.

President George Weah

At the UN, President Weah Leaves the War and Economic Crimes Court Issues Hanging in a Balance
Considering the importance of this matter, I have already begun consultations with our National Legislature – the representatives of our people - and we intend to have a broader  engagement  with  the  Liberia  Judicial  System,  and  with  our  strategic International Partners and Organizations, in order to determine pertinent issues such as legal framework, timing, venue, and funding, among others... It is my hope that at the end of this consultative process, a National Consensus will evolve, that will determine the pathway to resolving this issue. I, therefore, ask for your unflinching support, as we embark upon this important national endeavor.

Blunder, Blame-game, Cliché, and Missed Opportunity – A Critique of President George M. Weah’s UNGA Speech
By Martin K. N. Kollie
As a matter of routine and statute, the UN General Assembly meets annually in regular session which often begins on the Tuesday of the third week in September. The 74th Regular Session started on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, and has since brought together Heads of States and renowned Diplomats from 193 countries. More than 90 Heads of States are attending this year’s UNGA. Twenty (20) Speakers took the stage for the morning session on Tuesday.

Climate Change: A Worldwide Catastrophe In The Making
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
I could not possibly applaud enough the young men and women who flooded the streets in hundreds of cities around the world demanding from their government to take immediate and long-term action to combat climate change. By the same token, I could not condemn and denounce more vehemently Mr. Trump and many of his ilk, like Bolsonaro of Brazil, for their criminal disregard of the catastrophic peril that climate change represents. By denying the threat that climate change poses and its devastating harm to countless living creatures, they are systematically undermining any chance we still have of avoiding a terrible catastrophe, including a mass extinction of species the likes of which the modern world has never seen.

Passing on the corruption legacy

Liberia: Withdrawal Bombshell or Soft Landing
By Francis Nyepon
President George Manneh Weah could experience a humiliating, embarrassing and crushing defeat in 2023 due to his epic disappointment as President of Liberia.  Since becoming President almost two years ago, George Weah has dashed the hopes and aspirations of millions of Liberia’s majority youthful population. Under his Presidency, Liberia has overwhelmingly become toxic, besieged by corruption, mismanagement, hyper-partisanship, and brazen inability of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Government to formulate and implement viable market liberalization policies to propel growth, boost employment and fuel transformation.

Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Did Former President Sirleaf Save Liberia’s “Rainy-Day-Cash” Of $165m?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
It is healthy for Liberians to debate the idea to print L$34B new banknotes for the country. Equally too, it would be a good idea if we discuss Liberia’s cash position and how the authorities calculated it. So, was the country bankrupt at December 31, 2017 or did former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration save US $165M? If yes, did the government improve its cash deficit of US $260M in 2016 to a cash surplus of US $165M in 2017, if the June 19, 2019 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report is correct? IMF reported in June 2019 that Liberia used cash of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) to pay its bills.

Reject and Withdraw the Irregular and Illegal LTA Protectionist and the State Captured Floor Price and the Unwarranted GoL 5% Regulatory Levy Fee of the MNOs
...the Government of Liberia (GoL) should divest itself and privatize LIBTELCO, effective immediately, to desist from the financing of the entity that is potentially lucrative and self-reliant as private-sector administered. Both the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), recommended same in the revised draft and blueprint of the 2007 National Telecommunications Act, which created the LTA and diversified the Liberia telecoms and the infocoms sector... The propitious GoL divestiture project of the LIBTELCO was rejected by the plutocrat and nepotist Ellen John-Sirleaf in favor of her godson, a certain Benjamin WOLO to manage the ancient and deteriorating state enterprise in the fashion of a State Capture!

Cllr. Jerome J. Verdier, Sr.

Liberia: A Gangsters’ Paradise
“The culture of impunity has emboldened criminals in government and in the corridors of power to new heights of violence and crime, fully aware that they will not face justice anytime soon under the Weah regime because the perverse President of Liberia champions impunity, supports injustice and will not bring his henchmen to justice…” Cllr Jerome J. Verdier, Sr (Cllr), Executive Director, IJG

The Invisible Reality of the Liberian Presidency: Why a One-Time Presidential Tenure Will Be a Game Changer in the Body Politics of Liberia?
By Jerry Beyan Tarbolo, Jr & Joseph Jimmy Sankaituah
Liberia has experienced its fair share of overrated politics of deceit due to self-interest in the desperation of retaining political power and influence. The political system, especially the two-term presidential tenure of six years continues to reinforce such growing self-interest as the result of elected Presidents making frantic efforts to complete their ambitious plans that get abandoned by their successors - case in point, Vision 2024: Taylor, Vision 2030: Ellen, and Pro-poor agenda: Weah.

Hanging on Thin Rope, No Hope for Civil Servants: Salary Harmonization or Salary Cut?
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The new ruling class was overwhelmingly voted for by civil servants in December 2017. Their ‘Change for Hope’ slogan became so popular and enchanting among members of the working poor of Liberia. After just 18 months, this ‘Change for Hope’ mantra has completely lost essence as the hope of about 70,000 civil servants hangs on a thin rope.

In Morocco, difference is a strength
By Caroline Kirk
Morocco's belief in the strength of pluralism has energized me and shown me that difference can serve as a strength for any country, whether it is religious or secular, large or small, developed or developing.

Toward A Better Liberian Judiciary
By TQ Harris
Weaknesses within the Legislative and Executive branches of Government are often discussed extensively and have been well documented. But what about the Judiciary? How has it contributed to Liberia's backwardness, underdevelopment, and lack of progress? With constant criticism of the Judiciary coming from within and outside, it is fair to say that this branch of Government is also weak and problematic.

Is This The Flag I know? In commemoration of Flag Day, Saturday, August 24, 2019
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Waving high above Africa was this flag I know. A flag of symbolic pride. The cradle of hope and heroism. A valuable treasury of common purpose. An impetus of valor. The only flag Africa and Africans knew. It was indeed a continental insignia. Is This The Flag I Know?

FDA Managing Director C. Mike Doryen

Escorting C. Mike Doryen To Be Disrobed As MD of FDA Under The Sycamore Tree – The Urgency For Zaccheaus (George Weah) To Act
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Weeping from the Sarpo National Park and the Gola National Forest, voices of protest have become even louder against the Managing Director of FDA, C Mike Doryen, a pro-Weah publicist who is far less of an apprentice in Forestry and National Resource Management. This henchman of footballing president George M. Weah appears to have no clue in managing, using, conserving, and repairing Liberia’s 4.2 million hectares of forestland which constitutes 43.3 percent of our overall land area.

Liberia is on the Edge as the Reign of Terror Looms
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
It is obvious that the wave of violence looming everywhere in Monrovia is the handiwork of the ruling party’s enthusiasts who were inspired by the erratic behavior and inflammatory rhetoric of President Weah. With the fulsome backing of the security apparatuses, the thugs are unwavering. They are not deterred but more than stimulated to cause more bodily harms and damages to properties and lives of leaders and supporters of the opposition political parties, social activists, critical journalists, etc. The ruling party politically dominated Montserrado County for almost 15years.

Weah Continuing the Practice of Unlimited Use of Presidential Power
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
When a political party becomes exclusively controlled by the President and his partisan gatekeepers and friends, it spells disaster. Like previous presidents before Weah, he too is taking control of the party as his personal property. This practice is not new in Liberian politics. Those of us who were teenagers in the 60s experienced such an ugly history. During this period, our parents and relatives used to advise us to “Leave the people’s thing alone”, meaning we should mind our business and not get involved in politics – or express our views about what was going on in the society

Bread and Butter Strike at Tubman University
Employees, including faculty members of the William V. S. Tubman University in Harper, Maryland County, have been on an indefinite strike over the past 72 hours – security personnel, as well as the staff of the university’s clinic, are urged to join the strike action. In a written statement read by one Francis Fukah and submitted to the administration of the university, the employees have outlined a number of grievances, including payment of salary arrears, reimbursement of money deducted (3.5%, 5.0%,7.5% and 10.0% respectively) from their salaries during the past fiscal year, among other grievances.  In a word, the striking employees of the university are demanding status quo ante.

Passing on the corruption legacy

Liberia’s Cash Shortfall $355m: Number Game By Presidents Sirleaf & Weah
By J. Yanqui Zaza
The May 16, 2019 Report of the International Monetary Fund Country # 19/169 stated that Central Bank of Liberia’s claims in US currency on Liberia has increased to US $355M in 2018 from US $260M in 2016. This is part of the reason why President George Weah Administration is finding it difficult to pay bills, pay for fuel oil for government offices, clinics, etc.? Is the cash shortfall due to corruption? Or, did government overestimate revenue projection, and cannot print new banknotes and/or get cash from the sales of bonds? Or, is Liberia cash trapped because of the “deceptive” economic arrangements?” For this article, let us review the use of “deception” and the “number game.”

Congress Women Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar

The Disgraceful President And The Contemptible Prime Minister
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Much has been said and written about Trump’s disgraceful pointed “advice” to Prime Minister Netanyahu not to allow two duly elected Muslim Democrat congresswomen, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, to enter Israel. Netanyahu, like a poodle, simply obeys his master’s command without as much as giving it a second thought, while ignoring the far-reaching implications of his egregious act. For whatever it’s worth, let me add my voice.

Weah’s Decaying Hegemony Drowns in Patronage– Triggering an Advanced Bullet to Warn Managing Director C Mike Doryen of FDA – Part 1
By Martin K. N. Kolie
Glancing through my window with watering eyes in 2017, I witnessed our democracy giving birth to a premature offspring (CDC government) that was poised to gatecrash our collective future and destiny. Before such a nightmare could becloud our nation, I advised two reasonable options for consideration which could have possibly prevented the delivery of this premature progeny (CDC government):

Graft fears as Liberia civil servants go unpaid - Yahoo News
Monrovia (AFP) - More than 15,000 Liberian civil servants have not been paid for months, government and judicial sources said Wednesday, reinforcing concerns over graft and economic mismanagement under President George Weah... Former footballer Weah, elected last year, has come under fire for alleged corruption as well as spiralling inflation in the West African state still emerging from two civil wars.

(From left to right) Varney Sherman, Musa Dean & Cyrenius Cephus

LIBERIA: TIT FOR TAT – Corruption, Impunity, and Perversion of Justice – Sable Mining Bribery Case
A Press Release Issued By: International Justice Group
The IJG statement said the Justice advocacy group has reliably unearthed that the presiding Judge in the Sable Mining case, His Honor Judge Peter Gbenewelee, the prosecution team headed by the Honorable Justice Minister, Cllr F. Musah Dean, Solicitor General, Cllr Cyrenius Cephas, County Attorney, Cllr Edward Martin and the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Honorable Nathaniel McGill constituted themselves into a criminal syndicate to pervert justice in order that  Cllr Varney Sherman be let off the hook and set free by minimizing evidence, executive coercion, diminution of records and other artifices to guarantee the acquittal of Cllr Varney Sherman on all charges. To ensure this, without let, His Honor Justice Nagbe posited himself in court at the acquittal verdict to demonstrate solidarity with the scheme in a pledge of loyalty to the Chief Executive.

CBL Governor Nathaniel Patray

L$ Exchange Rate: No More Use Of Cash, But A Liberian Stock Market
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Liberia, from now on, will tweak the interest rate and improve Liberia’s exchange rate without using government money to buy back the excess Liberian banknotes, according to the July 19, 2019, Central Bank Economic Policy Statement. The 7/23/2019 Daily Observer article also quoted the Executive Governor of the CBL, Nathaniel Patray, who stated that CBL will start using INTEREST RATE, stop borrowings from Liberia’s “Rainy-Day-Money,” which is low, and develop financial markets,” (i.e., clearinghouse/financial platform) where investors can buy and sell securities.

The Pro-Poor Economy means Poverty for the Liberian People!
By Ernest S. Barkpalah
The question of the state of the pro-poor economy is now acquiring specific importance both in theory and reality due to the extreme hardship in the country. The increase in fiscal and monetary sluggishness have immensely intensified a decade of strangulation and economic contraction, thereby creating a precarious situation for the ordinary citizens who are the most vulnerable.  The awful strangulation of the working poor and vast sections of the unemployed people as a result of official corruption and economic mismanagement by the CDC ruling clique has added distress for the already poverty-stricken masses.

Are  Liberians  Really Ignorant of  History Or  Merely  Indifferent to the Lessons of Liberia’s Past?
By Edmund Zar-Zar  Bargblor
History, according to Robert Penn Warren (a poet, novelist, and literary critic), cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a full understanding of ourselves and our common humanity so that we can better face the future. Professor J. Corfield also pointed out in her article that revisiting a country’s history helps us to understand the linkages between her past and present. Understanding a nation’s history is not just ‘useful,’ it is essential (royal holloway.ac.uk). I will endeavor in this article to reflect some of the remarks made by distinguished Liberian orators, namely Madame Leymah Gbowee (2019),  Professor Didwho Twe (1944) and Professor Wilmot Blyden (1857),  respectively

‘We Liberians Are Our Own Worst Enemies’
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
Most Liberians, including me, know that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government of President George Manneh Weah inherited a government that was not only bankrupt but plagued with many socio-cultural systemic problems. We know, too, the government needed to put people in place that could credibly assist in finding workable solutions to these problems. Instead, the President kept the partisans of the outgoing Unity Party (UP) in place to serve as advisors to help with the day-to-day affairs of the government; and some of them were given key positions that they knew nothing about.

President Donald Trump

Trump’s Embrace Of White Supremacy Is Poisoning America’s Soul
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Within 13 hours, two mass shooting took place—in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio—killing 31 innocent people and injuring twice as many. We normally hear about these horrifying incidents, express sorrow and bewilderment, talk about gun control, and move on. Politicians, including Trump, dispatch their old and tired expressions of condolences and offer prayers to console the bereaved families of the victims. But then we go about our daily routine, knowing that the next mass shooting looms as if it were a natural phenomenon like a thunderstorm, in the face of which we can do nothing. And tragically, the vicious cycle continues.

Why Spend Money We Don't Have On Expensive By-Elections?
By TQ Harris
Since the reintroduction of multiparty democracy and involvement of the masses in the electoral process, Liberia has had several multiparty elections, dating back to 1985... Arguably, the election of 1997 and its attendant results was a true test of our nascent democracy. However, we survived and have gone on to hold several impressive elections over the years. At this stage, it could be said with great confidence that multiparty democracy and mass citizen participation in elections is here to stay. Now efforts to refine the process must commence.

Liberia's 172nd Independence Day Orator Leymah Gbowee photo: courtesy of FPA

“Together We Are Stronger” - Says Liberia’s 172nd Independence Day Orator Leymah Gbowee
We are at a place in our national’s life where it is very important for us to begin to speak the language of unity, this language of unity and togetherness is a language that we have used from the founding of this nation. Our national anthem propounds this message of unity, our pledge to the flag speaks of it, in our traditional and native languages we have very special ways of speaking about togetherness. The Kpelle people say “Kukatonon”, the Lorma people will say “Zeewelekeze”, every tribe in this country has a special way of speaking about togetherness... The question that kept coming to my mind is: for a nation that has so many ways of preaching togetherness and so many symbols of national unity, why do we need to focus on this now and why do we find ourselves drifting further and further away from the dreams of our founding fathers and mothers? Why has unity evaded us? Why is unity like a mist in this land, we preach it, we proclaim it but we unfortunately cannot hold on it?

Hon. Edward Boakai Dagoseh

Hon. Edward Boakai Dagoseh - My Teacher, Mentor, Employer, and Friend
A Tribute to Hon. Edward Boakai Dagoseh By Jackson Bropleh
There were graduation preparations in early 1994. While I was wondering about where to get money from for graduation, he walked up to me near the main entrance of the UL auditorium. “Bropleh, please let me see you in my office,” he said to me. I was puzzled and somewhat became apprehensive... “How did he know my name?”, I asked to myself. When I later went to his office, he asked me if I was graduating. I said I was. He then wished me good luck and handed me a small brown envelop. I walked out of his office full of gratitude. The amount he gave me took care of my entire program. This gesture of generosity made a deep positive impression on me about this remarkable Liberian.

Former President Sirleaf and her V.P. Joe Boakai (Not on speaking terms)

How We (the Unity Party partisans) lost the Elections in 2017
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
My friend-in-politics from “way back” shook my hands ten different ways before hugging me and saying, “You and your Boss gave us George Weah, now we are stranded again! You guys thought this man can run a country… Why?” We laughed. It was a joke because we had both worked for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, but once he joined the VP. Joseph N. Boakai Campaign, we lost contact and whenever I was able to reach him by phone, he would always state: “I am in a meeting, will call back.” It got to a point that one day, he told me he was in Nimba while I could clearly see him in the car in front of me, on the By-Pass. But in May 2019, long after the dust has settled on the presidential campaign, we sat under a Palava hut and shared a meal. Our break in communication inside the administration was symptomatic of what led to the loss of the 2017 elections.

Nursery at the Fes Child Protection Center (photo by Said Bennani)

Agricultural Literacy: A Solution To Youth Idleness And Unemployment
By Anya Karaman
Marrakech, Morocco: At a juvenile detention center in Fes, it feels like summer camp is all year round. There, “maximum security” is an open, white building complex, “delinquents” are watering plants and planting seeds, and the only guard insight, if you’re lucky, is a wild peacock patrolling the grounds... For many of us, the term “juvenile detention center” does not strike summertime sentiments. But in Fes, the all-boys Center for the Protection of Children deviates from the norm in more ways than one. Beyond its disarming quietude, the center distinguishes itself from most of its kind by showing how agricultural expertise can augment youth rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Ambassador Christine Elder

The US Ambassador Christine Elder’s Statement is Repugnant to the Suffering People of Liberia
Editorial
On July 18, 2019, the outgoing US ambassador to Liberia Christine Elder issued a statement, repudiating a protest march planned by the Council of Patriots (COP), an opposition group, to sensitize the Weah administration to the need to curb official corruption and gross mismanagement of our country’s scarce resources. Aimed at sensitizing the people of Liberia and international partners during the 172nd independence anniversary, the protest was slated for July 24, 2019.  Ambassador Elder vehemently stated that having a protest march on Independence Day was unpatriotic.

July 26 and the Road to National Independence
By Nyaquoi Gehgan Bowman
July 26 is observed every year as a national holiday in Liberia. It is a day set aside to commemorate Liberia’s independence. The festivities surrounding this day is dramatized by thunderous explosions of fireworks, public displayed of the national flag and donning attires that reflect national pride, etc. Though this day was officially reserved as a public holiday in 1956 with the passage of the “Patriotic and Cultural Observances Law”, Title 26,  the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes as far back as 1847, when the Colony’s Legislative Council entered into a memorandum of understanding with the American Colonization Society (ACS) for self-government. However, the hasty declaration of independence for Liberia was largely influenced by unrestrained and seemingly aggressive behaviors of the British and French pedestrians operating in the territorial borders of Liberia

Liberia Spent $600M (Sirleaf-$405m & Weah-$200M), Yet L$ Value Declines
By J. Yanqui Zaza
If the Annual Reports of 2016-2018 are correct, Liberia has, allegedly, used US $600M to fight the decline of the Liberian currency exchange rate. The payment is comprised of $381M from the 25% of remittances withheld, $105M from the sales of T-bonds and the $119M withdrawals from the “Specific Accumulated Rainy-Day Money.” Yet, the depreciation continues, and it is now L$201 to US $1, from L$62 to US $1 in 2006. The decline is due to many factors, including, but not limited to excessive borrowing by Liberian administrations, the demand to use foreign currency to pay for imported goods and services,  speculation, high-interest rate, inflation, etc., according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If Liberia produces rice, for example, merchants will use local currency to buy rice for sales, thereby, improving the value of the country’s exchange rate. 

