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CRIME WATCH Crime Watch
VOL 8 NO.637
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014
See PG 2 & 3
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, JULY8, 2014 L$90.00/US$1 L$91.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$91.00/US$1 L$92.00/US$1
L$92.00/US$1 L$91.00/US$1
MONDAY, JULY14, 2014
TUESDAY, JULY15, 2014
News Extra pg.9
Boy 26 stabbed to death
For Snitching on Thief
UNTIMELY
DEMISE:

NEW CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT
EJS LONG-AWAITED
MINI BOMB DROPS
IS THIS IT?
Konneh combines Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Former
Pro Temp Isaac Nyenabo is now an Ambassador, while ax falls at
Transport and Labor Ministries.
ARMED
ROBBERS
RESURGENCE
IN GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY,
3 DEAD IN TWO WEEKS

Page 2 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Monrovia-
T
he Monrovia Central Prison, the main prison facility in the
Capital, Monrovia has been known notoriously known as
a reluctant haven for prominent political prisoners. But it
is also the cell used for all inmates jailed for committing
heinous crimes as well as minor offenses.
In the absence of a holding facility, the prison has now become a
dumping ground for many accused and countless others awaiting
their day in court.
Over the years, the prison has suffered numerous overcrowdings and
jailbreaks as inmates struggle to get out of what can be described as
a living hell.
An investigation by FrontPageAfrica has gathered that inmates at the
Central Prison are dying in large numbers from diseases ranging from
HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, Cholera, Malaria and other diseases.
In 2014, according to investigation backed by prison statistics, fve
persons have died so far this year with an average of one inmate dying
monthly.
On February 9, inmate Quosee Naquoi, 26 died of bleeding gangrene
of Naval; on April 21, another inmate Anthony Browne died from
Stomach Ulcer and malnutrition while on May 14, Patrick Gargar
died from malnutrition anemia. Also on June 20, Augustine Kollie
died from suicide by hanging and on July 12, Joseph Kerkulah died
from Chronic liver disease.
In 2013, the prison recorded the death of more than 14 inmates
amongst them Amah Browne who died on November 18 from
protracted Illness, Sackie Danuwelleh also died from Cholera and
malnutrition.
The year 2012, also recorded seven deaths while in 2010, three deaths
were reported. The number of deaths has been increasing from one
year to another, an indication that the situation is deteriorating instead
of getting better.
Several other inmates died from illnesses ranging from asthmatic
attack, epilepsy, liver disease, anemia amongst other diseases.
Dying One by One
According to credible prison sources on Monday this week, a thin,
frail, 36 year old Liberian - Joseph Kerkula was vomiting behind the
clinic.
He told his fellow inmates I will not make it. Tell my mom and dad,
my friends I know I will not make it.
Another ill inmate said: Joseph Johnson Kerkula and I have been
seriously sick together for months in Monrovia Central Prison and
became friends. He told our other bone rack fellowship (we are all
chronically ill, very thin, and dying one by one) friends Tarpeh and
Preston he would not make it one more day.
The inmate said his colleague explained a dream he had about Preston
that his job was to anoint/bless the other prisoners in their block, and
as he is serving them his freedom will soon come.
No one knows long in advance when he/she will die, but many know
in their heart the very day of their death. Joseph knew he was going to
God. Patrick and Anthony also knew and told us. They had suffered
much abuse and neglect as prisoners. In a civilized country they
would have been released months earlier to seek treatment/comfort
as their conditions were diagnosed as terminal. Joseph was taken to
JFK Hospital but there was a small riot going on because a pregnant
woman had, it was claimed, died of Ebola virus and the staff refused
to release her body to the family, the inmate narrated.
Ebola Fear: JFK Shuns Inmate
The late inmate Kerkulah, is said to have died because when he was
rushed to the JFK hospital for medical attention, there was riot taking
place between hospital staffer and family of a dead pregnant woman
whom family claimed did not die from Ebola but gross negligence of
the JFK staff that killed her and they were trying to cover up by not
handing over the body for autopsy.
Accordingly, there was no medical staff available to pay attention to
Joseph as he was sent back to prison untreated. I heard many men
crying, sobbing, wailing out of control, screaming in grief, rage, and
desperation at two am last night. Joseph is dead. One of us is next,
one inmate told FrontPageAfrica.
From the staggering statistics concerning inmates deaths at the
Monrovia Central prison it raises fear that similar situation or even
worse might be taking place in other prison cells outside Monrovia.
The Monrovia prison is the most-known detention facility and with
such ugly record despite its location, the situation at other facilities like
Voinjama, Zwedru and others are all unknown and raises concerns for
an urgent need for the international spotlight to expose the extremely
high death rate of detainees at Monrovia Central Prison.
The prison is overcrowded as majority of the inmates have not been
to court or sentenced as many inmates suffer years of imprisonment
often ending in death having never been to court.
Adjudication of cases is slow and due process is not followed resulting
in wrongful deaths. Justice Ministry authorities do not release the
list of those detainees/inmates who have died while awaiting trial in
prison.
Red Cross Providing Care, but
Maude M. Somah, Director of Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry
of Justice told FPA Tuesday that Assistant Minister for Corrections
and rehabilitation at the Ministry is out of the country currently in the
United States while Mr. Edwin McGill, Director of Prisons is also in
Robertsports, Grand Cape County all on offcial duties.
Director Somah told FPA that Carter Center, the Red Cross and
other institutions have all been assisting the Ministry by providing
medication to inmates.
She said the Red Cross is providing water to the inmates while the
Carter Center is also helping with other medication. We have clinics
at the Central Prison, the Sanniquellie prison and other facilities and
inmates are treated there. Whenever the situation is serious, we take
them to nearby hospitals like JFK and others, said Director Somah.
The Director of Press and Public Affairs said she could not provide
detail statistics of the number of deaths at the Monrovia central prison.
Chief Justice, former SG admit prison nightmare
Former Solicitor General Wilkins Wright during the opening of the
August 2012 term of court admitted the congestion at the Monrovia
central prison, indicating that the Prison was built to host just 700
prisoners but said now the prison is overcrowded as the number had
at the time risen to 1,000 inmates.
The Former SG squarely blamed the overcrowdings at the prison on
magistrates whom he said keep the prisoners on the bench from the
morning hours without acquainting them with their rights and take
them to jail in the evening hours.
Nobody is causing our jail to be overcrowded, but these magistrates
who are sitting over there because they could settle some of these
small cases, but want to see people in jail said Former Solicitor
General Wright.
Former Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis before his departure also said
that the overcrowding of prison and prolonged detention without trial
was worrisome to the Judiciary and asked the Justice Ministry to
work toward addressing the issue.
Do you imagine that people stay in jail for up to a year or more when
you have to serve a month sentence for minor cases as required by
law, said Lewis.
Whatever measures are been taken by the Ministry of Justice to
remedy the nightmare at the Monrovia Central prison and other prison
facilities, the Liberian justice system is slow and the current situation
of inmates spending long time in jail is nowhere near end until cases
are fast-tracked.
A September 2011 Amnesty International Report on the MCP lamented
that some prison conditions in Liberia are so poor that they violate
basic human rights with inmates crowded into dirty cells without
adequate food, water or healthcare, Amnesty International said in a
new report released today. "Inmates can suffer permanent damage to
their physical and mental health as a result of their incarceration and
most haven't even been convicted of a crime they're simply waiting
for a trial date," said Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty International's
Deputy Director for Africa.

