Elections 2005: What Are The Issues For The Aspirants?
(By George D. Yuoh)
Very hopefully, UNMIL will successfully complete the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants, and have them reintegrated into larger society with the hope that they will be transformed into useful citizens. Very hopefully, the Transitional Government will now start to pursue its main assigned agenda of repatriation of Liberian refugees and resettlement of internally displaced Liberians.
 |
|
Cllr. Varney Sherman
|
Varney Sherman Resigns as LPRC’s Board Chairman (The Inquirer)
It has come to my attention that at the recent meeting in Accra, Ghana of the warring parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and you my chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) was a contentious issue. I am informed that one of the accusations is that by your preferment of me as the Chairman you are giving me unfair advantage as an aspirant for the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia as compared to other aspirants.
Bong Citizens Reject Appointment of County Officials (The Inquirer)
As the nomination of civil authorities in the counties by Chairman Gyude Bryant receives cold shoulders, some citizens from Bong County have issued a position statement to the NTLA.
"UNMIL Not Responsible for Electricity" (The Inquirer)
The head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Amb. Jacques Paul Klein says UNMIL is not responsible to provide electricity to the city of Monrovia and its environs.
Stop Discouraging Investors (The Inquirer)
ON MONDAY, POST and Telecommunications Minister Eugene Nagbe ordered the closure of the Atlantic Wireless Liberia Incorporated(AWLI). He said his Ministry’s decision was predicated upon the fact that AWLI was illegally transmitting on GSM 900 frequency which was not assigned to it by the Ministry.
U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office Donates to UL (The Inquirer)
The US Embassy’s Public Affairs Office yesterday donated a consignment of assorted books and furniture to the University of Liberia(UL).
Postal Affairs’ Action Backfires (The Inquirer)
The NTLA Committee on Post and Telecommunication is calling on Postal Affairs Minister Eugene Nagbe to withdraw his letter ordering the immediate closure of the Atlantic Wireless Liberia Incorporated (AWLI) GSM operations.
War Imminent In Guinea
We have received information from credible military sources that everything seems to indicate that civil war is imminent in Guinea. According to our sources, recruiting and training of fighters have been taken place in Nimba and Lofa, on the Guinean border. The same informant, who spoke to us under the conditions of anonymity, says that there have also been movements of heavy weaponry from Liberia into Guinea,...
Something Refreshing
(
By Abdoulaye W. Dukulé)
The most recent celebration of Liberia’s 157th Independence in Washington, DC was a real departure novelty for many. As far as many people remember, the embassy of Liberia in Washington DC has mostly served mainly for a lieu of demonstration or just a place where Liberians reluctantly sent their official documents for renewal. An embassy represents a government and for a long time, since the mid 1980s, very few Liberians have been proud of their government.
 |
|
Monrovia
|
The Perspective to Launch Newsmagazine in Liberia soon
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
A pro-democracy group in Monrovia, the Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) recently held a welcome reception for the Managing Editor of
The Perspective newsmagazine, Mr. George Nubo, during his three-week assessment tour in the Liberian capital at their Ashuman Street offices.
 |
|
Sister Mary Laurene Browne, OSF
President, Don Bosco Polytechnic
|
Sister Mary Laurene Browne: Words of Hope and Challenges for the New Liberia
(
By Theodore T. Hodge)
In reading the national oration delivered by Sister Mary Laurene Browne on the occasion of Liberia’s 157th anniversary, I was quite impressed by how she seemed to successfully capture a bunch of sub-themes in order to ideate a national theme. I use the word "ideate" purposefully because it is the most meaningful word that comes to mind in describing what the Good Sister did:
National Human Rights Centre of Liberia Human Rights Situation Report
This first bi-annual situation report has been compiled from the striking developments, conditions, incidents and tendencies which characterized the Liberian peace process and transition, specifically during the period January - June, 2004. It highlights basic human rights issues including abuses and other acts committed by roaming armed militias especially in areas not covered by the troops of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
Elections 2005: Personality Versus Institution
(
By George D. Yuoh)
Forty-three presidential aspirants, and still counting! That is where we are. It is comical and implausible just looking at how many persons want to "change Liberia", a feat they believe they can achieve only if they were president. No one wants to be neither a senator nor a representative. No one wants to wait and be groomed in the act of statesmanship. Everyone wants to be President of Liberia now.
