Professional Documents
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STORIES
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LIBERIAN
HANDSHAKE
GOING EXTINCT
HAUNTED BY
HIS PAST
Ebola Handshake
New
Sensation
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4 VICTIMS DEAD
AFTER LAC EXPLOSION
The LAC management has said the cost of the damage is unknown and insist
that currently it is only interested in the health condition of the victims.
p 9&10
Page 2 | Frontpage
M
Monrovia-
FrontPage
EDITORIAL
LACC MUST
REMAIN ABOVE R
THE FRAY
Frontpage
Page 3
COMMENTARY
Commentary
Page 4 | Frontpage
FrontPage
RAPE IS A WEAPON OF
COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE
MASS DESTRUCTION; LET
US PREVENT IT !!
LIBERIA'S SPEAKER
COMPROMISED: LEGISLATIVE The Editor,
s a parent, can you Imagine witnessing your
BLOC DEMANDS PROBE
child bleed to death and the aftermath of such
DAVISNY2005 (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)
Noise ? What noise ? Sometime ago , the President nominated someone
to head a ministry . But it took one Senator to question or so to speak
( make noise in the Senate ) concerning the integrity of the nominee ,
who was named in the audit report of the GAC about some corrupt deals
, and his nomination was put on hold by the Liberian Senate waiting
clarification from him about those deals . A few good men still exist in
the unrighteous political house of the Liberian Legislature . The Speaker
still maintained that his corrupt actions was in the best interest of the
country and the people . Calling for the Speaker to account for his corrupt
deal by few good men , joined by strange political bed fellows as Rep.
Snowe and other political voices , should not be ssen as noise making ,
but rather , all should join in support against this kind of corruption where
one sees himself well above the law ! Sometimes some do get away with
their corrupt deals , but that should not deter the rest of the people from
pushing forward against corruption . With 2017 just around the corner ,
support the few good men standing up in the unrighteous house of the
Liberian Legislature .
TARNUE MOLUBAH GBELEWALA TOP COMMENTER
Why are these crocks making noise, when were they informed about
Speaker Tyler's situation and why such action was not taken against Hon.
Edward Ford? If these seven representatives are really serious about the
integrity and the image of the Hon. House, I suggest they should call for
a complete audit of the Hon. House of Representative. The integrity and
the image of Senate and House of Representative, was long compromised
before Speaker Tyler's incident came to light. Most Liberian, know about
the all powerful brown envelopes going around in the senate and in the
house of representative. So why are these seven representatives pulling
rope, when they clearly know that rope will pull bush?
JESSE FAHNGON TOP COMMENTER METROPOLITAN
STATE UNIVERSITY
Noise for attraction; you guess what is unfolding behind the scene tonight.
Lib!
ROGER G. SLAWON IRR REP AT THE HERTZ CORPORATION
Why are these crocks making unnecessary noise now? Is it because 2017
approaching? Well, let me remind you Honorable Crocks that it is very
late now to change our hearts. We (voters) have cleaned up the House of
Senate and we strongly believed that the clean up process will continue
in the Lower House in 2017. It is very late for some of you so-called
lawmakers to make it right with us now. The "Die Is Cast " crocks! If you
like you can sit over the roof of the Capitol Building and shout, we the
voters will make our decisions on who stays or leaves the House come
2017. We will clean up the Lower House like we did in the Upper House
few weeks ago.
JSPHDIGGS (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)
Let the Members sign and resolve the matter before the Silent majority
takes it under control for the people. In the main time, the speaker could
not possibly preside until the public hears the outcome.
Tell the Liberian people. I am gone in silence.
ELIJAH BARNARD TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF
LIBERIA
These so called legislators are demanding a probe of Tyler only because
they did not get their share of the bribes.
LIGORI MUSIOH SEKAJIPO TOP COMMENTER WORKS
AT FIRESTONE - LIBERIA
The louder the noise, the thicker the "brown" envelop....Like we say in
Liberia "so so technique"
EMMANUEL WRAGBOE GRAND BASSA COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Tyler owner wahala begin
DISCLAIMER
The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and
bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica
The Editor,
EDITORIAL TEAM
Monrovia he
Liberia
AntiCorruption
Commission (LACC)
is poised to undertake
the prosecution of all those
indicted for corruption by the
Commission if the Justice
Ministry fails to do so. This,
according to the Chairman of the
Anti- Corruption Commission,
Attorney James Verdier Jr. in
an exclusive interview with our
staff writer. This could mean that
Speaker Tyler, Representative
Adoph Lawrence, newly-elected
Sinoe County Senator Milton
Teahjay and others could get
booted from the legislature
to face trial. The prosecution
dragnet could also include
the Managing Director of the
Liberia Petroleum Refining
Company (LPRC) executives
of the National Oil Company
(NOCAL), and officials at the
Ministry of Finance.
