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pg

'I WILL NOT DIE

LIKE BACCHUS
MATTHEWS'

MPC Political Leader

Freeman Asserts

EBOLA

pg

FIGHT
A GOOD
FIGHT

FrontPage
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VOL 9 NO.56

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015

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News Extra - pg.

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
BUYING

SELLING

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

FRIDAY , MAY 8, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015

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

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 2 | Frontpage
stronger this year, offering more jobs to Liberians
and raising living standards. Ebola is not just a
health crisis across West Africa, a generation
of young people risk being lost to an economic
catastrophe as harvests are missed, markets are
shut and borders are closed, President Sirleaf
declared.
But even as the world began the pour in aid, the
deaths piled up. On 21 July 2014, four nurses at
Phebe Hospital in Bong Country contracted Ebola
and on July 27 Samuel Brisbane, the Chief Medical
Doctor at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center died
from Ebola raising fears amongst other workers
at the hospital.
The number of health care workers dying
from Ebola began increasing and many started
abandoning the hospitals and Ebola treatment
units for fear of contracting the virus.

Bettie Johnson, bettie.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com;

Al Varney Rogers, alvarney.rogers@frontpageafricaonline.com

W
Monrovia -

hat a difference a year makes.

For Bernice Freeman, Zoning
Coordinator for Women in Peace
Building Network (WIPNET), the
declaration by the World Health Organization,
that Liberia is now Ebola free, signals the end of
an obviously difficult past few months that dealt
a major blow to Liberia. Six months ago, we were
kept in houses, our children could not attend
school, farmers could not farm, neither we could
attend hospital for basics health needs, and Today
as we are gathered here let us be aware that this
stage Liberia has reached shows that we fought a
good fight.
Freeman and her peers gathered early morning
Saturday, to give praise to God for steering Liberia
out of what has no doubt been the most deadly
epidemic in Liberias history, an ebola virus
outbreak which claim the lives of more than 4,700
deaths, more than in any other affected country.
Next door neighbors Guinea and Sierra Leone are
still battling the outbreak which has claimed over
11,000 lives across the region since last year.
Last Saturday, after months of strong collaboration,
the World Health Organization (WHO) made it
official. "The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in
Liberia is over." Liberia recorded its last death
from the virus on March 27, 2015.
Homage to EJS

The WHO, in a statement paid homage to Liberian

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf under whose
leadership the outbreak was sent into retreat.
The first decisive factor was the leadership
shown by President Sirleaf, who regarded the
disease as a threat to the nations economic and
social fabric and made the response a priority
for multiple branches of government. Her swift
and sometimes tough decisions, frequent public
communications, and presence at outbreak sites
were expressions of this leadership, the WHO
said.
Having gone 42-day without a new case - twice
the maximum incubation period, Liberians are
expressing a sigh of relief. Clearly, the events
of the last year must never be forgotten. At this
symbolic juncture, I ask the whole world to
remember the 4,608 Liberians who lost their
lives, and the many thousands more who endured
the horror of fighting the disease, President
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said, in letter to world as
she paid homage to the international community,
healthcare workers and all those who made
sacrifices to force the virus into retreat.
Each death, the president recalled, told a tragic
story: A mother prevented from being with
her children during her last moments. Children
watching as relatives are carried from their family
homes, placed in trucks, never to be seen again
the dignity of a burial, as they know it, and a last
goodbye were too often denied them.
President Sirleaf would later tell the BBC: "We
will celebrate our communities which have taken
responsibility and participated in fighting this
unknown enemy and finally we've crossed the
Rubicon. Liberia indeed is a happy nation."
Ebola not only killed scores of Liberians but
exposed a lot of frailties in the countrys health
sector, adding more misery to a nation, Africas
oldest republic which is still recovering from a
bloody civil upheaval from 1989 to 2003, a period
during which an estimated 200,000 people died
millions displaced.

Since the country returned from war in 2003, a

bit of calm bolstered by two democratic elections
ensured Liberia free of any major crisis, until the
outbreak of Ebola in the early part of 2014.
In late March 2014 an unknown enemy-Ebola
raged a war on unprepared Liberia after crossing
over from neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Denial was high, making the fight a war full
of surprises amid doubts that there were no
real enemies but a mere false alarm by health
authorities intended to make money for those at
the helm of power in the health sector.
Then Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale
continuously announced at the Ministry of
Information, Culture and Tourisms weekly press
briefing that Ebola was in Liberia and on March
30 the country confirmed its first two cases of the
deadly virus.
One month later, Ebola was becoming a crisis for
the country with the number of cases rising to 34
and six deaths.
The death of a nurse from the redemption hospital
and the widespread infection at the St. Joseph
Catholic Hospital marked the uncontrolled nature
of the virus in Monrovia and immediate environs.
Sawyer takes Ebola to Nigeria

But the wake-up call came last July when Patrick

Sawyer, a Liberian-American and government
consultant became the first to export Ebola out of
Liberia, to Africas most populous nation, Nigeria,
where at least eight cases were reported with two
deaths.
Sawyers sister had contracted the virus from
Redemption Hospital in New Kru Town and was
treated at the St. Josephs Catholic Hospital which
led to the huge number of healthcare workers
death at the hospital, where Patrick himself is said
to have contracted the virus, while trying to seek
medical help for his ailing sick sister.
Dr. Sam Mutooro Muhumuza, a Ugandan national
also contracted the virus from the chain that
included Sawyers sister; he also died.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, at the time
spoke angrily about Sawyer when he said 'It is
unfortunate that one madman brought the Ebola
to us, but we have to contain it.
By mid-June the death toll had risen to sixteen and
the outbreak was now out of control.
Images of sick and dying Liberians lay in front of
makeshift treatment centers became an everyday
picture depicting pain, suffering and death.
Sirleaf writes the world

Liberia, which had been reluctant to seek

international help, finally agreed that the burden
was too much to bear.
President Sirleaf wrote an appeal to the world
calling for help in rescuing Liberia from a medical
collapse. In just over six months, Ebola has
managed to bring my country to a standstill,
the President wrote. We have lost over 2,000
Liberians. Some are children struck down in the
prime of their youth. Some were fathers, mothers,
brothers or best friends. Many were brave health
workers that risked their lives to save others,
or simply offer victims comfort in their final
moments
President Sirleaf told the world that Ebola was not
just a health crisis but an economic catastrophe
looming over the three countries affected by the
virus. Now Ebola threatens to erase that hard
work. Our economy was set to be larger and

Schools Closed
On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, President Sirleaf
ordered stringent measures in an effort to the
fight the virus, announcing closure of all schools
and a 30-day compulsory leave for non-essential
staff at government ministries and agencies,
closure of video clubs and other entertainment
centers.
Today, we announce the following additional
measures: All non -essential staff, to be determined
by the Minister or Head of Agency, are to be placed
on a 30 -day compulsory leave. Friday, August 1,
is declared a non-working day and is to be used
for the disinfection and chlorination of all public
facilities, stated the President. The President
also without exception announced closure of all
schools.
Without exceptions, all schools are ordered
closed pending further directive from the Ministry
of Education. All markets at border areas including
Foya, Bo Waterside, and Ganta are hereby ordered
closed until further notice, she said.
State of Emergency declared

On August 6 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

declared 90-Day State of Emergency, as
Governments stepped up the fight against the
spread of the Ebola Virus disease.
By the virtue of the powers vested in me as
President of the Republic of Liberia, I, Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of
Liberia, and in keeping with Article 86(a) (b) of
the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, hereby
declare a State of Emergency throughout the
Republic of Liberia effective as of August 6, 2014
for a period of 90 days, the Liberian leader, who
is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
of Liberia announced, adding further, Under this
State of Emergency, the Government will institute
extraordinary measures, including, if need be,
the suspensions of certain rights and privileges,
President Sirleaf declared.
President Sirleaf indicated that the scope and
scale of the epidemic, the virulence and deadliness
of the virus exceeded the capacity and statutory
responsibility of any one government agency or
ministry.
Controversial West Point Quarantine

In August President Sirleaf announced a

quarantine of West Point in Monrovia and Dolo
Town in Margibi County, a move which led to
some difficult decisions and resulting in tragedy,
notably the death of little Shaki Kamara. Several
other people sustained injuries form the fracas
that ensued between civilians and security
forces mainly the Liberian National Police and
the Armed Forces of Liberia, forcing the World
Health organization and other international
organizations to raise their voices against the use
of quarantine in dealing with Ebola.
International community steps in

The United States of America dispatched a team of

navy officers to the country while other countries
including the European Union, China and other
countries, all made immense contributions to deal
with the outbreak. The Americans constructed up
to 11 Ebola treatment units, the Germans opened
the SIBTU, the Chinese opened a modern ETU and
other countries provided supplies and medical
equipment.
With the numbers siding, the Sirleaf
administration hoped that by Christmas, the virus
would be defeated, a daring optimism even U.S.
Ambassador Deborah Malac described as wishful
thinking. But Liberia pressed on. As the deaths
continued to decline, many were hopeful that a
dreadful disease the WHO and other international
predicted would surpass thousands, if the right

steps were not taken to deal with it, would final

retreat.
Last Saturday, May 9, 2015, that dream became a
reality as the WHO declared Liberia free of Ebola
virus transmission. Forty-two days had passed
since the last laboratory-confirmed case was
buried on 27 March 2015.
Medical and international stakeholders agree that
interruption of transmission is a monumental
achievement for a country that reported the
highest number of deaths in the largest, longest,
and most complex outbreak since Ebola first
emerged in 1976. At the peak of transmission,
which occurred during August and September
2014, the country was reporting from 300 to 400
new cases every week.
During those 2 months, the capital city Monrovia
was the setting for some of the most tragic scenes
from West Africas outbreak: gates locked at
overflowing treatment centers, patients dying
on the hospital grounds, and bodies that were
sometimes not collected for days.
Flights were cancelled. Fuel and food ran low.
Schools, businesses, borders, markets, and most
health facilities were closed. Fear and uncertainty
about the future, for families, communities, and
the country and its economy, dominated the
national mood.
Though the capital city was hardest hit, every
one of Liberias 15 counties eventually reported
cases. At one point, virtually no treatment beds
for Ebola patients were available anywhere in
the country. With infectious cases and corpses
remaining in homes and communities, almost
guaranteeing further infections, some expressed
concern that the virus might become endemic in
Liberia, adding another and especially severe
permanent threat to health.
Liberians, through their celebration last
Saturday that beating back Ebola was a tribute
to the government and people of Liberia that
determination to defeat Ebola never wavered
and courage never faltered. Doctors and nurses
continued to treat patients, even when supplies of
personal protective equipment and training in its
safe use were inadequate. Altogether, 375 health
workers were infected and 189 lost their lives.
WHO Staying Put in Liberia, until

Local volunteers, who worked in treatment

centers, on burial teams, or as ambulance
drivers, were driven by a sense of community
responsibility and patriotic duty to end Ebola and
bring hope back to the countrys people. As the
number of cases grew exponentially, international
assistance began to pour in. All these efforts
helped push the number of cases down to zero.
Liberias last case was a woman in the greater
Monrovia area who developed symptoms on 20
March and died on 27 March. The source of her
infection was determined to be through sexual
intercourse with a survivor. At least 332 people
who may have been exposed to the patient
were identified and closely monitored. No one
developed symptoms; all have been released from
surveillance.
Health officials have maintained a high level
of vigilance for new cases. During April, the
countrys five dedicated Ebola laboratories tested
around 300 samples every week. All test results
were negative.
While WHO is confident that Liberia has
interrupted transmission, outbreaks persist in
neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone, creating
a high risk that infected people may cross into
Liberia over the regions exceptionally porous
borders.
For now the Liberian government is fully aware
of the need to remain on high alert and has
the experience, capacity, and support from
international partners to do so. WHO says it
will maintain an enhanced staff presence in
Liberia until the end of the year as the response
transitions from outbreak control, to vigilance for
imported cases, to the recovery of essential health
services.
The World Health Organization in a statement
Saturday recalled that strong coordination of the
international and national response under the
leadership of President Sirleaf, was essential for
success while acknowledging that international
support was slow to start, but abundant when
it arrived. Innovations such as the Presidential
Advisory Committee on Ebola and introduction
of an incident management system helped ensure
that resources and capacities were placed where
needed. Many of these lessons and experiences
are reflected in WHOs new response plan, which
aims to identify all remaining cases in West Africa
by June 2015.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Page 3

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

LIFE AFTER EBOLA

E

Monrovializabeth Willie, is
a resident of the
72nd
community
in Paynesville, she
now owns the very room
Thomas Eric Duncan used to
own before he took that fateful
journey to the United States
of America, taking Ebola with
him and meeting his untimely
death.
Elizabeth ponders on the
tragedies brought about by the
deadly Ebola Virus Disease.
Now she is without work
because the clinic at which she
used to work shutdown after
many of the health workers
there died from the deadly
Ebola Virus.
I was working at the Liberty
Clinic, but then three of my
colleagues died from the virus,
we closed down. Lot of nurses
lost their lives, God saved
some of us; so we dont have
to make ourselves vulnerable,
she said.
With the World Health
Organizations announcement
declaring Liberia Ebola-Free
on Saturday May 9, 2015,
Josephine says she is not in the
mood to celebrate. For her this
is a time of sober reflection for
her as she remembers health
workers who died helping to
save lives.
For me, even though I am
happy, what I think is, now
that Liberia is Ebola free, we
still have to take the necessary
precautions, she said.
We should not feel that because
they have announced Liberia
Ebola-free, so we should make
ourselves vulnerable again. We
all ask God that Liberia will
not be infected for the second
time, she said.
Josephine
moved
into
Duncans room two months
ago and she said despite being
advised against it by some, she
took the bold step and she is
happy she did.
I feel fine, since I moved here
I havent experienced anything.
Ive been here about two
months. None of my relatives
died, but I lost friends with

Liberias Battle with Deadly Disease Over; But

Aftermath Dreadful for Survivors, Orphans
Wade C. L. Williams, wade.williams@frontpageafricaonline.com

whom I worked with. They

died from the Virus, she said.
Ebola Orphans Coping
There are many children
orphaned by the deadly Ebola
virus, though not all of them
have managed to make it into
the classroom this year, some
have found foster parents that
have volunteered to care for
them.
Mercy Kennedy is 9 and in
July of this year she will turn
10, but her mother will not be
around to celebrate with her.
Mercys mother is among
the thousands of people who
died from the deadly disease
in Liberia. Mercys mother
contracted the disease when she
cared for the Pregnant woman
from whom the first Ebola
Patient on U.S soil Thomas
Eric Duncan contracted the
disease in the 77nd community
of Monrovia after he tried to
help take her to a hospital.
Today, Mercy lives not far from
her old home and Duncans
House, but is happy that she
has a foster parent and is in

school for the first time.

