Inaugural Address
delivered by Cllr. Frances Johnson-Morris, Chair of the National Elections
Commission (NEC) Of Liberia
It is exactly 97 days or approximately three months one week today since,
in keeping with the Comprehensive Accra Peace Agreement, the Chairman
of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), His Excellency
Charles Gyude Bryant nominated us along with six other sons and daughters
of the land to carry out the mandate of the National Elections Commission
of Liberia as prescribed under the CPA. In the spirit of true nationalism
we unconditionally accepted the challenge and, under the doctrine of
checks and balances, subsequently placed ourselves at the disposal of
the National Transitional Legislative Assembly for confirmation proceedings.
Our convocation here today bears testimony of the success story behind
our encounter with the Law Makers.
"A
Good Beginning, Indeed! ECOM"
(The
Inquirer)
Yesterday, the much-awaited induction ceremony of the seven-man independent
Election Commission took place at the parlors of the Executive Mansion
in Monrovia.
J.J. Dossen
Hospital To Begin Operations Soon
(The
Inquirer)
A German humanitarian group, Humanitarian Medical Aid International(HUMEDICA),
has brought into the country a consignment of medical supplies and
relief items for use at the J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital in Harper,
Maryland County.
NTGL
To Support County Resource Center
(The
Inquirer)
The NTGL has expressed its support for the County Resource Center
project to be initiated in the 15 counties of Liberia.
ECOM Talks Tough Against Presidential Aspirants
(The
Inquirer)
The Election Commission of Liberia has warned political parties and
interested individuals against premature electioneering in the country,
threatening to institute drastic action against violators
Foreign
Assistance in the Age of Terror (USIP)
The age of terrorism has forced the federal agency charged with extending
U.S. assistance around the world to change its operational goals,
according to Andrew Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for
International Development. Speaking on Monday at an event co-sponsored
with the U.S. Institute of Peace, Natsios said that the war on terror
has led the agency to broaden its mandate and move beyond its traditional
role of providing development assistance and humanitarian relief.
UNHCR
To Repatriate 350,000 Liberian Refugees
(The
Inquirer)
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says it needs
about US$39.2m to ably undertake the repatriation and integration
of Liberian refugees.
More
On Armed Robbery in Ganta
(The
Inquirer)
More revelations on the constant acts of lawlessness coupled with
the recent wave of armed robbery in Nimba County have been made.
Harry Greaves
on Cars, Elections and Government
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
A few weeks ago, some Liberian websites carried the news that the
transitional government had spent some US$3 million dollars to purchase
cars for members of the 76-person transitional legislature through
Lebanese businessman George Haddad. When Harry Greaves came to Washington
DC with the Minister of Finance Losenee Kamara to attend the World
Bank/International Monetary Fund annual meetings, we reached him
to clarify the issue. The first question was about the cars: His
response was categorical.
"Barbarism
or Civilization: Which Way Liberia?"
(By Tarnue Johnson)
This essay is a critical account about some of the underlying causes
of the breakdown of order and civility in the Liberian society. It
is also a narrative about the reasons for hope and a possibility of
social transformation in a land of false starts and second chances.
After more than 150 years of national existence, the vision and task
of building a black civilization based on order and a distinctive
national consciousness remain elusive. The situation in Liberia today
demands that the social analyst must revisit some of the great debates
that took place at the beginning of state formation in the middle
of the 19th century.
U.N.
Peace Keeping Force Disarmed Over 18,000 Ex-combatants in Liberia
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The on-going disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration
(DDRR) program aimed at disarming ex-combatants of the three belligerent
groups including the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), Liberians
United for Reconciliation and Democracy in Liberia (LURD) and former
Government of Liberia (GOL) has gained momentum, with the high Command
of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and peace brokers
expressing satisfaction over the levels of progress made since the
resumption of the DDRR exercise on 15 April 2004.
Fourteen
Years of Death and Destruction
(
By James Seitua)
The Liberian people were going about their normal business, with everyone
overwhelmed by the sweet melodies that arouse nostalgic memories that
time of the year. Worshippers and holiday shoppers streamed in a beautiful
mixture of religious festivities and commercial grandeur. For many years,
Christmas Eve had not been so exciting as it was in 1989.