Liberia Celebrates 172nd “Silver-Platter” Independence
By J. Patrick Flomo
After nearly two centuries of independence, our Republic is mired in a swamp of corruption, dire poverty, mediocre healthcare, 80 percent unemployment and underemployment, 60 percent illiteracy rate, people living on less than $2.00 per day, and less than 5000 miles of paved highway.  What is most astounding is the dismal economic policy, especially the monetary policy. We have a dual currency system: the US$ and the LD$.  What is most stupefying is that the Government of Liberia will not accept the currency issued by the Liberian Central Bank (authorized by the Liberian Legislature) for the transaction of business but will only accept US$.  If the government has no faith in its legal tender, what are the masses to hope for? 

Hopeful Futures: The Link Between Agriculture and Deradicalization
By Caleb Tisdale
Attracting young people to radical, extremist ideas is not hard. Just ask the ISIS recruiters behind one of the most effective propaganda presences in the world. Extremist groups are so effective at recruitment because the target audience is easily identified and appealed to those who are at the margins of society. Radical ideologies offer an alternative to social and economic conditions - high unemployment, lack of purpose, social displacement - that have left them vulnerable.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela - A Legacy of Integrity
By Joe Bartuah
Today, July 18th in South Africa and around the world, students of history, political science, social and economic justice, human rights as well as the progressive community will be commemorating the birth anniversary of a great soul who came into this world 101 years ago. Yes, on July 18, 1918 in the small village of Mvezo, the Right Honorable, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born unto a humble family in South Africa and from a very humble beginning, he rose to become a revered global icon of resistance to injustice, due to his relentless struggle for social and economic equity in his native South Africa and around the world.

Central Bank In Red ($265m). Presidents: Weah ($137m) & Sirleaf ($128m)
By J. Yanqui Zaza
President George Weah, through the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs, has submitted the 2019/2020 national budget to the Liberian Legislature and his government had also published the 2018/2019 Citizens Guide Budget, which includes $500M of Donors’ grants/loans. However, none of these two documents and/or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Report on Liberia, Country No. 18/172, provides information on how Liberia’s positive US $6M in 2006, declined to $265M negative cash position at 2018. Liberia’s cash position is negative because of withdrawals. For example, even after printing new banknotes, beginning in 2016, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Administration withdrew US $75M from accounts held in banks located outside of Liberia, as per page # 11of the 2017 CBL Financial Statements. ($211M in 2016 minus $136M in 2017).

Cummings Raises Alarm Over Second Postponement Of By-Elections; Cites Possible Cheating And Rigging Of The Elections;
Wants By-Election Held On July 8 Without Delay
The Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Mr. Alexander Cummings, has expressed concern over, and described as unacceptable, the second postponement of the by-elections for Montserrado County. Mr. Cummings fears that the delay exposes the by-elections to manipulation and creates further risks for the by-elections to be rigged by the ruling party. “This is a clever ploy by the ruling party to avoid imminent defeat on the eve of irreversible opposition victory and it is sad that the National Elections Commissions (NEC) has allowed itself to be used in these games by a dying ruling party”, Cummings said.

Open Letter To Boakai, Brumskine, Cummings and Urey
By Martin K. N. Kollie
With optimism for a new era of an egalitarian Republic and in pressing pursuit of a fresh beginning which offers genuine hope for millions of peasants who remain very vulnerable to peril and despair, I bring you patriotic greetings during such a difficult time as this when our nation is fast descending into an abyss of economic paralysis, creeping dictatorship and mass looting of public resources... The future seems scared and cloudy under footballing President George M. Weah as a result of massive leadership bankruptcy and increasing hardship. Vision is lacking – no concrete agenda – no realistic strategy – and unquenched greed to amass illicit wealth are new normal under this ruling CDC clique. The “Change for Hope” mantra is yet to offer any real hope firmly built upon those cherished democratic values of justice, equality, civil liberty and prosperity for all.

Female Genital Mutilation and the Curse of Tradition
By Aisha Dukulé
Last week, the Liberian Legislature moved to pass the Domestic Violence Bill but scrapped the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) stipulation that would have outlawed the practice...  More than 100 million girls and women are estimated to have been victims of FGM. While female genital mutilation takes different forms around the world, in Liberia it is most commonly the act of partial or complete removal of the clitoris and/or the prepuce. The practice is historically believed to ensure women’s virginity and reduction in the female’s sexual desire. 

Abraham Darius Dillon (L) & Paulita Wie

Telia Urey	Abu Kamara

Competence vs. loyalty: Who is the ideal candidate to be elected?
By Charles Russell
After the failed leadership of Senator Weah as the Senator of Montserrado County, the citizens of Montserrado County are heading once more to elect another senator to represent their interests. The people of Montserrado must take the upcoming senatorial election very seriously since it is our interests which will be at risk if the wrong candidate is elected for the second time. The campaign is on, and we all see the CDC’s candidate Paulita Wie’s campaign photo alongside that of George Weah, a man who became a disappointment to the people of Montserrado County.

High Stakes for the July 8, 2029 by-elections
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Now comes the time to evaluate the impact of June 7, 2019, on the political process. The collaborating opposition parties (ALP, ANC, LP, and UP) have put their weight behind two young candidates, Mr. A. Darius Dillon from LP running for the Senate and Ms. Telia Urey of ALP vying for the District 15 seat in the House for the upcoming by-elections in Montserrado County, the seat of the capital and considered as the fiefdom of President George Weah’s CDC. The governing CDC has fielded two candidates of its own, Mr. Abu Kamara for the House of Representatives and Ms.  Paulita Wieh for the Senate.

The campaign of slander against the Council of Patriots (COP): a childish absurdity in the service of the Weah government
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
That the EFFL was not in the forefront of the protest movement in order to increase its value on the political stock exchange and thus thrust itself into rotten and inadmissible compromises with the thoroughly discredited government,  the pressure group saw it exigent to unleash such fairy tale against the COP in order to discredit the latter before the eyes the mass of people and position themselves as the credible alternative, something which is a pipe dream, as it would take a lot to detour the Liberian people from the conscious belief that COP and the four collaborating parties are the popular alternatives to the Weah government.

The Late Rev Dr. John S. M. Russell Sunrise: August 20, 1938 Sunset: June 11, 2019

Liberian Corruption: Behold The Well Overflows
By Rev. John S. M. Russell
Editor's Note: The late Rev Dr. Joihn S. M. Russell is going home on June 29, 2019, after several years of serving the United Methodist Chuch and the people of Liberia. At The Perspective, the premier site and authoritative resource for news and analysis on Liberia, we remember Rev. Dr. Russell for, among other things, his wisdom and advice about corruption, given to the Liberian people through the August-October, 1996, Edition of The Perspective.

The Late Rev. Dr. John S. M. Russell
Funeral arrangements over the remains of our late husband, father, grandfather and Uncle Rev. Dr. John S.M. Russell a retired clergy of the United Methodist Church, Liberia Annual Conference are as following: On Friday, June 28, 2019 beginning 5:00 PM, His remains will be removed from the Samuel A. Stryker Funeral Service, Sinkor and taking to the Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church, 13th Street, Sinkor for three (3) hours of wake-keeping beginning at 6:00 PM.

Did Central Bank Spend Taxpayers’ $7m Base On Fake Loan?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
What is Liberia’s total debt?  Or what makes up Liberia’s total debt? President George Weah Administration is providing limited information on Liberia’s debt. For instance, the government has not published any data on debt to show why and how it reduced its total debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio from 35% in 2017 to 26% in 2018. (See an article called “A Rejoinder to Sam Jackson 11/06/18 Article” by J. Yanqui Zaza). This is important because Liberia might find it difficult to borrow money if it reaches the benchmark of 38% (Total Debt/GDP).Even if Liberia were to begin using more than the 38% of GDP to pay its debt, the money missing stories will continue to overshadow Liberia’s debt burden.

Dialogue and Resistance: the aftermath of June 7
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Saying that it was a public relations disaster for the Weah administration would be an understatement. Nobody wants to be in the same category as the last batch of autocratic regimes on the continent. But that is what the administration did by shutting down the Internet. In these days and age, no democratic government tempers with the Internet. That simple action has put the Weah administration among those regimes considered as “undemocratic.” It reminds Liberians of the Doe and Taylor eras.

Resistance 10 - George Weah Calls for a roundtable on the economy: an infantile hot air beyond absurdity
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii & Moses Uneh Yahmia
It has become a pungent phenomenon in the history of humanity that discredited regimes faced with the heroic defiance of a mobilized people against all the filths and dirty tricks  of the establishment, fearing that playing hardball would lead to its decisive crushing under the revolutionary weight of the enraged masses, agents of such bankrupt order would collapse into political posturing and  dangle before the people a call for unity and dialogue—an inglorious pretext meant to save the neck of the regime from the noose in order to continue the spree of social domination.

Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir

Modernity and Civilization Offer No Shield Against Future Genocide
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
The phenomenon of genocide has baffled historians for many generations. The question that has been and continues to be asked is what goes through the minds of leaders, however despotic and ruthless, to conclude that committing genocide against their real or perceived enemies will provide them with the salvation that only the extermination of other people would bring? And what does that say about us as human beings, who have failed to adopt “never again”, sworn to in the wake of World War II, as the mantra to guide us in preventing the occurrences of genocides?

Executive Directors - IMF

The Position of the Liberian Economy Is Miserable  - IMF Cautions Government to Mobilize Domestic Revenue and Rationalize Spending - IMF
Directors emphasized that significant fiscal adjustment is needed going forward. They underscored that efforts should focus on mobilizing domestic revenue and rationalizing spending, especially the wage bill, while securing needed space for social and capital spending. Directors encouraged the authorities to formulate realistic budgets and to implement a sound borrowing plan that ensures debt sustainability, while advocating caution in engaging in non-concessional borrowing. They also called for further progress in public financial management reforms to improve the quality of spending in a resource-constrained environment.

No to the hypocrisy of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)!
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Following the success of day 1 of the protest action held by the Council of Patriots (COP), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) released a statement in Monrovia, frowning on the Council of Patriots (COP) for refusing to submit its petition to the government of Liberia, even in the face of the breach of the agreement by the GOL that the Vice President of Liberia in Jewel Howard Taylor would descend on the grounds of the protest to receive the petition from the COP and present it to George Weah for review by cabinet and subsequent presidential actions—at least that was the assurance the GOL treated the protest movement to.

It Will Take A Lot Of Endurance To Effect Change In Liberia
By Aisha Dukulé
Around 2:00 pm on June 7, we pulled up to the Liberian embassy. There was a small crowd, of about 100 -150 people protesting, and awaiting the presence of the Ambassador George S.W. Patten. He had come out once before to address the protesters but was booed. “Shame on you.", the Diaspora protesters yelled from the sidewalks where they were kept.

SUP Decries the Arrest of Student Leaders
With just a day to the much-heralded June 7 Protest, it is an established fact that President Weah has unveiled his real self as a dictator with an iron fist. The ruthless and vicious scene yesterday on Capitol Hill is a testament of this tragic reality. Our Republic is in TROUBLE as it gradually falls flat on its belly in submission to this newborn dictator whose increasing appetite for excessive power and wealth remains unprecedented and mindboggling.

Liberia: Thousands protest price hikes and corruption– Al Jazeera
Thousands of people take to the streets of the capital Monrovia to protest against rising cost of living in the country. Thousands of demonstrators descended on Liberia's capital, Monrovia on Friday to protest against rising prices and corruption, posing a key political test for President George Weah.

Thousands descend on Liberia’s capital to protest president - Washington Post
Thousands of demonstrators descended on Liberia’s capital on Friday to protest former soccer star-turned-President George Weah and the sinking economy while critics accused the government of blocking social media. While Weah has said citizens have the constitutional right to protest, demonstrators said police were stopping participants and in some cases blocking them from accessing the gathering without their national ID cards. “George Weah has to listen to the cry of his people,” said Joseph Moore, 65, as he sang songs of inspiration to the protesters.

Hon. Pawoh Allison Tarlue Nov. 23, 1942–March 22, 2019

The Late Honorable Pawoh Allison Tarlue: A Man of Self-Confidence and Generosity
A Tribute By G. Gebrier Roberts
On March 22, 2019, Honorable Pawoh Allison Tarlue died at his home in Clemson, South Carolina, after a brief illness. He was 76.  On behalf of the Gebrier Roberts family, I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of this remarkable man. Because of the policy of the Jehovah Church of which P. Allison Tarlue was a member, the church did not return his body to the family for burial.  Instead, the family held a memorial service on May 18, 2019, at 175 Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Pawoh Allison Tarlue was born on November 23, 1942, to Madam Koilar-Jomah and Oldman Pawoh of Zuajah Town in Gbarzon, Tchien District #2, Eastern Providence.   The parents named him “Sorl” or “Rock” because of his robustness as a baby and the sturdiness he displayed as a toddler. Growing up, he was a good wrestler.

Liberia’s Supreme Court - Hands-off June 7 Protest
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Liberia is in a revolutionary gestation. The mood on the streets and the tempo of the popular classes, the attendant ambivalent and confused posture of the ruling circle, struggling to extricate itself from its own devices, but yet stewing and juicing in its own internal contradictions, the Sisyphean posture of the law enforcement apparatus, and the masses not wanting to be led in the backward way - in the way of inequality, corruption and misrule - are clear expressions of a revolutionary situation.

The Position of the LNBA on the June 7 Planned Protest
Over the past few weeks, there has been so much information in the media about the decision of some citizens of Liberia under the banner of the “Council of Patriots” to launch a public protest against the Government of Liberia because they are unhappy about the way that Liberia is being governed. The announcement by the COP has generated very heated debates over the legality and timeliness of the protest as well as its potential to undermine the gains made, thus far, in peace-building, national reconstruction, national reconciliation and the process of strengthening of our democracy.

Government’s Over bloated Wage Bill:  An Economic Quagmire and Political Dilemma
By Aloysius Juwee Morris
The Government of Liberia current wage bill stands at an approximately whooping US$327 Million, over 57% of the country’s US$570Million budget for FY2018/19. This figure represents an increase of US$31Million from FY2017/18 (Source: World Bank). It is obvious that the sudden increase came with the turnover of national leadership. This action can be defined as political patronage.

Charade in masquerade: The Follies Of The Shyster Arthur Johnson
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
The Liberian plot is in a dilemma, opening revolutionary possibilities. The homeland is in revolutionary ferment. The republic is in a revolutionary gestation. The state has been thrown into topsy-turvy. There are strains and there are crises. Strains and crises smack of disharmony and disequilibrium. It was Lenin with his sublime mastery of the dialectics who made the following observation after studying society, nature and human thought: "There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.” By his dictum, one can approvingly postulate that revolutionary periods are usually short—a time when the producing masses burst onto the scene of history and thus become ultra-energetic and active in political life. It follows that an evolutionary period always precedes revolutionary upheavals.

President Weah’s May 29, 2019, State of the Nation Address
In order to slow down or halt the depreciation of the Liberian dollar, and thereby bring some much-needed relief to the suffering of our people, my Government was advised by its Economic Management Team, in close collaboration with the Central Bank of Liberia, to make an infusion of $25 million into the economy, through the Central Bank; the purpose being to mop-up the excess liquidity of Liberian dollars.

Keeping the Legacy of Arch-Bishop Michael Kpakala Francis Alive: A call to Catholics of Liberia
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
From my recollection, the first action that he took that had a national impact was his criticism of Bishop Bennie D. Warner for accepting the position of Vice President of Liberia. He said that it was wrong for Bishop Warner to abandon his flock as a shepherd because a good shepherd does not abandon his flock. He also argued that it was unethical for Bishop Warner to serve both as a Bishop and at the same as Vice President of Liberia. This statement was made by Bishop Francis at the University of Liberia at a special intellectual discourse program organized by the University of Liberia Students Union (ULSU) following the appointment Bishop Warner as Vice President. Vice President Warner reacted by saying that Bishop Francis was a young inexperienced bishop, but said nothing regarding the substance of the critical statements made by the bishop. In his preaching, pastoral letters and public statements Arch-Bishop Michael Kpakala Francis made the position of the Catholic Church known on every wrongful action that was committed by the government against the people. He was critical of the Tolbert Government, the Doe Government, and the Taylor Government. I believe that if he had not come down with a massive stroke and subsequently died, he would have been critical of the Government of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

President Forky Klon Weah's Mansions

The June 7 Protest In Liberia Must Go On
Editorial
Weah was elected President of the nation and during the inauguration he reminded Liberians of his pledge to protect Madam Sirleaf, her family and keep her legacy on.  But before the inaugural program was over, President Weah started building 47 homes/mansion and that is in line with his pledge to keep the Ellen corruption legacy alive. His officials followed suit: they started building mansions in and around Monrovia.  In one of our Editorials, we asked as to where the moral outrage of the Liberian people was.  And now we see.

MOJA Issues Africa Day Solidarity Statement, Calls on Government to Provide Protection for June 7 Protesters
As we celebrate the 56th African Liberation Day Anniversary, we neither do so with our heads high believing that the African peoples will no longer be subjugated nor return to the dark days of colonialism. As we look back into the annals of African history, we are reminded of the days when the African continent and its peoples became victims of foreign domination and exploitation. We are reminded of how for centuries the African peoples had no say in the management of their own affairs.

Liberian Currency

The Dual Currency Trap: How can Liberia Escape the Burden of the US Dollars and Improve its Ailing Economy
By:  Joseph Jimmy Sankaituah
It has been sixteen years since the Liberian civil crisis came to an end in 2003. The motivations of the civil war itself were unproductive and created unbearable conditions that still impact negatively on the well-being of Liberians. One such impact is the poor state of the economy. Until 1989, the economy was relatively stable and living conditions of Liberians were good in comparison to some of its West African neighbors. During the period before the civil war, the political elites underestimated the benefits of a functioning economy that attracted nationals from neighboring countries to take advantage of the enduring Liberian economy. The fights in those years were not about the economy and the wellbeing of Liberians, rather it was about access to political power and authority. This attitude continues to unveil itself even today. The political elites struggled for political emancipation and ignored economic emancipation which was and is still the felt needs of Liberians.

Finance Minister Samuel Tweah

Is Samuel Tweah Untouchable?
By  Seltue Karweaye
Samuel Tweah, Finance and Economic Planning Minister, who is perhaps Liberia’s most intolerant and arguably among the most corrupt Finance Ministers that ever hold the post, apparently presided over US$25 million Mop-Up exercise conducted by the country’s Technical Economic Management Team (TEMT) of which the General Auditing Commission’s forensic investigation has revealed that US$2,378,187.00 has not been properly accounted for during the US$25 million Mop-Up exercise. The report revealed US$491,769.00 was spent on 15 entities, which the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) claimed to have participated in the mop-up exercise; however, those entities denied participation in the process.