Martu Weefor a neighbor
to Mercys dead mother
volunteered to take her and
elder brother Harris after their
mothers death in October last
year at the height of the Ebola
epidemic. Mercys mother
contracted Ebola after she cared
for a six-month-old pregnant
woman Mathalyne Williams.
The death of this woman left

many who had come in contact

with her exposed to the deadly
virus. Fifteen people died, as
hundreds were quarantined.
I know Ebola is real because
I sat here and saw everything.
From my community alone,
eleven persons died, if you add
Eric to it thats twelve, said
Mercys foster mother Weefor,
as she recounted the horrors of
the Ebola Virus and the terror

it brought on their community.

But Weefor is happy that Ebola
is now history and Mercy and
other kids orphaned by Ebola
can start a new life.
She said though this is Mercys
first year at school, she likes
it there. She attends the More
Than Me Academy on Ashmun
Street in Monrovia.
She is doing fine; in the
beginning it was difficult for
her because it was her first time
to go to school. Now at least
she knows how to write ABC.
Shes happy now that she can
write A and B. So for her, I
can say shes doing well, said
Martu Weefor who now acts as
a surrogate mother for Mercy.
Presidential Advisor
Dr.
Emmanuel Dolo and others
who worked at the government
level of the response agrees
to a cautious celebrations
considering that the other
hardly hit countries are still
battling the deadly disease.
It is a balance between feeling
the pains, the horror, the sorrow
of our colleagues who gave the
ultimate price for this and then
knowing the hard work, the
sleepless nights, the difficult
moments as professionals on
the frontline of this disease
every day, said Dr. Dolo.
Celebrate cautiously because
we know the disease is within
our borders. Our brothers and
sisters in Sierra Leone and
Guinea are facing this disease
and we must stand in solidarity
with them because theyve been
in solidarity with us throughout
this process. This is a cautious
celebration; this is a moment of
significant reflection.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
elated and smiling throughout
a short ceremony culminating
into the WHOs announcement
called for a cautious celebration
and thanked the international
community for standing by
Liberia in its time of trouble.
The task is not over; in fact
we have some more difficult
tasks weve just begun. So
we dont get overzealous. It
means that we must continue

our precautionary measures,

she said.
Post Ebola trauma
Survivors at the program said
they were experiencing post
Ebola syndromes and called
on the government to help
them. Many survivors have
complained of side effects
of the virus ranging from
blindness to swollen legs.
Our Survivors are suffering
from medical complications,
some have swollen legs,
eyes problem, internal pains,
impotency and the rest of the
post Ebola syndrome. These
are things that are really giving
us a tough time. We really need
a timely intervention, said
Patrick S. Farley, an Ebola
Survivor and head of Liberias
Ebola Survivors Network.
Liberia has been on edge as
the country missed out on
being declared Ebola-Free by
the WHO in April as a single
patient from the Caldwell
community contracted the
virus through sexual contact in
March leading the country to
start counting all over again.
Wish granted
On Saturday in a short
statement read by WHO
Liberia Representative Dr.
Alex Gasasira, to Liberia, the
countrys long awaited wish
was granted as the magic word
was spoken.
The criteria established
by WHO has been met. The
outbreak of the Ebola Virus
Disease is over, he said.
Liberia will officially mark
the celebration of its historic
achievement in a colorful
ceremony at the Centennial
Memorial
Pavilion
in
Monrovia on Monday with
two African heads of States
including Nigeria expected to
attend according to President
Johnson Sirleaf. President
Faure Gnbassingbe of Togo
and supervisor of ECOWAS
initiatives in the fight against
Ebola will also attend the grand
celebrations on Monday.

I feel fine, since I moved here I havent

experienced anything. Ive been here about
two months. None of my relatives died, but
I lost friends with whom I worked with.
They died from the Virus.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL THE UNSKILLED LIBERIAN
v

Commentary

A REASON TO BIGSHOTS OF THE GRAND OLD TWP

CELEBRATE
T
LIBERIA HAS A LOT
Siahyonkron Nyanseor, Lawrenceville, GA

TO BE THANKFUL FOR

AFTER NEARLY A YEAR of total nightmare that saw

thousands die, Liberia closed a dark chapter last
Saturday when the World Health Organization(WHO)
officially declared the country Ebola free.

THAT MOMENTUOUS DECLARATION will climax months

of hard work, sacrifices, dedication and the goodwill of
the international community who came to Liberias aid
during its darkest hour, when mothers, fathers, daughters
and sons lay on the doorsteps of Ebola treatment centers
and at the mercy of the world.
HELP CAME from the Chinese who brought in the
first batch of medical supplies, the Americans, whose
President Barack Obama ordered the largest ever US
deployment to the region in September, sending 2,800
troops to build 11 Ebola treatment units across Liberia
and scores of others including the European Union, the
African Union and our own regional ECOWAS body.
BRIEIFING THE UN Security Council early in the week,
Karin Landgren, Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral in Liberia declared that Liberians and their
Government, with support from the UN and international
partners, have gotten firmly ahead of the epidemic but
cautioned that Liberians must remain vigilant.
SAID THE UNMIL BOSS: It is remarkable that eight
months later, it is Liberia, among the three affected
countries, that appears poised to be declared Ebola-free,
making reference to Guinea and Sierra Leone. Now is
the time to address factors which contributed to Ebolas
spread, in particular, weak social service delivery, lack of
accountability and overly centralized Government.
THAT MOST OF WEST AFRICA, particularly, Liberia,
Guinea and Sierra Leone, the three countries most
hit by the virus are reporting significant decreases
in new confirmed Ebola cases, speaks volume to the
determination and drive it took to reach at this point.
Liberia is now close to being declared Ebola-free on 9
May, while Sierra Leone and Guinea are finally getting
close to zero. But international experts are cautioning
that the outbreak is not over until its over at the regional
level. No country can really be thought to be Ebola-free
until all three countries in the outbreak have no recorded
cases for 42 days.
TO DATE, Liberia has reported Zero cases since 20
March 2015, Guinea: 9 confirmed cases in the country
on 4 May and Sierra Leone reporting 21 confirmed cases
in the country on 27 April: 6 new cases (3 in Kambia, 3 in
Western Area) from 2229 April.
THERE IS ALSO the issue of the survivors, many of who
are going through unfair exclusion and stigma in their
own communities.
IT IS IMPORTANT that governments in Liberia, Guinea
and Sierra Leone ensure that survivors get the best
recovery help available. They have been helping out with
patients at Ebola centres, donating blood for plasma
transfusion and participating in community awareness
which are crucial to the fight against Ebola.

his story is about four good friends named Joseph Jenkins,

Edward James, Stephen Allen, and James Springs, who on
the fateful day of April 12, 1980, world turned inside out;
meaning the unexpected happened to they, their families,
friends and associates. The NOCOs (Non Commissioned Officers)
that used to serve them as their personal chauffeurs (drivers); guide
their homes while they and their families slept, called themselves, the
Peoples Redemption Council (PRC), had the nerve to overthrow their
GRAND OLD True Whig Party (TWP) government. Their immediate
reaction was, These NOCOs are not that smart to do this thing;
the idea must have come from those troublemakers that called
themselves MOJA and PAL, who were going around town, on college
campuses, and at high schools talking about CHANGE The time of
the people has come and In the cause of the people, the struggle
continues; they were the ones that put the bad, bad idea into the
heads of our humble NOCOs.
Although, this story is a fiction; however, if you find similar names,
persons, places and events, it should be treated as purely coincidental,
and must be considered as such.
Prior to the Peoples Redemption Council revolution, Joseph Jenkins,
Edward James, Stephen Allen, and James Springs were all honorable
gentlemen in the Liberian society. They were wheeler and dealers!
Joseph Jenkins taught History and International Studies as an
adjunct professor at the University of Liberia (LU). Actually, he was
Liberias Ambassador to the United Kingdom; he had gone home for
reassignment; Edward James was the Minister of Defense; Stephen
Allen was Senior Senator for Montserrado Countys District 1, and
James Springs was Speaker of the House of Representatives from
Lexington, Sinoe County. He had been Speaker of the House for what
Liberians referred to as 19 Woo, Woo; that is, they cant remember
the number of years he has been Speaker.
These honorable gentlemen never expected to be in the position of not
being in charge of running the country; they were caught with their
pants down, so to speak! They were NOT prepared, and never thought
these NOCOs would ever do such evil thing like this to them. As a
result, many of them found their way to the United States of America
with the hope that their stay in the US would be brief because Uncle
Sam will intervene on their behalf, like they did in the land palava
that took place between the indigenous population and the Settlers in
the Battle of Fort Hill (the Gatoomba War) of 1822 and the 1915 war.
Due to the belief held by these honorable gentlemen that the change
which took place back home was temporary; they werent frugal in
their spending habits and living standard. They were living as if they
were back home. After two years in exile, things got tough on them;
and they had to seek employment. But the problem was, all their
adult life, they only worked for the government of Liberia; they had
no other profession or skill; they had automobiles in Liberia but could
not drive; they depended on their personal chauffeurs to take them
everywhere, including to visit their girlfriends overnight; thats how
dependent these honorable men were on others!
Since Joseph Jenkins had taught History and International Studies as
adjunct professor part-time at the University of Liberia, and served
for many years as Liberias Ambassador to the United Kingdom;
he felt that qualified him to teach as a college professor in the US.
Edward James felt the same way, too. He earned his Masters degree
some twenty years ago from John Jay University in the city of New
York in the area of Public Safety and Defense; and he was the Minister
of Defense at the time the government was overthrown by the PRC.
On the other hand, Stephen Allen and James Springs were prepared
to do any job because their daughters husbands were treating them
as if they were houseboys, and did not recognize that they are Senator
and Representative from back home.
Both Stephen Allen and James Springs got jobs working as Elevator
Operators in a not-so-busy office complex building in the US. The
first day on the job, the young white supervisor met with them to tell
them their job requirements. Everything went well until the young
supervisor said, When we are less busy, one of you should go in the
yard to pick up papers (trash) on the ground and put them in the
trash cans. Right then, Speaker James Springs asked Senior Senator
Stephen Allen, Who is this little White boy talking to, doesnt he know
we are Representative and Senator? Due to their Liberian accent,
all the young man heard was, We are Representative and Senator!
To which he responded, Not on this job! Both of you are employed
here as mere Lift Operators, and if you do not follow my instructions,
you will be fired. Upon hearing what the young man said, Senator
Allen was, Do we look like crazy people picking up papers from off
the ground? Representative James Springs followed Senator Allens
remark with, We quit, you can have your damn job, uniforms and
caps; baah (friend), lets leave from this damned place before people
see us here; we are too big for this job, and they two of them left to
go home in a rush.
These were the same honorable gentlemen in Monrovia that used to
bluff for nothing (showed off without substance) yet, they did not
know anything; they were not willing to take the time to keep up with
new developments in their surroundings or in the world; they were
forever stuck in the past; what they knew is what they learned some
twenty five years ago. These honorable gentlemen are like some of
our good for-nothing educated Masters and Ph.Ds. holders; many of
them died and those that are living have not written a single pamphlet
or book as their contribution to the society that educated them.

