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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 , 2014 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 THURSDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2014 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1

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VOL 8 NO.517

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THE BEAUTIFUL GAME - MADE IN GRAND BASSA

Fans Go The Distance For Newly-Crowned Champions

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Monrovia -

his years county meet brought out some of the best talents in rural and urban Liberia. The 2-1 triumph by Grand Bassa over powerhouse Nimba in Sundays epic County Meet Finals no doubt elevated the beautiful game in post-war Liberia. The tournament which over the years produce some of Liberias finest players including the late Sekou Gomez, Simeon Mattar James Bodywork Karrow and others have ushered in a new wave of youngsters many of whom have already been scouted by first and second division teams in the Liberia Football Association. Behind every victory and defeat were loyal and passionate fans, like the ones captured here from Grand Bassa County. They painted their skins in solidarity with their county and the end result proved that all of their efforts were not in vain.

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Monday, January 20 , 2014

Monrovia

Macaulay Sombai- 0777217428,macaulay.sombai@frontpageafricaonline.com

Barrack Young Comtrollers-bound Sam Jackson, was only a shadow of himself for Nimba and the form which made him the tournaments top scorer as Bassa defenders held him in check. A low cross from the left flank was the lanky strikers only attempt at goal in the 10th minute. Jacksons frustration at the lack of service from his midfielders was evident and it showed in his output on the pitch as Nimba missed one chance after the next and Bassa overworked to increase their tally. Bassas effort paid off in the 27th minute when Paye again latched on to a pass from the center circle to break down the Nimba defence and gave the Gbezohn boys a 2-0 cushion going into the break. Nimba kicked off the second half determined to reduce the tally and hold Bassa to the fire but strong defending kept Bassa out of danger. Not to be deterred Mark Yalah met a cross from the right flank to reduce the tally for Nimba in the 58th minute through header from a free kick. But even with the tally reduced, Nimba failed to duplicate the strong performance that delivered a lopsided victory against Grand Gedeh in the semi-finals as Bassa kept up the pressure and could have made it 3-0 late in the second half when Payes head hit the cross bar. It was a triumphant moment for Bassa but a devastating blow to Nimba whose players burst into tears when the final whistle sounded off. Grand Gedeh County whipped Bong County 4-0 in the third place match. Lewis Yapeh scored hat-trick while Liberty Jolo scored one for Grand Gedeh. In Kickball final, two-time defending champions Margibi County lost to Bong County 9 to 7 home runs while Nimba took the third place after defeating Gbarpolu County 5 to 2 home runs.

avid Payes inspiring performance was the difference between victory and defeat as Grand Bassa County foiled an unsuccessful second half comeback from rivals Nimba to win the 2013/2014 County Meet Football tournament at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville. Payes onslaught started as early as the fourth minute when he outwitted the Nimba defence before slipping the ball at the back of the yawning net leaving Nimba goalie Yan Yancy helpless between the posts. The goal sent Bassa fans into a frenzy and the SKD Sports Complex upside down as Bassa, who came from behind before beating Bong in the Semi Finals, took control of the match and tearing down the Nimba defence.

PAST COUNTY MEET WINNERS

1969 : Grand Cape Mount County - Montserrado County [2] 1977 : Grand Kru County [3] From 1977- 1979 Nimba County won the championship in in-succession.Kru Coast Territory now part of Grand Kru county won it in 1974. 1985 : Grand Kru County [4] !985: Grand Kru 2 Grand Bassa 0 1987 : Grand Kru County [5] 1987: Grand Kru 4 Margibi 1 2004 : Gbarpolu County 2-1 Lofa County [6] 2007 : Rivercess County 2-0 Grand Gedeh County [7] 2008 : Bong County 4-3 Rivercess County [8] 2009 : Bomi County 5-2 River Gee County [9] 2010 : Nimba County 2-0 Grand Gedeh County [10] 2011 : Nimba County - Margibi County 2012 : Margibi County 2-0 Nimba County [11] 2013 : Grand Cape Mount County 1-1 (aet, 3-1 pen) Montserrado County [12] In 1970: Sasstown Territory is now part of Grand Kru County won the county meet and Kru Coast territory won it in 1974. Grand Kru County won the county meet four times. Some of the players of Sasstown at that time were Patrick Arthur, Anthony Wesseh, Tarpeh Roberts, Sylvester Red' Weah, Michael Tarplah, Anthony Sayon Nagbe alas Experience Tony, Telemu,

Monday, January 20, 2014

SNAPSHOTS FROM COUNTY MEET FINAL

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FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL THE CURSE OF LEADERSHIP IN LIBERIA

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Monday, January 20 , 2014

Commentary

UNIFY LIBERIA THROUGH FOOTBALL

County Meet has shown that post-war Liberia can reconcile its people by investing in the global game

A Review Of The Legislature In Post Conflict Liberia

Seltue R. Karweaye, karweayee@gmail.com, Contributing Writer
FY 2013-2014: US $ 38,776,146 Office of the Speaker of the House FY 2009-2010: US $ 605,412 FY 2010-2011: US $ 619,952 FY 2011-2012: US $ 631,167 FY 2012-2013: US $ 855,487 FY 2013-2014: US$ 816, 357

SINCE THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission came up with its recommendations, declaring amnesty for children involved in armed conflict; institutional reform to promote good governance and human rights; a national mechanism for traditional dispute resolution; and reparations to communities and individuals who suffered in the war, Liberians and the international community are still lost for words over whether the TRC fulfilled its mandate and whether the government of the day has done enough to implemented the findings of the TRC. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN has been the committees recommendation that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf be barred from public office for 30 years once her presidential term runs out in 2011, because she failed to express remorse for her support for Charles Taylor now on trial for war crimes in the late 1980s. Sirleaf, like many politicians at the time, supported Taylor in opposition to former President Samuel Does regime, and has been open about this support in her memoirs. Taylor has been tried by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for 11 counts of war crimes that he allegedly masterminded Sierra Leones 11-year war. SOME INTERNATIONAL observers, including the United Nations have suggested that it is almost impossible to attain peace overnight in a nation which experienced strife and conflict for almost two decades. Durable peace and reconciliation cannot take place in weeks or months, perhaps not even in a few years, said Mr.Aeneas Chuma, the UN in Liberias Deputy Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral (Consolidation of Democratic Governance), Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, during the launch of the Liberia Peace and Reconciliation Initiative last year. FOR CHUMAH, reconciliation is a painstaking task and process that will probably take a generation to accomplish, if not more. Yet, durable peace, reconciliation and social cohesion are essential in order to prevent a return to conflict, which nobody wants; they are also essential in order for the nation to be able to arrest the major drivers of conflict and war over the years, such as social exclusion, resourcebased disputes, negative ethnicity, among others. WHILE MANY appear to have given up on the quest for peace, it seems everyone is overlooking the power of perhaps the most important unifying tool this administration continues to take for granted and one which could relieve Liberia from the headaches and challenges of unify its people. THIS BRINGS us to the euphoria of this years County Meet which has seen residents from the fifteen political sub-divisions display unity while competing for the top prize. THE COMPETITION HAS shown that the beautiful game has the formula the politicking has so far failed to explore. LIBERIA WAS powerhouse during the era of Samuel Doe, a descendant of the Krahn ethnic group who came to power on April 12, 1980 and, ended more than a decade of Americo-Liberian rule. DOE SAW AN OPENING and he exploited it. The beautiful game was an opportunity to unify a nation experience a deep divide: Gongau vs. Country. UNDER DOE, the like of George Weah, James Debbah, Joe Nagbe, Kelvin Sebwe and a host of other footballers made their mark on the world stage. Doe ensure that the best talents available spent some time in Brazil to hone their skills, he declared holidays after great victories and most importantly he pumped a lot of money to make football work its magic. TODAY, LIBERIANS are only getting a glimpse of occasional brilliance but still remain far from achieving its desired goal. The national team is once again absent from this years African Cup of Nations and a place in the World Cup remains as elusive as the reconciliation the country now craves. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT the Sirleaf administration will take a page from the book of Samuel Doe and do all it can to unify Liberia through the gifts of the unheralded beautiful game in this part of the world. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to make a difference but we can begin from here and start the process of reconciliation by investing in sports, particularly football. It has done wonders around the globe and it can similarly do the same for Liberia.