A Vision for a New Socio-Economic and Political Agenda
(Independence Day Speech by By Morris M. Dukuly, Sr.)
More than 14 years of war may have dampened the celebratory nature of independence. Yet, it has not destroyed the indomitable spirit and resiliency of the Liberian people and their capacity to have fun. This weekend - and through early next week, Liberians everywhere will celebrate the birth of our nation with fanfare and pageantry.
Liberia after Elections 2005: Problems, Prospect and Opportunities
(By Winsley S. Nanka)
Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, presidential hopeful for the Liberia Unification Party (LUP), says “social economic development in Liberia depends on the participation of all Liberians in the national development process.” Cllr. Brumskine was speaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday, July 24, 2004 at the 157th Independence Day Anniversary celebration of Liberia. The Liberian Community Association of Greater Pittsburgh organized the event to mark Liberia’s birthday.
African Solutions For African Problems?: National And International Responsibility For Conflict Resolution
(By Samuel Wonwi Thompson )
As Liberia celebrates today its 157th year of existence as a nation-state, we send out a special “thank you” to the United States Government, the Nigerian Government, the British Government, the Ghanaian Government, the European Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the United Nations family, and all those who are directly or indirectly contributing to peace in Liberia.
George Weah, Mary Laurene, Others Honored (The Inquirer)
The National Transitional Government of Liberia(NTGL), yesterday honored five eminent Liberians for their sacrificial and invaluable services to the people of Liberia and humanity, as Patrick K. Wrokpoh reports.
INQUIRER Suspends Activities of LURD Leadership (The Inquirer)
The Editorial Staff of The INQUIRER has suspended the publication of the activities of the leadership of the former warring group, Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy(LURD).
Rep. Biney Gives Reasons for Amendment Bill (The Inquirer)
Pressing on his sponsored bill to amend the Act creating the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC), Assemblyman James P. Biney says unlike as at present, the legislation seeking to liberalize Liberia’s domestic market will create more employment, reduce petroleum prices and therefore, alleviate the suffering of the masses.
Another Peace Talk on Liberia Begins in Ghana (The Inquirer)
As the search for lasting peace in Liberia continues, a meeting to review the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement(CPA), is expected to commence today in the Ghanaian Capital of Accra, ECOWAS Executive Secretary’s Special Representative to Liberia, Ambassador Francis Blain has disclosed...
|
|
Sister Mary Laurene Browne, OSF
President, Don Bosco Polytechnic
|
|
 |
|
The National Cultural Troupe
|
|
Fashioning Ourselves into a People for Significant Interdependence
|(
Liberia’s 157th Independence Day Oration delivered by Sister Mary Laurene Browne)
Independence denotes sovereignty. A sovereign nation is self-governed. However, with all the factors that guarantee statehood, no nation can stand tall or sink low all by itself. Independence connotes interdependence. In our one world, there is a visible line between developed nations and developing nations. In the developing nations, the line of demarcation is stark between the minority rich and the majority poor; between the few literates, the numerous half literates and the too many illiterates. And let us all be reminded that whenever the majority of people anywhere remain systematically disadvantaged, that nation self-destructs morally. Consciences die. Tyrants emerge and seemingly prosper.
Observing July 26 with a Difference
Since Liberia declared independence on July 26, 1847, Liberians had always observed their natal day in pomp and pageantry. But with 157 years of nationhood, it seems as though all we have to celebrate is the number of years, and if age were the rationale for celebration, Christians the world over would have little time worshipping, as festivities honoring Methuselah would overwhelm the church’s calendar.
Recalling the senseless Rice Riot of 1979
(
By E. Sumo Jones, Sr.)
As former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Transportation from 1981-1982 during which period we succeeded in preventing rice shortage on the Liberian market without passing any increase in the price of rice on the world market to the consumers, I wish to attempt to answer the question raised in the article published on your website dated July 14, 2004, under the caption,
"RICE IMPORTERS WANT PRICE ADJUSTED, OR ..." from The Inquirer in which rice importers are demanding price adjustment with implied threat to stop importing rice into the country.