HIV/AIDS,
South Africa And Democracy
(
By Chinua Akukwe)
The African National Congress (ANC) and Thabo Mbeki's government
won a resounding mandate from South African voters, April 2004. With
this renewed mandate, Thabo Mbeki will serve his second and final term
as president until 2009. Despite the anticipated margin of victory by
the ANC, a visitor to South Africa in the last few weeks would have
noticed how Thabo Mbeki and his senior colleagues in ANC campaigned
vigorously throughout the country
George
Weah Calls for the Establishment of War Crimes Court in Liberia
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Liberia's international soccer star and UNICEF's Goodwill
Ambassador George "Oppong" Weah is calling for the formation
and establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia to arrest and prosecute
all "warlords" for recruiting and arming children in
Liberia.
Civil
Servants Payroll To Be audited ...Cornomia Asks Int"t Community
to help (The
Inquirer)
The Special presidential committee on salary arrears of the National
Transitional Government of Liberia is seeking the services of reputable
Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms for payroll audit services.
Liberia,
Journey Towards Reconstruction: Clipping Off the Tentacles of Corruption
(By: George D. Yuoh)
A few months ago, while sympathizing with a comrade over the death
of his father, an elite group of young professional Liberians residing
in Minnesota turned the occasion into an impromptu symposium on the
future of Liberia. Present at the occasion were doctors (MD and PhD),
accountants, bankers, economists and financial analysts, social workers
and political activists; a brainy group of disenfranchised Liberians,
and all between the ages of 30 – 45 yrs.
Kpoto
Wants Support for Medical College
(The
Inquirer)
A leading medical practitioner, Dr. Robert Kpoto has called on the
National Transitional Government of Liberia(NTGL) to prioritize the
revitalization and rehabilitation of the nation's only medical
college, the A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine.
"You
Are the Real Heroes" …Says INQUIRER Former Boss
(The
Inquirer)
"You all are real heroes! Words are inadequate for me to express
to all of you for the sacrifices, commitment, dedication and hard
work you have rendered and are still rendering this institution. Your
commitment to duty has made the paper to be the leading newspaper
in Liberia. I'm very proud of you!" Were the words of
extolment to the employees of The INQUIRER by their former Managing
Editor Gabriel H. I Williams.
Varney Sherman
Breaks Grounds For Latrine
(The
Inquirer)
Presidential hopeful, Cllr. H. Varney G. Sherman on last Saturday
broke grounds for the construction of a 3-pit latrine in the PHP community.
Justice Ministry
Wants CBL Dismantle Hanging Crane
(The
Inquirer)
The Justice Ministry is calling on the Central Bank of Liberia to
dismantle and remove the dilapidated crane that is hanging over Lynch
Street, opposite the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation.
Liberian
Baptists End 90th Annual Convention
(The
Inquirer)
The 90th annual session of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational
Convention(LBMEC) ended at the Providence Baptist Church with the
adoption of several resolutions.
The UN and
Liberian Rebels: Myth and Reality Behind the Numbers
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
In a recent article titled "Liberia's Legendary 50,000
Rebels…" on the New Democrat website, Tom Kamara raised
an issue that has a serious impact on the disarmament process. He writes
that the United Nations is finding it hard to locate the tens of thousands
of armed men the rebel groups claimed to have in their armies. General
Opande may never find more than a few thousands men and women to be
disarmed. To date, no warring faction, - the NPFL, MODEL, and LURD –
has produced a single list of fishers in their command.
MCSS Teachers
Return To The Classroom Tomorrow (The
Inquirer)
Teachers of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS), have agreed
to return to the classroom beginning tomorrow Tuesday.
Long-term
Success and Viability of Water Supply and Sanitation Projects in Africa
(By William G. Nyanue)
US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, correctly observed during
the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg, South
Africa, in 2002 that "Water is the key to file." He
went on to say, "Access to safe drinking water and sanitation
is essential to life, dignity and well being1". Yet, safe drinking
water and basic sanitation are not available in many parts of the
world, especially in Third World.
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|
Photo of stranded refugees sent by Harry S. Bah, Jr
|
Stranded
Liberian Brought Home (The
Inquirer)
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) repatriated
229 stranded Liberians last Saturday and Sunday on humanitarian grounds.
Fighters
fail to hand in arms (News24)
Monrovia - The United Nations on Sunday took its campaign
to disarm Liberia's 45 000 combatants to the rebel stronghold of Tubmanburg
amid new concerns that only half of the fighters are actually handing
in weapons.