FOR ANY society to prosper, it needs to have a government to run its affairs. The government helps to sustain the social contract that binds every member of the state. Thus, the price that is paid for a state to be prosperous is for it to have an established government that enforces the social contract. Members of an ordered society, called a state, must pay taxes sufficient to carry out the functions assigned to the state. In post conflict Liberia, costs associated with the running of government have increased dramatically over the years such that an increasingly reduced proportion of public revenue is available to support and implement the primary functions of government. Consequently, the discharge of beneficial government functions has been hampered. Its no news. The curse of leadership plagues Africa, and Liberia is chief amongst its beneficiaries. In the past year, I made a clear determination to steer clear talking about government without being able to do anything. However, I am forced to write in clear terms in this article about the attempt by members of the House of Representative to seek additional US$73 million in the 2014/2015 national budget to be divided among the countrys 73 districts in the name of spurring direct district impact projects in spite of the Social Development Funds and the County Development Funds mere with corruptions. Last year, we were served to another national comedy when Montserrado County District #16 Representative Edward Forh was caught on recording reportedly suggesting to the County's former Superintendent Grace Kpaan how the remaining county Development Fund of 2012 should be shared by saying "You eat, I eat and the Minister eats some. One of the unintended consequences of the Legislature unilateral pending action bring to the front-burner questions about the size of government, the excessive cost of governance, and the fraud and corruption in Liberia. An examination of the operational style of successive Liberian legislature since 2006 would reveal an array of demagogue politicians who always pretend to mean well in the kind of policies they have pursued in the running of government, but a perusal of their factual performance records would disclose only deliberate and systematic pillage of our commonwealth, reckless misappropriation of scarce resources and brazen disregard for the needs of the people. These pretentious politicians, who always claim to have people-oriented and focused leadership qualities, are in fact, the least endowed with the virtues of transparency, probity and accountability in the running of government business. The end result of all these debauchery is the emergence of a powerful privileged class which has suddenly supplanted the yearnings and aspirations of teeming Liberians with its bloated appetite for opulent and ostentatious lifestyles. Meanwhile, in spite of our bloated and behemoth government bureaucracies, the pre-occupation of our lawmakers has ceased from being service to the Liberian people, to maintaining and protecting themselves and their numerous cronies. While corruption and cronyism continue to fester in government circles, the people continue to wallow in inexplicable squalor and denial. Liberian, generally observed and agreed that Liberia is a nation blessed beyond belief but, as at today, a nation in abject poverty, confused leadership, and obscurity. Many articles, opinions, suggestions, etc. have been written about Liberia in the recent past. More of these critical but constructive viewpoints have been adjudged by the very objective minded as poignant, relevant and indeed requisite for all those leaders who wish Liberia well. It is depressing, that several years of democratic huge investment in Liberia has yielded no fruitful gain, rather, a downturn in development and growth. The National legislature is neck-deep in corruption; is made up unserious elements and people by self-centered individuals. Our lawmakers are not justifying their monthly pays, vis-a-vis the number of days and hours they sit in a week and the number of times they go on vacation every legislative calendar. Why our lawmakers playing on the sensibility of the people by still asking for additional US$73? Is Liberia under a curse of Leadership? Is leadership Liberias greatest challenge? Is it corruption? What will we do about it? Will there be an end? Are we at a tipping point? Is there hope? Is there a way out? I would love you to take a little glimpse of the present crop of leaders who govern our affairs, starting with the lawmakers and others in subsequent articles. These are the leaders we have employed during the past elections, and some appointed, to serve our interests. Most of these leaders collect huge funds from the Liberian government and not only spend them lavishly but steal others. The Lawmakers Budget in Post Conflict Liberia FY 2006-2007: US $ 9,456,230 FY 2007-2008: US $15, 615,456 FY 2008-2009: US $17,964,000 FY 2009-2010: US $19,145,624 FY 2010-2011: US $22,846,709 FY 2011-2012: US $ 29,722,670 FY2012-2013: US $ 35,166,002

Office of the President Pro Tempore FY 2009-2010: US $ 634,900 FY 2010-2011: US $ 517,904 FY 2011-2012: US $ 911,227 FY 2012-2013: US $ 906,979 FY 2013-2014: US$ 846,654 If these so called representatives and senators earn this much, do you expect them to defend the hapless & helpless majority against a cruel government or its policies? You know why! Its why they ignored all the waste in the budget but instead jerked up their own budget every fiscal year. Our lawmakers are poking underage girls, stealing public funds through budgetary allocation and generally had being an inefficient nuisance since 2006. As indicated above, our lawmakers allocated to themselves US $ 39 million for the FY 20132014 and now asking for additional US$73 million in the pending 2014/2015 budget amidst the pervading abject poverty across the land. This is part of the reason why 83.2% per cent of the nations budget is allocated to re-current expenditure while capital expenditure stands at meager 16.7%. This means that based on the governments expenditure plan it will spend less on capital investment projects because we are using US $ 39 million, a huge chunk of the nations resources to service less than 103 legislators and their staff in a country of over 4 million people and yet they are seeking additional US$73 million. Where is the opposition in the legislature? CDC, LP, NDC? Birds of a feather flock together! This is it. Liberia has never worked, and may never work if we dont rise and confront this system. The combined salaries and incentives of the House of Representative members and Senators in the Fiscal year of 2012-2013 was US $ 35 million plus and in FY 2013-2014: US $ 38 million plus. For sitting to say aye and nay. What do these leaders contribute to earn so much? What are we paying them for? In the same country where millions are starving, where millions are impoverished; where unemployment is high and poverty continue to increase! Obviously, we cant go on like this. It will take a fight. The slavery our children will be subjected to will know no bounds. We are enslaved by our very own, our blood, our kinsmen! They ridicule us with their plunder, getting audacious with every unchecked loot they take from the system. Once we can ensure frugality at the legislative, they will exert pressure on other sectors. We have allowed those meant to keep a check on the system become loose. Insanity! I can never entrust a primary school to any of these looters, they will ruin it! We are close to a tipping point, a point where we are being reminded daily of why we should save our nation from their destructive hands. We are at a point where we must make strategic efforts to sacrifice now so we can gain tomorrow, for Liberia amongst other issues, is not yet a country. Not yet! How did we end up putting these guys at the helm of national affairs? How did we put those who keep pushing up waste and spending more? Most of these lawmakers are personal failures in their own system, hence the Need to amass wealth by all means possible. The wastes from Liberian legislature, when put together, will build schools, equip hospitals, et al. Is this why we were told to sacrifice a little? What do we do? We must demand a cut down of these wasteful salaries, allowances and incentives accruing to the national legislature, at least 50% cut. Protest against the US$73 million request! We Must Occupy Liberia, this time strategically and ready for each and every move of the government. To achieve this, our ideology and strategy must be full proof, must be near-perfect! The enlightened man must get to the ordinary man. We need the middle class because we have to occupy again or we die in this slavery. The ordinary man keeps quiet, hardly knows; the enlightened hardly engage them or walk the talk. This must change. When we enlighten and empower the common man, he would need no coercion when the elastic limit is reached! The streets, the grassroots; thats where the power lies! Leadership failure. Leadership curse. Leadership collapse. This is Liberia, at present, the land of the living dead. We need a re-awakening! The writer holds BA in Criminal Justice minor in Political Science from Metropolitan States University in Minnesota, USA; M.S in Development studies & M.S in Politics and International studies with specialization in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden.

You can read the full commentary on www. frontpageafricanonline.com

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Monday, January 20, 2014

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB

Send your letters and comments to: editor@frontpageafricaonline.com

YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!
CDC RESPONSE TO NEC CHAIRMAN JEROME KOKOYAH'S LATEST FLIMSY EXCUSES
The Editor: Please consider below the CDC response to NEC Chairman Kokoyah comment made on the interactive radio talk show on the TRuth Breakfast Show hosted on Monday, January 13, 2014. The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) states with dismay, its disappointment over continuous flimsy excuses being provided by the National Elections Commission through its Chairman Mr. Jerome Kokoyah; in his attempt to justify the abrupt eruption, delay, and eventual short-cutting of some of the mid-term elections preparations that technically have the potential to affect all other aspects, and or processes germane to the holding of a free and fair Mid-term Senatorial Elections constitutionally scheduled for October, 2014. The CDC considers this alarming, which calls for immediate stakeholder engagement and review of the Kokoyah's Commission. The CDC is seriously evaluating the potential impact these latest actions of delays, or possible short-cutting of these processes by the NEC will have on the over-all smoothness of these coming elections, especially as they relate to voter education, participation, registration and verification. Consequently, through these evaluations, the party will evolve and advance appropriate course of actions, so as to ensure not only a free and fair mid- term elections that maintain at reasonable level all aspects that lead to polling date, but also to secure that the processes of electioneering meet all standard, and are safe-guarded, so as to avoid suspicion and irregularities, which have affected the party in the past. Obviously, these signs certainly validate the party' s position that Jerome Kokoyah wasn't just too partisan to head the commission, but also lacks the experience to manage this critical aspect of our country's transitional period between 2014 and 2017. Meanwhile, the CDC maintains that Kokoyah excuses amount to nothing, but a clear early sign of ineffectiveness and inefficiency that require urgent attention, and redress by the President of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The Reader's Page

The editor,

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COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE

RISKY SUCCESSION PLAY: THINGS FALLING APART; PRESIDENT SIRLEAF MUST HOLD THE CENTER
PLEEBOCOLLINS25 (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO) This president came to power to enrich her friends and family who had no jobs and were just knocking around in other countries. She does not listen to theeh voice of the people, is arrogant and consistently rewards those who are bringing the country to its knees. She backed Bility (I have faith in him) Gayflor, Do-nothing ohting Etmonai Tarpeh, Mos Sawyer (who drafted the worst constitution in our history but calls himself a governancve expert) and all the other charlatans. Liberia could have risen from the ashes stronger and more transparent but this Harvard graduate loves the attention from the international community and cares less about Liberia. The minute a capable leader comes to power, you will see the difference. Competence over cronyism, intelligence over incompetents, and Liberia above all. ARCHIEBALD WOLLO ARGOSY UNIVERSITY I tell you the truth, I am inspired by the man who was born in a little village, in a cage 2000 years ago and had no access to advance medical treatment and his brothers and vilagers thought that he was a clown. The best leader the world had ever known and will know.I encourage you to read his leadership philosophy in the wonderful book called " The Holy Bible" and how anyone who encounters him never remain the same. He is changing lives and the societies. His name is Jesus the Christ. He is not a religious man as many know him to be. He is King. His message was the Kingdom of God, and not religious sermon. He has inspired me so much that I am becoming a better leader, a better friend, a better citizen and a better father.

UGLY & ANCIENT HABIT IN LIBERIA

Kindly afford me the opportunity to express my concerns on issue that baffles me every day when I see it or hear of it. It is the manner in which criminals or would be agents of crimes are been transported to the Monrovia central prison. Many at times from the temple of Justice through the UN Drive you see state security (Officers of the court) transporting criminals through the principle streets of Monrovia with hand cuff and they walk through the streets with other peaceful citizens around. These people are not transported by any modern or safe manner. They are not put in a state security vehicle (except that person is a high profile individual). I am not a security person, but my little knowledge tells me that there are too many dangers involve. it is possible that one of these criminals could decide to harm himself and another person while enroot to the prison? Why if associates of that criminal(s) decide to rescue their colleague on the way to the prison? Many at times you notice, only one sheriff escort a criminal with a hand cuff from Temple of Justice all the way to the Prison. When will we moved to a modern world? When will we start showing great concern for human life? How much will it cost to purchase vehicles to have it on the stand by to transport these hard core criminal and not walk thru the street and endanger people life. These are grave security measures that need to be attended to.