PRISON DEATHS BY THE NUMBERS
The list below obtained by FrontPageAfrica gives the names and
approximate ages, date of death and believed cause of death.
Name Sex age block cell Date of death reason for death
1) Joseph Kerkulah M 36 FA 2 July 12 2014 Chronic Liver disease
2) Augustine Kollie M 27 D 10 June 20 2014 suicide by hanging
3) Patrick Gargar M 41 FB May 14, 2014 TB AIDS Malnutrition
anemia
4) Anthony Browne M 51 FB 4 Apr 21 2014 Stomach Ulcer
malnutrition
5) Quosee Naquoi M 26 D 13 Feb 9 2014 Bleeding Gangrene of
Naval
6) Amah Browne M 31 FA Hall Nov 18 2013 Protracted Illness Maln/
Anem
7) Sackie Danuwelleh M 40 D 15 Nov 7 2013 Cholera malnutrition
8) Righteous Counsellor M 66 FB 8 Nov 6 2013 Protracted illness
Malnu/Anemi
9) Zawu B. Sumo M 65 FA Hall Oct 20 2013 Edema (swelling)
Malnutrition
10) Barlee Bah M 22 NB 2 Oct 10 2013 Asthmatic Attack
11) Junior Quoi M 46 MC Hall Oct 5 2013 Epilepsy, Hypertension
12) Mohammed Keita M 61 FA 5 Sept 11, 2013 Liver disease
malnutrition
13) Nyummah Tambah M 31 MC 11 July 7 2013 Cholera Anemia
14) Samuel Josiah M 64 FA Hall June 14 2013 Protracted Illness
Malnu/Anemi
15) Saah Tambah M 30 FA 6 June 7 2013 Hernia
16) Morris Konneh M 53 FA 4 June 3 2013 Hernia
17) Pa Sekpah M 60? FA Malnutrition/Anemia
18) Nagbe Togbey M 28 FA 10 April 2013 Protracted illness Malnu/
Anem
19) Zawou Flomo M 63 FA 7 Mar 21 2013 Anemia Heart Failure
Malnut.
20) Edward Monue M 51 FC 4 Feb 7 2013 Epilepsy Protracted illness
M/A
21) Amah Konneh M 32 FA 5 Dec 5 2012 malnutrition Anemia
22) Alvin Bumie M 33 FB Hall Oct 7 2012 TB Arthritis (was Hunch
Back)
23) Bobby Musa M 21 NB 12 Oct 5 2012 Protracted illness Malnu/
Anem
24) Harris Cephas M 61 FA 9 August 8 2012 Protracted illness Malnu/
Anem
25) Momo Massaquoi M 29 NB 14 Aug 14, 2013 Severe malaria
Cholera
26) Singbey Dhoo M 69 FE June 9 2012 Urinary Retention
27) Paul Mopolu M 31 E 4 June 7 2012 Malaria Dysentery
28) James Varney M 37 FB 5 May 19 2012 Liver Disease malnutrition
29) John Abolchu M 56 FA 2 May 2 2012 Kidney Failure
30) Lahai Swaray M 62 FB 4 March 11 2012 Edema Malnutrition
31) Momolu Snathelle M 28 MC 16 Feb 16 2012 Congestive Heart
Failure
32) Joseph Surkeita M 41 FE 6 Jan 12 2012 Ascetis
33) James Mopolu M 37 FE 9 Oct 11 2011 TB
34) Mohammed Konneh M 36 NB 13 Sept 18 2011 Anemia
Malnutrition Protracted
35) Bayah Sumo M 30 NB 4 June 8 2011 Hernia (Bilateral)
36) Morlue Sulonteh M 35 NB 12 June 6, 2011 Cholera/Dysentery
37) James Sumo M 36 NB 7 April 7 2011 Hernia
38) Amos Gayfor M 50 MC 15 March 2 2011 Oedema
39) Peter Kiazullu M 40 FE 6 Jan 5 2011 Appendicitis
40) Charles Thompson M 37 NB 7 Dec 6 2010 TB Peptic Ulcer
Malnutrition
41) Daniel Roberts M 66 FB Hall Oct 3 2010 Protracted illness
Malnu/Anem
42) Patrick Kiazulu M 60 NB 9 Sept 5 2010 Ulcer 43) Charles Thomas
M 32 MC 15 May 16 2010 TB Malnutrition Like
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 3
Ben Kolako, benkolako@yahoo.com, Contributing Writer
GHTING CORRUPTION:
WE MUST GET SERIOUS
FrontPage
Commentary
COMMENTARY
L
iberia is endowed with so much wealth. Resources
such as timber, iron ore, rubber, diamond and gold
have long been in abundance. The recent discovery of
oil is an impetus. These resources should serve as a
blessing to beneft the majority of the people. Instead, they have
turned out to be a curse. Majority of the citizenry continue to live
in miserable poverty.
Liberia is nearly 167 years old. It is Africas oldest independent,
but least developed nation. The country lacks far behind in just
almost everything. The war has exacerbated the situation. The
provision of electricity and water after the war is still a mystery.
Corruption now seems to be the overriding mission for public
service. The practice has permeated our nation and society so
much that it is now systemic. Fighting corruption appears to be
one of the most diffcult challenges facing this nation.
The Government of Liberia fulflled international prescription by
setting up the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to
investigate and prosecute acts of corruption in both the public and
private sectors as well as create awareness about its ills. But the
LACC can only succeed when there is political will and support
of the citizenry.
Though the Commission hasnt achieved much in keeping with
public expectations, it has made some gains amidst inadequate
budgetary support, governments continuous reluctance to
penalize offcials making false declaration of their income, assets
and liabilities, the gross interference of the Executive exonerating
some offcials accused of improprieties, delays in the prosecution
of corruption cases at the courts, and the unpatriotic behavior
of some citizens paid agents to discredit the good work of the
Commission.
Fighting corruption involves collective efforts, but the
government bears the greatest responsibility. There has to be
political will which is still mind-boggling. Public perception is
that government is not serious about the fght against corruption
and that its professed commitment is cosmetic. This may seem
myopic, but the government must get little more serious if we are
to succeed.
The Executives defense of the former Chairman of the Board
of Directors of the Liberia Airport Authority, Musa Bility, a
corruption indictee, is a bad omen.
The Executive demonstrated similar behavior when former
Finance Minister, Augustine Ngafuan was indicted in a General
Auditing Commission audit report of 2010. The LACC at the
time issued a strongly worded statement describing it as grossly
incompatible with Governments professed war on corruption as
public enemy number one. Such action undermines the work of
integrity institutions like the GAC and LACC, and renders them
irrelevant and weakens the fght against corruption.
It is only prudent that the Executive refrains from exonerating
offcials accused of improprieties in the discharge of their offcial
duties and responsibilities. Rather, such offcials should be
suspended and given their day in court.
Section 10.4 of the Administrative Code of Conduct for members
of the Executive Branch of government prescribes punishment
such as summary dismissal for political appointees and
suspension for non political appointees whose declarations are
found to be false upon verifcation. The LACC has submitted two
reports on the verifcation exercise to the Executive, indicting
some public offcials for false declaration perjury. Actions are
yet to be taken. Are we really serious?
Instead, these corruption perpetrators resulted to hiring elements
within the media and civil society to discredit and erode public
confdence in the work of the Commission. As you fght
corruption, corruption fghts back.
The reaction of legislators to the asset declaration regime is
disappointing. They have outrightly and dreadfully refused
to submit to the process. This attitude was also exhibited by
the judiciary until in recent times when the Executive made it
mandatory in letters of appointment of judicial offcials.
The process of prosecution is tedious and challenging. The
docket of Criminal Court C which deals with theft and related
offenses is overcrowded. This is why the Commission continues
to advocate for the establishment of a Fast Track Court to assist
with the speedy adjudication of corruption cases.
The prolonged delay of cases on appeal at the Supreme Court
is also worrisome. Since 2010, the case involving the former
Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Albert
Bropleh still lingers at the Supreme. The case of former Police
Director, Beatrice Munah Sieh Browne and others continues to
hang on at the Supreme Court since 2012. Why?
The rate of corruption is alarming. Transparency Internationals
Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 ranked Liberia at 83 out of
177 Countries. The ranking gave Liberia a score of 38% of 100%.
The index ranked 177 countries/territories by their perceived
levels of public sector corruption.
The former leadership of Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison did its
best considering the challenges it faced. That leadership made
the Commission functional and successfully prosecuted two
major cases at the circuit courts. The LACC was frmed on its
opposition to some pronouncements by the Executive and was at
times denounced by some offcials within the Executive.
The LACC now has a new leadership headed by a renowned
human rights activist and lawyer, Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. This
leadership is sensitive to the expectations of the Liberian people.
It has embarked on the process of re-orientating and rebranding
the Commission for which Liberians will appreciate and be proud
of its work. Lets welcome and give them a chance.
v
EDITORIAL
v
BY THE TIME YOU read this, at least 100
persons would have died from the deadly Ebola
outbreak in Liberia.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH and Social
Welfare reported Tuesday that at least thirteen
people died of Ebola in the country this week,
bringing the death toll to 94. Suspected cases
increased from 143 to 163 in the past seven days,
said Tolbert Nyenswah, Asst. Minister of Health
for Preventive services: Family Planning.
THE NEW NUMBERS come just days after the
World Health Organization reported decline in
the deaths in Guinea and a surge in Liberia and
Sierra Leone.
THE WHO IS reporting more than 850 Ebola
cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone,
calling the outbreak "a major regional threat,
unprecedented in duration and in scale."
EBOLA, WHICH CAUSES massive
haemorrhages and has a fatality rate of 90%, is
one of the most contagious and terrifying viral
diseases. It is transmitted through blood and
other body fuids.
AS STARTLING as these numbers are, it is even
more troubling that health authorities are still
taking things for granted, nurses at hospitals
continue to linger in a state of uncertainty over
the lack of protective gears and the slow response
time of the Ebola Response team.
WE CONTINUE to receive cases from families
and medical practitioners who say that the
government and the Ministry of Health is not
doing enough or doing very little to curb the
outbreak from spreading beyond the reaches and
control of authorities still unsure how to deal
with an outbreak wreaking havoc throughout the
length and breadth of Liberia.
WHAT IS EVEN MORE troubling is the fact
that international stakeholders are doing a lot to
ensure that the disease is contained and that the
death toll remains low. However, the lack of a
proactive machinery of containment remains a
major impediment to keeping the outbreak from
spreading beyond the bounds of the Liberian
people
WHILE WE WELCOME a recent decision by the
lower house who endorsed that funds earmarked
for the Independence Day Celebration be directed
to help fght the spread of the Ebola virus and
the decision of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
to declare that those hiding Ebola patients would
be prosecuted, these decisions are political and
at best, good sound bites for the media and
aimed at giving the government a good face, to
EBOLA IN LIBERIA
100 DEATHS
WITHIN REACH
show the world that they are trying to contain the
outbreak.
WE STRONGLY BELIEVE that government
needs to do more than the sound bites. All efforts
must be made to bolster the Ebola response
team, to improve the pick-up time for responders
responsible for disposing bodies and ensure
that serious Ebola cases are not mixed with less
serious ones.
THERE HAVE BEEN a lot of reports of people
surviving Ebola in next-door Sierra Leone and
even parts of Liberia. Those numbers could be
more if authorities make the Cholera Unit a bit
more decent for those recovering or being treated
for Ebola.
IT MUST NOT be a place where those suspected
of the deadly Ebola are sentenced to die. Those
are our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers;
those are our friends, loved ones and caregivers.
We must not leave them to die from neglect but
do all we can to contain and save each and every
life if we can.
Ebola is incurable but we can contain it, with
the right response and the right attitude because
tomorrow, it could be anyone of us.
IT MAY BE TIME TO HIT THE PANIC BUTTON
Page 4 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
AWAKENING THE GENIE
OF NATIONALISM
OPTIMISTIC ABOUT
THINGS IN LIBERIA
FrontPage
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DITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
The Reader's Page
SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER
The Liberian people paid the price for their poor judgment
in electing a do - nothing Legislature, so nobody should be
surprised that they want new leadership. Politics is a quid pro quo
relationship: constituents in a democracy vote for someone in order
to receive through his/her representation the developmental aid and
other assistances their areas need from the government.
It is a transactional affair; you elect someone, and expect that
person to get things done for the community. And frankly Robert
Sirleaf has demonstrated that he has the empathy and compassion
to get things done for the communities in the county. He wasnt
compelled to get involved in the various projects he initiated and
completed in various neighborhoods.
If the enthusiastic crowds he is drawing anything to go by, the race
for Monsterrado County between him and Ambassador George
Weah would be a tug - of - war. And thats great for the county,
our people deserve to have caring, capable and credible legislators,
and we believe either of those two gentlemen would perform a
wonderful job; the people will decide with their votes.
CHARLES SAYWON TOP COMMENTER WEST
AFRICA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
What are we thinking when we try to petition people for public
service. Have we done our home work properly before coming up
with such a crirical decision that will either spoil or be good for our
nation. Or, are we carried away by just receiving little things from
their pockets as bits to blind oue eyes. My fellow Liberians, let
us think twice before taking such decision. If we want to petition
someone for any public offce, we should take a clear look at
other countries' examples. For example, Ngeria, if a man should
be petitioned for any public offce, that person must have done
something very rewarding for the people in general not just a few
handfull and you turned that as development for that locality. What
is football pitch for which you are selling your own birthright.
Can't you think through the Holy Book, the Bible, what happened
between Esau and Jacob. I don't need to go far you know the rest of
the story. Please, let all of us as Liberians put Liberia frst and not
just a little thing that will go away sooner or latter. May the Lord
Jesus saves our nation from the hands of the wicked ones!!
PLEEBOCOLLINS25 (SIGNED IN USING YAHOO)
Liberians are so desperate for leadership and for simple basic needs
that they will turn to their oppressors for help. Liberians are a
laughable people and hypocritical too. This Robert must be having
delusions of grandeur and think that we want him. Lliberians just
want to eat and if he will buy them food , they will vote for him.
Don't confuse that with love or confdence in Robert Sirleaf.
OBEDIAH WEAHWEAH CUTTINGTON GRADUATE
SCHOOL
This is democracy, we need to respect everyone opinions and
decisions. I think our constitution give the right to everyone
who meet the requirement to via for any public offce. I support
Mr.Sirleaf senatorial bid!
ROB SIRLEAFS COMPLEX QUEST TO BECOME MONT.
COUNTY SENATOR
PHIL GEORGE TOP COMMENTER UMASS LOWELL
This story is very intriguing. Robert Sirleaf is not the UP candidate
but he may run as a independent candidate? Wouldn't this weaken
his mother's party (UP) chance of taking the seat? This brings
to mind some interesting questions. If he wanted to run for the
seat, why didn't he compete in the UP primary and become its
candidate? Did the party think that he stands a poor chance of
winning the seat in the general election, so they decided to go with
another candidate? Anyways my thought is that because President
Sirleaf is very unpopular in the country right now for political and
economic reasons, a UP candidate stands a very poor chance of
wining the seat no matter who it is. Also if Robert Sirleaf runs he
will loose because the entire Sirleaf family is unpopular on account
of President Sirleaf's dismal leadership.
MAXWELL HOOKS STRAYER COLLEGE
Are these guys "nuts", petitioning Robert Sirleaf for a senatorial
bid irrespective of his mother's inability to govern with glaring
evidence of poverty in every quarter of Liberia? When will
Liberians learn to face reality and stop this hunger-driven politics...
look a man in the face and say, NO, IT's Enough? You sit in your
little corners and quarrel, grumble about ills, corruption, Ellen
failure to improve your lives, Robert Sirleaf extortion of NOCAL's
millions yet you petition the man to be your senator. Will he make
any difference than his mother? WOW Liberians!! I thought we
were, by now have been politically reawaken....hehehehehehe!!!!
The Editor,
I
was so enthralled and full of admiration when I read a statement
by the Honorable Augustine Ngafuan at the Symposium on the
Review of Liberias National Symbols. Minister Ngafuan, in his
characteristic poetic style, accentuated the necessity of correcting
longstanding wrongs, rekindling our Liberian nationalism, defning
the New Liberian, and laying the foundation for building a national
consciousness.
In that statement Minister Ngafuan awoke the genie of nationalism,
and I hope we Liberians will amalgamate our efforts and thoughts and
resources to support this genie to full maturity. He said among inter alia
I dont feel good that even our national fag does not testify to national
creativity. It makes us appear like copycats. How true! Minister
Ngafuan could not have said it any better. We are indeed copycats. Look
at our national fag. Think about the names of our cities and settlements
such as New Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, Monrovia, etc. Think about
our National Pledge. These national attributes are all reminiscent of the
days when Liberias founders were living in slavery. And just as the
slave is not original and independent in his thought, so the founders of
this country were not original and independent in their thoughts. They
were not creative. They replicated in Liberia everything they had been
accustomed to the dress code, home makeup, mannerisms, and most
unfortunately the slave mentality!
We must rally the progressive forces of our nation to bring about a
renewed nationalism and national identity that will be refected in our
national pledge, our fag, our motto, our national titles and brooches,
mannerisms and culture.
Let me conclude by saying Magnum Opus (Great Work) to Minister
Augustine Ngafuan, Dr. Elwood Dunn and others leading this national
effort to review our national symbols. Hope will spring eternal someday,
and I know that the time is coming when all Liberians will say Here are
the ties that bind us all.
With the fullest measure of Liberian nationalism,
Alston C. Armah
YMCA of Liberia
Monrovia, Liberia
The Editor,
T
he growth of any society depends on her people abilities to fnd a
way forward through their opposition and proposition. However I
am optimistic that things can get better. For example, For Liberia
soccer to advance and to have a team in future World Cup or
Olympic games, one person or one government can't do it alone.
It will be an honest, willful and truthful effort, time, resources by every
Liberian. For example, if 50,000 thousands Liberians living in America can
donate $US100 a year...thats $US5 million. If three million Liberians living
in Liberia can donate $US1 dollar each...thats $US3 million. So within in
one year, when you add it up...youre talking about $US8 million.
With that kind of money, We all can produce Decent Student Athlete while
creating many jobs for people who will work for those student athletes such
as coaches, Teachers, tutors, cooks, cleaners, electrician, plumbers, grass
cutter, farmers, drivers...etc. The future belongs to us all...and if we all work
together, put our differences aside and be honest, truthful and willing to do
what is right, we all will win the future for Liberia and the Liberian people.
WE HAVE to be willing to contribute to a better Liberia. Countries like
Brazil and Holland and Argentina might not win the world cup, but I bet
that there is a willingness for them to start putting "Pekin them together"
I'VE TO THINK: ROB SIRLEAF SENATE
BID DECISION IN GODS HANDS
with a very strong support system in place that they are looking at those
players right now who will represent Brazil , Argentina, or Holland in the
next twelve years.
IT TAKES WILLINGNESS to eliminate family division, friendship division
and trust issues with government offcials...so that we all can have a better
Liberia. It is in our hand to choose and to do what is Right. .....
Wes Smith
Waldors@yahoo.com
PLEASE HELP "KICK OUT EBOLA"
FROM LIBERIA - THIS DEADLY VIRUS
IS KILLING OUR PEOPLE
Greetings!
W
e are pleased to present our compliments, and in the same
token, introduce our organization and inform you of a
movement to assist in the fght against Ebola in Liberia.
Our organization, Liberian Emergency and Disaster Relief
Fund (LEADER Fund) is a 501(c)(3) non-proft tax exempt organization
registered in the state of Maryland, United States of America in August
2008. The mission of the organization is to assist Liberians who are primarily
affected by disasters and emergency situations. Spearheaded by LEADER
Fund, a group of concerned Liberians in Diaspora have emerged to offer
assistance in the response efforts to fght the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia.
We have established a movement named Diaspora Liberians Ebola Crisis
Response Campaign (DLECRC). The sole purpose of DLECRC is to partner
with the Government of the Republic of Liberia and other organizations to
augment the response to Ebola in Liberia. DLECRC has selected key areas
of concentration in the fght against Ebola and is actively exerting efforts to
achieve the below goals:
1. Social mobilization: Health communication messaging that addresses
denial, fear, and lack of knowledge about Ebola among healthcare workers
and in the general population.
2. Suffciency of Medical supplies and other items such as Personal
Protection Equipment, stethoscopes, beddings etc.
3. Aid to Victims of Ebola who have to be quarantined for 21 days.
4. Addressing the psychological effect of Ebola.
In late March 2014, the Ebola virus was confrmed in Liberia. There were
few confrmed cases and deaths. More recently, the re-emergence of the
Ebola virus is causing major havoc in Liberia. On July 10th, 2014, the
government of Liberia reported (http://www.mohsw.gov.lr/content_display.
php?press_id=79&sub=press_release) 81 total deaths including 38 deaths of
64 confrmed cases. Since this new outbreak, between the period May 29th
to July 3rd 2014, there have been 133 confrmed, probable, suspected cases
reported in Liberia.
With an already overburdened healthcare system and the onslaught of Ebola,
our people are in desperate need of single-use personal protection equipment
(PPE), gloves (industrial and latex), boots, disinfectants/bleach solutions
(chlorox, sprays, etc.), secure burial material, thermometers, stethoscopes,
bedpans, waste (chamber) buckets, beddings, nets, mattresses, surgical
& exam room supplies, syringes & needles, textiles (drape, pillow, cases,
sheet, towel, under pads, & briefs), beds, plastic sheets cover for beds, big
buckets/containers, disposal bins, regular soap, sanitizers, sanitizing soap,
wound care supplies, tapes, bandages, disposable eating utensils, etc. Many
of the health workers are getting infected. Providing them with necessary
equipment is crucial for infection control.
Please join the Liberian Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund and the
Diaspora Liberians Ebola Crisis Response Campaign in the fght to KICK
OUT EBOLA from Liberia. To donate to this campaign, please follow this
link http://leaderf.org/Donate.html. For more info on Ebola, please visit
our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kickebolaoutofiberia?ref_
type=bookmark. If you would like to directly contact us, we can be reached
at:
1. Isaac Vah Tukpah, Jr.: itukpah@leaderf.org / 301-655-5984; or
2. Yeatoe McIntosh : yeatoemcintosh@leaderf.org / 804-307-7694.
Please share the email as widely as possible.
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards,
DLECRC MEDIA TEAM
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 5
Mae Azango azama20062007@yahoo.com
US UNLIKELY TO VALIDATE WEAH, SIRLEAF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP SAGA
CITIZEN PLAY
Monrovia -
I
n the wake of a recent
wave of speculations
surrounding the U.S.
citizens looking to
contest the Mid Term elections
in Liberia, the U.S. Embassy
in Monrovia has ruled out
revealing the status of any
suspected American contesting
in the upcoming elections.
Sally Hodgson, Public
Affairs Offcer, at the U.S.
Embassy in Monrovia when
contacted by FrontPageAfrica
for verifcation in the latest
controversy involving football
legend George Weah said:
As a matter of law and
policy, we do not comment on
citizenship or residency status
of individuals.
Ironically, the United States
does not recognize dual
citizenship and discourages
Americans from acquiring it.
The State Department warns
about potential "problems,"
mostly the diffculties
diplomats might have assisting
a dual citizen in trouble
abroad. One reason is that
more countries now allow
their emigrants to retain their
original citizenship when they
become American citizens.
Nearly 20 million immigrants
in the USA were naturalized
from 1907 to 2003, the most
recent year for which statistics
are available. Theoretically,
the majority of those people
retained their original
citizenship, even if they didn't
want it or use it.
Weah who is due in Monrovia
Wednesday has been urged by
one of his rivals, Benjamin
Sanvee, from the opposition
Liberty Party to address the
issue.
Benjamin Sanvee told
FrontPageAfrica this week:
Our laws are very clear when
it comes to nationalities of
other countries seeking elected
offce. It is illegal. I too have
seen the document that is
alleged to be the US passport
of Amb. George Weah. At this
point, I will hope that everyone
seeking elected offce in
Liberia will be in full
compliance of our laws.
Im waiting for an offcial
response from Amb. Weah on
this issue either confrming or
denying the authenticity of this
document, then I will be in a
position of strength to take a
defnite and solid position on
this issue. But I will go further
and say that if it is indeed true
that
Amb. Weah is a US citizen; I
expect that he will do what is
right and honorable by obeying
and respecting the laws of
Liberia.
During the course of the 2005
President elections in Liberia,
the USA Today ran a suggesting
that one of three candidates
contesting those elections was
an American citizen.
While the citizenship of
the candidate subject of the
USA Today report was never
revealed, the issue is once
again generating traction in the
wake of two recent revelations
dogging the Montserrado
County Senatorial race with
both Weah and Sirlreaf in the
spotlight.
The June 6 2005 report in the
USA Today reported that a
Liberian living in the Northern
Virginia area was a citizen
of the U.S. contesting the
presidency in Liberia.
At the time, it was reported that
three candidates: Sirleaf, Morlu
and Brumskine at the time had
residency listed under their
names in the Northern Virginia
area mentioned in the original
USA Today story. Sirleaf had a
residence at 6056 Estates Drive
in Alexandria, Virginia while
Brumskine had a home listed
in his name at 6024 Katelyn
Court, Alexandria, Virginia
22310. John Morlu said at the
time that he sold his home in
Falls Church Virginia, but has
lived at 5597 Seminary Road,
Falls Church Virginia, 22041.
John Morlu purchased a home
in Atlanta, Georgia where his
family currently resides.
The Sirleaf campaign at
the time, dismissed the
insinuations: "It is unfortunate
that people want to play politics
with the future of Liberia. Mrs.
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is not
and has never been a citizen of
the United States of America."
The Morlu campaign at the
time provided a copy of
Morlus United States green
card which he had received
in 2002 through his son who
serves in the U.S. Army.
The Brumskine campaign at the
time acknowledged that their
candidate did have a Green
Card but turned it over to the
United States Embassy upon
his return to Liberia in 2002.
Morlu himself underwent
rigorous probe by the NEC
before he was eventually
cleared to stand as a candidate
in the race.
Brumskines campaign at
the time explained that Mr.
Brumskine travels with a
United States visa in his
passport. Interestingly, the
party went on to explain that
Brumskine was accused in
2003 by the government of
Mr. Charles Taylor of being
an American citizen. But that
the United States Embassy
in Monrovia issued a press
statement that he is not a citizen
of the United States, according
to the Brumskine campaign.
It is unclear how the National
Elections Commission will
address the issue but NECs
spokesman Joey Kennedy told
FrontPageAfrica this week
that the elections commission
has not received any formal
complaint regarding foreigners
contesting the Mid Term
elections.
As a matter of law and policy, we do not comment on citizenship or residency status of
individuals. - Sally Hodgson, Public Affairs Offcer, U.S. Embassy in Monrovia



