STORIES
Politics
pg 5
NO WEAH,
BRUMSKINE
DISCUSSION
Legislative Beat
'FINANCIAL
IMPROPRIETIES'
pg 13
Agriculture Minister
Chenoweth Confirms
Audit Findings
FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
VOL 9 NO.82
PRICE L$40
In the Alternative National Congress, a breakaway faction of George Weahs Congress for Democratic Change,
the United Peoples Party, the New Deal Movement, the Free Democratic Party of Liberia and the Liberia
Peoples Party, the Liberty Party supporters believe they could be on to something but the key for the party
would be how it performs beyond the stronghold of its political leader, Brumskine in Grand Bassa County.
Politics- pg. 5
BUYING
SELLING
L$84.00/US$1
L$85.00/US$1
L$84.00/US$1
L$85.00/US$1
L$84.00/US$1
L$85.00/US$1
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
Page 2 | Frontpage
Monrovia
ustice may finally be in sight for the first
American casualties of the Liberian civil
war. Twenty two years after the killing of
five American nuns, slaughtered during the
height of the war, the case the U.S. Federal Bureau
of Investigation came close to declaring closed
appears to have been resurrected with the arrival
in Monrovia this week of a number of war crimes
investigators from the U.S., FrontPageAfrica has
learned.
The investigative journal, ProPublica reported
recently that a request to the FBI to release the file
on the nuns case was declined as the FBI claimed
that the files are now applicable to a pending or
prospective law enforcement proceeding and
could reasonably be expected to interfere with
that proceeding.
FrontPageAfrica has learned that U.S. authorities
are interested in pursuing extradition against
several figures tied to the civil war but most
especially linked to the killing of the American nuns
and the Lutheran Church Massacre in Monrovia.
The team in Monrovia are said to be from the
Center for Justice and Accountability, which has
been talking to victims of the civil war.
The center, according to its website, works
directly with foreign governments on a variety of
transitional justice initiatives. We work alongside
in-country prosecutors to hold human rights
abusers criminally accountable in national courts
- especially where defendants in CJAs universal
jurisdiction (UJ) cases have been deported or
extradited to stand trial in the home country.
CJA attorneys provide expertise on witness
preparation and testimony, the introduction of
evidence, charging human rights crimes and other
areas of human rights prosecutions. We also
organize trainings that bring together faculties
of judges, prosecutors, investigators and forensic
anthropologists with strong track records in
national court human rights prosecutions. The
focus of our training work is on imparting the
practical how to specifics of bringing successful
national court prosecutions and focusing on the
actual, day to day obstacles prosecutors and NGO
lawyers face in fighting impunity.
The nuns case is said to be tied to the trial of
Thomas Woewiyu, who served as Defense Minister
for Charles Taylors National Patriotic Front of
Liberia. Woewiyu who was arrested in the U.S. in
May 2014 upon arrival is currently out on bail and
under house arrest but is said to be bracing for trial
later this month with the Americans said to be keen
on proving what has already been established from
witnesses and evidence gathered that the nuns
were killed in the territory of Taylor and by forces
under Taylors command.
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Prosecutors
office in the United States told FrontPageAfrica via
email recently that while no date has been set for
the Woewiyu case, prosecutors are still building its
case and talking to and finding witnesses.
One of those said to be on the radar is Christopher
Vambo, a former Taylor commander who went by
the name of General Mosquito. Vambo has been
implicated in the nuns deaths and acknowledged
to Pro Publica recently that while he commanded
the forces responsible for the nuns death, he was
not involved in their execution. "If there is charges
for that, there's a penalty for that," Vambo was
quoted as saying.
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the U.S.
investigators have identified a number of persons
who were directly or indirectly involved in the
killing of the nuns, particularly the Octopus
AT
LUTHERAN
Frontpage
Page 3
FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL INGOS, SHOW US YOUR NUMBERS
v
The lack of local governments to oversee International Aid Organization work fueling corruption
LINGERING FEARS
OVER EBOLA
KEEP LIBERIAS
BORDER CLOSED
Travel Alert Not Enough As Virus Continue
To Wreak Havoc In Sierra Leone, Guinea
IT DOES NOT TAKE a rocket scientist to figure out that
Ebola is still lurking over Liberia.
LAST WEEK, the government issued a travel and health
alert, warning Liberians to avoid traveling to Guinea and
Sierra Leone, two countries still feeling the heat as the
virus outbreak continue to wreak havoc.
JOANNE LIU, International president of Doctors
Without Borders (MSF), last weekend cautioned that
health authorities in both Guinea and Sierra Leone are
continuing to make the mistakes of the past in combatting
Ebola, more than a year after its onset and more than a
month after Liberia was declared Ebola-free.
We are still making the same mistakes as we did in
the past, said Liu. We know now that engaging the
community in the response is essential, she added. But
we also know that leadership at the government level
is absolutely essential. Liu said that when certain
political interests are prioritised over the response to the
epidemic, this does not work, an apparent reference to
Guinea, where the issue of combatting Ebola has been a
subject of debate between President Alpha Conde and the
opposition.
IN LIBERIA, A FANFARE event climaxed an end of a
turbulent year which saw a killer virus claim nearly 4,000
lives and while many have credited Liberia for beating
the odds and the virus, the sad reality is, the porosity of
the countrys borders with next-door Sierra Leone and
Guinea makes it very likely that a simple slip could result
in one case returning to Liberias soil.
THE 18-MONTH-LONG Ebola epidemic has killed more
than 11,100 people in West Africa, although weekly
numbers of new cases have fallen sharply from last year's
peaks.