BENJAMEN QUAYE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA Who cares if the UP falls apart? It is destined to do that anyways? No sane Liberian will elect those bunch of thieves to power unless the elections are stolen. And God bless Liberia if the elections are stolen. We need someone else who will cancel all the 58 concession agreements that were fraudulent and prosecute those that were involved - both the investors and their Liberian collaborators. The President, it seems, never learned the concept "Built to Last" at Harvard.

REPLACING CLETUS WOTORSON: THE SCRAMBLE FOR GRAND KRU COUNTY

Ambrose Taplah University of Liberia Staff Reporter, I have read your article and it appears that you have ignored the strengths of the candidates. By stressing the tribal connections of the candidates, I believe you are narrowing the pros and cons of the contest. Please make it more neutral and decrease the emphasis on tribes for every child from Grand Kru like any other county is the same. We saw the effects of division beginning with tribal alliances and the Liberian people do not want to "walk that walk" again. Citizens of Grand Kru County will support any candidate that will encourage development, listen to the people and be on the side of progress while respecting the elders, customary practices and enduring the peace. Montgomery Saah Strayer University Mr. Taplah, the reporter did not ignore the strengths of the candidates. The staff reporter is only reporting what is happening. The fact remains that Liberian politics rest on tribal, organizational and sectional lines. Liberians, having gone through a senseless and brutal civil war in which war lords like Prince Johnson killed many innocent people, one could not imagine he could win an election in Nimba, had it not been for his tribal affiliation.
The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica

This ugly and ancient habit need to be inhibits and Ultimately, the right and power to appoint falls within the range embrace a beautiful and modern style of transporting of the President, so certainly she will have to take responsibility criminals.
for Mr. Kokoyah's display lacked of understanding of the impact his latest ineffectiveness and inefficiency can have on these crucial pillars of a fragile Democracy. Sidiki Fofana National Vice-Chairman Political Affairs / CDC

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to raise my suspicions on this antagonistic situation we are face with. James Kollie jamkollie2002@yahoo.com

DITORIAL TEAM
Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666; 077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com; rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com Wade C. L. Williams, News Desk Chief, wade. williams@frontpageafricaonline.com; 0880664793 Francis F.B. Mulbah, Layout Editor; 0886639382 REPORTERS Sports Editor, Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528 Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline. com Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline. com, 0886-304498 Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.sombai@ FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428 COUNTY NEWS TEAM Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042 Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666 Sinoe County, Leroy N.S Kanmoh, leroy.kanmoh@ frontpageafricaonline.com 0886257528 BUSINESS/ADVERTISING Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753, advertise@ frontpageafricaonline.com

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President Sirleaf to Visit UL Monday

~ In Brief ~

MONROVIA, Jan 19 (LINA) - President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is expected to visit the University of Liberia (UL) Monday after its Board of Trustees discussed a partial report submitted by the Special Investigative Committee constituted, to probe the impasse at the state-run university. UL Vice President for University Relations, Dr. MomoluGetaweh, said with the approval of the Board of Trustees and in consultation with the Faculty Association and the UL Administration, classes will resume on all campuses of the university on Tuesday, January 21, 2014. A UL release said given the urgency of the impasse, the Special Investigative Committee has submitted a partial report to the Executive Committee of the UL Board of Trustees. According to the release, administrators, faculty and staff are asked to resume normal duties effective Monday, January 20, 2014. The UL Board of Trustees and administration appreciate the continuous patience and understanding of the faculty staff, students and the general public, especially the eagerness of the students to return to their classes, the release said. The UL has remained closed since November 2013, when the faculty association and the student union called for the resignation of the Vice President for Administration, Dr. Wede Brownell. LINA CB/TSS/PTK

SAD EPISODE AT HIGH COURT

Supreme Court Action Projects Continuation of Rodney Sieh Case, Press Union Says
Nelson Mandela and co guilty of treason and subversive activities did not stop the rest of humanity from disagreeing. In fact, until very recently, even the United States, still considered Mandela a terrorist, but the rest of the world had always resisted! This action has most importantly brought forth the issue of contempt, which remains undefined in our jurisdiction, despite the strives being made to reform the governance process. The Legislature should now act hastily and enact laws to define contempt of courts and the legislature, as has been required of our constitution since 1986. This will strengthen democracy in Liberia and bring hope that laws are about ensuring justice and empowerment, and not necessarily to punish people, the PUL statement noted. By providing an early resolution to the questions of contempt, the Legislature will be preventing future recurrences of the constitutional issue that is today poised to disrupt the effective functioning of the government. The PUL remains available to continue this conversation in ensuring that actions taken to support the functioning of the government do not have the unintended consequence of undermining the government.

Monday, January 20 , 2014

PAGE RONT

MEDIA ISSUES

Official Wants Govt Sustain SES Initiatives

By Calvin Brooks MONROVIA, (LINA) -The Coordinator of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Alfred Sayon, has called on government to make available an appropriate budgetary allotment to sustain the SES program. The SES is a program under which competent and experienced Liberians are recruited to strengthen the technical arms of government ministries and agencies. Sayon said sustainability of the SES is vital to the manpower and human resource development of public servants and to rebuild Liberia after 14 years of brain drain occasioned by the civil conflict. Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency at the weekend, Coordinator Sayon said the program, which started in 2007 as a pilot project, is intended to respond to the need for civil service reform and capacity-building of civil servants in Liberia. He said the program recruited 100 talented and experienced Liberians from abroad and at home and deployed them at various government institutions as technocrats, but regretted that only 60 of them continue to work as a result of lack of funding. Coordinator Sayon noted that government provided US$1 million for the SES program in the 2013-2014 fiscal budget because most of the donors funding the program were no longer prepared to sponsor it, as it is a Liberian Government initiative. He said the SES program was initially supported by international partners, such as the UN Development Program (UNDP), World Bank, US Agency for International Development (USAID), the governments of Greece, Germany and Sweden, Humanity United and the UN Mission in Liberia. LINA CB/TSS/PTK

Monrovia -

he Press Union of Liberia is troubled by recent Supreme Court actions against Justice Minister Christiana Tah and Cllr Beyan Howard for their role in the compassionate release of journalist Rodney Sieh. The decision of the high Court has projected a continuation of that sad episode which kept the journalist behind bars and his paper, FrontPage Africa, shutdown for months, the Union sad in a statement issued

in Monrovia. PUL President Abdullai Kamara said taking such a decision, more than two months after Siehs landmark release, renews concerns about the future of democracy, especially the sustenance of a free press in Liberia. Punishing someone for merely seeking compassion for a journalist fighting corruption raises a new specter of fear that is poised to institute the dreaded effect of self censorship among journalists in Liberia, Kamara protests. The PUL has always viewed the punishment against Sieh as

a disincentive to the developing freedom and democracy environment in Liberia, and is further worried about the reflections that of punishing Cllr Howard for making a compassionate appeal. Kamara, this action simply limits opportunities for anyone to stand up for journalists or democracy in Liberia. The PUL believes that regardless of how distasteful anyones offense is, there should be no further offense for anyone expressing remorse for them. Because the High Court in South Africa found

Nimbaians In US Soliciting Computers For NCCC

By Gardea V. Woodson, LINA US Correspondent UPPER DARBY, U.S, Jan 19 (LINA) - An appeal has been made to Nimbaians, philanthropists and other Liberians in the United States to help with instructional materials, new or functional used-computers to furnish the Nimba County Community College (NCCC) library in Nimba County. Making the appeal on behalf of Friends of Nimba County Community College (Froniccco), the spokesman of the USbased group, Mr. Alexander Gandah, said he was informed by the colleges President, Dr. Yah Gono, that the library has been completed with high speed internet installed. The United States Aid for International Development installed the high speed internet to assist students and residents wishing to study there, Mr. Gandah quoted Dr. Gono as saying. Mr. Gandah told the Liberia News Agency Saturday in an interview that the college needs about 100 computers for about 600 students to improve their access to online resources that would enhance their learning abilities at the rural junior college. According to Mr. Gandah, the international-style library contains compartments for research, private meetings and five rest rooms, among others. Your help in this direction will make NCCC library the best in Liberia for now, Mr. Gandah stressed. He said any financial or material assistance to his organization through its Executive Director, GounquoiDomah, would be taxdeductible because it is registered as a charitable grouping under the laws of the United States. Meanwhile, Mr. Gandah has said that a consignment of quality college books collected by the organization has arrived in Liberia for use by the NCCC. The books were donated by the National American University and the Argosy University in Minnesota.

ENERGY F ENERGY KEY DRIVER OF LIBERIA DEVELOPMENT, SAYS EU COMMISH

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Monrovia he European Union Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is attaching a high priority to energy as a key driver for development and has agreed with President Ellen JohnsonSirleaf that energy should be a priority sector for EU cooperation with Liberia.

The Republic of Liberia has been chosen as one of the first countries to receive support of the EU's Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), under the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative. At the end of a two-day working mission to Liberia, Mr Klaus Rudischhauser, Deputy Director General in the European Commission

Directorate for development and cooperation (EuropeAid) said: "The EU intervention in the energy sector of Liberia is intended to increase access to affordable and sustainable energy services in order to foster economic and social development in Liberia." "Energy is vital to sustainable economic growth and

development", emphasized Mr Rudischhauser. He added that: "The EU strongly believes that the availability of affordable supply of energy to households, institutions and enterprise increases productivity in the economy and the creation of new private enterprises and jobs; as well as improvement in education and better services." During his visit to Liberia, Mr Rudischhauser held discussions with the authorities of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, relevant donors and stakeholders in Liberia's energy sector. The European Union is one of the biggest donors for the Energy sector in Liberia with a present contribution of more than 65 million Euro (90 million USD) and is currently discussing with Liberian Authorities additional support to be allocated over the next seven years.