Monrovia-
R
esidents of Carey
Street woke up
to shock and
bewilderment
Tuesday morning when a
Twenty-six-year-old man known
as Mohammed or Alieu Fawaz
was stabbed to death by his
24-year-old friend, Emmanuel
Pailey.
The mother of the dead man
wailed in disbelief to the news
of her sons death and could not
stop weeping.
Alieu, so you mean I suffer for
nothing and you leave me with
tears in my eyes after 25 years?
F
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PAGE
CRIME WATCH
Wept the victims mother, Mary
Sengbe.
Sengbe who sat with her hands
under her chin and eyes swollen
from long hours of weeping
fainted several times when
she arrived on the scene, after
hearing news of her sons death.
The grieving mother said, her
son was born in 1988 and he
was her frst child of her three
children.
They called me and told me that
my son was sick, not knowing
they fnish stabbing him with a
screw driver, said the anguished
mother.
The incident occurred around
2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning,
outside of the victims house,
but by seven 7:00 a.m. the
entire street was jammed pack
with onlookers who blocked the
driveway.
An eyewitness only identifed
as Junior who arrived on the
scene after the incident, told
FrontPageAfrica that the
deceased who was an electrician.
He was called to check his power
UNTIMELY DEMISE:
Boy 26 stabbed to death For Snitching on Thief
line, by 2.a.m. because the
electrical breaker had tripped,
but when he got outside, he
(Aleiu) met Pailey and a quarrel
erupted and he knocked Alieu to
the ground. The fought and the
alleged murderer took Alieus
screwdriver from him and
stabbed him in the chest several
times.
The eyewitness said even after
Alieu got up to run, Pailey ran
after him and stabbed him in the
back and when Alieu dropped to
the ground, Pailey stabbed him
four times in his chest.
When I got on the scene, I met
Emmanuel Pailey standing over
Alieu with a bloody screwdriver
in his hand, watching him choke
on his own blood, said the
eyewitness.
Pailey stood without any sense
of remorse and he held the
screwdriver and watched Ali
vomit with blood. He did not
even run when the police came
to arrest him, but said it wont
be long before he is freed from
police custody.
Another female eyewitness who
begged not to be named, said she
was in her room when she heard
the noise, but when she came
outside, Alieu was already lying
in a pool of blood.
That boy killed Alieu for
nothing because of grudge that
involved a stolen computer,
said the eyewitness.
Alieu can also fx computers,
so because of this, someone
pointed Alieu out to the police,
but Alieu told the police it was
not him who took the computer.
But fshed Pailey out because he
had seen him with the computer.
So Pailey said he was going to
deal with Alieu.
Some onlookers remarked that
it was not Paileys frst time
involved in killing. Pailey
is always killing, because his
mother is in the US, and she
sends money to free him from
jail whenever it happens, said a
resident of the area.
This is not his frst time
killing someone, he stepped
his pregnant girlfriend in the
stomach two years ago and she
died when she was taken to the
hospital. He also stabbed one
of his friends around the same
time and when he was taken to
West Point court, his mother sent
plenty money to free him.
Police spokesperson Sam Collins
speaking to FrontPageAfrica
Tuesday said the suspect was
arrested and is presently in police
custody pending investigation.
The victims body is currently
awaiting a government autopsy.

