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COUNTY NEWS
POLITICS
VOL 8 NO.589
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014
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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES
LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of
the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The
rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials
banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
TUESDAY, APRIL29, 2014 L$87.00/US$1 L$88.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$88.00/US$1 L$89.00/US$1
L$89.00/US$1 L$88.00/US$1
MONDAY, MAY5, 2014
TUESDAY, MAY6, 2014

DIPLOMATIC NEWS.13
RESIDENTS TALE
OF AGONY
FROM DARK HORSE
TO ASPIRANT TO BEAT
RESURFACING ISRAEL-LIBERIA TIES OFFER
INNOVATIVE, TECHNICAL, POTENTIALS


A GOOD STATEMENT
OF INTENT
The easiest thing is to come here and make big promises and disappear; and behind big promises are
big disappointments and I have no intentions of making big promises. I know exactly the capacity
of my country, we have very limited resources but were also very creative and innovative and very
entrepreneurial and I think if we harness this creativity and find ways in which we can share the
knowledge with the technical assistance, with the limited resources that we have maybe through the
international cooperation agency through training.
- Sharon Barli, Israels new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia,
The Rapid Transition of Ranney
Banama Jackson in Bong
Senatorial Race
30 YEARS AT SUAKOKO
LEPROSY CENTER
FEELING
MARGINALIZED
WHO OWNS CONGO
TOWN LAND?
BARRCONNI RESIDENTS IN GRAND BASSA
THREATEN TO BOYCOTT 2014 ELECTION
One Land, two Deeds
News & Extra
County News
Page 2 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monrovia:
D
espite proclamation by fnancial managers in Liberia that the country is expected to
experience slight decline in economic growth in 2013-2014, the prevailing economic
situation in the post war country is somewhat becoming complex with indications that the
economy is experiencing one of the worse periods in post war years, massive infation,
huge budget shortfalls and stalled development projects all pointing to the number of economic
constraints facing the country.
The Liberian dollars has drastically depreciated to the United States dollars from the later part of April
to May currently trading at US$1 to 88 and more, running parallel to the exchange rate is the prices of
basic commodities on the market. This has also resulted in increase in the price of petroleum products
necessitating increment in transport fares and prices of other products since the country lacks electricity
with people relying on petroleum products to run private generators and vehicles.
Liberians are feeling the pinch of what is now seen as an economy in mess with many shunning the local
currency, the Liberian dollars since a meager US$5 trading for L$440 which cannot be easily carried
when exchanged in denominations of 5 or 10 Liberians dollars.
Zimbabwe experienced one of the worse infation in African history when it recorded 11.2 million per
cent a year in 2008.
With the Zimbabwean economy in a downward spiral offcially, one US dollar was at the time worth
Z$180. But on the black market, it fetches Z$8,000 and that was for cash, which was in desperately
short supply. For bank transfers, the rate was Z$1.5million to one in October 2008.
With the Liberian dollar fast approaching US$1 to L$90 which is half of the worse Zimbabwean
infation years, there are worrying economic signs that should fnancial managers not act appropriately,
the country could slip into a hyper infation regime.
Hyper infation is the worse infation a country can experience as it occurs when a country experiences
very high and usually accelerating rates of monetary and price infation, causing the population to
minimize their holdings of money. Under such conditions, the general price level within an economy
increases rapidly as the offcial currency quickly loses real value. The real value of economic items
generally does not stay the same with respect to one another, but remains relatively stable in terms of
foreign currencies.
The countrys messy economic situation began emerging from afar as international organizations
including the World Bank which have all rated the economy as improving over the last two years, could
not capture anything positive about the country in its latest report.
Liberia was not captured in the recent World Bank report entitled the Africas Pulse released Monday,
April 7 which stated that Economic growth in sub Saharan Africa continues to rise from 4.7 percent in
2013 to a forecasted 5.2 percent in 2014. According to the bank, this performance is boosted by rising
investment in natural resources and infrastructure, and strong household spending but Liberia was not
amongst the African countries that made signifcant improvements as mentioned in the report.
Neighboring Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and crisis prone Democratic of Congo were all amongst the list
of performers according to the World Bank report.
Growth was notably buoyant in resource-rich countries, including Sierra Leone and Democratic
Republic of Congo. It remained steady in Cote dIvoire, while rebounding in Mali, supported by
improved political stability and security. Non-resource-rich countries, particularly Ethiopia and
Rwanda, also experienced solid economic growth in 2013, the report stated.
Finance authorities in Liberia might be smoke screening the actual amount of shortfall the 2013-2014
budget is experiencing as the shortfall has been blamed for a number of hitches in growth including
stalling of major projects amongst others.
Finance Minister Amara Konneh recently said Liberias real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth
for fscal year 2013/2014 is estimated at 8.1 percent, something he said is slightly lower than the 8.3
percent growth recorded in 2012 indicating that this growth in 2013 was driven largely by the increased
activities in the mining sector, something he said that would have a positive impact on the countrys
economy.
Konneh admitted that the countrys economy experienced some diffculties in the second quarter of
this fscal year something he attributed partly to the depreciation of the Liberian Dollar against the
United States Dollar both legal tender in Liberia but the situation seems to be getting worse as the
domestic currency continues to depreciate more against the United States dollars coupled with the
budget shortfalls spanning over three quarters.
By early May 2014, the exchange rate has skyrocketed to US$1 to L$88 or more surpassing a point the
rate reached a few months back when the Central Bank of Liberia imposed a political measure to curb
the increase in the exchange rate. The Bank moved to slow the increasing exchange rate by warning
money exchangers in the streets to maintain the rate at L$ 80 to US$1, a measure that was implemented
for less than a week and later faltered as the rate began increasing.
That was a political intervention by the Central bank to manage the exchange rate but the other market
forces could not maintain the exchange rate at the point enforced by the CBL.
CBL Governor Mills Jones under pressure for his loan scheme to Liberian businesses which resulted
into infusing millions of Liberian dollars in the local economy recently said his effort was geared toward
reducing poverty. "My message to the Liberian people is that poverty is not our destiny. We are going
to change the Liberian economy. We are going to bring about economic emancipation."
But Finance Minister Konneh provided several reasons for the depreciation of the Liberian dollars
against the United States dollars and amongst them he said Another reason for the depreciation is
the injection of more Liberian Dollars in the economy in the last six months. We are trading more in
Liberian dollars now so the circulation is increasing."
Liberians across the divided provided separate views on the depreciation of the local currency to United
States dollars as former Auditor General John S. Morlu provided fve reasons in analysis on the Liberian
economy.
The CBL loan shop scheme, a United States dollar window at the Central Bank, CBL depletion Liberia
International Reserve, Defcit Spending and Corruption induced Capital Flight.
Central Bank does not have its own money to give away. Instead it using its role as the depositor and
custodian of Liberian taxpayers' monies to make these loans. Making loans is directly increasing the
money supply in the economy. The loans provided by the Governor are in Liberian dollars. Where
does the Governor get the Liberian dollar to loan out? The Governor is printing more Liberian dollars
to support his loan schemes, increasing the amount of Liberian dollars in circulation without a
corresponding output to obtain more U.S. dollars stated Morlu.
On the other side of the coin, the CBL in statement in January stated that monetary aggregates change
over time and refects developments in an economy. The CBL said as any economy expands, as refected
in the growth of GDP; money supply will expand to facilitate economic transaction, which does not
necessarily mean pumping of excess Liberian dollars into the economy.
The currency in circulation at a point in time is a stock arising from the accumulation of changes over
several years, stated the bank.
The bank said that at the end of December 2006 the Liberian dollars in circulation was L$2. 81 billion
and L$8. 6 billion at the end of November 2013.
So, the frst point to be made is that the CBL did not pump L$8.0 billion into the economy in 2013. We
must be emphatic about this, said the CBL.
The second point is that monetary policy in 2013 was not expansionary, evidenced by the issuance of
CBL bills during the last half of 2013 and up to January of 2014.
At the time in January, the CBL said it has introduced a new policy with the issuance of bills that will
help in solving the economic crisis.
The Central Bank said in its statement that the CBL bill is a new policy instrument introduced by the
Bank to help control Liberian-dollar liquidity, meaning the amount of Liberian dollars in circulation and
the issuance of these bills took L$2.7 billion out of circulation.
In other words, the sale of US$72 million in the foreign exchange market mopped-up the equivalent
amount of L$5. 9 billion using the average exchange rate of L$81. 8/US$1 at end-December 2013.
All of this shows that the CBL has been actively engaged in implementing policies aimed at helping to
stabilize the foreign exchange market, said the CBL.
In spite of the issuance of the pronounced bill by the CBL the situation is getting worse in the country
with many now shunning the Liberian dollars since it is gradually becoming worthless.
In less than two months the exchange rate has reached an alarming proportion and is already surpassing
the previous level, with accompanying effects such as increase in the prices of essential commodities
on the Liberian market.
In stores and other business centers, the Liberian dollars has grown worthless to the extent that merchants
are virtually refusing to accept or in some cases accepting it as a rate of around US$1 to L$90 since
majority of the prices of commodities are quoted in United States dollars.

Hidden facts on Budget shortfall?

The Liberian Government through the Ministry of Finance announced a budget shortfall of US$47
million, warning line ministries and agencies to take the necessary measures in preparation for the
shortfall in revenue.
Liberias Finance Minister Konneh says, he takes responsibility for the shortfall in the 2013/2014 as
head of the institution responsible for crafting the budget.
I am the Minister of fnance, I am responsible; yes, its nobody; I am today the Minister of fnance of
the republic of Liberia in charge of implementing our fscal policy. Whether the numbers change in the
legislature on the draft budget that was submitted to the legislature, I am the custodian of the national
budget and I am responsible, says Konneh.
And that is why I am working with my colleagues across the government to make sure that the
government continues to operate; continues to invest in the public sector programs to keep the economy
stable.
With major infrastructure projects mainly roads construction stalled, there are arguments that the budget
could be experiencing a massive shortfall than the pronounced US$ 47 million.
The International monetary Fund assessment team that recently visited Liberia alarmed that projects in
the tune of US$ 80 million are currently stalled a fgure that raises more qualms that a shortfall of US$47
million as pronounced by the Ministry of Finance could not solely be responsible for the inability of
the Government to meet up with payments for projects in the tune of US$ 80 million, although the IMF
statement indicated that some of the projects are being implemented with budgetary allocations.
Signing contracts and commencing implementation without budgetary allocation is another strange
fnancial decision on the part of fnance managers which is further putting the economy at risk of
collapse.
Addressing signifcant shortcomings that have emerged in the budget process and expenditure controls
will be critical in the coming months. In recent weeks, it has become clear that a signifcant number of
road contracts were being implemented without corresponding budgetary allocations.
The authorities are initiating external audits of the fnancial and technical aspects of these projects, and
are working with relevant stakeholders to ensure commitments outside the budget do not occur again,
the IMF statement indicated.
IMF stated that the defcit could grow to 3.8 percent in 2014, projection that ongoing defcit could
impact the country in the ensuing fscal period.
The overall fscal defcit is still projected to reach 3.8 percent of GDP in 2014 (fscal year), as envisaged
at the time of the last review, as the authorities were able to reduce current spending. The authorities are
strongly committed to preserving current expenditure savings and to implementing decisive measures
to raise revenue collection in the reminder of the fscal year, including by addressing the backlog of
taxes in the concessions sector and collecting fees owed by state entities, a statement from the world
monetary body indicated.
United States Ambassador to Liberia, Deborah Malac has joined in by cautioning the Government of
Liberia not to spend what it does not have.
"It is hard, when you are impatient to make thing happen when the money is not there. Sometime it is
good to take a step back to fgure out what is possible with the funding that is available, and then look
and hope for other way to look for funding", says Ambassador.
The prevailing economic outlook of the country is troubling and could indicate that the economy is
gradually collapsing and could perhaps reach crisis proportion.
The Central bank of Liberia and the Ministry of Finance are yet to move in tackling the increase in
the exchange rate as the prices of commodities on the market are moving parallel to the exchange rate
resulting in hardship for the population.
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 3
Arthur R.M. Becker, Sr., armbecker@gmail.com, Contributing Writer
SOUTH AFRICA'S ELECTION
MUST BE A TURNING POINT
FrontPage
v
Commentary
EDITORIAL
THE ONGOING ECONOMIC situation in Liberia characterized
by increase in the exchange rate between the United States dollars
and the Liberians dollars, rising prices of basic commodities and
increase in transport fares making the movement of Liberians
diffcult are all glaring signs that something is wrong and needs
urgent attention.
BY MIDDAY TUESDAY, May 7 the exchange rate in locations
such as Paynesville Red Light has gone to US$1 to L$88.5 and
in some stores where traders are hungry for United Dollars, the
exchange rate is said to be much higher with some putting it at
US$1 to L$92 or even more.
IT IS A KNOWN fact that for several years now the Liberian
economy has not experienced such instability, thereby indicating
that the situation is reaching a crisis proportion. In recent history
never has the Liberian dollars traded above US$1 to L$88, fast
approaching the three digits level.
LIBERIANS ARE AVOIDING their own currency as it is no
longer bearing one of the characteristics of money, its portability
with the Liberians dollars circulating in the economy in huge
quantity.
A LAWMAKER, Nimba County Senator Price Y. Johnson has
since proposed a bill seeking for the country to have a single
currency but the bill is drawing ire amongst some government
offcials with arguments that trading only in Liberian dollars will
affect the ability of some offcials with families oversea to go
in search of United states dollars to transfer to families residing
outside the country.
COUNTRIES WITH SINGLE currency including Ghana have
succeeded in reducing the level of outfows from their local
economy as there are bottlenecks in transferring money outside
the country but Liberia is still very susceptible to huge money
outfows due to the dual currency regime.
The high demand for United States dollars for those wanting to
transact outside Liberia is without out doubt one of the contributing
factors to the high exchange rate between the two legal tenders.
WITH THE HIGH EXCHANGE rate comes increment in prices
of commodities such as gasoline and diesel which are consumed
by all the population-used in vehicles and other means of transport
and at the same time generators to fll the gap as a consequence of
the inability of the Liberia Electricity Corporation to reach out to
many households.
SOME LIBERIANS HAVE started parking their private vehicles
because they cannot afford the cost of a gallon of gasoline now
sold for L$380 and in some communities L$400, so too are the
ordinary ones who are unable to pay up to L$90 or an equivalent
of US$1 to commute from Red Light in Paynesville to Central
Monrovia.
IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER food places, people are
complaining that the prices of foodstuffs on the market have
increased due to the exchange and as such the consumers are the
worse affected with high prices refected in the quantity of food
served customers.
DARKNESS HAS ENGULFED the city because the Liberia
Electric City Corporation already not performing to the
expectation of customers has dropped below par in recent time
sometimes failing to provide electricity to some communities for
up to two days.
THE NUMBER OF BEGGARS have increased in the streets of
Monrovia as from one street corner to another, it is no longer the
usual handicapped or insane people found in the habit of begging.
Well dressed Liberians are braving their faces and asking for
transport fares with some saying my brother it is not easy, no
shame in this one.
THE FACIAL EXPRESSION of the average Liberian is
something to indicate the terrible state of the economy and the
appalling living condition of the people. It is a known fact that
Liberians are suffering and the government should not wait to see
the people express their suffering in ways other than the current
level of prices versus income.
IN 2013, Liberia was named the fourth poorest country in the
world with GDP per capital of 716.04. With such awful record,
high prices should indicate that the people are actually suffering.
LIBERIANS ARE CERTAINLY suffering as the prevailing
variables are clear and needs to question; the Government of
Liberia must act to relief its people from the bondage of poverty.
COMMENTARY
LIBERIANS ARE
SUFFERING-GOL
MUST NOT IGNORE
THE WRITINGS ON
THE WALL
S
outh Africans of all races know how to behave at election
time- responsible as voters and honest in their voting
procedures. This is part of the legacy of Nelson Mandela
who, as his funeral last year made clear, was the most
honored and respected leader in the world.
The country that has tripled its income in the years since the
end of apartheid has achieved a lot more, much of it totally
unexpected by white opinion. The Financial Times recently
wrote, What was in 1994 a divided country and a broken
polity is now an unrecognizable, modern, investment-grade
economy.
Infation has been tamed and support for the poor has been
expanded with weekly cash grants to 16 million people. Every
year 1 million people join the middle class. There has been a
dramatic widening of the tax base and the civil service is no
longer staffed by a white elite. The government has appointed
frst class people to the top positions in managing the economy.
One should also mention the football World Cup held four
years ago. Despite the vast numbers who came, the many
stadiums that were built and the diffculty of transporting big
crowds, it went off without a hitch. Crime was low. Foreigners
travelled into Johannesburg from the airport on a new, high-
speed, train. One cannot help compare it with the greatly
fawed preparations now afoot in Brazil, a far richer country,
for this year's World Cup.
True there is a revolution of rising expectations. The striking
platinum mine workers demanding a large pay increase is one
manifestation of this. (If mine owners had met them half way
at the beginning, the strike would have been long settled.)
Generally, despite social progress, poorer people want more. It
is understandable given the most skewed income distribution
in the world.
Nevertheless, one should look at the government's
achievements with a non-jaundiced eye. In 2002, 30% of
households reported they had experienced hunger. Now it is
down to 12%. In 2002 one in eight had no proper toilet. Now
all but 5% have a fushing one. Almost two-thirds of homes
have their rubbish collected regularly. Over 90% have access to
running water. Around four-ffths have a television, an electric
stove and access to a mobile phone. More than half live in their
own home and only 14% in state-subsidized housing. School
enrolment is now almost 95%, although the teaching is often
of poor quality. The number of black engineering students at
university is now the same as whites. The government has set
up the world's biggest anti-retroviral treatment program for
HIV/AIDS.
As for middle class whites they continue to do well. Indeed,
whites who fed to the UK or Australia are trickling back.
Among the young professional class lots of inter-racial
friendships have been formed and there are inter-racial
marriages. The cabinet has four white members and whites can
sit on the executive committee of the ruling party, the African
National Congress (ANC).
Prime Minister Jacob Zuma has been in offce now for fve
years. Accusations of large-scale corruption from the days
when he was deputy president still hang over him but he
has achieved much. He has set up an independent National
Planning Committee to advise on complex long-term issues
such as water management, energy and the environment. He
has shown much more interest in the plight of the poor. He
scores high in opinion polls.
Yet his government is manifestly shot through with corruption.
Cronyism is ubiquitous. Intolerance raises its head both among
whites and blacks- not least the anti-white rantings of the
populist, Julius Malema.
Crime frightens most people. The country is listed among the
world's worst ten countries for crime. Nevertheless, it has cut
its murder rate by half (statistics that have been checked for
accuracy by outsiders). Nevertheless, over 2000 white farmers
and their families have been murdered.
Prosperous white-owned farms are a sore issue among the
African rural population whose land was stolen by Afrikaner
and European immigrants. On taking offce the ANC promised
that 30% of white-owned land would become black-owned.
But under the willing seller, willing buyer program (no
shades of land grabbing, as in Zimbabwe) only 5% of farmland
has been re-distributed, despite a great willingness to sell.
Unemployment remains high. Some say it is the highest in the
world. Half the young black men don't have jobs. Shanty towns
are still growing on the edge of big towns. Growth will have
to double to at least 5% to make an indent in these fgures.
Mining needs to be resuscitated, power shortages dealt with
and African education and health services sharply improved.
South Africa's competitor for being the continent's largest
economy, Nigeria, has had sustained growth the last decade at
between 6 and 7% and is aiming for 10%.
Mandela left a great legacy. But it has to be continuously built
on.