Monday, January 20, 2014

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Buchanna, Grand Bassa County iberia had just emerged from nearly a decade long fratricidal civil war and the people were in dying need of peace, so was the 2005 election which witnessed the election of strange bedfellows in Liberian politics. It was widely believed that many electorates were tire with old politicians and wanted unknown individuals to showcase something new order than the old progressive ideology of politics which helped to dethrone the True Whig Party Oligarchy. Names surfaced, including that of Gbehzongar Finley in Grand Bassa County, with no known accomplishment in public service, as he sailed to the Capitol Building in 2005 on a wave of undefined hope with the assistance of an unsuspecting media, and gullible electorates. One veteran in Grand Bassa politics had said that Finley was elected based merely on his name Gbehzongar which in the Bassa vernacular means Bassa Man, which some electorates who knew nothing about him voting him because his name represents the county. To his supporters, Finley was a bolt of lightning that would unite the people of Grand Bassa, restore prosperity, and bring a breath of fresh air to the polluted politics of the county as his name portrays. His detractors, on the other hand, saw a recluse with a murky past and little evidence to warrant the adulation heaped on him. Who was right? As Finleys first term drags on painfully, it has become clear that Bassoains

VYING FOR THE POPULAR VOTE IN LIBERIA

(people from Grand Bassa) who supported and voted for him had seemingly invested their hope in a phantom. It has now turned out that electing one based on little other than the sentimental rhetoric of a deprived childhood may not have been such a good idea after all. To say that Finley was a phenomenon in 2005 will not be an exaggeration. He ran a huge campaign and broke records in vote totals. But it seems impossible for him to match those levels of excitement come October 2014. Usually, in an election, the odds of getting re-elected have always favored the incumbent. But in a county like Grand Bassa where the Liberty Party sentiment is entrenched, many believe this conventional wisdom will not matter. And that is the case with the Grand Bassa senator. Several factors, when taken together, make it almost impossible for him to win a re-election in October. Political observers say Finley cannot win. This Senator, according to analysts, has several key flaws which have already blighted his tenure. His most telling undoing, of course, has been his latest row with a man widely seen as the Igwe and face of Bassa politics. Records show that no politician in Grand Bassa has been in a row with Brumskine and survived at the ballot box during election. Ask Daniel Chea. Cheas row with Brumskine proved costly in the byelection in 2013 as he woefully lost to debutant Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence. Cheas

DANGEROUS POLITICAL PLAY:

Finley Feud with Brumskine could harm re-election Bid
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
victory. In October, it will present a test case for Finley. For one, his influence seems to be waning in the district. In many of the villages, for example, Finleys support base has become too fractious and weakened. The emergence of the districts lawmaker Gabriel Smith (independent) to contest the October election on a renewed alliance will somewhat make the area a no-win for Finley. Political pundits say if the reported alliance between Rep. Smith and ex-Liberty Party chairman and senatorial aspirant, Israel Akinsanya, work, Finleys second term is best forgotten. Analysts are also saying if Liberty Party presents a credible candidate, perhaps, Finley will be heading out of the Capitol Building. The politics of the Grand Bassa legislative caucus also offers a glimpse into how Finley will not be re-elected. Finleys senate mate, Nyonblee KarngaLawrence (Liberty Party) overwhelmingly won during last years by-election in the county and is poised to support a Liberty party candidate. Many lawmakers from the county, FrontPageAfrica gathered, have sympathy for the Liberty Party. The city of Buchanna, which also has a valid claim to the Capitol Building, will intensify its quest in 2014. It may likely pitch its tent with the party that offers the best chance to actualize this dream. Will Finley be a one-term senator? It appears very likely. campaign at the time was going on smoothly but the moment Brumskine paraded with Karnga-Lawrence endorsing the Liberty Party candidate, the signals were cleared for all to see. FrontPageAfrica has also observed that the mist seems to be cleared and hundreds of Bassoains (except for sycophants) have seen with their own eyes that the breath of fresh air was just more of the same old political rhetoric. This 2014, Finleys campaign will not have the historical significance it did in 2005. Second, which is the reason for this piece is how the demographics that saw him elected senator will work against him in October. Finley has alienated just too many of his strong supporters, including large numbers from his native district # 3. In October, many could vote against him or simply just stay home thats for want of a credible and well-accepted candidate from the opposition. Finley seems to be a selfcreated myth. There is little substance behind the frontage other than the deceptive style of politics that has long defined Bassoains politicians. In 2005, his campaign avoided specifics; his speeches contained no substance. His greatest asset was his unknowingness. As a blank slate, Bassoains imagined whatever they wanted in the next senator. They were aided by a campaign which played up the sentiments of his deprived childhood. It was a deceptive farce cleverly scripted to mirror the lives of ordinary citizens of the county who immediately connected with someone they thought was one of their own. How wrong have they been? He was thought to be an outsider who would clean up the county. Political observers say the Grand Bassa senior senator will lose the next election because his greatest asset, his unknowingness, no longer exists. The imagination of Bassoains can no longer be manipulated in the presence of facts. Simply put, Finley will not be re-elected because ordinary citizens of the county can now see him for who he is. What people are getting now is nothing like what they were promised or imagined. What was a blank slate upon which to imagine a Finley senate ambition now seems to be a full-blown portrait filled with disappointment and more of the same. Gradually, it is appearing a great mistake was made in 2005. That mistake is now apparent to most Bassoains. Even his district #3 home base establishments recognize his failings, although neither is willing to publicly discuss them. The cracks are already visible seemingly based on the row between him and Brumskine and that fear is not unfounded. Why and how Finley will lose in October seems less difficult to understand than how he won the first time. Certainly, the demographics will be less favorable this time unless something dramatic happens during the polls. In 2005, the senator won in almost all the districts. In October, he will not have such a luxury. Take district #3 for example. The district was a battleground which contributed immensely to his first term

POLITICS

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THE ECONOMIST IBERIA'S most famous man, George Weah, stands behind a pulpit in front of Benoni Urey, a man whom many believe is the nations richest. The beach at New Kru Town, one of Monrovias poorest slum communities, is packed with supporters of Mr Weah, the international football star turned political leader, whose rags to riches story has long captivated the imagination of the nations young urban poor. Under an overcast sky, amidst a scrum of photographers, Mr Weah solicits support for his political party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in the upcoming senatorial

elections, in which he is running. Mr Urey, a prominent Americo-Liberian businessman and ally of former President Charles Taylor as well as financial supporter of the CDC, echos his sentiments. Mr Urey has presidential ambitions, leading some to speculate that he will compete with Mr Weah for the partys nomination in 2017. Might an elite be planning to buy the grassroots movement headed by a popular hero? The AmericoLiberians, whose lineage links back to freed slaves from the United States who founded the nation, continue to dominate political and economic life, despite shuffles and shifts

Goldfinger and the presidency

during decades of civil unrest. This isnt the first time there has been speculation that the party has been bought. In 2011 rumours swirled around former diplomat Winston Tubman, of the Tubman political dynasty, who took up the mantle of standard-bearer just three months before the elections, with Mr Weah running for the position of vice president. Some Liberians still speak of a conspiracy in which Mr Tubman was a supposed secret agent sent by the AmericoLiberian elite to ensure Mr Weahs defeat.Samuel Tweah, one of the CDCs founding ideologues has bemoaned Mr Ureys presidential ambition.

He says the party was founded as a rebellion against the elitism, decadence, corruption and bloodshed that defined Liberias political past, a part in which he argues Mr Urey played a key role. I dont think there is anyone more intimately connected to the Taylor military-political machinery than Benoni Urey, he says. (Mr Taylor was convicted for war crimes in Sierra Leone and is serving a 50-year prison sentence in the United Kingdom.)Mr Urey, nicknamed Goldfinger because of his involvement in gold mining, was commissioner of maritime affairs in Mr Taylors government, and authorized

payments for arms shipments from Serbia in 2000 during Liberia and Sierra Leones civil wars, according to evidence presented at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. It is speculated that he helped Mr Taylor hide many of his assets. But Mr Urey challenges anyone to prove him guilty of financial impropriety and denies having a hand in the violence. He was subject of a UN travel ban as well as on an asset freeze list, due to ongoing ties to Mr Taylor. In late December his name was removed and the latest UN panel of experts report concluded that while Mr Urey

clearly has the resources and leadership capacity to command support and undermine peace and security, that because of his business interests and apparent commitment to the democratic process he was no longer a threat to stability. In a recent radio interview he claimed to be responsible for the peace Liberians enjoyed today by keeping ex-combatants at bay. He describes himself as a businessman who started with nothing and gained everything through hard work, a life narrative that echoes that of Mr Weah.

Page 8 | Frontpage

LPRC HONORABLY RETIRES SIX EMPLOYEES

Monday, January 20 , 2014

Board Member Ophelia Freeman Johnson presenst a plaque to Retiree John Dukuly.

MD T. Nelson Williams, II stresses on empowering Liberian businesses.JPGpresenst a plaque to Retiree John Dukuly.

Retiree William Sharpe receives a gold ring frm MD T. Nelson William, II.

The Christ Ambassadors Musical Group lifted the crowd.

DMDO Aaron J. Wheagar, I presents a plaque to Aminata Boss Siaka Toure.

retirees, Managing Director T. Nelson Williams, II and Board member Ophelia Freeman Johnson hailed the retirees for the exemplary work over the years and wished them all the best as they transition in their new life. Nicknamed The Great Six the six employees were retired as a result of age or tenure as indicated the Labor Law of Liberia. For other honors, TOTAL Liberia and Aminata & Sons Incorporated received honors from Deputy Managing Director for Operations, Aaron J. Wheagar, I for being the highest and second highest Importers of petroleum products, 2013 respectively. Deputy Managing Director for Administration, Jackson Fiah Doe, Jr. presented cash and plaque to Josh Smith as Employee of the year. Also, Financial Comptroller Elizabeth Matu Tubman presented a plaque and cash to Paul Jappah as Assistant Manager of the year, while Managing Director T. Nelson Williams, II presented similar prizes to the Finance and Marine Teams as winner and runner-up for Teams of the year respectively. Finally, the Christ Ambassadors musical group entertained the crowd while Quincy T made them laugh their guts out.