WHILE WE DO NOT HOPE that it does not come to that,
authorities must take cue from procedures put in place by
countries around the world when Liberia went through
the ruts of Ebola.
MANY LIBERIANS had to endure stigmatization and
forced to stay in their country as the virus killed scores of
its citizens and those next door.
AIRLINES WERE quick to pack up and leave because no
country wanted anything to do with a virus which still
has no cure and still is capable of wreaking havoc if it is
allowed to slip back in.
YET, THE GOVERNMENT through Deputy Health Minister
Tolbert Nyenswah while acknowledging that the virus is
still active in the two neighboring countries which have
reported 31 confirmed Ebola cases between May 1 and
May 7, 2015, cautioned Liberians wanting to visit the
two countries to be careful with how they attend burial,
funeral, and make visitation to medical facilities during
their stay in those countries. "It is good to stay on this side
of the border if you don't have very pertinent thing to do
there," Nyenswah.
EBOLA IS SPREAD only through direct contact with the
bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms,
such as fever or vomiting.
THROWING CAUTION to the wind is a norm, especially
when many Liberians have thrown away the sanitizing
buckets and are going about their normal business as
if Ebola has left our shores for good with no chance of
returning.
LIBERIA, STARTING with its government, must remain
vigilant and continue to follow Ebola safety measures,
including hand washing, temperature testing at both
private and public facilities across the country.
THIS MUST ALSO be exercised with a strong degree of
caution and keeping our borders along Guinea and Sierra
Leone closed until those two countries have been declared
Ebola free.
THE MSFS CAUTION comes in the wake of the Sierra
Leonean governments decision to imposed a three-week
daytime curfew in the last Ebola-hit areas in a bid to curb a
Page 4 | Frontpage
FrontPage
COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE
DEBT OVERTAKES
NOCAL, MONTHS IN
ARREARS TO LANDLORD
DAVID MURRAY TOP COMMENTER BARUCH COLLEGE & NEW
YORK UNIVERSITY(MBA)
This pitiful; indeed, pathetic saga should be preserved to infinity
and ideally published in a text book while distributed freely to
all elementary, high and college students as mandatory study:
Title:"CASE STUDY: HOW TO TOTALLY MISMANAGE A 100% STATE
OWNED AND OPERATED MONOPOLY 101"!
Ps: "Anytime your cash outflow exceeds your cash inflow.....your
cash upkeep will be your cash down fall"!
FINAL GRADE TO NOCAL: F- to the power of 1Trillion!!
NYEMADE WANI TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA,
MONROVIA, LIBERIA CAMPUS
Wow, I thought Seward Cooper was the whiz-kid, the guru of
finance who had the magic touch. he came with such hoopla from
the ADB just like Chris Toe. They were going to "save" Liberia. Ha,
looks like the joke is on us. With all their book knowledge, Samuel
Doe knew more than they do. He knew that Liberia needed to build
structures to house its ministries and agencies. Now we still renting
from people.
JOHN-LORD BAXTER TOP COMMENTER DAMANSARA, KUALA
LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
These people really don't care about Liberia and Liberians. Why
would they continue to lease a building with all the millions NOCAL
has made??? Why couldn't they have built a structure for NOCAL
offices??? We are still locked in the past when government leased
private buildings as offices from families and friends of the very
same government officials. What a corrupted people!!!
CLARENCE PEARSON TOP COMMENTER GENERAL OVERSEER/
FOUNDER AT GRACE UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Considering the well-articulated comments I have read under this
news article of NOCAL financial slow down, there is little to be
added other than the fact that the monthly rent of NOCAL alone is
unrealistic, and should there be an investigation, nothing short of
corruption based on conflict of interest will be uncovered. While
will a government owned institution be complacent with such
a rent amid abundance of early and massive financial resources?
What was the long term sustainability strategy when NOCAL was
dishing out cash as though someone was running his or her personal
farm? Liberia does not have the appropriate public structure of
operational management, control and accountability to continue
with this concept of autonomous agencies. NOCAL, NPA, RIA, LMA,
LTA, etc. should all be constitutionally reviewed and restructured
in a way that it is directly accountable to the State and not a select
group of individuals driven privately by the President. National
budget legs, poverty thrives, and external debts are climbing
once again, yet these lucrative institutions are left to generate and
expend millions impulsively by few individuals based on patronage.
God help Liberia.
JOSEPH SANKAITUAH COUNTRY DIRECTOR AT SEARCH FOR
COMMON GROUND/TALKING DRUM STUDIO
I am sick. Pay 1.6 Million in rent annually? This is quite sad for a
poor country. The management could use part of that money to buy
a building or construct one.... The worst thing anyone can do to a
country is to deceive the whole country into believing that you can
transform the country when in fact you lack the will power to do
so. This is the case of President Sirleaf. She deceived the majority
of Liberians into believing that she can transformed Liberia. This
deceit has been in for over 30 year. She has been fighting every
former Liberia leader for this opportunity that has been misused.
What a lost opportunity.
ANSU OPA DUALU TOP COMMENTER COALITION OF
CONCERNED LIBERIANS
What?? What??? What??? I am glad it's going to a church, but who
the hell signed that deal? Why would any responsible entity paid
$135,000/month in a location where the same yearly rent could
build similar or better building? Oh yeah, crocogee at work ; you eat
I eat, LIB suffers! Wow!!!