Disarmament
Goes To Tubmanburg (The
Inquirer)
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) began disarming several
ex-combatants of the group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and
Democracy(LURD), as the ongoing DDRR program commenced in Tubmanburg,
Bomi County yesterday.
A Liberian
Human Rights Activist Releases Evidence on Taylor
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Amid Efforts being made by the United Nations backed War Crimes Court
in Sierra Leone to bring to book and persecute the exiled former Liberian
Leader, Charles G. Taylor, a well known Liberian international Human
Rights Defender based in Canada, Mr. James Doe Torh, has presented
what he termed as "Documentary dossiers on Taylor's abuses
against humanity".
LEC Resumes Power
Production (The
Inquirer)
The Liberia Electricity Corporation(LEC), is to shortly resume the
supply of electricity to Monrovia. The LEC stopped the production
and supply of power on March 19, 2004 due to the lack of fuel and
other lubricants needed to run its power plant.
LIMINCO Management Ends Tour of Facilities
(The
Inquirer)
In its desire to put a halt to the looting and vandalizing of its
remainder assets after the cycle of fighting in the country, the management
of the Liberia Mining Company(LIMINCO), recently concluded an assessment
tour of its facilities around the country.
Lutheran
Church Re-elects Bishop Harris (The
Inquirer)
The delegates to the 11th Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Church
in Liberia(LCL) on Saturday participated in a free, fair and transparent
democratic process by re-electing the Rt. Rev. Dr. Sumoward E. Harris,
as bishop of the church. The Bishop's election took place at
the St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Wood Camp, Paynesville.
Classes Resumes
at U.L. May 31 …Process for re-Opening Begins Today
(The
Inquirer)
In a highly welcome move, the University of Liberia has announced
a Calendar of Events leading to the resumption of classes for Academic
2004/2005.
First Lady
Tours Facilities (The
Inquirer)
The First Lady, Mrs. Rosie-Lee A. Williams Bryant, toured a number
of educational facilities to acquaint herself with the progress being
made to ensure students returning to school.
Statement
On Inter-Com Strike
(A Press Release Issued by the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia)
On the morning of Thursday, April 22, 2004, some employees
of Inter-Con Security Services, Ltd., performed a work stoppage at
the U.S. Embassy Compound at Mamba Point near Monrovia. They temporarily
impeded access to and from the compound by Embassy employees and visitors.
The purpose of this action was to draw to the attention of U.S. Embassy
management to the fact that some Inter-Con employees have grievances
with Inter-Con's management. These aggrieved employees stated that
they had no particular grievance against U.S. Embassy personnel. The
Inter-Con employees urged Embassy management to intervene on their
behalf in their grievances with Inter-Con management.
Over
1,800 Combatants Disarmed To UN Peacekeepers In Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Latest statistics released by the United Nations Mission in Liberia
(UNMIL) on the on-going disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation
and reintegration (DDRR) shows that a total of 1,873 out of an estimated
60,000 combatants have so far been disarmed since the resumption of
the DDRR exercise.
Inter-Con
Security Guards Stage Mutiny At U.S. Embassy In Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Several personnel of the Inter-Con Security Guards on April 22nd staged
a mutiny at the United States Embassy Compound near Monrovia. Inter-Con
is a private US based security firm operating in Monrovia..
The News Must
Remain Resolute
(
By Joseph G. Bartuah)
Saturday, April 24, 2004 will definitely mark an epochal milestone in
the history of the Liberian media, as The NEWS Newspaper in Monrovia
commemorates the 15th anniversary of its humble debut on the newsstands
in 1989.
The Changes
That Must Take Place
(
By Jeremiah Jefferson Kringar Harris)
As the aftermath of a devastating civil war that shattered, with a vengeance,
all semblances of organized civil society in Africa's oldest Republic,
a conference was held in Accra, Ghana. The end results of this historic
event were a ceasefire and an Accord or Agreement signed by the Warring
Factions, Political Parties, and other prominent Interest groups.
LIBERIA:
Fewer than half those disarmed hand in a weapon (IRIN)
The United Nations said on Wednesday nearly 1,800 former combatants
reported for demobilisation during the first week of its relaunched
disarmament programme in Liberia, but less than half of them handed
in a gun.