Adm. Manager Cornelius Miamen introducing the retirees.

he seventh edition of the Annual Retirement and Honoring program of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) took place on Friday, January 17, 2014 in the Ball Room of the Monrovia City hall with six employees honorably retired and several deserving employees and institutions receiving honors. The six retired employees are: William Sharpe, John Dukuly, John Wilson, James Teah, Momo Fofana and Fallah Baryoh. Besides their regular retirement package, each retiree received a well decorated plaque, gold ring and a cheque of US$1,500. Presenting the items to the

Asst. Manager of the year Paul Jappah receives honor from Finance Comptroller Elizabeth M. Tubman.

LPRC HONORABLY RETIRES SIX EMPLOYEES

Monday, January 20, 2014

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The Retirees.

Pst. Ronald Nagbe offers prayers.

Some Managers and Asst. Managers pose for the camera.

Marine men receive honor from MD T. Nelson Williams, II.

A Partial View of the Audience.

Retiree James Teah honored by MD T. Neson Williams, II.

Board Member Ophelia Freeman Johnson hailing the retirees.

Employee of the year Josh Smith receives honor from DMDA Jackson Fiah Doe, Jr..

Page 10 | Frontpage

Monday, January 20 , 2014

PAGE INTERVIEW RONT LIBERIAS MAX BANKOLE JARRET, BBC VETERAN DISCUSSES You Manage That Arrangement? The arrangement was essentially between the APPOINTMENT TO KOFI ANANS AFRICA PROGRESS PANEL JARRETT: UNECA and APP leadership. I was one of the names forwarded

EXCITING NEW CHALLENGE

The Panel has exceptional networks of policy analysts including academics and policy practitioners across Africa. By bringing together experts with a focus on Africa, the APP contributes to generating evidence-based policies. For example, the 2013 Africa Progress Report helped frame top-level discussions around the extractives industry in Africa. Africas oil, gas, and mining sectors offer tremendous opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people, but despite the high growth the benefits of this natural resource wealth has not reached nearly enough people. - Max Bankole Jarrett
he recalls his time at the BBC, his work on the progress panel and giving back to his homeland. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: How Long Has It Been Since You Left Liberia And What Were The Circumstances? JARRETT: I left Liberia at age of 9 in September 1978 to attend boarding school in South West England. From that date, I have never spent more than 8 weeks a year in Liberia.

Monrovia -

year before the rice riots of 1979, Max Bankole Jarrett left the shores of his homeland, Liberia for boarding school in London, England but even as war raged on, his voice as a producer and presenter for the popular BBC Network Africa morning programme, always kept his ears on the ground and his homeland, in tune to his progress at Bush House. Last week, Jarrett was unveiled as the new Deputy Director of the Africa Progress Panel, headed by former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. Jarrett is on a two-year loan from the UN Economic Commission for Africa. The panel among other things, explores innovative financing methods for investment in Africas agriculture, investment, and energy sectors. The panels 2014 Africa Progress Report is due for publication in May. Backed by its Secretariat, the Africa Progress Panel consists of ten influential Panel Members, chaired by Annan. The panel members include Michel Camdessus, former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Peter Eigen, Founder and Chair of the Advisory Council, Transparency International and Founding Chair and Special Representative of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); Bob Geldof, Musician, Businessman, Founder and Chair of Band Aid, Live Aid and live8, Co-Founder of DATA and ONE Advisor and Advocate, Graca Michel, wife of late South Africa President and icon, Nelson Mandela, President of the Foundation for Community Development and Founder of New Faces, New Voices, Strive Masiwa, Econet Wireless; Linah Mohohlo, Governor, Bank of Botswana; Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, from 1999 to 2007, who oversaw the countrys first democratic handover of power and administrative reforms that accelerated economic growth; Robert E. Rubin, CoChair of the Board, Council on Foreign Relations and former Secretary of the United States Treasury and Tidjane Thiam, CEO, Prudential Plc. Jarrett also serves as a member of the Governing Council of Africa 2.0, a Pan-African Civil Society network of young and emerging leaders from Africa and the Diaspora and serves on the Advisory Board of the Washington DC-based Center for Sustainable Development in Africa. He received his B.Sc (Hons) in Economics in 1990 from the London School of Economics and Political Science and his M.A in African Studies (Specialism: The Political Economy of Tropical Africa) in 1996, from London Universitys School of Oriental and African Studies. He was born not very far from the Atlantic Ocean in Monrovia, Liberia. Jarrett has over twenty-three years of professional experience in the field of political and socio-economic affairs as an international broadcaster, writer and analyst in the media sector; and, as an Executive Office aide, speech writer and team leader in the United Nations system. His most recent duties as a UN officer included serving as an Adviser to the Executive Director of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA), a policyoriented think tank that brings together a range of stakeholders to promote dialogue, and, provides a platform for African voices to be heard. Thirty five years after leaving Liberias shores, Jarrett tells FrontPageAfrica he is looking forward to his new challenge as

FRONTPAGEAFRICA: You Spent 11 Years At The Bbc Before Venturing Into Work With The United Nations. Why The

Change And You Must Have Had Some Fond Memories? JARRETT: I have very, very fond memories of my BBC years. I feel we made some very good programmes during my time there and it was joy and privilege to work with some brilliant and committed broadcasters from Africa and UK including Elizabeth Ohene, Robin White, the late Christopher Bickerton, K.B. Mensah, Neil Curry, Julian Marshall, Josephine Hazeley and Ben Malor. They were indeed among the best years of my 23 years of professional life so far. I left the BBC initially on a so called career break of one year to lead the work on a Broadcasting 4 Development initiative which involved establishing a studio facility in Addis Ababa at the HQ of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and establishing partnerships and programmes to train broadcasters in the region on reporting on issues the ECA works on. We also had plans to make what would today be called podcasts, long before they were common. I made the change because I need a change from simply asking questions from my hot seat as a lead presenter of Network Africa and producing programmes on the trends and the issues and wanted to make a contribution to advancing the agenda from a base on the continent. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: You Are On A Two-Year Loan From Position At The Un Economic Commission For Africa. How Did

for consideration from ECA. After my CV was reviewed, I was invited to Geneva for an interview with Mr. Annan in September last year. A few days later I was most honoured to receive a letter from Mr. Kofi Annan himself stating that I had been selected and granted this opportunity to work with a leader who I respect immensely, and he very dynamic team here at the APP Secretariat. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Who Would You Say Is Responsible For The Peak You Have Achieved In Your Still Young Life? JARRETT: The road has not been an easy one, and I would say that I am fortunate to be standing on the shoulders of giants and walking path which my ancestors, such as the former Vice President H. Too Wesley (my maternal great grandfather & Liberias first indigenous VP) have helped to clear for me. I do the best I can with what I am given. And I have been blessed in this generation to have a very supportive family (Jarrett, Benson, Wesley) where my elders especially my parents and late grandmother the former Liberian diplomat, Julia Benson Wesley, sacrificed a lot to ensure that I was afforded the opportunity to have a world class education from several of the best schools and universities in the world, but also and more importantly through the example they showed me in how to live honourably and make a contribution through their promotion of the values of studying, hard work, humility, respect for others and the will to do as much as possible to help others where one can. I also want to mention "my late uncle the long serving diplomat and former deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, of Liberia and Ambassador to the UN New York, Ambassador Sylvester Omotunde Jarrett who I spent many hours talking to about Liberian history, diplomacy and politics when he was forced to seek safety in London due to the civil war. He and my grandma were both mentors who I try to emulate in my work as a professional in the realm of international affairs". FRONTPAGEAFRICA: What Is The Africa Progress Panel All About? JARRETT: The Africa Progress Panel (APP) consists of ten distinguished individuals from the private and public sector who advocate for shared responsibility between African leaders and their international partners to promote equitable and sustainable development for Africa. Mr Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel laureate, chairs the APP and is closely involved in its day-to-day work. The life experiences of Panel members give them a formidable capability to access a wide cross-section of society including at the highest levels in Africa and across the globe. As a result, the Panel functions in a unique policy space with the ability to target decision-making audiences, including African and other world leaders, heads of state, leaders of industry, plus a broad range of stakeholders at the global, regional, and national levels. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: How Can African Governments And Organizations Benefit From The Work Of The Progress Panel? JARRETT: The Panel facilitates coalition building at the highest levels to leverage and to broker knowledge, break bottlenecks, and convene decision-makers to influence policy and create change for Africa. The Panel has exceptional networks of policy analysts including academics and policy practitioners across Africa. By bringing together experts with a focus on Africa, the APP contributes to generating evidence-based policies. For example, the 2013 Africa Progress Report helped frame top-level discussions around the extractives industry in Africa. Africas oil, gas, and mining sectors offer tremendous opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people, but despite the high growth the benefits of this natural resource wealth has not reached nearly enough people. This year we will be looking at investment and financing issues especially as it relates to the need to transform the agriculture and fisheries sectors. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Do You Think There Is Hope For Africa In The Wake Of A Lot Of Bad Governance, Corruption And Other Damaging Reports Emerging Each Day? JARRETT: We clearly have a long way to go on that front. However I think that things have changed positively from when I was a child. The spotlight is on, hence we are getting to be more aware of the details and it is a debate in the public discourse. Think back to the days when your grandpa one of my heroes the late Albert Porte was going around with his manuscripts to expose malpractices under the Tubman administration and later taking on the mighty Mr. Steve Tolbert. Think about the openness of the discourse then and now where any radio station can openly debate these issues and the leadership is having to respond not my simply jailing those who raise the issues. That said, I am personally appalled by the venality of many of our leaders in Africa today still. How can they live in such opulence in midst of poverty and knowing that much of the money belongs to the people of their countries? I dont know. I hope for change and live by the Ghandi mantra; Be the Change You want to see the world. Thats the ultimate yardstick. Not the talk. Once you