Old Notebook Lecturers

Based on contacts made on behalf of both Ambassador Stephen Allen
and Minister Edward by family members, friends and associates, they
were able to obtained teaching assignments as adjunct instructors at
community colleges in the states of South Carolina and Mississippi
to teach History, International Studies, Public Safety and Defense
courses based on their personal and professional experiences in
Africa.
In preparation for their respective assignments, both honorable
gentlemen resorted to digging out from their trunks old notes from
their notebooks, journals, speeches, seminar presentations, training
materials, old newspapers articles they have complied over the years
to develop course outline (syllabus) from which to teach from.
South Carolina Greenville State Community College
Ambassador Joseph Jenkins got an adjunct instructor position at
South Carolina Greenville State Community College (SCGSCC) to
teach History and International Studies from the African Perspective.
Ambassador Jenkins had no updated resources from which he
planned to lecture; he relied solely on his outdated materials he had
compiled since he graduated from grad school in 1962.
He taught briefly from the assigned textbook but began to use
examples from his old notebooks. The students could not relate to the
examples he provided because they were not born during the periods
was making reference to; like for example, President Charlie King
and his Vice President Yancy had to resign due to the League Nations
investigation; his administration was involved in corruptions and
domestic slavery. Some of the students asked questions like, What is
the League of Nations, does it still exists? Most of the times, the class
was in tumult because he was not connecting with the students. Prior
to the students taking his complaint to the Dean, they stole few of his
OLD NOTEBOOKS from which he lectured. Finally, they had to let him
go for not meeting the school teaching expectation.
Mississippi State Community College
Former Defense Minister Edward James too, got an adjunct instructor
position at Mississippi State Community College (MSCC) to teach
Public Safety and Defense from an African Perspective. Minister
James did similar things like his buddy Ambassador Jenkins. The
former Defense Minister did not read nor conduct any research to
bring himself up-to-date on events and issues that have taken place
in the disciplines of Public Safety and Defense throughout the years.
He too, relied on the outdated information he had complied from the
time he was in grad school in 1970.
In preparation for class, former Defense Minister and Major dressed
up in the uniform he wore when he was Defense Minister in Liberia.
When asked why he dressed the way he did, his response was, I like
to provide my students with the practical experience; by wearing
my uniform to class does that. His class was like a circus; and he the
clown. The class was always full to capacity with students from other
classes coming to see his performance (he called lecture).
One of his lecture topics was: My Experience in the Congo Crisis
of 1960. During these lectures he would demonstrate by dropping
down on the floor; pretends to be carrying a rifle (ruler in hand),
crawls on the floor to show how he escaped from the enemies, whose
commander was Joseph Mobuto, later known as Mobutu Sese Seko.
The students asked him such questions as, What do you think
about Idi Amin, was he a good soldier and leader? His answer to
the question was, There are some good and bad habits found in
most leaders everywhere. Take for example, some people would
say Richard Nixon was a bad leader for which he had to resign; the
same holds true for Idi Amin. The students did not buy his argument.
However, compared to Adjunct Professor Ambassador Jenkins,
Defense Minister Major Edward James did his leveled best (he tried).
The moral of the story is, whatever you do to others will one day come
to hunt you. Therefore, when you are a leader ask God for guidance
and let Him direct your path; treat the people you lead as impartially
as possible, and the good Lord will see to it you NEVER fail.
According to the late African leader Nelson Mandela:

Leaders first task is to create a vision. His second is to create a

following to help him implement the vision and to manage the
process though effective teams. The people being led know where
they are going because the leader has communicated the vision and
the followers have brought into the goal he had set as well as the
process of getting there. (Conversation With Myself, pp. 144-145)
However, in Liberia, for that matter Africa, good leaders are in short
supply because those that are in power take the people for granted.
The same is happening today in the Union of Liberian Associations in
the Americas (ULAA). The leaders have turned ULAA into a so-called
WELFARE organization. The ADVOCACY organization the founders
intended has become their personal property. According to available
records, they use the organizations money (funds) for their own
benefit. The members for whom their so-called WELFARE program
is intended to benefit receive nothing not even sympathizing with
the family and relatives of the little boy that died in Minnesota.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE

LIBERIAS ANTI-GRAFT
BODY DISOWNS US$800K
PROBE REPORT

J WESLEY JOHNSON TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF

LIBERIA
If the "report" wasn't authentic why where the two ladies
"suspended"?

SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED

Until we demistify the presidency, and make the vast majority
understands that it is just a job, and the performance of the
occupants ought to be evaluated, quacks would think that they
have divine rights. EJS can't be trusted, period. No God gave her
the chair, she lied, begged, and bribed for the people to ensure
that, and she failed shamefully. Nothing surprises many about her
chameleon ways.
LIGORI MUSIOH SEKAJIPO TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT
FIRESTONE - LIBERIA
Like we say in Liberia, "what money can't do?"
SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT SELFEMPLOYED
Mr. Emmanuel Jackson, I concur with you that fanning a Congau Country divide is counter - productive to our collective aspiration
for reconciliation, stability, and long term peace. We don't have an
hegemony of Congua in Liberia, we have the domination of selfish
and greedy elites. Former Senator Wortorson, Beyan Kesselly,
Amara Konneh, Tyler, Nyeahbo and the other liars can't be called
Congua.
SHANA IER TOP COMMENTER
Very, Very true!!! I do not agree with this congau/country divide. It
makes no sense and it perpetuates division.

JESSE FAHNGON TOP COMMENTER METROPOLITAN STATE

UNIVERSITY
Why conduct an investigation when you said FPA publication is not
LACC's report? Just move on once it is not your report Cllr. Verdier.
We know you find yourself in a hot spot with all the overnights
phone calls and visits.
ROBERT O. DAVIS TOP COMMENTER PRESIDENT & CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT LIBUSA
SMH in disgust. Just thought he was a man of principle. After all,
this too is EJS's Liberia.

EMMANUEL JACKSON TOP COMMENTER KNOXVILLE

BUSINESS COLLEGE
This congau connection syndicate, is the problem to this land
freedom and development. Sorry, to say but troubles are
culminating, for next instability. God, is interested in kindness,
justice, and righteousness. If these tenets are not practice in any
nation, God withdraw his support.it is sad this land call Liberia fails
to live up to these expectations. The secret sensitive nature over
God's people is an abomination. Sorry for being harsh but its the
truth.
MICHAEL PAH FORSTHER WORKS AT FROGN KOMMUNE
Oh! Yeah ba! This Oldma na hauled this guy ears too and spoke
those corrupt words in them instead of anti-corruption words.
So nobody can really stand against corruption in Liberia without
being corrupted? What a shame mehn!
MENKER CASEY TOP COMMENTER WORKS AT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Working in the lion's den isn't fun at all because it's remotely
controlled by the Lion king
SHANA IER TOP COMMENTER
hehehe! TRUE!

ANSU OPA DUALU TOP COMMENTER COALITION OF

CONCERNED LIBERIANS
LIB, it's not for children! Anything is possible. you thought Parker
's House USA house was worth $750k before. Her next will cost
nothing less than $12m

DISCLAIMER

The comments expressed here are those of our online readers and
bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica

Page 5

Send your letters and comments to:

editor@frontpageafricaonline.com
YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!

EJS LETTER TO THE WORLD

REMEMBERING THE 4,608 LIBERIANS

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES

Dear World

oday, it is with profound relief and deep gratitude

that we receive the official announcement from
the World Health Organization that Liberia
is Ebola free. For a country and a people that
suffered through such trauma at the hands of this vile
disease, this announcement is an important moment for
all Liberians. For many months, we remained cautiously
optimistic that this time would come. Our hopes, it seems,
were well founded.
Even as we receive this exciting news, we know that we must
remain vigilant. Especially with our improved surveillance
and community alert programs, we now have the capacity
to deal quickly with any new cases, should they emerge.
And we are confident that our friends in Sierra Leone and
Guinea will soon rid their countries of this disease also.
The truth is that we share their ongoing anguish, and know
that we must rebuild together as neighbors.
But as we now look forward, we must never forget what
we have witnessed. For the last year, our country, and our
Mano River Union Sub-region, has endured a dark chapter
in its history. From what started as a single case of Ebola in
a forested area in Guinea, an unprecedented outbreak soon
took hold throughout our three countries.
It rapidly became the deadliest outbreak of Ebola since
its discovery in 1976. For Liberia, a country that had
only emerged from a destructive civil war a decade ago,
the rapid spread of Ebola became a crushing blow to the
recovering hopes of a nation that was embarking on a new
peaceful and prosperous journey.
The scenes of overflowing treatment centers in Monrovia,
of schools and borders closed and aircraft grounded, will
live long in the memory.
Clearly, the events of the last year must never be forgotten.
At this symbolic juncture, I ask the whole world to
remember the 4,608 Liberians who lost their lives, and the
many thousands more who endured the horror of fighting
the disease.
Each death tells a tragic story: A mother prevented from
being with her children during her last moments. Children
watching as relatives are carried from their family homes,
placed in trucks, never to be seen again the dignity of a
burial, as they know it, and a last goodbye were too often
denied them.
Young Liberians, who only months before strode confidently
to school with dreams of a future as an engineer, a teacher
or a doctor, all of which Liberia desperately needs, had their
lives mercilessly cut short. Across West Africa, families have
been torn apart, and orphans left to fend for themselves.
Whole communities will never be the same again.
We have lost good people brave, hardworking and
decent people many of whom simply wanted to help a

family member, a friend, and a neighbor who was in need.

Whether they were farmers, market traders, teachers,
students or health workers, each life was worth as much as
the last and each loss is a tragedy. Their memories will live
with us forever. And as a member of a global community,
we ask that we never forget them.
Despite these dark times, in profound ways, we also
embrace the stories of humanity and bravery that have
emerged from this crisis. And so we thank the local
volunteers who risked their lives to treat others, even when
protective equipment was running short. 192 healthcare
workers made the ultimate sacrifice during the last year.
They are nothing less than heroes and heroines.
We thank the local burial teams, ambulance drivers and the
international organizations all of whom worked tirelessly
and under unprecedented amounts of pressure and
scrutiny.
To our international partners and donors, your assistance
helped to save lives and to end this disaster. Truly, this was
a combined effort on every level, from the local volunteers
to our partners abroad. Indeed the fightback against Ebola
got off to a slow start. But it demonstrated our capacity
as a community of nations to focus our efforts on ending
suffering, wherever it may exist, and when we are called
upon to do so.
Now it is the responsibility of leaders, in Africa and abroad,
in government and in the private sector, to learn from
this tragedy, and work together to stop this from ever
happening again.
Our public healthcare systems were simply not robust
enough to deal with a problem of this scale. We now must
work tirelessly to improve them. That is the long-term cure
for Ebola. We owe it to the next generation, throughout the
developing world, to build health infrastructure that works
health care systems that wont leave people suffering or
dying in the streets.
We have made real progress in Liberia in the last ten
years. But it has not been good enough, and we must step
it up. That means properly equipped hospitals, adequately
trained doctors and nurses and roads good enough to
transport supplies to people that need them.
So as we look forward with hope, we must reflect on
what we have witnessed. This Ebola outbreak is a scar
on the conscience of the world. For some, the pain and
grief will take a generation to heal. Therefore, let todays
announcement be a call to arms that we will build a
better world for those Ebola could not reach; a world in
which people can live in dignity and health. It is the least
the memories of our dearly departed deserve.
Yours Sincerely,
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

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Page 6 | Frontpage

Monday, May 11, 2015

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR LOCAL HR

CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP LISGIS HUMAN RESOURCE STRATEGY
1. CONSULTANCY BACKGROUND
The Government of Liberia through the Liberia Institute of Statistics
and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), has received a Grant from
the African Development Bank for the purpose of strengthening
the institutional and staff capacity of LISGIS to design, implement,
analyze and disseminate the findings of survey and census
programs such as the Household Income and Expenditure Survey
(HIES) at the national and regional levels, to promote the effective
use of statistics in monitoring economic and development policies
or strategies and programmes. In this endeavor LISGIS is looking
at aligning her Human Resource Management policies, procedures
and processes to complement and effectively support the new
strategic focus. In this regard LISGIS wishes to engage the services
of two qualified Local Consultants to develop its Human Resource
Strategy. The main objective of the process is to improve Human
Resource Management Process.
2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONSULTANTS
The detailed roles and responsibilities of the consultants will be to
support LISGIS to:
A .Carry out a review of existing HR Policies and Procedures and
identify gaps and capacity weaknesses compared to best practices.
B. Based on the review, propose and develop comprehensive HR
Strategy for LISGIS that will include policies for recruitment and
selection, trainings, performance management system, career
planning, compensation, disciplinary rules and employee well being
etc.
C. Ensure the development of a Comprehensive human resource
tool to be used by the Institution.
D. Develop detailed roles of all functions, job descriptions and
provide for each position the tasks required and establish essential
and desirable competencies and skills for each position.
E. Design, recommend and assist in the implementation of a
transparent staff performance management system which links to
the Human Resource Strategy.
F. In line with Civil Services Agency (CSA) standing order, develop
a career development policy and suggest changes/devise a suitable
promotion policy and rewards/incentives system to ensure good
performance and increased retention.
G. Design the attendance and leave registers and ensures compliance.
H. Make recommendations on improvement in employee wellbeing
systems to promote dedication, commitment, and optimum output.

6. REPORTING
The Consultants shall report regularly to the Project Management
Team and the Director General during the exercise.
Before finalization of the Strategy, draft reports shall be presented
to the Project Management Team for feedback.
Final report detailing achievements, challenges and way forward
should be prepared and submitted at the end of each step in the
table.
7. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONSULTANTS
The consultants should possess the following qualifications or
profile:
Master degree in specialized Human Resources areas related
to organizational effectiveness such as institutional development,
business administration, human resource management and
development, general management, public administration and
others with 5 years of proven experience.
First Degree Candidates should have at least 10 years of proven
experience in the area of training for organizational effectiveness,
public administration, or general management and similar
disciplines.
Sound knowledge of management audit techniques or
consultancies and staff training techniques.
Familiarity with key issues in regional integration and strategic
management.
Excellent fluency and writing skills in English.
Familiarity with desk and field research.
Ability to work in a team with another consultant in carrying out
the assignment
Experience in dealing with Public Services is an advantage
Proven knowledge of recruitment procedures in the Public sector
Excellent communication in team building skills
Strong Analytical, Organizational and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of modern human resource (HR) development
techniques and understanding of organizational theory and
practices with regard to public sector.