Liberian Studies
Association: Shining a Light on Liberia's Ills
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
For many years, sessions of Liberian Studies Association (LSA) have
dealt with the crisis the country has been faced with for almost a quarter
of a century when guns became the ultimate political tool and the name
of the country has become synonymous with instability, refugees, death
and every imaginable social ill. This year's conference, the 36th
gathering of Liberians and other scholars interested in Liberia, the
subject was no much different in its focus. Says Dr. James S. Guseh,
Professor at the North Carolina Central University and Chair of LSA
New Deal's
Presidential Hopeful Declines Appointment to the Governance Reform
Commission, Cites Potential Conflict of Interest, among Other Reasons
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
George Klay Kieh, Jr., presidential hopeful for the New Democratic
Alternative for Liberia (New Deal Movement) political party has declined
his appointment to the Governance Reform Commission by Interim Liberian
Head of State, Charles Gyude Bryant. Mr. Kieh was appointed recently
to the commission together with Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr. Amos
Sawyer and several other Liberians.
Africa Action
Protests 60th Anniversary of World Bank & IMF, Releases new Talking
Points on Africa's debt & Iraq's debt; Co-Sponsors
"Unhappy Birthday Party" outside World Bank
Wednesday, April 21, 2004 (Washington, DC) - As the World Bank and
IMF begin their annual Spring meetings in Washington, DC, Africa Action
today co-sponsors an "Unhappy Birthday Party" to protest
the harmful policies of these institutions, which mark their 60th
anniversary this year. Salih Booker, Executive Director of Africa
Action will be among the speakers at the "unhappy birthday"
rally to be held outside the World Bank from 12 Noon to 2:30pm this
afternoon.
Hundreds
of Fighters Disarmed in Gbarnga, DDRR Moves to Buchanan Today
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
Hundreds of former combatants of the Liberians United for Reconciliation
and Democracy (LURD) rebel group have been handing in their arms
and weapons to the on-going Disarmament, demobilization, Rehabilitation
and Reintegration (DDRR) process currently taking place in the Central
city of Gbarnga, Bong County.
Beware
of them!
(By Aagon Gweh Linford)
The ongoing disarmament and demobilisation process in Liberia, though
in its early stages is on even keel. The fighters are in high spirits
to turn in their weapons, something all Liberians must be thankful
for as the peace holds. The heads of the factions must encourage their
fighters throughout this process. Relatives must encourage their children
(wards) who are fighters to turn in their guns.
LIBERIA:
Bitter LURD fighters say their leaders betrayed them (IRIN)
Former fighters of Liberia's LURD rebel movement say they are
happy enough to hand over their guns to UN peacekeeping troops, but
many grumble that they have been forgotten and abandoned by their
own political leaders.
Life in Monrovia
(Part VI): At the NPP Headquarters
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
As we entered the compound on Tubman Boulevard, two young men leisurely
sitting on a half-broken bench jumped to their feet to salute Matt.
He greeted them and then turned to me, asking for the name of the guy
we were to meet. "John Whitfield." I said. One of the young
men, in his early twenties volunteered to lead us. I refrained from
asking Matt why the young men had greeted him as if I were some four-star-
general.
Like Pele
of Brazil, George Weah Must Give Himself Sometime
(By Emmanuel Obed Towouh)
Yes, man . . . I don't know about you but I saw that game live
on TV. The King dribbled an entire squad to score an impossible goal.
It was AC Milan vs. Verona. He nearly did it to Juventus. Zidane and
Egar Davis of both Juventus felt like crawling maggots after Weah got
done with them. In that game, Weah had three perfect penalties. He was
denied two penalties and was awarded the third penalty.
Do
not repeat the mistakes of the past!
(By Aagon Gweh Linford)
What Liberians and the international community see as the most important
phase of the peace process in Liberia is now underway, the disarmament
and demobilization of the thousands of former factions. All sides,
the Government of Liberia, the international community and the factions
and their fighters say they are ready for disarmament and demobilization.
Good news!
An
Open Letter to Mr. George 'Oppong' Weah
(By Pianapue K. Early)
I write to congratulate you on published reports on BBC interactive
of your intentions to vie for the Presidency of Liberia Football Association.
Structural Changes
in ALJA's Leadership
The Board of Directors of the Association of Liberian Journalists
in the Americas (ALJA), recently made structural changes in its leadership
to reflect cohesiveness and ethical balance. The latest decision,
which Board members strongly believe, is a positive way to foster
the democratic values and beliefs of the Board's internal and
external workings.