Page 4 |
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Wednesday, May 7, 2014
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E
DITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
FRANKLIN OBED SIAKOR
WHERE IS YOUR STRENGTH?
The Reader's Page
WEAH KARPEH NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL
INFORMATION OFFICER AT UNITED NATIONS MISSION
IN LIBERIA (UNMIL)
Great thoughts, Wade. They fairly present the problems the media
and their practitioners face hoping your projecting would lead to
solving them.
MUSTERPHA FOFANA TOP COMMENTER OWNER
AND CEO AT SELF EMPLOYED AND LOVING IT!
you know i think this sister is Excited, overjoyed, and gone of
track. i can'tf say exactly the reason why but if I can take a guess,
is probably because this could her frst visit to the UN and maybe
her fst time in New York City as well. No don't judge me yet..
I have not read her entire released and i don't have the courage to,
because I think her statement is what I will call glittering generality
propaganda. From the introduction statement she gave one can tell
what the body and supporting statement would be like. Is obvious
that she will not say anything good about the freedom journalists in
Liberia enjoy, but rather she will probably go into something about
how her boss or some members of her entity have been targeted.
My dear, please don't think that you are trying to speak for all the
journalist in Liberia. We urge you not to contradict the very good
report which you spoke about as being a herald in the transition
process. Remember that other good journalists have worked hard
toward that transition process to make it a success. And I like to ask
what's your own story that you will like the world to read? Please
do something that the Liberian people can be proud of you madam.
Please do us the favor.
PATRICK EMERSON PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
While journalists may be watchdogs of society, they are not and
should never be above the law. Individual rights and governance
can only be protected from unscrupulous and sometimes untrained
journalists through judicial recourse. To seek presidential
intervention in judicial matters only because journalists feel
aggrieved, is tantamount to constitutional violation of the
separation of the three branches of government. The statements
made at the UN by Wade Williams were unintellectual, partisan
and unpatriotic.
CHRISTOPHER HARRY LUKE ST. PETER CLAVER'S
HIGH SCHOOL
Emerson, tell me which journalists has claimed to be above the
law in Liberia and I will tell you how many Government offcials,
including the President, and the whole judiciary system that are
above the law in Liberia. As for seeking presidential intervention in
judicial matters, frst of all, we all know that is not right, and neither
is it healthy for a functioning democracy or governance. But, the
whole judiciary system in Liberia is corrupt. If the judiciary was
not corrupt as in the case of the FPA saga, there would have been no
imprisonment of Rodney. Did you see the whole confict of interest
in that case......judges....government offcials? It is due to those
unscrupulous behavior, hence the intervention of the President
are sometimes necessary, in order to save face to the International
community due to her incompetent... offcials and corrupt judges.
Where in the world have you been to even mention "Constitutional
violation of the separation of the three branches of Government in
Liberia"? We all know that there's no genuine separation of power
in Liberia among the three branches of Government. It is only on
papers my brother but when it comes to governance implementation
and enforcement, they all overlap, do the same functions or don't
know what the heck they are supposed to do.
I do not see any statement made by Wade Williams at the UN that
was partisan, neither was it unintellectual or unpatriotic. You and I
know what's going on in Liberia.....I means the daily intimidation
of journalist in Liberia. Did you want Wade to defend the UP
government for the wrongs they are doing to Liberians? Did you
want her not to speak the truth due to blind patriotism as a lot of
gravy seekers are doing? If anything, we should applaud her for
speaking the truth. When EJS was in the diaspora saying all kinds
of things against Doe and Taylor as a Liberian, was that being
unpatriotic?
JOHN WILLIAMS TOP COMMENTER EASTERN
UNIVERSITY, ST. DAVIDS, PA
Wade and FPA have taken the battle to the turf of the oppressors
and have won acceptance and sympathy. The myth/propaganda
that certain people enjoy exclusive privileged access to important
people/organizations has been shattered! The playing feld is
becoming level! Congratulations!
The Editor,
R
ecent comments by former Bong County Senator Frankiln
Obed Siakor that he would campaign against incumbent
Jorquelleh District II representative, Prince Kemmue
Moye and in effect undermine his re-election effort s in
2017 if the latter (Hon. Prince Moye) did not support him
in the upcoming senatorial elections have brought the erstwhile senator
to the guillotine of massive public criticisms and condemnations. Some
political columnists have downplayed Siakors threat on a local radio
in Gbarnga several days ago as a piece of political comedy. But Ive
thought it necessary to critically assess the political worth of Hon.
Siakor as we move closer to the October Senatorial elections and test the
validity of his threat to campaign against Hon. Moye in 2017.
Prior to the 2011 elections, Siakor projected himself as a man of the
poor and managed to succeed in disguising his failures as a lawmaker.
Until his fip-fopping decisions during the elections he was viewed as
a serious political force in the county. Ever since the 2011 elections
during which Hon. Siakor in the most bizarre of political blunders
injudiciously abandoned the glorious prospects of popular re-election
as Senator and also ignored the aspiration of the people of Bong County
to feld him as a presidential contender under the banner of a rurally
cultivated movement with massive appeal across Kpelleland, his
political career has receded to its lowest ebb. That unguided decision
by Siakor to contest as running mate to Cllr. Brumskine was refective
of the true nature of a man whose uncollaborative and individualistic
approach to politics did signifcant harm in destroying cohesion at
the countys legislative caucus and impeding development across the
county. With no regards to the grass-roots base that propelled him to
the national limelight from an ordinary teacher and social worker, and
no consultation with the elderly and youthful populations of the county,
Siakors diverted from the itinerary of the people and proceeded on a
course that have wrecked his political stature in the county.
Many pundits analyzing the interplaying variables in Bong County refer
to Siakor as a politician who missed out on an opportunity to lead a
county that has the requisite socio-cultural, historical and demographic
advantages in determining the outcome of the national political debate
about the countrys leadership.
However, rather than just joining the public condemnation of Siakors
attempt at political intimidation of one of Bong Countys most
outstanding lawmakers, I think it necessary to also evaluate his empty
political threats and coercion within statistical boundaries. In 2011,
Siakors political party the Liberty Party (on which ticket he contested
as running mate) won only about 11,000 votes across the entire Bong
County when Hon. Moye alone won about 9,500 votes in Jorquelleh
II. The 11,000 votes in fact represented far less than half of 35,000
persons in the county who voted in 2005 for Siakor to be a Senator. The
2011 election showed how Hon. Siakors popularity plummeted mainly
due to his inconsistencies as well as his conserved and uncooperative
posture in dealing with other stakeholders to address the development
needs of the county.
The failure of Siakor to convince stalwarts and partisans of the Liberty
Party about his political worth in Bong County has created immense
doubts about his political future in the party. The party since the 2011
elections has been run by its charismatic Chairman Fonati Koffa
and other infuential youthful leaders. Siakors de facto leadership
as political leader of the party occasioned by the resignation of Cllr.
Charles Brumskine has been one of a mere uni fgurehead status and
unimpactful especially in helping the party recover from its relegation
to fourth place by Prince Johnsons National Union for Democratic
Progress at the 2011 polls. Siakor is that proverbial excess baggage
that only helped to sink the Liberty Party. From all indications he got no
space on the party 2017 ticket.
Former Senator Siakors consistent inconsistencies have proven to be
his greatest political weakness. He is not sure about what he wants to
become. He was a Senator. He initiated an effort to contest the Presidency
but prematurely disembarked. Then everyone saw him working actively
with progressive politician Prof. Dew Tuan Wleh Mayson in forming a
ticket for the Democratic Alliance. Suddenly, that union broke up. Siakor
was later announced in Gbarnga as a running mate to Cllr. Brumskine.
He fnally took a shot at the Vice Presidency and failed. Now he wants
to contest the 2014 Senatorial elections and may even be toying with the
idea of contesting the District seat of Jorquelleh II in 2017.
Siakor plunged himself in a deep sea of controversy and irreversible
unpopularity by his attempt to intimidate Hon. Moye to supporting
him. Again, the man Siakor has proven his lack of understanding of
the evolving political trends in the county. People are supported on
the basis of their records and support to others! He has so willfully
exposed himself to the condemnation of the people by such ill-fated
manouverance to corrupt the mind of a hugely popular Moye into
supporting his senatorial quest. Siakor should know that Moye can not
and would not conspire with him in a ploy of political deception that
would eventually stagnate developments in the county by supporting his
senatorial aspiration. The countys leadership now needs team players
with the same objectives and perspectives toward development rather
than isolationists and self-centered individuals.
But frankly, one could just simply dismiss these threats and attempts at
political coercion from former Senator Siakor considering his declining
popularity and with an understanding that these are desperate efforts by
a man to re-invent himself on the countys political landscape. However,
it is important too that the former Senator responds to just some simple
inquiries. Hon. Siakor, where is your strength to lead a campaign
against Hon. Moye in 2017? Is it in Samay, Gbarnga, Gbenequelleh,
Luila, Foloblia, Sheansue or Gbansue in all of these areas where Hon.
Moye has humbly served the people either in improving or building
roads and bridges, providing safe and clean drinking water, building
schools and clinics, providing loans for market women, scholarships
and tuition aids, or building youth centers and palava huts? Is it in these
places where our people were largely neglected during your six years as
senator that you have the strength to undermine the re-elections of Hon.
Moye in 2017? What are your legacies of infrastructural and human
developments in the villages, towns and clans comprising Jorquelleh
II? Can you be honest in comparing your so-called contributions to
development not only in Jorquelleh II but Bong County in general
during your entire six years as senator to what Hon. Moye has achieved
as a representative in just a little over two years? But tell me Hon Siakor,
in which of the towns and villages have you ever gone to show public
support and appreciations for the works of Honourable Moye? Where
have you ever stood side by side with Hon. Moye to give at least moral
support to the numerous projects he has undertaken across the District?
It is shameless on your part that a man like you would want to impose
your will on someone you have never supported! Hon Siakor you must
be told, our people are grateful people who do not repay kindness with
ingratitude. They instead reward humility with honour, and reward
sacrifces with love. They give wisdom to one who is opened to their
counsel. Out of the abundance of their gratitude and support, Hon. Moye
derives his strength.
Hon. Moye continues his services to our people while you exhaust your
efforts chasing the wind and posturing like one who has control over
the minds of the people and command their support. It is quite sad that
some men like you will never learn from history! Whatever energy
you manage to save from your futile quest for political resurrection in
the 2014 mid-term elections may be just negligible in erecting barriers
against the peoples victorious march with Hon. Moye in 2017.
Morley Beyan,
morleybeyan@gmail.com
I WANT TO FACE HIM:
COURT VERDICT IN LAND
CASE DRAWS IRE ON DR. TOE
- A reaction to the former Senator threat against Rep Moye
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 5
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com
Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline .com 077296781
T
he month-long
controversy
in the Liberia
National Student
Union (LINSU) awaiting
determination by the Civil Law
Court at the Temple of Justice
is expected to come to an end
this Friday when the Civil Law
Court is expected to rule in the
matter.
Presiding Judge Peter
Gbeneweleh gave the
announcement on Tuesday
when the court entertained
argument in the motion of
declaratory judgment fled
by a student group called a
Team to Save LINSU led
by Kansualism Berk Kansuah
formerly of the United