Computer proficiency in standard office application (Microsoft

Word, Power point, Spread sheet, Internet Explorer etc.
Contact details of at least two references from among recent
employers or clients
8. Application
3. METHOD OF PROCUREMENT
Qualified interested candidates are required to submit their
The sourcing method for this Procurement shall be done through expression of interest to the address below on or before Thursday,
Shortlisting of Individual Consultants.
May 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM. All Applications should be delivered
in sealed Envelope. Absolutely, no submission by Email will be
4. DURATION OF SERVICE:
accepted. Interested candidates can request for the full TOR from
The period of consultancy services shall be for 3 months period the below address from Monday to Friday 9:00AM- 4:00 P.M.
between June 1 to August 31, 2015) and may be extended or Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply
shortened based on performance and expected to work full time
(office hours) within Monrovia, except otherwise situation demands Attention: Procurement and Logistics Office
travel outside Monrovia on project related matters.
Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services
(LISGIS)
5. DUTY STATION:
Statistics House
LISGIS Head Office, Executive Mansion Ground, Capitol Hill, Capitol Hill
Monrovia, Liberia with field visit as per requirement
P.O.Box 629
Monrovia, Liberia
Cell#: 0886-997317/0775121425

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Deadline for application: May 14, 2015

Page 7

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

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FrontpageAfrica Newspaper Advertisement Rates
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Telephone Numbers: Liberia (+231) 088-630-4178 / USA +1-484-410-6024

WANTED URGENTLY
Part Time
The below positions are available for qualified,
experienced applicants:

1. Part time experienced COOK to prepare early

continental Breakfast and Grill foods, four (4) times per
week.

2. Guests Services Assistants for three (3) days,

and one (1) night, per week. Ability to operate a stand by Generator.

3. Guests house Supervisor For four (4) times per

week - to supervise the House-keeping, Supervise the
Cook and Front Desk Receptionist; must have at least one
(1) experience with reputable entities.
Applicants must include at least three (3) references with
telephone numbers, two recent passport photos.
Forward all application to the below address:
Mokos Bed & Breakfast
19th Street
Payne Avenue, Sinkor
Tel: 0777-96262

3 Years Term Appointment

Location: Liberia
The Africa unit of the Public Integrity and Openness (PIO) Department of GGP seeks to
recruit a highly organized, energized and experienced professional, capable of operating
effectively in a very demanding fragile, post conflict and capacity constrained environment
to serve as the Country Office Senior Procurement Specialist. This position is geared to
assisting the World Bank staff, Liberia Government and other agencies in implementing
World Bank-financed programs by providing critical procurement advice and support. The
ideal candidate would combine a deep understanding of project procurement in different
sectors with a considerable knowledge of the budget execution issues in Liberia.
Key Responsibilities

The Senior Procurement Specialist will:

Help implement and further develop GGODR activities in Liberia with regard to Public
Procurement;
Work across countries/sectors; be responsible for reviewing and handling the technical,
commercial and legal aspects of procurement at all stages of the project cycle, including
analysis of systemic and other procurement issues, procurement planning, design,
implementation and management, and training.
Provide operational advice to clients and Bank staff on concepts, policies and procedures
for international and local procurement;
Participate in the countrys procurement assessment, prepare background analysis,
collaborate on developing appropriate public procurement legislation and practices and
tailor instrument to meet specific client needs;
Negotiate and resolve difficult procurement issues with Borrower agencies and handle
questions/complaints from senior officials and contractors on bidding and award issues;
Selection Criteria

MA/MS (An advanced degree with a major in relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Law,
Procurement, Finance, Business or Commerce).

8 years state-of- the-art knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices which
govern international procurement, the contracting of consultants services, technical
specifications in design, engineering and construction of facilities, the development of
public procurement policies, etc.
Seasoned knowledge and specialized command of all major facets of Bank procurement
policies and practices as applied across a wide range of Bank lending operational at all
phases of the project cycle, and ability to address broader issues at sector/country level;

In-depth understanding of Bank operational policies and practices related to projects/

sector work;
Knowledge of developing country conditions generally and of procurement-related
legislation, systems and practices;

Good understanding of critical linkages and relationships among clients business

drivers, business operations and objectives and Procurement processes;
Applications:

For the full position description and complete selection criteria and required competencies,
qualified candidates are requested to submit an on-line application at www.worldbank.
org/careers. Click on > Current job openings > Job Type > Professional & Technical > Job
Family > Procurement > Job # 150797. The World Bank is committed to achieving diversity
of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities
are equally encouraged to apply. Closing date for receipt of app

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Page 9

RENOVATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF

LIBERIA HOUSE IN ACCRA, GHANA
Contract Identification No. IFB No: RL/MFA/FM-ACCRA/RB/001/14/15
1. The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has apportioned funds for the purpose of renovating and
refurbishing the Liberia House in Accra, Ghana: IFB No. RL/MFA/FM-ACCRA/RB/001/14/15.

2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs now invites interested applicants to submit sealed bids for the performance of said works
(Renovation and Refurbishment of the Liberia House in Accra). Bidding will be conducted through Restricted Bidding (RB)
Procedures as specified in the Amended and Restated Public Procurement and Concession Act (PPC Act), and is opened to
all eligible and qualified bidders. These applicable procurement procedures are consistent with the REPUBLIC of LIBERIA
Amended and restated PPC Act published and approved: September 18, 2010.
3. Qualification requirements include but not limited to the following:
Current Business Registration Certificate (Registrar General);
Current Tax Clearance Certificate with Tax Identification Number (TIN)) (Internal Revenue Service);
Minimum average turnover of 100,000 USD within the last 2 years of operation;
Be a valid member of the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG); and the Engineering
Society of Liberia
Capacity to do at least 30 (thirty) days pre-financing of project;
Experience as a prime contractor in the construction of a similar project within the last three (3) years; and an
Audited financial statements for the last 2 years.

4. A complete set of bidding package including the scope of work may be purchased by qualified and eligible bidders at the
address below upon payment of non-refundable fee of USD$200.00 or equivalent amount in Liberian Dollars). Bid security
must be submitted together with bid document, and must be 10,000.00 USD or its equivalent in Liberian Dollars of the bid
price in Bank Guarantee or Bond.
5. Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from 09:00 to 16:30 hours and also inspect bidding documents
at the address specified below beginning May 4, 2015 :
6. Submission must be clearly marked, signed and sealed in an envelope, including other requested information as follows:
Embassy of Liberia, Accra,

7. Ghana, CONFIDENTIAL BID- for the renovation and refurbishment of Liberia House, Year 2015/2016 and addressed
to:
The Deputy Minister for Administration
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monrovia, Liberia

8. Questions concerning this Project should be submitted in writing and directed to, by E-mail:
Mr. Boakai Kollie
Civil Works Consultant
Ministry of Foreign, Republic of Liberia
E-mail: bokollie@yahoo.com
Phone: +231880636925/+231777339339

9. Bid must be submitted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on or before Monday May 18, 2015 on or before 14:00 GMT
(Electronic Bid would not be accepted). Bid Opening will be done promptly after closing at 14:30 GMT in the Ministrys
Conference room in the presence of bidders representative or those who choose to attend.
10. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reserves the right to reject or accept any bid submitted and to annul the entire process at
any time without incurring any liability and without assigning any reason thereof.
Signed:

Wede Elliott-Brownell, PhD

Deputy Minister for Administration

Approved: Honourable Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan

MINISTER

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 10 | Frontpage

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

Monrovia iberia was finally

declared Ebola free
Saturday by the World
Health Organization
After battling the Ebola virus
for a little over a year.
The criteria by W.H.O. to be
Ebola free have been met by
Liberia, The outbreak of Ebola
virus disease in Liberia is over,
the W.H.O. said in a statement
read by Dr. Alex Ntale Gasasira,
the W.H.O.s representative to
Liberia.
In the statement W.H.O. said
that Liberia had gone 42
days, twice Ebolas maximum
incubation period since the
burial of its last confirmed
patient without discovering a
new case.
The declaration by WHO, that
Liberia is free of Ebola, makes
Liberia the first to be declared
Ebola free out of the three
worst affected countries by the
virus thus ending a national
outbreak that tore the country
apart.
Despite
the
celebration,
W.H.O. cautions Liberia not
to be complacent adding that
the Ebola outbreak is still in
neighboring Guinea and Sierra
Leone. Infected people might
cross into Liberia because of its
porous borders, WHO warned.
According to the W.H.O.,
there were more than 3,000
confirmed Ebola cases in
Liberia, and a further 7,400
suspected or probable cases,
with more than 4,700 deaths
estimated to have occurred
since the outbreak was
declared there in March 2014.
Among the dead were 189
health care workers.
At one point, the country had
virtually no treatment beds
available for Ebola patients,
according to W.H.O.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
on Saturday said the damage
by the worst Ebola outbreak
in history was "a scar on the
conscience of the world."
Sirleaf said she is confident
that Liberia is prepared to deal
with any new cases should
they emerge."
President Sirleaf told Liberians
to celebrate the milestones
achievement made by the
country in the Ebola fight but
added that Liberians should be
mindful. Let us celebrate, but
stay mindful and vigilant.
"Therefore,
let
today's
announcement be a call to
arms that we will build a better
world for those Ebola could not
reach," she said. "It is the least
the memories of our dearly
departed deserve."
"Young
Liberians
who
only months before strode
confidently to school with
dreams of a future as an
engineer, a teacher or a
doctor all of which Liberia
desperately needs had their
lives mercilessly cut short," she
said.
After
the
official

FREE FROM EBOLA NIGHTMARE

Al-Varney Rogers alvarney.rogersfrontpageafricaonline.com; 0886304498

pronouncement
President
Sirleaf took a tour across the
capital to visit Ebola treatment
centers, community badly hit
by the virus and orphanage for
Ebola orphans.
President
Sirleaf
was
accompanied by her Ministers
who were all riding in a bus
and the U.S. Ambassador
Deborah Malac was also part of
the toured.
Though Liberia has been
announce Ebola free but it
is tireless effort of nurses,
doctors
and
community
volunteers that Liberia can
now boast of being Ebola free.
Bai Ajavon was a volunteer
contact tracer during the
heat of the Ebola outbreak
but has since transition from
being a tracer to a study class
teacher immediately after
President Sirleaf announces
the reopening of schools.
Ajavon lives adjacent what is
formally the cholera center
Ebola Unit, he fears that
the center built during the

outbreak was a threat to his

community.
But later he realized that
it makes no sense to resist
the ETU because in any way
it was going to be built in a
community whether it was
twenty four street or not.
When I got to know that the
ETU was going to be built, I
didnt feel good initially but
later I realized that it was
necessary, but if it wasnt
done in our community which
community should accept it,
Ajavon said.
Ajavon became actively a
part of his community Ebola
Taskforce to ensure that the
residents are adhering to the
Ebola measure.
As member of his community
taskforce, he wakes up in the
morning everyday to distribute
disinfectants,
carry
out
awareness and contact tracing
to ensure the community was
safe.
I was part of the Ebola team
in my community, I was

discourage, the ETU was

adjacent my house, I saw
people dying and I saw the
need to help my community,
Ajavon said.
Starting the job as a volunteer
Ajavon was warned by friends
and family that he was putting
his life at risk by taking up
such job and he even annoyed
neighbors for reporting them
to the health authority.

But Ajavon said, despite the risk

and challenge the job brings
adding that it was necessary to
safe the community.
Ajavon said, that he cannot
wait to see Liberia been Ebola
free adding if he looks back at
what happen it brings tear to
his eyes.
As I learn from the Minister
of Information Lewis Brown,
Liberia will be Ebola free
Saturday but I cannot wait, Im
grateful that some of us are
alive, Ajavon said.
Ajavon said that Liberia
couldnt have won the battle
against if the community
volunteers werent part of the
fight.
I dont think we could have
won this battle without the
community volunteers, today
Im proud to say we are Ebola
free because of the community
support and cooperation,
Ajavon.
Ajavon said, the outbreak
was increasing and spreading
rapidly due to the refusal of
locals to take ownership of the
Ebola fight.
The owner of a shop adjacent
the chloral unit ETU Papa Jalloh
said due to the construction of

the center near his shop it puts

him out of business.
Jalloh
said,
community
dwellers were afraid to
purchase from his shop due to
fear of contracting the virus.
Jalloh said he had to relocate
his business adding that he
incurred extra expenses to rent
a new shop.
Today Im happy that Ebola
will not be here, my brother
the sick people used to come
sit on benches it wasnt easy,
Jalloh said.
A resident of 24 streets Jowell
Clarke recalled that it wasnt
ease during the outbreak
adding that Ebola may go but it
wouldnt be forgotten.
For me to hear that Liberia
is Ebola free, I cant believe it,
Im happy but my heart is also
broken, Clarke said.
Clarke termed the healthcare
as Heroes especially those
who lost their life in the midst
of the outbreak.
I want to thank the hard
working nurses and doctors
although some of them lost
their live they are our heroes,
Clarke said.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Page 11

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

NORIMITSU
York Times

ONISHI,

New

MONROVIA, Liberia
hen
a
taxi
dropped
off
a man dying
of Ebola one
evening in June, the Logan
Town clinic was defenseless.
Workers had no protective
suits only a few pairs of
faded gloves and a shaky
grasp of infection control.
They examined the patient by
candlelight and washed their
hands in buckets.
That single case set off a chain
of contagion that killed six of
the clinics 29 employees and
at least nine of their relatives,
including one of the countrys
top basketball players, as
Liberia became the center of
the deadliest Ebola epidemic in
history.
Ten months after that fateful
evening, the Logan Town clinic
is now equipped with a triage
room and hand-washing station
near the entrance, an isolation
room, a large generator and a
water pump that feeds the taps.
From the improvements, and
how we examine the patients
now, Ebola will not come back,
said Bessie Johnson, 32, a nurse.
It wont happen again.
On Saturday, Liberia is expected
to be declared free of Ebola by
the World Health Organization,
having gone 42 days since
its last victim was buried, or
twice the maximum incubation
period of the virus.
Recovering From Ebola
These articles, reported over
a period of eight months,
chronicle
the
devastating
impact of Ebola on a family,
health clinic and church in
Monrovia. All three belonged to
a single chain of infection that
killed dozens of people.
It will be a seminal moment
for a country that was once so
overwhelmed by the epidemic
that bodies littered the streets
and hospitals shut down,
leaving the sick helpless, often
seeking treatment in vain.
I am thrilled by the significant
progress made by the people of
Liberia, said Tolbert Nyenswah,
a deputy health minister. But,
he warned, We still need to
keep up vigilance.
The weak health systems
in Liberia, Sierra Leone and
Guinea, the three nations hit
hardest by the disease, did
more than just crumple in the
face of Ebolas onslaught last
year. They played a central role
in spreading the disease.