DDRR
Resumes in Gbarnga
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The long awaited resumption of the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation
and reintegration (DDRR) of combatants to the nation's 14-year
of bloody civil conflict started on April 15th in the Liberian Provisional
city of Gbarnga, Bong County , with about 250 fighters of the Liberians
United for reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebels group showing
up in line with the DDRR schedule.
Drums
of an African Union
(
By Gbe Sneh)
As the drums beat louder for an African Union, let it be known that
while it is the sound that the people of Africa want to hear, the listening
has to be one with a cautious enthusiasm. The OAU has run its cause
with substantial failures. We, the people of Africa, hailed the ushering
in of that organization, from its inception, as it embarked on liberating
us from the political and economic bondage of colonialism and its vestiges.
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| Liberia's Good Governance Chairperson in hot water |
Student
Group, Partisans of Unity Party Take Former Liberian Justice Minister
to Task
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Concerned Students of the Universities of Liberia (COSUL) is calling
on all Liberians especially members of the National Transitional Legislative
Assembly (NTLA) including Deputy Speaker Eddington Varmah to remain
vocal and speak against corruption in the government.
Liberia
braces for disarmament (News24)
Monrovia - Mindful of the rioting that greeted Liberia's December attempt
to disarm fighters after 14 years of nearly relentless war, the west
African state was bracing on Thursday for the resumption of the campaign.
The
Liberian National Anthem & the Education of Children
(
By Al-Hassan Conteh)
A lunchtime showing of Dr. Abdoulaye Dukulé's, "
A
Day in Monrovia," was one of the highlights at this year's
Liberian Studies Conference in Durham, NC, on March 27th. Upbeat and
refreshing, the documentary reveals the brighter side of life in war-ravaged
Monrovia. Interspersed with cultural performances, soundbites by Liberian
luminaries, including Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant, the optimistic
concept behind the show is a welcome relief, indeed, for Liberians who
have faith in the renewal of their country.
Startling
Revelation to the Dismay of War Weary Liberians
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL)
Charles Gyude Bryant has made a startling revelation, to the dismay
of war weary Liberians, at a major news conference held on 13 April
at the Executive Mansion on wild range of national and international
issues. The NTGL Chairman said his administration would not be a party
to a request for former Liberian President Charles Taylor to be turned
over to the United Nations backed War Crimes Court in neighboring
Sierra Leone.
Let us take a deep breath and calm down: All
is not lost
(By Kolec E. Jessey)
In the past few weeks there has been numerous reports in the Liberian
media about pervasive corruption in the transitional government headed
by Charles Bryant. These reports had led to misgivings about the government
decision to purchase fleets of American Grand Jeep Cherokee through
a shady Lebanese trader and the soaring travel expenditures involving
the rebel filled transitional legislature.
Liberian
fighters handing in arms
(BBC)
The six-month long exercise begins in Gbarnga, a stronghold of the
rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).
Liberian
Govt Okays Seizure of Taylor's Assets
(This Day)
Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, (NTGL),
Gyude Bryant has lent support to the United Nations decision to confiscate
the assets of former President Charles Taylor for use to rebuild the
war torn country.
1.5
Million Dollars Foreign Exchange Reserve Missing at the Central Bank
of Liberia
(
By Winsley S. Nanka)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) declared that in 2003 the Central
Bank of Liberia (CBL) failed to account for a $1.5 million decline in
the foreign exchange reserve of Liberia. The foreign exchange reserve
declined in 2003 from $1.8 million to $300,000. The central bank's
authorities told the IMF during its recent visit to Liberia that there
was "no foreign exchange reserve transactions by the Central Bank
of Liberia (CBL) in 2003."
Ellen
Johnson -Sirleaf Raises Alarm Over Deep Corruption In Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Standard-Bearer of the Opposition Unity Party and Chairman of the
Good Governance Reform Commission, Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has
spoken out against the alarming rate at which corruption continues to
spread in Liberia, saying that the culture of kleptocracy is undermining
the little commitment that is left to the nation public service.
Reversing
The Neglect Of Education In Liberia
(
Remarks By Chris Toe)
In spite of the fact that education is a profession without which no
nation can advance politically, economically, and socially, educators
in Liberia have to struggle to make ends meet. And despite the importance
of education and educators to the development and progress of our society,
the education sector has always been accorded very low priority in the
allocation of financial resources by governments in Liberia.