Methodist University (UMU).
During the course of the brief
hearing lawyers representing
the Team To Save LINSU as
the group is commonly referred
to, Attys. Molley Gray Jr, and
Nyahkpoa Daye told the court
that the current leadership
of LINSU headed by Varney
Jersey had barred members of
the group from participating in
upcoming elections of LINSU.
Both petitioners lawyers
argued further that the tenure
of the Varney Jerseys headed
administration at LINSU had
since expired in December
22, 2013 therefore it was
unconstitutional for he and his
other offcers to still hold unto
power and hold election for an
organization that he no longer
heads constitutionally.
The two petitioner lawyers told
the court that the group has
fled the petition for declaratory
judgment to the court to restore
their rights because the step
taken by the current LINSU
leadership was illegal.
To the contrary, Atty. Kandakai
who represented Varney Jersey
who was not present told the
court that the affected students
were never nominated by any
institution but the Judge told
him that the issue had already
being ruled out of the case and
the court only wanted to know
the merit.
Following few hours after
searching into the court record
handed to him by the court he
came out to say that the Judge
should rule based on perusal of
the cases fle.
After his assertion, Presiding
Judge Peter Gbeneweleh ruled
that fnal ruling into the case
has been scheduled for Friday,
May 9, 2014 at 2:p.m.
This court had heard the
argument of the petitioners
and its corresponding response
from the respondent, this court
is set to rule on the petition
for declaratory judgment this
Friday, May 9, 2014 at 2:p.m
let all parties take note said
Judge Peter Gbeneweleh.
Outside of the court the
leader of the Team to Save
LINSU Kansualism Berk
Kansuah told FrontPageAfrica
that statement by the current
LINSU leadership to bar them
is not because they were not
nominated by their institutions.
Let me say this statement we
were not nominated is false
all of us who are members of
this team were nominated by
our respective institutions, the
fear Jersey and others have
about us is that we will defeat
them if we enter the race said
Kansuah.
Unfortunately, the LINSU head
did not make any comment due
to his absence from Tuesdays
hearing with claims that
they were not aware of the
assignment made by the court
neither was their legal counsel
aware.
In a late evening phone
call at the offce of the
FrontPageAfrica newsroom,
Martin Kollah an executive
of LINSU said the offcials
of LINSU were not aware of
Tuesdays hearing.
In-fact let me tell you that
LINSU had no legal counsel by
the name Kandakai, our legal
counsels are Philip Gongloe
and Richard Scott who said
they have no knowledge of
Tuesdays hearing when they
were hinted, how can the court
hold hearing when we are not
informed Kollah wondered.
Whether the statement of
Martin Kollah, an executive
of LINSU that they had
no previous knowledge of
Tuesdays hearing will alter
the Judges ruling scheduled
for Friday remains everyones
guess.
STILL A CRISIS IN WAITING
Citizens accused government of playing politics in Nimba Land Dispute
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NEWS EXTRA
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NEWS EXTRA

Monrovia:
I
t is a crisis that has a long
history dating back from
colonial ear when one group
claimed it did not sell land
to another and invited a friendly
brother to live together. While
another group s saying the land
belongs to us, the land dispute in
the fast growing commercial city
of Ganta, Niimba County has
been ongoing for years.
Reconciliation meetings have
been held between the parties to
the land dispute with the hope
of settling the issue but that has
only helped to calm the situation
at a particular point in time,
sprouting up again.
A while ago President Ellen
Johnson setup a special
presidential committee to
investigate the issue and the
committee submitted its fndings
to the President which calmed
the situation.
But it seems the confict is far
from over as documents in the
possession of FrontPageAfrica
show that despite a moratorium
placed on the sale of Public
land by President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf lands are still been
sold with Deeds bearing the
Presidents Signature.
One of the Deeds which
transferred ownership to one Mr.
Nya Johnny of a parcel of Land
located in Ganta Nimba County
was surveyed by Surveyor Henry
Lamadin a registered Land
Surveyor in the Republic of
Liberia and signed by President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf whos
Signature dated august 25 2011
one year after the stay order from
the President.
Months after the Musa Bility
Committee presented a report to
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
recommending ways to resolve
the land crisis peacefully where
it was agreed that people who
were occupying lands illegally
be paid to evacuate the land
three months after the payment
for the rightful owners to take
possession of their land that
report is yet to be implemented.
In an effort to resolve problem
the government according to
information has since paid the
money but up to present those
occupying disputed land are
refusing to leave and government
is yet to ensure that they vacate
the land.
In an interview with
FrontPageAfrica in Monrovia Mr.
Mohammed Kamara Chairman
of the Concern Nimba County
Citizens for Development and
Reconstruction said, they are
concerned about the continuous
delay in the implementation of
the Musa Bilitys report.
Kamara said: Since 2010 the
president promised to have
resolved the land issue so that
people can live in peace and
harmony in Nimba. The process
started fne and in 2013 the
government started payment
where one point four million
Liberian dollars was allotted
and paid to illegal claimers in
two phases and they should have
left within three months but
the 3 months expired October
31st 2013 and up to present
government has done nothing
about the full implementation.
He expressed suspicion of the
Local government in Nimba
County wanting to deprive
owners of land of their rights
through the political means
where according to him
politicians wanting to be elected
in 2014 are promising illegal land
claimers that they will ensure
that the properties become theirs
if elected.
We are appealing to government
to intervene or we will have to go
there to have access to our land
because every civilized avenue
has been used and there has been
no solution to the problem, he
added.
He named Nya Johnny whose
name is mentioned on one of the
Deeds as one of the occupants of
Land illegally who has vowed
their life that nothing will be
done to remove them off those
land.
Governments eminent Domain
Kamara also disclosed plans by
government to declare eminent
Domain on the disputed land
while the matter has not been
resolved and promised that
he and others who are been
declared the rightful owners by
the committee will do everything
to resist if it is not done legally.
Our concern is that the
President has consistently said
that she has not signed any land
Deed especially as it relates to
public land sale how than did her
name appeared on this Deed .We
are interested to know whether
someone is plying game with
the President or the President is
playing game with us we want
to know until these things can be
made clear our assumption will
be that the Presidents Offce is
playing some deal to deny us of
our legitimate property, Kamara
noted.
Kamara also told FPA that
numerous communications have
been sent to international NGOs
and Embassies in Monrovia
informing them of the way the
issue is being delayed.
Internal Affairs Minister Dukuly
not in the Know
When contacted, Internal
Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly
defended the president and said,
the president will not place a
Moratorium on the sale of public
land and sign land Deeds against
her own stay order but blamed it
to the insincere manner the issue
of land Deed is been handled in
the Country.
Dukuly said: Her signature
could be on it but you see this
Deed business is being done all
kinds of way in this country my
brother this land issue because
the president cannot place a
moratorium and then sign it but
I do know that there is a land
issue that developed when I was
not here and I came I met a focal
person in charge and that person
has travelled so I dont want
to comment on an issue that I
dont have all of the information
about.
COURT RULES IN LINSUS
CONTROVERSY
Page 6 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Stephen D. Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.com 0776329124
THE FUNERAL AND BURIAL
ARRANGEMENTS OVER THE REMAINS
OF MOST REVEREND BONIFACE NYEMA
DALIEH BISHOP EMERITUS OF THE
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CAPE PALMS
ARE AS FOLLOWS
FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT
CHARLES GYUDE BRYANT, II
O
n Thursday, May 8, 2014, the body will arrive in
Liberia from the United States and taken to the
Samuel Stryker Parlor.
On Monday, May 12, 2014, at 3:00 pm, the Body will be
taken to the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Broad Street. The
celebration of Offce of the Dead, Wake Keeping and Mass
will take place at 6:00 pm on the same day.
God willing, on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 6:00 pm there
will be Wake Keeping at the St. Theresa Cathedral in Harper,
Maryland County.
On Friday, May 16, 2014, at 10:00 am the Funeral Mass
of the Resurrection over the remains will take place at St.
Theresa Cathedral in Harper. The burial will take place
inside the Cathedral immediately after the Mass.
May His Soul Rest in Peace.
+ Lewis Zeigler
Archbishop of Monrovia & President of CABICOL
The Bryant and Carr Families wish to announce
details for the Wake, Funeral and Internment of
Charles Gyude Bryant, Citizen and Chairman of
The National Transitional Government of Liberia
(NTGL) - 2003 2006
The families would like to express their thanks
and deepest gratitude to everyone for their prayers,
words of sympathy, comfort and support.
Details of the funeral arrangements are as follows:
All tributes must be made on the night of the
Wake, Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Removal:
Samuel A. Stryker Funeral Parlor
Sinkor - Tubman Boulevard
Monrovia, Liberia
Time: 4pm
Wake Keeping:
Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church
Broad Street
Monrovia, Liberia
Time: 6:00PM

Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Funeral Service:
Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church
Broad Street
Monrovia, Liberia
Time: 10:00AM

Internment:
Christ Church Cemetery
Crozierville, Montserrado County
Liberia
Time: Immediately following the funeral


Monrovia:
T
he National Youth
League Chair of
the opposition
Congress for
Democratic
Change has written President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for
the immediate dismissal,
arrest and charge of Defense
Minister Brownie J. Samukai,
Dr. Emmanuel Dolo, Youth
Advisor to President Sirleaf
and Hon SaaNTow, Deputy
Minister for Youth Service
for what he calls their
conspicuous, fagrant and
callous disregard of the laws
of Liberia and the process of
courts, during the disputed
Federation of Liberian Youth
(FLY) conventions of April 26,
2014 in Margibi County.
In a letter to President Sirleaf
dated May 5, 2014, Mr.
Jefferson Koijee noted that it
is no secret that Liberia has
undergone years of bloody civil
strife from which recovery is
still incomplete, due to the
unprincipled actions of some in
authority, who not just abused
their offces, but instilled in
youth a perverse desire to
transform their energies into
lawlessness and anarchy
Koijee Wrote: We fnd it
shocking that the Minister of
Defense, who should constitute
the fnal protective line in
the shielding constitutional
CDC OFFICIAL WANTS DEFENSE
MINISTER, OTHERS DISMISSED

authority from violent intrusion
or overthrow would in fact
become a battle crier, a mere
rabble-rouser in preventing
the delivery of an injunctive
writ requesting the immediate
halt of the Federation of
Liberian Youth elections. It
is correspondingly shocking
when your Youth Advisor
who should be fundamentally
aware of the sacredness
of your own oath and the
oath you administered to all
commissioned members of the
cabinet would himself be party
to such chicanery. Equally
outrageous, Madam President
is the atrocious collusion
of Hon. SaaNTow in such
endeavor of theirs. Moreover,
these individuals assured those
young people who the swindled
into violating the laws of
Liberia of their unbending and
unrelenting protection from all
repercussions their acts against
the laws of Liberia rightfully
requires.
Koijee went on to say that
while there may be persons
on both sides of the equation
who feel a sense of belonging
in the activities of the CDC
on one hand or the operations
of government on the other,
the Youth League of the CDC
has risen above this puny
consideration and seek the
larger one of the rule of law in
our nation, Liberia.
We hope, Your Excellency
that this once we will agree
on what is good and right for
Liberia as expressed in the rule
of law and the constitution that
you on two occasions took oath
to uphold.
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 7
Baconnie, Grand Bassa County-
R
esidents of Baconnie
Community in
Grand Bassa
County have told
FrontPageAfrica they will not
participate in the upcoming
Special Senatorial election
slated for October this year
unless the government ensures
that the clinic constructed three
years ago in their community is
fully functional to impact their
lives through the provision of
basic health services.
The United Nations
Development Project (UNDP)
sponsored the construction of
the Barcconie Clinic in 2011,
giving hope to many residents
of over 12 towns in the area that
their problem regarding the lack
of health care deliver was over.
But up to now the building
which was expected to serve
the purpose of a clinic is still far
from impacting the community.
The residents told FPA that they
have been promised on many
occasions by county offcials
that logistics and staff (nurses
and support staffers) will soon
be arranged for the opening of
the clinic but all to no avail.
Alphanso Gee, Town Chief of
the community said the residents
are planning to personally
engage the superintendent over
the matter.
Weve been talking about
this clinic and they have been
hearing us; the only thing we
are deciding now is to mobilize
people and go to the county
Superintendents offce to meet
Monrovia:
Q
uarrel over
land in post
war Liberia is
widespread and
some individuals
are taking advantage of the
situation to occupy others land,
using the weak judicial system.
At the moment legal suits over
land ownership represent one
of the largest number of cases
in several courts in Liberia as
acknowledged by Associate
Justice Kabineh Janeh who
puts the number of land cases at
70% topping all other cases.
Individuals with money use
their wealth and infuence to
drive away people from their
legitimate land as in some
instances people take the laws
into their hands, preventing
surveys and court orders to get
evicted from land.
Police offcers are used to
forcefully effect court orders
as people who feel the law
has not been fair to them
resist eviction and surveys as
surveyors themselves are easily
infuenced to twist the fndings
from their surveys in favor of
the party with fat wallet.
Lower Court judges have been
accused of not been up to the
task in handling down decisions
in land cases leaving the burden
with the Supreme Court of
Liberia to decide.
Associate Justice Kabineh
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NEWS EXTRA
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COUNTY NEWS
WHO OWNS CONGO TOWN LAND?
ONE LAND, TWO DEEDS