OBITUARY

LIBERIA-RAVAGED BY EBOLA
Faces a Future without it

Clinics routinely misdiagnosed

the disease and discharged
Ebola patients with pills for
common illnesses. Infected
health care workers passed
the virus to their colleagues,
families and communities.
Local and international health
officials are now focusing on
extinguishing the waning Ebola
epidemic in Guinea and Sierra
Leone. But they have a bigger
goal in mind as well: shoring
up beleaguered health systems
that were inadequate long
before Ebola struck.
I dont want to call Ebola an
opportunity, but were using
the experience of Ebola to try
to rebuild our health systems,
said President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf of Liberia.
In the decade leading up to
the Ebola epidemic, the three
nations
made
significant
health gains, especially in
reducing child mortality. In
Liberia, immunization rates
for childhood vaccines and
life expectancy had risen
significantly. Health programs
were one of the biggest
recipients of aid from the
United States, the European
Union and other donors.
But long-running conflicts,
poverty,
mismanagement
and corruption left the three
nations with some of Africas
weakest networks of health
care centers and workers.
Only 51 doctors were working
in Liberia, a nation of 4.5
million people, at the time of
the outbreak, the W.H.O. says.
Even the biggest hospitals in the
capital lacked running water,

electricity and basic supplies

like gloves.
Ebola has killed more than 500
health care workers in the three
countries, worsening an acute
shortage of medically trained
personnel.
During the height of the
epidemic last year, more than
half of Liberias health facilities
ceased operating. Those that
stayed open offered only
limited services, often refusing
to treat patients without proof
that they were free of Ebola.
Many
pregnant
women
were refused admission to
maternity wards when workers
fearful of being infected
avoided delivering babies.
Immunization rates for measles
and other childhood diseases
fell.
Many of the sick, afraid of
getting infected or being
classified as Ebola patients,
stayed clear of hospitals.
Unable to find treatment for
malaria, diarrhea, typhoid and
other common illnesses, many
people are believed to have
died of other illnesses during
the epidemic because the
health system collapsed.
Dr. Bernice Dahn, who was
recently picked by Ms. Johnson
Sirleaf to be Liberias new
health minister, said that most
of Liberias health facilities
had now reopened and were
providing basic services.
The government, Dr. Dahn
said, will focus on raising
the quality of its health work
force, on emphasizing disease
prevention and control and
on adding triage and isolation

John Ceasar "Old Boy" Varfley

Sunrise:
May 24, 1969 - Firestone
Hospital, Margibi, Liberia
Sunset: May 4, 2015 - John F. Kennedy
Medical Center, Monrovia, Liberia

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the

most High shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is
my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him
will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of
the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and
under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth
shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt
not be afraid for the terror by night; nor
for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the
pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for
the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not
come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt

facilities.
Physical improvements have
already been made to many
hospitals and clinics, where
infection control training has
taken place.
But there is a lot more to do,
and finding the money will not
be easy.
Last month, Liberia put forward
an Ebola recovery plan that
included its ambitions of
building a more resilient
health system along with
better schools, sanitation, and
access to clean water at a
cost of hundreds of millions of
dollars.
Given that Ebola delivered
a huge economic blow to an
already poor country, much of
the money it needs to rebound
from the epidemic will have to
come from outside Liberia, the
plan makes clear.
And some improvements can
be fragile. During an Ebola
outbreak in a neighborhood
called St. Pauls Bridge in
February, the sick scattered
to community clinics and
hundreds of health care
workers had to be placed under
quarantine. A half-dozen clinics
were shut down temporarily.
Dr. Dahn said that triage was
not carried out properly at the
affected clinics, adding, Its
difficult to change behavior. It
requires a lot of coaching and
mentoring, which need to go
on.
Even if the country is declared
Ebola-free on Saturday, the
threat
persists.
Infections
continue across the porous
borders with Guinea and Sierra

thou behold and see the reward of the

wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD,
which is my refuge, even the most High, thy
habitation; There shall no evil befall thee,
neither shall any plague come nigh thy
dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They
shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou
dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt
tread upon the lion and adder: the young
lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under
feet. Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on
high, because he hath known my name. He
shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I
will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him,
and honour him. With long life will I satisfy
him, and shew him my salvation."
It is with profound sadness and grief that the
Varfley and Boayue families announce the
passing of our beloved son, father, brother,
uncle, cousin and friend. John or "old boy"

Leone, though in much smaller

numbers, and experts warn that
another outbreak at some point
in the region is a near certainty.
Here in Monrovia, Liberias
capital, a major goal is
rebuilding the government-run
Redemption Hospital, the first
health center in the capital to
be crippled by Ebola. Its closure
in June had a domino effect on
the citys other health facilities.
Though it is the secondlargest hospital in the capital,
Redemption had only sporadic
running water and electricity
before the outbreak. Its
roof leaked. Its plumbing
and sewage systems did not
function. Medical and regular
wastes were burned together
in the open. Septic tanks
underground often overflowed
and gave off a fetid stench.
When you see the environment,
you can be scared, said Wallah
Seth, who took his ailing wife to
Redemption a couple of years
ago but never went back.
You feel you want to give
up; I never wanted to come
to this place, Redemption,
again, he said, adding that
his wife managed to recover
nonetheless.
Because
of
overcrowding,
patients were often placed in
any ward with an available
bed; in pediatrics, two to three
children often shared one bed,
said Dr. Phil Afolabi, who has
worked at Redemption since
2009 and is now employed
by the International Rescue
Committee, the aid organization
based in New York that is
rebuilding the hospital.
Infection control was not a
main concern at the hospital,
Dr. Afolabi said, as construction
crews loudly tore out walls and
floors. So many things have
actually not been in place at the
hospital, and thats been the
case for a long while.
In June, after a young woman
with Ebola was admitted,
eight health care workers at
Redemption died in quick
succession.
The
hospital,
located in New Kru Town,
one of the largest slums in the
capital, was shut down.
The sick flooded the areas
private clinics, including Logan
Town. The clinic serves an area
of 20,000 people, according to
the aid group Oxfam, which has
made $7,200 in improvements
to the clinic.

as he was affectionately called by his mother,

departed this earth on Monday, May 4, 2015
at about 4:30 a.m.. This sad event occurred
at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center in
Monrovia, Liberia.
The deceased is survived by his "only" child,
John Telvin Varfley, his father, Mr. John S.
Varfley, Jr., his mother, Mrs. Viola Boayue
Varfley, his brothers, Romeo V. Varfley,
Leo V. Varfley, his sisters, Lettie S. Varfley,
Peggy Varfley Meres, Theresa Raddie Perry,
Setowah Varfley, friend and brothers, Edwin
Howard and Rodney Daddah and a host of
other relatives and friends.

A wonderful soul, John was always smiling,

optimistic and entertaining his friends. He
was loving, caring and treasured his family
and friends. Telvin was his world and he will
no doubt protect him from the great beyond.
While we deeply mourn the loss of John and
will miss him immensely, we are grateful for

By the standards of Monrovias

community clinics, Logan Town
was average. Two physician
assistants led the medical staff,
helped by a doctor who visited
twice a month.
An old generator seldom
worked. Drugs and equipment
were always in short supply;
the staff used gloves only for
deliveries and minor surgeries,
and reused them until the color
faded. Janitors fetched water in
buckets from a neighborhood
well.
It was difficult, especially
when the patients were sick and
needed to use the bathroom,
said Nancy Kanneh, a nurse.
Often, we didnt have water to
wash our own hands.
On the evening of June 25,
about a week after workers
at Redemption started dying,
Logan Town took in an Ebola
patient, a young man named
James Fallah, the caretaker of
a nearby Pentecostal church,
United God Is Our Light.
The security guard who had
wheeled Mr. Fallah into the
building held him down a few
hours later when he became
violent before dying. A week
later, the guard came down with
Ebola and passed on the virus
to two of his children and one
grandchild, all of whom died.
After the guard was treated
at the clinic, the contagion
widened to five other clinic
employees. All of them
died, including the chief
administrator, Edwin Dour, who
fatally infected his son, Kaizer,
one of Liberias most promising
basketball players. Kaizer, in
turn, passed the virus on to five
family members, who all died.
The clinic, which closed for
three months, is now operating
only during the day and seeing
about half of the patients it
treated before the epidemic.
Because of the stigma, people
that used to come here before
are afraid to come, said Edwin
Sengar, the physician assistant
who is now in charge of the
clinic.
Some of the staff members had
not returned, either.
Im afraid, said Moses Safa, the
physician assistant who was on
duty the night the Ebola patient
was brought in. Im not doing
anything now. Im just staying
at home. Maybe Ill go back after
Liberia is declared Ebola-free.

the time we spend with him and will forever

cherish the countless fond memories we
have of him!
FUNERAL SERVICE
Thursday, May 14, 2015 @ 11:00 A.M.
Samuel Stryker Funeral Home Chapel
Tubman Blvd., Monrovia, Liberia
Internment
Brewerville Cemetery
Contacts:

Peggy Varfley Meres: 0886967873

Leo V. Varfley
2672559354
Romeo V. Varfley
Lettie S. Varfley
Setowah Varfley:
6463847705
Rodney "Redman" Daddah
+231886415293
Edwin Howard:
+231886547386
Raddie Teresa Perry:+33612238188

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 12 | Frontpage

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT

Monroviaressed in White
Shirts
with
inscription 42
days front and
Dont forget yourself at
the back of their shirts
Liberian women gathered
in a joyful mood as they
surrounded
the
flag
of Liberia singing and
thanking God for Liberia
being declared Ebola free.
The
program
under
the
theme
special
thanksgiving for declaring
Liberia Free from Ebola
was held at the Fish
Market in Sinkor and was
witnessed by women of
WIPNET, WANEP, UNMIL
and traditional leaders
among others.
Numerous flowers were
deposited for the remains
of those who died during
the Ebola crisis.
Ebola must Go, Ebola Must
Go from Liberia Sierra,
Guinea and Liberia with
a joint effort we can kick
Ebola out; was the leading
song by musicians in
commemoration of the day.
Madam Bernice Freeman,
Zooning Coordinator of
WIPNET said the day is to
commemorate more than
a year of pain Liberians
experienced.
Today we are gathered
here to say thanks to God
for his many blessings
to us, Liberia was placed
aside, mistreated by her
fellow counterparts, and I
am glad today that we have
been declared Ebola free,
she said.
In a tearful tone, Madam
Freeman
continued:

Six months ago, we were kept in houses, our children could not attend school, farmers could not farm, neither we
could attend hospital for basics health needs, and today as we gathered here let us be aware that this stage Liberia has
reached shows that we fought a good fight, Bernice Freeman, Zooning Coordinator of WIPNET

Bettie Johnson/ betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Liberians must be happy;

I remember when our
children were put under
surveillance when they
traveled, this country is
blessed and we must praise
God.
Serving as keynote Speaker,

former
Information
Minister Emmanuel Bowier
said Today is the day to
learn some history, God
has solved our problem,
we know that these women
have always cried to God
for redeeming this country,

when it comes to God

answering our prayers.
He indicated that Liberian
women fought a god fight
during the course of the
Ebola crisis.
Dont forget
Rev. Bowier cautioned

Liberians not to forget,

something he said is
common about Liberians.
He further said I want
Liberians to not forget;
our problem is we always
forget, God has always been
good to us but we dont like
to remember.
Rev. Bowier disclosed
that he was a part of the
Program at the Providence
Baptist Church in seeking
Gods
intervention
to
eradicate Ebola from the
country.
Last year Aug 8, I was
among those who gathered
at
Providence
Baptist
Church and we were there
praying that God help us
with this Ebola situation.
While the program was
ongoing I wrote Ebola
deadly Mistake, to former
LPRC boss and he asked
why, I told him that Ebola
made an error to come
to Liberia it should have
asked Yellow fever, Rev.
Bowier said.
Rev. Bowier further said
Yellow Fever came and
killed a lot of people and
by that time there was
no vaccination but the

women of Monrovia under

the leadership of Madam
Harriet George prayed that
God will help us with this
sickness and there was a
vision that if they cleaned
the city the sickness could
go.
He disclosed that the
vaccination of Yellow fever
was found in Liberia and
when women of Liberia
prayed things happened
and that is the country
should always support
them.
The vaccine of hepatitis B
was discovered in Liberia,
Charles Ville where they
had Chimpanzee research
so disease always die here;
we in Liberia should never
forget what God can do
when we call on him so
when people tell us that we
are not a spiritual people
we are Secular state they
are fooling us.
He spoke on the theme Do
not leave God out of Liberia
business no matter who
dont want to hear about
it, let them hear about
it because it is God who
delivered this country.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Page 13