Verdiers
declaration,
if
carried out, could shake up the
government and breathe a new
breath of life in the publics
quest for corrupt officials to
be brought to justice and for
the problem of widespread
corruption in government to
be addressed. Corruption has
remained a serious problem in
government and continues to
undermine the countrys post
war recovery and reconstruction.
The countrys infrastructure and
social services remain in ruins
as government officials continue
to amass personal wealth, amid
government failure to hold
anyone accountable. Many
commentators even blame the
failure of the countrys health
care system to address the recent
Ebola outbreak on corruption
that has siphoned resources away
from building a robust health
care system.
It has been about 90 days
since
the
Anti-Corruption
Commission
presented
its
findings to the Ministry of
Justice with recommendations
for prosecution. And, as has
happened in the past, the Ministry
has taken no action towards
charging and prosecuting the
officials.
Several
officials
indicted in the past, either by the
Anti-Corruption Commission or
the Auditing Commission and
presented to the Justice Ministry,
escaped prosecution due to the
Ministrys failure to prosecute.
Verdiers
determination
to
pursue prosecutions in spite of
the Justice Ministrys decision
aims to change this situation
and may lead to a major shakeup in government, including
the removal of House Speaker
Alex Tyler and several other
legislators and government
officials including the Managing
Director of the Liberia Petroleum
Refining Company (LPRC) and
executives of the National Oil
Company (NOCAL). It could
also force the hand of a reluctant
Ministry of Justice to actually
prosecute.
Citing the law that established
his commission Verdier noted
that the LACC Act of 2008
(Sections 11.3 & 11.4)gives
the LACC the authority to take
seize of the cases submitted
to the Ministry of Justice after
the expiration of 90 days if the
Ministry, for whatever reasons
fails, neglects or reneges on
prosecution. So, the LACC can
on its own prosecute these cases.
And we are determined to do
so, we are prepared to proceed
with all of the cases presented to
CORRUPTION WATCH
Frontpage
Page 5
PAGE
RONT
Corruption Probe Likely For Speaker, Oil Company, Finance Ministry Officials, 90 Days After Ultimatum
AND
Cllr. Verdier
MILTON
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DON KAN GAS STATION
DEAL
REPRESENTATIVES
DEMAND
SPEAKER
REMOVAL
ON
CORRUPTION
ALLEGATIONS
Recently several legislators
including former Speaker Edwin
Snowe, Montserrado County
representative Henry Fahnbulleh,
among others called for the
Speaker to step aside and to
make himself available to answer
to the allegations by the LACC.
They also disrupted the session
NOCALLEGISLATORS
BRIBERY SYNDICATE
Addressing what appeared to
be a bribery syndicate between
some lawmakers and officials
of the National Oil Company
(NOCAL) that could also
implicate
other
legislators,
Verdier said the case involves
about $168,000.00 allegedly paid
to legislators by the National Oil
Company to get the lawmakers
to ratify oil contracts, describing
the payments as bribes.
According to the LACC
Chairman former NOCAL Board
Chairman Clemenceau Urey and
Counselor Stephen Dumbar are
to be charged and prosecuted
for bribery, misapplication of
entrusted properties, criminal
facilitation, criminal conspiracy
and economic sabotage for the
amount of $50,000.00, while
Dr. Foday Kromah and Mrs.
Marie Parker, all members
of the NOCAL Board, are
recommended for prosecution
for bribery, criminal facilitation,
criminal
conspiracy
and
economic sabotage for the
amount of $118,400.00 also paid
out to lawmakers. The report
also recommends that former
representative Alomiza Ennos
Barr be charged for criminal
facilitation and misapplication
and bribery for the amount of
$40,000.00.
Urey admitted to paying
US$50,000.00 to un-named
members of the legislature
and revealed that other oil
company executives also paid
U.S$118,000.00 to legislators to
vote for oil contracts.
SENATOR
TEAHJAY
MANAGING
see page 6
Page 6 | Frontpage
PAGE
RONT
Meanwhile
the
LACC
chairman
says
his
Commission
is committed to
holding
public
officials and others
accountable
for
the use of Ebola
related resources.