Page 6 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
F
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PAGE
EDUCATION F
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PAGE
NEWS EXTRA
Henry karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com
Monrovia-
V
ice President
Joseph Boakai
has announced
collaboration
between F-SHAM of Faith
School for Girls, The
Foundation for Women and
EDIFY, an Education partner
in Liberia that has resulted a
transformed F-SHAM into a
Technology school for girls in
Liberia.
The technology school is the
frst of its kind with low-fee
independent school for girls in
Liberia.
A statement from the Offce
of the Vice President quotes
the Chief Executive Offcer
and Founder of the Foundation
for Women Madam Deborah
Lindholm as saying that the
transformation of F-SHAM
includes the refurbishment
of the physical structure
and interior courtyard with
additions that includes two
state of the art computer labs.
She also disclosed that a solar
system to provide power for
these labs and other needs for
the school that will eliminate
the expensive regular use of
a generator would shortly be
provided.
Lindholm said: Accordingly,
the high technology upgrade
include the latest technology
computers with high speed
internet, video connection
possibilities worldwide, access
to global software and teaching
support, and the transformation
of the schools accounting
system and practices.
Moreover according to
Madam Lindholm, the Lab will
beneft students of F-SHAM,
the teaching and administrative
staff and the community, as
the computer labs will be
accessible outside of school
hours to the surrounding
community.
She said, F-SHAM was chosen
for this special project due
IMPROVING GIRLS EDUCATION
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

EDIFY, FFW provides modern computer labs for F-SHAM
CLLR. JALLAH TELLS SCHOOL
OF FAITH GRADUATES
to their history of academic
excellence of their committed
founders and staff, and their
willingness to grow beyond the
present reality of education in
Liberia, particularly for girls.
The FFW is a registered NGO
operating in Liberia since 2007
providing microfnance support
to more than 10,000 women in
more than 250 communities
in 14 counties and has also
provided microfnance support
to 15 low fee independent
school operators to enhance
education in Liberia, a VPO
release concluded.
According to Madam Lindholm
the two labs are unique in a
way that EDIFY the group
funding the project through
FFW purchased a special kind
of software (Smile) that makes
teaching and learning easy for
students and teachers at all
levels.
SMILE technology according
to her was purchased from
the Stanford University in the
United States, which gives
students access to all the
educational materials without
Internet access.
Also speaking at the program
US ambassador to Liberia
Deborah Malac commended
FFW for the support to the
countrys education sector
with specifc reference to girls
education, which according to
her is cardinal to the growth
and development of Liberia.
The Liberia education Master
plan in 1999 reported that
Africa has about 57.65% male
and 42.38% female students.
Of this data, Liberia could not
boast of ratio of 5 to 3 School
going girls to that of boys.
The dropout rate for girls is
very high. Most girls end up
in the streets of Liberia with
nothing to do and thereby
forced into early marriage.
It is against this background
that the need for the
establishment of an institution
like F-SHAM OF FAITH
GIRLS ACADEMY became
necessary. F-SHAM offers
basic educational program
for Girls, which provides the
foundation for continuous
and lifelong learning for
sustenance.
The institution is the frst of
its kind in the country it was
established in 2000 on April
19, by fve prominent Liberian
Women who saw the need
for such venture during the
post war period of national
reconstruction.
The idea of establishing
F-SHAM according to the
Principal started, when Sarah
Kokulo Taylor (Mrs.) (the
proprietress and a founding
member) was in the service of
her church school, St. Peters
Lutheran High School.
As a principal Sarah had some
administrative problems with
the Parish Council for refusing
to provide the needs of the
students.
This frustration led her to one
of the Board members, Mrs.
Mildred P. George to tell her
of her intention to resign as a
principal of St. Peters Lutheran
high school.

BE AMBASSADORS
OF UNITY
Monrovia- A

prominent son of Lofa County and a lead candidate for the
upcoming mid-term election in Lofa County has called on
the students and young people of the county to serve as
devoted ambassadors of peace, unity and equality as long
as they live in the Liberian society.
Serving recently as keynote speaker at commencement
exercise of the School of Faith High School in Kolba City,
Kolahun District, Lofa County, Cllr Joseph Jallah encouraged
the graduates to bring strong commitment and join forces with
those who have the credentials and would do anything to see a
united community and society.
Said Cllr. Jallah: Peace and unity is very cardinal to the
growth and development of Lofa County. You must serve as
ambassadors for peace, unity and equality so that the next
generation can emulate your good example. Lofa cannot be
developed if we are divided. You must uphold the peace we are
enjoying if you want to see a better Liberia for you and your
unborn children.
Speaking on the theme: unity and peace through religious
tolerance as a tool to national reconciliation, Cllr. Jallah
reminded the young graduates to see their graduation from high
school as a starting point and urged them to remain steadfast in
the pursuit of higher education.
Continued Jallah: Leaving from high school especially
these days come with some inherent opportunities as well as
challenges. Some of you may fnd jobs and start working while
others may seek direct opportunities for college education.
There are those who might get job and further their education
to a higher level. However, there are those who unfortunately
might not get to either level, I urge you to remain focused
amidst all the challenges that may come your way.
The Lofa County senatorial aspirant noted that with unity,
Lofans can work together to achieve a common goal. Love
and respect will then breed tolerance and of course where
love and tolerance exist, stakeholders can fnd it very easy to
work on last reconciliation; thereby ensuring development and
prosperity, he said.
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 7
F
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PAGE
COUNTY NEWS
Gbarnga, Bong County -
I
n recent times, there has
been a resurgence of
armed robbery attacks
in Gbarnga. In the last
two weeks, robbery incidents
in the centrally located city
have become an everyday
occurrence and many Bongese
(citizens of Bong County) now
lie awake all night, unable to
rest due to anxiety.
Everywhere one goes in
Gbarnga these days, someone
has a tale of woe, especially
of armed robbery attacks.
After a period, during which
the leadership of Bong County
waged a tireless war against
violent crimes in the county
through the Bong County
police detachment, armed
robbers are here again, leaving
anguish and sorrow in their
wake.
The resurgence of the armed
robbers comes less than fve
months after the Government
of Liberia dedicated the
Gbarnga Regional Hub to
help combat crime. The police
took the fght to the robbers.
They fought them in banks
and other fnancial institutions
in the county and succeeded
in repelling the robbers, who
vacated the county for a while.
The robbers have now changed
their mode of operation and
are raiding houses across the
metropolis with impunity and
smiling home with their loot.
Robbers now target and raid
residential houses, and snatch
cars at will. They raid homes
and leave tears and sorrow
behind. In most cases, before
the police get to the scene,
they are already gone with
their loot, which include cash,
cell phones, cars and jewellery
among others.
Two days ago, around 11.00
p.m. at Phebe parking, robbers
raided and almost killed a
man and his family when
they returned from a church
crusade. As the victim was
about to open the gate to his
apartment, a gang of robbers
suddenly appeared and shot
at the man. He was lucky, the
bullet missed him.
An eyewitness said the robbers
shot and ordered their victim
to hand over his car keys. In
the confusion, he gave the
robbers the keys to the gate.
The robbers could not open the
cars door with the gate key,
and the victim waited for death.
He was again lucky because
just then another would-be
victim drove into the street,
which is close. The robbers
wasted no time as they ordered
the resident out of the vehicle
and fed the scene in his car.
So, as one resident had a close
shave with death and lost
valuables, the other lost his
vehicle to the marauders.One
week ago on the Gbarnga-
Ganta highway, armed robbers
snatched about LD$ 1 million
from a businessman and shot
him one time in both legs
and body. The two-man gang
operated on an unregistered
ARMED ROBBERS RESURGENCE

Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
A suspected armed robber being apprehended by police following a tip-off

motorcycle.
During the incident, it was
gathered that the commercial
motorcyclist, also known as
Pehn-pehn, who was taking the
businessman to his destination,
was also shot in the left leg.
The robbers sped off with the
money.
An eyewitness account had
it that the victim, simply
identifed as S.K, a resident of
Belefania, Zota District, Bong
County, had dropped off the
motorbike and was paying his
fare when the robbers suddenly
emerged from nowhere.
One of them jumped down
from the motorbike, walked
to the victim, snatched the bag
containing the money, then
shot the victim. Thereafter, the
robbers shot into the air before
making good their escape.
It was believed that the robbers
trailed the victim, from the bank
in Gbarnga where he withdrew
the money, to Kpen in Nimba
County where they attacked
him. Both the businessman
and the pehn-pehn rider were
immediately rushed to a nearby
private clinic.
Worried by the spate of
robbery especially ahead
of Liberias Independence
Day celebrations on July 26,
the lawmaker of electoral
district #3, George Sylvester
Mulbah,Tuesday convened
an emergency meeting with
members of the Bong County
police detachment to address
the thorny issue in fndingways
to salvage it.
After the meeting, the Deputy
Police Commander for Bong,
Lasanah Conneh, assured
residents that measures had
been put in place to ensure
safety of lives and property
during the independence
month. He stated that the police
had come out with a program
of action, just as it did last year
to ensure safety of lives and
properties during the period.
We want to enjoin Bongese
to continue to support and
collaborate with security
agents. That is the essence of
community policing. All hands
must be on deck to ensure the
safety of all. It takes two to
tango. You must furnish us
with details of information
about suspected criminals in
your locality to enable us act
proactively, he told citizens.
Continuing, he added: We
cant wait until criminals have
operated before crying out.
Let us know before they carry
out their operations. We want
to pick them up. That is the
essence of intelligence policing
and pro-active policing.
He advised those who park
their cars at public motor parks,
clubs and other public places
to apply additional security
measures such as locating a
reliable tracking company to
install a tracking system in the
vehicles which would assist the
police to track such a vehicle if
stolen.
Commenting on the matter,
Rep. Mulbah declared that
crime is a global phenomenon
which has no boundaries. If
there is crime in anywhere
in the world, it affects other
parts as well. So it is in our
enlightened interest to fght
crime, the Bong lawmaker
averred.
The lawmaker pointed out
that everyone is a stakeholder
in the issue of security,
adding a Gbarnga resident
must be vigilant at all times,
especially during the coming
festive season, and report any
suspicious movements to the
security agencies.
Civil Society actors in the
county had said if the battle
against crime must be won
at this period, the onus rests
on the county leadership to
engage pro-active measures by
adopting grassroots community
policing. By this the various
Community Development
Associations are used to survey
their environment because they
know where the robbers live.
According to them, the
leadership of the county must
not continue to celebrate and
live in the past by saying that
the crime rate in Gbarnga had
dropped by 79 per cent. As
at now, that rate is no longer
tenable.
We cant wait until criminals have operated before crying out. Let us know before they carry out
their operations. We want to pick them up. That is the essence of intelligence policing and
pro-active policing. - Lasanah Conneh , Deputy Police Commander for Bong
IN GBARNGA, BONG COUNTY, 3 DEAD IN TWO WEEKS
Page 8 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
F
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PAGE
POLITICS
THE BATTLE FOR
MONTSERRADO
Monrovia-
T
he line has been
drawn, the battle for
Montserrado has just
begun, the recent
petition of Robert Sirleaf, the
re-petitioning of Chris Neyor,
George Weah white ballot
victory, the endorsement of
Benjamin Sanvee by the
Liberty and UP putting forth
Ali Sylla leaves many to
imagine what the county would
look like as the election draws
closer.
From the onset many believed
that Montserrado County
senatorial race could be a free
ride for Ambassador Weah of
the Congress for Democratic
Change, but with the current
political interplay, political
analyst are wondering whether
the CDC Weah can still boast of
his popularity in Montserrado
County.
The turn out during Sirleafs
petition ceremony in a place
considered a stronghold of
Ambassador Weah and rousing
welcome of Chris Neyor back
to Liberia is a sign that Weah
needs to roll-up his sleeves.
Political analysts are saying
that Ambassador Weah has
to stand tall in these elections
adding that winning is not
suffcient but the margin will
determine whether the CDC
still enjoys the confdence of
the people of Montserrado.
Winning the senatorial election
with fewer votes in what is
considered the CDC strong
hold is a bad sign for the
2017 elections for the major
opposition political party.
On the other hand If Robert
Sirleaf accepts the petition that
means the battle is not the CDC
alone but also the Unity party
on whose ticket his mother
won the presidency twice.
Like the CDC if the ruling
Unity Party cannot put out
a good fght in the countrys
most populated county this
could send the wrong message
about the Ruling establishment
popularity come 2017.
Neyor whos perhaps re-entry
in the race is intended to ensure
that Robert Sirleaf does not
win is also a factor that could
reduce both the CDC and UP
votes.
Generally, the Ebola virus
could serve as an impediment to
all of the aspirants campaign,
if nothing is done to address the
Virus.
This year heavy down pour
of rain could be a hindrance
during the campaign period
but perhaps the food
associated with rain could be
an opportunity for aspirants to
win the people over with their
political donations.
There are odds and chances
for all the candidates in the
pending senatorial racw.
GEORGE WEAH
STRENGHTS: Love him or
hate him, Weah is popular
among Monrovia's slum
communities dwellers
particular the Bushord Island
and the youths support cannot
be underestimated. Although
those numbers have shrunk
over the last two elections,
Weah remains a strong political
force especially among the
youth and in the capital city-
Monrovia.
Challenges: Making
clarifcation on the recent
publication of a passport
purported to be Weah's passport
may question Weah loyalty and
it has closed the debate on dual
citizenship as been trumpeted
by Weah supporters. The
recent FIFA scandal has tinted
the character of Weah and has
made it diffcult to campaign
against other aspirants that
would be considered corrupt or
even speak on corruption.
Weah acceptance of a job
in the Sirleaf government as
Peace Ambassador has not
gone well with some of his
supporters and many have
taken issues with his long
absence from the country. His
critics say, Weah may be losing
touch with his grassroots base
and could struggle to clinch
votes in Congo settlements like
Brewerville, Clay Ashland,
Careysburg and other areas.
This could be the reason, his
supporters say, he has toned
down his rhetoric recently,
calling on youths to drop the talk
of protests and demonstrations
and urging critics of the Sirleaf
administration to engage the
government constructively and
not destructively.
ROBERT SIRLEAF
STRENGHTS: Sirleaf
who is considered a big
money spender could pull
votes in Montserrado slum
communities where money can
easily change decision. Robert
is the son of a sitting President
that could also see him getting
support from infuential people
who might want to get favor
from the President. Sirleaf has
been aggressively engaged
in Weahs stronghold of New
Kru Town, West Point and
Clara Town where he was
instrumental in mini-football
stadium on the turf where Weah
learned his craft. Sirleafs
supporters see his many
charitable ventures in areas
considered CDC strongholds
as a key asset likely to give him
an edge.
Challenges: Neyors recent
open letter in which he accused
Sirleaf of squandering millions
of dollars from the Liberian
People are some of the
questions he needs to answer,
Representative Snowe opened
revelation about Sirleaf dual
citizenship and the recent leak
from the Bureau of Immigration
allegedly requesting for
Liberian citizenship could be
odds with him in these election.
Sirleaf critics question whether
he could have made the gains
he has if he was not the son
of a sitting president. There
has also been a concern about
how a Senator Sirleaf would
vote on a gay rights bill if
elected in the Senate. While
he has not addressed the issue
of his sexual orientation,
some political observers say,
the issue could be a thorn in
Sirleafs quest and a nagging
issue, his opponents could
toy with in rugged innings of
the campaign season. Many
political observers say a win
for Sirleaf could weaken Weah
politically but a lost would
also serve as a litmus test for
his mother, President Sirleaf,
looking to have a say in her
successor. Voters unhappy with
Sirleaf could send a message
here and send Rob packing.
UP Ali Sylla
STRENGHTS: Representing
the ruling establishment in
the upcoming senatorial race
could be a plus for Sylla.
Record has shown that the
next challenger to the CDC
in Montserrado is the Unity
Party, perhaps the party may
come all out to campaign for
it candidate owing to the fact
that a dismal performance in
Montserrado will place a cloud
over their 2017 presidency bid.
Sylla is popular amongst the
young people particularly the
intellectual class, religion and
ethnicity could be plus for him.
Challenges: coming of Robert
Sirleaf in the senatorial race
could see potential UP votes
been diverted to Sirleaf camp.
Like Sanvee critics believe
that he is inexperience and that
could be a factor in his quest to
win the seat.
BENJAMIN SANVEE
STRENGHTS: The Liberty
Party endorsement with its
huge Bassa support could pay
off for Sanvee. In a short time,
Sanvee has made inroads in
the debate over who should
clinch the Montserrado County
seat. His supporters say he is
a breadth of fresh air among a
stale crop of political feld and
just what the Senate needs.
His critics counter that while
Sanvee talks a good talk,
theyre not sure he is ready to
stake his claims in the political
deck of cards as a senior
senator.
Challenges: relatively new on
the political landscape and he
is perhaps only popular among
the literate youth, Inexperience
could be a factor for Sanvee in
his quest to win the seat.
JOYCE MUSU FREEMAN
STRENGHTS: Freeman has
spent the last nine years in
a legislature that has come
under heavy criticisms for
not delivering the goods for
constituents across the country.
Voter rejection at the polls
for the current bunch could
pose dangers for Freeman,
who could likely beneft from
women voters unhappy with
the manner in which the CDC
is pushing her aside to make
room for Weah. But would that
be enough to put her over the
hump as an independent?
Challenges: Freeman
participation in the election
not as the CDC choice could
see an end to her political life
in the senate. Freeman could
suffer from growing voters
fatigue that the current groups
of lawmakers have done little
to earn re-election. Freeman
also alienated the CDC base
when she leaped ahead to print
election materials in her quest
to seek re-election. The party
threatened to set up an Ad-hoc
committee to probe the senator,
putting Freeman at odds with
the partys establishment.
CHRISTOPHER NEYOR
STRENGHTS: To his credit,
Neyor open letter has won him
many admirers and has made
him the point of discussion
in every community and on
every talk show. Neyor rural
Montserrado support base
could be a factor that could
favor his senatorial race. Since
his departure from NOCAL, it
is reported that he has worked
in South Sudan, Angola and
Nigeria. His company Morweh
Energy Group represents oil
companies and is the lead entity
for construction of an oil and
gas logistics base in Buchanan
for the nascent Liberian oil
industry.
Challenges: Neyor letter
to President has him place
at odds with the President
and perhaps that could
undermine any support from
the executive towards him.
Neyor abrupt removal from
NOCAL following the 2011
re-election of President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf reportedly
surrounding his handling of
the controversial Block 13 may
become a campaign issue. The
public may want to know what
exactly happened leading to his
dismissal.





Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 9
Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 077296781
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com
TWO CDC LAWMAKERS WANT CIVIL
SERVANT SALARY INCREMENT
Monrovia-
T
wo lawmakers from the
opposition Congress
for Democratic
Change (CDC) at the
House of Representatives have
written the Plenary of the body
to consider the increment of civil
servants salaries.
The lawmakers namely,
Representatives Acarous
Gray (Montserrado) and Dr.
Bhofal Chambers (Maryland)
in their communication to
plenary stressed the need for
an increment in the salaries of
Teachers, Health Workers, the
Police and staffers of the 53rd
National Legislature with parity
for both staffers of the House and
Senate.
We also seek the consideration
of the body to increase the
allotment to the University of
Liberia to twenty Million United
States dollars (US$ 20M), so
as to alleviate or mitigate the
many constraints faced by the
University, which has often
led to disruptions of normal
academic activities at that state
run institution, the lawmakers
stated in their communication.
According to the two CDC
lawmakers communication,
their decision is driven by the
hard cost of living in Liberia,
coupled with the low wages
and salaries for civil servants
and other public servants, thus
causing unbearable hardship for
people.
They also claimed that the
situation of low salaries for Civil
servants is detrimental to the
peace and security of Liberia and
has the propensity to undermine
the governance architecture of
the nation.
In view of the foregoing
therefore, we ask the indulgence
of this August Body, as we are
set to commence discussion on
the 2014-2015 Fiscal Budget,
to consider increment in the
salaries of civil servants with
specifc reference to teachers,
health workers, the police and
staffers of the 53rd National
Legislature with Parity for both
staffers of the House and senate,
the communication stated.
Civil servants salaries increment
has in the past budget years been
an issue of national concern
with numerous protests from
civil society organizations and
members of the Liberia Labor
sector with Civil servants in the
forefront.
During the 2013 budget year
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
during her state of the nation
address announced a US$ 25
dollars increment in the salaries
of civil servants in Liberia after
the passage of the fscal year
budget by the legislature but no
appropriation was made by the
legislature for civil servants.
Some members of the legislature
described the Presidents
comments as one that was
intended to score political mark
at their detriment. The lawmakers
justifed their action by saying
that their reasons for not making
allotment for increment in civil
servants salaries at the time, was
because the executive Branch of
Government through the Finance
Ministry requested them to place
a hold on such action to allow a
payroll cleanup that would have
raised over 20 million US dollars
Monrovia-
J
ustice Minister
Christiana Tah who
has been out of active
service for the last six
months due to a Supreme Court
suspension has promised that
she will remain law abiding,
because she is someone whose
work is to ensure adherence to
the rule of law.
Justice Minister Tah is reported
to have made the assertion on
Monday at the Justice Ministry
on her frst day at work
following the lifting of the
Supreme Courts six months
suspension last week.
Speaking to FrontPage Africa
on the Ministers return,
Maude M. Somah the Director
of Press and Public Affairs at
the Ministry of Justice stated
that Minister Tah was grateful
to the staff of the Ministry for
their cooperation while away
and told them that she had
decided to abide by the high
F
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PAGE
LAW & ORDER
court suspension because of
her adherence to the rule of
law.
According to the Press and
Public Affairs Director, a
formal program will be held
at the Ministry in the shortest
possible time to tell the public
about the ministers resumption
of duty.
Six months ago Tah was
suspended by the Supreme
Court along with a lawyer
Cllr. Beyan Howard who also
got three months suspension
after the high court found both
of them guilty of contempt
charges.
The contempt charges against
the two legal practitioners
separately was imposed
by the high court after the
Justice Minister granted a
compassionate leave to then
jailed journalist Rodney
Sieh of the FrontPageAfrica
Newspaper to seek medical
treatment after he fell ill while
in detention.
Journalist Siehs detention in
August 2013 on orders of the
Civil Law Court at the Temple
of Justice came after the paper
lost an appeal at the Supreme
Court and was ordered to pay
a US$1.5m in damages after
the Civil Law Court found him
liable in a libel lawsuit fled by
former Agriculture Minister
Dr. Chris Toe.
Toe had sued the Journalist for
stories the FrontPageAfrica
published in 2010 quoting
from a General Auditing
Commission (GAC) report
of the former Agriculture
Minister alleged failure to
account for monies given for
the fght against army worms
that invaded both Lofa and
Bong Counties.
The FrontPageAfrica
Managing Editor while serving
his indefnite detention fell sick
and was ordered released from
further detention by Justice
Minister Tah after his lawyer
Cllr. Howard had made the
request.
The two legal practitioners
were ordered to serve a
suspension ranging from three
to six months respectively at
the end of the Supreme Court
hearing that found them guilty
of contempt charges.
Prior to Tahs six months
suspension, Solicitor General
Betty Larmie Blamo arguing on
behalf of the Justice Minister
alluded that the ministrys
action was in line with the law.
But lawyers representing the
high court disputed the claims
and stated that compassionate
leave is granted in criminal and
not civil cases.
from ghost names.
Decent work bill still in limbo
Up to present the legislature is
yet to come up to one conclusion
on setting a minimum wage with
the fgure of six and seven US$
as minimum wage being a point
of contention.
The House of Representatives
passed the bill at seven United
States dollars per day as
minimum wage for skilled
workers, while the senate is
requesting six United States
dollars as minimum wage for
skilled workers.
Despite the disagreement on
a set wage, there are some
lawmakers including Rep.
Edwin Snowe (IND-District #6
Montserrado County) who feel
the legislatures decision to set a
minimum wage is in the wrong
direction.
Snowe has called for the setting
up of a Minimum wage board
and not lawmakers setting a
Minimum wage for reasons
he described as political
glorifcation.
With a budget of over fve
hundred million United States
dollars and so many competing
priorities for the government
especially infrastructure, the
public is watching to see whether
or not lawmakers will consider
an allotment for increment in
civil servants salaries or focus
more money for roads, and
Health.
F
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PAGE
LEGISLATIVE BEAT
JUSTICE MINISTER TAH PROMISES TO REMAIN
LAW ABIDING, AFTER REINSTATEMENT
Page 10 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