Monday, January 20, 2014

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INTERVIEW
NOTICE OF AWARD

Frontpage

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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT (GPEBEP) 3RD STREET, SINKOR, 1000 MONROVIA 10, LIBERIA

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR TWO PROJECTS AS PER TABLE BELOW FOR THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION BASIC EDUCATION PROJECT OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Identification Number: NCB Nos: MOE/GPEP/NCB/W/13&23/13 PROJECT ID: P117662

Summary of Scope of the Awarded Contract

IDA GRANT NO.: TF097456

National Competitive Bidding (NCB) for Construction of one (2No.) School as per the below Schedule of requirements:

are in office, do or did things change for better or worse on these issues? FRONTPAGEAFRICA: How Can The Panel Assist In Pressing For Better Governance, Transparency And Accountability? JARRETT: The APP position is that in governance, as in economics, the story of the past decade has been one of steady progress throughout Africa. Multiparty elections are now firmly established, there have been moves towards greater transparency, and for the most part, armies have stayed out of politics. Many countries have also become more peaceful. The roots of democracy must be protected with vigilance, however. Large pockets of lowintensity conflict are perpetuating instability, and the region has continued to witness political violence, natural resource conflicts, terrorism, separatism and high levels of crime, including drug trafficking and organised crime. While business governance has been steadily improving in Africa, corruption and lack of transparency remain pervasive concerns, undermining social, economic and political progress at many levels. For ordinary Africans who are obliged to pay illegal charges for education, health or the marketing of goods, corruption is a source of diminished opportunity. For investors, corruption raises the costs of doing business, with damaging consequences for economic efficiency and job creation. And corruption has corrosive effects on political systems, making it possible for leaders to use their office in the pursuit of private gain rather than the public good. It is ultimately up to African citizens and governments to combat corruption through their national political systems. However, global and regional initiatives and measurement tools can provide support. As APP showed in the 2013 Africa Progress Report, lack of transparency is particularly harmful in Africa because it leads to inefficient and inequitable use of the continents huge resources of oil, gas and minerals. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: You Are Also A Member Of The Governing Council Of Africa 2.0, A Pan-African Civil Society Network Of Young And Emerging Leaders From Africa And The Diaspora As Well As A Member Of The Advisory Board Of The Washington DcBased Center For Sustainable Development In Africa. Do You Think These Portfolios Have

Prepared You For The Challenge Ahead With The Africa Panel? JARRETT: I am very new to both those roles (since middle of last year), so I think the experience of APP will more likely feed into them than vice versa. We shall see. FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Do You Have Plans To Return To Your Homeland Someday; Any Political Aspirations Or Plan To Give Back? JARRETT: I would like make a contribution that provides jobs for people and products for the market and my prime focus for that will be playing my role in making the family farmland which my father Dr. Bankole Jarrett purchased in Haindee area of Bong County the mid 1970s productive. I have absolutely no political aspirations but will always be available provide guidance to politicians who I feel have the real interests of the people at heart and trusted family members who do, such as my younger cousin in law Ben Sanvee who is exploring making a run for the Senate in the county of my birth Montserrado. How has it been for you to make the transition from a renowned journalist to an African Policy expert? It has been a most interesting journey so far, not without stumbles and very difficult periods and challenges. However, I am still standing today and I give thanks for all I have learnt and experienced FRONTPAGEAFRICA: Do You Miss The BBC And Any Plans For You To Return To Journalism or Youve Been There And Done That? JARRETT: I dont miss the BBC as that chapter is closed. However I do miss the camaraderie of my media friends and colleagues from those days. Many are still my closest friends who I am in contact with regularly. I am interested in doing media again in the future such as moderating special debate programmes for television, and especially making historical documentaries. The first one that I am mulling over is that that tells the story of the links between Ghana, Yorubaland, Jamaica, Nova Scotia, Freetown, Barbados and Liberia, through my personal family history and the blood running through my veins. All I need is time and someone to come up with the money to commission it!

Page 12 | Frontpage

THE BATTLE FOR MARYLAND

Test of Ballouts 2017 Presidential Bid- Can Chambers Oust Incumbent?

PAGE RONT

COUNTY NEWS

Monday, January 20 , 2014

M
Monrovia-

The incumbent, John Ballout has already publicly declared his intention to contest the 2017 election as a presidential candidate but Ballout first has to prove his popularity to contest the highest seat in the land by ousting his opponents in the Maryland senatorial election.

recent time, he is not closer to the people. He could prove his critics wrong if successful during October polls. Many citizens of Maryland Count believe Ballout continues to abuse his position by putting politics above Country and County and behaving like a student politician.

aryland is the most far away county from Liberias Capital, Monrovia and prices of basic commodities are different from the ones in Monrovia and other parts of the county all due to the distance marketers cover to transport goods to Harper, Maryland County. During the rainy season, it is cut off from the rest of Liberia as roads leading to the county are impassable but yet the county has good history, once a country on its own before later joining Liberia to become a county. It has a seaport and its capital city, Harper is one of the few cities in Liberia with paved streets. It is notoriously known for ritualistic activities as for decades this practice has existed in the county until in recent time when it is now subsiding. With mid-term senatorial election now in sight, the talk has turned on all counties with candidates lining up their ambition to be one of 15 senators to be elected later this year. Maryland is no exception as at least six candidates are now preparing to contest the polls. The incumbent, John Ballout has already publicly declared his intention to contest the 2017 election as a presidential candidate but Ballout first has to prove his popularity to contest the highest seat in the land by ousting his opponents in the Maryland senatorial election. Maryland County is located in the southeastern portion of Liberia. It is one of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has two districts. Harper serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring 2,297 square kilometres (887 sq mi). As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 136,404, making it the seventh most populous county in Liberia. Named after the State of Maryland in the United States, it was an independent country as the Republic of Maryland from 1854 until it joined Liberia in 1857. The most populous city in the county is Pleebo with 22,963 residents. The county is bordered by Grand Kru County to the west and River Gee County to the north. The eastern part of Maryland borders the nation of Cte d'Ivoire, separated by the Cavalla River. Maryland was first established as a colony of the Maryland State Colonization Society 1834, but was not granted independence until 1854. Following a referendum in 1853, the colony declared its independence from the Colonization Society and formed the Republic of Maryland. It held the land along the coast between the Grand Cess and San Pedro Rivers. In 1856, the independent state of Maryland (Africa) requested military aid from Liberia in a war with the Grebo and Kru peoples who were resisting the Maryland settlers' efforts to control their trade in slaves. President Roberts assisted the Marylanders, and a joint military campaign by both groups of Americo-Liberian colonists resulted in victory. Following a referendum in February 1857 the Republic of Maryland joined Liberia as Maryland County on 6 April 1857. As of May 2004, a DRC census estimated the county's population to be 107,100. As of 2008 population census, Gwelekpoken, Harper, Karluway #1, Karluway #2 (18,017), Nyonken, Pleebo/ Sodoken and Whojah. Farming is the main economic activity in Maryland County, accounting for the employment of approximately 60% of residents. Rice and cassava are the main crops raised in the county. The flag of Maryland County, Liberia, consists of a drawing of a tree and a lighthouse on a cliff with a small

Liberian flag in the upper left corner. In 2007 WBAL-TV in Baltimore produced a special titled Africa's Maryland, which focused on this region and its cultural roots to the state of Maryland. The county has three electoral districts with James P. Biney (NPP-District 1), Dr. Chambers Bhofal (CDC-District 2) and Roland B. Isaac (Liberty Party-District 3). The incumbent John Ballout will be challenged by tough talking representative Bhofal Chamber, Liberia Aviation Authority boss Archie Richelieu Williams, Jimmy Anderson

He was accused of blaming the citizens of Maryland for the lack of development in their county. In 2010, Ballout took center stage in a ritualistic killing saga involving some citizens of the county as he and some lawmakers held press conferences accusing some prominent citizens from the county of their involvement in ritualistic killing. The accused were later set free following months in jail. Senator Ballout also stands accuse of indifference with the President of The William V. S. Tubman University, the only full fledge university in the South Eastern region of Liberia, Dr. Elizabeth Davies-Russell as he is said to have called for her resignation over a Maryland County Development Conference. Dr. Russell has made a lot of in rows in making the Tubman University one of the best in the country by attracting a team of qualified professors and lecturers at the University. Students are moving to the University from other parts of Liberia. The University has hundreds of eligible voters and Ballouts relationship with the University President could count against

and Nathaniel Toe Maryland Development Superintendent Recently senatorial elections in Maryland have proven that incumbent chances to retain their position are difficult for example Senator Gloria Musu Scott lost her position to Dan Morias of NPP perhaps history can repeat itself. In Maryland divide political tactics could reap dividend for politicians who are considering using sectionalism as a means to ascend to the senate. This upper and lower Maryland bickering about one region been dominate could see region putting forth consensus candidate. Senator Morias is from Harper which is upper Maryland so political pundits are saying it only fair that lower Maryland have a share in politics in the county especially at the senatorial level. Incumbent Ballout Litmus Test John A. Ballout won on the arty of the ruling UP in 2005 obtaining 7,147 out of a total valid of 48,551 representing 15% of the votes. Challenges: It is widely said in Maryland County that Ballout was elected in 2005 on a mistaken identity an assumption that will be tested come October later this year. Accordingly, many uneducated voters voted Ballout mistaking him for an individual who have lived in the county for years. Ballouts history points to Lebanon as his birth place and he is also said to have lived majority of his youthful years in Australia. He had no known history of active involvement in Maryland County prior to the 2005 elections but Ballout like other candidates were strange politicians that emerged victorious in Liberias first post war election in 2005. Ballout according to many citizens from Maryland is an elite lawmaker and although he has been frequenting the county in

him at the polls. Ballout was once accused by Darius Dillon of Corruption. According to Mr. Dillon, the UP Senator could not account for almost fifteen employees to which he is entitled in his office, indicating that they signed for their salaries prior to the governments scheme to deposit employees salaries into bank accounts, thus charging Sen. Ballout to corruption. Ballout in 2012 declared his intention to contest the presidency describing the pending senatorial election as the least on his mind. "Being a politician, it is my right and every Liberian for that matter to contest the highest office," Ballout said. With representative Bhofal Chambers in the race who could perhaps win his constituency, the Pleebo District, and also Nathaniel Toe, current Development Superintendent also in the race and could get votes from the Harper district followed by Jimmy Anderson who has been involved in several community initiatives, Ballout will have a difficult re-election. Chances: Ballout could count on the support of the ruling Unity party to run an expensive campaign in Maryland County if he will have any chance of maintaining his position at the Capitol. Ballout will have to look back at his 2005 strategy if