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

URGING CONTINUED VIGILANCE

MSF welcomes news that Liberia is Ebola-free

Medical
organization
warns that outbreak is not
over yet and cross-border
surveillance must continue

Monrovia, Liberia/Brussels,
Belgium,
fter 42 days with
no recorded cases
of Ebola, Liberia
has been declared
Ebola-free by the World
Health Organization (WHO)
news which has been
welcomed by international
medical
organisation
Mdecins Sans Frontires/
Doctors Without Borders
(MSF). However, MSF warns
that, with new cases of
Ebola still being recorded
in neighbouring Guinea and
Sierra Leone, the outbreak is
not over yet.
For Liberia to record 42
days with zero cases of Ebola
is a real milestone, says
Mariateresa
Cacciapuoti,
MSFs head of mission in
Liberia. But we cant take
our foot off the gas until all
three countries record 42
days with no cases.
MSF points to the need
to improve cross-border
surveillance to prevent Ebola
re-emerging in Liberia. The
Liberian government and the
Liberian people have worked
hard to help us achieve 42
days of zero Ebola cases,
but that hard work could be
undone in an instant, says

Ms Cacciapuoti.
Nearly two hundred Liberian
health workers died after
contracting Ebola, and the
epidemic decimated the
countrys already fragile
national health system. Its
time for health needs to be
addressed as a priority, says
Ms Cacciapuoti. Liberians
must feel confident they can
go to hospital once again
and have their healthcare
needs looked after. The
international
community
must support Liberia and
Guinea and Sierra Leone
in rebuilding a strong and
affordable national health
system with adequate human
and material resources.
As flagged in the MSF
report Pushed to the Limit
and
Beyond,
released
in late March, the Ebola
epidemic has exposed the
weakness of health systems
in developing countries

[and] the paralysis and

sluggishness of international
aid. The report highlighted
the global coalition of
inaction that dragged on
for several months before
the international community
woke up to the threat of Ebola
despite repeated pleas from
MSF for help.
Quite simply, we were all too
late. The world including
MSF was slow to start the
response from the beginning,
says Henry Gray, head of MSF
Ebola operations in Brussels.
That lesson has been learnt,
at the cost of thousands of
lives, and we can only hope
it will prevent the same
thing happening again in the
future.
MSF is helping to look
after peoples health needs
in
Liberia,
post-Ebola,
by running a paediatric
inpatient clinic in Monrovia.
It is also working with the

Liberian Ministry of Health

to carry out a measles
vaccination
campaign,
currently underway across
three districts in the capital.
With 10,564 cases of Ebola,
and 4,716 deaths (WHO),
Liberia has been badly hit
in the current outbreak.
The peak of the outbreak in
Liberia occurred between
August and October 2014,
when MSF opened what
became the worlds largest
Ebola management centre,
ELWA 3, in Monrovia, with
a total capacity of 400 beds.
In Liberia, MSF treated 1,663
confirmed cases, and 910
survived.
In West Africa, MSF admitted
9,470 people to its Ebola
management centres and
treated
5,170
patients
confirmed with Ebola, and
2,553 survived. Fourteen
MSF staff also lost their lives
to Ebola.

Nigeria Dr. Khaliru Alhassan,

along with several other high
profiled dignitaries from
across Africa and the world
are also expected to form
part of Mondays historic
gathering.
The ceremony is scheduled
to be held at the Centennial
Memorial Pavilion , where
President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf will formally receive
the Ebola free declaration
from the WHO and that
comes in the wake of the
successful meeting of the 42
consecutive days of no new
cases as required by the WHO
to declare a country free from
Ebola.
The
Foreign
Ministry
release said the ceremony
will provide citizens the
opportunity
for
deep
reflections on this difficult
chapter in the nation's
existence and thanksgiving
to God Almighty for the
countrys victory over Ebola.

AFRICAN LEADERS TO GRACE LIBERIAS

EBOLA FREE DECLARATION PROGRAM
Monrovia s the Liberian
Government
commemorates
the
declaration
by
the
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)
of
Liberia as Ebola free on
Monday May 11, 2015, the
President of the Republic
of Togo and Supervisor of
ECOWAS initiatives in the
fight against Ebola H.E.
Faure Gnassingbe will arrive
in Liberia on Monday May
11, 2015 to join President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and
the Government and people
of Liberia in a ceremony
commemorating
this
milestone victory over the
Ebola Virus Disease.
According to a Foreign
Ministry
release,
the
President of the ECOWAS
Commission Kadr Dsir
Oudraogo, the Foreign
Minister of Ghana Hanna
Tetteh, the Health Minister of

EBOLA: GOOD NEWS IN LIBERIA

BUT NO CAUSE FOR COMPLACENCY
Statement by the High Representative/Vice President on Europe Day

n 9 May 1950 Robert

Schuman
called
on the nations of
Europe to unite and
make war on our continent
impossible. 65 years later,
hismessage of peace and unity
is as relevant as ever.
Schumans appeal to overcome
age-old divisions just five years
after the Second World War laid
the foundations of what has
become the European Union.
Over the years our Union has
grown from six to twenty eight
to become the worlds largest
peace project. The dreams
of our founding fathers have
become a reality.
But peace and prosperity based on a deep commitment
to
fundamental
rights,
democracy and the rule of law
- cannot be taken for granted. It
is a constant work in progress,
something that must be
nurtured and protected.
As the spectre of war has
returned to our continent,
our unity continues to be
our greatest strength. When
international law is broken
and human dignity is treated
with contempt, we have a
responsibility to stand up to
protect the fundamental values
and interests that we share
with peoples around the world.
This is the first Europe Day
we celebrate with a new
leadership at the helm of our
Union. From our very first
day in office we have been
dedicated to working as a team
and to spreading the message
of unity in Europe and around
the world.
The European Union is an
everyday peace project. Every
member, big and small, old
and new has a seat at the table
and an equal voice. Building
unity from diversity can be
cumbersome, but constant
cooperation
and
patient
negotiations lead us to a
consensus that is rock solid.
Today this is what we need to
achieve globally. We created
the European External Action
Service to work with partners
around the world - in Africa
and the Arab world, in the
Americas and in Asia - towards
that aim.
Ending war is about overcoming
divisions and uniting former
enemies. It is also about giving
young generations a stake in
their future. This is why we are
United in fighting extremism
and organized crime; tackling
the negative impact of climate
change and securing our
energy future.
We work to raise global
standards so that everybody
can drink clear water and
breathe clean air; enjoying the
high standard of life and quality
products we have in Europe.
We also work with partners
around the globe to invest in
education and innovation to
open a world of opportunities
even to those who are born into
poverty and conflict.
The European Union is a
project for the future. So today
we celebrate Europe day to

remember, but also to look

ahead. I hope you will join us
around the globe to work with
us for a world where people, no
matter who they are or where

they live, are free to shape their

existence and strive for their
dreams.
Ebola: Good news in Liberia
but no cause for complacency

After 42 days without new

cases, the World Health
Organization (WHO) today
declared the end of the Ebola
outbreak in Liberia. On
this occasion, the EU Ebola
Coordinator and Commissioner
for Humanitarian Aid and
Crisis Management Christos
Stylianides made the following
statement:
"This is great news for Liberia
and for the world. It is a tribute
to the bravery and resilience
of the people of Liberia, and
of the many African and other
international health workers
who have worked hard for
months to bring Ebola down
to zero in Liberia. It shows
that the fight against Ebola can
be won. But it is an incredibly
tough fight.
We must not be complacent:
our collective effort must be
sustained until the outbreak
is over in Sierra Leone and in
Guinea. Both countries have
made great strides in recent
months to bring infection rates
down. We must stand by their
side as they work to bring
cases down to zero. Now is not
the time to let up and pull out
resources.
Beyond that, we have to help
all three countries recover
from the devastating impact
of Ebola on their economies.
We need to help them rebuild
and strengthen their health
systems. And we need to make
sure they, and countries all
around the world, are better
prepared the next time an
epidemic like Ebola strikes."
More than a year after the
start of the Ebola outbreak in
West Africa, the efforts made
by the local authorities and
population, along with the
unprecedented international
response, has started to
bear fruit. Together with its
Member States, the EU has
mobilised close to 1.4 billion
of support to the response
and has deployed experts,
laboratories, vital equipment,
research capacities, and a
medical evacuation system at
the service of all international
health workers in the affected
countries.

Page 14 | Frontpage

IN BRIEF

RUSSIA STAGES MASSIVE

WW2 PARADE DESPITE
WESTERN BOYCOTT

ussia has staged

its biggest military
parade, marking
70 years since
victory over Nazi Germany
in World War Two.
Thousands
of
troops
marched across Red Square
in Moscow, and new armour
was displayed for the first
time.
Many foreign dignitaries
were present, but most
Western leaders stayed away
because of Russia's role in
Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin said
global co-operation had been
put at risk in recent years.
His Ukrainian counterpart
accused him of justifying
aggression.
EGYPT'S HOSNI MUBARAK JAILED

IN CORRUPTION RETRIAL

ormer
Egyptian
President
Hosni
Mubarak
has
been
sentenced to three years
in jail on corruption charges
after a retrial in the capital, Cairo.
His sons were given four years
each in the same case which
centres on the embezzlement
of $14m (9.3m) earmarked
for renovation of presidential
palaces.
The original conviction was
overturned on 13 January over
legal procedures.
This was the last court case
hanging over Mubarak, who was
toppled in the 2011 uprising.

PAGE

WORLD NEWS

NIGERIA STRUGGLES
TO PAY WORKERS
RONT

arlier this week,

Nigerias
Finance
Minister,
Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala,
revealed
the
Nigerian
government had already
used over half of the amount
set aside for borrowing in its
2015 budget, to pay salaries
and overheads of its workers.
Nigeria is dependent on
crude oil for most of its
revenues
meaning
the
countrys finances have
been hit by a slump in crude

oil prices since last June.

Although prices have inched
up slightly since then to
around $65 for now, they are
nowhere near the $100-plus
mark it averaged for the 3
years previously.
This all means paying
workers, rather than dealing
with
security
problems
or
fighting
corruption,
will move swiftly near the
top of incoming president
Muhammadu
Buharis
agenda when he takes office

on May 29.
An increase in the minimum
wage in 2010, coupled with
an already bloated federal
civil service, mean that
personnel costs already
outstrip
projected
oil
revenues, and nearly a trillion
naira has also been set aside
to service existing debts.
The
vast
majority
of
Nigerias 36 states survive
on allocations from the
federal government, and
since these allocations are

dependent on oil revenues,

they fluctuate with crude
prices. The chart below
shows the sharp decline in
the amounts given to states
to meet their obligations, and
many of them are owing their
workers months in unpaid
salaries.
The phenomenon of unpaid
salaries in Nigerias public
and private sector is nothing
new. In fact, the practice
could be said to be endemic.
Its never a surprise in
local media to learn about
workers or pensioners in
one government ministry or
agency staging protests or
embarking on strikes over
unpaid salaries and pensions.
The private sector is not
much better.
The issue right now is
that the problem is now in
overdrive, with as many as
22 of 36 states owing their
workers.
Buhari,
along
with the new and returning
governors will have to devise
means of freeing up revenues
that will keep government
going. On a visit to Buhari,
state governors from his own
All Peoples Congress (APC)
political party even asked the
president-Elect to consider a

bailout.
Removal of fuel subsidies and
right sizing of the civil service
are two of the more obvious
but politically charged steps
that the federal government
can take. In fact president
Goodluck
Jonathans
government has said it will
slash fuel subsidies by 90%
by gradually phasing out the
subsidies.
And last month the governor
of Nigerias Central Bank,
Godwin Emefiele, recently
suggested
selling
off
government stakes in joint
ventures with multinational
oil companies in order to raise
money for infrastructure
projects. This solution is also
controversial, but if the case
can be made that the national
oil company, NNPC, is beyond
reform, a fact highlighted
by the recent release of a
forensic audit of the national
oil company, then it could be
easier to swallow.
For as long as lower oil prices
persist, the states will also
have to get creative with
increasing their Internally
Generated Revenues (IGR)
and cost cuts, by focusing
on encouraging enterprise
which will generate jobs,
reducing the number of civil
servants at state level, and
properly exploiting the solid
minerals present in a number
of states.
Whatever course of action
is embarked on by Nigerias
government at federal and
state levels, the adjustments
will be tough. They must have
the political will necessary to
make the hard decisions.

MICROSOFT TO STOP PRODUCING

WINDOWS VERSIONS

ZIMBABWE URGED TO
FIND MISSING ANTIMUGABE ACTIVIST

uman Rights Watch

has urged Zimbabwe's
authorities to release
information on the
whereabouts of a prominent prodemocracy activist it fears has
been "forcibly disappeared".
Itai Dzamara has not been seen
since he was abducted by five
men in the capital, Harare, on 9
March.
Officials have denied any state
agents were involved in his
abduction.
Mr Dzamara is a vocal opponent
of President Robert Mugabe, and
has staged sit-ins demanding his
resignation.
Family members have told
Human Rights Watch (HRW) that
state security agents threatened
something would happen if he
continued his activism, the USbased rights group said in a
statement.
The former journalist and
opposition
activist
was
hospitalised in 2014 after
reportedly being beaten by police
during a peaceful demonstration.