EBOLA HOTLINE
PLEASE CALL THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS IF YOU,
A FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND OR LOVED ONES ARE
EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE SYMPTONS OF THE
DEADLY OUTBREAK: SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA HF
TYPICALLY INCLUDE: FEVER, HEADACHE, JOINT AND
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STOMACH PAIN, LACK OF APPETITE.
0886229641; 0886397381; 0776547437
NATIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
We extend best wishes and gratitude to all our valued customers for their
continued support and cooperation.
In line with our continuous effort in upgrading the quality of our services at
the National Transit Authority, effective July 21, 2014, we are re-launching
our Flagship program named and styled CITY- WIDE BUS RIDER SELF-
PAYMENT PROGRAM.
The City-Wide Bus Rider Self-Payment Program will ensure that commuters
plying various routes in and around Monrovia make direct cash deposits into
cash boxes at the entry point of each transit bus. The conductor will issue a
ticket to the commuter after deposit. Therefore, commuters are advised to
come with the exact transit fare as no change will be given after deposit is
made.
This program is expected to achieve the following objectives:
1. Strengthen transparency and accountability in revenue collection,
2. Accord the riding public a sense of participation in our program,
3. Create an atmosphere of convenience and trust between conductors
and commuters.
We again want to emphasize that bus fares must not be paid to conductors
but deposited into the cash boxes by commuters themselves. Once a deposit
is made it will not be retrieved even if the commuter decides to leave before
the bus takes off.
As we endeavor to make public transportation affordable, convenient and
reliable, we anticipate your usual cooperation and compliance.
Signed
Management
National Transit Authority
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 11
LIBERIA: A COUNTRY OR EXAMPLE OF A COUNTRY?
F
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PAGE
PERSPECTIVE
Liberia was established by citizens
of the United States as a colony for
former African American slaves
and their free black descendants.
It is one of only two sovereign
states in the world that were started
by citizens of a political power
as a colony for former slaves of
the same political power: Sierra
Leone was begun as a colony for
resettlement of Black Loyalists and
poor blacks from England for the
same purpose
by Britain.
Historians believe that many of
the indigenous peoples of Liberia
migrated there from the north and
east between the 12th and 16th
centuries AD. Portuguese explorers
established contacts with people of
the land later known as "Liberia"
as early as 1461. They named the
area Costa da Pimenta (Pepper
Coast) because of the abundance
of melegueta pepper. In 1602 the
Dutch established a trading post at
Grand Cape Mount but destroyed
it a year later. In 1663, the British
installed trading posts on the
Pepper Coast.
No further known settlements by
non-African colonists occurred
along the Grain Coast (an
alternative name) until the arrival
in 1821 of free blacks from the
United States.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became
Africa's frst female president in
2005, two years after the end of a
brutal 14-year confict.
She was re-elected in November
2011 in a poll marred by a low turn-
out and a boycott by her main rival.
Winston Tubman pulled out of the
second round of the presidential
race, saying the vote had been
rigged. He said he would not
cooperate with Ms Johnson-
Sirleaf's government, raising the
prospect that her initiatives could
be slowed in a hung parliament
where her Unity Party failed to win
a majority.
Ms Johnson Sirleaf has been
accused by critics of having little
to show for her frst term, with
alleged failures in the areas of anti-
corruption, decentralization and
national reconciliation.
However, supporters say she
deserves praise for ensuring
stability and the rule of law, as
well as for managing to gain
international forgiveness of huge
national debt, putting the country
on a sound fnancial footing and
making the impoverished country
much more attractive to foreign
investors.
Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (Liberia) The
Liberian Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (TRC) is a Parliament-
enacted organization created in
May 2005 under the Transitional
Government. The Commission
worked throughout the frst
mandate of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
after her election as President of
Liberia in November 2005. The
Liberian TRC came to a conclusion
in 2010, fling a fnal report and
recommending relevant actions
by national authorities to ensure
responsibility and reparations.[1
The Liberian TRC has garnered
much criticism for its inability to
address Charles Taylor and Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf. The Special Court
for Sierra Leone indicted Charles
Taylor, the leader of the rebel
group the National Patriotic Front
of Liberia that many of the crimes
against humanity are attributed, the
National Patriotic Front of Liberia,
preventing the Liberian TRC from
any testimony from Taylor. Sirleaf,
on the other hand, was placed on
a list of persons that should be
barred from public offce, a ruling
which was later overturned by the
Liberian Supreme Court.
Creation and Mandate The Liberian
TRC's mandate was to "promote
national peace, security, unity and
reconciliation" by investigating
more than 20 years of civil confict
in the country and to report on
gross human rights violations
that occurred in Liberia between
January 1979 and 14 October 2003.
"Violations" are defned as
violations of international
human rights standards, crimes
against humanity, war crimes,
and any breaches of the Geneva
Conventions.
[2] The goal of the Liberian TRC
was to dispel falsifcations and
misconceptions of the country's
past socioeconomic and political
development. The TRC also
strove to provide a forum to
address issues of impunity and
allow victims and perpetrators
of human rights violations to
share their experiences, thereby
creating a clear picture of the past
and facilitate genuine healing and
reconciliation. To this end, the
Liberian TRC was granted full
independence from the Liberian
government, to prevent potential
biases among the commissioners
and other TRC employees.
[3] The Liberian TRC was given
full power to investigate gross
human rights violations and
systematic abuses of power in
Liberia and, when possible, to
identify individuals or groups that
perpetrated these violations and to
ensure accountability. The Liberian
government took extensive
measures to allow the TRC to
gather information and create a
thorough fnal report. Unlike the
South African TRC, the Liberian
TRC only had the ability to
recommend candidates for amnesty
to the Liberian government. The
Liberian TRC could also make
suggestions to the Liberian
government regarding reparation
and rehabilitation for victims; legal,
institutional, or other reforms; the
need for further investigation and
inquiries into certain matters; and
the need to hold prosecutions in
particular cases.
The Final Report
The Final Report of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission was
released on 1 July 2009. The Final
Report summed nearly 400 pages
and entailed the mandate of the
TRC, the methodology used in
its fnding, the background of the
confict in Liberia, a summary of its
process of collecting information,
reports of its fndings, and fnally
its recommendations to prevent
atrocities like those carried out by
Charles Taylor and Prince Johnson.
The Final Report took into account
over 20,000 individual statements
from Liberia, the United States,
Nigeria, Europe, and Ghana.
The fnal report dealt with the
problems facing post civil war
Liberia in two steps. The frst
determination of the Liberian TRC
was a list of recommendations
to the Liberian government for
reparations to victims of the
civil wars and reforms to prevent
atrocities from reoccurring, and
the second was a list of names of
people who required additional
investigation or were found to
be deserving of amnesty. The
Liberian TRC made a total of
47 recommendations to the
Liberian government ranging from
establishing national
culture centers to promote Liberia's
diverse culture to ensuring that
perpetrators of gross violations
of human right pay reparations to
victims.
The TRC made suggestions to
ensure that victims of the Liberian
Civil Wars received appropriate
compensation and that perpetrators
saw some form of punishment.
They additionally suggested that
resources and infrastructure be
made available to settle any lasting
problems or conficts. The TRC
recommended no blanket amnesty,
but rather asked amnesty for those
under the age of 18 when fghting
and those that did not break
any humanitarian laws. To
the government, the TRC
recommended many reformations
to cultural systems in place
including alteration of the
national motto, a reduction of
the number of political parties,
enhanced regulation on political
appointments, and an alteration of
the offcial
Liberian calendar to include
holidays from multiple ethnic
groups. Broadly, the Liberian TRC
propositioned that the Liberian
government promote a culture of
respect for human rights, ensure the
protection of women and children,
and decentralize the Liberian
government's power.
Moral and ethics in Liberia
Morality is an unusual word. It
is not used very much, at least not
without some qualifcation. People
do sometimes talk about Christian
morality, Nazi morality, or about
the morality of the Greeks, but
they seldom talk simply about
morality all by itself. Consistent
with this way of talking, many
anthropologists used to claim that
morality, like law, applies only
within a society. They claimed
that morality refers to that code
of conduct that is put forward by
a society. However, even in small
homogeneous societies that have no
written language, distinctions are
sometimes made among morality,
etiquette, law, and religion. So,
even for these anthropologists
morality does not often refer to
every code of conduct put forward
by a society.
Etiquette is sometimes included
as a part of morality, but it applies
to norms that are considered less
serious than the kinds of norms for
behavior that are part of morality in
the basic sense. Hobbes expresses
the standard view when he
discusses manners. By manners I
mean not here decency of
behavior, as how one man should
salute another, or how a man should
wash his mouth or pick his teeth
before company, and such other
points of small morals, but those
qualities of mankind that concern
their living together in peace and
unity.
Law or a legal system is
distinguished from morality or a
moral system by having explicit
written rules, penalties, and
offcials who interpret the laws and
apply the penalties. Although there
is often considerable overlap in
the conduct governed by morality
and that governed by law, laws are
often evaluated on moral grounds.
Moral criticism is often used to
support a change in the law.
Some have even maintained that
the interpretation of law must make
use of morality
Moral and ethics is the obvious
bed rock for any unique society.
For Liberia unfortunately, all these
components have been ignored and
abused by all sectors of the Liberian
society. This can beevidenced that
good people or straight forward
people are termed to be very
wicked people. Considering
this factor Liberia and Liberian
has been considered differently.
This argument that has continued
to be spoken about that There are
three kinds of people in the world,
mentioning Liberian
man, White man and Black man I
believe comes from some of these
unimaginable factors.
Doing things at the exclusion of
reality Liberia has its own ancient
music and instruments. While
Liberian music is part of wider West
African music heritage, it is also
distinct from its neighbors. There
are several different types of drums
used in traditional music. Drums
are one of the most widely used
instruments in many ceremonies
both offcial and non offcial,
weddings, christenings, naming
ceremonies, holidays, graduations,
etc. Next to drums, beaded gourd
rattles called Saassaa are also used
in mainstream music by many
Liberian singers, musicians, and
ensembles across the country.
Songs are sung in both English and
all indigenous languages.
Other instruments similar to the
xylophone include Yomo Gor.
Music is a main highlight of
Liberian culture not only used
as entertainment but to educate
society on issues ranging from
culture, politics, and history to
human rights.
Religious music is also popular.
Christian music is heavily
infuenced by its counterpart
in United States regardless of
region. Islamic nasheeds popular
in many countries with Muslim
communities are almost unheard
of in Liberia. Instead, music for
Liberian Muslims are based on
Quranic citations, adhan and music
related to everyday life called
suku. Aside from religious and
traditional music, rap and HiLife
are widely popular especially with
younger Liberians and American
music afcionados. Both can be
heard in discothques, parties,
clubs and on radios throughout the
country.
Jazz, funk, soul, rap and a new
music style or Liberian rap called
Hipco combining rap, R&B,
traditional rhymes, and joint
Liberian and American infuences
are part of the wider Music of
Liberia.
Yes, I agree that this is the way what
momentous impact these practices
are making in the lives of ordinary
people. These ways of doing things
have also been abused due to the
alarming cultural assimilation.
Frankly we Liberians are very hard
to be understood honestly speaking
because are not ourselves and not
also like anyone else but pretend to
be someone else.
How heroes are known? I will not
want anybody agree with me but
the fact here is little has always
been known about until they die.
This why personally I have refused
over the period to attend state
actors funerals. At these events,
people hear a whole lot about the
dead and when they are alive, little
or no information is being heard
about these people.
FANTASY
Fantasy is something that is
produced by the imagination:
an idea about doing something
that is far removed from normal
reality. This I can safely say is the
reality in Liberia where in men
fold papers and put them in his
pocket pretending to be money
and women have big bags on their
backs under the canopy to be busy
or going at work. So Liberia is
very diffcult to live because it is
diffcult to trust people. The people
that carry the highest burden is the
poor or people who have nothing to
have them trusted.
Youth and the economy Any
society that ignored the issue of the
economy and of course the youth,
such society is very deplorable.
Liberias annual budgetary
document, like any other budget,
should fulfll at least the civil
obligation in providing transparent,
verifable information to the
public. This practice, used partly
to gain public confdence, has
been around for centuries. In fact
it was the desire for transparency
and accountability that gave birth
to the idea of capitalism in 1602,
according to Jacob Soll, a professor
of history and accounting at the
University of Southern California.
As reported by The New Republic
Liberia, Liberias revised youth
policy (2012-2017) was initially
rejected as it was labeled Liberia
Youth Policy. The House argued
that it can only pass acts, not
policies. The policy was renamed
the Liberia Youth Act and passed
by the House on 5 September 2013.
It has since been sent to the Senate.
Key areas of intervention include
employment, education, sexual and
reproductive health, justice and
governance, and youth in peace-
building processes. The Ministry
of Youth and Sports (MOYS)
was established in 1982. In his
confrmation hearing in March
2013, Minister Eugene Lenn
Nagbe identifed youth training,
employment and empowerment as
the priorities for the ministry.
As described by the 2009 USAID
youth fragility assessment, the
MOYS is advised by a National
Youth Policy Implementation
Committee, which provides input
from a range of stakeholders.
The report argues that MOYS
severely lacks capacity, with only
25 professional staff to address the
needs of approximately 1 million
young people.
In the FY2013/14 Draft National
Budget, the Ministry of Youth and
Sports was allocated a total of USD
15.6 million (LRD 1.3 billion). The
amounts listed in the budget are in
USD. It is unclear what proportion
of this amount is specifcally for
youth.
According to the World Bank,
Liberia spent 1.93% of its GDP
on education in 2012, but does not
calculate what this translates to in
terms of percentage of government
expenditure.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akoi Dakala is a former Liberian
Journalist, an activist, a Student
leader. He is currently the Chief
Executive Offcer of the Concerned
Lofa Organizations for the
Protection of Wologisi.
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh; blessed be the name of the Lord. The
Gwengatei, Pennoh and Lawrence families regret to announce the passing
of their beloved wife, mother, sister, aunty, cousin and friend, Mrs. Cecilia
Akuavi Lawrence Gwengatei.
This sad event occurs on July 2 at her home in Logan Town, Monrovia,
Liberia.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving husband Tarmue S. Gwengatei
Sr; three loving children, Cecil A. Gardner (Massa), James C. Lawrence and
Tarmue S. Gwengatei, Jr. and foster children Francis B. Gayte, Adolphus
S. Gayte, Elijah Sackie, Samuel Bondo, T. Patrick Newman and Garlimah
Sackie.
Cecilia will be greatly missed by her siblings: Elizabeth Teta Lawrence
Gooding (Emmett), Alfred Kwasi Lawrence, Felix Kobblah Lawrence,
Emmanuel Ayiettey Lawrence (Amanda), Faith Ayele Lawrence, James
Willington Lawrence, Sarah Seytu Lawrence, Augustus Cafuema Lawrence
(Barbara), Roland Rookie Lawrence, Adolph Akwe Lawrence (Nyonblee),
Anthony Wakie Lawrence (Lungille) and Roselyn Lawrence and a host of
uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The body will be removed from St. Moses Funeral Parlor at 4:00PM on
August 1 and taken to the Faith AME Church in Logan Town for a night of
wake keeping, which starts at 6:00PM.
The funeral service will be held on August 2 at the Eliza Turner Memorial
AME Church on Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia on August 2 at 10:00AM.
Interment takes place in Duport Road, Monrovia Liberia, which will be
followed by a repast at the St. Kizito Church compound in Paynesville.
Contacts:
Cecil A. Gardiner (Massa) +231 886 757 013 +231 886 594 162
Francis B. Gayte +231 880 710 590
Elizabeth Teta Lawrence Gooding (Emmett) +1 231 886 517 309 / +231 777
513 429
Alfred Kwasi Lawrence +1 916 730 6638
Felix Kobblah Lawrence +1 404 468 7616
Emmanuel Ayiettey Lawrence (Amanda) +231 777 403 030 / +1 201 388 6548
Faith Ayele Lawrence +1 301 455 2501
George Garber (Stanita) +1 917 822 6281 / +1 631 231 3234
Claude Langley (Charlene) +231 888 494 573 / +231 775 933 439
Adolph Akwe Lawrence (Nyonblee) +231 777 057 177 / +231 777 777 560
Roselyn Lawrence +231 777 550 941
James Ambrose Lawrence +231 777 520 382
Page 12 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