M. Janeh speaking recently
at program marking Law
Day organized by the Liberia
National Bar Association
urged judges to and lawyers to
constantly read the Supreme
Court new opinion on land
issue.
According to Justice Janeh
the Supreme Courts opinion is
standard and will help lawyers
and judges in performing their
legal duties when handling land
related issues.
Said Associate Justice Janeh:
We have set standards in the
new opinion on the land issue,
which is meant to guide lawyers
and judges on how to solve land
problems.
The member of the Supreme
Court bench admitted the
diffculties facing the judiciary
system in handling land issues
describing land cases as the
highest, topping the court
docket at 70%.
Fake documents complicate
land cases
The assertion by Associate
Justice Janeh is an indication
that land cases are becoming a
challenge for the judiciary.
In a country where faking
documentation is common,
as judges and some lawyers
do not have the expertise to
examine documents for forgery
and other features, in several
cases one land carries more
than one document with parties
holding on to their documents
as evidenced of ownership.
State institutions such as the
National Archive, responsible
to document deeds and other
documents and the Ministry of
Lands, Mines and Energy that
monitors licensed surveyors,
are all yet to put in place
mechanisms that will avoid
more than one individual
registering and probating
documents for the same land,
this Justice Janeh has called
on the National Legislature
to organize a forum for an
investigative committee to
setup to preside over land cases.
In the residential Congo
Town Community, a suburb
of Monrovia, land dispute has
been on the increase in recent
time-from the Grace Minor
vs the Gio Town Community
residents case, several other
land disputes are reported in
Congo Town. Another land
confict is currently before the
Court between former Liberias
Agriculture Minister J. Chris
Toe and two others, Mrs. Kadi
Porte and Lawrence Sneh.
One land two deeds
FrontPageAfrica currently has
in its possession two deeds
each having different details
for the same land presently in
court by a party to a land case in
Congo Town. One of the deeds
submitted to court by the lawyer
of Mr. Toe had no signature,
date and year of probate.
FEELING MARGINALIZED
A second deed, also copy in the
possession of FrontPageAfrica
shows that the Mr. Toe acquired
the land from Susannah A.
Brown but with one of the
deeds information including
date of probate, Day, and year
all handwritten with a colorful
ink.
One of the plaintiffs in the case,
Mrs. Kadi Porte notifed the
Supreme Court in writing about
the two deeds submitted by Mr.
Toe and his lawyer.
stated the Plaintiff complaint
Mr. Chief Justice, in this light,
we are fling a formal complaint
against Judge Gbeneweleh,
and all the lawyers involved,
to show (a) where this new
probated deed came from (b)
why the surveyors ignored the
deed attached to case flled,
and ( C) establish whether
the conduct herein mention,
coupled with the refusal of
Judge Gbeneweleh to conduct
an investigation after being
notifed, of fraud, renders the
entire survey exercise a ft
subject for investigation by the
Judicial Service Commission.
The statement by Associate
Justice Janeh calling on judges
and lawyers to read the opinion
of the Supreme Court on land
issue points to the poor level at
which judges handle land cases
in the country.
BARRCONNI RESIDENTS IN GRAND BASSA THREATEN TO BOYCOTT 2014 ELECTION
with her face to face so that we
can hear from her, from there
we will know the next step
to take as a community, the
Youthful Town chief blasted.
FPA gathered from residents
that they have not heard nor
seen any positive move by the
county authority to open the
clinic; something they say is
frustrating, leaving them in a
diffcult situation.
People in this community are
saying that if this clinic is not
functioning and the County
authority does not try their
best to bring in our medicine
and other things that we are
expecting for them to do there
will be no need that we vote in
the coming election, Mr. Gee
stressed.
Mr. Gee continues: They
should try and come help us
so we can have health services
here. But if there is no help, it
will be better we sit and dont
vote for them because there will
be no beneft. These are some
of the benefts we expect from
them; if nothing is done we will
not vote.
Some Buchanan residents
monitoring the clinic situation
have also criticized the
Ministry of Health (MOH) for
doing nothing about the clinic.
They argue that the MOH has
an attractive national budget
and considering the ministrys
mandate it is incumbent upon
the Ministry to intervene.
Liberias Chief Medical Offcer,
Dr. Bernice Dahn, more than a
year ago visited the community
to ascertain the clinic situation.
Residents said she told them
that the clinic was placed in the
budget but the details about the
allotment are unknown.
The situation surrounding the
status of the clinic has dragged
for years causing frequent
dissatisfaction amongst many
residents of Grand Bassa
County. Some of the residents
told FPA that during the
dedication of the clinic which
was attended by President
Sirleaf, Health authorities
assigned nurses and logistics for
the clinic but once the program
was over they removed all of
the furniture and there were no
more nurses seen in the area.
At the last county sitting,
delegates consented for the
clinic to be included in the
2013/2014 county projects
funded by the County
Development Fund (CDF),
thereby easing the tension
amongst many concerned
residents of the community.
Sources within the county
administration have told FPA
that the moratorium which was
placed on the CDF impeded all
the efforts to open the clinic.
Now that the moratorium has
been lifted the community
residents are hoping that the
county administration acts fast.
Up to now there has been no
signifcant progress despite
recent claims by Grand
Bassa County Development
Superintendent, Adonis
Greaves, that furniture have
been procured for the opening
of the clinic. Mr. Greaves
disclosure prompted a row
between him and a local
community radio station which
reported that the Development
Superintendent provided
fallacious information about
procuring furniture for the
clinic.
The caretaker of the facility,
Adam Abdulai said the
situation is been viewed as a
local political issue by some
individuals while others see
it as a national issue. For Mr.
Abdulai he blamed the situation
on short falls in the national
budget.
Barcconie community is far
outside Buchanan City, more
than 20 Kilometers from
Central Buchanan. Within more
than an hour walk from the area
towards Buchanan City theres
absolutely no medical facility.
Residents say they often carry
sick people in hammer at night
causing them to experience
unbearable diffculties and
sometimes the loss of lives. The
community has more than 1500
residents who heavily rely on
fshing as a livelihood.
ALPHA DAFFAE SENKPENI, BUCHANAN

Page 8 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
F
RONT
PAGE
DIPLOMATIC NEWS
Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com
A GOOD STATEMENT OF INTENT
Monrovia-
W
hen Sharon Barli, Israels new Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia,
presented her Letters of Credence to President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf last week, it offcially
marked the resurrection of a long-standing relationship with
deep historical undertones.
Liberia was one of 33 countries which cast the "Yes" vote for
Israel to become a state on 14 May 1948.
Israel opened a consulate in Monrovia in 1954, and upgraded
it to an embassy in 1958. Liberia then broke relations on Nov.
2, 1973, becoming one of the last of 26 black African countries
to sever ties in the face of Arab pressure after the 1973 Middle
East war. At the time, the Israelis say the Arab tactics combined
promises of aid and cheap oil with threats of assassination and
oil embargoes. The New York Times reported: Only three
countries - Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho - have maintained
formal relations with Israel in the last decade. The last state
visit by black African heads of state took place in September
1971, when the leaders of Nigeria, Zaire, Cameroon and
Senegal came together to Israel.
Affnity in Full Effect
Ambassador Barli, speaking to FrontPageAfrica in an exclusive
interview recently said the cementing of ties between the two
countries is only natural because theres such strong historical
ties between Liberia and Israel. Many people start to count
the collaboration and friendship between the two countries
to 1948 in the vote in the UN in which Liberia cast the vote
that actually brought about the state of Israel but not too many
people know the affnity between the Jewish people and Liberia
started far back. It actually starts back to the Africa Movement,
I would say with the success of the back to Africa movement
that brought about the establishment of Liberia.
That affnity was in full effect on June 22nd 1962 when
President William V. S. Tubman of paid a ten-day visit to
Israel which coincided with the conclusion in Cairo of the
three-day meeting between the Casablanca Group of African
states in which members warned against israeli economic and
technical aid to Africa. Liberia was not represented at the talks
but Tubman did offer that he was ready to become the mediator
between Israel and her Arab neighbors at the frst opportunity.
Nearly two decades later, on August 22nd, 1983, President
Samuel K. Doe paid the frst state visit here by a black African
leader in 12 years and marked Doe's decision to renew
diplomatic relations with Israel, against a background of
heightened concern over Libya's attacks in Chad and reports
of increased Libyan efforts to gain infuence in other African
countries.
The New York Times reported at the time that Doe was
understood to have asked for as much information on Libyan
activities as Israeli intelligence could give him, and some
intelligence had reportedly already been provided.
Doe was reported to be convinced that he and his Government
were prospective targets of Libyan subversion because he has
refused to align Liberia with Libya and the Soviet bloc and he
has ousted members of his Government who have tried to do
so.
Doe Tapped on Israels Strengths
President Chaim Herzog of Israel struck the Libyan theme in
his statement of welcome during a ceremony at the airport in
Tel Aviv. ''You come from Africa facing the new danger of
Libyan colonialist ambitions, which threaten the independence
of many African countries,'' President Herzog told President
Doe. ''Your struggle against this newfound imperialism is a
struggle with which we can identify and sympathize.''
But even then, President Doe, sought to tap in on Israels
strengths, choosing not to request Israeli military advisers or
weapons, as did some other African countries, such as Zaire,
which renewed ties in May 1982, but instead sought Israeli
agricultural experts to do a survey of his country's farming
problems, the offcial said, in the hope of improving technology
and production.
RESURFACING ISRAEL-LIBERIA TIES OFFER
INNOVATIVE, TECHNICAL, POTENTIALS
The easiest thing is to come here and make big promises and disappear; and behind big promises are big disappointments and I have no
intentions of making big promises. I know exactly the capacity of my country, we have very limited resources but were also very creative and
innovative and very entrepreneurial and I think if we harness this creativity and fnd ways in which we can share the knowledge with the
technical assistance, with the limited resources that we have maybe through the international cooperation agency through training.
- Sharon Barli, Israels new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia,
It is a strength Barli believes will bode well for the resurrecting
Liberia-Israeli ties. Israel is a tiny country and not a rich
country, so unfortunately it cannot bring fnancial support like
other big partners can bring, we do not have military budget
support program or big fnancial schemes but traditionally, we
share knowledge, traditionally, we give technical assistance
in agriculture, health and e-medicine and I do believe we can
work together more closely on such issues.
But Barli cautions that it will take time. I have met with the
minister of health and we had an initial discussion and it is
a collaboration that is in its diapers I would say and we are
now looking into all kinds of possibilities but I dont want
to be specifc frst of all because there isnt anything specifc
but more than that, you know. The easiest thing is to come
here, make big promises and disappear and behind big
promises are big disappointments and I have no intentions
of making big promises. I know exactly the capacity of my
country, we have very limited resources but were also very
creative and innovative and very entrepreneurial and I think
if we harness this creativity and fnd ways in which we can
share the knowledge with the technical assistance, with the
limited resources that we have maybe through the international


I would explore renewable energy sector as well and even the softer sectors like vocational education, maybe
e-medicine, maybe e-learning, I would encourage and Id make myself and my embassy instrumental in facilitating
and organizing business delegation if theres an interest from Liberia to Israel and vice versa, defnitely. - - Sharon
Barli, Israels new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia,
President William Tubman of Liberia was a most welcome guest of President and Mrs. Ben-Zvi during the Liberian
leader's offcial visit to Israel in June 1962.

Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 9
cooperation agency through training - I mentioned distance
learning, I do believe that we can do more and I believe we will
do more. I think it is premature right now to pinpoint specifc
areas but the fact of the matter is, in the day and a half Ive
been here, after presenting my credentials because I could
not hold any offcial meeting without presenting my letters,
the fact that I met the minister of health, and the minister of
agriculture and the minister of commerce and some others, I
think it is a good statement of intent.
Back-to-back movement pivotal
During his 83 visit, Doe, overseeing a Liberian economy that
had been damaged by declining world prices of its major raw
materials including iron ore, diamonds and rubber, reportedly
expressed interest in Israeli help in organizing a Liberian
shipping line and in improving the Liberian national airlines.
Doe reportedly moved quickly after the Libyan invasion. Three
weeks ago, he sent a three-man team, including two military
men, to Israel to see what information could be obtained about
Libya. The Israelis demanded full diplomatic relations, and
days after his delegation's return home, General Doe notifed
Israel of his plan to renew ties.
Libyan activity apparently speeded General Doe's interest in
better ties with Israel. Aside from the fghting in Chad, Libya
was ''very much present in Ghana,'' an Israeli offcial said, and
''is already sending agents to Niger and the Central African
Republic.''
Over the years, many countries have benefted from Israeli
aid. Israeli companies build airports and other public works
projects. Israeli companies have built and then become
minority owners of some African farms. Israel successfully
organized Ghana's Black Star Line, a shipping company that
did quite well until the deterioration of the Ghanaian economy
in the 70s.
It is in the backdrop of those ties that Ambassador Barli recalled
how Zionism, the movement of the return of the Jewish people,
historical homeland to Israel was deeply affected and inspired
by Back to Africa Movement. I would say that the affnity
started in the mid 19th century already.
Deep Appreciation
In accepting Barlis letters last week, President Ellen Johnson-
Sirleaf recounted that the relations between the two countries
have transcended ordinary friendship since 1948. Our bonds
have been strong with visits of both President Tubman and the
then Prime Minister of Israel during the Tubman era coupled
with the construction of the Executive Mansion, humanitarian
assistance, support to Liberia at the level of the United Nations
and Israeli investment in Liberia, she stated. She also recalled
her own visit to the State of Israel in 2007 with positive
outcomes and exchanges.
In 1954 both countries formalized diplomatic relations which
led to the historic visit of Israels founding mother and then
Foreign Minister, Honorable Golda Meir, to Liberia, during
which she was crowned as a Queen Mother by the Gola tribe.
President Sirleaf expressed deepest appreciation for the strong
support of Israel to Liberia and hoped Ambassador Barli will
ensure the strengthening and consolidation of ties during her
tenure. I stand ready to work with you to raise and resolve all
outstanding bilateral issues the Liberian leader said.
Ambassador Barli said the relations between Liberia and
Israel have widened and deepened and are now in a process
of dynamic development, extending to many sectors of both
societies.
She said Israel was ready to provide technical assistance to
Liberia in sectors such as agriculture, education, health,
security and is also committed to human development and
capacity building intervention in Liberia.
Ambassador Barli who is based in Accra with an assignment that
covers just two countries, Liberia and Ghana, has committed
herself to making regular and constant visits to Liberia as
Israels Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the
West African Republic.
The Israeli envoy also expresses optimism of bilateral private
sector investments between the two countries but warns that
Liberians have to state intentions and interests. I believe we
should separate between government to government projects
and private sector projects. When it comes to government
to government projects, I think it is not up to us to point the
needs or projects we should offer Liberia, I think it is up to
the Liberians to tell us what are their needs. We cannot tell
you what you need, we cannot tell you what is best for you,
only you know where there are some gaps that you would
like for us to be involved in. I believe that once we create a
close dialogue with the government then it will lead to a
blossoming relationship on how Israel can become part of
some development project in this country.
Israel, Barli reiterated, is unfortunately a small country, but can
defnitely create a partnership once the Liberian government
and people pinpoint the needs. When it comes to the private
sector, we encourage the private sector to explore possibilities
for partnerships and of course the private sector is always
looking at how to minimize risks in a maximized beneft. I
think that raises a lot of interests though people are waiting,
people are following, people are learning the political stability
of the country because many businesses are unwilling to take
business risks, fnancial risks but when it comes to political
stability, this is where they would like to see that theyre on a
safer ground. I do believe that it would come, and they know
that there is an interest, I know that Israeli businessmen are
coming and going, holding meetings and exploring possibilities
and I do believe that it would come. There isnt any immediate
on the table right now but there are many ideas but I would
say, I am cautiously optimistic to the midterm and defnitely
long term.
The Israeli envoy is optimistic that there is room for Liberian
private sector investment to begin exploring the Israeli private
sector especially in the agriculture sector, in the health sector.
I would explore renewable energy sector as well and even
the softer sectors like vocational education, maybe e-medicine,
maybe e-learning, I would encourage and Id make myself
and my embassy instrumental in facilitating and organizing
business delegation if theres an interest from Liberia to
Israel and vice versa, defnitely. I think we should mention
the close collaboration we have in the feld of health in the
60s. Liberian doctors spent time, actually several years at
the Hadassah university hospitals in Jerusalem, actually one
of them is now the acting dean of the medical school at the
University of Liberia. So the collaboration in the feld of health
is a traditional one.
For Ambassador Barli, the tie binding Liberia and Israel and
the renewal of ties is long overdue. I have been here for
the last week and received very warm reception both from
offcials as well as simple citizens I have had dialogue with
and so and I think it is in a way, coming back and its due time
for it to happen because Israel has so much to offer when it
comes to agriculture, when it comes to health, when it comes
to education.