Justice Korkpor; an Epitome of Judicial Misery in Liberia!
By  S. Ephraim T. Nyumah
When the judiciary which is the bastion of democracy crumbles and dances at the tone of dictator; the entire Nation is doomed – When the proctor of the law bares  freedom of speech and expression, the hope of the peasants is flushed to the toilet  and  the courtroom then become a theater of drama where  the voices  of integrity are  painful in the ears of judicial crooks – this is exactly the case of Chief Justice Francis Saye Korkpor. 

Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir

President Trump Must Never Listen To The Warmonger Bolton
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Waging a war against Iran, or even thinking of doing so, is sheer madness. Trump has thus far wisely rejected the warmonger National Security Advisor John Bolton’s outrageous advice. Waging another war in the Mideast, this time against Iran, would have not only disastrous consequences for the US but will also engulf our allies from which they would suffer incalculable human losses and destruction. Bolton was the architect behind the devastating war in Iraq in 2003, which inflicted more than 5,000 US casualties and a cost exceeding two trillion dollars, allowed Iran to entrench itself in Iraq, and gave way to the rise of ISIS.

ALL HAIL, LIBERIA HAIL, An Open Letter
By Gbe Sneh
The countdown is on for June 7, 2019, and with the recent meeting of the minds, while expressing security concerns among other arguments, the government’s position on the looming, planned Peaceful March to present public grievances to President Weah and the ruling body- the Administration – IS NOT BLOCKING THE DEMONSTRATION.  It’s a win for all, with a serious caveat - The eyes are now on the Public to allay the genuine security concerns of the President, by proving that Liberia has come of age, settling her differences through Peaceful Means.

The Rice And Rights Riot: Social Struggle And The Quest For An Alternative Society In Liberia (Part III)
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
The tragedy of the rule of the Americo-Liberians is that it was expected as people who have suffered persecution, lynching, slavery and all forms of violence that human ingenuity could devise would thrust them to establish a nation and integrate their brethren they met back home in establishing a society of oneness and common purpose. Sadly, when they returned home, they initiated a rule of conquest, voracious expansion and vicious control like overlords in their private fiefdoms, while the people were the modern equivalents of serfs living in conditions of servitude, indignity, and backwardness. Like in Apartheid South Africa, five percent of the population continuously dominated, exploited, and repressed 95 percent of the population.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe

The Removal Of Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh Was Unconstitutional
Remarks by Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe
The Official position of the Liberian National Bar Association has been and still is that the removal of Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh was unconstitutional. The LNBA maintains that the bill of impeachment was a product of the violation of a court order, that the  impeachment was done without a procedure prescribed by the Legislature as required by article 43 of the Constitution and that by the removal of Justice Ja’neh for performing his legal duty, the Senate violated article 73 of the Constitution. The removal of a justice for performing a legal duty creates a precedent that has the potential of making other judges, especially of subordinate courts to be afraid to freely perform their legal duties when it comes to cases in which the interest of government or  of powerful persons or entities are involved, thereby defeating the purpose for which courts exist in our system of government.

In the cause of the people…
By: Lekpele M. Nyamalon
Because, as it is, the struggle, is actually about the people, or, should be. Mozambique’s’ Independence leader, the beloved Samora Machel often used it to cultivate popular support against the colonists.   In Liberia, the term is closely credited to G. Bacchus Matthews, a former political activist and a man posthumously referred to as the father of multi-party Democracy in Liberia. In Liberia, history has shown the perennial state of the struggle, perhaps not redefining itself or shifting to varying heights. The use of Populism has often put the people against those accused of plundering the state, withholding political power or sometimes, even themselves. Sometimes, being genuinely privileged is a batch one has to ignore if seeking political power as a show of affinity with the ‘people’. Being ‘rich’ could be dangerous, sometimes.

April 14, 1979 - Monrovia, Liberia

The Wrath Of The Portent June 2019 Political Demonstration: Open Letter To Liberian Diaspora
By J. Patrick Flomo
Liberians at home are gearing up or laying the groundwork to exercise one of their basic fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution – the right of the people peaceably to assemble for the redress of grievances.  The government should in no way attempt to thwart or contravene the people’s constitutional rights to peaceably assemble to petition for redress of concerns. It should only ensure that the assembly is peaceful and to protect lives and private property.  Any effort to do the opposite will contravene Article 7 of the constitution:

Redeeming the Liberian Nation
By: Lekpele M. Nyamalon
Since the end of the Liberian Civil war, successive governments have ignored attempts to bring to closure the experiences of the conflict.  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in its final report made several recommendations including the banning of some actors from operating in the political landscape of post-war Liberia. This was, perhaps, to clean up the space and give an opportunity to reflect as a people, thereby setting a precedent for the future.

The Right To Protest And Lessons Learned From April 14, 1979
By TQ Harris
We are at a point in time relative to our nation's history that - in all terms and appearances - mimics the gradual build-up of tensions which culminated in the disastrous loss of lives and properties on April 14, 1979. Most Liberians alive today witnessed the violence firsthand. Those who were not yet born might have read about the horrific events that occurred on that fateful day or have become acquainted with the subject through word-of-mouth.

SUP Endorses June 7 Protest, Will Mobilize 50,000 Students And Youth For The Protest
Student Unification Party (SUP), as the largest student-based political and ideological movement in Liberia..., will vehemently mobilize over 50,000 students and youth for June 7 Protest. We will PROTEST to demand REAL CHANGE. Enough is enough – The people will be compelled to redefine their course on June 7 and move into history. No amount of threats or intimidation intended to dilute or thwart our collective resolve to stand in defense of the sovereignty and survival of our dying Republic can prevent us. June 7 is non-negotiable, and SUP shall be at the full front of this popular people’s revolution. With national urgency, we must, and we will SAVE THE STATE on June 7.

The June 7 Protest: It is not Congaus Vs Natives, but Patriots Vs Criminals
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii & Moses Uneh Yahmia
Minority ruling classes the world over alienated from the oppressed and exploited masses, treat the people with contempt, and annex the national wealth to feather their nest have this worldwide notoriety for stoking the flames of bigotry, and all of its excesses among the people in order to divide and rule them. This was the modus operandi of British imperialism during the heyday of colonial plunder and conquest. Of late, this is the strategy employed by the French ruling class to sap the revolutionary militancy of the Yellow Vest protest movement by accusing the leadership of anti-Semitism as a way of scaring away French Jewish from it.

Weah Government Transfers $51m To Construction Industry, June 7 Protest Is Imminent
By J. Yanqui Zaza
The May 4, 2019 story carried by the Liberian local newspaper, Frontpageafricaonline) about the June 7, 2019 protest encouraged me to share my views about the would-be protest. In the article, the writer stated, “the much-publicized protest dubbed ‘Save The State’ has created mixed reactions amongst Liberians, with many reminiscing the 1979 Rice Riot, the proverbial straw that unleashed 25 years of mayhem, anarchy, destruction, and death on Liberians.” Preceding this assertion, many other Liberians have asked President Weah government and the June 7, 2019 organizers to meet, negotiate, and search for compromise.

The Rice And Rights Riot: Social Struggle And The Quest For An Alternative Society In Liberia (Part II)
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
The Hut Tax—alienated from the people the backward elites instituted something called the hut tax system, where the masses of the people in the countryside eking out the soil for survival and living on the margins of the society were compelled to pay hut tax in the amount of 20 dollars. Although it was the draconian law that each hut should pay 20 dollars, the overzealous tax collectors and elements of the instruments of repressions shifted the goal post from each hut paying 20 dollars to each person. Natives who couldn’t afford were severally brutalized and mercilessly beaten.

President Weah Needs Government Reshuffle
By J. Patrick Flomo
On a recent visit to Liberia (March 2019), the airways were filled with an avalanche of criticism on Weah’s inept ability and capacity to manage the country’s faltering economic meltdown.  The paralysis of the nation’s economic woes is exacerbated by Weah’s Minister of Finance, Tweah Envisions, who seems not to understand the sextant of economic policies or finance; yet he is entrusted to shepherd the nation’s economy.  He has become a huge distraction for the Weah government and there is a clarion call for firing him. 

The Rice And Rights Riot: Social Struggle And The Quest For An Alternative Society In Liberia (Part I)
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Forty years ago Monrovia erupted. The masses of ordinary Liberians, students, workers—people considered by the power elite as slaves—took to the streets to have their names etched in the global history of struggle and resistance. The sheer heroism, the revolutionary vigilance and the daring courage of this unfortunate mass to tear off the yoke of domination, deprivation, and dispossession didn’t pass without the utter brutality and criminal bloodletting of the alienated Liberian ruling clique against the defenseless protesters.

Passing on the corruption legacy

United Nations May Revert to Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) Due to Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Liberia
The United Nations Office has threatened to halt its intervention projects through the Liberian Government due to corruption and/or lack of transparency at the implementing government agencies. This is an indication that the thriving corruption in the country is not limited to government funds.  The communication from the United Nations to the Liberian Government is a must-read communication.  In the communication, the United Nations warns the Liberian Government of malfeasance and mismanagement of United Nations’ funds. In other words, the United Nations is warning the Weah Administration to desist from stealing United Nations funds for personal use.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Begs President Weah for up to one Million Liberians to Migrate to Canada
In Liberia, Liberians in the Diaspora are considered thieves and educated people and professionals are considered enemies of the state.  But this is not how Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada sees Liberians in the Diaspora and Liberian professionals.  The Prime Minister is begging President Weah to let loose about a million of those “unwanted and unappreciated” Liberian professionals, educators, etc. to migrate to Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau’s appeal to President Weah is propelled by the significant contribution that Liberians in Canada have made to the economy of Canada. Brain drain? No, lack of brain utilization and brain appreciaton lead to...

Farce and Tragedy - the tale of the political marriage between Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Manneh Weah
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
The hierarchy of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) consists of the elites that emerged from the victimization of the long years of exploitation of the human and material resources of the country and unlike in some countries in the Global South where the elitist caste of the poor mass of people are enlightened, progressive and conscious, the ones in the CDC do not have the slightest thought about the principal contradictions of an underdeveloped neo-colonial society and how these contradictions can be resolved. Neither are they aware that their duty is to organize and educate the mass of people against neo-liberal capitalism which has kept countries on the continent backward and that there is a dying need for building a new African society that places premium on the African people instead of mortgaging all the productive forces of the continent to foreign interest.

The Election Will Obliterate The Face Of Israel As We Know It
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
The result of the Israeli election has demonstrated that the Israeli public’s movement to the right is now consolidated and that its prospective reversal to the center and left-of-center is becoming increasingly unlikely. This outcome should give serious pause to every Jew and friend of Israel, as the consequences for Israel’s future will be extremely dire. It will allow the newly-expected right-wing government led by Netanyahu to take any measure of his choosing to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. This will further undermine Israel’s democratic and Jewish foundation, and put the country on the fast track to self-destruction, obliterating the face of Israel as we know it.  

President Weah's Gift to the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL) - Conflict of Interest?

The President Weah FEJAL Gift: Robbing Millions from Paul to give him tasteless Crumbs in Return
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Hide nothing from the masses of our people. Tell no lies. Expose lies whenever they are told. Mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories—Amilcar Cabral... Days ago, social media in Liberia erupted into overdrive after the arch-misleader in President George Weah dished out largesse to the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL). He used the occasion marking the launch of a fundraising program for the constructing of a headquarters for the organization to donate a newly built headquarters and a brand new van to the media auxiliary. The news didn’t go without effusive praises from the usual cheerleaders and uncritical conveyors of slogans: CDC flunkeys and purblind supporters of the establishment.

A Rebuttal to Elder Siahyonkron Nyanseor’s Account concerning Paramount Chief Senyon Juah Nimene of Sasstown
By Elder Liguori N. Sebwe
Elder Siahyonkron Nyanseor wrote a brief account about Sasstown’s Paramount Chief Senyon Juah Nimene that he declared war on the Liberian government in August 1936, that he was released from Gbarnga prison in 1937, and that he died shortly after his release in the same year. But this account is inaccurate  and misleading; it contains  an anachronistic  element  in the  history  of  the  Sasstown war  told  and retold  by some of  the  22 warriors  of  the  war; it also distorts  the  true  story  narrated  by  the fighters and the eyewitnesses of the war for the purpose of passing the important event onto generations of Sasstown.

President Weah’s Tough Choices
By Seltue R. Karweaye
Liberia, a nation of over 4.7million people with one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world (at approximately 12%, USAID). Ethnic, religious and political issues have skyrocketed to an all-time high. Infant and maternal mortality are among the highest in the world. Education and health systems have practically collapsed. Infrastructure, where it exists is broken and neglected. Yet this year, the government spending more 90% of the entire budget (US$591.2M) on recurrent expenditures (salaries, allowances, purchase of vehicles, stationaries, gasoline, etc.) than on power, roads, education, police and health care combined. This perverse prioritization is indicative of the political economy of today’s Liberia – and the tough choices facing President George Weah.

Scenery: Attacks on foreigners in South African

Xenophobic Activities in South Africa and other parts of Africa, Undermined the Spirit of African Union
By Edmund Zar-Zar Bargblor
The wave of attacks on foreign-owned shops in some (South African) townships raises uncomfortable questions about xenophobia in South Africa. These unfortunate episodes raised certain questions that one must ask: To what extent can South Africa's inconsistent immigration policy be blamed for xenophobia? Do foreigners really 'steal' South African jobs? Do foreign-owned small businesses have an unfair advantage over those owned by South Africans? Are other African nationals residing in South Africa being targeted for reasons that have nothing to do with the economic disparities presently prevailing in the country?  Are the present killings of fellow Africans, Nigerians in particular, an attempt by unknown forces to create tension between the citizens of Nigeria and South Africa, thereby undermining their social-economic and political cooperation on the continent?

In Rep. Lawrence, Others’ Death: Conspiracy or Not; Police, Gov., to be Blamed
James Kokulo Fasuekoi
The hazardous motor-road situation in Liberia which has reportedly led to countless deaths in recent weeks has hit public crisis level. The latest came just last week, resulting to the tragic death of Montserrado District #15 Rep. Adolph Lawrence, a female, and wounded several passengers when a disabled truck collided with their car. The sad news hit-hard, a nation still divided by war and recovering from the recent death of a senator, Geraldine Doe, who lost a fight with cancer. Mr. Lawrence’s widow, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, a senator for Grand Bassa, together with families and friends, have been shattered by grief due to the loss, and are struggling with the painful question, why?

T. Max Jlateh

T. Max Jlateh, Others Destined to be Murdered by the Weah Government
According to information reaching The Perspective, the George Weah Government has designed plans to murder its critics, starting with T. Max Jlateh, Henry Costa, Rodney Sieh and Philip Wisseh.  President Weah considers his critics as enemies of the state. And as such, he has decided to liquidate the so-called enemies of the state. So, he has unleashed his ruthless thugs to prey on his perceived enemies... It can be recalled that during the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Weah’s predecessor, critics as well as whistleblowers were brutally murdered under mysterious circumstances.  In recent time, there has been a spate of killings in Liberia in the same fashion. There have been two mysterious killings linking to the missing 16 billion Liberian dollars and the 25 million United States dollars. 

Liberians Continue to Deny Themselves Unity of Change
By Charles B. Russell
When Weah was declared winner of the presidency, I wrote an article calling on the President-elect to start the healing process and unite a nation that was painfully divided. In addition, I reminded him that he was the president in the land of 43 thousand square miles with an inhabitant of 4.3 million people, this to include key opposition leaders. Disappointingly, the president continues to demonstrate his inability to embrace key opposition leaders and therefore, has widened the division, making it very impossible to cultivate the condition that the government is of the people. Majority of Liberians, who saw the football legend as a redeemer and as one of their own kind, thought that he would not be blind to their poverty-stricken condition around him, that he grew up in.

President Donald Trump

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians Extended for one Year by President Trump
Since March 1991, certain Liberian nationals and persons without nationality who last habitually resided in Liberia (collectively, “Liberians”) have been eligible for either Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), allowing them to remain in the United States despite being otherwise removable.

Removing the Tusk of the White Elephant in the Liberian Media
By K. Forh Yancy
A month or two ago, I was awakened to reports of a massive resignation of staff from The Inquirer newspaper. According to FrontPage Africa, at least five staff of The Inquirer threw in the towel in a bid to form The Independent Inquirer which is “reportedly government-backed.” The paper went on to quote an “impeccable source” who informed it that “it is part of a plan for the setting up of alternative media with similar names to existing media houses deemed critical of the government.”

Liberia: The Firestone Republic
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
An appendage to the country’s deepening economic crisis has shown itself in the decision by Firestone Liberia to lay off 800workers (13percent of its workforce) in the early quarter of 2019. According to the multinational which has been in Liberia and has had private property right to 10percent of the country’s arable land since 1926, its decision to lay off the workers is as the result of “a thorough and strategic review of its current operations coupled with unsustainable losses resulting from high overhead costs associated with the company’s Concession Agreement with the Government of Liberia, low natural rubber production because of the country’s prolonged civil wars and continued low global natural rubber prices.”

Thugs From LINSU Headed By Mohammed Kamara Disrupt MOJA 46th Anniversary
A Press Release From MOJA
The Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA), condemns in no uncertain terms the violent disruption of its anniversary program on Saturday, March 23, 2019, by a group of armed thugs led by Mohammed Kamara, President of the Liberian National Students Union (LINSU). MOJA is indeed appalled by the nonchalant attitude displayed by the Police when contacted to intervene. The Movement for Justice in Africa observes that there is a growing pattern of political violence and lawless behavior by criminal elements widely believed to be under the sponsorship of officials of this government.

Common Sense Economics for Liberia
By Ansu Oldpa Dualu
Governance is a straightforward affair. It is only made complicated when we infuse politics and veer off time-tested principles that guide, strengthen, stabilize and define success in major capital market economies. Economics is not just about industry and the application of capital market instruments, it heavily involves understanding the historical lessons that move those forces. Having a hands-on appreciation for the historical aspects of economics is just as important as exercising the art itself!  In fact, failing to understand the historical applications that drive the machine that is economics will place any country in a stagnated state like the one we have experienced in Liberia for some 150 years!

The Late Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff alias Lady Zico (Rest in Martyrdom Sen. Geraldine Doe-Sheriff)

When Betrayers Become Mourners – A Panegyric To Lady Zico
By Martin K. N. Kollie
On an ailing bed at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, a vocal legislative floor fighter and much-admired feminist laid helpless, but hopeful of bouncing back. Battling with a prolonged ailment, then came her final moment on earth when life’s light finally dwindled by 5:15 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2019... Of course, life’s end could not give her any further chance or choice to reassure Liberians especially her Constituents in Montserrado of bouncing back in full gear. Reminiscing in solitude and discomfort while remaining optimistic of full recovery, this national heroine wrestled with death during her final hours.