F
RONT
PAGE
EBOLA
BY THE GRACE OF GOD
FIGHTING EBOLA
(IRIN)
P
anicked and shocked
Liberian health workers
who have seen their
colleagues die of Ebola,
which has killed more than 500
people in West Africa since
January, are abandoning their
work stations, hoping to resume
only when the disease subsides.
Their frustrations have been
compounded by the lack of
adequate medical equipment.
Those who remain at work face a
heavier workload. The authorities
say they are conducting training
and supplying equipment to
bolster Ebola control.
We have many challenges at
this local health centre, said
McFarland Kerkulah, a doctor
at Dolo health centre in Margibi
County, some 50km northwest of
the capital Monrovia. We lack
gloves, goggles, chlorine and
other disinfectant materials. There
is nothing that has been put in
place by the government.
We are just managing by the
grace of God. We are very scared
because if you tell us to fght Ebola
or prevent it, what materials do we
use? None of us has been trained
to fght the disease, Kerkulah told
IRIN.
The Dolo health centre recently
lost a doctor and a nurse to Ebola,
which had killed 539 people and
infected 888 in Liberia and in
neighbouring Guinea and Sierra
Leone by 10 July, according
to World Health Organization
(WHO). Ebolas spread is
mainly being driven by some
cultural practices among rural
communities such as burial rituals,
high population density around the
capitals of the three West African
countries, as well as cross-border
movement, WHO said.
At least fve major hospitals and
health centres in Monrovia have
reported a decline in manpower,
but Tolbert Nyenswah, the
assistant health minister for
preventive services, said they were
working to return to full service.
The stay-away is affecting other
ill people. They need to return to
work. Things are getting better
with the education and training
we are providing. This will make
them return. We understand their
fears, but they need to come back
to work.
A nurse at Redemption Hospital,
a referral hospital in Monrovia,
said: I am afraid to die. Our
friends died and their families
did not receive any compensation
from the government. It means
that if I die too that will be the end.
I am very scared and have decided
to stay home.
To be frank, I am actually scared.
I am a father of six and I dont
want to die and leave my children
behind now. And so I have decided
to stay at home with the family
for now. When things improve,
I will get back to my job, said
a laboratory technician who also
spoke to IRIN on condition of
anonymity.
Larry King, head of Mamba Karba
Health Centre on the outskirts
of the capital, said nine of the
centres 25 staff have stayed away.
The workload here is heavy. My
workers have refused to come to
work since they heard the news of
the death of some of their fellow
nurses. This is causing a serious
hindrance to the operation of the
centre. There are more patients
coming in with other illnesses but
the manpower is low. I hope the
nurses can see the reason to come
back to work, he said.
Allaying fears
The Health Ministry says it is
carrying out training and providing
supplies to health centres in a bid
to calm fears and boost control of
the incurable disease. In Liberia,
88 people have died of Ebola and
there are-2 confrmed, probable
or suspected cases, according to
WHO. Some 200 health centres
have received training out of a
total target of 500, said Nyenswah.
The problem the health workers
were faced with was the lack of
training and lack of knowledge
of the Ebola virus, he explained.
As you know it is a strange virus
in our region. So right now there
is a robust training team that is
moving to health facilities in both
urban and rural Liberia to provide
these trainings and protective
materials. So once they have the
training and information we are
assured that the fear will be put
aside and that they can take care
of the patients.
The UN Childrens Fund
(UNICEF) said it is working with
the Liberian health authorities
to propagate health education
aimed at countering denial and
improving the understanding and
prevention of Ebola.
We want to make sure that the
people know what the sickness
is about, said Shelton Yett,
UNICEFs representative in
Liberia. We understand the health
workers fears, but those health
workers have an important role to
play in the fght against Ebola.
Last week, leaders of the
Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) agreed
at a meeting in Ghana to set up a
fund to deal with the spread of the
Ebola in the sub-region.
DAKAR (Reuters) -
T
he death toll from an
Ebola outbreak in West
Africa has risen to 603
since February, with
at least 68 deaths reported from
three countries in the region in
the last week alone, the World
Health Organization said on
Tuesday.
WHO said there were 85
new cases between July
8-12, highlighting continued
high levels of transmission.
International and local medics
were struggling to get access to
communities as many residents
feared outsiders were spreading
rather than fghting Ebola.
"It's very diffcult for us to get
into communities where there
is hostility to outsiders," WHO
spokesman Dan Epstein told a
news briefng in Geneva. "We
still face rumours, and suspicion
and hostility. ... People are
isolated, they're afraid, they're
scared."
Sierra Leone recorded the
highest number of deaths, which
include confrmed, probable and
suspect cases of Ebola, with 52.
Liberia reported 13 and Guinea
WHO: DEATH TOLL FROM WEST AFRICA
EBOLA OUTBREAK JUMPS TO 603

3, according to the WHO fgures.
Epstein said the main focus in the
three countries is tracing people
who have been exposed to people
with Ebola and monitoring them
for the 21 day incubation period
to see if they were infected.
"It's probably going to be several
months before we are able to get
a grip on this epidemic," Epstein
added.
The outbreak started in Guinea's
remote southeast but has spread
across the region's porous
borders despite aid workers
scrambling to help some of the
world's weakest health systems
tackle a deadly, infectious
disease.
In Sierra Leone and Guinea,
experts believe scores of patients
are being hidden as relatives and
friends believe hospitalisation is
a "death sentence". In Liberia,
health workers have been chased
away by armed gangs.

Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 13
REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET
Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
F
RONT
PAGE
GOVERNMENT NEWS
EJS LONG-AWAITED MINI
BOMB DROPS IS THIS IT?
Konneh combines Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Former Pro Temp Isaac
Nyenabo is now an Ambassador, while ax falls at Transport and Labor Ministries.
Monrovia
A
number of familiar
faces herald the
latest round of
appointments or
reshuffe by President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf announced
Tuesday night.
An Executive Mansion
release notes changes
or appointments in the
Judiciary, Ministries of
Finance and Development
Planning, Transport, Labor,
Foreign Affairs, Commerce
and Industry, State for
Presidential Affairs and the
General Services Agency.
The long-anticipated merger
of the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Planning is in full
effect, with Amara Konneh
maintaining his position as
minister while Angela Bush
replaces Tornillah Varpillah
as Minister of Transport.
Neto Zarzar Lighe replaces
Juah Lawson as Minister of
Labor.
Konneh has been a core
member of President
Johnson Sirleaf's Economic
Management Team and
also provides leadership
for several continental,
regional and sub-regional
organizations, serving as
Chairman of the Mano River
Union(MRU) Ministerial
Council, the Vice Chairperson
of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) Africa Group
1 Constituency and the
coordinator of all the
Economic of West African
Sates' (ECOWAS) activities
in Liberia. He was named
Finance Minister of the
Year 2014 by The Banker
magazine for his efforts to
reform and grow the Liberian
economy.
Sebastian Muah, Former
Deputy Minister of Budget
is now the new Managing
Director of LIBTELCO
while Dr. James F. Kollie,
Jr., former Deputy Minister
for Revenue is now Deputy
Minister for Fiscal Affairs.
In what appears to be a
concession to his seat
in Grand Gedeh, former
President Pro Temp Isaac
Nyenabo has been named as
Ambassador-at-Large.
Appointments were also
made at the Liberia Airport
Authority, where the
recently-dismissed former
Deputy Police Chief, Rose
Stryker, becomes Acting
Managing Director, replacing
Ellen Corkrum, the Forestry
Development Authority
Board where Isaac Manneh
replaces Thomas Jucontee
Woewiyou as member.
Woewiyou as recently
arrested and indicted in the
United States of America
for allegedly lying on his
immigration application.
At the Central Bank of
Liberia, Ms. Elsie Dossen
Badio replaces Ms. Mildred
Reeves as a member of the
board and at the National
Housing Authority,
Liberia Telecommunication
Corporation (LIBTELCO),
NEW CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT
National Port Authority,
Liberia Petroleum Refning
Company, Liberia Maritime
Authority, and the Grand
Bassa Community College.
According to an Executive
Mansion release, these
appointments are subject
to confrmation by the
Honorable Liberian Senate,
where applicable:
Below is the full list of the
new changes in government
The Judiciary: Counselor
Roosevelt Z. Willie, Judge
Criminal Court A
Ministry of Finance and
Development Planning:
Mr. Amara M. Konneh,
Minister; Dr. James F. Kollie,
Jr., Deputy Minister for
Fiscal Affairs; Mr. Eddie
Eesiah, Deputy Minister for
AdministratioN; Dr. Mounir
Siaplay, Deputy Minister for
Economic Management; Ms.
Tanneh G. Brunson, Deputy
Minister for Budget & Dev.
Planning; Ms. Romell A.
Watson, Assistant Minister
for Administration; Ms. Juah
K. Fieka, Asst. Minister for
Revenue & Tax Policy; Mr.
Alieu F. Nyei, Assistant
Minister for Expenditure; Dr.
J. Alexander Nuetah, Asst.
Min. for External Resources
& Debt Mang.; Mr. Augustine
Blama, Assistant Minister
for Budget; Mr. Lee Mason,
Asst. Minister for Regional
& Sectoral Planning; Mr.
Sekou A. Sanoe, Comptroller
General
Ministry of Transport: Ms.
Angela Bush, Minister
Ministry of Labor
Mr. Neto Zarzar Lighe,
Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Isaac Nyenabo,
Ambassador
Ministry of Commerce &
Industry
Mr. Hanson Kiazolu,
Assistant Minister for
Industry(replacing Mr. Sei
Gahn)
Ministry of State for
Presidential Affairs
Ms. Kaitee Korto Flomo,
Junior Aide de Camp to the
President
Mr. Stanley G. F. Stubblefeld,
Local Aide, Margibi County
Liberia Airport Authority
Ms. Rose Stryker, Acting
Managing Director
Forest Development
Authority Board
Mr. Isaac Manneh, Member
(replacing Mr. Jucontee
Woewiyu)
Mr. Robert Gbobeh,
Member
Central Bank of Liberia
Ms. Elsie Dossen Badio,
Member of the Board
(replacing Ms. Mildred
Reeves whose tenure has
expired)
National Housing Authority
Bishop George Harris,
Chairman, Board of Directors
(replacing Mr. Francis
Carbah)
Mr. Floyd Thomas, Member
of the Board (replacing Mr.
Sam Gibson who resigned)
Mr. Samuel Wlue, Managing
Director(replacing Mr. Sam
Thompson who is being
reassigned)
Liberia Telecommunications
Corporation (LIBTELCO)
Mr. Sebastian Muah,
Managing Director
National Port Authority



Page 14 |
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
IN BRIEF
KENYA 'FAILING' POLL
VIOLENCE VICTIMS,
AMNESTY SAYS
PISTORIUS GETS INTO
NIGHTCLUB ARGUMENT
FRANCE'S HOLLANDE TO VISIT WEST AFRICA
AS SAHEL ANTI-TERROR DRIVE GEARS UP

Nairobi (AFP) -
A
mnesty
International
on Tuesday
condemned
what it said was the Kenyan
government's continued
failure to properly investigate
and deliver justice and
compensation to victims of
the 2007-2008 post-election
violence.
"Six years after post-election
violence rocked Kenya, the
victims are still awaiting
justice. It is vital that their
voices are heard and urgent
action is taken," said Amnesty
secretary general Salil Shetty.
About 1,000 people died and
600,000 others were displaced
when ruling party and
opposition supporters clashed
over disputed poll results,
in the worst unrest to hit the
east African country since
independence in 1963.
Kenyan President Uhuru
Kenyatta, his deputy William
Ruto and radio boss Joshua
Arap Sang are facing crimes
against humanity charges at
The Hague-based International
Criminal Court (ICC), although
Paris (AFP) -
P
resident Francois
Hollande on Thursday
will begin a trip to three
former colonies in west
Africa just as France puts fnishing
touches to a military operation in
the restive Sahel region to combat
extremist violence.
His trip comes days after France
announced the end of its military
offensive in Mali that freed the
north of the country from the grip
of Islamists, replacing it with
the new operation, codenamed
Barkhane, which will involve some
3,000 French troops and span the
wider, largely lawless Sahel region.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)
O
scar Pistorius was in
an altercation at an
upmarket nightclub
over the weekend, his
family said Tuesday.
Pistorius went with a cousin to a
trendy Johannesburg nightclub on
Saturday, where he was accosted
by a man who aggressively
questioned him about his murder
trial, his family confrmed.
The man gave a different version,
saying the double-amputee runner
was drunk, insulted his friends
and the family of President Jacob
Zuma and poked him in the chest,
according to Johannesburg's Star
newspaper.