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Monday, January 20, 2014

THE BATTLE FOR MARYLAND

he is to have any chance of maintaining his post. Dr. Bhofal Chamberss Uphill quest Dr. Chambers Bhofal contested the 2005 election on the ticket of the Unity Party where he obtained 2,601 votes out of total valid votes of 9,494 representing 29.4%. In 2011, Chambers fell out with the Unity Party and switch political allegiance to the opposition Congress for Democratic Change a party on which he contested and won 4,171 out of the total valid votes of 10,137 representing 41.1%. Chambers provocative comments against the executive could see Executive Mansion doing everything in it power to block his ambition of becoming a senator. Critics say that Chamber makes politics of everything to gain political favour from the ordinary people even doer he knows the truth. Bhofal interaction and action has perhaps shown that he is a bickerer rather than a peacemaker. Chambers has been at loggerheads with the current senator of the County, Dan Morais over concessionaire including SIFCA and Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP), operating in the county. The imbroglio over the operation of the company has caused Chambers to loss some support in the county. Chambers advocacy was abandoned by three of his colleagues from the same region. Senators Matthew Jaye, Peter S. Coleman and H. Dan Morais of River Gee, Grand Kru and Maryland Counties, at the time warned Dr. Chambers to stay clear of issues relating to their respective counties. The three senators further advised Dr. Chambers not to make any public statements on behalf of the three counties. In a communication addressed to the African Development Bank, they said Dr. Chambers is not a spokesperson for counties in the southeast, saying "The people of the affected counties are not hostile to the ADB interventions to alleviate poverty in Liberia and particularly in our counties." The Senators' warning was based on a communication written by Dr. Chambers to the African Development Bank (ADB), asking the bank not to invest in the three counties through the MOPP operating under the SICA Group of Companies. Representative Chamber's letter was also responded to harshly by women, elders, chiefs and youths of Pleebo Sodokan District, which the lawmaker (Dr. Chambers) represents in the House of Representatives. Elder Nimle Kla Freeman of Wetchoken Klebo Clan; Chief Joseph S. Williams of Klebo Clan; Chief Christian Williams of Twansiabo Clan; Oretha Walker, and Women leader of Klebo, Edward Nyemah, Paramount Chief, Twiasiabo Chiefdom and Nelson Neal, Chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Pleebo Sodokan District, signed the letter to the ADB, distancing themselves from Dr. Chamber's letter. The elders and chiefs also disclosed that Dr. Bhofal Chambers does not have a home in Maryland County, which he claims to be fronting for. This could cost Chambers at the polls. Chances: Chambers has won admiration across Maryland and the entire Liberia based on his stance against corruption, he sometimes ago called for a moratorium of new concession agreements for the period of six years. Representative Bhofal Chambers said placing moratorium on the signing of new concessions would enable government to correct some of the wrongs that were made in the past. Rep Chambers' suggestion comes in the wake of an LEITI report which indicated that out of 68 contracts awarded by the Liberian government since 2009, only two were done legally, while the rest were shrouded with flaws. The report said the 66 concessions that did not meet legal standards were signed by government without regards for the laws of Liberia. Chambers in a communication addressed to his colleagues stated: "I write to seek the indulgence of this august body to bring to the attention of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, with recent auditing report of a UK-based auditing firm Moore Stephens which states that out of the 68 concession agreements, only two met the legal requirements. Based upon the foregoing, I am asking this body to order a thorough investigation in the 66 agreements so as to correct all of those the wrongs discovered." Rep. Chambers observed that there are gaps and weaknesses of various companies operating in the country which need to be properly investigated to safeguard the natural resources. The Lawmaker cited SIFCA operating in Maryland, the recently sold Buchanan Renewable (BR), formally the Buchanan Renewable Energy (BRE) and Cocopa Rubber Plantation Company in Nimba as examples of flaws and violations of some of the concessions. Rep. Chambers told his colleagues that with these noneperforming behaviors on the part of concession companies, the legislature is under obligation to ensure that these companies bring benefits to the citizens. Chambers at the time called on his colleagues to scrutinize investors who profess to be in the interest of the Liberian people. He stated in his letter: "Dear colleagues as we go about correcting all of those gaps and weaknesses, I think it is best to be more careful... I think for the next six years we should go about looking into these companies to ensure that they are doing the right things." RICHELIEU A. WILLIAMS Challenges: Williams bags an outstanding more than 25 years of experience in the aviation industry and a proven successful businessman. Some of Williams supporters say he can practically reminisce tendencies of the late statesman and fellow Marylander, William V.S. Tubman as a symbolic unifying force with a determined will to break years of spirit of ownership meant to put money into the pockets of his people. Amid legal and bank guarantee assured; tons of seedlings loaded unto containers intended to be planted on mainly on savannah land for the production of Biomass / renewable energy have virtually decayed in Harper, Maryland County. Local politics and lack of firm decision crumpled a multi-million dollars project that was meant to raise the socioeconomic status of the people of Maryland. Chances: His supporters say, Williams stands a better chance as an accessible, practical and generous Marylander who particularly supports realistic and sustainable results-driven projects. He readily makes personal contribution to the work of Tubman University, schools religious groups who seek to undertake viable projects. For the first time ever since the death of William V.S. Tubman, Archie Williams brought back the enigmatic spirit of the late President alive with the celebration of W.V.S.Ts 118th in Pleebo City, Glofaken, Barrobo and Wluke (Big Town) in Harper successively. In Pleebo, Williams was petitioned to contest for the 2014 Special Elections. Although he is yet to accept the petition he left smiles on the faces of the Women and farmers of Pleebo District. He is currently supporting microeconomic loan support to the women of Pleebo and is finalizing the delivery of farm implements to hundreds of farmer in Pleebo. James N. Anderson returns Challenges: James N. Anderson contested as an Independent candidate during the 2011 election managing 5,544 votes out of total valid votes of 29,046 valid votes representing 19.1%. He managed third to eventual winner Dan Morais and second to incumbent Gloria Scott who also lost the election. Anderson will have a though race comprising Williams, Toe, Ballout and Chambers. His votes accumulated in 2011 was encouraging but with presence of Chambers who hails from the most populous district in the county (Pleebo), Toe also battling for votes in the Harper District and Ballout still counting on his 2005 support, Andersons road to the Capital will be shaky. Chances: With Gloria Scoot now busy on the Constitution Review Committee and political interest in the senatorial seat unlikely and political and Dan Morais currently at the senate Anderson will be confident going into the election. He has been heavily involved in community works in Maryland County as during a recent visit to the county; he continues to make donations to churches, schools and other community projects. Anderson has me significant impact since he lost the 2011 elections. Nathaniel Toe from Montserrado to Maryland Toe is the current Assistant Superintendent for Development of Maryland County, making him to be closer to the people. During a recent visit to the county, Toe was seen at every community, church programs, making donations and discussing with youth at various centers. In politics been known by the electorates is a major factor and that county count in Toes favor at the polls. He contested a by-election in Montserrado where he obtained 278 votes out of total 95,462 valid votes winning just 0.3% of the total votes. Toe now wants to test his strength in his native Maryland County. Toe has been preaching Unity in Maryland County. During a recent program Toe speaking on a topic Together we can build a great Maryland said unity is way forward for the county, Well, in unity there is strength. We are calling on our people to break the sectional lines and work together as a county because people in the past focused on moving the county forward instead of looking at themselves as coming from this district or that section, Toe said at a speech delivered sometimes ago.

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division and mistrust in order to restore unity and oneness amongst all the people of Grebo-land. His father, the late Rev. Dr. J. Bolton Williams, was an outspokenly critical Methodist Prelate, Educator, Mentor and disciplinarian. Rev. Bolton Williams name emerged a household word especially as an educator and Supervisor of School who travelled extensively into villages and towns in light of the provision of quality education. The clergyman is avidly remembered as providing foster parental care hundreds of Liberians from all works of life. Ever since his return to Liberia after the cessation of hostilities as a result of the exit of the fall of Taylors regime, the development of Maryland and breathing an air of hope for his people has been at the heart of his key interest. Williams initial interest in Maryland was driven by a businesslike acumen. Along with his American partner he made an aggressive investment bid to take over the Cavalla Rubber Company in Pleebo, Maryland County with the hope of providing jobs and socioeconomic opportunities for his people. Archie and partners worked his fingers tirelessly on the necessary bid proposal, legal, financial and associated paperwork but were in the end duped by the system despite all indications that Williams International, Ltd. had finally won the bid. Still troubled by the plight of Marylanders, Williams made a second attempt that would drive an agro-based cooperative

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VLADIMIR PUTIN DEFENDS ANTI-GAY LAW, BUT VOWS NO 'PROBLEMS' FOR OLYMPIC VISITORS
around minors. Critics and gay rights advocates say, however, that the law potentially makes any public display of homosexuality, or even displaying gay pride symbols like a rainbow pin, illegal. In the wide-ranging interview, his first with a U.S. television network since returning to the Kremlin in 2012, Putin rejected that characterization, noting that Soviet-era laws making homosexuality illegal were struck down years ago. "It has nothing to do with persecuting people for their non-traditional orientation," Putin said Friday. "My personal position is that society must keep children safe." READ: Five Things to Know About Vladimir Putin Committee that the law will not apply during the games, yet senior Russian officials have sent mixed signals. In his interview, Putin suggested they will not be prosecuted during the games. "I couldn't care less about their sexual orientation. We will welcome all athletes and all visitors to the Olympics," he said. "None of our guests will have any problems." Putin blasted those calling for a boycott of the Sochi Olympics because of the law and rejected Western criticism of the law, saying "the Russian people have their own cultural code, their own tradition. We don't interfere, don't stick our noses in their life and we ask that our traditions and culture are treated with the same respect." Putin said he would be willing to meet with the U.S. delegation, which includes gay athletes like tennis legend Billie Jean King, figure skating star Brian Boitano and hockey player Caitlin Cahow.