President Sirleaf Visits Israel. Tuesday, 20th November 2007. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf left Liberia for the
State of Israel on a four-day state visit ..
New Israeli Ambassador to Liberia presents letters of credence to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. In accepting
Barlis letters last week, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf recounted that the relations between the two countries
have transcended ordinary friendship since 1948.
During his 83 visit, Doe, overseeing a Liberian
economy that had been damaged by declining world
prices of its major raw materials including iron ore,
diamonds and rubber, reportedly expressed interest in
Israeli help in organizing a Liberian shipping line and
in improving the Liberian national airlines.

Page 10 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014





VACANCY NOTICE

POSITION: HEAD OF SECRETARIAT
BACKGROUND:
The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is an autonomous public entity created by
statute to promote transparency over extractive industry revenues. It is part of a global initiative known as
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) International.
Since the establishment of the LEITI, it has made significant progress resulting in Liberia being bestowed
the Best EITI Implementing Country Award in 2009.
The LEITI is overseen by a Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSSG), comprising of government, civil
society, representatives of companies in Liberias extractive industry, the National Traditional Council of
Liberia, with international development partners as observers. The LEITI Secretariat is responsible for the
day-to-day implementation of the policy decisions and directives of the MSSG and leads nationwide efforts
in implementing Liberias LEITI law. The Secretariats role specifically includes outreach, advocacy,
communication, monitoring and facilitating information sharing.
More information about the LEITI can be found on the LEITI website: www.leiti.org.lr.
The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is currently recruiting for a competent
and dynamic Liberian to serve as the Head of Secretariat.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Head of Secretariat (HoS) is the head of the management team of LEITI and is responsible for the
effective implementation of all approved activities and programs of LEITI. The specific responsibilities of
the HoS include, but not necessarily limited to, the followings:

1. To provide evidence-based information and advice to the LEITI MSSG to enhance policy-making
decisions to strengthen LEITI interventions;

2. To support the MSSG in policy formulation that are consistent with EITI standards, local legislation
and other government reform efforts in the oil, mining, agriculture and forestry sectors;

3. To coordinate and supervise implementation of all LEITI activities and programs articulated in an
annual, time-bound and fully - costed work-plan;

4. Lead the articulation of a multi-year strategic plan for LEITI to outline opportunities for expansion
and growth of the initiative;

5. To lead and supervise preparation of annual budgets for LEITI;

Office of the Secretariat Old Bureau of the Budget Office Behind the Executive Mansion Monrovia,
Liberia


Liberia Extractive Industries
Transparency Initiative
6. To work with the Government of Liberia and other donors to mobilize funding and material
resources for the effective discharge of the functions of LEITI, and, in connection therewith, to
draft project proposals and grant requests;

7. To develop programs and activities to implement the Communications Strategy of LEITI with the
intention/desire of making the aims and objectives of LEITI known all over the country;

8. To identify, initiate and lead the execution of activities that are necessary, preparatory and/or
required for regular annual publication and dissemination of Liberia EITI Reports;

9. To be the technical and media contact for LEITI implementation;

10. To edit and also supervise the production of LEITI Newsletters and other media items;

11. To organize meetings of the MSSG, and supervise the recording, preparation, dissemination and
filing of the minutes of every meeting of the MSSG;

12. To facilitate a multi-stakeholder dialogue process leading to the establishment of a Regional EITI
Center of Excellence linked to an academic or semi academic institution in Liberia that will
identify and respond to natural resource capacity deficiencies across sectors in resource-rich
countries through appropriate tailored made capacity building programs, including study
visits/exchanges;

13. To establish a data base that will annually compile, review, research, document and analyze lessons
and experiences from Liberias implementation of EITI and make this information publicly
available.

14. To establish and maintain good working relationships between LEITI and the international EITI
Secretariat, other EITI countries, and current and potential donors;

15. To provide support to any visiting EITI international Secretariat and other partners;

16. To draft the Terms of Reference (ToR) of needed personnel and consultants;

17. To coordinate the timely annual recruitment of independent auditing or accounting firms to audit
and reconcile payments and revenues data from extractive industry companies and Government
ministries and agencies;

18. To report and remain answerable to the Chairperson and members of the LEITI MSSG in respect of
all of his/her functions and responsibilities, and

19. All other activities associated with the successful implementation of the duties and functions of this
position.

REPORTING PROCEDURE:

The Head of Secretariat shall report to the MSSG, through its Chair /Co-Chair or designated representative.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A masters or advanced degree in natural resource management, economics, law, public
administration, or related field or bachelors degree in any of the above fields with at least 15 years
of progressive working experience within the government, private and public sector;
2. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience in managerial position;
3. Excellent research, analytical writing and presentation skills;
4. Knowledge of auditing or accounting standards is an advantage;
5. Previous experience of engagement with multi-stakeholder groups, particularly private, public, and
civil society actors;
6. Familiarity with the principles and procedures of EITI will be an added advantage;
7. Demonstrated strategic partnership building and maintenance abilities, professional maturity to
engage senior-level government, donor and private sector representatives.
8. Proven organizational management skills, supervision of professional level staff, attention to detail
and results oriented;
9. Experience (1) with extractive industries and (2) in governance-related work;
10. Proficient in the use of computers and Microsoft suites/office (word, excel, power point, etc.)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTION:

To be considered for this position, qualified applicants must submit the following as part of their
application:

o A letter of application summarizing individual qualifications for this position;
o A current resume in reverse chronological format;
o A list of at least 3 professional references including name, contact information, and
statement of relationship to the applicant.

Deadline for submission of applications is May 9, 2014 at 4 pm GMT. Hard copies of applications must
be submitted to:

The Administration and Finance Committee
C/o of the LEITI Secretariat
Old Budget Bureau Building
Behind the Executive Mansion

Applications can also be submitted via email to: leitirecruitment@leiti.org.lr


ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED. QUALIFIED FEMALES ARE
ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.



Announcement
In keeping with the vehicle and Traffc Law; Title 38,
approved May 9, 1972, and published in 1978, the
Government of Liberia is pleased to announce the approved
rates for Third Party Compulsory Motor Insurance Policy
in Liberia. These rates take effect January 2, 1996.
Approved Rates Sticker Price
No. Category of Vehicles Price
1 Taxi US$300.00 $ 15.00
2 Transport Pick-Up
S/Size-1/2 Ton 400.00 15.00
M/Size- 1 Ton 425.00 15.00
B/Size 1 Ton 450.00 15.00
3 Transport Buses
S/S-Max 18 Persons 550.00 15.00
M/S-30 Persons 600.00 15.00
B/S-30 Over Persons 650.00 15.00
4. Transport Truck
10 Tons (10 Tires) 720.00 15.00
12 Tons (12 Tires) 750.00 15.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires) 800.00 15.00
Trailer-22 Tires 1,000.00 15.00
5 Private Car (PC + Personal Plate
Sedan 150.00 15.00
Jeep 225.00 15.00
6 Business Car (BC)
Sudan 175.00 15.00
Jeep 225.00 15.00
7 Pick Up
PP 250.00 15.00
BP 300.00 15.00
8 Business Truck (BT)
10-Tons (10 Tires) 575.00 15.00
12-Tons (10 Tires) 600.00 15.00
14-18 Tons (18 Tires) 640.00 15.00
Trailer (22 Tires) 800.00 15.00
9 Business Bus (BB)
S/S-Min 6-8 Persons 250.00 15.00
S/S-Max 18 Persons 440.00 15.00
M/S- 30 Persons 480.00 15.00
B/S-30 Over Persons 520.00 15.00
10 Private Bus (PB)
S/S-Max 18 Persons 335.00 15.00
M/S-30 Persons 385.00 15.00
B/S-30 Over Persons 420.00 15.00
11 Private Truck (PT) 575.00 15.00
12 Private Motorbike 150.00 15.00
13 Business Motorbike 125.00 15.00
Please ask Pearl 0886 578 981/ Lucinda 0886 514 623
/ 0777 514 623 / AB 0886 529 776
American Underwriters Group
INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
JG Bull BLDG, Randall Street, Adjancent DITCO Store
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 11
F
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PAGE
OBITUARY
A Life Well Lived:
Our Dearest and Humble Father
Hon. John Nimley Trarso Wulu, Sr.
Sunrise: November 28, 1935 Sunset: April 6, 2014
J
ohn Nimley Trarso Wulu, Sr., affectionately called Papa Wulu, was born around November 28, 1935 in Say-
you-o Town in Towarbo Chiefdom of the Konobo Statutory District, Grand Gedeh County, Republic of Liberia,
to the union of Karr-dar Waylee (mother) and Kayor Nei (father). He was the oldest of four siblings (all brothers)-
-David Q. Nimley (preceded), Piere Nimley Nei Taley (preceded) and Quaye John. Papa Wulu was blessed with
several relatives ranging with the family names of: Nimley, Taley (Tere), Monla, Waylee-Kon, Quaye, Doeley, Fineboy,
Collins, Nyanou, Tarwoson, Gaye, Cooper, and so on.
On Sunday, April 6, 2014 Papa Wulu passed away at his home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, United States of America,
following a period of brief illness; and he was preceded by his wife in death (Minnie) of 59 years. He is survived by
all his ten children (Elizabeth Wulu-Brown, Ruth Wulu-Bondurant, Emmanuel Wulu, John Wulu Jr., Francois Caesar
Wulu-Demonique, Solomon Wulu, Kaller Wulu-McKay, Dominique Alexander Wulu Wilson, Johnnette Wulu-Eggert,
and Aaron Wulu); ffty-one grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
When his mother passed away while he was a child, Papa Wulu went to live with his Uncle Tarway Taley who at the
time worked for the Firestone Rubber Plantation in Maryland County, Liberia. Uncle Taley introduced him to Uncle
Charlie Waylee who taught him how to tap rubber trees to get white latex out of the bark. Without any formal education,
he served as a water boy for the Zwedru to Sinoe road construction crew project. Concern about improving himself, he
moved back to his birth hometown to serve as a porter and/or laborer on the compound of the District Commissioner
for no pay. He was not pleased with such working arrangements, as that was his second time being a laborer; thus, he
planned to seek other alternatives.
A turning point in his life began when he was making a 6-day walk, which was a laborers journey back from Sinoe
County to Zwedru, Tchien District in the Eastern Province of Liberia (now called Grand Gedeh County) to get petroleum
(or benzene) for the District Commissioners trade exchange to the local radio station. He began to seriously consider
getting an education. Also, the thought came to him to learn how to become the Paramount Chiefs Clerk (to avoid
being a laborer, rubber tapper or porter) for his home town, as he lodged at the home of the messenger to the District
Commissioner.
While in the messengers home, and in a conversation with his childhood friend, Jack Waylee, Papa Wulu raised the
thought of living at the Assembly of God mission (on the Christian missionarys compound) in Zwedru; and he asked
Jack to accompany him to the gated and completely fenced compound with big white houses. They both went there
together and the missionaries, Rev. and Mrs. Jensen (sitting in front of one of the houses) asked them of what was the
purpose of their visit. Papa Wulu spoke up and said, I want to live here and attend school. The missionaries then asked
Papa Wulu two additional questions: Where are you from? and Can you understand English? Papa Wulu answered,
I am from the Towarbo Chiefdom and I can understand and speak a little bit of English. The missionaries then
decided right away to grant Papa Wulu his request to take him in as one of the mission boys; and that he would serve
as an interpreter for the missionaries when they go to his village and elsewhere to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Papa Wulu moved into the Tchien District Assembly of God (AG) mission on March 18, 1945 to start schooling with
his primary aim of learning to become a Paramount Chiefs Clerk. Papa Wulu went on several preaching trips with the
missionaries to his hometown and other areas in Liberia; and he served as an interpreter for the missionaries.
Papa Wulu was baptized at the Newarken AG mission in Barrobo Chiefdom of Maryland County, Liberia. He was in
the third grade on the Tchien AG mission when he got the news from a childhood friend that his father had passed away.
With a plan to go back to the United States, Rev. and Mrs. Jensen asked Papa Wulu if they could take him to Monrovia
(the Capitol City of Liberia) to live with other missionaries. In March 1949, Papa Wulu accompanied the missionaries
to Monrovia; and he began residing with missionaries (Rev. & Mrs. John Hurston). Papa Wulu then enrolled in the J. B.
McCrithy Afternoon School as a ffth grader in April 1949, where he completed his elementary education.
Papa Wulu received his secondary education from the Laboratory High School (1950-1951), College of West Africa
(1952-1955), and Martha Tubman Memorial Academy (1956) in Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia.
While residing near Camp Johnson Road in Monrovia, Papa Wulu met Minnie Kyne Wilson in 1954. The marriage
union of John and Minnie Wulu began over 59 years ago; and it was gracefully blessed at the Assembly of God Church
in Monrovia, Liberia.
With regards to college education, Papa Wulu graduated with two degrees (an Associate of Arts in Accounting and a
Bachelor of Business Administration) from the University of Liberia. Additionally, Papa Wulu was a published author,
who wrote the book that signifes his autobiography: The Miracles and Riches of God (2008). This is a must-read book
on Amazon.com.
Given his interest of being actively involved in the education of Liberias children, Papa Wulu took on various career
positions for 19 years at the Monrovia Port Management Company, Freeport of Monrovia, ranging from clerk typist to
book-keeper to cashier to accountant and to chief accounts cashier supervisor.
Papa Wulu served as a teacher at the Assembly of God Mission School in Monrovia, Liberia; and also, as a Sunday
School Superintendent of the Assembly of God Church in the 1950s and 1960s.
Hon. John N. Wulu, Sr. (Papa Wulu), as a Liberian Government offcial, also worked as the Executive Director of the
Unity Conference Center, a part of the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, Liberia, from June 1981 to December 1989
(for about 9 years).
Over the years, Papa Wulu home-schooled his wife in preparation for establishing a school in the Bassa community
and War-wein areas; which was primarily intended for his children and few children in the neighborhood. The school
evolved and mushroomed into the John N. Wulu Elementary School in Monrovia, Liberia, with him as the founder. The
John N. Wulu Elementary School was registered and accredited by the Ministry of Education, Republic of Liberia, in
1964.
Papa Wulu and Minnie renamed their elementary school as the Richard M. Nixon Institute (RMNI) in 1969 in honor
of President Richard M. Nixon of United States, purposefully in consideration of the determination and perseverance
shown by Mr. Nixon over the years of public service and persistence for achieving his goal of the presidency of
the United States. The RMNI expanded into Elementary/Junior High School (War Wein) and Senior High School
(Capital Bye-Pass) in 1970s. The RMNI became a component of the Liberian government operated or public Monrovia
Consolidated School System in the 1970s; and Papa Wulu served his established schools as a teacher and principal in
the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, Papa Wulu and his wife founded the Minnie K. Wulu Junior High School at St.
Paul Bridge, Bushrod Island. All his three founded schools were fully operational and accredited by the Ministry of
Education, Republic of Liberia, as of the 1990s. Since the inception of the three schoolsnow known as the John and
Minnie Wulu School System in Liberia--over 38,000 students have attended and graduated from the schools.
With passion and ambition to help the children and youth of Liberia, especially from his native land, Papa Wulu decided
to engage into Liberian politics. In 1976, he ran for public offce to become a Liberian Senator representing Grand
Gedeh County. He was not successful in getting into the Liberian Senate; however, Papa Wulu was more than ever
determined to continue playing active roles in the educational arena of Liberia.
Papa Wulu lived in Cleveland, Ohio until his transition to eternity. His legacy will be long-lasting and memorialize in
the lives and productivity of all of his former students and forever in the hearts of their children and families. He lived a
wonderful life and had touched many lives with his love, humility, and understanding that Education is a Treasure.