Lagos (AFP) -
N
igerian police
on Tuesday
said they
had arrested
a senior Boko Haram
Islamist commander
known as "Chief Butcher"
during a raid on an
insurgent camp in the
restive northeast.
Mohammed Zakari, 30,
was arrested on Saturday
"following the massive
onslaught by security
forces on the activities of
the insurgent group", at
Balmo Forest in Bauchi
state, a statement said.
Zakari was implicated in
"the recent slaughter of
seven people, including
women and children," it
added.
According to police,
Balmo Forest is one of
several bases scattered
across the bushlands of
the northeast used by the
extremist group blamed for
killing more than 10,000
people during a fve-year
insurgency.
Bauchi has been attacked
repeatedly through the
confict.
Zakari was not widely
known as a prominent
Islamist leader, but the
group's command structure
BOKO HARAM
'BUTCHER' CAPTURED
Mohammed Zakari, 30, Was Arrested "Following The Massive

F
RONT
PAGE
WORLD NEWS
ISRAEL, PALESTINIANS BATTLE
AS EGYPTIAN-PROPOSED GAZA
CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES
GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters)
-
I
srael resumed air strikes in
the Gaza Strip on Tuesday,
six hours after agreeing to
an Egyptian-proposed truce
that failed to halt Hamas rocket
attacks.
"Hamas has fred 47 rockets
since we suspended our strikes in
Gaza (this morning). As a result,
we have resumed our operation
against Hamas," an Israeli
military statement said.
Under a blueprint announced
by Egypt - Gaza's neighbour
and whose military-backed
government has been at odds
with Hamas Islamists - a mutual
"de-escalation" of week-old
fghting was to have begun
at 9 a.m. (0600 GMT), with
hostilities ceasing within 12
hours.
Hamas' armed wing, the Izz
el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades,
rejected the ceasefre, saying its
battle with Israel would "increase
in ferocity and intensity".
But Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top
Hamas offcial who was in Cairo,
had said the movement, which is
seeking a deal that would ease
border restrictions imposed by
both Egypt and Israel, had made
no fnal decision on the proposal.
Live television showed Israel's
Iron Dome anti-missile system
intercepting several rockets over
the port city of Ashdod, where
a factory was hit. Emergency
services said no one was hurt.
Sirens also sounded in areas up
to 130 kilometers (80 miles)
north of the Gaza Strip. The
Qassam Brigades claimed
responsibility for some of the
rocket launchings.
Speaking in Vienna, U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry
supported Israel: "I cannot
condemn strongly enough
the actions of Hamas in so
brazenly fring rockets, in
multiple numbers, in the face of
a goodwill effort (to secure) a
ceasefre."
Gaza health offcials said at least
184 Palestinians, most of them
civilians, have been killed in
eight days of fghting, the worst
Israel-Palestinian fare-up in two
years.
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, whose security
cabinet voted 6-2 earlier on
Tuesday to accept the truce,
had cautioned that Israel would
respond strongly if rockets
continued to fy.
An Israeli offcial, speaking as
the Israeli strikes resumed, said:
"The prime minister and the
defense minister have ordered
the Israeli armed forces to take
powerful action against terrorist
targets in Gaza."
Earlier, Sami Abu Zuhri, a
Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said
that demands the movement has
made must be met before it lays
down its weapons.
Other Palestinian militant groups
- Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine
and the Democratic Front for
the Liberation of Palestine - also
said they had not yet agreed to
the Egyptian offer.
Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas, who reached an
agreement with Hamas in April
that led to the formation of a unity
government last month, urged
acceptance of the proposal, the
offcial Palestinian news agency
WAFA said.
FAILED CEASEFIRE
Amos Gilad, a senior Israeli
defence offcial and envoy to
Cairo, told Israel's Army Radio
that Hamas had been weakened
by the air and sea bombardment
of Gaza, having tried "every
possible means of striking at
Israel."
Hundreds of rockets fred at
Israel have caused no fatalities,
largely due to Iron Dome. But
the strikes are a threat that send
people rushing into shelters.
Israel had mobilized tens
of thousands of troops for a
threatened Gaza invasion if the
rocket salvoes persisted.
"We still have the possibility of
going in, under cabinet authority,
and putting an end to (the
rockets)," Gilad said.

Mohammed Zakari, 30, Was Arrested "Following The Massive Onslaught By
Security Forces On The Activities Of The Insurgent Group"
is seen as fractured, including
autonomous cells operating across
the north headed by individuals
who may not report to the group's
recognized leaders.
Boko Haram, which wants to
create an Islamic state in the north,
is nominally headed by Abubakar
Shekau, declared a global terrorist by
the United States and sanctioned by
the UN Security Council.
Frontpage
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Page 15
BRAZIL WORLD CUP 2014
Sports
SPORTS
TONI KROOS CONFIRMS
REAL MADRID MOVE,
WHERE WILL HE SLOT IN?
MORE THAN 26 MILLION
WATCH WORLD CUP
FINAL IN US
BRAZIL BOOED AS
NETHERLANDS CLAIM THIRD

G
erman World
Cup winner Toni
Kroos is expected
to offcially be
unveiled as a Real Madrid
player on Thursday, as the
central midfelder is set to
sign for the reigning European
Champions.
Following Germanys 1-0
World Cup fnal win over
Argentina on Sunday, Kroos
reportedly confrmed to
Brazilian news outlet UOL that
hes heading to the Spanish
capital to play for Real after
spending his entire career at
Bayern Munich.
Kroos has long been chased
by Manchester United in the
Premier League, and plenty of
Europes biggest clubs, but it
looks a certainty that he is set
to sign for Carlo Ancelotti at
the Santiago Bernabeu. Kroos
is said to have agreed a fve-
Braslia (AFP) -
B
razil's miserable World
Cup campaign ended
in a chorus of boos on
Saturday as the hosts
slumped to a 3-0 defeat against
the Netherlands in the third place
playoff match.
A penalty from Robin van Persie
and a Daley Blind strike saw the
Dutch take a 2-0 lead after only
17 minutes as Brazil endured more
woe after their humiliating 7-1
semi-fnal rout by Germany.
Once again Brazil's defence was
hopelessly exposed, with the frst
Dutch goal coming when van
Persie sent Arjen Robben racing in
behind them.
NEW YORK (AP)
E
ven without the home
team involved, the
World Cup fnal between
Germany and Argentina
set a television viewership record
in the United States, capping
a tournament that exceeded
expectations for interest on both
ESPN and Univision.
The month-long World Cup also
was responsible for more than 3
billion interactions on Facebook
and 672 million messages on
Twitter, the social media companies
said on Monday.
An estimated 26.5 million people in
the U.S. watched Germany's extra-
time win on Sunday afternoon, the
Nielsen company said. The game
had 17.3 million viewers on ABC
and another 9.2 million on the
Spanish-language Univision. In
addition, just over 750,000 people
were watching the game during
a typical minute online through
services provided by each network.

OUR DISTRICT NEEDS BASKETBALL COURT
Monrovia-
Y
outh of District 14 Montserrado County has
called on Montserrado County Senatorial
aspirant Robert A. Sirleaf to help build
a basketball court in their community
especially the Samuel Kanyon Doe community on the
Bushrod Island.
Freeman B. Manubah Jr. speaking on behalf of the
district youth said he is urging Mr. Sirleaf to help build a
basketball court in their community because the district
is very large and made up of both football and basketball
players.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Liberia
and all over the world and Mr. Sirleaf himself is a
basketball player, so we hope he will come to our aid and
make our dreams come to reality.
Manubah said through Mr. Sirleafs help several
communities in and out of Montserrado County now have
access to good football playing pitches and he thinks the
same should be done for basketball players because there
are several basketball players in all of the districts that he
has built football pitches for.
You did extremely well for rehabilitating the famous
Samalima Clara Town and Doe communities football
felds, so we are all asking for your assistance to give
us basketball players and lovers the same facility and we
hope you will consider our request seriously. We need a
court in Doe Community, said Manubah.
S
pain striker
Diego Costa has
completed his move
to Chelsea from
Atletico Madrid, the Blues
have announced.
The Brazil-born striker has
long been linked with a switch
to Stamford Bridge and the
clubs agreed a fee early this
month, with Chelsea meeting
his buy-out clause reported to
be worth 32m.
A statement on Chelseas
website read: "Chelsea
Football Club is delighted to
announce Diego Costa has
today completed his transfer
from Atletico Madrid by
signing a fve-year contract.
"He will join up with the
frst team for our pre-season
European training camp next
week."
Costa joins former Arsenal
and Barcelona midfelder
Cesc Fabregas in moving
from the Primera Division to
Stamford Bridge this summer.
"I would like to thank
everybody at Atletico who
made me into the player I am"
- Diego Costa
His goals helped Atletico
claim a frst Spanish league
title in 18 years last season
and he helped the Madrid side
to the Champions League
fnal, beating Chelsea in the
semi-fnal en route to Lisbon,
where Real Madrid won the
European Cup.
"I am very happy to sign
for Chelsea, Costa said.
"Everybody knows it is a big
club in a very competitive
league, and I am very excited
to get started in England with
a fantastic coach and team-
mates.
"Having played against
Chelsea last season I know
the high quality of the squad
I am joining.
"I would like to thank
everybody at Atletico who
made me into the player I am,
it was an incredible time for
me, but now I am starting a
new adventure and I hope
to win many trophies with
Chelsea."
Costa is one of a number
of players who featured for
Atletico last season who
could be plying their trade for
Chelsea next term.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut
Courtois spent three years on
loan with Los Rojiblancos
and is expected to compete
with Petr Cech for Chelsea's
number one jersey.
Brazil left-back Felipe Luis
is the subject of interest from
the Blues, who are seeking a
replacement for Ashley Cole
after the former England
defender's move to Roma.
Portuguese midfelder Thiago
has also been linked with a
Stamford Bridge return from
Atletico.
Departures are likely, too.
Demba Ba's future at Chelsea
is in doubt, with the striker
linked with Turkish side
Besiktas.
Ba could feature for Chelsea
in Wednesday night's friendly
with Wycombe when Jose
Mourinho will assess his
fringe players, including
many of those who spent last
season on loan.
The frst group of players
involved in the World Cup
will join up with Chelsea for
the pre-season tour.
The Blues play RZ Pellets
on 23 July before matches in
Slovenia, Holland, Germany
and Hungary.
Ivory Coast blocks refugees
amid Ebola fears
Ivory Coast has blocked 400
refugees who fed to Liberia
from returning home because
of fears they could spread the
Ebola virus, a UN offcial has
said.
The decision violated
domestic and international
law, the offcial added.
Ivory Coast said it could not
allow the refugees in because
of the Ebola "pandemic" in
Liberia, Guinea and Sierra
Leone.
The virus has now killed 603
people in the three states,
with 68 deaths reported in the
last week, WHO said.
This is the worst outbreak the
world has ever seen.
There is no cure or vaccine for
Ebola, which spreads through
contact with an infected
person's bodily fuids.
It kills up to 90% of those
infected but if patients receive
early treatment, they have a
better chance of survival.
The latest outbreak was
frst reported in Guinea in
February, before spreading to
Liberia and Sierra Leone.
'Greatest pandemic'
UN refugee agency offcial
Mohamed Toure said
Ivory Coast had acted
"unacceptably" by turning
away a convoy of refugees at
the border with Liberia.
The agency had offered to
carry out medical screening
of the refugees, but Ivorian
offcials still refused, he said.
The group had fed to Liberia
during the 2010-2011 confict
that hit Ivory Coast after then-
President Laurent Gbagbo
refused to accept defeat in
elections.
Ivorian government
spokesman Bruno Kone
defended the decision to
block the refugees from
entering.
"Everyone needs to show
some understanding," he is
quoted by AFP news agency
as saying.
"We face the greatest
pandemic our region has seen
for a long time. We cannot be
lax in this area," he said.
The World Health
Organization (WHO) said 85
new cases had been recorded
in Guinea, Sierra Leone and
Liberia between 8 July and
12 July.
Sierra Leone recorded the
highest number of deaths -
52. Liberia reported 13 deaths
and Guinea three, WHO said.
The fgures include
confrmed, probable and
suspected cases of Ebola, it
added.
WHO spokesman Dan
Epstein said it would probably
take several months to "get a
grip" on the epidemic.
"People are isolated, they're
afraid, they're scared," he
said.

BLUE MOON RISING
Chelsea complete capture of Diego Costa
District 14 Montserrado County tells Robert Sirleaf
A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai121@gmail.com

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PRICE L$40 VOL 8 NO.637 WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

BLUE MOON
RISING
Chelsea complete capture of Diego Costa