Chairman Verdier
noted that the LACC
would
undertake
investigations into the use of
funds and resources related to
the fight against Ebola. We are
aware of the reports of alleged
mismanagement of the first
contribution from the Liberian
government in the amount of 5
million; we have not commenced
an investigation because we
are engulfed with monitoring
and investigating other matters
but we are committed to and
will investigate the flow,
disbursement and application of
funds and resource related to the
fight against Ebola.
T. Nelson Williams, II
President & Area Director, West Africa
Emmett Walker
Vice President
GOING
EXTINCT
Ebola Handshake New Sensation
EBOLA FUNDS
AND
OTHER
RESOURCES
Henry A. Callis
LIFESTYLE
Eugene K. Jones
George B. Kelley
Nathaniel A. Murray
Robert H. Ogle
Vertner W. Tandy
Monrovia
n exceptional way
of handshake in
Liberia is being
replaced by new
forms of salutation dubbed
Ebola Handshakes. These
new handshakes are becoming
popular even as Ebola cases
reported daily appear to be
on the decrease.
Liberians
adopted a social distance form of
greetings when the World Health
Organization[WHO]
made
recommendation for people in
Ebola-hit countries to avoid
any body contact including
handshakes to contain the spared
of the virus that has claimed the
lives of over 6,000 persons in the
worst Ebola outbreak in recorded
human history.
Knocking
the
elbows,
knocking the shoes and
hitting the arms while they
are covered with garments are
spreading like wildfire amongst
young people especially men.
The popularity of the Ebola
handshake can be traced to
October when Liberian President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was seen
knocking elbows with visiting
United States Ambassador to the
United Nations Samantha Power.
But as the West African Nation
looks forward to being declared
Ebola free, it seems the Liberian
handshake may be consigned to
the dustbin of history.
The fact that we still see Ebola
around in our corridors, I have
thought to adapt the new form of
greeting by just hitting the shoes
together and going my way. By
doing that, in my mind, I will
not get Ebola, says Jeremiah
Barclay
Behaviors such as the Ebola
handshake, regular hand washing
with soap and clean water,
keeping a distance from sick
people, and not touching anyone
who has died - all help to lower
the risk of infectious diseases.
During this Ebola epidemic in
West Africa -- the largest in
history -- the combination of
behaviors among a large part
of the population are helping
raise and maintain awareness of
Ebola, and reduce the spread of
the disease, says the Center for
Disease Control (CDC).
When Ebola was really killing
people I was doing nothing like
that [handshaking] but now I
can hit the elbows when I am
wearing a long sleeves shirt or
coat to greet my friends. I feel
safe that way. Body contact in
the form of handshake is a part
of our culture, says Andrew T.
Sokan.
In Liberia the way of shaking
hands often shocks and amazes
visitors to the West African
nation. It is done by shaking the
hand as normally done but when
releasing the hand; the middle
finger robs against that of the
partners to click at the same
time using the thumbs to make a
snapping noise. This simple and
exciting trick of greeting carries
more significance in Liberian
culture.
In our towns and villages if you
do not shake hands with that
click sound it means you are not
welcoming. They will call you
to ask what they have done to
you. Some people will even take
you to the council of elders and
say this person did not shake my
hand properly. It looks like he
has something against me, says
former Liberian Information
Minister
and
Historian
Emmanuel Bowier.
The history of this unique
handshake predicts any written
history in Liberia. Even its
top powerful secret societies
such as the freemason and
Poro
[traditional
society
for indigenous males of
northwestern and central regions]
use this handshake as a form of
greeting, a consummation of an
agreement and a ritual to show
personal level of achievement
called degree.
Those free slaves came and met
this clicking handshake and they
adapted it, Bowier emphasizes.
You can see how this common
act of handshake is important
in Liberia even at the top our
body politics today. During
the certification of victorious
candidate of the 2011 polls by
National Election Commission
[NEC],
representative
B
Chambers refused to shake hands
with President Sirleaf; signifying
unfriendliness, Bowier stressed.
But the Liberian handshake is at
risk of being wiped away for fear
of contracting the deadly Ebola
virus disease. This is having huge
impacts on the society as whole.
Frontpage
Page 7
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is a grant making and advocacy
foundation that is part of the global Open Society Foundations Network. OSIWA
works to support the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning
democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic
participation. Its headquarters is in Dakar and it has offices in Abuja, Monrovia,
Freetown and Conakry.