Monday, May 11, 2015

indows 10 is
going to be
the last major
revision of the
operating system.
Jerry Nixon, a Microsoft
development executive, said
in a conference speech this
week that Windows 10 would

be the "last version" of the

dominant desktop software.
His comments were echoed
by Microsoft which said it
would update Windows
in future in an "ongoing
manner".
Instead of new stand-alone
versions, Windows 10 would

be improved in regular
instalments, the firm said.
Mr Nixon made his comments
during Microsoft's Ignite
conference held in Chicago
this week.
In a statement, Microsoft
said Mr Nixon's comments
reflected a change in the way

that it made its software.

"Windows will be delivered
as a service bringing new
innovations and updates
in an ongoing manner," it
said, adding that it expected
there to be a "long future" for
Windows.
'No Windows 11'
The company said it had yet
to decide on what to call the
operating system beyond
Windows 10.
"There will be no Windows
11," warned Steve Kleynhans,
a research vice-president
at analyst firm Gartner who
monitors Microsoft.
He said Microsoft had in the
past deliberately avoided
using the name "Windows 9"
and instead chose Windows
10 as a way to signify a break
with a past which involved
successive
stand-alone
versions of the operating
system.
However, he said, working in
that way had created many
problems for Microsoft and
its customers.
"Every three years or so
Microsoft would sit down
and create 'the next great
OS'," he said.
"The developers would be
locked away and out would
pop a product based on what
the world wanted three years
ago."
Microsoft also had to spend
a huge amount of money and

marketing muscle to convince

people that they needed this
new version, and that it was
better than anything that had
come before, he explained.
Moving to a situation
in which Windows is a
constantly updated service
will break out of this cycle,
and let Microsoft tinker
more with the software to
test new features and see
how customers like them, he
added.
'Positive step'
Most
of
the
revenue
generated by Windows for
Microsoft came from sales of
new PCs and this was unlikely
to be affected by the change,
Mr Kleynhans pointed out.
"Overall this is a positive
step, but it does have some
risks," he said.
"Microsoft will have to work
hard to keep generating
updates and new features, he
said, adding that questions
still remained about how
corporate customers would
adapt to the change and how
Microsoft would provide
support.
"It doesn't mean that
Windows is frozen and will
never move forward again,"
Mr Kleynhans told the BBC.
"Indeed we are about to see
the opposite, with the speed
of Windows updates shifting
into high gear."

Monday, May 11, 2015

Sports

COCA COLA TOURNAMENT

FROM COCA COLA TOURNAMENT TO PRESIDENT SIRLEAFS CUP

WILL THERE BE A NATIONAL

LEAGUE
THIS
YEAR?
LFA to commemorate the end of Ebola
with another pre-season tourney
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

he Liberia Football
Association (LFA)
will commemorate
the end of the Ebola
Virus Disease (EVD) with
the Presidents Cup, which
is normally held as part
of celebrations marking a
presidents birthday.
The
World
Health
Organization
(WHO)

atthew
Julutwehs
dismissal
was
long
rumored
before a final decision was
announced on May 7 that FC
Fassell have dismissed him
and four technical staff due
to poor performances.
The quartet are assistant
coaches Wonder Robertson
and Wilfred Sneh; trainer
Vito Sawyer and Claudius
Holder, who served as deputy
team manager/statistician.
A press statement issued by
vice president Pawala Janyan
quotes President Reginald
A. Nagbe as saying that the
"recent results supported
this view and that it was
better to part companies
with the coaches in order
to avoid the worse or not to
affect the club further".
Julutweh
was
handed
a May 2 warning letter
after a discouraging and
humiliating 4-0 defeat to
NPA Anchors in the Coca Cola
tournament at the Blue Field
in Monrovia.
But it was the 2-2 draw with
Aries FC, which he was told
to win or be fired, that sent
him and his crew in the job
market.
The club would like to place

declared Liberia free of

Ebola on May 9 following
the required two incubation
periods (42 days) with no
new cases.
Last September, Liberia was
seeing 400 cases a week,
with hospitals full and bodies
lying in the streets.
A public health campaign
was launched to stem the

epidemic, and the last

confirmed death, a lady from
the Caldwell community, was
on 27 March.
The outbreak has claimed
over 11,000 lives in the
region, and remains active in
Guinea and Sierra Leone.
But new cases have been
falling and the UN's Ebola
envoy,
David
Nabarro,

called the progress against

the disease in West Africa
"extraordinary".
Nabarro warned that it would
take time to eliminate the
outbreak completely from
the region.
Although a national program
is expected to be held at
the Centennial Memorial
Pavilion on May 11, President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf went
on a victory parade around
Monrovia
by
thanking
healthcare workers and
community dwellers.
Sirleaf also indicated how
traumatized she and the
nation remain. "Even today if
you hear an ambulance siren
you shake a little bit," she
said.
And LFA President Musa
Bility
has
commended
Sirleafs
remarkable
leadership over the period of
the deadly outbreak, which
began in Lofa County in
March 2014.
Bility said the declaration is
worth celebrating because
Sirleaf's leadership role has,
once again, given the youths
a chance to play football,
without fear of contracting a
disease that killed more than
4,000 Liberians, including
John F. Kennedy memorial
medical centers doctors
Samuel Brisbane last July and
Abraham Borbor last August
respectively.
The LFA made sheer mockery

Frontpage

of the fight against Ebola by

banning all football activities
last July when its leagues
ended in March and Liberia
eliminated from international
competitions in June but it
actively participated in antistigmatization
campaigns,
supported by the Swiss
Agency for Development
and Cooperation (SADC),
with the involvement of
former players like the
Sebwe brothers of Kelvin and
Dionysius, Christopher Wreh,
Olivar Makor, George Gebro
and LFA vice president Musa
Shannon.
With the support of the
executive committee, the
Presidents Cup has been
endorsed ahead of the
national league, which should
have been held on May 8
but was deferred for a big
eight Coca Cola-sponsored
tournament.
Thats our way, as a football
house, to commemorate this
day. Of course, we all know
what we went through. We
couldnt play football and
today Musa Bility is more
or less elated that Madam
Sirleaf and the international
community can make our
young people play football
again without fear of
contracting a deadly disease,
LFA
communications
director Henry Flomo told
UNMIL Radios Sports Extra
on May 9.
Sixteen clubs will compete
on a knock-out basis for the
coveted trophy, which comes
with a financial reward,
pending the conclusion of
the Coca Cola tournament on
May 10.

FROM A HERO TO A VALIANT IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH UNLUCKY COACH?

Fassell sack Matthew Julutweh and technical crew for failing to beat Aries
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

on record its thanks for the

hard work, honesty and
integrity Julutweh brought
to the job and pay tribute to
the immense contributions
he has made to the club and
Liberian football at large.
He has been instrumental
in putting Fassell where it
is today, among the leading
clubs in Liberia. He will

always be welcomed at FC
Fassell, whether as a guest
or as the manager of another
club, and will be given the
reception and respect his
position, in our history,
deserves.
The club wishes also to
thank fans and supporters
for their patience and
understanding during what

has been a difficult time. God

bless FC Fassell, God bless
football in Mama Liberia!!!
Paywala wrote in a statement
posted on facebook and sent
to journalists.
Responding to an earlier
rumor of being replaced,
Julutweh told journalists that
he would resign rather than
being dismissed after a 1-2

defeat to BYC in the Super

Cup on March 20.
Julutweh won the second
division championship and
FA Cup last season with
Fassell before demonstrating
a show of tactical prowess
by losing 4-3 on aggregate
to Guineas AC Horoya in the
Caf Confederations Cup on
February 22.
Since their establishment as
a third division team in 2009,
Julutweh has been coach
of the Soccer Missionaries
and won a hat-trick of
promotions.
But the unfortunate draw
with Aries on May 4 was just
the tip of how Julutwehs

commanding
relationship
with LFA vice president
Cassell Kuoh, the clubs
chief executive officer, had
deteriorated.
Team manager Nathaniel
Kennedy will act as coach
until a new gaffer is brought
while goalkeeper coach Emil
Chatteh and other supporting
staff will keep their positions.

Page 15

SPORTS

REAL DISASTER

he Primera Division
looks out of reach
for Los Blancos after
a 2-2 draw at home
to Valencia - confirmation of
a dramatic decline that has
cost the club dearly
By Ben Hayward at the
Santiago Bernabeu
It's all over bar the shouting.
Real Madrid's hopes of
winning La Liga went up in
smoke on a hot and humid
Saturday evening as Carlo
Ancelotti's side were held
at home by Valencia. But it
really shouldn't have come
to this.
Madrid's 2-2 draw against
Valencia last season dashed
dreams of claiming the
Primera Division crown in
Ancelotti's first season at
the club and a repeat result
this time around means
Barcelona now need only one
win from their two remaining
games to claim the title.

'JUVE NEED FRESH LEGS' ALLEGRI CASTS DOUBT ON

POGBA FACING MADRID

espite the France

international
having scored in
the
Bianconeri's
1-1 draw with Cagliari,
his coach admits he must
consider which of his players
will be at their fittest
Massimiliano Allegri has
cast doubt on Paul Pogba
being handed a starting
berth against Real Madrid
by
insisting
Juventus
need fresh legs in their
Champions League decider
on Wednesday.

IVORY COAST GOVERNMENT

INVESTIGATES UNPAID BONUSES

vory Coast's ministry

of interior affairs has
launched an investigation
into unpaid bonuses which
should have been given to the
country's victorious 2015 Africa
Cup of Nations squad.
Players and officials were
promised
a
substantial
financial reward by the Ivorian
government for winning the
tournament in Equatorial Guinea
in February.
There has been a lengthy delay
in the money reaching some
squad members, prompting
both coach Herve Renard and
midfielder Serey Die to question
why.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Page 8a
16 | Frontpage

Monroviahe
Executive
Chairperson
of
the
Liberia
Anti-Corruption
Commission, Cllr. James
Verdier has acknowledged
that
conclusions
and
some details contained in
the report published by
FrontPageAfrica are similar
to the LACC report on the
National Port Authority
indicating that the LACC is
not disowning its report
but only frowning on the
publication of what he
termed prosecutorial details
by FrontPageAfrica.
Chairman
Verdier
on
Thursday at a Ministry of
Information, Culture and
Tourism press briefing said
the report published by FPA
is not an official report from
the LACC
Let me say here also
regarding the NPA report, the
LACC has not released to the
press any report on the NPA.
Whatever you saw in the
FrontPageAfrica is not LACC
report, right now we are
conducting an investigation
as to how they got that report
and they published it that is
not the LACC report, Cllr.
Verdeir said at the MICAT
briefing.
In a sudden turnaround, the
LACC boss Speaking Friday
on the Liberia Broadcasting
System ELBC Bumper Show,
averred: At no point in time
will we at LACC disown our
own report, no time we will
disclaim responsibility for

LACC CHAIR VERDIER FROWNS ON PUBLICATION OF PROSECUTORIAL DETAILS BY FPA

NOT DISOWNING REPORT

The report that FrontPageAfrica printed was not an official report from the LACC. Details were similar to what we concluded. We are not disowning
the conclusions and all of that, we are saying that copy of the report that Mr. Sieh apparently had that was leaked out or whatever was not an official
copy from LACC, LACC did not release its report to the media, Cllr. James Verdier, Executive Chairperson, Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission

any report that we produce,

no point in time".
Cllr.
Verdier
said
the
commission
is
only
concerned about the nature
in which the report leaked
and it is investigating the
leak.
We are investigating that,
it warrants an investigation.
There
is
a
serious

investigation
going
on
because every staff of LACC
signs a confidentiality form.
This report is definitely going
to be published. We are not
disowning report, it is true
that the President of this
country acted based on our
advice, the LACC chair said.
He further added We are
not disowning that, we are

not saying we are not going

for prosecution, no. We are
saying that that copy that
Mr. Rodeny Sieh had that he
published from, was not the
official copy from the LACC.
According to Cllr. Verdier, the
version published by FPA
seems to be the third draft
of the report from the LACC
investigation of the NPA.

The report seems to be

the third draft that we are
working on; there were
minute
discrepancies,
in terms of figures and
conclusions. It is more than
$800,000. The amount is
more than $800,000. When
you see copy of our report
you will see the LACC stamp,
Cllr. Verdier said.
Details the same
Cllr.
Verdier
admitted
that details contained in
the report published by
FPA are similar to what
is contained in the LACC
report but the commission
is only concerned about the
publication of important
details that should been kept
for prosecution.
Almost all details are the
same. The report that
FrontPageAfrica printed was
not an official report from the
LACC. Details were similar
to what we concluded.
We are not disowning the
conclusions and all of that,
we are saying that copy
of the report that Mr. Sieh
apparently had that was
leaked out or whatever was
not an official copy from
LACC, LACC did not release

'I WILL NOT DIE LIKE BACCHUS MATTHEWS'

MPC Political Leader Freeman Asserts
By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-genowayedwin@gmail.com

Buchanan, Grand Bassa

Countyhe political leader
of the Movement
for
Progressive
Change
(MPC),
Simeon Freeman has vowed
not to end his political career
or die like the late Liberian
politician Gabriel Bacchus
Matthews who died in the
struggle without becoming
president of Liberia .
"I will not die like Baccus
Matthew who fought hard to
bring about change and never

saw the presidency until he

died. Today, it is the young
people that make the right
decision for the right person
to be elected," he noted.
As a young man, Baccus
Matthews
joined
the
dissident movement against
President
William
R.
Tolbert, after the April 1980
coup in which Tolbert was
overthrown.
During the reign of President
Samuel K. Doe Matthews
became Minister of Foreign
Affairs for the first time.