In summary, Hon. John Nimley Trarso Wulu, Sr. was the former Executive Director of the OAU Unity Conference
Center; former Chief Accounts Supervisor, National Port Authority; former Sunday School Superintendent, Assembly
of God Church; founder of the Richard M. Nixon Institute, Monrovia, Liberia; founder of the John &Minnie Wulu
School System, Monrovia, Liberia; alumnus of the University of Liberia; and author, The Miracles and Riches of God.
Also, he was a proud native son of Grand Gedeh County, Liberia
Papa, as he is tenderly called by family and friends, is now resting in perfect peace with our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. We will miss his presence so dearly on Earth, but we believe strongly that Heaven has gain a
Visionary cloud of witness to watch over us all. Thank You, Papa!

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Psalm 33: 1
I
t is with deepest regrets and profound sadness that the Wulu Family announces the passing
of our dearest and beloved father, the patriarch of our family, Hon. John Nimley Trarso
Wulu, Sr., on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at his home in Cleveland, Ohio. He was preceded in
death by his wife of 59 years, Mrs. Minnie K. W. Wulu. He is survived by all of his ten
children; ffty-one grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and
friends.
Hon. Wulu was the former Executive Director of the OAU Unity Conference Center; former
Chief Accounts Supervisor, National Port Authority; former Sunday School Superintendent,
Assembly of God Church; founder of the Richard M. Nixon Institute, Monrovia, Liberia; founder
of the John and Minnie Wulu School System, Monrovia, Liberia; alumnus of the University of
Liberia; and author, The Miracles and Riches of God. Also, he was a proud native son of Grand
Gedeh County, Liberia
Candlelight Vigil and Commemoration of Grounds for dedication of the Hon. John N. T. Wulu,
Srs Statue is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 6 - 8pm at the Richard M. Nixon
Institute (John & Minnie Wulu School System) on Capitol Bye-Pass, Monrovia. Visitation/
viewing will be on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 2-4p.m. at the Samuel Stryker Funeral Home,
Sinkor, Monrovia. Wake-Keeping will be on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 6-10p.m. at the
Richard M. Nixon Institute. His home-going celebration service will be on Friday, May 9,
2014 from 10a.m. -1p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church on Buchanan and Carey Streets.
Interment follows at the Paynesvile Cemetery. Repast follows immediately on the Richard M.
Nixon Institute campus.
In lieu of fowers, individuals may send contributions to the John & Minnie Wulu Educational
Fund, 16781 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 230, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. Kindly keep the Wulu family
in your prayers. Online condolences at: http://johnwulusr.wordpress.com
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
Page 12 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaomline.com
F
RONT
PAGE
COUNTY NEWS
30 YEARS AT SUAKOKO LEPROSY CENTER
RESIDENTS TALE OF AGONY

Suakoko, Bong County-
M
rs. Elizabeth
Daniels is not
a stranger to
good life. She
once owned a thriving small
scale business in the heart of
Gbarnga, where she sold ready-
to-wear garments on wholesale
basis.
However, things took a drastic
turn when what started as skin
irritation became a complicated
case of leprosy.
Truncated comfort
A quite intelligent ageing
woman who reels off dates
as effciently as she does her
family background, Elizabeth
takes up the narrative in a
chat with FrontPageAfrica: I
was admitted into this place in
1974. The whole thing started
as a skin infection, but it
progressed rapidly to the point
of sickening blisters. It was
worrisome.
The man I was married to then
said he had never seen such a
thing and he divorced me,
despite the fact that we already
had two children together.
I returned to my parents
house, but health offcials
wont let me be. At frst, my
maternal grandmother resisted
the offcials forceful attempt
to bring me here, but when my
situation continued to worsen, I
persuaded her to let me go, and
that was how I got here.
For someone who had known
relative comfort before the
vicissitudes of life set in,
life in the colony was a rude
departure from what Daniels
once regarded as normal.
While she got her medications
which, though stopped the
rampaging disease in its track,
the deformities she suffered due
to what her physicians called
the complications of leprosy
left permanent deformity.
Virtually all her toes are
missing, while the hands are a
twisted mass of fesh. They are
almost useless in their entirety,
but for the need to survive the
ravages of hunger at all costs,
as well as the need to provide
for her fve surviving children
who live with her in the colony.
Her children dont have the
disease.
Then, Daniel and fellow
colony residents each receive
a paltry LD 1,000 per month
a hopeless amount that
could neither feed nor clothe
her, much less her retinue of
dependents.
With no particular helper
forsaken by the fathers of her
children, while her relations
had adjusted to the harsh
reality that she might never
return home alive she
took to farming, which is the
only viable engagement the
inhabitants of the colony could
busy themselves with.
Daniels currently cultivates
herbs and a particular plant
that is an integral ingredient
of tattoo ink. She takes them
to the market for sale. In fact,
she was preparing to take her
ware to the market when this
reporter walked in on her.
As the conversation progressed,
some customers came in at
regular intervals to make some
purchase.
Endurance is it
Looking at the environment,
which looks more like a
concentration camp, this
reporter asked Daniels what it
felt like to live in such a place
as this. Her reply was terse.
She told FrontPageAfrica:
Life is all about endurance.
Weve learnt to endure the
harsh life here.
Talking about the harshness of
life, the miserable landscape
says it all. Though the
inhabitants keep the expansive
settlement as clean as they can,
the rows of rooms that line the
entrance and others that dot the
camp tell so much about the
state of poverty they live in. Its
a room to a resident, and those
whose kids live with them have
no way round it.
Blighted hope
While the majority of the
women who spoke with this
reporter have adjusted to the
harsh reality of their existence,
most of the male residents feel
emasculated and shorn of their
human dignity.
That the majority of them
grapple with depression
is obvious, what with the
regretful way they speak,
especially about the families
they dont have. One of such
is Pa Jenkins Roberts, who has
lost touch with reality to the
point of despondency.
He also cant remember how
long he has stayed in the
colony; and when asked his
age, he puts it at 40. However,
his physical presentation
shows a body that is anything
but a youthful 40 years old.
Asked about his wife and
children, he replied, Family?
Wife? Children? Im all alone
in the world. I have no friend or
relations. My disease has fung
me far from human existence
into this place. Its people
like you that I regard as my
family
Looking gaunt and wasted, he
remained seated throughout
our encounter, peeping out of
the lone window that lets in
little air into his room, which
could barely accommodate a
single bed and the odds and
ends that are, obviously, all he
owns.
With a set of eyes that tell his
story of deprivation and lost
hope, Pa Roberts watches
keenly, praying all the time
and not hiding the fact that he
would accept any gift that may
be thrown his way.
Here, money or, more
precisely, the lack of it is a
major headache. The residents
confde that going to bed
hungry has become a second
nature that they are already
used to. They intimate that but
for the occasional intervention
of lawmakers of the county and
humanitarian organizations,
who sometimes bring cooked
foods for them, life would have
been harder.
Common lament
One of Daniels regrets is that
though some of her surviving
children had passed through
thick and thin to learn some
vocations, she has not been
able to set them up by way of
providing the necessary tools
of their trade. Her earnings
from the herb sales mostly
go to providing meals for the
family she heads.
Oldman Jimmy Sameway
has the same complaint. He
arrived at the colony at age 10,
he said, and he has spent more
than 40 years in this blistering
settlement. He looks like
someone in his late 60s though
another testimony to the
possible loss of sense of time.
The aged man fought back
tears as he asked this reporter to
prevail on the Superintendent
of the County, Selena Polson-
Mappy and lawmakers to get
his only child, a young man
named Sunday Sameway, who
reportedly has a degree in
Accounting.
Dearth of drugs
The World Health Organization
says the most effective way
of preventing disabilities in
leprosy, as well as preventing
further transmission of the
disease, lies in early diagnosis
and treatment with multi-drug
therapy. The residents claim
that, so far, they have been
treated with Dapsone which
used to be a drug of choice
for the disease from the 1960s
until 1995.
The WHO says that due to drug
resistance and the necessity for
long-term (sometimes lifelong)
treatment, Dapsone has been
replaced by a combination
of drugs. This combination,
referred to as multiple drug
therapy, has been highly
effective and requires a shorter
treatment period, WHO says.
The residents claimed that
when they frst arrived at
the settlement, Dapsone was
regularly given to them, but
that government has since
stopped giving them.
Pa Roberts told
FrontPageAfrica that the drugs
were withdrawn from him
about four years ago, while
other residents say theyve not
got any drug for over fve years
now. They, however, say they
have access to regular medical
treatment from nurses who are
assigned to the area.
Asked why such an important
treatment was withdrawn from
the patients, considering their
state of health which is far
from perfect, a nurse assigned
at the center who requested
secrecy told this reporter
that, ideally, the drug should
be administered on patients
for one full year, which the
hospital authorities had done
already for all the inhabitants.
She said the lepers are now free
of the disease, but that all the
deformities they now have are
as a result of the complications
of the debilitating disease,
mainly due to the fact that they
presented rather too late.
Again, when asked if it is
normal for the residents
healthy children to live in a
colony populated by lepers, the
nurse explained that the disease
is now in a dormant stage
and that the lepers can longer
infect anybody, including their
children.
I want to work, but
Bendu Gompor, mother of
three surviving adult children,
is another resident of the
colony. Her overall condition
is as pitiable as that of many
other inhabitants. Unlettered
and unkempt, she neither
knows her age nor the date she
was admitted into the colony.
Her visage is not only marred
by the disease that has ravaged
her entire body, she can hardly
maintain a balance when she
attempts to stand erect. In
fact, when she stands, she
spreads the legs apart in a bid
to distribute her fragile weight.
Its not necessarily because of
the under nutrition that many
of the residents grapple with,
but mainly because, like others
in the camp, all her toes, which
should have provided grips for
her feet, are gone.
I want to work to take care of
my needs, but where are the
hands? she asks rhetorically.
The same frustration is
expressed by Madam Maria
Bedell, who said she manages
to scoop food into her mouth,
using a crude method she has
perfected over the years.
She recalled, The last time I
attempted to use a spoon, all
my food poured away.
She limps around with the aid
of a prosthetic leg that has seen
better days. Worse still, each
of her callous hands features
stumps of the forefngers
and whatever remains of the
thumbs.
She was seated when this
reporter met her, but she
declined to be photographed
while wearing what she
describes as rags. Though
she claimed to have arrived
at the camp 20 years ago,
the story she tells about one
Dr. John Thomas, who most
residents claim was one of
the doctors who was treating
them during the civil war of
1977-1980, shows that she has
probably been living in the
colony for nearly 50 years.
We need more care
Madam Nae Gorma Lahai
claimed to be 60 years old.
Twisted and deformed, she said
her disease dates back to when
she was quite young. All her
fngers have been consumed
by the disease; and, like
others, her toes have not only
fallen off, the feet have also
continued to shed skins, such
that she has to wear socks to
prevent them from fies just
like Pa Roberts and others do.
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 13
REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET
Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaomline.com
F
RONT
PAGE
POLITICS
FRONT
PAGE
GOVERNMENT NEWS
FROM DARK HORSE
TO ASPIRANT TO BEAT
The Rapid Transition of Ranney Banama Jackson in Bong Senatorial Race
Executive Mansion Rejects Newspaper Story: Saudi Arabia
to Islamize Liberia, West Africa; Says Article is a Pitiful
Attempt to Distort the Facts
SIRLEAFS OFFICE BREAKS
SILENCE OVER
Monrovia
T
he Government of Liberia has seen and analyzed
the article entitled, The Syrian War, Saudi Arabias
Struggle for Global Infuence, and Control of Africa,
written by one Anahita Ghorbani and published on the
online website Elombah.com.
The article makes certain references to Liberias relations with
some countries in the Middle East, the perceived religious
divide in our country, and cast aspersion on the First Family
with absolutely no respect for truth and objectivity. It is an
article written to provoke and incite with the intention of wiping
up religious hatred and division at a time when our country is
undergoing reconstruction and searching for reconciliation with
full democratic participation of all our people.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the intention of the
author is plain: to drive a wedge between our people based on
religious intolerance and ethnic hatred. The article is written with
bias and utter contempt for the intelligence of our people who
have survived wars, bitterness and countless tragedies in their
history and are now trying to rebuild their lives and reconstruct
their country for the beneft of all their children.
This Republic is noted for religious tolerance and ethnic
cooperation in nation building. The Constitution of our Republic
protects all and sundry irrespective of creed or ethnicity. The
democratic space which is evolving has its foundation in our
Constitution which protects and promotes life, liberty and human
development.
An article written with malice and meant to undermine the
unity and progress of our people is unworthy of the noble
ethics of Journalism. It approaches the Liberian reality with
shortsightedness and falsehood. It is a pitiful attempt to distort
and thus deserves our condemnation and rejection.
One has the right to write and speak responsibly with the intention
of enlightening minds but not the right to distort, besmear and
propagate falsehood with the obvious intention of promoting
strife among the people.
The Government of Liberia takes very seriously its responsibility
toward the safety and protection of its people. It understands the
mandate given it by the people of Liberia to build a country of
equal justice, religious tolerance and the democratic participation
of all. It is in this light that it condemns unreservedly all attempts
to divide our people and put us on the path of ethnic cleansing and
religious bigotry.
The publication as established is flled with lies, deception and
falsehood. The writers exert that President Sirleaf was once a
Muslim by marriage and that her late husband was also a Muslim.
While the right to a choice of religion is personal and guaranteed
under Liberian laws and that the President would have committed
no crime if she or her late husband were Muslims, the assertion is
simply false and misleading.
The truth is that the Presidents late husband was a devout United
Methodist, a factor that moved President Sirleaf over from the
Presbyterian Church to becoming Methodist.
The writer also referenced ULIMO-J, a warring faction during
the Liberian crisis, as Muslim dominated faction. This falsehood
can best be judged by Liberians since they are fully aware of the
composition of ULIMO-J then.
As the backdrop of all these misleading information, the
Government wonders as to how anyone could give credence to
such mischief.
Gbartala, Bong County -
L
ooking at the on-
going senatorial race
in Bong County, it is
fascinating to note
how aspirant Ranney Banama
Jackson has made a swift
transition from a political dark
horse to the aspirant to beat.
It is interesting to see how the
early campaign question has
changed from 'Who is Ranney
Jackson?' to lets carry the former
superintendent for the senate.
First, it is pertinent to note that
stripped to bare bones, according
to political observers, the Bong
senatorial race is essentially a
straight forward contest between
incumbent Jewel Howard-Taylor
of the National Patriotic Party
(NPP) and Ranney Banama
Jackson of the Unity Party.
The other aspirants, pundits say,
are simply blind soldiers who are
out to enrich the contest. Truth
is; neither Dr. Henrique Flomo
Tokpa, president of Cuttington
University nor the unknown James
Karbee Saybay, stands a chance in
the coming poll, FrontPageAfrica
investigation has observed. The
rest of the aspirants are seemingly
in the race for other reasons outside
of victory.
To many observers, Senator
Howard-Taylor was a front-runner
in the coming senatorial poll until
Jackson declared his decision
to contest the election last year.
Jacksons emergence, according
to elites of Unity Party in the
county, is a political master-stroke
which took the emotional wisdom
and the political astuteness of
Representatives George Sylvester
Mulbah (NPP), Corpu Barclay
(Unity Party) and Senator Henry
Yallah (New Deal Movement) to
hatch.
In one fell swoop, Mulbah and
Barclay seemed to have answered
a mlange of questions - namely,
the clamor by Bong County to
produce a senator, the search
for a well-educated leader and a
thoroughbred professional with
an eye for results and fnally
and perhaps more importantly,
a spotless candidate without the
usual baggage of the typical Bong
politician.
Said Mulbah: Jackson is all we
need if we want to unite Bong
County. I say this because he is
someone who can unite our people.
He will not be a senator that will
spur division among the leaders
and citizens.
It is evident that it took a lot
of mental work to arrive at this
decision but in drafting a man
who approximates all these
requirements, Mulbah and Barclay
have proven themselves worthy
of reckoning whenever the
discussion is on about producing
Bong Countys crop of emerging
political strategists.
Since Jackson declared his
intention to contest the race, it
was always clear to anyone with
any power of discernment that
the former Bong Superintendent
should not be treated like the
regular political dark horse.
Unfortunately, NPPs Howard-
Taylor, who has been around much
longer in politics failed to read