NYEMADE WANI TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA,
MONROVIA, LIBERIA CAMPUS
You pull rope, rope pull bush. That is why they do not care about
poor Liberians. How is it possible to pay that kind of rent. Oh, I bet
the person who owns that building knows somebody in government
who signed the lease. Everyone should be put in jail. The landlord
herself is outrageous.
DISCLAIMER
The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and
bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica
NOT MONTHLY
NOCAL CLARIFIES LEASE AGREEMENT
WITH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Editor
ARCELOR MITTAL IS
CONTRIBUTING TO JOBLESSNESS
The Editor,
EDITORIAL TEAM
POLITICS
Frontpage
Monroviahe
opposition
Congress
for
Democratic Change
(CDC) has denied
media reports that the Party
is at the concluding stage
of discussions with the
opposition Liberty Party (LP)
for a possible merger in the
upcoming
2017presidential
elections.
At
a
news
conference
Wednesday at the Partys
headquarters in Congo Town,
the Party Chairman Mr.
Nathaniel McGill said, the
story published in the June 17
edition of the New Democrat
Newspaper was a mere
assumption and is far from the
reality.
He
confirmed
ongoing
discussions with other political
parties and individuals but
said it is not the Liberty Party
but claimed that the party is
not opposed to talk with the
Liberty Party. For now that
is far from happening, McGill
said.
McGill added: We are not in
CORRUPTION WATCH
Monroviaiberias
Agriculture
Minister Dr. Florence
Chenoweth
has
admitted to most of
the findings contained in audit
conducted by the General
Auditing Commission of Liberia
(GAC) on the operations of the
Ministry of Agriculture for the
periods 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Minister Chenoweth claimed that
most of the findings contained in
the report are reflective of what
took place at the Ministry and
added that upon her ascendency
to the position of minister her
predecessor did not turn over
any record.
During a joint Public hearing
conducted by the Legislative
Public Accounts Committee,
Minister Chenoweth said upon
taking over as Minister at the
Agriculture Ministry she did not
receive any financial documents
on the army worm invasion.
Minister Chenoweth said I have
no record of it; I was shown a
check book by Mr. Sirleaf that
said army worm. There was also
one check book that said bamboo
with no justification written
in the line of the check book as
to what they were used for and
it did not state anything of the
amount the auditor general has
put in this report.
She said the Ministry had
experienced
problems
with changes in financial
comptrollers, thereby creating
documentation challenges.
Said the Minister Agriculture has
had problems with comptrollers
they have come and gone. We
dont have attractive budget
for good comptrollers so we
dont get many qualified people
applying for the position.
The
General
Auditing
Commission (GAC)
in its
report
forwarded
several
recommendations
to
the
National Legislature for possible
action by the body on audit
conducted on the Ministry of
Agriculture for the fiscal years
2006/2007and2009.
Page 5
'FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETIES'
Agriculture Minister Chenoweth Confirms Audit Findings
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com
payroll.
The MOA former Personnel
Director Daniel B. Smith,
Personnel
Director
Mrs.
Maryann Blidi, James Sellie
and the former Comptrollers,
Ernest V.B. Massaquoi, Samuel
B. Nah and Stephen Y. Konah
should be held to restitute the
total unearned remuneration
of L$546,952.88 paid to the
separated staff outside of GOL
regulations, the report stated.
The report also recommended
that the Personnel Directress,
Mrs. Maryann Blidi, former
Personnel
Director
Daniel
Smith, the Comptroller, Ernest
Massaquoi, Samuel B. Nah,
Stephen Y. Konah and Director
of MOF EDP Section should
jointly restitute L$23,522.36
being remuneration paid to nonexisting personnel.
NON-ADHERENCE TO
STANDING ORDERS
CSA
Page 6 | Frontpage
NEWS EXTRA
Monrovia
peculations
and
negotiations
continue to heighten
ahead of the crucial
2017
presidential
elections in Liberia with
multiple
political
parties
looking to consolidate their
bases and narrow the playing
field via political blocs in hopes
of bolstering their chances.
FrontPageAfrica has reliably
learnt that one party looking
in the direction of merger is
the opposition Liberty Party,
whose political leader Charles
Walker Brumskine is expected
to come out of political
retirement at the partys
convention in Voinjama, Lofa
County from June 25, 2015
June 28, 2015.
In the 2005, general elections,
there were at least 30 (thirty)
registered political parties in
Liberia but only 25 contested
the October 11 elections.
That number included two
political alliances and one
coalition - Alliance for Peace
and Democracy (APD), United
Democratic Alliance (UDA) and
Coalition for Transformation
of Liberia (COTOL) - and one
independent candidate.
In 2011, talk of unseating
the incumbent ruling Unity
Party government led to
the formation of the shortlived, National Democratic
Coalition, which aim was to
contest the 2011 presidential
and
legislative
elections.
The original members of
the coalition were the New
Deal Movement(MDN), the
National Democratic Party of
Liberia(NDM), the National
Patriotic Party(NPP) of former
President Charles Taylor, the
National Democratic Party
of Liberia(NDPL) of late
President Samuel Doe, the
Liberia Peoples Party, the
United Peoples Party, the
Liberia Equal Rights Party and
the Labor Party of Liberia.
Despite boasting some highprofile figures, the NDC lead
by Ambassador Dew Mayson,
a former university professor,
struggled to raise money and
eclipsed by internal wrangling.
The New Deal suspended
Mayson as its standard bearer
on July 6, 2011 for unspecified
reasons, but later reinstated
him. The ambassador later
told reporters that there was
an internal debate within the
NDC over whether to contest
the presidential election or
to solely field candidates
for the legislative elections.