Sacrificing Greatness For Personal Ambition
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Over the past year, I had the opportunity to speak to many Turkish scholars and former government officials, the majority of whom left your country because they feared for their lives and their loved ones... The one question that kept on surfacing is why a leader like you—who has achieved the pinnacle of power by undertaking the most significant social, political, and judiciary reforms, pursued economic development, and came close to establishing a model of Islamic democracy—reversed gears and abandoned your most impressive achievements?

Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh

As Tiawan Gongloe Said… Imbroglio of an Impeachment
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
The two-top legal voices of Liberia had a chance to square off days ago about the impeachment saga of Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh. Speaking one after another, the Chief Justice of Liberia and Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe, President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) both gave their take on the issue. They stood at the extreme ends of the issues.

The Balkans: The Feast Feeding Russia’s And Turkey’s Hunger
By Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra
The political tension between Kosovo and Serbia is creating a perfect environment wherein Turkey and Russia can lure the two countries into their respective spheres of influence. High-ranking US and EU envoys are trying to resolve the long-standing dispute, urging Serbia and Kosovo to normalize relations when in fact it is becoming increasingly more tense. Serbia’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s borders, preventing it from joining international organizations such as Interpol and UNESCO, and reneging on a 2011 freedom of movement agreement prompted Kosovo to take direct action against Serbia by imposing a 100% tariff on goods from Serbia.

The Kroll Report: Is it an Audit Report or a Classified Report?
The recent report issued by Kroll, an audit outfit that was hired by the international partner or USAID is like a CIA report or a classified report.  Numbers are the most crucial components of any audit report, but some of these numbers are redacted in the report, implying that the Weah Government, with the help of USAID and Kroll, is not acting in good faith.  What is troubling to most Liberians and well-wishers of Liberia is the involvement of the American Embassy through USAID in covering the financial scams of the Sirleaf and Weah regimes.

IMF Staff Completes 2019 Article IV Mission to Liberia - (IMF)
“Liberia’s economic situation is challenging, and strong policy actions will be required to maintain as favorable an outlook as anticipated at this time last year. Macroeconomic stability has proved elusive despite improved revenue collection in the first half of FY2019, and the fiscal stance has loosened significantly. With accommodative monetary policy meeting fiscal needs, the exchange rate depreciated by 26 percent over the year, and inflation accelerated to 28 percent at end-December. This is detrimental to the living standards of the most vulnerable Liberians who earn and spend primarily in Liberian dollars and threatens the success of the pro-poor agenda. Growth for 2018 is now estimated at 1.2 percent, while the forecast for 2019 on current policies has been revised down to 0.4 percent from 4.7 percent.

Moja Reacts To President Weah’s View: Steal Society’s Wealth Or You Are Stupid
A Statement Issued by MOJA 
The Movement for Justice In Africa (MOJA) is not surprised to hear President George Weah’s faulty, disingenuous or deceptive explanation of wealth accumulation: “If you know book but you do not own a house or bicycle, etc, you are stupid.” Interestingly, his view of equating someone accumulating wealth to his/her smartness or intelligence is close to the views of Monrovia elites who continue to dictate Liberia’s economic arrangement, through Liberian officials, the powerful media, and prominent institutions. For instance, instead of big business encouraging past and present leaders of the country to punish individuals who steal properties of society, it deceptively despises Liberians who decline to enrich themselves at the expense of society.

Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh

Failure to Honor an Order of the Supreme Court Undermines the Rule of Law and Threatens the peace, security and development of Liberia   
A Statement Delivered By Tiawan S. Gongloe
The ongoing impeachment hearing is challenging because this court avoided, refused, failed and neglected to interpret article 43 of the Constitution of Liberia regarding the procedure for impeachment. Further, the proceeding is challenging because the history of Liberia will record that the Chief Justice whose bench was disrespected by some members of the House of Representatives chose to preside over an impeachment proceeding which was based on a total disregard for the authority of the Supreme Court. Further, the proceeding is troubling because the presiding officer over the impeachment rules on some issues and on others he refuses to rule on the ground that he lacks the authority to do so. A better procedure was what Chief Justice Rehnquist adopted at the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. For example, Chief Justice Rehnquist referred the motion to dismiss to the members of the Senate who denied same by a vote of 56 to 44. In this case, this very important motion was not referred to the Senate to decide whether or not the case should be proceeded with.

The blame-game theory! Who wins and who gains?
By Samuel Saah Karimu, Sr. 
Early hours of last week, Liberia woke up to the most-talked-about ‘16B’ report. Though it's ludicrous to believe such quantity of local currency (Liberian Dollar-LRD) filled in a container would go missing without a single trace, yet only an independent investigation could unearth the truth. For some, it's a snapshot of fun and unique opportunity to score political goals against the incumbent while others saw it as a perfect moment to save the tainted image of the country via truthfulness to power.

Presidential Intelligence Team Says L$ 2 Billion To Be Accounted For. Really?
By J. Yanqui Zaza  
The schedule above is to help us understand how the Presidential Investigation Team (PIT) arrived at the L$2 billion to be accounted for by the Liberian government. Kroll, the foreign and second investigating Team, without stating an amount, recommended that the government should investigate a significant amount to be unaccounted for. On the other hand, I, using the two reports, audited financial statements, annual report of the Central Bank and my experience reviewing financial records of the Central Bank of Liberia, I have computed a conservative amount to be accounted for. If you are not aware, the government had set up two investigating Teams to investigate an official report last year that government was searching for L$15 billion banknotes.

Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh

SUP Decries the Impeachment of Justice Kabineh Ja’neh, And Instead Calls for the Impeachment of President Weah
The growing polarization in the country which is being crystallized by the nagging social, political and economic crises indicates that the homeland is in the abyss of a social implosion. This must trigger the amalgamation of progressive social forces, militant students, vanguard organizations to not only brainstorm and fuse insights to ensure that when the bubble shall have burst—vanguard organizations and pro-people social forces will be at the forefront to lead the people to a decisive victory—but also this time requires all and sundry who believe in democracy to come together in order to resist the dictatorial tendencies of this ex-Soccer Star and his cabal of anti-democratic elements... SUP absolutely condemns the unlawful decision clandestinely initiated by Weah’s Executive Branch and the rubber-stamped Legislature presided over by a US Marine escapee, Jallah Lahinin a.k.a. Bhofal Chambers, and a politically immature Senate Pro Tempore, Albert Che. The Constitution of the Republic is very clear on removal of an associate justice of the Supreme Court. 

Free Speech, Free Assembly, and Student Campus Politics
By Nat Galarea Gbessagee
These days in Liberia, everybody is a constitutional lawyer. No longer can any public or private discussion be held wherein one or two persons do not claim constitutional violation. Presidential appointments  to tenured positions, the ongoing legal wrangling over the impeachment trial of a sitting supreme court justice, and the recent suspension of student campus politics at the University of Liberia have all yielded shouts of constitutional violation. It is now as if Liberians have awakened from years of political slumber and found a new niche in freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. And in the name of constitutionally-protected freedom of expression, no topics are any longer off-limits in Liberian society, as every topic is now fair game for public discussion, whether personal or otherwise.

Democracy - The Ultimate Choice of the Liberian People
By Joe Bartuah
The preamble of the 1986 Constitution is highly unequivocal about why we, the great People of Liberia ultimately decided to carve out a new organic law for our effective national governance. Yes, the preambular statement of our constitution is not only unambiguous and inspiring but also summons everyone of us to do a thorough soul-searching. The relevant portion of that sacred document says that our adoption of the new constitution was, and still is, a direct result of “many experiences during the course of our national existence…”, which initially resulted in the military takeover of April 12, 1980, thereby culminating in the abrogation of the 1847 constitution. As a nation and as a people, our individual as well as collective experiences are obviously, not only internal but also external, because our country is an integral part of the comity of nations.

Sacrificing Greatness for Personal Ambition
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Over the past year, I had the opportunity to speak to many Turkish scholars and former government officials, the majority of whom left your country because they feared for their lives and their loved ones... The one question that kept on surfacing is why a leader like you—who has achieved the pinnacle of power by undertaking the most significant social, political, and judiciary reforms, pursued economic development, and came close to establishing a model of Islamic democracy—reversed gears and abandoned your most impressive achievements?

Protest is not a Departure from Democracy
By Lawrence S. Tuah
Article 17 of the Liberia's Constitution of 1986 states categorically clear; "All persons, at all times, in orderly and peaceable manner shall have the right to assemble and consult upon the common good, to instruct their representatives, to petition  the government and other functionaries for the redress of grievances and to associate fully with others or may refused to associate with political parties, trade  unions or organizations"

Putu People Call For Suspension Of Gedeh Superintendent
The people of Putu Chiefdom, Grand Gedeh County, are calling for the immediate suspension of Grand Gedeh Superintendent Kai Farley. Through the Putu Elders Council, the highest decision-making body of the Putu Chiefdom, the Putu people took the suspension decision on February 8, 2019, because of the life-threatening violence that Superintendent Farley used to prevent the removal of Mr. Arthur Gabbro as Chairperson of the Putu Community Forest Management Body (PCFMB).

Photo of zogos: Courtesy of FPA

A Passionate Call to Rehabilitate and Reintegrate Disadvantaged Youth (Zogos)
By Francis G. Boayue
As a passionate Liberian youth and student activist of the University of Liberia, I am urging the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to be very proactive than ever before in the eradication of cocaine, opium and other antidepressant drugs from the Liberia market and hideouts in order to rescue young people who are usually dependent on these harmful substances.

President George Forky Klon Jlaleh Gbah Ku GbehTarpeh Manneh Weah

President Weah’s State of the Nation Address is Replete Deceit and Mockery
By: Lawrence S. Tuah
It has been a year since Liberians gathered at the S.K.D sports stadium in their numbers to celebrate the inauguration of ex-soccer legend Dr. George M. Weah as President of the Republic of Liberia, thus ending the twelve years reign of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. They were in high spirit and mounted with over expectations as the clique of the C.D.C hypnotized their leader as the end to the devastating and ravaging conditions of the ordinary masses. Ever since this occasion, Liberians continue to dwell in growing disappointments as the state of the economy languishes in an uncontrollably hacking of the prices of basic commodities, ordinary citizens can barely afford a onetime meal and Liberia tops poorest countries list. This has turned to be the complete opposite for which the elderly, and the youth left their homes and rallied on the streets calling for an end to the U.P hegemony. The euphoria of that historic occasion is yet to quench as the president delivered a one-year stewardship report to the National Legislature and the Republic of Liberia filled with deceits, falsehoods, unrealistic predictions, phantom solutions and with sober scarcity in ideas to divert the ominous state of the Liberian people…

President Weah’s SONA crumbles in deceit, empty promises, and false hope
A Statement Issued By SUP
For twelve (12) years, the poor masses of West Point, Gibraltar, New Kru Town, Soniwein as well as those from the poor rural villages and hamlets lifted ex-Soccer Star George M. Weah from the pitch to the presidency. They saw this soccer star as a genuine option to end their appalling, miserable and hopeless condition. Sadly, the overly harsh realities today have proven them dead wrong! The nation now has a president who owns the largest private estate in less than a year. It is an unchallenged fact that the CDC-led government has become a stronghold of petite crooks and economic pillagers/plunderers who consider TRANSPARENCY as a TABOO.

President Weah Lied Under Oath
By Thomas Kaydor
After reading the full annual report provided by President Weah on the State of the Nation, my initial reaction is that the President lied under oath as follows: On page 43 of President Weah’s Annual Message, he stated that ‘when we came to power, we inherited a debt of $878.2 million United States dollars at the end of 2017. The debt stock now stands at $987.8 million in 2018 at the end of 2018. The increase in the debt stock of $109.6 million during the period under review is mainly on account of disbursements from borrowing external loan portfolios, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, BADEA and Saudi Arabia, which were ratified in 2017. To date, my administration has not added to the debt stock but that does not mean we will not increase the stock of debt.

Discipline, Law And Order Are Vital To Sustain An Emerging Democracy
By: James Thomas-Queh
Considering the chronic indiscipline now rooted in the Liberian society –especially among the students, youth – and which constitute a real menace to an already fragile nation, I thought we all should have first applauded the UL administration suspension of student political activities on the campuses of the university in accordance with the rules and regulations as inscribed in the UL Student Handbook. But not, instead, a barrage of criticisms has been lashed out against the government and the university administration on the “unconstitutionality” of the measure and its potential consequences.

The Ban on Student Politics Cannot Stand
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé, PhD
An institution of higher learning is a social laboratory, where the next generation of leaders prepare themselves to enter the workforce. The state, as an institution, is run by people who have acquired a certain level of knowledge that allows them to steer the affairs of their compatriots. In this case, the institution of higher education in question is the University of Liberia. A few weeks ago, the administration of the University of Liberia decided to suspend or ban student political activities.  Whatever the reasons may be, this move is very counterproductive, it goes against the freedom of speech and freedom association enshrined in the Constitution. It deprives young men and women who are preparing to take up leadership role in the society the opportunity to engage in social and political debate that will guide them when they leave college.

Overfished: In Senegal, empty nets lead to hunger and violence
Just this morning Henry P. Costa woke us up from sleep to narrate a story that was on his mind: Liberian President Dr., Dr. CIC George Forky Klon Weah has mortgaged the fishing industry of Liberia to fishermen in Senegal.  Mr. Costa could not understand why there is a paucity of moral outrage in the wake of these robberies administered by the President Forky Klon Jlaleh Weah administration... But then, few hours later, we have this chap who claims to be Amb Augustine M Manoballah on the Facebook. And his twisted logic is supported by Information Minister Nagbe.  The strange thing about the Ambassador is that it does not look like he has any clue of what is going on. The “Honorable Ambassador” says that the Liberian people do not have the capacity to manage a large skill fishing industry, so it makes sense to him and to President Weah to award the fishing industry to foreignors (Senegalese) because, unlike Liberia, Senegal has the capacity.  But President Weah is not President of Senegal, and why will his interest be in empowering the people of Senegal and not in empowering the Grebo, Bassa, Vai and Kru fishermen of Liberia? So, is the pro-poor agenda put in place was intended for the poor people of Senegal? It is said that every nation deserves the leaders it has, so are these the leaders our beloved country deserves. So, the statement made by this so-called Ambassador defies logic and one wonders as to what kind of Ambassador he is? 

Troubling Report emanating From Maryland County, Liberia
Maryland County is back in the news again.  A motorbike operator driving from Harper to Fishtown Beach was killed and it is alleged that it is Maryland again: Ritualistic killings?  So, the situation was very tense in the county today.  Facebook recording says the about 75% of the police force in Harper City have been injured. Published below is the video:
https://www.facebook.com/augustine.youngjr/videos/2023898777665324/UzpfSTEwMDAwNzAxMjI3NDM5NToyMjk5MzQ0MjIzNjQyNjMx/

Chaos Underway in Monrovia
The President of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, is to give his state of the nation address today.  But the prevailing culture of corruption, impunity, and clamp down on campus politics coupled with lawlessness have contributed to a tense situation in the country.  To add insults to injuries, The Perspectives is alerted by credible sources that Dr. H. B. Fahnbulleh, the man who intends to bring the Weah Government down via a Socialist Revolution is on the ground... But what is amazing about the Doctor is that he was working with President Weah’s predecessor for over 12 years and did not dream of any socialist revolution.  Some observers say that the efforts now are geared towards putting bread and butter on the Doctor’s dining room table. So, therefore the omnipotent war-maker is determined to cause trouble in the sub-region.  And, as the sources intimated, this has nothing to do with corruption, neither does it have anything to do with impunity.

Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe

Speech of the Incoming President of the Liberia National Bar Association
By Cllr. Tiawan .S. Gongloe
By the nearly unanimous support, evidenced by nearly eighty percent of the votes cast, members of the Liberian National Bar Association have given me a very strong mandate to serve the LNBA for the next three years. The question on everyone’s mind is what will the Gongloe administration do for the Bar. The answer is simple. I will do what I promised to do during the campaign because it was based on those promises that I was elected by my colleagues. During my campaign, I promised that in addition to continuing the current programs and projects of the LNBA, I will start a Bar Journal to serve as an avenue for lawyers to critically examine the opinions of the Supreme Court through scholarly articles, work on an insurance scheme for members of the LNBA, and to lead the Bar in serving as a general counsel for the Liberian society on all contentious legal issues.  The bar cannot, must not and will not be silent on contentious legal issues that have the propensity to lead our country into confusion or chaos and reverse the gains made, collectively,  in re-establishing a peaceful social order, within the framework of the law, with the support of the international community, following fourteen years of fratricidal civil conflict that caused the estimated deaths of more than 250,000 of our compatriots and the destruction of all of our basic infrastructure in our country.

The Betrayal Of Israel’s Historic Promise
By Dr. Alon Ben Meir
Over the past three decades I wrote more than two hundred articles about Israel, envisioning it to be a democratic state, independent and free, a champion of human rights, a force of unity for world Jewry, united in its citizenry, admired by its friends, envied by its detractors, and above all at peace with the Arab states and especially with the Palestinians. My vision about Israel was founded on my deep sense of the Jews’ turbulent and tragic history and their yearning for a home of their own in which to live in peace and security.

Representative Yekeh Kolubah

Alaric Tokpa Condemns Attack on Yekeh Kolubah
The head of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) and Founding Chair of the New DEAL Movement (Liberia’s social democratic party), Prof. Alaric Tokpa has strongly condemned the recent gun attack on the residence of Hon. Yekeh Kolubah, Representative of District # 10 in the national legislature of the Republic of Liberia and denounced the earlier violence carried out against innocent citizens who had been call together by Hon. Kolubah for a children party. Prof. Tokpa believes that the attack on Hon. Kolubah who is a lawmaker is not only sufficient evidence that a dangerous dictatorship has appeared in Liberia but also a clear sign that citizens of Liberia and opposition politicians have no protection under the George Weah dictatorship.

A Letter to the Editor from "A friend of Liberia"
The recent article by Mr. Karweaye contains several inaccurate factual statements and a clearly misleading statement... First, the writer's statement of estimated production of fourteen trillion ounces of gold is simply ludicrous, as anyone can easily tell, and therefore is more likely to be a fabricated number than an honest mistake.  Why?  Fourteen trillion ounces of gold, at US$1000 per ounce (about 20% less than the current market price), would be valued at 14 quadrillion US Dollars or US$14,000,000,000,000,000.    This number is about 700 times (Seven Hundred times, not merely seven times) bigger than the annual gross national product of the United States.  

Liberian Lawmakers

Concession Agreement in Liberia: The Case of the Hummingbird Resources, Inc.
By Seltue R. Karweaye
The National Investment Commission (NIC) has announced the Liberian government and the Hummingbird Resources Inc. have signed a Gold-Mineral Development concession worth over US$ 250 Million. The Gold-Mineral Development agreement between the government of Liberia, and the Hummingbird Resources Inc. was negotiated and signed, but very little was known about the contents of these negotiations, and actual terms of the agreements, due to opaque processes, and reasons of confidentiality often invoked in relation to the contracts... There is no doubt why it, like almost all agreements of this kind of, was kept secret from the Liberian people. The Hummingbird Resources Inc. agreement awarded exploration licenses for all minerals, covering over 7,000 square kilometers located within a significant proportion of eastern Liberia (Sinoe, Grand Kru, River Gee, and Maryland counties). Further according to reports, the company is expected to mine about 14 trillion ounces of gold over the 25-yr life span of the project. The World Bank affiliate, International Finance Corporation (IFC), is said to have invested US$8m in the project. 