MUSLIM STATE TALK
the political temperature well this
time. Now, she is paying for it.
The incumbents earliest mistake
since the political rainclouds began
to gather was to fan her personal
ego and grow in self-entitlement. It
is understandable though.
After almost a decade of a
controversial political career in the
county, a sense of self-entitlement
comes natural. Her second mistake
was in misreading the mood of the
Bong County people. But after
nine years of a hegemonic hold on
the political life of the county, it is
only natural that the people would
begin to envision a future without
one woman even if they still look
back at all the drama she had
provoked with nostalgia.
Facts on the ground show that Bong
County has grown weary of just
having one woman abbreviate their
political aspirations, even if that
woman comes with all the cunning
wisdom of a Messiah. In fact, it
ought to have been inconceivable
that Chinua Achebe's people would
suffer any form of domination for
so long. Sadly, this lesson was lost
on the Sanoyea-born Senator.
The third mistake Howard-Taylor
made, according to many, was to
underestimate Jackson. Lao Tzu,
the great 6th century oriental
philosopher and founder of
philosophical Taoism warns that
'there is no greater danger than
underestimating your opponent.'
Unfortunately, Howard-Taylor
did just that. Close friends say
that earlier in the life of her re-
election campaign, the senator did
not put much weight on Jacksons
emergence as a Unity Party
aspirant.
She was quick to dismiss him as
a lightweight leading to the initial
grandstanding and regrettable
claims by her campaign team
that Jewel, a former frst lady of
Liberia, had no need for advertising
since she had no match in the
race. We dont want to dignify
the emergence of any aspirant
including Jackson because we are
informed that Senator Taylor is
more popular than any of them,
said Marvin Cole, Political Affairs
Offcer to Senator Taylor.
Interestingly, a major reason for
Jacksons growing appeal among
the voting population in Bong
County, according to political
pundits, stems from Howard-
Taylors declining popularity.
Howard-Taylors political eclipse
which began with her vocal
defense of not constructing a house
in the county took a further push
down the slope when against logic.
Building a house is not a factor.
I think what my people should
be concerned over is my ability
to deliver over the years, she
said when she appeared on Radio
Gbarnga a few weeks ago.
It is interesting to note that quite
remarkably, the aftermath of
Howard- Taylors defense has
begun to elicit negative reactions
from highly respected and
organized groups in the county.
For instance, the NPP senator
who is from Sanoyea District was
frmly shut out of the activities
marking this year's celebrations of
the Sanoyea Women Homecoming,
which took place in the district
recently.
On the other hand, Jackson was
warmly received and celebrated
by the women of the district who
organized the event and endorsed
by notable traditional rulers from
the area who were in attendance.
Many observers see this as a
bold statement of rejection of the
senator by her own kinsmen in
reaction to her recent political
misadventures.
Another action that signposts the
disapproval of her kinsmen for
Howard-Taylors recent actions
is the wholesale endorsement of
Jackson by the traditional rulers
in Fuamah district, another large
group in lower Bong. In giving
their endorsement, the monarchs
were simply emphasizing a
complete break of the ties that once
bound them to the senator. We
have lost faith in Senator Taylor,
said David Korsee, an elder in
Fuamah.
Another factor that has made
Jacksons route to the senate a fait
accompli is the unassailable logic
of districts-politics and its well-
known effectiveness as a tool for
political negotiation and harmony
in the county.
From this perspective, Jackson
looks every bit like a person whose
time has come. The people of Zota,
Sanoyea and Kpaii districts the
most populous districts in the
county have always felt short-
changed and shut out of serious
leadership roles in their districts
since its creation, 40 years ago.
Many political observers knew that
it was just a matter of time before
their silent grumbles began to take
the shape of a deafening roar.
So far too, Jackson seems to have
mastered the ropes in record time.
He has maintained a dignifed
presence in the bedlam that the
Bong senatorial race has been. His
speeches have shown the tact and
foresight of a great leader.
Of special note is his speech at
Lofa Park in Gbarnga last week
where he made calls that frmly
positioned him as an emerging
senator of the county. His followers
also claimed that his campaign
promises are not off-kilter like
those of some of his opponents
who have been promising to bring
heaven on earth.
At the same time, Jackson is
believed to have been consulting
widely and earning the confdence
of community leaders across the
length and breadth of the county.
His campaign tour of Sanoyea,
Salala, Fuamah and Jorquelleh
District #2 were massive carnivals
where residents in the four
administrative districts gave him
wide endorsements.
Marketers at the Lofa Park in
Gbarnga willfully shut their shops
to honor him while lovers of
culture brought out masquerades
to enliven his campaign outings in
the area.
In all, it is fair to say that the lines
have fallen onto Ranney Banama
Jackson in pleasant places. The
ex-Bong superintendent seemingly
has only himself to beat in October.


Bong County Senator Henry Yallah is poised to declare support
of Jackson, sources say.
Rep. George Sylvester Mulbah of the NPP, who last year declared support for incumbent Senator Taylor, has declared support
Jackson in the wake of the internal wrangling in the NPP.

Page 14 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
IN BRIEF
ADAMS DETENTION AND RELEASE
AGGRAVATE BOTH SIDES OF
NORTHERN IRISH DIVIDE
FEARSOME 'GOBLIN SHARK'
SIGHTED FOR ONLY 2ND
TIME IN GULF OF MEXICO
NEIGHBOR OF
PISTORIUS TESTIFIES
AT MURDER TRIAL
BELFAST (Reuters) -
T
he arrest of Irish
nationalist leader
Gerry Adams by
police investigating
a 1972 murder and his
subsequent release have
aggravated both the Catholic
and Protestant communities
in Northern Ireland, just
as the divisive "marching
season" begins.
So far the volleys of angry
rhetoric between committed
supporters of Adams's Sinn Fein
party and its pro-British rivals
haven't translated into violence
across Belfast's patchwork of
housing estates, which remain
divided on sectarian lines.
A
rare, deep-sea
"goblin shark"
caught by Florida
shrimp fshermen
is only the second of these
creatures ever seen in the
Gulf of Mexico, scientists
say.
The prehistoric-looking beast,
whose pink color and daggerlike
teeth earn the shark its name, is
usually seen in deep waters off the
coast of Japan.
On April 19, fsherman Carl Moore
and his crewmates were fshing
off the coast of Key West, Florida,
when they hauled up the 15-foot-
long (4.6 meters) shark with a
net full of shrimp from 2,000 feet
(610 m) of water. They hoisted the
animal up and threw it back into
the ocean. [On the Brink: Stunning
Photos of Wild Sharks]
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP)
A
man who lives
next to the house
where Oscar
Pistorius fatally
shot his girlfriend testifed
Tuesday at the athlete's
murder trial about the night
of the killing, saying he heard
a man crying loudly and that
he called the security of the
housing estate for help.
Michael Nhlengethwa was
a witness summoned by the
Olympian's defense team, which
contends that Pistorius killed
Reeva Steenkamp by mistake after
believing there was an intruder
in his home on Feb. 14, 2013.
The prosecution says Pistorius
intentionally killed Steenkamp
after the couple had an argument.



F
RONT
PAGE
WORLD NEWS
KIEV ORGANIZERS OF THE TERROR
DONETSK, Ukraine (AP)
U
kraine's Interior
Minister said
Tuesday that
30 pro-Russian
insurgents were killed during
operations to expunge anti-
government forces in and
near a city in the east, while
the Kiev authorities attempted
to reassert control over the
southern region of Odessa by
appointing a new governor
there.
Arsen Avakov said on his
Facebook page Tuesday that
four government troops also
died and 20 were injured during
fghting in Slovyansk.
Gunbattles took place at various
positions around the city
Monday in what has proven
the most ambitious government
effort to date to quell unrest in
the mainly Russian-speaking
east.
Avakov said Monday that pro-
Russia forces in Slovyansk, a
city of 125,000, were deploying
large-caliber weapons and
mortars in the region and there
were injured on both sides.
Government troops were facing
about 800 insurgents, he said.
In Donetsk, a major city
some 120 kilometers south
of Slovyansk, international
fights from the local airport
were suspended Tuesday. The
airport said on its website that
the cancellations followed a
government order.
Ukraine is facing its worst crisis
in decades as the polarized
nation of 46 million tries to
decide whether to look toward
Europe, as its western regions
want to do, or improve ties with
Russia, which is favored by the
NIGERIA GROUP THREATENS
TO SELL KIDNAPPED GIRLS
Ukraine says 30 pro-Russian insurgents killed
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)
N
igeria's Islamic
extremist leader is
threatening to sell the
nearly 300 teenage
schoolgirls abducted from a
school in the remote northeast
three weeks ago, in a new
videotape received Monday.
Abubakar Shekau for the
frst time also claimed
responsibility for the April 15
mass abduction, warning that
his group plans to attack more
schools and abduct more girls.
"I abducted your girls," said the
leader of Boko Haram, which
means "Western education is
sinful."
He described the girls as
"slaves" and said, "By
Allah, I will sell them in the
marketplace." The hourlong
video starts with fghters lifting
automatic rifes and shooting
in the air as they chant "Allahu
akbar!" or "God is great."
It was unclear if the video was
made before or after reports
emerged last week that some
of the girls have been forced to
marry their abductors who
paid a nominal bride price of
$12 and that others have
been carried into neighboring
Cameroon and Chad. Those
reports could not be verifed.
In the video, Shekau also
said the students "will remain
slaves with us." That appears a
reference to the ancient jihadi
custom of enslaving women
captured in a holy war, who
then can be used for sex.
"They are slaves and I will sell
them because I have the market
to sell them," he said, speaking
in the Hausa language of
northern Nigeria.
The video was reviewed by
The Associated Press, and both
the face and the voice of the
leader of Boko Haram were
recognizable.
Shekau brushed off warnings
that the abductions could be
an international crime, saying
in English, as if to reach his
accusers in the international
community: "What do you
know about human rights?
You're just claiming human
rights (abuses), but you don't
know what it is."
An intermediary who has
said Boko Haram is ready
to negotiate ransoms for the
girls also said two of the
girls have died of snakebite
and about 20 are ill. He said
Christians among the girls
have been forced to convert
to Islam. The man, an Islamic
scholar, spoke on condition of
anonymity because his position
is sensitive.
Nigeria's police have said more
than 300 girls were abducted.
Of that number, 276 remain in
captivity and 53 escaped.
The mass abduction and the
military's failure to rescue the
girls and young women have
ignited national outrage with
demonstrations in major cities.
Protesters accused President
Goodluck Jonathan of
insensitivity to the girls' plight.
An organizer of a
demonstration said Monday
that Jonathan's wife, Patience,
ordered the arrests of two
protest leaders, accused them
of belonging to Boko Haram
and expressed doubts there was
any kidnapping.
many Russian-speakers in the
east. Dozens of government
offces have been seized, either
by armed insurgents or anti-
government crowds, over the
past several weeks.
The central government
attempted to re-establish control
Tuesday over the predominantly
Russian-speaking Black Sea
region of Odessa, where 46
people died after fghting and
a fre broke out between pro-
Russian and pro-Ukrainian
forces late on Friday.
In a statement published on the
president's website, the Kiev
authorities announced they were
fring the acting governor and
replacing him with member of
parliament Ihor Palytsya. On
Saturday, the police chief of the
city was fred, mere hours after
he had called for calm.
While no reasons were given
for the latest change, the
interim Kiev government has
previously wielded its authority
to appoint regional governors
as a way of reasserting control
over rebellious regions in the
country's east. The concern that
Odessa could be the next region
to fall to pro-Russian forces
particularly after 67 people
detained in the Friday fghting
were released by the police
under pressure from an angry
crowd has sparked concern in
Kiev, which said it was sending
an elite national guard force to
the city on Monday.
The goals of the pro-Russian
insurgency are ostensibly
broader powers of autonomy for
the region, but some insurgents
do favor separatism.
Leaders of the anti-government
movement say they plan to hold
a referendum on autonomy
for eastern regions on May 11,
although visible preparations
for the vote have to date been
virtually negligible.
The Russian Foreign Ministry
has put the blame for the unrest
squarely on Kiev, which it says
"stubbornly continues to wage
war against the people of its
own country." The ministry has
urged what it called the "Kiev
organizers of the terror" to pull
back their troops from the east
and hold peaceful negotiations
to resolve the crisis.
Frontpage
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Page 15
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com
Sports
SPORT BRIEF
PAUL SCORES 32;
CLIPPERS ROLL PAST
THUNDER 122-105
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) --
C
hris Paul and
the Los Angeles
Clippers showed
what they can
do when their minds are on
basketball.
Paul made a career-high eight
3-pointers and scored 32 points to
help the Clippers beat theOklahoma
City Thunder 122-105 Monday
night in Game 1 of their Western
Conference semifnal.
The Clippers acknowledged that
the racial comments by owner
Donald Sterling that got him
permanently banned from the
league were a distraction during
their frst-round series against
Golden State. Once they put the
initial shock behind them, they
beat the Warriors and carried their
momentum into Game 1 against
the Thunder. Los Angeles shot 55
percent from the feld and made 15
of 29 3-point attempts.