However, the coalition was
dealt a blow the day prior to
its convention, as the NPP
and the NDPL withdrew from
the coalition. On July 17 the
remaining members of the
coalition nominated Mayson
as their presidential candidate.
Mayson secured 5, 819 votes
for 0.5 percent of the votes.
With the 2017 presidential and
legislative elections around
the corner, talk around many
political parties is pointing
toward the realization that
coalition and merger could
be a viable option for parties
seeking state power with many
political observers holding
the view that a sea of splinter
political parties may give the
incumbent UP government the
edge.
But while mergers and
coalitions appear to be a viable
alternative, it could boil down
to numerical strengths of the
parties involved.
In 2011, for example, sixteen
persons
contested
the
presidency. Ironically, outside
the top three finishers
Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf(Unity
Party,
43.9);
Winston
Tubman(CDC, 32.7) and Prince
Y. Johnson(NUDP,11.6), none
of the remaining candidates
managed to break the one
percent mark with the
exception of Liberty Partys
Brumskine who secured 5.5
percent of the votes tally,
Gladys
Beyan(GDPL,
1.1
percent) and Rev. Kennedy
Sandy(,LTP1.1 percent).
Ahead of 2017, the key, political
observers say could line in how
political parties play to their
numerical strengths and their
political maneuverings.
In the Alternative National
Congress, a breakaway faction
of George Weahs Congress
for Democratic Change, the
United Peoples Party, the
New Deal Movement, the Free
Democratic Party of Liberia
and the Liberia Peoples Party,
the Liberty Party supporters
believe they could be on to
something but the key for the
party would be how it performs
beyond the stronghold of its
political leader, Brumskine in
Grand Bassa County.
In recent days, speculations of
a discussion between the party
and Weahs CDC have been in
the air but neither sides have
been able to confirm or deny
the reports until Wednesday
when Nathaniel McGill, the
partys Secretary General shot
down the speculations at a
news conference at the partys
headquarters in Congotown.
While confirming ongoing
discussions with other political
parties and individuals, McGill
said the CDC is not opposed to
talk with the Liberty Party but
Frontpage
Page 7
Monroviahe
Government
of
Liberia
has
warned
residents
of Somalia Drive, a
major road linking populated
Gardnersville to Monrovia
constructing
building
in
the alleys and right-away to
immediately relocate and
give way for the Japanese
contractors to start the road
project that was put on hold
due to the Ebola outbreak in
Liberia.
The Government through
Foreign
Affairs
Minister
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
has called for the cooperation
of all Liberians to see the
successful commencement and
completion of the project.
Minister Ngafuan is calling on
residents to cooperate with
contractors and government
by
removing
structures
constructed in alleys and near
the main road.
The Governments of Liberia
and Japan on Monday June
10, 2013 signed a US$50
million agreement for the
reconstruction and expansion
of the Somalia Drive road.
The
signing
ceremony
followed a Detailed Design
Agreement that was signed
between both governments,
as Foreign Minister Ngafuan
signed on behalf of the
Liberian Government while
BASELESS
middle class.
The Civil Society Network
of
Liberia-CSO-network
has joined in commending
Governor Jones for his
reaffirmation to support and
build the financial capacity
of middle class Liberians
through the financial loan
scheme at the Central Bank of
Liberia.
CSO Network has indicated
that it sees the initiative as
laudable and worth supporting
as it is designed to help
alleviate poverty especially
among the thousands of less
fortunate Liberians across the
country.
Our
research
conducted
revealed that the Central
Bank of Liberia Governor has
established loan schemes
in seven of the fifteen (15)
counties an initiative that has
tremendously helped to better
the living conditions of our
people in those areas which
is worth commendation, the
CSO network indicated in a
statement issued in Monrovia.
The association mentioned
Page 8 | Frontpage
[L-R] Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai (left) inducting LTA officers into office at the Royal Grand Hotel; Guest attending the induction ceremony of officers of the Liberia Timber Association (LTA)
TAXATION:
The taxes imposed on the sector are higher than most other timber
producing country. For a country coming other of crisis; with the
poor conditions of its infrastructure, it is strange to believe that
we will impose the same or higher taxes then countries that have
had over more than thirty (30) years of continuous activities,
where all of their investment have been amortized. This makes
our commodity not to be competitive with these countries. Added
to this is the additional cost that we have to expense in order to
meet all the new legal requirements ( i.e. Chain of custody using
GPS, VPA & LEITI preparedness etc.). The government needs to
re-look at its tax policies and come up with a more conducive tax
structure that will attract more direct investment in this sector.
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS:
As we improve the governance issues surrounding the Forestry
Sector, we should be reminded that the Laws are the frame work
around which we all have to work. The Government, Civil Society,
Communities, Private Sector and our International Partners will
all have to be held to the Law. Any action by any party should be
according to the Law; The Government and any other Institution
Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Deputy Managing Director, Darlington S. Touagben makes remark
or Government cannot enter
into any agreement outside
the guidelines of the Law
and expect that agreement to
be legal. Also the actions we
take to remedy any action we
presume contrary to the Law
needs to follow the rule of Law.
When we realize that portions
of the law has ambiguity we
should not be afraid to seek
amendments. We all agree that
we are reforming the sector
from the way things were; and
reform is a process and not an
event. Mistake and missteps
will take place; we should have
the wisdom to mutually work
for improvement. An Executive
Order cannot and should not
be the medium for correcting
issues of law.
Lack
of
facilities
and
Infrastructures:
It is no secret that our
infrastructures are in a
deplorable state. Our road
network needs continuous
repair,
bridges
need
replacement;
more
work
needs to be done on our ports.