Fragility of Cyberspace in Liberia: Instituting Legislative and Technological Interventions (LTI)
By Mory DA Sumaworo
Few years ago, it was widely and internationally reported that the Liberian Internet system was entirely shut down by 30 years old British hacker Mr. Daniel Kaye, whose case has recently been adjudicated by the United Kingdom’s judicial system at Blackfriars Crown Court in London. the Varus that was used to jeopardize the Internet Providing System (IPS) in Liberia is known as Mirai #14 botnet, which is one of the dangerous distributed denial of service (DDoS) botnet that cause Internet to sustain serious shutdown at a large scale

Time To Dump Netanyahu
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to call for an early election, scheduled to take place on April 9, was really nothing short of another political stunt that Netanyahu has masterfully learned to employ when the time is right and he is reasonably assured of another victory. One would think, however, that after 10 continuous years in power he would relinquish his role as the leader of the Likud party and leave the political scene with some dignity, especially now that he may well be indicted on at least three counts.

The Demise of Dr. Emmanuel T. Dolo: A Colossal Loss for Liberia’s Dwindling Intelligentsia
By Aba Hamilton-Dolo
From its founding to the 1980 coup, Liberia was a beacon of hope and enlightenment for Africa and many nations around the world. It served as an education Mecca. Nationals of other countries flocked to Liberia in search of greener pastures, an excellent educational system, and an intellectual culture steeped in free expression of ideas. These inducements encouraged many thinkers to visit. Proponents of the ‘Back to Africa’ movement,  including W.E.B. Dubois, Edward W. Blyden, Marcus Garvey, and Paul Cuffee came calling as visitors to and even as residents of the first independent black nation in the world. These great men viewed Liberia, with a deep sense of racial pride, as an outpost for their aspirations of cross-continental migration. Their pilgrimage followed Liberia’s past, which is crisscrossed with a pattern of migration. Paradoxically, one day, Liberia would become a place of emigration.

The Reincarnation of Doe’s military junta: SUP strongly denounces ban on student political activities and calls for immediate revocation
A Press Release From SUP
With outright discontent and disillusionment, SUP vehemently cautions and calls on authorities of UL to immediately reverse or revoke its unlawful decision to suspend political activities at the State-run University of Liberia. The rushed, ill-informed and unwarranted move to suspend student politics on Friday, January 11, 2019, is a vicious crackdown on those cherished ideals of our nation’s nourishing democracy. SUP considers such unjustified action, which was mainly influenced and engineered by government and pro-regime stooges, as thoughtless, undemocratic, and a provocation for mass civil disobedience and uproar across Liberia. Our striving democracy is under attack and those democratic gains made so far are fast diminishing under President George M. Weah – a Head of State who has grossly violated almost all of our laws including our Constitution in less than a year.

Pres. George Manneh Weah

Liberia: Distancing President George Manneh Weah’s Construction of Private Mansions from National Development
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
The observance of the Holiday Season did not stop many Liberians from using the social media to express their outcry against the obvious theft and looting sprees that have overwhelmed the Weah-led government. They are puzzled by the President’s overnight acquisition of wealth amidst the daunting challenges the nation faces. Some are even drawing the conclusion that with the massive scandal that has engulfed the regime, its lifespan will not exceed two years. This perspective of the people is a slap in the face of the cynics in government who echoed the lies that the ruling CDC has the explicit confidence of the Liberian people and those who oppose the regime must accept that the political dynamics will remain unchanged for a very long time. The people’s consciousness is not a stagnant pond.

President Donald Trump

Trump’s New Year’s Gift To Putin, Rouhani, And Erdogan
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
Trump’s decision to withdraw US forces from Syria is extremely reckless and is bound to backfire in more than one way. To make such a decision, which has major implications that directly and adversely affect our allies in and outside the region, through a simple tweet and against the advice of his senior advisors is nothing short of outrageous. This is the most valuable New Year’s gift that Trump could possibly give Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and Turkey. What on earth did he base his decision on, as from every angle we examine it there seems to be absolutely no good that could possibly come out of it.

Is This The Pro-Poor Liberians Voted For?

The Unveiled Dictator – Twenty (20) Keen Observations and Interpretations of President Weah's Statue
By Martin K. N. Kollie
In one of my latest articles titled “The early signs and symptoms of Dictatorship under ex-Soccer Legend George M. Weah”, I outlined almost ten (10) signs and symptoms. As though these justifiable signs and symptoms were enough to prove me right, another vicious sign has emerged in less than a year. This time around, it is a self-glorifying statue situated in one of Liberia’s largest shantytowns and mainly characterized by semblances of fascism. As a youth and student activist, I thought to unravel twenty (20) keen observations and interpretations of President Weah’s Statue:

‘Better Late than Never’: The Execution of Michael J. Doe by Gen. Prince Y. Johnson
By Elder Siahyonkron Nyanseor &J. Kpanneh Doe
Our previous article regarding Michael P. Doe called for Senator Prince Y. Johnson, one of the principal architects of the civil war and those involved in the culture of impunity during Liberia’s 14-year war, not to go unpunished. We believe that ending the culture of impunity can only be done if Liberians advocate for prosecuting those who committed these heinous crimes against them. That is why we have maintained a longstanding position and support for the establishment of the War & Economic Crimes Court in Liberia so that there can be criminal accountability of warlords many of whom are yet to face justice for the crimes they committed against the Liberian people.

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh Extends New Year's Message To The People Of Liberia
As we are in the 2018/2019 Season, let me wish for all of the People of Liberia a Happy New Year. Any New Year can only be happy for you when your mistakes are recognized and corrected so that they are not repeated in the New Year. Mistakes can only be recognized and corrected when you criticize yourself and when another person criticizes you so that you can understand and correct the mistakes that you are making. Whenever you understand and correct the mistakes that you are making, you win because you are helping to make not only yourself better but also to make other persons better. Winning is not about getting a title because many persons get titles and do not correct their mistakes. Whenever you correct your mistakes and get a title in the process, then you win and become a winner

The Plight of People With Disabilities in Africa

The Plight of People With Disabilities in Africa: How Does Liberia Fare?
By Dr. Sakui Malakpa
To some extent, people with disabilities (PWDs) throughout the world have made progress in various areas of human endeavor. This is partly because governments, some more than others, have striven to include PWDs in varied sectors of society. Such governments have done so by adopting laws and regulations, among other steps, to ensure the equality, human rights, and societal participation of PWDs. Despite such measures, the truth remains that PWDs face an uphill battle in their bid for equality and full societal inclusion. This struggle is especially onerous for PWDs in developing countries. In that light, the following article proposes a rating of African governments to determine where such governments stand in terms of establishing and/or enforcing laws and judicial mandates for the inclusion, education, employment, and full participation of PWDs. Bringing that thought back home, I wonder how Liberia would fare if the rating were done today. Before addressing that thought, it’s only fair to peruse the following proposal.

Why Can’t We Be Color Blind?
By Joseph Batuah
When last did you apply for a job online? A year, month or week ago? Was it yesterday or today? Whatever the timeline might be, I have no doubt that you, too, have gone through the tantalizing rituals of the online application here in the United States, especially its so-called diversity questions. Typically, a job is advertised on those numerous mega-platforms and job boards, such as indeed.com, Linked-In, Zip Recruiter, Simply Hired, et cetera, et cetera. All those job search platforms usually placard detailed job descriptions and the requisite years of experience, among others. Applicants are further instructed to upload their resumes.

President George Manneh Weah

President George Manneh Weah: The Chief Priest of Theft and Plunder
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
Those who have been lavishing President Weah with awards and honorary degrees must have forgotten to award or name him as the Chief Priest / Chief Zoe of patent theft and plunder, taking into consideration the speed at which the president is acquiring massive private properties just in the space of 11months of his presidency. But we can understand that the givers of these awards are bereft of that sense of patriotism that devotes one to the welfare of the republic and its people. They do not experience the emotional pains that patriots feel whenever the collective aspiration, dignity, and culture of the people are being abused and exploited by serial rascals. Therefore, they have not only chosen the path of sycophancy but have also buried their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich, refusing to subject Weah and his handlers to objective evaluation or analysis. To these groupies, it is a taboo to tell George Weah, in the face, that a few years ago he lived on handouts from friends and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; therefore, his overnight wealth must be scrutinized.

Some newly elected females on ABC

It's Time For Congresswomen To Take The Lead
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The election of a record number of women to Congress is significant in that Congresswomen are more likely to focus on socio-economic and gender-based issues that have largely been either ignored or resisted by a predominantly male Congress. The fact that nearly 25% of the House and Senate are now women means their voices can no longer be ignored, as they will have the power to block any legislation that will be inconsistent with their set of beliefs and priorities, within their own party. As such, women legislators can be extraordinarily effective because they were elected largely on the premise they would be focused on socio-economic issues of great concern to their constituents.

Afro-Pessimism and the Question of Biafran Nationalism
By Daniel Chukwuemeka
Perhaps the intellectual import of Afro-pessimism as a critical method in the evaluation of African nationalism obtains chiefly in its tendency to embody antithetic perspectives. On the one hand, black fundamentalists adopted the term as a way to acknowledge the power and vivacity of the pliability and radical imagination of Africans. Yet some proponents of Afro-pessimism have used it to articulate the subject-position of abandonment, abjection, distancing, dread, and doubt in response to the massive, unending consequences and historical upsets of colonialism. This includes the view that dismantling white supremacy would mean demolishing much of the social and political institutions of the modern world.

President George Forky Klon Jlaleh Gbah Ku GbehTarpeh Manneh Weah, Now Dr., Dr., President Weah

Liberia: President George Weah grabs another Honorary Doctorate Degree—and so what?
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
Editor's Note: The situation in Liberia is getting interesting by the minute.  During his campaign in Liberia, candidate Weah (in Nimba County) badmouthed educated people as those who failed the hapless people of the nation and that the uneducated people had the magic wand to rescue the nation.  Interestingly, President Weah has obtained two honorary doctoral degrees within less than a year, while the economy of the country is on a downward spiral and  while our educational system is in total tatter, broad day stealing of the resources of the country is the staple of the government, making it even worse than the time the so-called “educated elite” was running the country.  What is obvious here is that the Liberian people are now a football that is being played by the soccer legend turned Dr., Dr. Weah. Numerous Liberians have earned Ph.D.’s in various fields of studies, but the only Liberian in our recent history who had double Ph. D was the late Wolor Topor. Dr., Dr. Topor EARNED his Ph.D. degrees. In any case, we cannot join the author to say that the election of Mr. Weah is a tragedy to the Liberian state. Published below is a view of another Liberian

"CHALLENGES OF POWER TRANSFER IN AFRICA"
AUGUSTINE KPEHE NGAFUAN
On last week Wednesday, the VOA and other news outlets reported that the Budget Director of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had cast doubt on the holding of presidential elections in that country at the end of this year as agreed in negotiations brokered by church leaders . The Budget Director had announced that the DRC will not be able to fund the presidential elections.  His boss, President Joseph Kabila's tenure expired in December 2016 but has been employing a host of shameless and unorthodox schemes to cling to power. Kabila's refusal to leave power as constitutionally required has occasioned a series of protests in which scores of his compatriots have lost their lives.

Dr. Emmanuel Dolo

DR EMMANUEL DOLO (1962-2018): A TRIBUTE
By D. Elwood Dunn
The young Liberian public policy scholar, Emmanuel Dolo passed away last week in Atlanta, Georgia, USA at age 56. He succumbed to cancer in the middle of an engaging life of research and study and leaves a void in the ongoing quest to better understand Liberia. His wife, Mrs. Aba Hamilton Dolo and other family members were by his side as he transitioned... Emmanuel was born and raised in Nimba County. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Communications from the University of Liberia in 1983. He would go on to pursue graduate studies in the United States, obtaining a Masters degree in Economic Development from Eastern University in 1994, a M.Div degree in Theology and Social Ministry from the evangelical Erskine Theological Seminary in 1990, and a Ph.D. in Social Policy, Refugee mental health, and Youth Development from the University of Minnesota in 2003.

Central Bank of Liberia

Ex-CBL Governor Week’s Testimony – The Silence Amid A Massive Economic Scandal
By James Thomas-Queh
In the latest development, the legislative inquiry on the missing L$16 billion scandal has been abruptly suspended for a time indefinite. But not before then, the testimony of Mr. Weeks, former governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), before the members of the House of Representative on Nov. 12, 2018, and followed by that of the CBL deputy governor, Mr. Charles Sirleaf (Nov. 20th), have not raised any passion nor much public interest. And for a reason, those who had mobilized so quickly to tarnish Liberia’s international image have certainly been greatly disappointed and confused by the contradictions and ineptitude – if not gross incompetence and amateurism on the part of the former governor and his team. And the silence as a grave, I think, is a sign of their mea culpa due President Weah, the nation, and the people for the irreparable damage done to our national image and credibility.

The Democrats’ Victory Can Save The Republican Party
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The retaking of the House by the Democrats will soon allow them to exercise checks and balances and stop the Republicans from going down a slippery slope. Otherwise, the party would have slid into complete self-implosion as they blindly but willingly followed Trump’s chaotic political agenda. During the past two years, Trump and his party have rendered the country a severe disservice with massive domestic and international implications. Partisanship became the norm, and the party’s abdication of its oversight role over the executive branch has allowed Trump to pursue policies that defy logic and reality, to the detriment of the United States.

Gülen And Erdogan’s Islamic Rivalry And Its Consequences
By Alon Ben Meir and Arbana Xharra
Until five years ago, Fethullah Gülen and Turkey’s President Erdogan were allies who supported each other. Both use Islam as the basis for their doctrine, which made them ideologically different from the revolutionary secularist stateman Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the new Republic of Turkey in 1923... That said, historically, the two Islamic orientations of Erdogan and Gülen were at odds with each other. The Gülen-inspired Hizmet (“service”) movement assumes and practices a Sufi version of Islam open to dialogue with other religions and believes in bottom-up change through education. Conversely, Erdogan and his Justice and Development (AK) Party embraced political Islam mostly adopted from the early Sunni Muslim Brotherhood, believing in top-to-bottom change, which they effectuated by usurping authority and forcing people to change through the state powers.

President George M. Weah and Senior Cabinet Ministers rallying for CDC Candidate John Weah

From Country Giant To Country Ginna
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The masses had played their part, it was now time for the “Country Giant” to play his. The first blunder this “Country Giant” made was to begin recycling corrupt public officials from past regimes into high-profile positions such as ministers, managing directors, advisors, etc. The new President insistently refused to declare his assets and audit his predecessor as growing outcry to fight corruption emerged. Up to now, no such action to audit the past government has taken precedence... As the expectation of the masses grew beyond the limit, the “Country Giant” along with some of his closest confidants began constructing and purchasing giant-sized properties in less than 4 months even though they claimed to have inherited a broken economy, a claim Sirleaf has consistently refuted. Amidst sharp economic decline...

Monrovia City Mayor Jeff Koijee Engineered the Attack on Saturday, November 17, 2018
By Gboko Stewart
Electoral violence can be very bloody and sometimes deadly, as Saturday, November 17, 2018, has shown. Cornelia Kruah-Togba’s tripartite caravan made their way into New Georgia on Saturday afternoon, November 17, 2018. I joined them at the New Georgia junction as they proceeded to the campaign headquarters at the Nigerian Shop community... As they approached the campaign headquarters, there was a rallying call for the team to proceed into the New Georgia Estate to rally voters who couldn’t parade in order for them to turn out en masse on the football pitch to hear Cornelia speak.

Maraphone

Africa Investment Forum: High-tech player, Mara, announces first African-made smartphone
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 9, 2018,-- African high-tech player Mara (https://Mara.com) on Friday announced the production of their newest product the Maraphone – the first made-in-Africa, full-scale smartphone, soon to be manufactured in plants across Africa... “China has Huawei, Xiaomi; the U.S has iPhone and finally Africa has Maraphone,” Ashish​ Thakkar, founder of Mara Group told a press conference on the final day of the Africa Investment Forum, currently underway in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Shisha Pipe

The Proliferation of the Prevalence and Potential Health Effects of Tobacco Smoking with Waterpipe (Shisha)
By Melvin B. Moore
In spite of the negative health effects of shisha smoking, its use has become increasingly popular among young people and adults of both genders across Africa. Shisha smoking has traditionally been associated with the Eastern Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia. The use of Shisha accounts for a significant and growing share of tobacco use globally. It has surpassed cigarette use in some Countries, with growing use by both men and women and, most seriously, among young people and children.

Family Planning: $120m Rev.; $46m Exp.; $23m To Africa; $398k To Liberia
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Family Planning or Planned Parenthood means different thing to different people living within certain communities. For instance, some United States citizens, opposing abortion, consider Family Planning as an organization that kills unborn children. Other U.S. citizens who believe that abortion is a constitutional right for a woman to choose whether to born or to abort a child, praise family Planning as an institution that saves a life. Or, in poorer communities such as Liberia, many patients praise Family Planning because it conducts pregnancy test, cancer test; administers vaccinations; distributes contraceptive pills, etc., for a minimal fee or no free.

President George Manneh Weah

Prospects and Challenges  of Liberia’s Midterm Economic Strategy “Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development”
By Mory DA Sumaworo
It is an exigent imperative to point out that Liberia needs a broad-based development agenda for its socio-economic transformation. This is a fact that the nation has been lagging behind in all most all spectrums of development, especially, in the area of infrastructures and market-driven human capital. For instance, only 10% of 11, 400 km of roads are paved. 60% of the unpaved road is in a terrible condition. Only less than 3% of the population is connected to power-grid; the nation is one of the highest costs of electricity in the World at a rate of 39 Cent per KHW. The high unemployment rate has witnessed an increment from 2.30% in 2016 to 2.39% in 2017, according to the International Labor Organization. Considering these frustrating statistics on the economy and infrastructures, President George M Weah declared upon his popular victory at 2017 polls that his administration would be a Pro-poor one. That means it will place more emphasis on issues and projects that anticipated and aimed at taking thousands of underprivileged Liberians out of poverty and unbearable standards of living through its social and economic projects across the nation. The plan will remain the core development strategy for the Weah –led administration until 2023. It is, however, pertinent to state that prior to this new agenda, the former President had also designed the Agenda for Transformation (AFT) which was not fully implemented until it got replaced by PAPD of the current government.

Samuel Jackson

Is Liberia’s GDP $0.9b Or $3.3b? Was Debt Ratio Reduced From 35% In 2017 To 26%? A Rejoinder To Sam Jackson’s 11/06/2018 Article
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Flipping through the local Internet Web Sites I came across Mr. Sam Jackson’s comment that Liberia’s debt ratio to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is now 26 percent. In his article, carried in the Frontpage, called “Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development: Long on Aspirations but Short on Reality,” Mr.  Jackson stated that “…the country’s debt to GDP ratio is sustainable at 26 percent…” This statement implies that Liberia has reduced its total public debts (I.e., the numerator), has increased its GDP (i.e., the denominator) or did both. Most importantly, it suggests Liberia has a good chance to borrow more money since its public debt (i.e., domestic and external) ratio of 26 percent is below the 38 percent benchmark.