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WORLD NEWS

Monday, January 20 , 2014

3 GAY REPUBLICANS TRYING TO MAKE ELECTION HISTORY

IN BRIEF

ussian President Vladimir Putin defended his country's controversial new antigay law, saying it aims to protect children and does not discriminate against anyone. "It seems to me that the law that we have adopted does not hurt anyone," he said during an interview with a small group of reporters in Sochi Friday, including ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, the only U.S. reporter. "Moreover, individuals of non-

traditional orientation cannot feel like second-rate humans in this country because they are not discriminated against in any way." Watch the full story on today's 'This Week' with George Stephanopoulos. But that didn't prevent a gay Russian protester from being detained Saturday for unfurling a rainbow flag during the Olympic torch relay as it passed through his hometown of Voronezh, 560 miles north of Sochi, where the games will

begin Feb. 7, The Associated Press reported. Photos uploaded by his friends show Pavel Lebedev pulling out the flag and then being detained by Olympic security personnel, who wrestle him to the snow as they wait for police to arrive. Lebedev, reached by The Associated Press on the phone, said he was still in the police station and undergoing questioning. The Russian law, passed last year, outlaws what it describes as "propaganda" of "nontraditional sexual relations"

His comments come amid fears that fans and athletes at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi could be prosecuted for violating the law. Russia has provided assurances to the International Olympic

PROTESTERS, POLICE CLASH IN UKRAINE'S CAPITAL

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) an Innis' husband persuaded him to run for the U.S. House. It didn't matter that Innis, a former business school dean, faced an aggressive Democratic incumbent, GOP colleagues who oppose his right to marry, and history no Republican ever has been openly gay when first elected to Congress."He said, 'You've got to do this,'" recalls Innis, running in the 1st Congressional District, which covers most of eastern New Hampshire. "He said, 'You need to take this opportunity and see if you can make a difference.'"Innis plays down his sexuality as a campaign issue, but acknowledges the historic undertones. He is among three openly gay Republicans nationwide expected to run in this year's midterm elections. None has an easy path to Washington.

Consuela Marie Buttram, Plaintiff v. Clifford A. Harmon, Defendant

The above Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Absolute Divorce (with the Circuit Court for Howard County, MD Case No.: 13-C-13-096887) in which she seeks a divorce from CLIFFORD A. HARMON. The Plaintiff was married to the Defendant on September 7, 1992, and the parties separated on September 30, 1992. The Plaintiff alleges that there is no reasonable hope or expectation of reconciliation between the parties.

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) undreds of protesters on Sunday clashed with riot police in the center of the Ukrainian capital, after the passage of harsh anti-protest legislation last week seen as part of attempts to quash antigovernment demonstrations. A group of radical activists began attacking riot police with sticks, trying to push their way toward the Ukrainian parliament building, which has been cordoned off by rows of police and buses. The protesters, many wearing hard hats and gas masks, used stun grenades and fire extinguishers and threw flares as they attacked police in riot gear. Numerous explosions were heard and plumes of smoke rose above the crowd. Activists chanted "Shame!" and "Revolution." Some were injured and medics were seen treating them. Opposition leader Vitali Klitschko tried to stop the protesters from attacking police, but himself came under attack. The clashes occurred shortly after a large peaceful rally on Kiev's main square, part of the anti-government protests rocking Ukraine since President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to freeze ties with the European union and embrace Russia instead. Since then, Moscow has promised $15 billion bailout loan to aid Ukraine's struggling economy.

CAIRO (AP) gypt's prosecutors referred to trial Sunday the country's former Islamist president on charges of insulting the judiciary and defaming its members to spread hate the fourth case filed against Mohammed Morsi since his July ouster, the state news agency reported. Morsi is already facing three separate trials on various charges, including inciting the murder of his opponents, conspiring with foreign groups and organizing jailbreaks all of which can carry the death penalty. Only one case has opened and it is due to resume next month. The new case includes 24 other politicians, media personalities, activists and lawyers, accused in separate incidents of insulting the judiciary in public, on television or on social media websites over the past three years. They include some of Egypt's prominent youth activists, including Alaa Abdel-Fattah, former lawmaker Mostafa el-Naggar, and liberal former lawmaker Amr Hamzawy as well as rights lawyer Amir Salem. The referral also include figures who were at odds with Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, such as TV personality Tawfiq Okasha, known for lambasting revolutionary groups, the military, and the Brotherhood.

EGYPT PROSECUTORS SEND EX-PRESIDENT TO NEW TRIAL

Monday, January 20, 2014

NIGERIA 3-1 SOUTH AFRICA

Sport

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from the edge of the area, but Agbim's fingertip save did enough to keep out the Basketball Stars funeral danger. But like before, Nigeria soaked up the pressure and hit Bafana on the break, as Ejike emphatically netted his second of the night, leaving a dejected home side condemned to the worst. With little to smile about for the home crowd, Solomon Kwambe's dismissal for a second yellow card gave Bafana a glimmer of hope 15 minutes from the end. The numerical advantage lasted all of 60 seconds as right-back Vuyo Mere received his marching orders for a clumsy foul, for which he received his second yellow. Having reached boiling point, tempers flared and on 80 minutes, Bafana were awarded a penalty of their own, after Mashego was brought down in the area. Parker stepped up and scored his third successive spot kick to pull one back. Agbim made a pair of decisive saves for the Nigerians as time ran out, denying Mashego and Tefu Mashamaite late goals and kept the Super Eagles' twogoal cushion intact. It was not to be for Bafana, as Mali claimed a 2-1 win against Mozambique in the other game of the group, allowing Mali to qualify as the winners of group A with seven points, with Nigeria finishing second with six points.

SportS Brief STORMY FAREWELL ETO'O TREBLE

marred by confusion By: Danesius Marteh,0886 236 528

Ejike brace sends hosts crashing out of Chan

SINKS UNITED

hristantus Ejike scored a brace, with Ifeanyi Ede adding a third as Bafana Bafana were brushed aside and dumped out of the African Nations Championship Bafana coach Gordon Igesund made four changes from his team that drew 1-1 with Mali earlier in the week, most notably, Itumeleng Khune, who was ruled out due to injury and was replaced in goal by Moeneeb Josephs. The hosts got off to a flying start and soon sent Parker through on goal, following a quick burst from Mbatha, who had the better of his man and sailed past the defence. Parker cut back and hit his left-footed curled effort on target, but straight at goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, who made a straightforward stop to deny Parker the opener, just five minutes into the group decider Tshabalala was next to test Agbim minutes later, but the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder could not beat the shot-stopper, who made a second solid save, parrying away Tshabalala's well-hit effort from the set-piece. South Africa looked lively in the middle of the field and chances opened up for Matthew Pattison and Thabo Nthethe, who rose above the Nigerian defence on 20 minutes and headed a powerful attempt at goal, but was thwarted by Agbim, who made another simple stop. Against the run of play, however, Nigeria broke the deadlock through Ejike, who powered home a cross from Ifeanyi Ede, handing the Nigerians the vital lead midway through the opening half. Things went from bad to worse for the home side on the halfhour mark, when Josephs' handling error led to him bringing down Ejike in the area, leaving referee Mohamed Benouza no choice but to award a penalty. Ede stepped up confidently and belted the penalty into the bottom right of the goal, with Josephs getting a hand onto it, but failing to keep the shot out, as the Super Eagles extended their advantage in front of a stunned home crowd. After the interval, Bafana looked to make a bright start, but soon

Ede forced Josephs into a superb save after being left as the last man. South Africa replied with a chance for Parker after an hour, but the striker's athletic attempt did little to trouble Agbim, after Parker had been put through on goal and should have passed across the face of goal for Bafana's oncoming numbers. Mashego came agonisingly close a minute later with a snapshot

helsea inflicted a knockout blow on Manchester United's hopes of making a successful defence of the Premier League and kept their own title bid on track with a comprehensive victory at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho's side moved two points behind leaders Arsenal after Samuel Eto'o scored a hat-trick -- his fourth, fifth and sixth Premier League goals of the season -- in a 3-1 win which exposed United's shortcomings and left them 14 points adrift of the summit. Okwonga: United subside with a worrying lack of guile and fight Lythell: Chelsea make light work of UnitedPerhaps more crucial for David Moyes and United, whose reply came from substitute Javier Hernandez, is the deficit to the Champions League qualification places. Seventhplaced United sit six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Tottenham with 16 games remaining after seeing their seven-match unbeaten away run end.

ADEBAYOR HELPS SPURS SINK SWANS

he striker headed Spurs into a 35thminute lead and then tapped in their third after a Chico Flores own goal had doubled the visitors' lead. Wilfried Bony hit the bar and had a good penalty appeal for a push by Michael Dawson turned down in the first half, before getting Swansea's consolation late on. The win moves Tottenham up to fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool as Tim Sherwood, who opted against sticking with a 4-42 formation here, remained unbeaten in the Premier League since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas. Swansea, meanwhile, remain just three points above the relegation zone and their lengthy injury list and the alarming manner in which they faded following Adebayor's opener will be very troubling for manager Michael Laudrup.