OSIWA seeks proposals aimed at achieving the following specific objectives:
*
Strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of civil society
organizations,
* Advance the inclusion and legal empowerment of women, youth and people with
disabilities,
* Strengthen regional economic integration processes as well as tax, investment
and trade justice
* Promote the use of transitional justice mechanisms
* Improve Criminal justice and the Administration of justice
* Strengthening the health system's capacity to respond to emergencies
* Reforming the governance of health care systems: improving access and quality
of health services
* Enhance citizens' social demands for accountability and effectiveness in public
service delivery, especially in the health and education sectors
* Support alternative, ICT and arts-based means for anti-corruption enforcement
* Increase the effectiveness of natural resource management frameworks
* Reduce the impact of drug trafficking on governance
* Strengthen prevention and early warning information systems to reduce militancy
and violence; and
* Ensure inclusive constitutional review processes.
* The detailed OSIWA strategy is available here<http://www.osiwa.org/-Notrestrategie-.html?lang=en>.
ELIGIBILITY
7.) All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of US$5,000.00 from a reputable
OSIWA primarily awards grants to local organizations based in West Africa. In rare
and limited circumstances, it provides support to West Africa-based international
organizations with a strong commitment to transfer knowledge to local groups they
partner with. It provides grants to government institutions as well as regional and
sub-regional organizations working in its core priorities areas. OSIWA requires all
organizations seeking funding to submit a two page concept paper using the template
available on the OSIWA website.
bank.
8.) Sealed Bids must be delivered to the LPRC Procurement Unit not later than
February 23, 2015 at 1:00pm. Late bids will be rejected and returned unopened
to bidders unopened. Bids received will be opened in the presence of bidders who
choose to attend or their representatives on February 23, 2015 at 1:00 pm. In the
LPRC Training Hall. Bids must be submit in six sets. One Original and five copies.
9.) Bids must be clearly marked Bid for LPRC Stationery Supply, (IFB No. LPRC/
NCB/001/2015) and delivered to the below address:
10.)
Signed: __________________________________
T. Nelson Williams, II
Managing Director
~ Advertiser Supplement ~
Monday, January 26, 2015
Page 8 | Frontpage
EDITORIAL
Actionaid Liberia (AAL), a charitable INGO, promotes the
enhancement and protection of women, girls, and other vulnerable
cases in Liberia. The organization focuses on skills training and
empowerment of beneficiaries and duty bearers in Liberia. The
organization also builds the capacity of its local partners in the areas
of womens rights, rights of young people, children and vulnerable
cases, advocacy, program, administration, finance, etc. It is based on
this approach that AAL and its partners continue to provide capacity
building initiatives and support for women at community levels
throughout the counties in which the NGO operates.
One of the survivors, Patience told ActionAid that she had lost
her mother and a friend to the virus. She said when she began to
show symptoms of the illness, she was taken to the ELWA II ETU.
She recounted the horrible experience pf watching people die and
she expressed joy and gratitude that she survived. She thanked
ActionAid Liberia for the items she received and she said that it was
much needed at the time as she did not know what she was going
home to.
The items donated to the survivors in the survivor packs were:
one 25kg bag of rice, one three gallons container of cooking oil,
two large bottles of Clorox, hand sanitizers, bath gel, toothpaste,
washing soap one hand washing bucket and clothing.
AAL is now conducting a weekly donation of food, and sanitary
materials to families under quarantine and survivors. Through this
effort, AAL is making a significant impacted in the lives of over
hundreds affected households and survivors. Considering the
importance of the work carry out by the nurses and doctors at the
ETU, AAL has donated several items to the County health Team, in
support of the work at the various ETUs in the County and Rural
Women Association
3. Actionaid Liberia celebrates 16 Days of Gender-Based
Violence Against Women
Between November 25 (International Day for the Elimination
of Violence against Women) and December 10 (International
Human Rights Day), ActionAid Liberia joined other ActionAid
organizations and other NGOs (focused on the rights of women)
around the world to celebrate 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based
Violence Campaign was a time to galvanize action to end violence
against women and girls around the world.
One of the families, the Kabah family, lost their daughter Wokie
Kabah to Ebola at the ELWA hospital in October. She left four
children ages 7 to 16. The items were donated to for the children
who are being cared for by their maternal aunty, Siata. While
she received the items on behalf of the children, Siata thanked
ActionAid Liberia for the donation. She said that Actionaid Liberia
has made the difference in the community. She stated her hope that,
the gesture will continue towards all affected children, and families.
While it was Christmas for the rest of the world, for many around
Liberia, the Ebola outbreak remained a scary and horrifying reality.