President George Manneh Weah

Kudos to President Weah for enabling us to Once Again Sing Prince Nico “Free Education” Music in Liberia, but was it planned?
Editorial
The recent pronouncement of free public college and university education in Liberia by president George Weah must be applauded by all Liberians and well-wishers of our beloved country. Yet, we at The Perspective cautiously hail the president's pronouncement in principle because it rekindles our longstanding hope for some measures to revitalize our battered education system.

A Tribute To Tenure Positions
By Francis K. Zazay
For a while now, CDCians, and perhaps few Liberians, have been struggling with how to handle legal implications of making appointments to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of Government whose leadership is subject to tenures, many of which has exceeded the lifespan of the president that appointed them.  The same argument is made of civil servants, who many CDCians believe should now be replaced with members of their party, now that they have won the elections with a national alacrity.  The issue reached a milestone when the President sought to make an appointment that was challenged in the Supreme Court by a tenure appointee.  As the public awaited the adjudicatory process of The Court, there again came a political dynamic to seek remedy from the legislature, as if to suggest that the Executive had run out of legal options to justify replacing tenure appointees. Also, bewildered by the despondent squabble of a young CDCian to whom I once gave a lift, I thought to grant him the courtesy of sharing my thought, vis-à-vis making appointments to tenure positions, as well as the good intention of restructuring the Civil Service Agency of Liberia that now appears to have gone out of bounds.

Esther Kellen Programs Officer, Open Liberia

A Civil Society Group Decries Pres. Weah’s Proposal To Terminate Tenured Positions
Presented By Esther Kellen
Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the press.  Thanks for your usual support in our effort to strengthen governance and democracy in Liberia. We’re truly cognizant of your role. This brief press statement is meant to pray the creeping and aspiring devil out of our country’s governance system; a system we’ve invested so much in over the years... Sometimes last week, our nation woke up to the sad news of a sad decision by the president to alter the autonomy, independence, and sanctity of certain positions in our governance system – contrary to international best practices in open and good governance. The president wants to change the way the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Liberia Maritime Authority (LAM), Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), and the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NACSSCORP), Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), LEITI, amongst others, have been operating to suit his pleasure.

Former President Sirleaf Awarded 66 Flawed Agreements? No, Says President Weah
A consultant of the South-South Professional Inc. informed me that the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) has asserted that former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her lieutenants did not award 66 fraudulent concessionary agreements to private investors during the last twelve years. Well, yes, President Dr. George Weah has rejected the findings of a foreign audit firm that former President Sirleaf administration awarded 66 fraudulent agreements and replaced it with African Peer Review Mechanism’s conclusion that 66 agreements “met internationally best practices,” the consultant added... Predictably, the real motive of this action along with previous efforts on the part of Dr. Weah government is to reduce the possibility of prosecuting former President Sirleaf and her lieutenants, if any, stated the consultant.

The Autonomy-Tenured Discourse: Legality vs Expediency
Every profession has unique sets of principles, jargons and inherent standards to which members are required to operate. Sometimes, what seems apparent and overt from an outsider perspective is completely different when viewed by a professional. For example, a person reading a political manual may feel adept but when explained by a seasoned political scientist, the grey areas become evidently useful and riveting. This same approach finds its support within the noble profession of law.

"Unprotected" West Point Girls Become Victims of Impunity in Liberia: What Do We Learn From The “More Than Me” Fiasco?
By Aisha Dukulé
In April 2018, six months before ProPublica and Time Magazine released their documentary “Unprotected” concerning the sexual abuse that occurred at Katie Meyler’s More Than Me school for girls, the More than Me CEO, approached me on a Liberian beach. Meyler knew me by the first name and mentioned that my former boss recommended me to her (which others disputed while discouraging me from getting into bed with her)... It was a sweaty day and Katie did well to run through their issues quickly. A male teacher had abused some school girls but was incarcerated. A hit job was expected and they needed PR control for the organization. She inquired of my Public Relations experience and interest in the job. We exchanged numbers and planned to meet.

Speaker Bhofal Chambers

COCUBOMB Decries Speaker Chambers’ Statement About The “Missing” $16 Billion Dollars
The Concerned Citizens United to Bring Our Money Back (COCUBOMB), a coalition of over 26 civil society organizations, vehemently frowns on latest statement from Speaker Bhofal Chambers suggesting non-compliance with foreign investigators, including FBI, who are in Liberia to forensically probe this missing L$16 billion mystery... In his press statement, which in our opinion was overloaded with subterfuge and blatant blame-shifting on ex-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Chambers said that Lawmakers would never be subjected to any form of probe by foreign investigators. COCUBOMB considers such statement as an unwarranted display of arrogance, crudity and scare tactic only intended to prejudice the ongoing forensic investigation.

Did President Weah Pump The 3/23/18 L$374b Into The Economy Without Recording As President Sirleaf Has Claimed In 2016 And 2017?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Two Liberia’s money-documents circulating local media outlets after the “#BRING OUR MONEY BACK” demonstration held on Monday, September 24, 2018, might reveal a troubling problem in Liberia, the failure to record business transactions, thereby making it difficult to audit, investigate and, or prosecute. Let us use an analogy: “Recordkeeping (leading to financial) to a business is the equivalent of the dashboard displaying flight instruments to an airplane pilot.” Or as stated by an expert, it is extremely important to have good accounting, because “…you cannot run a business if you don’t know whether you are being profitable or not. Also, bad record keeping invites fraud. Hence, the record is crucial.”

Diyanet: Erdogan's Islamic Vehicle To The Balkans
By Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra
A billboard at a construction site, with a photo of an Ottoman-style mosque with four minarets and the flag of Turkey, was erected recently in the center of Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. With less than 2 million people, Kosovo, which declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, is the home of over 800 mosques. Now the Islamic Community of Kosovo is building the “Central Mosque” at an estimated cost of $35- $40 million. Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) is financing the project.

Breaking the chain of dependency in Liberia- a necessary condition for national development, progress and prosperity
By Clr. Tiawan S. Gongloe
It is always a pleasure for me to speak to young people because it provides me the opportunity to share my thoughts about various issues in our country.  This is why I most often find time even with my busy schedule as a courtroom lawyer and a lecturer at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law to honor invitations by young people, whenever they invite me to speak to them. Today, I want to speak to you briefly on the topic: Breaking the chain of dependency in Liberia- a necessary condition for national development, progress and prosperity.

President George Manneh Weah

In Conversation With President George Weah
By: James Thomas-Queh
Mr. President, it was my intention to wait a year, at least, before engaging this conversation with you, but the acceleration of events has precipitated my appointment. Thus forgive my insistence. First and foremost, I want to reaffirm my fullest support to your “pro-poor” government. For the last nine months, I have been keenly observing your efforts to radically change Liberia’s development stratagem of 171 years of independence. And believe me, you have already engraved in the mind of every Liberian your development agenda by clearly associating our mass poverty to the lack of massive infrastructure development. Simple wisdom: without roads citizens cannot get to the hospitals; without roads our rural farmers cannot sell their products; without roads our majority poor citizens travel in horrible conditions at the risk of their lives; without roads majority of our people are totally isolated; without roads there are no substantial commercial activities, etc. In essence, road connectivity is a key element to the genuine, independent economic development of a nation

Central Bank of Liberia

America is great because of immigrants!
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
America is great because of Immigrants! The greatness of America comes from it being a beacon of hope for the helpless, the deprived, the brightest and the most talented. The United States of America has offered hope and opportunities to many immigrants. The Irish came from Ireland during the great potato famine of the 1840s; the Jews emigrated from Europe during and after the 2nd World War, and the English escaped a depressed English economy in the 1700s. They came to a land that offered a chance for the future. The only immigrants that were kidnapped and forcibly brought to these shores against their will are the ancestors’ of African Americans.

The Vanguard Students Unification Party: A lost generation of militants—what is our mission, comrades?
By Kwein W. Kwein II
On October 6, 2018, I woke up to a text message that had been sent by a young and conscious militant of our party called comrade Selma. In his text message, comrade Selma cited an incident that occurred on October third that saw militants insulting and assaulting leaders of our party—including members of the Bureau of political affairs and the Central Committee. He further added that militants should be party discipline and desist from such act. Hence, I write with the sole intent of reinforcing his arguments and further sharpening the apparent or visible contradictions that engulf our party in this dispensation.

No Wig/Colored Hair In Dr. Weah's Government?

Amidst the Loss 16 Billion Liberian Dollars, Dr.  George Weah’s Finance Minister Tweah censures Female employees Wearing Wigs to Work
Editor's Notes:: There are lots of strange things happening in “Dr.” George Weah’s Government. Under the watchful eyes of Finance Minister Samuel Tweah, are women sporting un-natural and colored hair, not allowed to perform their duties as employees at the Finance Ministry? The Press release from the Gender Ministry quoted The Decent Work Law of Liberia, which in their words “clearly defines discrimination as the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.” The nation is replete with cancer survivors most of whom are bald after lengthy chemotherapy who have to wear wigs. Is this a crime in eyes of Weah and his point man Tweah? When will the Dr. Weah Government get it right? The President was at the UNGA when Liberians opted to show their moral outrage about the so-called missing containers of money. But upon his return, President Weah’s anger was against those who staged a peaceful demonstration. The inference is that the president does not care about getting at the bottom of these “stolen” containers of money. Are we missing something? Where is the pro-poor taking us as a nation? Is this more important than the missing container of 16 BILLION DOLLARS?
This is becoming very interesting by the minute and ironically the President wife is to establish a Brazilian hair factory in Liberia. In any case, published below is a press release from the Gender Ministry which happens to be part of the Dr. Weah

Government.

The March Against “Stolen” 16 billion Liberian Dollars: A Dress Rehearsal to an Imminent and Inevitable Danger
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
The Monday, September 24, 2018’s stampede of the masses on the streets of Monrovia demanding the government to return the stolen 16billion Liberian Dollars was a dress rehearsal to the imminent and inevitable wrecking of a rogue government that has no determination to roll out revolutionary programs for the social transformation of the West Africa republic and its wretched people. Regime elements used threats to scared away the masses. Money was dished out in the media for propaganda in order to break the back of the mass movement of the people. Opposition leaders were accused of inciting the people. Regime surrogates were spotted in slum communities begging the people to not come out to protest. The thing is, no external subjective factor has the ability to evoke the revolutionary movement of the people.

President George Manneh Weah

President Weah’s Burdens
By Abdoulaye W Dukulé
Liberia’s march to democracy has been a bloody one, just as it was in France, America, Nicaragua, Iraq and so on. This generation can boasting of having changed the political landscape. At the cost of 250,000 lives and a country destroyed beyond imagination... The nation survived through the resilience of a people who have been subjected to more than a century and half of the misrule. 2006 was a turning point. 2018 is a crossroad. The CDC administration has inherited a nation at peace, full of hope, forward-looking and respected in the international community. That legacy is the greatest gift any of good institutional frameworks, forward-looking and hopeful. This is the best any outgoing administration can leave to a successor

A Demonstration is Underway in Monrovia, as President Weah Edits his Flashcards to Speak at the United Nations
The disappearance of about $100 million U. S. dollars in thin air in Monrovia has outraged Liberians at home and in the Diaspora.  Though the president is said to have set up a committee to investigate, the efforts is considered not to be enough for the hapless people of the country who are severely affected by the disappearance and are therefore demanding that President Weah and Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf account for the missing 16 billion Liberian dollars. President Weah is in the USA to speak at the United Nations.  Sources close to the government say that the Liberian President has asked the FBI of the United States of America for its intervention in the investigation. There is currently a serious foreign exchange crisis in the country partly due to Liberian leaders’ insatiable appetite for printing money to support their corrupt schemes. As we talk about the missing money, there are calls from some intelligentsia of the regime for Liberia to print more money to replace the missing millions.

The "All Liberians Are Related" Mentality: Will President Weah Go After His Relatives?
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé
Many scoffed when President George Weah said that corruption could not be fought in Liberia because everybody is related. It sounded like a naïve statement to some while others argued that he was accepting and condoning corruption. What if he was right? A few years back Dr. Elwood Dunn told me that power will always be a family thing in Liberia, and for a long time. The colonization has created a class of dominants, who did whatever they could to preserve their wealth and power through lots of means. In reaction, the oppressed people developed their own system of resistance and strengthened their bounds. The nucleus of each system was the family. The family extends into religious, fraternal and generational cubs.

$100 Million in Cash Vanishes in Liberia, and Fingers Start Pointing - New York Times
Containers full of newly minted currency worth more than $100 million have gone missing in Liberia, setting off finger pointing and travel bans as officials puzzle over the mystery in one of the poorest countries in the world.

U.S. May Aid Liberia in Search for Missing Millions - Reuters Via New York Times
The U.S. government is considering helping Liberia track down more than $100 million in missing cash, an embassy spokesman said, in a case that has triggered a political crisis in the impoverished country.

Stop celebrating thieves and demonizing patriots
By: Kwein W. Kwein II.
A few days ago, some people were seen celebrating an unscrupulous and loudmouth public official who lacks ethic and has a very shallow understanding of his role as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Information, while today the Liberian media is going unnoticed. However, I'm not surprised why Mr. Rodney Sieh is not being hailed today by the Liberian people for informing them about the devilish and criminal acts that are being meted out against them by people whom they consider to be their heroes and leaders—it is not fond of us to do such things.

"One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All": An Empty Pledge in Practical Terms
By Samuel Barbay Gaye, Jr., M. Div.
The founders of Liberia or "founding fathers" as some historians refer to them established a government modeled after the United States of America. They declared Liberia an independent state, the first on the continent of Africa, and established a constitutional republic as their former slave masters did. The government was 'democratic' in nature with three "separate, but equal branches of government" comprising the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

The Unskilled Former Liberty Bigshots And The Grand Old TWP Members - (FICTION)
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
Prior to the People’s Revolutionary Commission (PRC), Joseph Jenkins, Edward James, Stephen Allen, and James Springs were all honorable men in the Republic of Liberty. They were wheeler-dealers! Joseph Jenkins taught History and International Studies as an adjunct professor at the University of Liberty (UL). Actually, he was Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom; and he had gone home for reassignment when the PRC took overthrew the TWP government. Edward James was the Minister of Defense; Stephen Allen was Senior Senator for  Monsardo County’s District 1, and James Springs was Speaker of the House of Representatives from Lexington, Greenville County.  He had been Speaker of the House for what Libertarians referred to as “19 Woo, Woo;” that is, they couldn’t remember the number of years he had served as Speaker

"Dr. Hne" has gone home to rest

"Dr. Hne" Has Gone Home To Rest After 40 Unbroken Years of Service To Mankind In The Medical Field
With heavy hearts, the family and relatives of Mr. Anthony T. Hne, Sr. (formerly known as Dr. Hne) announce, his death, which occurred at the JFK Memorial Hospital on September 5, 2018, at about 2: 45 pm. The late Mr. Anthony T. Hne, Sr was a Professional Nurse and a veteran Anastatic who had worked for over 40 (forty) years in various Health Centers including Firestone Cavalla, Firestone Harbel, JFK, Redemption, Catholic, Mawah and Benson Hospitals. He was a Member and the Advisor of the Liberian Anastatic National Association (LANA) in Liberia. The late Mr. Hne leaves to mourn his wife, Mrs. Sarah Gono Hne, several children, relatives and friends.

Finance Minister Samuel Tweah	Deputy NPA Manager Celia Cuffy-Brown

Travel Bonanza in Weah-led Government: The Emergence of a New Cartel in Liberia – A Camarilla of ‘Pro-poor’ Mafias
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Across the landscape of Africa’s oldest independent nation and the World’s fourth poorest country, it appears like a new cabal of state mafias is emerging under Soccer Legend turned President George M. Weah. This camarilla of ‘pro-poor’ pillagers seems overly prepared and well positioned to unremorsefully plunge Liberia into economic nullity and obscurity. Who is leading this clique of kleptocrats? Who is piloting this Coalition of Desperate Crooks (CDC)?

Does The $330 Loan Industry Sow The Seed Of Instability?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Beginning 2004 to the date of the August 26, 2018 article about BRAC’s $330 loan lent to 27,010 clients, I have come across many petty retailers. I interacted with them at Red-Light in Paynesville, at ELWA Junction in Paynesville; at Caldwell Junction, and on Randall Street in Monrovia, Monsterrado County in 2004, 2013, 2017 and 2018. I bought goods from them in Kakata, Margibi County; Gbarnga, Bong County; and Ganta, Nimba County in 2013 and 2018; I observed them in Zwedru, Grand Geddeh County in 2013, and I talked with a few of them in Zorzor, Lofa County in 2018.

Pro-Poor Government To Add More Tariff To Pay Back One Billion US Dollars Loan?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
It is a good idea for a country to obtain debt in order to build infrastructure and reduce poverty, ignorance, disease, etc. However, obtaining a loan (for example, a $3.4 billion to build roads in Liberia) without the source of repayment is not prudent. This is because our government cannot find money to pay BACK ITS OLD DEBT ($800M) AND REDUCE YEARLY BUDGETARY DEFICITS. Seeking a new debt might compel the country to collect more taxes, sell lucrative at a fire sale (i.e., sale at an unfavorable discount), and or borrow additional debt to pay the old debt.

Former President Taylor

Justice Is On The Way
By Tiawan S. Gongloe
On March 29, 2006, at about 5:00 Pm I told the world press at the Roberts International Airport, speaking on behalf of the Liberian Government, as Solicitor General, that the arrest of Charles Taylor was the beginning of the end of impunity in Liberia. Following the trial and conviction of Mr. Taylor, we have begun to see the world arresting and putting on trial, some notorious perpetrators of world crimes during the fourteen-year civil conflict in Liberia. In the United States of America and Europe, the arrest and trial of some of the notorious perpetrators of war crimes in Liberia have clearly shown that the world has clear and cogent evidence on those who committed atrocities in Liberia. The quality of evidence produced during the trial of Jungle Jarbah and Tom Woewiyu should be a clear signal to those who committed war crimes and have not been brought to justice that justice is on the way and it will make no mistake when it arrives in Liberia. The best that the suspects of war crimes can do for themselves is to begin to seek the services of the best lawyers that they can retain to represent them during their expected trials for war crimes.

BRAC: Lent $330 To 27k Clients ($8.9m/27,010); Interest 21% ($1.8/$8.9m)
By J. Yanqui Zaza
A few days ago, I reviewed BRAC’s 2017 Financial Statement after I read an interesting, excellent, and detailed covered story of the 7/30/18 about “…Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood (AFSL) program…” published by the Daily Observer Newspaper. The contents of the 7/30/18 article of the two-day Seminar held to discuss issues about BRAC Liberia’s programs had lured me to the Financial Statements of BRAC (i.e., a Nongovernmental Agency). This is because I had hoped that BRAC’s food program would help in making Liberia food-self-sufficient, which could allow the new Government to continue to focus on raising and spending $3.4B on “road connectivity.”