Electricity is not available or
too expensive for industry such
as processing facilities. This all
add to the cost of production
and
limits
productivity.
Concessions
(Forest
Management Contracts) are
given with no maintenance
of the major highways. The
timber companies are expected
to maintain these highways
without any compensation,
while at the same time paying
full taxes to Government. At
ports there are no places to
serve as Log Park; logs will
have to be stored miles away
from these ports increasing
the cost of timber companies
in handling. There need to be
some compromises!
It is our hope that we will begin
constructive
engagement
with Government to improve
the relationship with all
stakeholders; to seek ways of
improving how the industry
CONCLUSION:
It is our fervent hope that
with the new corps of officers
within the LTA, we can engage
the government and all
stakeholders in constructively
seeking new avenues in
improving the industry for
the betterment of society as a
whole.
To our international partners,
we want to thank you for your
support through the VPASU and also your continuous
support to the Government.
We can assure you of our, the
LTA, support of the VPA and its
implementation.
To the members of the timber
association we want to assure
you that we are going to work
in your best interest. We
ask for you full support and
understanding as we serve
you. We will want all of us in
Frontpage
In line with its vision 2020, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is implementing a Volunteers
Programme to cut across all areas/sectors of activities of the ECOWAS Commission and its sister Institutions.
The ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP) was inspired by the social value that voluntary action represents. This social
value has existed for a very long time in African societies and especially in ECOWAS Member States. The traditional
volunteer service is a current, everyday practice, demonstrated for instance in running to the assistance of aged persons
or communal work in maintaining the environment, or jointly mobilizing to save or provide aid to victims of disasters, or
indeed the giving out of grants to indigent members of our communities.
The EVP promotes this social value in support and pursuit of development, peace and regional integration. It contributes
to the development of the sub region by providing technical assistance through volunteers, tinted by the dynamism and
innovation particular to youth, to support the efforts of Member States in their priority areas for development.
ECOWAS Volunteers are a group of volunteers men and women (18 to 35 years) from ECOWAS countries, with the
capacity to adapt to different social, cultural and political circumstances. They are deployed in selected communitybased associations, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and specialized agencies that
are active in socio-economic, cultural, political, and humanitarian work. The volunteers help consolidate peace, recovery,
national reconciliation and rehabilitation in crisis-affected communities. It is expected of the members of the volunteer
corps to strengthen the capacities of local organizations by assisting them in the development and implementation of
projects and programmes.
This initiative complements existing programmes for Peace Building and national volunteers programmes in ECOWAS
Member States. It helps to address the structural causes of vulnerability, instability or outbreaks of violence in the region.
The ECOWAS Commission, through the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP) is to facilitate the involvement and
participation of its young citizens in peace and development through volunteering initiatives.
The Programme is currently present in three countries for the pilot phase, namely Sierra Leone and Guinea.
already in place, in order to respond to the most critical needs and to complement efforts already conducted.
UNFPA is setting-up RMNH services to pregnant women and new-borns, establishing a network of midwives in the
affected areas, able to address the urgent needs of childbearing women and new-borns. Community outreach through
community health workers to restore trust in the RMNH services and to reach childbearing women through mobileclinics is part of the response. The Services include family planning, antenatal, childbirth, post-partum/natal care,
including basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care, sexual reproductive health matters and services. The midwives
will serve in teams across the three affected countries. These Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmONC) Centres will be
connected with Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmONC) Centres linked with a referral system.
In response to the emergency situation created by the Ebola epidemic, the EVP has created a new corps of volunteers,
the humanitarian Emergency Response Team. These volunteers will be recruited and deployed for the first time under
the UNFPA Mano River Project. The ECOWAS Volunteers will contribute to regional integration, peace and development
by providing technical assistance through volunteers, tinted by the dynamism and innovation particular to youth, to
support this global effort.
Background:
The current outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa is the largest and most complex outbreak of Ebola to
date, with more cases and deaths than in all-previous outbreaks combined. Mistrust and general panic are posing
barriers to essential health care in the affected countries, with pregnant women being too scared to visit health s and
facilities no longer being able to perform routine and emergency maternal and new-born health services. The crisis has
diverted critical resources away from pregnant women and new-borns. It is estimated that more than 800,000 women in
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia will be pregnant in the next 12 months. Moreover, more than 1.3 million women in
these countries will need family planning services in 2015. If no intervention takes place, it is expected that the number
of pregnant women and new-borns dying from preventable causes will significantly increase.
Clinical midwifery and gender sensitive reproductive health service delivery and care
The midwife ensures that gender considerations are part of the core professional midwifery practice on the unit and
guides the team towards institutionalizing the following:
Early recognition of pregnant women presenting to midwives-led centres with symptoms that could suggest Ebola
leading to immediate isolation and testing, before referral if positive case
Prompt the rapid institution of infection control measures (e.g., use of personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation,
decontamination) to prevent potential transmission to staff, patients and visitors.
Diagnosing, supporting and examining women during pregnancy; developing, assessing and evaluating individual
midwifery services of care for vulnerable groups;
Providing childbirth and neonatal services including basic emergency obstetric and new-born care (EmONC) services;
Providing full gender sensitive, integrated antenatal care, in facility, community and at home, including counselling and
advice;
Identifying high risk pregnancies and, where possible, making timely referrals to more appropriate facilities;
Providing post-abortion services, including Family Planning (FP);
Arranging and providing parenting and health education for the woman, her partner and family members; encouraging
participation of family members in the birth to support the mother and enhance both mother/ baby bonding and family
relationships generally;
Offering support and advice following events such as miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, neonatal abnormality and
neonatal death;
Supporting and assisting mothers in labour, monitoring the condition of the foetus and using knowledge of drugs and
pain management;
Giving support and advice on the daily care of the baby, including exclusive breastfeeding, cord care, hygiene and
Kangaroo mother care for preterm and for less than 2000g babies;
Providing advice and guidance on a safe and timely transfer home;
Provides advice and counselling on birth spacing (Family planning) methodologies and options to the client and her
family.