UN
Force Starts Deployment in Northern Liberia, no Troops for Maryland,
Grand Kru Counties
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Liberia's northern county of Lofa, where the 1999 rebellion
against the regime of former President Charles Taylor began, receives
the presence of the United Nations Peace Keeping Force.
Prince
Y. Johnson is Back to Nigeria
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
According to Agence France Presse (AFP) quoting reports from Monrovia,
former rebel leader Prince Y. Johnson left Liberia on Friday, April
7 to return to Nigeria. Prince Johnson became famous during the early
years of the Liberian civil war when he broke away from Charles Taylor
and later captured and tortured military dictator Samuel Doe to death.
The
Resumption of the Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and
Reintegration Process
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The Chairman of the National Transitional Government of
Liberia (NTGL), Chairman Gyude Bryant, on Saturday, April 10, 2004,
announced the resumption of the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation
and reintegration (DDRR) of ex-combatants of the nation's
14-year devastating and bloody civil war.
Sankan
Nyanseor is 2004 Valedictorian at Tri-Cities High
Ms. Sankan Worhwinn Nyanseor, youngest daughter
of Mr. Siahyonkron Nyanseor, Chairman of the Liberian Democratic
Future, publisher of The Perspective, has been named Valedictorian
of the Class of 2004 of Tri-Cities High School in East Point,
Georgia. Tri-Cities High School Principal, Mrs. Amelia "Mimi"
Davis made the announcement April 1 during the school's
Sixth Annual Honor's Day Program held on campus.
Liberian
Rebels Terrorize Civilians, Hijack Vehicles On Monrovia-Gbarnga Highway
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Even though fighting in Liberia has ceased and the guns are now silent,
inhumane treatment of unarmed civilians is still prevalent, as fighters
of the belligerent groups are terrorizing travelers and residents outside
Monrovia with impunity.
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|
Photo of stranded refugees sent by Harry S. Bah, Jr
|
Liberian
Refugees Stranded?
According to information (purportedly sent by the spokesman of a group
of Liberian refugees from Mali) received by
The Perspective,
about three hundred and sixty-five Liberian Refugees enroute to Liberia
from Mali have been "stranded because of the refusal of the
Guinean authority to allow them entry passage to Liberia" via
Guinea. The refugees are also said to have been denied entry into
Burkinafasso to enter Ghana.
Prince
Johnson's Apology
(By C. Alake Williams)
He came back to Liberia as he said, "to run for senator of Nimba
County" in the up coming elections. He arrived without much
fanfare, and without the "notice" of many-a-Liberian people.
But his no-news days would be short live because he is "Prince
Johnson. Within 72 hours of his arrival in Liberia he said that a
relative of former leader Samuel Doe wanted to assassinate him. News!
Prince Johnson is back. Man of God, Pastor Johnson is back in Liberia
starting something.
Liberia
beefs up budget
(News 24)
Monrovia - Liberia's transitional legislature has passed the budget
recently submitted to it by interim leader Gyude Bryant.
Is
It Business As Usual Again?
(By Beyan Samah)
I am honoured and privileged as a Liberian to add a word or two to
those recently written by our courageous human rights activist, Mr.
Tiawan S. Gongloe, and other freedom-loving people of Liberia, who
have chosen to fight for the welfare of our people. I wish to caution
Chairman Bryant and members of his transitional government to stop
playing with the minds of the Liberian people. I had mixed reactions
when it was first announced that Mr. Bryant had been appointed chairman
of the Liberian transitional government. Mr. Taylor, our common enemy,
had been forced to leave Liberia for exile in Nigeria.
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|
Order your copy of A Day In Monrovia today
|
Living
in the "World House"
(
By Juanita L. Jartu Jolly)
Over the years, I have heard so many people say that the world is growing
smaller. We are so proud of the technology that has reduced the distance
among us, and rightly so. Yet, with the reduction in time and space
among us due to computers and e-mail, mobile telephones and very fast
cars, trains and planes, still we can find ourselves so distant from
one another because of the separations of culture, religions, disabilities
and color and ethnicity, gender and age. In "Where Do We Go From
Here: Chaos or Community?" Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Life
in Monrovia (Part V): Finding George Dweh
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
We left the university campus and walked by the little triangle
that separates the executive mansion, the University and The Capitol.