Many lives have been lost or destroyed by the virus. Peoples
livelihoods have been affected: families of Ebola patients and
contacts were under placed quarantine to minimize the spread of
the virus, meaning that they risked not being able to get food and
~ Advertiser Supplement ~
Monday, January 26, 2015
The 16 Days campaign kicked off with a parade from the Zone
III Police Station in Congo Town, Monrovia. Participants, carrying
banners and placards walked to the populated ELWA junction
where the public space was used as a platform to engage pedestrians,
market sellers and buyers, commuters and a wide range of audiences
trafficking through the area with fliers and messages highlighting the
rights of women, girls as well as stats on violence against women.
During the event, the women used the time to promote womens
rights issues. Because Ebola has impacted more women than men,
the team also used the opportunity to carry out Ebola awareness and
distribute sanitary materials.
Frontpage
Page 9
Page 10 | Frontpage
PAGE
RONT
GENDER ISSUES
Mae Azangomaeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com
PAGE
RONT
GENDER ISSUES
happening.
He is also blaming the widespread rape
cases on street selling by young girls.
Another thing I see in my district, little
girls are just all on the streets selling little
things which is risky for them. If these little
girls are not sent on the streets to sell, it
will help reduce rape. If parents are saying
Young appealed.
Oliver Nelson believes that punishments
against rapists are not holding.
The punishment for the rape cases is not
holding because many of the perpetrators,
who go to jail, are out in no time, while
others still continue to carry on this act.
As for me, I think the punishment for
these rapists should be death penalty,
because raping has intensified. When one
or two persons are killed, it will serve as
deterrence to other rapists and the act will
reduce, Nelson intimated.
He wants the government to reinforce
the rape law by adding death penalty for
rapists.
Said Nelson My advice to the government
is to reinforce the rape law by adding death
penalty and forget about this UN treaty
signed by Liberia, because our children are
dying. And Parents, who are in the habit of
sending their children on the streets to sell,
should stop it because harm is coming to
the children.
Musa Konnehis calling for rapists to be
sentenced to life in jail.
These rapists should be sentenced to jail
for life instead of the previous five years
imprisonment. But if these rapists are
sentenced to jail for life with hard labor;
this will serve as a lesson to many people
out there. While they are in jail, they
should be subjected to hard labor to the
extent that they will regret doing what they
did, Konneh said.
Konneh is cautioning parents to avoid teen
age marriages especially people from his
Mandingo tribe.
And my advice to our parents, they should
stop encouraging teen marriages because it
is also rape. Because I am from a Muslim
background, and we the Mandingo people,
always give our little 13, 14, 15 and 16
year old daughters and sisters to a very
potential man. So, I believe little
Musu Fofana who was raped, was given
to Musa as wife because by 12 midnight,
what was she doing outside at that hour
if she did not go to sleep with him, but
unfortunately she died? While we all
regret the situation of the childs death,
the family knows about their daughters
rape, so they should be investigated also,
Konneh stated.
Few months ago, Gender and Development
Planning Minister Julia Duncan Cassel,
suggested that rapists be castrated as
punishment for the act, which she believes
would serve as a deterrent to others not to
rape.
Minister Cassel insists that men are
exploiting the weak rape law, and still
raping young children.
Liberia is a signatory to the international
convention against capital punishment
such as death sentence, which would make
it difficult for the punishments suggested
by several Liberians to be implemented.
But with the wave of murder and rape
in the country, citizens are calling on
the government to hand murderers and
rapistsdeath sentence in order to serve
as deterrence to would be murderers and
rapists.
Frontpage
Page 11
Page 12 | Frontpage
Buchanan, Grand Bassa County
he workers union
of
the
Liberian
Agricultural Company
and the management
have completed talks for the
remaining victims of the recent
LAC rubber factory explosion to
be flown to Ghana, where they
are expected to get extended
medical care.
The request to fly the remaining
13 victims to Ghana became
critical after four of the 17
victims died in succession
less than two days following
the incident on Monday night,
January 19.
The management of LAC had
earlier announced that they were
considering all options to ensure
that the victims get intensive
medical care including the hiring
of a specialist from France into
the country. But after the first
death on Wednesday, January
21, demands to refer the patients
heighten while family members
and the workers union insisted
that flying the victims out of the
country is the best option.
According to hospital sources,
two of the victims died at the
LAC hospital while the other
two died at the Firestone run DuSide hospital in Margibi County.
Following two separate meetings
on Thursday and Saturday, the
management of LAC agreed to
the Union demand and according
to sources have already started
making preparations for the
victims to travel.
The Monday night explosion
at the LAC plantation has
prompted many government
and county officials including
the county legislative caucus to
assess the impact of the incident
on Wednesday, January 21.
Headed by the caucus Chair, Sen.