The looming danger of a one-party state in Liberia
By Nyaquoi Gehgan Bowman
The idea that Liberia can become a one-party state seems like a distant reality, but the probability of such is becoming all too real under the Coalition of Democratic Change’s administration. Recent statements by Mulbah Morlu, Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change in Brooklyn Park, MN USA and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor in Bong County are clear and irrefutable evidence that the grand vision of the Coalition of Democratic Change or CDC is to transform Liberia into a one-party state.

Profit For Government: World Bank Says Yes To Japan, Etc.; No To Liberia
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Multinational corporations and institutions have and continue to deceptively coerce poor countries to prohibit government’s role in managing profit-making assets, but at the same time allow certain governments of Japan, Germany, Botswana, etc. to own and, or manage profit-making-lucrative assets. For instance, Germany owns about 34% shares in Mercedes Benz car company and, or Japan owns shares in countless profit-making companies. In the case of Japan, the government does not just buy shares to make profits, but also it buys stocks in order to influence the market, according to Wolf Richer. For instance, in 2014, at the request of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), bought $350 billion...

A Model to Implement Moroccan Development
By Yossef Ben-Meir
In terms of human development potential, Morocco is a nation of immense promise.  It is where gifted fortunes of nature (including agricultural) come together with dynamic social development Frameworks that could launch the country into a bottom-up haven in Africa and the Near East of community-managed projects and change.  Sadly, however, for the majority of people, the application of the country’s combined initiatives for development is not seeming consequential.  The problem is that Morocco’s programs for national growth and development through people’s participation are not being orchestrated together. Integrating these programs would enable their mutual reinforcement to promote accelerated growth and success of development initiatives.  

From L-R: Coach Arsene Wenger, President George Weah, and Coach Claude LeRoy

An Unmerited Accolade: Arsene Wenger and Claude Marie LeRoy Do Not Deserve Liberia’s Highest Honor
By Martin K. N. Kollie
On Friday, August 24, 2018, Liberia will bestow its highest honor on two foreign football managers who hail from France. Liberia under ex-Soccer Legend George M. Weah will decorate Arsene Wenger and Claude Marie François Le Roy for contributing to his football career... The 68-year-old Frenchman Arsene Wenger will be inducted into the Order of Distinction with the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption – The Highest Honor. The 70-year-old Coach Claude Marie Le Roy who currently manages the Togo National Football Team will also be decorated with the Country’s highest honor.

Liberia: The “Dictatorship of the Multinational Corporations”
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
Unlike other countries in the Sub-Saharan region, Liberia was never formally colonized by European imperialism. Therefore, the West African nation was neither militarily nor politically occupied by any of the colonizing states to give rise to the penetration of foreign capital for the colossal exploitation and exportation of raw material from the soil and sub-soil of Liberia after the partition of Africa took place in Berlin, Germany from 1884-1885. Nevertheless, Liberia’s social system has produced the principal contradiction of the “Dictatorship of the multinational corporations”. We do not abhor contradictions as they are mutually opposite aspects that exist in all phenomena whether nature, society or human thoughts. Wherever contradictions exist, the internal struggle of the opposites in those phenomena are what engender a new stage of human development and a new form of contradictions as well as new methods for resolving them.

Former President Sirleaf

LIBERIA: Sirleaf’s envoy and maid-of-honor linked to controversial mining company - CENOZO (AfricaLeaks)
By Alloycious David
Liberia’s former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s longtime friend and special emissary, Clavenda Bright Parker, according to leaked documents, directed a company registered in a secret jurisdiction with ties to a mining company awarded a mining deal amidst protest from local communities in Liberia’s Southeastern Grand Gedeh County... Madam Bright Parker, Johnson-Sirleaf’s former classmate at the College of West Africa in Monrovia was the shareholder and director of Greater Putu Foundation Limited, an offshore company registered in Seychelles in October 2008, according to never before reported on files from the Panama Papers,

President George Manneh Weah

Weighing in on Low Turnout During July 31 Senatorial By-Election
By Sherman C. Seequeh
There has been much ado about low turnout in the last senatorial by-elections. Most of the reasons are quite amusing. That many did not vote because a barely six-month-old government has failed is just one. And people have their right to say what they think about the elections, and their interpretation of the political inertia evolving amongst the citizens. They may not be wrong that they too have their perspectives. It is all just about hurried conclusions—the same more conclusions anyone can reach to spice up their personal feelings and make them authentic by the pitch of their voices and the weight of their pens.

Liberia: The Socioeconomic Crisis Deepens
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
As we predicted, the 25million foreign notes auctioned by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) on June 20, 2018, has been swallowed by the high demand for foreign currency in the Liberian economy! The CBL's rate, which is set based on data collected from the commercial banks, parallel market and the licensed forex bureau, has once again started to increase with the speed of light, thus developing the potential to butcher the already declining purchasing power of workers, civil servants, farmers, petite traders, etc. This is akin to doing more of the same things and expecting different results. Someone once said such is nothing but the product of insanity.

Can the Moroccan Approach Inspire a Development Revolution?
By Julia Al-Akkad
Decades of conflict and complex power dynamics between Jewish and Muslim communities have resulted in a deep-rooted aversion towards cultural engagement. This continues to hinder multiethnic relationships throughout the Middle Eastern and North African region. Even so, a rich history of ethnic and religious diversity remains an inseparable embodiment of the cultural atmosphere in Morocco. In the June 2018 issue of the Mediterranean Quarterly, Yossef Ben-Meir discusses Morocco’s notable display of commitment towards peaceful coexistence, presenting promising outcomes for the kingdom. Concurrently, the question arises whether this Moroccan integration of cultural preservation and sustainable development is able to transcend borders across the Arab region.

What is July 26 Celebration to Americo-Liberians & Indigenous Liberians?
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
This July 26 holiday, I would like to know if Liberians who celebrate the Independence Day truly understand the purpose of the celebration. I did so by conducting a survey that included ‘one-on-one conversations along with questions. The respondents were Liberians from all backgrounds who were asked to explain their understanding of the purpose or historical significance of the July 26 Independence Day holiday. My topic for this exercise is: “What is July 26 Celebration to Americo-Liberians & Indigenous Liberians?” In order to truly arrive at the proper understanding by both groups, I decided to ask them the following questions:

The Law Of Shame That Defies Jewish Values
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The Israeli Knesset passed a new basic law which in the main enshrines “Israel [as] the historical homeland of the Jewish people in which the State of Israel was established… The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people… Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel.” On the surface, there is not much new in this law. Israel has been practicing its provisions for many years. Nevertheless, the law betrays Israel’s foundational document, its declaration of independence. It will severely cripple Israel’s democracy, and the argument that the new law does not tamper with Israel’s democracy and equality among all of its citizens regardless of their cultural, racial, or religious orientation is fake, misleading, and ultimately self-defeating.

 

Minister Tweah

Pro-poor Paradox, Polished Rhetoric, and Popular Cliché
- SUP Critiques 171st Independence Day Oration
Before 1847, there was no Sovereign State called the Republic of Liberia. According to our history, twelve (12) delegates from 3 counties gave birth to this new African Republic on July 26, 1847. The promise of the declaration made by our forebears was not only resounding, but ground-breaking after Africa’s first independent nation was conceived.

In an effort to firmly uphold those fundamental values and cherishable pillars upon which our nation was formed and modeled, these were inevitable promises made:

1. To uphold the Constitution and the Rule of Law
2. To guarantee human dignity and civil liberty
3. To ensure economic freedom and political pluralism/cohesion
4. To promote peace, reconciliation, and justice for all
5. To equitably distribute the nation’s wealth by maintaining public accountability, integrity, openness, and transparency.

Education Is The Only Sustainable Way To Get Out Of Poverty And To Develop A Country
A speech delivered on July 14, 2018, By S. Tiawan Gongloe
Thank you for inviting me to speak to our children on the occasion of their graduation from the ninth grade. I have one message that I am carrying around these days, especially when I am invited to speak to students. That message is that education is the only sustainable way to get out of poverty.  When a child from the poorest family in a village, town or a community gets educated, his life changes for the better. Learning, both formal and informal provides a better chance to get out of poverty forever. Education provides the opportunity to get trained as a mechanic, a masonry person, radio repairer, a teacher, nurse, medical doctor, engineer, a preacher or a lawyer, amongst others.

Central Bank of Liberia

Did World Bank Say, “Give Me Control Of A Nation’s Wealth And I Care Not Who Makes Its Laws?”
By J. Yanqui Zaza
It is not true that the World Bank stated, “GIVE ME CONTROL OF A NATION’S WEALTH AND I CARE NOT WHO MAKES ITS LAWS.” In fact, historians are still searching for the original author of that quote. However, is the World Bank not dictating onerous policies for poor countries such as Liberia, for example, since it came into existence in 1943? For example, was it not the World Bank that guided Liberia in awarding 66 fraudulent concessionary agreements such as the ExxonMobil concessionary agreement, according to Mr. Robert Sirleaf, son of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf?

Toward Genuine Economic Recovery, Stability, Sustained Growth, and Prosperity
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The Liberian economy is on life-support. The local currency (LRD) is fast losing weight or power as a result of the growing demand for foreign currency (USD). There is a huge rush for foreign currency (USD) by both the private and public sectors. Real income, investment, and employment are being negatively impacted due to rising prices (inflation), swelling exchange rate, and global macroeconomic shocks.

President George Manneh Weah

From Country Giant to Prisoner of War: President George M. Weah Surrendered to the Economic logjam
By Alfred P.B. Kiadii
In the wake of the worsening economic condition, the lowering of living standards, the scaling down of investment, the implacable unemployment and permanent inflation that are taking a toll on the mass of people in the homeland, the people have slammed the Weah government for being insensitive. Some have virtually poured scorn on it, calling it into question and thus submitting that it is an orgy of deplorables. The condemnation trended on social media and it sparked a national outcry, and the discussion became a cause célèbre.

The Late President Mandela

Remembering Nelson Mandela - An Inspirational Leader
By Joe Bartuah
A few days ago, in South Africa--the Rainbow Nation—as their late president famously tagged it—dignitaries and ordinary citizens from around the world are joining hundreds of thousands of South Africans for their highly anticipated Global Citizens Festival, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of their late President, Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. From all indications, the festivities are definitely star-studded.

Liberia’s Exchange Rate: IMF Blames Central Bank Of Liberia, Etc.
By J. Yanqui Zaza
What factor(s) continue to depreciate the Liberian currency against the American currency? The rate was LD 54 to the US $1 in 2005; LD 131 to the U.S. $1 in 2017; and now it is LD160 to the US $1 in 2018. Former Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Mr. Milton Weeks, during a Press Conference in 2017, asserted that the outflow of $144 million remittances was the culprit. In 2016, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf implied that a decline in the global commodity prices was the reason behind the fall in government revenue, and by extension the Liberian Exchange rate...Adding to the two factors, the International Monetary Fund listed ULMIL drawdown, reduction in inflow remittances, a sharp reduction in donors’ grants and the political uncertainty in 2017. Additionally, the IMF, in its June 8, 2018, Report No. 18/172, accused CBL of abandoning its responsibility to stabilize Liberia’s exchange rate. “The CBL has not attempted… at providing the funds needed to intervene in the foreign exchange market to smooth the depreciation path of the LD against the USD,” explained by the author of the Report.

President George Forky Klon Jlaleh Gbah Ku GbehTarpeh Manneh Weah

As Prayer increases in Arithmetic Mean, Hardship increases in Geometric Mean - which way for the Liberian People?
By Alfred P.B. Kiadii
In the wake of the geometrical progression of the exchange rate, compounded by the worsening living standards in the homeland, a looming crisis is on the horizon in Liberia. However, our friends on the campus in the geographic propinquity of Bernard Beach are either on “jolly” or watching television soap opera or in the state of denial. At least the ordinary people, who learn from experience, are seeing through the scheme and thus disassociating themselves from the so-called pro-poor chorus. The once duped people now agree with progressive nationalists that the Weah presidency is sliding the homeland into political sclerosis and social disintegration.

Liberia: A Country on the Brink of Total Socioeconomic Collapse
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
Everywhere in Liberia, the social crisis has reached its terminal stage. There is massive unemployment with no prospect of increasing the productivity of labor through productive economic activities in key sectors of the economy. The living standards of the mass of people cannot withstand the shock being produced by the general rise in the prices of goods and services. The low supply of foreign currency in the economy has made the Liberian dollars a mere paper on the desk of a public-school teacher. Due to lack of productivity in the industrial sector of the economy, almost 95percent of consumer goods are imported into the country from external economies.

A Tribute to Cllr. David A.B. Jallah, B.Sc., LL. B, LL.M.
By Al-Hassan Conteh, Ph.D
It is hard to bid final goodbye to a longtime friend, undergraduate and graduate schoolmate, Dean and professional colleague. Our relationship was contextual, self-reinforcing, and professional.   William Shakespeare reminds us in the Tempest that " What is Past is Prologue," meaning, in the sense used here, that the historical context of one’s upbringing and school days, determine the successes of his or her career in the future, a future that I shared with my departed friend, who I came personally to know as Boy Boko or Dave.

Hummingbird Resources

Did Liberia Award Its Gold Mine Field To A Bankrupt Company?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Just like his predecessors, President Weah is faced with the tasks to make a decision between of what Professor, Dr. Nicola Fuchs-Schundeln called “Self-Interest vs. the Common Good.” For instance, did the government award the concessionary agreement to Hummingbird Resources because of Special Interest such as the World Bank, Liberia’s lender, and economic adviser? Or, will the government protect the interest of Monrovia-Landlords against the interest of tenants, will the government differentiate some desired bonus payments from bribery; will the government prevent concessionary companies from polluting communities or exploiting Liberia natural resources?

Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh

Tipoteh: The Hut Tax Is Bad For Liberia!
Upon hearing the results of the recently held Council of Chiefs meeting in Nimba County pointing out, among other points, the need to reintroduce the Hut Tax, Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh, Founding Leader of the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA), issued a Statement immediately declaring NEVER AGAIN to the Hut Tax. In his Statement, made over the weekend, Dr. Tipoteh, an internationally renowned economist, said that the Hut Tax is regressive and, therefore, it would increase the already longstanding and widespread poverty in Liberia.

Marketers Joined SUP to Protest Against increasing Hardship in Liberia
On Friday, June 29, 2018, the densely populated suburb of Red Light was a scene of protest and uproar as conscious cadres of the Student Unification Party rallied and led marketers and street peddlers in demand of government’s immediate intervention pertinent to the rising exchange rate, hyperinflation, and heightening economic paralysis that have awfully engulfed the country since Soccer Legend, George M. Weah, took over as President.

Colonialism is the Same Anywhere, No Matter its Many Disguises
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
I am not one who glorifies African’s past just to make myself feel good about Africa’s history. As a well-informed person, I am compelled by the empirical evidence to report the positive as well as the negative attributes about Africa. But what I dislike is the practice or belief that whatever Europeans/Americans did to Africans and Native Americans are considered as right because it originated from Europe, and it is -- the “White Man’s burden” or his “Manifest Destiny” sanctioned by GOD. This is the belief that Europeans and Arabs have propagated for centuries for which they described AFRICA as the DARK CONTINENT that needs LIGHT (their civilization); when the fact of the matter is, they are ones who STOLE from AFRICA almost everything they possessed as theirs. A thief will always be a thief no matter how much they are REHABILITATED! (Photo, Coil, Scene – The Congo “Free” State – PUNCH, or The London Charivari – Nov. 28, 1906)

When Loyalty is paid back with Disloyalty – The Harsh Reality of Neglect
- A Eulogy To Comrade Adu Dorley
By Martin K. N. Kollie
Greet comrade James Gray for us, another firebrand young soldier who was axed by death as a result of utter neglect. As we share our sentiments of regret over your passing, say hi to Brother Gray and all conscious fighters who have been down this tragic lane. Like James cried out for help, you too did the same during your last hours on earth.

Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir

Erdogan’s Reelection and Its Dire Consequences
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir
The reelection of Turkey’s President Erdogan, falsely considered to be free, fair, and representative of the will of the majority of the Turkish population has dire implications both domestic and foreign. Supporters of Erdogan suggest that the elections only reinforce the democratic nature of the country and that critics of Erdogan must now accept the public verdict. The fact, however, is that Erdogan stopped short of nothing to create an internal social and political atmosphere to stifle his opposition that made it possible for him to win an outright majority of the electorate. This raises serious questions about the legitimacy of his victory that has bestowed on him sweeping powers and made Turkey de facto one-man rule. Nothing will stop him now from pursuing his abusive and blind ambition, as he can now exercise absolute power.

CDC Pro-Poor Government Hut Tax’s Historical Amnesia
By Elder Siahyonkron J. K. Nyanseor, Sr.
Pro-Poor Policy of a government usually targets directly poor people’s economic plight, which is due to the poverty they experienced in society. The goal of this policy is to improve their living standard. However, the Hut Tax re-introduced by the traditional Chiefs and Elders in Liberia resembles a reversed ‘Robin Hood’ – intended to TAKE (Steal) from the POOR. Whereas, the Robin Hood and his Merry Men of Sherwood Forest took from the abusive and corrupt leaders what they stole from the poor and had it returned.

Education And National Decision-Making
By Togba-Nah Tipoteh, PhD
The most vexing perennial and pervasive problem in Liberia is mass poverty. Mass poverty has become a principal pretext for violence, including war, as was seen in the Liberian Civil War. Out of this Civil War has emerged the clear Mandate of the People of Liberia, indicative of lessons well learned from the experiences during the Civil War. This Mandate remains: WE WANT PEACE! NO MORE WAR!

Borrowing for Development: the billion-dollar questions
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé
The current debate in Liberia is centered on two loans that the infant administration of President George M. Weah has entered with certain private entities to undertake the construction of roads in the Southeast and in Eastern Liberia. Anyone who spent 16 hours to cover a rocky 500 kilometers – as I did a few times this year - will wholeheartedly welcome any alternative. A drive on the bush road from Buchanan in Bassa County to Pleebo in Maryland is akin to a trip into the abyss of time past. For people in that region, the prospect of a modern road that would link them to the rest of the country, trumps any other consideration.

President George Manneh Weah

The Pro-Poor Agenda – Give Us A Comprehensive Blueprint
Editorial
In a show of a bombastic display of PowerPoint presentation in a spacious room packed with curious Liberians in Philadelphia earlier this spring, President Weah's finance minister Samuel Tweah implicitly hinted that the much-heralded pro-poor policy agenda of the Weah administration was an ad hoc one in that it was scarcely conceptualized or put on paper. The Finance Minister was responding to a question from the Philadelphia audience regarding the policy agenda. He then said the administration would be issuing a comprehensive concept paper or a white paper that would contain explanations of what the agenda is all about--in June this year.