A few years ago, some religious leaders convinced Charles Taylor
that the strength of the Krahn people was buried under the statue
of the Unknown Soldier that Samuel Doe had erected on the same premises.
Taylor uprooted the Unknown Soldier and planted flowers. Taylor's
juju men – some disguised as Reverends – told him that
Samuel Doe had buried A.B. Tolbert alive under the statue...
"I
won't steal money": A Reaction to Chairman Bryant's
Response to LU Students
( By Tukus Ama Wrehyonnah Harris)
All my life if there is one office I have had the highest esteem
for and respected, it is the Presidency, not because of the pomp
and pageantry that is normally associated with it but due more to
the fact that the future of 6 billion people worldwide is directed
by only 193 people representing the 193 countries of the world who
bear the title of President.
The
Liberian Gladiators and the Modern Roman Colosseum
( By: Emmanuel Obed Towouh)
Browsing through "theperspective" website, the Prince
Johnson story caught my eyes; having stayed out of Liberia for a
long time, I couldn't imagine, Yarlueegba, returning to Liberia
so soon. Sooner or later, Roosevelt Johnson will be in Liberia,
and the Grand Chess Master himself, Dahkpanah Ghankay-CGT, will
appear from the blues in Congo Town. It seems like the replay of
the Liberian crisis by popular demand.
Public
School Students In Monrovia Go On The Rampage, Cause Destructions
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) headed by Charles
Gyude Bryant is encountering serious difficulties from the various
sectors owing to the failure of the government to address its obligations,
ranging from the settlement of salary arrears to providing basic social
services.
HIV/AIDS in Africa: Unresolved Issues and Hard
Choices
(Remarks By Chinua Akukwe)
HIV/AIDS in Africa remains a major community, national, regional and
international challenge. As of today, MOST individuals infected or
affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa are on their own, and often go back
to their communities to die with little or no clinical/government
support.
Prince
Johnson Complains Of Assassination Plot, Goes Into Hiding
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
Despite of his persistent appeals for Liberians to put behind the
ugly past, forgive each others, reconcile their differences and move
ahead with the fragile peace process, the man blamed for the gruesome
murder of Liberia's 20th President, Samuel Kanyon Doe, the leader
of the defunct Independent National Patriotic front of Liberia (INPFL),
Gen. Prince Y. Johnson has run into serious problems since his return
Monrovia.
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Archbishop Michael Francis
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An Honorarium to Michael Kpakala Francis: Archbishop and True Liberian Hero
(
By R. Wesley Harmon)
Chosen to lead the Catholic Church and its institutions in Liberia,
Michael K. Francis rose to the challenge, and exemplified a rare kind
of leadership, such that is absent from the landscape of our beloved
country, Liberia. His is a kind of selfless, people-oriented leadership
style, a style alien to Liberians in general, so-called politicians
in particular. Under his leadership and guidance Catholic institutions
in Liberia grew by leaps and bounds, even in the face of a brutal fourteen-year
civil conflict that claimed the lives of countless Liberians and foreigners
residing within our borders.
The
"Neutral Person" Theory Has Proved a Disaster for Liberia
(
By Winsley S. Nanka)
Several failed attempts from the onset to resolve the Liberian conflict
resulted in the application of a "neutral person" theory
for political leadership in a care-taker government: The theory is that
only a neutral person having no interests in or links to any of the
parties to the conflict can provide the best interim leadership in bringing
the parties together, resolving the conflict and ultimately restoring
peace in Liberia. Much to the contrary however, time and experience
support the conclusion that the "neutral person" theory
has proved to be a disaster for Liberia.
The
Overarching Lesson From Ghana
(
(Speech by Morris M. Dukuly))
This month marks six months of leadership of the interim national government
of Liberia in Monrovia. When the peace agreement was signed in mid-2003
in Ghana, much hope was raised. The overarching lesson from Ghana was,
it seems to me, two-fold. Lesson 1: nearly 15 years of war had left
the Liberian people weary and anxious for any peace and at any price.
The peace agreement in Ghana, with all its imperfections and perfections,
therefore presented to them and to all of us, a real opportunity to
return our country to normalcy and stability and security.
U.S.
Government Issues Stern Warning to Corrupt Public Officials in Liberia
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
The United States Government has issued a stern warning to officials
of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) who engage
in corrupt activities. The U.S. Government has threatened a tough action
against those corrupt officials in the government.