JOSE MOURINHO INCLUDES
MESSAGE TO HIS SON IN FINAL
PROGRAM NOTES OF THE SEASON
O
ne of the
constants for
Chelsea this
season has been
Jose Mourinho's 14-year-
old-son, Jose Mario Jr.,
sitting behind his father at
every match. On several
occasions throughout the
season, Mourinho went
into the stands to celebrate
a particularly big goal or
win with his son perhaps
most notably during a match
against Southampton in
December when he described
Jose Jr. as "a little assistant."
In his fnal matchday program
notes of the season, Mourinho
included a special message to
his son that not only shows how
much he loves and appreciates
his family, but how he thinks of
Chelsea in similar terms. Ahead
of facing Norwich, Mourinho
wrote:
I know this space is to
communicate with you fans, but
one of you is my son. I want to
tell him thanks for being with me
every second of every match, a
few metres behind me, jumping
for every goal; hurt by every
diffcult moment. Thank you,
kid, for being my kid. Every time
I look at you, I see you, but I also
see your sister and your mum,
both at home but also playing
with us, both waiting for us to go
home and to be what we are - an
amazing family... like the blue
family, supporting each other.
It's a lovely message and it just
might be enough to melt the
hearts of any fans angry about
the club being on the verge of a
trophyless season. So, two birds-
one stone.

Can Liberia foot the bills of a foreign coach?
The rumor mill has been flled with
reports that the Liberia Football
Association (LFA) is in search of a
foreign coach as Liberia kicks-off its
2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)
qualifers with Lesotho on May 18 in
Monrovia and on June 1 in Maseru.
This is a marathon qualifers in
which Liberia will need the energy
and fnances to make it to only their
third Afcon fnals since Mali 2002.
If Liberia eliminates Lesotho over
two legs, they will face Kenya or
Comoros Islands on July 20 in
Monrovia and in Nairobi or Moroni
between August 1-3.
Seven groups of four teams, with
each playing three matches at
home and away respectively, were
also drawn-up on April 27 at Caf
headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
Liberia face the prospects of meeting
last years runners-up Burkina Faso,
Gabon and Angola in group C.
The matches will be played on
September 5, 6 and 10; October 10,
11 and 15 and November 14, 15 and
19.
The winners and runners-up from
the groups, the best third-placed
team and hosts Morocco will make-
up the 16 fnalists from January 17
to February 8 in Rabat, Marrakesh,
Agadir and Tangier while Casablanca
will serve as an alternative venue.
Coaches could face a defning
moment in recalling foreign-based
players if the schedules dont fall
within the international calendar
drawn-up by Fifa.
Liberia are yet to appoint a coach,
although there are two unconfrmed
reports.
One says Thomas Kojo, who was
part of the George Weah-led interim
arrangement, will be appointed for
the duration of the qualifers and
another speaks of Belgian coach Tom
Saintfet.
Saintfet, 41, has a wealth of
experience in Africa, having coached
at club and country level, including
Namibia (2008-2010), Zimbabwe
(2010), Ethiopia (2011), Young
African Sports Club (2012) and
Malawi (2013).
But can Liberia foot the bills of a
foreign coach? And what memories
have they left with Liberians in the
last decade?
Poor record today
Frenchman Philippe Redon is
arguably the most successful foreign
coach Liberia has had in the last
decade.
Recruited for the preliminaries of the
2002 World Cup qualifers in March
2000, Redon guided Liberia to a 1-0
win over Chad in NDjamena on
April 9 and a goalless draw on April
23 in Monrovia respectively.
But his month-long deal cost
US$50,000, according to then LFA
president Edwin Snowe (now a
Montserrado County representative).
Weah was subsequently named as
technical director in a triumvirate
with Dominic Vava George as head
coach and Frank Jericho Nagbe as
deputy coach.
And the trio successfully guided
Liberia to their second Afcon fnals
and a near-missed on the showdown
in Japan and South Korea largely due
to an indiscipline attitude in the run-
up to the penultimate tie with Ghana
in July 2001.
But with a dismal performance from
Kadala Kromah and Nagbe, in their
second stint respectively, fans and
pundits clamored for a foreign coach,
who could reinvent the winning
mentality.
And Egyptian coach Shawky
Hussein Mahmoud Shedad Eldin
came to Monrovia as the Special
One through a bilateral arrangement
between the two governments in
February 2006.
Under the arrangement, Liberia were
to provide a house with a 24-hour
electricity and running water and an
air-conditioned vehicle while Egypt
cater to his monthly wage.
But Mahmoud threw in the towel
four months later due to "poor
accommodation and facilities",
which were strongly refuted by
then deputy sports minister Marbue
Richards.
"The coach is simply inadaptable.
The situation here cannot be
compared to standard practices as we
are rebuilding from scratch. We have
tried to make coach Shawky feel at
home, but with the language barrier
it's always a problem getting across
to him," Marbue told then BBCs
Ledgerhood Rennie in May.
He also argued that the language
barrier was a key factor that
prompted Mahmouds departure.
"We prefer someone who speaks
good English and is adaptable. So
we have agreed in principle with
the Egyptian embassy here for him
to leave. The embassy is willing to
bring in a new [and] fexible coach
under the same arrangement."
But that was a diplomatic cover-up
because the Egyptians Congo Town
residence had a10-hour electricity
and running water came and went
like Christmas light.
An old Nissan pick-up, without air
condition, was assigned to the coach
to pile-up his frustration and all he
could have done, as a professional,
was to throw in the towel.
Didnt government know and or
demand that the coach should at
least be bilingual? Werent there
options to recruit a translator as
was the case with Jose Mourinho
under deceased Englishman Bobby
Robson at Sporting CP and FC Porto
in Portugal and Barcelona in Spain?
Mourinho also worked as a translator
to Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who
replaced Robson at Barcelona.
So did Egypt send a replacement
following Mahmouds departure in
keeping with the agreement? Hell no
has been the answer.
In February 2008, Liberia opened
another chapter with the controversial
selection of Antoine Hey after a six-
month search.
Hey was preferred to Italian coach
Roberto Landi, Brazilian Jose
Antonio Reyes and former national
team captain Joe Nagbe.
According to the sports ministry and
LFA, a foreign coach was needed to
actualize or perfect President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleafs dream of seeing
Liberia play at the 2010 World Cup
fnals in South Africa.
But the manner and style or form and
fashion in which Hey was selected
left many questions unanswered.
His selection was mainly tied around
Liberia-Germany relationship and
Kadala, part of the interviewing
panel, opted to be Heys deputy due
to the US$5,000 monthly wage.
Heys only experience was a six-
month stint in Gambia in 2007 and
a spell in charge of Lesotho (2004-
2006).
He coached German lower division
side Neumunster in the 2003/2004
season before moving to Africa.
And although Marbue Richards, who
was also part of the interviewing
panel, had told a news conference
that Hey had presented a plan of
action, including a comprehensive
list of Liberian players abroad, the
German couldnt fnd a replacement
FUN NEVER DIES
for captain Murphy Nagbe, who
broke his right leg in a 3-1 defeat
to Senegal in a 2010 World Cup
qualifer on June 21, 2008 in Dakar.
Hey regularly kept Oliver Makor
and Kelvin Sebwe (unarguably the
experienced pair of his selection)
on the bench at the expense of
youngsters Theo Weeks and Tonia
Tisdell, who his father, Jonny Hey,
would later take to Turkey.
So, the primary motive for felding
Weeks (then 18 years) and Tisdell
(then
16 years) was to present them
as exceptionally gifted lads to
their future employers rather than
achieving results for Liberia.
The frst warning sign that Hey
would probably be a fop was his
three-month advance salary demand
of US$30,000 before he touched the
grass at the Samuel Kanyon Doe
(SKD) sports complex.
His record of three draws and defeats
respectively left Liberia bottom of
group six with four goals scored
and 12 goals conceded with Algeria,
Gambia and Senegal in the rank of
frst, second and third.
Liberia beat Sudan 2-0 in their frst
ever-international friendly for more
than two years in March 2008 in
Khartoum.
Libya beat Liberia 4-2 in another
friendly worth US$40,000 in Tripoli
on May 27, 2008.
Other friendlies were the 0-1 defeat
to Oman in Muscat on April 24, 2008
and 3-1 win over Sierra Leone on
May 1, 2008 in Monrovia to climax
Heys tenure of jetting in and out of
the country for games.
Hungarian coach Bertalan Bicskei
was recruited in June 2010 as
a compromise candidate after a
competing interest ensued between
vice president Musa Shannon and
Bility.
Shannon wanted his friend Landi to
occupy the seat while Bility favored
Reyes and the panel had to opt for
Bicskei.
The Hungarian got his tenure
underway with a July 2010
Independence Day tournament at the
SKD.
Liberia beat Guinea 1-0 on July 23
and lost 0-1 to Ghana on July 25
respectively.
Bicskeis frst competitive match was
a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in a 2012
Afcon qualifer on September 5, 2010
in Monrovia before losing to Mali
2-1 on October 9, 2010 in Bamako
and beating Sierra Leone 3-1 in post-
match penalties in Monrovia in the
London 2012 Olympic qualifers
after a 2-2 aggregate in December
2010.
The unexplained circumstances
surrounding his sudden illness
in January 2011 and subsequent
departure to seek medical treatment
in his homeland created a vacuum,
which was fnally flled by Landi in
March.
His frst test was a 4-2 defeat to
Cape Verde in Praia on March 27.
Liberia then beat Cape Verde 1-0
on June 5 in Monrovia; lost 0-3 to
Zimbabwe on September 4 in Harare
and drew 2-2 with Mali on October
8 in Monrovia to compete a dreadful
Afcon campaign in 2011.
Under Landis watch in 2011, Liberia
drew 1-1 with Nigeria in an All
Africa Games qualifer in Monrovia
on April 15 before losing the return
leg 6-1 on April 30 in Benin City and
a goalless draw with Ivory Coast in
the return leg of the London 2012
qualifer in Monrovia on April 20.
And after repeating Heys tactics of
jetting in for a game and out after
said match, Landi was sacked on
February 17, 2012, just two days
after an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to
Nigeria at the Antoinette Tubman
Stadium.
President Sirleaf and then sports
minister Tornorlah Varpillah were
among the spectators who watched
the defeat with the Italian arriving
just two days to the match.
A tried and test Kaetu Smith and
crew may have done little or nothing
to restore the winning mentality
and all eyes look to be switched to
Saintfet.
Do Liberia really need a foreign
coach when the LFA still owes Landi
and Bicskei?
Bicskei, who diedon July 16, 2011
in Budapest, still has his luggage in
Monrovia.
The LFA wasnt represented at
his funeral in August and an LFA
delegation, made-up of Doris Sheba
Brown, Jallah D. Corvah and Henry
Flomo, to the 62nd Fifa ordinary
congress in Budapest in May 2012
neither took his luggage nor visited
his family.
It later emerged that his belongings
were left in Monrovia because the
delegation was in a hurry to not
miss their scheduled fight but all
this should serve as a warning to
expatriates desperate for a greener
pasture on the treatments that await
the Chosen One in Monrovia.
The LFA is in a dire fnancial crisis
and employees would have gone
four months without pay by close of
business on May 15 although Fifas
fnancial assistance program (FAP)
caters to the administrative cost of
running it.
The LFA operated a US$1.9 million
budget last year, which was only
passed at the 18th ordinary congress
at the Monrovia city hall in October.
With fnances hardly available and
or loosely spent, it will be a foolish
decision and a gamble to appoint
a foreign coach in with a marathon
qualifer about to start.
S
ac FC from Lofa
County have qualifed
for the Liberia Football
Association (LFA)
second division stage
from the 2013/2014
Liberia Football Association (LFA)
Third division playoff group a table.
Sac FC did so on Monday after
a 2-2 draw with Paye FC from
Rivercess County in their last game
of the best out of three played at the
Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS)
in Monrovia.
Sac FC last Saturday won 3-2
against Joy FC in the opening game
of the best out of three and drew 2-2
with Paye FC on Monday.
In Group (b), No Bad Day FC from
Montserrado County dumped Young
Professionals from Margibi County
4-1 in Sunday early kickoff and
Grand Cess from Grand Kru County
lost 5-3 to Mighty Dragon from
Bong County.
The second team that was to qualify
for the second division stage was to
come from the result of the match
between Mighty Dragon FC and No
Bad Day FC in group (b) on Tuesday
but that game ended in confusion
after the central referee David Kollie
awarded a penalty against No Bad
Day FC in the second half of the
match.
Gand Cess from Grand Kru County
walked away with free three points
after Young Professionals from
Margibi County failed to honor their
match in Tuesday early kickoff.
Sac FC will now wait for the result
between Mighty Dragon FC and
No Bad Day FC to name the two
fnalists for the grand fnale of the
third division championship.
Meanwhile, the Chief Referee
of the Liberia Football Referee
Association (LIFRA) Lamie
Kamara has told FrontPageAfrica
SAC FC QUALIFIES FOR SECOND DIVISION
that Central Referee David Kollie along with LFA legal
person Benedict Yarsiah all sustained serious injuries
after been attacked by fans of No Bad Day FC for the
penalty awarded to Mighty Dragon.
As I speak to you Yarsiah is seriously injured and he has
been rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment and were
going to report the matter to the LFA they will decide the
result and the fate of No Bad Day FC.
A. MACAULAY SOMBAI, SOMBAI121@GMAIL.COM




www.frontpageafricaonline.com
Sports
FrontPage
PRICE L$40 VOL 8 NO.589 WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014
Can Liberia foot the bills of a foreign coach?
FUN NEVER DIES
Spot News FrontPage
F
or over several years now, the media and other
civil society groupings have since kept the feet
of public offcials on fre, even going further
to private sector with deeper corrupt related
investigations in a bid to ensure transparency and
accountability in the Liberian society.
But right inside the house of the parent organization re-
sponsible for the defense of journalists in Liberia (Press
Union of Liberia) there is an alleged corruption scandal
that continues to raise eyebrows at every event hosted by
the union.
It all began years back under the leadership of Mr. George
Barpeen when Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
donated one hundred thousand (US$100,000.00) to the
Press Union of Liberia for the construction of a new head-
quarter.
Since the donation by the Liberia leader, a single construc-
tion work has not taken place at the proposed construction
site situated in Sinkor, Monrovia. Former PUL President
Peter Quaqua forwarded the matter to court for cancella-
tion of the contract between PUL a contractor, who should
have constructed the headquarters.
At programs marking the celebration of World Press Free-
dom Day, two Liberian journalists did not hide their dis-
satisfaction about what they termed as the delay by the
court to rule in the pending case. The journalists want the
current PUL administration to act now by campaigning for
the indictment of the former Press Union leadership which
will indicate the unions commitment to ensuring trans-
parency and accountability, citing that journalists cred-
ibility will continue to be at stake if the alleged corruption
scandal is not resolved.
According to broadcast journalist Eddie Harmon and J.
Edwood N. Dennis, the company that was contracted to
construct the PUL headquarters does not exist anymore,
pointing out that the unknown company has been renamed,
thus creating difficulties to trace the company
Whether the PUL will listen to the call of the two Liberian
journalists remain to be seen but Liberian President re-
minded Kamara Abdullai Kamaras leadership with these
few words on the day of their induction: We recognize
the role of the press in exposing corruption and reporting
it as government has opened the enabling environment to
exercise this freedom. However, we still look up to the
media to give us account for the US$100,000 given some-
times back to construct headquarters for the union.
WATCHDOG CREDIBILITY AT STAKE
Stephen D. Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.com 0776329124

JOURNALISTS WANT FORMER PUL OFFICIALS PROSECUTED FOR SIRLEAFS US$ 100 K GIFT