NyounbleeKarnga-Lawrence,
the others included Senator
Jonathan Kaipay and District #3
PAGE
RONT
COUNTY NEWS
CARE
PAGE
RONT
WAR CRIMES
DAMAGE
GBOWEE
FOUNDATION
REGULATOR
STILL IN
LACC DRAGNET
Monday, January 26, 2015
Frontpage
Page 13
LNP
INVESTIGATES
PARENTS
OVER BABY Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
HANGING
Monrovia -
Bettie Johnson /
bettiejohnson89@
gmail.com
bowee
Peace
Foundation Africa
(GPFA) founded
by Nobel Peace
Laureate Leymah Gbowee has
reaffirmed its commitment
to fighting the Ebola virus
out of Liberia by providing
direct community support to
those affected by Ebola as
they continues to seek outside
assistance in ending the war
against Ebola.
Despite its direct support to
affected people in
various
communities,
GPFA
Executive
Director
W.
Piso Saydee Tarr says the
foundation
has
provided
funding for community-based
organizations' health awareness
campaigns, contact tracing and
outreach.
Tarr noted that the fight
against Ebola was everyones
responsibility and added that
the foundation will not concede
in providing support to those
most vulnerable.
Tarr urge Liberians not to be
carried away by the reduction
of Ebola cases but rather remain
more focused especially at the
time schools were reopening.
Since its inauguration in
2012, the Gbowee Foundation
has partnered with several
international
and
local
organizations to promote
holistic transformation in
Africa by facilitating equal
access to opportunities in all
spheres of influence.
It can be recalled in October
2014, GPFA partnered with
STARZ College of Science
female-headed households of
young children.
GPFA partnered with Mr.
Amos Sawboh of Orphan
Concern Liberia, a Liberian
youth
initiative
support
survivors of Ebola identify
several persons in need of
aid in the Banjor area in the
Virginia Community outside
Monrovia.
GPFA distributed $4,000 USD
worth of care packages of rice,
cooking oil, beans, Quaker
oats, sugar, canned milk,
seasoning cubes and health
kits of chloride, soap and hand
sanitizers to over 30 families
Page 14 | Frontpage
IN BRIEF
NUCLEAR BREAKTHROUGH
Obama, Modi display bond, cite progress toward nuclear ties
partnership.
The two countries reached an
understanding on two issues
that, despite a groundbreaking
2006 agreement, had stopped
U.S. companies from setting up
reactors in India and became one
of the major irritants in bilateral
ties.
The
new
deal
resolved
differences over the liability
of suppliers to India in the
event of a nuclear accident and
U.S. demands on tracking the
whereabouts of material supplied
to the country, U.S. ambassador
to India Richard Verma told
reporters.
"Ultimately it's up to the
companies to go forward, but
the two governments came to an
understanding," he added.
Signaling his determination to
take ties to a higher level, Modi
broke with protocol to meet and
bear-hug Obama as he landed in
New Delhi earlier in the day. It
was a remarkable spectacle given
that, just a year ago, Modi was
persona non grata in Washington
and denied a visa to the United
States.
After a working lunch that
included kebabs made with lotus
stem, figs and spices, the two
leaders got down to talks. They
emerged with deals on defense
cooperation that included the
joint production of drone aircraft
and equipment for Lockheed
Martin Corp's C-130 military
transport plane.
They agreed to a number of
financing initiatives aimed at
helping India increase its use of
renewable energy.
But Modi cautioned that work
was still needed to create a solid
partnership between the world's
two largest democracies.
TOKYO (AP)
rom
the
prime
minister to ordinary
people,
Japanese
were shocked Sunday
at a video purportedly showing
one of two Japanese hostages
of the extremist Islamic State
group had been killed.
With attention focused on
efforts to save the other
hostage, some also criticized
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's
drive for a more assertive
Japan as responsible for the
hostage crisis.
A somber Abe appeared on
public
broadcaster
NHK
early Sunday demanding the
militants release 47-yearold journalist Kenji Goto
unharmed. He said the video
was likely authentic, although
he added that the government
was still reviewing it. He
offered condolences to the
family and friends of Haruna
Yukawa,
a
42-year-old
adventurer taken hostage in
Syria last year.
Abe declined to comment on
the message in the video, which
demanded a prisoner exchange
for Goto. He said only that the
government was still working
on the situation and reiterated
that Japan condemns terrorism.
"I am left speechless," he
said. "We strongly and totally
criticize such acts."
Yukawa's father, Shoichi, told
reporters he hoped "deep in his
heart" that the news of his son's
of national intelligence.
On a visit to India, Obama
said the United States will
stand "shoulder to shoulder"
with Japan and called for the
immediate release of Goto.