Liaising with agencies and other health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care;
Where possible, consults with and makes recommendations to the referred to facility concerning health needs of the
clients;
Supports Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV services including providing HIV counselling and
testing services; Supporting and providing comprehensive reproductive health services particularly for youth and other
vulnerable groups including internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees;
Providing integrated antenatal care services, including EMTCT for HIV, STI and Malaria prevention and treatment,
The Country Coordination Office represents EVP in the beneficiary countries. The EVP Country Coordination office is
responsible for the management of operations at country level, and works with country partners to define the objectives
of specific program in the country in accordance with Program guidelines. It provides all programme and administrative
support to ECOWAS Volunteers deployed to the country.
While remaining under the administrative authority of EVP, ECOWAS Volunteers shall be under the overall direction and
substantive supervision of the UNFPA Country Office. In each country a logistic cell will be established to provide logistic
and management/ programme services to the temporary centres. Furthermore, Furthermore, at country level the
MoHS/UNFPA coordination committee will monitor and oversee the Volunteers technical activities..
VI. Description of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative of the applicable Country Office and the project coordinator
in the country of assignment and in close collaboration with the programme associate, the senior midwife will assume
the following responsibilities:
Administrative and Professional Responsibilities
He/she will support the project coordinator in the supervision of midwifery staff and support staff in the planning of care
and implementation of the midwifery case management. She/he will support the overall management of the
performance of the midwives in the team.
Plans unit workflow, determines priorities, assigns responsibilities, oversees and reviews clinical practice; prepare staff
work schedule, reporting and record keeping;
Provides regular feedback to the staff on their clinical performance, identifies staff development needs and presents the
information to appropriate personnel for onward planning of professional advancement in best practice;
Mentors the more junior midwives in their daily work;
Promote professional ethics and conduct. Maintains and promotes standards of midwifery care in collaboration with
partners including nurses and midwives associations;
Ensure an effective monitoring and supervision of the midwifery/clinical case management of patients/clients admitted
to the hospital or facility;
Provides oversight for the requisition, safe storage and administration of drugs and supplies including the maintenance
of equipment and all relevant inventories;
Assists the procurement process including identifying items necessary to provide the required care;
Assists, supports and encourages implementation of clinical and administrative policies and procedures;
Assists and supports the implementation of functional referral mechanisms;
Completes all required documentation and reporting on expected project results and outputs.
Facilitates team meetings including case reviews, and creates a forum for learning;
Engaging in professional development to meet PREP (post-registration education and practice) requirements;
Ensures the facility remains functional in administrative and clinical operations;
Liaises with agencies and other health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care;
Identifies and shares best practices in their area of work with the UNFPA country team.
Clinical midwifery and gender sensitive reproductive health service delivery and care
The midwife ensures that gender considerations are part of the core professional midwifery practice on the unit and
guides the team towards institutionalizing the following:
Early recognition of pregnant women presenting to midwives-led centres with symptoms that could suggest Ebola
leading to immediate isolation and testing, before referral if positive case
Prompt the rapid institution of infection control measures (e.g., use of personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation,
decontamination) to prevent potential transmission to staff, patients and visitors.
Diagnosing, supporting and examining women during pregnancy; developing, assessing and evaluating individual
midwifery services of care for vulnerable groups;
Providing childbirth and neonatal services including basic emergency obstetric and new-born care (EmONC) services;
Providing full gender sensitive, integrated antenatal care, in facility, community and at home, including counselling and
advice;
Page 9
Signature:
Date: 01/06/2015
Signature:
Date: 03/06/2015
NEWS EXTRA
Page 10 | Frontpage
Monrovia s
part
of
its
contribution
to
Liberias post-Ebola
recovery,
Chevron
Liberia and its joint venture
partners
including
the
Liberia Ebola Private Sector
Mobilization Group (EPSMG),
on Tuesday launched the
Center of Excellence for
Infectious Disease Control at
the John F. Kennedy Medical
Center in Monrovia.
Mr. Karl Cottrell, Country
Manager, Chevron Liberia
Limited said the company
was excited to be competing
the signing of an agreement
for a center that will bolster
Liberias post-Ebola health and
infectious disease control.
Chevron is currently exploring
for energy resources in
deepwater concessions off the
coast of Liberia. Working with
international and Liberian
partners, the company is
drilling some of the first
deepwater wells in Liberia
in decades. As part of the
companys commitment to
Liberia, it has created the
Chevron-Liberia
Economic
Development
Initiative
through which it has invested
in a variety of successful
programs focused on health,
education and enterprise
development.
On Tuesday, Mr. Cottrell said
when Chevron entered into a
Partnership with the people
of Liberia in 2010, it made a
commitment to help overcome
some of the health challenges
that were facing the Nation at
that point in time. In particular,
he said, the company made
a commitment to focus on
Mother Child Health care and,
working with partners like JKF,
Redemption Hospital, Grand
Bassa Hospital, St. Josephs
Hospital,
Kingdom
Care,
Bensons Hospital and other
health institutions across
Liberia, progress was being
made in this critical area.