A Case for Privatization of Telecommunications in Liberia
Liberia is in an ideal position at dawn of wireless age (heavy competition, high demand, low implementation cost). Twelve years of civil war left Liberia’s landline telephone system and broadcast television network in ruins. But the need for reliable and inexpensive communication by businesses and Liberian residents led to a growing market for pre-paid GSM mobile phones, rooftop satellites to access international television broadcasts and the Internet, and the proliferation of “mom-and-pop” Internet café charging just a few Liberian dollars to send email or browse the web.
Sweet Land of Liberty - Freedom to do What?
Liberty, I believe, means FREEDOM. But just how free our country is troubles me most of the time. Or better yet, just what is meant by FREEDOM in Liberia requires a different kind of dictionary that we have never had the time to study, and rightly so.
All Hail King Weah
(By George Yuoh)
It is a common saying that a prophet is never recognized in his own home. There is nothing so true about this than the relationship between George Weah and his beloved country, Liberia. While the rest of the world falls at his feet every time he moves a step, he is often treated at arm's length in his hometown, Liberia. King George, as he is affectionately called, has once again been lauded for his immense contribution to humanity, this time, by the United States based sports television network, ESPN.
Elections Commission Hits Back
"The National Elections Commission (NEC) is constrained to comment on an article under the caption "CRPP DECLARES VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE IN NEC" published in the Monday, July 12, 2004 Edition of the Inquirer Newspaper Vol. 14 no. 120.
US Ambassador Turns Over Renovated Schools
The United States’ Embassy near the Liberian capital, has turned over two renovated learning institutions to their respective authorities; as Charles Crawford reports.
AME Church Elects First Liberian Bishop
The African Methodist Episcopal Church Compact worldwide has elected the first Liberian bishop. He is Rev. Dr. David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr. who is taking charge of the 14th Episcopal District which comprises of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Benin.
The End of an Era in Liberia’s History: Eulogy to Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman
(
By Patrick L. N. Seyon, Ph.D.)
We have assembled here today with heavy hearts, grief-stricken, to say our final farewells to Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman, educator par excellence, scholar, philosopher, nationalist, patriot, and, above all, a compassionate, loving, and decent human being. She was my professor in my freshman English class, and my mentor for a good part of my professional life. I owe a good part of what I am and stand for today to her.
UN Tribunal and Taylor, Corruption, Elections and Other Matters
(By Abdoulaye W. Dukule)
The peace process is now entering its most critical phase. Elections are drawing nearer but confusion as to what is priority on the national agenda has never been greater
Catholic Church Hosts 3-US H’rights Consultants (The Inquirer)
The Archdiocese of Monrovia yesterday received three Consultants from the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, in Washington D.C USA.
LIBOCH Wants Sanctions Remain (The Inquirer)
As the debate for the lifting of the United Nations imposed sanctions continues, a local civic group is urging that the sanctions remain in force for now; as Patrick K. Wrokpoh reports.
Unity Party Donates to MCC (The Inquirer)
The Unity Party(UP) has donated some sanitation equipment to the Monrovia City Corporation to be used for the cleaning of the city of Monrovia.
Rice Importers Want Price Adjusted, Or... (The Inquirer)
Importers of Liberia’s staple food, rice, are appealing to the transitional government to immediately adjust the prices of the commodity to reflect the growing world market rates or risk its shortage on the Liberian market.
US-based Entity Ready To Supply Sanitation Equipment (The Inquirer)
The former West African Representative Council on the Black Minnesotans in the United States of America (USA), Mr. Sampson A. Wilson who is in the country to explore avenues for business ventures, says his company is prepared to supply garbage trucks, loaders and other sanitation equipment that are needed to clean Monrovia.
"This is the Harvest:" Ordinary Liberians Cope With Another Cycle of Corruption in Gyude Bryant’s Liberia
(By William E. Allen, Ph.D.)
Liberians have a way of describing evil that appears to make it sound less immoral. I was reminded of this social phenomenon last Sunday during a transatlantic telephone conversation with the wife of a friend who lives in Monrovia. In her response to my inquiry about life in Interim Chairman Gyude Bryant’s Liberia, she quipped: "This is the Harvest." After a brief hesitation, she explained that Chairman Bryant’s government was squandering public resources.