French President Francois
Hollande also said condemned
the killing and praised Japan's
"determined engagement in
the fight against international
terrorism."
The Associated Press could not
verify the contents of the video
message, which was removed
from websites soon after it
Sports
Frontpage
roup D remains
perfectly
even
through
two
rounds of matches
thanks to Guineas Ibrahima
Traore, who denied Cameroon
victory with a superb strike on
Saturday night.
Benjamin Moukandjo had put
the Indomitable Lions into an
early lead but Traore rifled a
left-footed effort past Fabrice
Ondoa minutes before halftime and the two sides could
not be separated after the break.
Receiving the ball with his back
to goal and four opposition
players surrounding him, the
Borussia
Monchengladbach
winger rode one challenge
and wriggled into space before
dispatching a skidding drive
into the bottom corner.
Guinea can take enormous
credit to remain in contention
for a place in the knockout
stages going into the final
round of group matches.
Michel Dussuyers young team
held Cote d'Ivoires superstars
to a 1-1 draw in their first game.
We have no fear, Traore said
before facing Cameroon. We
knew from the beginning that
we were a team nobody would
count as a favourite, but we are
The Borussia Monchengladbach winger somehow found the space and angle to unleash a
brilliant left-footed shot that flew past Fabrice Ondoa as Cameroon were held to a draw
SPORTS
STURRIDGE RETURNS TO
FULL LIVERPOOL TRAINING
Page 15
champions.
Arturo Vidal replaced Andrea
Pirlo in the Juve starting lineup after the veteran midfielder
was ruled out due to illness,
while Andrea Barzagli was
named on the substitutes
bench for the first time since
September after recovering
from an Achilles injury.
Juve wasted no time in putting
the visitors on the back foot
and Bizzarri kept out Roberto
Pereyra's effort at the near
post after Patrice Evra had
picked out the midfielder,
with Giorgio Chiellini then
heading the resulting corner
just over the crossbar.
Chievo were struggling to live
with the champions and there
was a moment of controversy
20 minutes in, when Vidal
went down in the penalty area
under a challenge from Ervin
Zukanovic but referee
Davide
Massa booked the Chile
midfielder for diving.
Chiellini was proving to be
a real threat from set-pieces
and the Italy defender again
rose highest to meet a corner
from the right, but Bizzarri
tipped his header over the bar.
Chievo were forced to make
a change late in the first half
ordoba
defender
Edimar has called on
the Spanish football
association (LFP) not
to hand Real Madrid'sCristiano
Ronaldo any further sanctions
following the his red card.
The three-time Ballon dOr
winner was dismissed with
eight minutes remaining of
Saturdays clash in Andalusia
after aiming a kick at Edimar.
The referees report did not
describe the incident as violent
conduct, meaning Ronaldo
will likely receive just a onegame ban, and Edimar has
urged the authorities not to dish
out any further punishment.
Page 8a
16 | Frontpage
PAGE
RONT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
Monrovia
resident Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined by Gender Minister
Julia Duncan Cassell made a special visit to the family of the
late Ma Musu Fofana at their Moulton Corner residence in
Brewerville, outside Monrovia.
Ma Musu Fofana (12 years) died on Sunday, January 18, 2015 as
a result of rape. She was allegedly raped by one Musa Kanneh (49
years) who is currently in police custody.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President expressed
shock over the raping and subsequent death of an innocent child.
I am shocked that someone could be so wicked and devilish to the
extent of raping and killing an innocent child in such brutal manner. I
thought it was very important to come here and see the family myself.
I am truly sorry and extend sympathy to the bereaved family for this
loss, President Sirleaf said during the visit.
She pointed out that government is concern about the roles played by
different actors following the raping of the child and has requested the
Ministry of Justice to probe the situation to facilitate informed actions.
We want to know why she was reportedly rejected by some health
centers, and how it got difficult to get her to the John F. Kennedy
Hospital in time. We want to know if other factors contributed to her
death and who was responsible for those actions, she indicated.
President Sirleaf assured the family that her government takes rape
seriously and will leave no stone unturned in bringing perpetrators
of rape and in particular the individual who raped and killed little
Ma Musu Fofana to justice. I am awaiting the outcome of the
investigation which is ongoing with interest. We will allow the police
and the Justice Ministry to do their job, but let me assure you that the
perpetrator of this wicked act will pay dearly in keeping with law,
she assured family members.
The Liberian President also used the opportunity to sound a strong
warning to would-be rapists that government is fed-up with their
wicked behavior and would come strongly after rapists who are bent
on destroying children young enough to be their own children. She
then encouraged all citizens to see the fight against rape as everyones
business and join in stopping the victimization of the many innocent
children who are being abused and harmed.