Mr. Cottrell said at the time and
even up until a year ago, no
R to L: Dr. McDonald, CEO JFK Medical Center, Dr. Bernice Dahn, Minister of Health Designate, Karl Cottrell, Country
Manager, Chevron Liberia, Deborah Malac, USA Ambassador and Caroline Dow, Economic officer, USA Embassy at JFK
Medical Center tour following the launch of the Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease Control.
one would have predicted the
onset of Ebola and the impact
that it would have on Liberia.
With the strong collaboration
between the Government of
Liberia, Government of United
States, other international
governments, UN agencies,
national and international
donors,
national
and
international NGOs, private
sector
companies,
media
and most importantly local
communities leaders, Liberia
can truly celebrate success
in accomplishing the goal of
Zero is achievable
Mr. Cottrell said Chevron
recognizes the hard work
of health workers and their
commitment, dedication and
their personal sacrifices in
line of duty. We remember
those health care workers you
made the ultimate sacrifice
in the service of others.
Chevron clearly recognizes
the impact that Ebola has
had on the health sector and,
with the signing of this grant
agreement, Chevron along with
the other contributors to the
Liberian Center of Excellence
for Infectious Disease Control,
wishes to move Liberia past
Public/Private
Partnership
model with an initial grant from
Chevron, Liberia, a Member of
the EPSMG and would operate
under
international
best
practices with an Advisory
Board, First Class Management
and Governance Systems.
Dr. McDonald added:
As
Liberias internal and external
stakeholders mobilized in a
precedent way to fight the
Ebola Virus Disease, this
Center continues that legacy
of collaboration; sounding out
to the world that this historical
partnership will continue to
keep Ebola at Zero Level in
Liberia and ensure that there
is a frontline defense for Ebola
or any other infectious disease
that comes to Liberia.
The JFK boss said the first
order of business for the
Center will be to hire an
Executive Director; with a job
posting that will be issued
on Tuesday, June 17, 2015.
We are calling on worlds
top specialists in infectious
diseases, with experience in
the developing world and
health care administration
to apply for this position. We
want to emphasize that the
NEWS EXTRA
Frontpage
n Wednesday, 17th
June
2015,
the
European
Union,
together with its
partners will celebrate Climate
Diplomacy Day, promoting
a
common
worldwide
understanding of the need
for action to mitigate climate
change. Climate change is
one of the major challenges of
the 21st century, presenting
risks for our planet, for our
prosperity and security. Turn
on your TV to watch the news,
listen to the radio and read the
papers: almost every week you
will receive information about
extreme weather conditions
resulting in natural disasters
around the world. All of these
disasters cause misery and
loss of human life, as well as
billions of US$ in damages.
Climate change is not just
with
preindustrial
levels
and avoiding catastrophe, an
ambitious, legally binding
agreement is going to be
needed, covering all countries.
You may ask: how is this
relevant to Liberia and what
could Liberia possibly do to
help. Liberia has been blessed
with a considerable resource
of rainforest. It is important
POLITICS
Monroviaiberia is expected to go
election in 2017 and as
usual several dormant
political parties are
preparing for the political
process.
The opposition Liberian National
Union (LINU), a party that was
used by Cllr. Winston Tubman
to make his way to the Congress
for Democratic Change in 2011
has named a new political leader
who will steer the affairs of the
party.
The Executive Committee (EC)
of LINU and other members of
the Partys (EC) have resolved to
confer upon Nathaniel T. Blama,
Sr the title of Political leader of
the Liberian National Union.
According to a resolution,
a copy of which is in the
possession of FrontPageAfrica
the EC took the decision to
make Nathaniel Blama the
party political leader due to his
invaluable contribution to the
transformation of the party.
Due
to
the
invaluable
contribution of this eminent
partisan, the time seems prudent
to elevate this illustrious son of
the party to its leadership, it
is hoped that in this capacity
we will be able to inculcate
his expertise with the existing
ones in
a noble quest for
consolidating the machinery of
our institution, the resolution
stated.
LINU says in the dialectics of
building a vibrant party, (LINU)
remains in the continuous thrust
of making advancement geared
at the attainment of forming a
government for the Liberian
people.
According to the party, the
realization of this grandiose
plan should not be seen as
an overnight dream, saying it
should rather be accepted as
realistic for a political institution
traditionally considered as a
government in waiting.
The party has indicated that
it has however written the
National Elections Commission
(NEC) informing them (NEC)
about the party new political
leader.
A letter to NEC dated June 5,
2015 the LINU stated: we
respectfully extend profound
compliments and request your
acknowledgement for decision
reached by the Liberian National
Union (LINU) in conferring the
title of political leader upon Hon.
Nathaniel Blama, Sr.
The letter furthered stated
that, the Liberian National
Union has resolved and reached
the decision to empower Hon.
Blama in executing his mandate
to achieve galvanizing all
necessary support for the party,
constructively engage other
political leaders and relevant
stakeholders in consultations
with the Executive Committee of
the party,.
The Liberia National Union
(LINU) is a political party that
was formed by Dr. Harry Moniba,
the former Vice President of
Liberia (1984 - 1990).
Moniba also helped to create the
multi-party election system that
the country currently uses. He
served as LINU's first standard
bearer as well. LINU participated
in the 11 October 2005 elections
as part of the three-party United
Democratic Alliance (UDA)
coalition obtaining 3,756 votes
with 0.31%.