Overprotecting the Former Enemy
(By James Seitua)
Nigerian army general Victor Malu consistently grilled the Liberian media for alleged biased reporting against Charles Taylor shortly before the 1997 general and presidential elections The lambasting flabbergasted many Liberians who took the general for his words at the inception of his term as field commander of the West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG).
The Dilemma with English, Civilized or So-called Christian Names
(By Siahyonkron Nyanseor)
The place of my birth is best described by David Lamb, the author of The Africans as a country where “The new settlers adopted the only desirable life style they knew - that of the ante-bellum whites who had ruled them - and they turned the sixteen indigenous tribes into an underprivileged majority, referring to them until the 1950s as ‘aborigines’. The pioneers and their ‘Americo-Liberian’ descendants became a black colonial aristocracy.
Charles Bennie Releases Evidence of Corrupt Practices
(
By Josephus Moses Gray)
In a bid to press forth his charges of corruption against the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), the accuser, Mr. Charles Bennie, the spokesman of the rebel Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and a senior official of the nation’s finance Ministry has released what he termed as documentary evidence to support his accusation of corrupt practices within the government.
Exploitation Discovered at the Capitol (The Inquirer)
Following several weeks of arguments between aggrieved employees on one hand and their bosses on the other at the Capitol, some assemblymen have been found to be engaged in slashing the just wages of their employees.
Some of the Corrupt Liberian Lawmakers Identified, Exposed
(By Josephus Moses Gray)
The reports of corruption within the National transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) headed by Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant is said to be rocking every sectors of the Liberian society, with the first Branch of Government being no exception.
UNMIL Chinese Level-2 Hospital In Zwedru Dedicated (The Inquirer)
Two suspected cases of HIV/AIDS have been recorded at the UNMIL Chinese Level-2 hospital in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
Are We Really Friends of America? (The Inquirer)
As a child growing up in the Borough of Kru Town, I was fond of playing with younger kids(pekins). One day, one of such pekins accompanied me to my grandmother’s home, arriving there I introduced him as my “friend.”
Bryant Urges Assistant Ministers to be Honest (The Inquirer)
National Transitional Government of Liberia’s head, Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant says the rebuilding of the country without honesty on the part of all Liberians is highly impossible; as Patrick K. Wrokpoh reports.
Comments on Bai Gbala’s Decentralization Of Political & Administrative Power In Liberia
(
By George D. Yuoh)
Rarely do I comment or pass judgment on articles written by other Liberians as published on the various Liberian websites, but Mr. Bai Gbala’s paper, “
Decentralization Of Political Power In Liberia”, as published by
The Perspective on June 30, 2004 is so thought provocative that I started hitting my keyboard before I could even complete reading the article. For, any view that is geared towards moving Liberia forward, always gets my undivided attention and takes up a special place in my heart, no matter how belated, as in the case of Mr. Gbala’s.
Chinese Peacekeepers Avert Disaster In Zwedru (The Inquirer)
The Chinese Engineering Contingent serving in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) on Monday, June 21, averted a major disaster that could have claimed many lives and livestock in the provisional capital of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, by disposing of a quantity of contaminated chlorine.
US$5 Million Investment Package For Maryland (The Inquirer)
The hope of war-weary Marylanders has been rekindled following fruitful discussions between NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant and a two-man investor-team, comprising an American and a Liberian, which has expressed interest to invest over US$5 million dollars in the rubber industry.
Win Is A Must! (The Inquirer)
LIBERIA’S PRIDE AND joy, Lone Star is expected to lock horns with the Hawks of Togo this Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
ICGL Summons Charles Bennie To Prove Allegations (The Inquirer)
The International Contact Group on Liberia has summoned Custom Commissioner Charles Bennie to prove the allegation of financial malfeasance he made against NTGL Chairman Charles Gyude Bryant.
Vamba Kanneh Finally Succumbs To NTLA (The Inquirer)
Transport Minister Vamba Kanneh has been charged with legislative contempt by the National Legislative Assembly following his persistent refusal to appear before that august body.