Speaking earlier, the aunt of the deceased, Fatu Morris, in tears,
briefed President Sirleaf on the circumstances that led to the raping
and subsequent death of little Ma Musu Fofana and the difficulties
encountered in trying to save her life.
She informed President Sirleaf that both Redemption Hospital and
Faith Clinic turned the patient away when she was taken to the
hospital. She also highlighted the difficulty in getting the raped child
to the JFK Hospital. She is gone and we are now looking up to the
government to give us justice, Fatu Morris stressed.
Dozens of Ma Musu family members including her biological mother,
Massa Morris and stepfather, Emmanuel Morris, were on hand to
receive the Liberian leader during the visit. They thanked President
Sirleaf for the interest and visit and expressed the hope that justice
will be done to the one who took the life of their young daughter.
Monrovia
resident
Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf is
calling for efficiency,
coordination and a
sense of common purpose
across government as they
embark on the final three-years
of this administration.
According to an Executive
Mansion release, the Liberian
leader made the assertion at
the end of a two-day Cabinet
Retreat held in Julijuah, Bomi
County on Wednesday, January
21, 2015.
The Retreat was intended to
reunite the Official Family of
the Executive Branch, have
a commonness of purpose,
recognize the Governments
successes and to set ambitious
but realistic and achievable
targets for the next three
years. Most of Governments
development activities had been
put on hold due to the Ebola
virus disease that had plagued
the country since March 2014.
Though one of the objectives
of the retreat was to identify
and set realistic and achievable
targets, Cabinet Ministers are
now expected to present their
proposed priority projects to
President Sirleaf next Tuesday,
January 27, 2015.
Speaking at the end of
deliberations
Wednesday,
the Liberian leader urged her
official family to be integrated,
vigorous, with a common
purpose to make the most of
the remaining 35 months of this
administration.
For his part, Vice President
Joseph N. Boakai, thanked the
Liberian leader for initiating
the Retreat. He hoped that
government follows up on
the decentralization process,
making sure local officials and
citizens in the rural communities
are involved in the process. I
think we should begin to connect
those people with the different
programs being implemented
because at the end of the day
government has to account for
what was or was not done.
Expressing his concern about
State-Owned-Enterprises
(S-o-Es), Dr. Boakai urged
the Boards of the S-o-Es to be
more assertive because they are
responsible and represent the
ownership of those corporations.
A separate retreat with S-oEs and Cabinet Ministers is
scheduled for next Friday,
January 30 in Julijuah, Bomi
County.
Speaking earlier, the chairman
of the Governance Commission,
Dr. Amos Sawyer, discussing
within the context that this
government has only three years
to end its administration, urged
Cabinet Ministers to identify
proposed priority programs
that will they will be able to
complete to make a significant
impact on the people as
stipulated in the agenda of this
administration. It is important
for this countrys sake that this
government finishes up strong.
It cannot limp to the finish line,
he said.
Dr. Sawyer noted that this will
be the first time since 1944 that
one administration with a living
President is going to be turning
over to another administration
with a living President.
Considering uncertainties along
the way, he indicated that there
will be the dynamics of the
Monrovia
resident Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf has officially
turned over to the
leadership of the old Ma
PAGE
RONT
RAPIST
FOUND GUILTY
Defendant, Foday Kanneh, 39, found Guilty
NEWS EXTRA
Frontpage
he director of the
National Bureau of
Employment (NBE)
at the Ministry of
Labor (MOL) has stressed the
need for the establishment of
public and private employment
service institutions throughout
Liberia to help both qualified
and unqualified Liberians to get
gainful jobs for life as it is done
in other parts of the world.
George H. Saah spoke at the
weekend at the opening of a twoday employment service training
for 50 youth and potential
employment officers at the
Gbarnga Youth Center in Bong
County.
Saah said many qualified
Liberians, who are seeking
employment opportunities, dont
often know where to begin and
how to get a job or what kinds of
jobs they need.
He said as part of the
governments plans to provide
job opportunities, the NBE has
decided to extend its services
throughout the country to help
place qualified Liberians on jobs.
Saah added that the ministry,
through its public employment
center, has registered over 3,000
job seekers in Monrovia and
some of those registered have
been gainfully employed through
referral services to public and
private institutions.
Page 8b
17
V
Monrovia,
Sports
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Fabrice N'Guessi Ondama struck late to secure the win after Aristide Bance had cancelled out Thievy Bifouma's early opener