Government: Turns “Bad Money” ($536M Loan) to Good Money?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
Have you heard the adage, which says, “The Tail Wags The Dog,” meaning the tail of a dog that drives flies away from a dog is the same tail that wags/slaps the dog? Or, the law that affects a citizen is the same law that affects a government. Without such a rule, the bank industry would enable criminals/drug dealers to change “Bad Money” to “Good Money.” In the case of the $536M, the banking rule that requires a depositor to provide a source for a deposit of $10,000 or above is the same rule that requires a government and its lender to provide the source for the $536M loan.

The Corruption-Loaded Eton And Ebomaf Loan Deals Could Be Revoked By A Future Liberian Government
By: Matthew J. Wesseh
There is common Liberian saying that town trap is not for rat alone. Another common Liberian saying is that if you point you finger to someone, four of your fingers are pointed back to you.  The wisdom in these statements are playing themselves out right in our faces in relation to how the government of President George Weah is proceeding with agreements and concessions signed by the past government versus how they are proceeding in concluding new agreements, especially the US$536 million ETON and the US$420 EBOMAF loan deals.

Add Values To Gold, Etc.: Will Prez Weah, Advisers & Tony Blair?
By J. Yanqui Zaza
On May 30, 2018, another adviser to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Minister of Great Britain, Mr. Tony Blair, joined President George Weah government supposedly to help him increase jobs, etc. Mr. Blair had worked with President Sirleaf from 2010 and continues to work with six other African countries, including Sierra Leone.

Tony Blair

Emmanuel Shaw

Liberia’s Legislature ratified the Eton Finance PTE Limited-GOL Loan agreement: Dashed hope or Collective collusion?
By Alfred P.B. Kiadii
We don't have faith in the collective of membership of the Liberian legislature. The whole legislature is a façade. Apart from the specious filibustering and boring antic, the legislature has always been subservient and played second fiddle to every Liberian leader. A rubber stamp institution it is, thus making it anachronistic in the context of check and balance. In true, check and balance, in the context of Liberia, is only on the paper. The reality is different. The legislature is just burden taxpayers have to shoulder to make Liberia appears like it has a democracy with three separate but equal branches.

Is That Emmanuel Shaw, Again?  
By Benedict Nyankun Wisseh
Is that Emmanuel Shaw, again? That was my reaction to a picture in which the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and Emmanuel Shaw were standing side by side and smiling. Both appeared as if they were former schoolmates meeting at a class reunion gathering. But, this was not at a class reunion gathering. It was at a reception hosted by the French president in Paris for his visiting Liberian counterpart, President George Weah. Mr. Shaw, however, was not there, as other Liberian citizens were, to pay their respects to President Weah. Rather, Shaw was there as a member of the official Liberian delegation that was headed by the president. Hence, one can conclude that Shaw was selected by Weah to travel with him. Although it has not been announced publicly, one will not be wrong to also conclude that Shaw is an official in the Liberian government. For an administration that portrays itself to the world to be “pro-poor,” Shaw’s involvement in it, perhaps, with what appears to be unrestricted access to the president, does not inspire confidence in the commitment to the “pro-poor” agenda. Why do I make this assertion?

Global Witness Welcomes Liberian President George Weah's Commitment
A Press Statement Issued By Global Witness
Global Witness welcomes last week’s commitment by Liberian President George Weah to hold accountable anyone found to have broken the law during the 2013 approval of the sale of oil Block 13 to Exxon... The President’s pledge came after he received a report from the Special Presidential Review Committee, which was tasked with investigating the Exxon deal. In March, Global Witness published Catch Me if You Can, described how the oil block was tainted by corruption.

Do We Really Know What Arcelor Mittal Is Up To?
By Paul Columbus Collins
In a conversation with an Arcelor Mittal contractor, I was told that Arcelor Mittal has had to cut back on production and exportation of Liberian iron ore because of the fall of iron ore price on the world market.  That took me off guard because it simply just didn’t make sense.  Why would Arcelor dare do such an unthinkable thing when it made more sense to pay a lower price for one's inputs (iron ore) into its steel production, especially when steel price was going UP.  So I ask the question, what is Arcelor up to?

Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr.

The Attack against Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr.: A Patent Red Herring from Vulgar Elements of the Weah Government
By Alfred P.B. Kiadii
In recent times, there has been a fierce intensification of the spiteful campaign of slander and frontal vilification of Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr. (HB) by savages of the most reactionary and rotten layer of the bankrupt Liberian ruling clique, which is in deep crisis and riven with unsolvable contradictions. In their blatant absurdity, the midgets dismiss Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh, Jr. as an ‘insignificant figure.’ However, strangely, they consistently hurl vitriolic venom at him while, at the same time, pronouncing he is insignificant.

How does Science impact human nature and society as a whole
By Alpha G. Gray
We have learned over the time that man in his own capacity is subject to environmental changes and those changes have either positive or negative impact on him and the environment in which he lives. If a negative change occurs it causes destabilization of man's habitat and dilapidates his nature and understanding of things in the surrounding. In so doing, there is a need to relate scientific understanding to natural phenomena in our daily life. In other places around the globe, science has provided vast pieces of evidence on how the many contributions of scientific research positively affect human nature and society as a whole. Science and technology have had a major impact on society, and their impact is growing.

The Futility of Unification Day: Hopeless Future – Misguided Generation – Unpatriotic Leaders
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The economy is taking a nosedive. Prices of main export commodities are falling due to global macroeconomic shocks. Inflation is high – youth unemployment is heightening – purchasing power is low – the real wage of civil servants is being highly impacted by inflation – poverty has rendered our people hopeless.  In this 21st century, Liberians are the 8th unhappiest group of people on planet earth according to UNDP 2018 World Happiness Report.

Is the Pro Poor Policy for the likes of the Above, Or for the Pro Quid Pro Richmen  Like Nathaniel McGill et al.?

Minister Nathaniel McGill

"Unpopular Policy”, But Real, Is Good. So, Cut Wages To Create Jobs
By J. Yanqui Zaza
It is never easy for any government to institute pro-poor policy; neither is it usual or popular for an individual to do the right thing. That is why almost everybody overstates his/her value, experience, worth, etc. A homebuyer overestimates his/her monthly earnings to convince a bank that he/she can afford the mortgage payment. A big business includes non-business money (for example, a loan from a related party) to increase its revenue; searching for a loan, a government inflates its assets; it accepts anti-poor policy dictated by money-lending institutions, or it under-reports its unemployment rate.

Liberian conviviality & Campaign promises- “my mouth is not prayer book”
By Jimmy Suah Shilue
All over the world, politicians seeking office make promises. This is presumably done with the tacit conviction that such promises will bring about improvement in the current status quo and alter voters’ beliefs about the policies the politician will implement if elected as well as the capabilities of the politician. However, as we have seen elsewhere and in Liberia, promises can only be credible and worthy as long as reputation has a value. Unfortunately, in a country like ours with high illiterate population, staggering poverty level and minimal critical minds to objectively analyze and scrutinize,  politicians have learned to exploit these missing links by using tribal affiliations, ‘cash violence’, patrimonial ties and deception to ascend to political power.

Liberia is Bleeding
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
Then come the nouveau riches donning gaudy costumes, acting like the new overlords in the wasteland. Masquerading with high-sounding phrases in a spectacle of empty braggadocio. Not aware of the fact that the leadership of the Homeland is a poisoned chalice meant to expose their bankruptcy to the stubborn people who have a bit of trust in them... They are not new elites but Barbarians. They seem to be confused. Statecraft is not their forte, but plunder and arrogance. The pandemic is lethal and fatal. They seem lost in the wilderness. Their action is naïve. Their inaction is scandalous. Their decisions are kwashiorkor-ridden. Their conduct is appalling.

Bishop Charles Clifton Penick

Three Aces Of Spades And A Bishop
By Lawrence A. Zumo, MD
In the latter part of the 19th century, a series of events culminated in the discovery of human potential, talent and genius by exposure to opportunities for three young kids from deep darkest Africa. This was all made possible by the magnanimity of an American missionary Bishop, Rev Charles Clifton Penick (12/9/1843-4/13/1914), a friar of integrity, conscience and visionary foresight- no better example of erstwhile American humanitarianism, rugged individualism and enterprising exploration. Bishop Charles Clifton Penick was the third missionary bishop of Cape Palmas and Parts Adjacent, Liberia from 1877 to 1883. He was a Virginia native and consecrated at the Church of the Messiah, Baltimore, Maryland on February 13, 1877.

100 Days in Pro-Poor Governance – The Glittering Functionaries
By Sherman C. Seequeh
As the fiery debate over the George Weah Government’s achievements and failures in its first 100 days subsides, let me hastily lift my pen on the matter as I see it, before leaving for the hometown in Sinoe County today. Truly speaking, a hundred days is an unfair period to adjudge any emergent administrative regime failed or successful, not even in jurisdictions that are more economically developed and stronger. Certainly, it cannot also be done in the case of the Coalition for Democratic Change regime that inherited a near-virgin state coffer from a 12-year kleptocracy that struggled and failed to wrestle with galloping inflation and massive corruption, which the leader herself described as a vampire

Minister Nathaniel McGill

Now we know why Minister Nathaniel McGill took a whopping US$200,000 Loan to purchase a luxurious palace
By Martin K. N. Kollie
The 2018-2019 budget of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs has increased from US$18,689,116 to US$21,539,211. This accounts for a whopping 13.2 percent increment (US$2,850,095) even though the government is still struggling to generate an uncollected revenue of US$332 million from the fiscal year 2017-2018. The nation remains aid-dependent and loan-reliant while the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs has budgeted over US$21.5 million just in a period of 12 months. Now we know why Minister McGill secured a loan of US$200,000 to purchase a luxurious home after becoming a Minister just in 3 months. When did Minister McGill get so interested in securing a US$200,000 loan? Is it after becoming Minister for just 90-days? Is Hon. McGill a pro-poor Minister or a pro-rich Minister?

Liberia: Social Revolution or Barbarism - A State on the Edge of an Explosion
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
No victory is worth winning without a bit of sacrifice or suffering. So we accept the evolving processes in the Homeland, as we prepare ourselves for the task of nation-building. The vulgar minds suppose we are wishful thinkers, but beyond their noses and the abstraction of common sense they understand not complicated processes and see not the simmering contradictions, driven by a molecular movement that lies beneath the surface. Such sterility precludes them from understanding that under certain conditions everything changes into its opposite.

The Capitalist Crisis of Overproduction/Over Capacity and its Effects on the President George Weah –led Liberian Economy
By Moses Uneh Yahmia
The heralded prospect of Liberia rapidly expanding its economy through industrialization; thus, urbanizing and increasing the number of workers in the working class (employment) through the penetration of foreign capital is a dream not to be realized now or in the distant future. The thing is, almost every advanced capitalist country is experiencing the capitalist crisis of over production/over capacity – which points to the epoch of senile decay of a social system that was considered by many bourgeois economists like Francis Fukuyama as an eternal system of organizing the productive forces of society. The crisis of overproduction and its attending consequences is now making those apologists of capitalism to eat their words in shame.

President George Forky Klon Jlaleh Gbah Ku GbehTarpeh Manneh Weah

Pro-Poor Agenda In Liberia: Pre-conditioning Perspectives For President George Weah
By Musa Dukuly (Ph.D.)
Poverty is endemic and multifaceted in all segments of Liberia (rural and urban). According to UNDP (2015), the leading contributors to poverty incidence (54 percent) include the difficult living standard (51.4 percent), low level of education (25.6 percent) and limited access to health (23.0 percent). About half of the country’s 4.2 million people living below the poverty line of US$2 per day are unable to meet their basic food and non-food needs (LISGIS-Household Income and Expenditure Survey, 2014). Lack of access to farming inputs, low credit facility and poor quality health and education remain the key drivers of poverty. Unstable macroeconomic climate also fuels poverty, as the recent commodity shocks heightened inflationary pressures via exchange rate pass-through effect.

President Weah Talks Poor, but the 2018/2019 Draft budget Talks Rich: Pro-Poor or Pro-Rich?
By Alfred P. B. Kiadii
From a brief look at figures in the draft budget, the Weah regime spends a colossal US$ 488 million on recurrent expenditure, which means close to 87% of the draft budget is expected to be spent on the government, leaving the ordinary people to suffocate in despair. Meanwhile, payroll constitutes approximately 62% of it. A close look at the figure contradicts the Weah government much-heralded pronouncement about the reduction of salary, as the draft budget shows US$303.4million sudden jump in compensation, which far exceeds the approximately US$ 280 million used for the said purpose under the administration of his predecessor.

The Pro-Poor Policy Just Got Some Meaning
By Sherman C. Seequeh
Until the official framework of the current administration’s well-sung “pro-poor governance policy” can come out of the belly of ongoing retreats and PowerPoint deliberations, practical actions are the only prism upon which the merits of the policy and the insincerity of its proponents can be measured. Nothing is less than this. Not even the volume of the expected Pro-Poor Strategy Paper or the ecstasy generated by its literary renditions can substitute for deliberate practical revolutionary pronouncements and follow-up actions from President George Manneh Weah and his administration.

Dr. Adelaide Nmuna Tipoteh-Harris Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing

Diabetes Self-Management Education for Preventive Care: Adelaide Nmuna Tipoteh-Harris Obtains the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
By Dr. Geepu Nah Tiepoh
Adelaide Nmuna Tipoteh-Harris, Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, will officially be awarded the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice from Xavier University at its 180th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Professor Harris’ doctoral dissertation, entitled “Diabetes Self-Management Education Provision by an Interprofessional Collaborative Practice Team: A Quality Improvement Project,” was successfully defended last year on November 17th. It is dedicated to her late father, Rev. Samuel Togba Roberts, and mother Victoria Kye Roberts, who encouraged her to obtain “an education that no one can take away and be self-sufficient.” Adelaide Nmuna is the only girl out of seven (7) brothers, including Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh (one of Liberia’s most prominent economists, civil-society and political leaders).

Artwork by Michael Anderson and Sam Ben-Meir

Albania Must Choose Between the EU and Turkey
By Alon Ben-Meir and Arbana Xharra
The ‘Sultan’ of an illusionary Ottoman Empire—Turkey’s President Erdogan—is pressuring submissive politicians throughout the Balkan countries to do his bidding to restore the glory of the Ottoman period. For Erdogan, this is not simply an unfulfilled quest; he has been targeting the Balkans for the past several years (which he views as easy prey) to co-opt into his sphere of influence by spreading his Islamic agenda under the guise of cultural cooperation. He is investing heavily in infrastructure and religious institutions, using businesses as leverage (while reaping economic benefit) as part of his sinister scheme to consolidate Turkey’s grip on the Balkan states to serve his neo-Ottoman design.

Karl Marx

KARL MARX @ 200
By Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
Today, May 5, 2018, marks the 200th Birth Anniversary of Karl Mark. Let us examine the Work of Karl Marx and draw lessons from it that can be used to make living conditions better for the Working People of the world. Here are  the dismal living conditions of the Working People of the World:
1. Half of the world's population lives on less than USD2'50 a day.
2. One-fourth of the world's population lives on less than USD125 a day.
3. 80% of the world's population lives on less than USD10 a day'
4. 80% of the world's income and wealth is accounted for by 1% of the world's population
5. The gap between the poor and the rich within countries is widening and this gap between poor and rich countries is also widening.
Sources: World Bank Annual Reports; International Monetary Fund Annual Reports; United Nations Annual Human Development Reports.

Finance Minister Samuel Tweah

The Outburst of Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah: A Tacit Admittance of Deep Economic Crisis
By Alfred P.B. Kiadii
Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah told a gathering of Diaspora Liberians in Philadelphia that the salaries of civil servants should be sliced. It became a cause célèbre, triggering massive condemnation from Liberians both on social media and in the local press. A unity in condemnation this writer has not seen for a long time...Samuel D. Tweah was slammed for being insensitive, and some virtually poured on him negative tags, calling his conscience into question. The condemnation trended on social media and it sparked a national outcry. Even the somewhat apolitical folks joined the deafening refrain of slander, and the minister was reduced to a mere whipping boy. The outrage was loud, and it confirmed the fact that the people act on the basis of extreme necessity.

Central Bank of Liberia - Sets Rules for Commencial Banks Without Makinig Planning A Requirement

Investment In Liberia? Write A Business Plan Before…
By J. Yanqui Zaza   
Many people, including Liberians, want to operate a business. Some people undertake the enterprise for pleasure, while others carry it out to support their living. However, many small and medium-size entrepreneurs always avoid the prerequisites, to write a detailed plan, according to a chief executive. He said public research shows that “…small business owners do not put time and research into a business plan meant to keep them from making a fatal mistake.” Wrongly, they conclude that their enthusiasm and creativity are the most important prerequisites; hence, they brush off advice to write a detailed plan, he added.

The Late Madiba Mandela

Mother Of The Nation: A Tribute To The Mother Winnie Madikizela Mandela
By Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh
Let us now speak of Mother Madikizela. Known as the Wife of Madiba Mandela. For as long as thirty-eight years. In all of the blood and tears. Through the struggle against apartheid. For the freedom that the Blacks never had. Suffering with Mandela imprisoned for twenty-seven years. Yet remaining hopeful with burning eyes of tears. That freedom for all will one day come

Liberia’s Land Reforms and its Anticipating Pearl for Stability & Development…as I see it
By Edwin K. Bombo
Recent decisions by the Land Commission of the Republic of Liberia to provide Policy Recommendations for land rights in Liberia, which centered on four basic areas: Public Land, Government Land, Customary Land, and Private Land are laudable efforts. However, to undertake Land Administration reform, especially in a country that has seen and continued to see unpredictable consequences in land tenure and land disputes, it is important to draw on best practices in Land Reform Administration; certainly, it is important to consider and adopt factors that affect the reform and the choice of the specific strategies adopted.

The Executive Mansion

Renovate The Executive Mansion
By Martin K. N. Kollie  
How long will the President of Liberia be internally displaced?  Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was displaced for almost 12 years. Will President George Manneh Weah remain displaced as well or will he follow Ellen’s undemocratic legacy by discharging presidential duties from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? 

President Weah's First Cabinet

Analysis of the George Weah Cabinet
By Dagbayonoh Kiah Nyanfore II
Usually, in a democracy, the president or head of state of a country has the right to appoint a cabinet to help administer the affairs of the government. Mostly that right is inherent in the constitution of the state. While the Senate can confirm or reject a cabinet nomination and serve as check and balance, the president also has the right to dismiss a cabinet member at will. Does public opinion matter in the exercise of that right? The answer can be either yes or no... This article analyses the cabinet appointments of Liberian President George Weah. The article looks at the personalities of the appointees, their qualifications, and whether or not the officials can implement Weah’s "Pro Poor Agenda". The paper also examines public opinion regarding the appointments. The personality analysis is an attempt to determine the fitness of political actors to their appointed posts. It can predict their behaviors in public administration.

Call for Proposals: Reflecting on the Past, Exploring New Research Frontiers and Impacting Socio-Economic Development
A Press Release Issued By The Liberian Studies Association
Liberia faces a major political transition in 2018. The first since the end of the country’s civil war where a peaceful transfer of power from one democratically elected president, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to another president to be determined at elections in October this year. This transfer of power will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Liberian Studies Association (LSA). These milestones present Liberia with new possibilities for development, and academics who are studying Liberia with new questions about the study and future of the country.