LINU before the 2011 elections
expelled their former standard
Page 11
Page 12 | Frontpage
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eHA/RFP/JUN-01/2015
RFP Submission Address: eHealth Systems Africa Liberia,19th Street and Warner
Avenue (beach side, first avenue intersection house and fence with cream color
and brown gate), Monrovia, Liberia. ONLY hard copy in the tender box at the office
will be considered.
eHealth Africa is a nongovernmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to improving health
care in developing countries through strengthening health workers and the system that
support them. ehealth Africa works towards this goal by creating sustainable eHealth and
mhealth systems, providing technology infrastructure, performing training and capacity
building workshops, publishing research on our works in Africa, and by providing
consulting and support for other organizations working on healthcare in Africa. Based in
santa Ana, California, in the United States, eHealth Africa main office is located in Kano,
Nigeria.
In order to achieve its goals and objectives, eHealth System Liberia has secured funds
from its partners for the continuation of these operations in Liberia. eHealth Africa
Systems Liberia is seeking bids/proposals for the provision of six (6) to twelve (12)
pieces of the below specified vehicles:
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We greatly appreciate your participation and look forword to reviewing your submission.
NEWS EXTRA
Frontpage
Page 13
The
Extraordinary General Assembly brought together heads
and representatives of anti-corruption institutions from
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia. Also attending the Assembly
were representatives from the African Development Bank
(ADB), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),
the national authorities from Mali and Togo for the fight
against drugs trafficking and money laundering as well as civil
society organizations.
The Network of Ant-Corruption Institutions in West Africa
(NACIWA) is independent and a non-profit association
established at the initiative of the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting took place with
technical and financial support from the UNODC and the
Government of Denmark.
Page 14 | Frontpage
PAGE
RONT
IN BRIEF
BEIJING (Reuters) hina on Wednesday rebuffed comments by U.S. real
estate mogul and presidential contender Donald Trump
that China is stealing U.S. jobs through crafty business
practices, saying trade between the two countries was
win-win.
Trump wallowed in political incorrectness on Tuesday as he
insulted everyone from Mexican immigrants to Jeb Bush and
U.S. ally Saudi Arabia in announcing his bid for the Republican
nomination.
He saved his wildest attacks for foreign policy, frequently
accusing China of stealing jobs and portraying himself as a
tough negotiator who would beat Beijing at its own game.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang disagreed.
"Economic and trade cooperation between China and the United
States has grown to such an extent today that it has become like
'You are among us and we are among you'," Lu said when asked
about Trump's comments.
WORLD NEWS
igerias
newly
inaugurated
National Assembly
is set to receive a
whopping 8.64 billion naira
($43 million) to spend on
clothes.
Described as a wardrobe
allowance, the amount will be
split between both chambers
of the National Assembly
with the 109 members of the
Senate receiving 21.5 million
naira ($108,000) each while
the 360 members of the House
of Representatives, the lower
chamber, will each receive 17.5
million naira.
Aside from a wardrobe
allowance,
the
National
Assembly will also receive
other furniture and car loan
allowances. The furniture
allowance will see 107
senators receive 650 million
naira while 358 House of
Representatives
members
will receive total of 2 billion
naira. The lawmakers can also
access car loans with senators
possibly provided with 867
million naira and House of
Representatives
members
provided with 2.8 billion naira
in car loans. While ordinary
members of both chambers get
these allowances, two principal
officers from each chamber, the
Senate President, the Speaker
of the House and their deputies
will have furniture provided by
the Federal Government.
Before the inauguration of the
new National Assembly, there
had already been calls for
transparency and reductions
in funding for the lawmakers
who rank among the worlds
highest paid. Lawmakers in
Nigeria earn around $160,000
annually based on current
exchange rates- more than
Frontpage
Sports
Page 15
SPORTS
MAROTTA: POGBA
OFF THE MARKET UNLESS HE ASKS TO
LEAVE JUVENTUS
uventus
general
manager
Giuseppe
Marotta insists that Paul
Pogba is "off the market"
- unless the midfielder says
that he wants to leave Turin.
Pogba is one of the most
coveted players in world
football, with European
heavyweights
such
as
Barcelona, Real Madrid,
Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea
and Manchester City all
interested in signing the
22-year-old.
ayern
Munich,
Chelsea,
Manchester City
and Real Madrid
have all been ordered by
a Spanish judge to submit
documentation
detailing
their offers to sign Brazil
forward Neymar prior to
his move to Barcelona in the
summer of 2013.
Jose de la Mata Amaya
agreed to investigate a
complaint by DIS, the
Brazilian company that
owned a 40 per cent stake
of Neymar's rights and that
has long maintained they
are still owed money from
the controversial transfer.
CLEVELAND
tuffed in the corner
of
the
Cleveland
Cavaliers locker room,
LeBron James sat alone,
wearing nothing but oversized
gym shorts and a white towel
draped over his face.
His hands rested on top of his
head. Each knee was wrapped
in ice. Each foot sat in a bucket
of freezing water.
He wanted a chance to think.
FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
Sports
VOL 9 NO.82
phase for the sixth time in seven editions of the tournament, along
with debutants Ivory Coast, at 67 the lowest ranked team in Canada.
"We are excited to qualify for the second round. Just the fact we are
here will have a positive impact on Cameroon," said coach Enow
Ngachu.
"We've received many messages on social media. Some teams have
started to be created in Cameroon and we hope that many more
will be created.
"Compared to Nigeria, Cameroon is a small team. We're not just
representing Cameroon but carrying the colours of Africa."
Ngachu said they were relishing the chance to take on China. "We
are learning and if we can surprise China then fine for us," he
continued.
PRICE L$40