Matthews
was
Foreign
Minister until 1981, when
he later fell out of favor
with Doe, when the Liberian
leader became increasingly
dictatorial. During the 1980s,
he was the main opposition
politician in Liberia. In
1990,
Matthews
again
became Foreign Minister, as
Doe's death left the country
without a stable government.
Matthews was instrumental
in bringing the ECOMOG
Peacekeeping
force
to
Liberia and he remained

foreign minister until 1993

when he was replaced in a
cabinet reshuffle. At the end
of the civil war, Matthews
stood unsuccessfully as
the candidate of the United
People's Party in the 1997
presidential election.
In
2005,
Matthews
announced his support for
George Weah in the 2005
presidential election and he
later died on September 7,
2007 after a brief illness.
Leaving politics 2017 if.

Freeman said he will resign

from politics if he doesn't win
the 2017 election.
"Come 2017 if you young
people
vote
another
ignoramus into office, I will
buy private jet out of your
ignorance because I will
not waste my time striving
for one goal to change this
corrupt system and you
guys keep electing people
that do not mean well for
our country, I am going join
whoever leader that will be
in power and enrich myself
as well," he noted
Addressing youths at the
All People One People
Intellectual
Forum
in
Buchanan, Grand Bassa
County
Freeman
noted
that he has never worked
for government but he is
contributing to the Liberian
economy
by
providing
thousands
of
jobs
to
Liberians.
He frowned we advocate for
your the young people but
you go about voting people in
office without knowing who
you are voting for.
The MPC political leader
noted that youth nowadays
follow politicians for the
wrong reason, adding that
some youth are too busy
exaggerating
politicians'
plight and do not know what
the said politicians have done
for their own to change
"Those politicians who want
state power should be asked

its report to the media, said

Cllr. Verdier.
The LACC chair disclosed that
whenever the commission
produces reports, it does
not publish all the details
because some details are kept
for prosecutorial purposes.
Said Cllr. Verdier: Here
is
another
thing,
for
prosecutorial
purposes,
when
we
conduct
investigation, we do not
publish the entire report,
statements, admissions and
all of that we do not publish,
we publish description of
the case and the findings.
We do not publish the
statements because in time of
prosecution, the statements
will be used for prosecutorial
purposes so we do not
publish that.
He expressed disagreement
with the publication of all the
details by FPA.
In this case we have reason
to be annoyed because of all
those information have been
printed. It is true that across
the world people will leak
out information; but we as an
institution we have to protect
our report, Cllr. Verdier
stated.

by you the youth what they

have done with their own
lives and how they intend
to change theirs, for me I
have businesses here that
provide jobs for thousands of
Liberians, I am contributing
to the Liberian economy," he
noted.
Freeman said youth lack
of jobs and they still strive
behind politicians for what
they (youth) can get now and
not working to improve their
lives.
He wants youths to hold
together and form a united
force asserting that youths
are strong and powerful,
urging them to be farsighted
in the decisions they make.
He blamed the youth for the
wrong state of affairs for
voting the wrong people for
the wrong reason of interest.
"The youths of Liberia need
to be serious, don't be carried
away by what politicians will
say, you should focus your
attention now by evaluating
all those who want to become
president of the Republic of
Liberia by inviting them to
explain to you about what
they will do to help you and
improve the country," he
advised.
The MPC political leader
however encouraged the
youths to be focused on what
they want to do to improve
their lives urging them to go
to school and empower their
own lives through education

Monday, May 11, 2015

Frontpage

Page 8b
17

SPECIAL EBOLA-FREE EDITION

WHO: THE EBOLA OUTBREAK IN LIBERIA IS OVER

oday, 9 May 2015,

WHO declares Liberia
free of Ebola virus
transmission. Fortytwo days have passed since the
last laboratory-confirmed case
was buried on 28 March 2015.
The outbreak of Ebola virus
disease in Liberia is over.
Interruption of transmission
is a monumental achievement
for a country that reported the
highest number of deaths in
the largest, longest, and most
complex outbreak since Ebola
first emerged in 1976. At the
peak of transmission, which
occurred during August and
September 2014, the country
was reporting from 300 to 400
new cases every week.
During those 2 months, the
capital city Monrovia was
the setting for some of the
most tragic scenes from West
Africas outbreak: gates locked
at overflowing treatment
centres, patients dying on the
hospital grounds, and bodies
that were sometimes not
collected for days.
Flights were cancelled. Fuel
and food ran low. Schools,
businesses, borders, markets,
and most health facilities were
closed. Fear and uncertainty
about the future, for families,
communities, and the country
and its economy, dominated
the national mood.
Though the capital city was
hardest hit, every one of
Liberias 15 counties eventually
reported cases. At one point,
virtually no treatment beds
for Ebola patients were
available anywhere in the
country.
With
infectious
cases and corpses remaining
in homes and communities,
almost guaranteeing further
infections, some expressed
concern that the virus
might become endemic in
Liberia, adding another and
especially severe permanent
threat to health.
It is a tribute to the government
and people of Liberia that
determination to defeat Ebola
never wavered, courage never
faltered. Doctors and nurses

continued to treat patients,

even when supplies of personal
protective equipment and
training in its safe use were
inadequate. Altogether, 375
health workers were infected
and 189 lost their lives.
Local volunteers, who worked
in treatment centres, on
burial teams, or as ambulance
drivers, were driven by a sense
of community responsibility
and patriotic duty to end
Ebola and bring hope back
to the countrys people. As
the number of cases grew
exponentially,
international
assistance began to pour in. All
these efforts helped push the
number of cases down to zero.
Liberias last case was
a woman in the greater
Monrovia area who developed
symptoms on 20 March and
died on 27 March. The source
of her infection remains under
investigation. The 332 people
who may have been exposed
to the patient were identified
and closely monitored. No
one developed symptoms;
all have been released from
surveillance.
Health
officials
have
maintained a high level of
vigilance for new cases.
During April, the countrys 5
dedicated Ebola laboratories
tested around 300 samples
every week. All test results
were negative.
While WHO is confident
that Liberia has interrupted
transmission,
outbreaks
persist in neighbouring Guinea
and Sierra Leone, creating a
high risk that infected people
may cross into Liberia over the
regions exceptionally porous
borders.
The government is fully aware
of the need to remain on high
alert and has the experience,
capacity, and support from
international partners to do
so. WHO will maintain an
enhanced staff presence in
Liberia until the end of the year
as the response transitions
from outbreak control, to
vigilance for imported cases, to
the recovery of essential health

services.
Evolution of the outbreak
The start of the outbreak
was deceptively slow. Health
officials were on high alert
for cases following WHOs
confirmation, on 23 March
2014, of the Ebola outbreak in
Guinea. Liberias first 2 cases,
in the northern county of Lofa
near the border with Guinea,
were confirmed on 30 March
2014.
On 7 April, 5 more cases were
confirmed, 4 in Lofa and 1
in Monrovia. All 5 died. The
situation then stabilized, with
no new cases reported during
April and most of May.
Further cases were detected
in early June, mainly in Lofa
county, but the trend did not
look alarming, especially when
compared with the situation
elsewhere. At the end of June,
Liberia reported 41 cases,
compared with 390 in Guinea
and 158 in Sierra Leone.
The impression of a calm
situation turned out to be an
illusion. The first additional
cases in Monrovia were
reported in mid-June. The city
was ill-prepared to cope with
the onslaught of infections
that rapidly followed as the
virus raced through hospitals,
communities, and eventually
entire neighbourhoods.
Case numbers that had
multiplied
quickly
began
to grow exponentially. On
6 August, President Ellen
Johnson
Sirleaf
declared
a three-month state of
emergency and announced
several strict measures aimed
at getting cases down.
In mid-August, a WHO team of
emergency experts estimated
that Monrovia needed 1000
beds just to treat currently

infected patients. Only 240

beds were available.
In September, WHO began
construction
of
a
new
treatment centre, using teams
of 100 construction workers
labouring in round-the-clock
shifts. On 21 September, the
Island Clinic was formally
handed over by WHO to
Liberias Ministry of Health
and Social Welfare. The clinic
added 150 beds to Monrovias
limited treatment capacity.
However, within 24 hours
after opening, the clinic was
overflowing with patients,
demonstrating the desperate
need for more treatment beds.
WHO
supported
the
construction of 2 additional
Ebola
treatment
centres,
augmenting
Monrovias
treatment capacity by another
400 beds. The remaining need
was eventually met by multiple
partners. The rapid increase in
treatment capacity, especially
in Monrovia, likely did much to
turn the outbreak around.
The outbreak began to subside
in late October, when more new
cases were detected early and
rapidly treated in isolation, and
more safe and dignified burials
were performed. Case-fatality
rates dropped. As the number
of survivors grew, public
perceptions changed from
viewing treatments centres
as death traps to seeing
them as places of hope. That
altered perception, in turn,
encouraged more patients to
seek early treatment.
The incidence of new cases
stabilized in mid-November,
with daily reports showing
only 10 to 20 new cases.
During the early months
of 2015, cases dwindled
further, eventually allowing

detection and investigation of

the last remaining chains of
transmission. From late March
on, daily reports consistently
showed zero cases.
Factors that contributed to
success: big dreams
A
number
of
factors
contributed to the success of
Liberias Ebola response..
The first decisive factor was the
leadership shown by President
Sirleaf, who regarded the
disease as a threat to the
nations economic and social
fabric and made the response
a
priority
for
multiple
branches of government. Her
swift and sometimes tough
decisions, frequent public
communications, and presence
at outbreak sites were
expressions of this leadership.
As President Sirleaf famously
stated in her memoir, The size
of your dreams must always
exceed your current capacity
to achieve them. If your dreams
do not scare you, they are not
big enough.
Second, health officials and
their partners were quick
to recognize the importance
of community engagement.
Health teams understood that
community leadership brings
with it well-defined social
structures, with clear lines
of credible authority. Teams
worked hard to win support
from village chiefs, religious
leaders, womens associations,
and youth groups.
One of the first signs that
the outbreak might be
turned around appeared in
September 2014, when cases
in Lofa county, Ebolas initial
epicentre, began to decline
after a peak of more than 150
cases a week in mid-August.
Epidemiologists would later

pleading according to the

Supreme Court ruling which
the petition challenged by
filing a writ of Certorari to the
high court to review her ruling.
In the petition to the high
court the petitioner stated
that a petition for accounting
was filed on June 7, 2013
by co-respondent MOTC
against the petition to account
for the management of the
Ducor Petroleum a business
corporation in which MOTC
claims it has 90%share.
The petitioner said accounting
was not heard though petitioner
filed its returns to said petition
as required by statute in other
words trial of the petition has
not commenced as the parties
have not submitted any record
to the court to be audited.

According to the petitioner

while the petition was
pending undetermined and
petitioner having found that
he advertently omitted a
significant point regarding the
lack of a factual or legal basis
for co-respondent MOTC to
claim that it is 90% owner of
the shares of Ducor Petroleum
withdrew his returns and filed
an amended returns along with
a motion to dismiss for lack of
capacity to use.
The petitioner furthered that
the ruling on both motions that
was denied was erroneously
made by the respondent Judges
of the Commercial Court in
that the co-respondent judges
ignored the Supreme Courts
opinion in the Tradevco case
decided in 1999 where the high

link that decline to a package of

interventions, with community
engagement playing a critical
role.
In Lofa, staff from the WHO
country office moved from
village to village, challenging
chiefs and religious leaders to
take charge of the response.
Community task forces were
formed to create house-tohouse
awareness,
report
suspected cases, call health
teams for support, and conduct
contact tracing.
See-through walls around the
treatment centre replaced
opaque ones, allowing families
and friends to watch what
was happening inside, thus
dispelling many rumours. Calls
for transportation to treatment
facilities or for burial teams
were
answered
quickly,
building confidence that teams
were there to help.
The effectiveness of this
response,
which
was
duplicated elsewhere, points
to a third factor: generous
support from the international
community,
including
financial, logistical, and human
resources.
This
support
added more treatment beds,
increased laboratory capacity,
and augmented the number
of contact tracing and burial
teams. The deployment of
self-sufficient foreign medical
teams from several countries
had a dramatic impact on the
outbreaks evolution.
Finally, strong coordination of
the international and national
response was essential for
success. International support
was slow to start, but abundant
when it arrived. Innovations
such as the Presidential
Advisory Committee on Ebola
and introduction of a incident
management system helped
ensure that resources and
capacities were placed where
needed.
Many of these lessons and
experiences are reflected in
WHOs new response plan,
which aims to identify all
remaining cases in West Africa
by June 2015.

GONGLOE CHALLENGES JUDGE RULING AT SUPREME COURT WITH A WRIT OF CERTIORARI

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

R
Monrovia-

ecent ruling by
the Judge of the
Commercial Court
at the Temple of
Justice Eva Morgan in a motion
to dismiss which was denied

has come under questioning by

defense lawyer, Cllr. Tiawan
Gongloe.
The motion that called to
dismiss though denied by the
judge grew out of the case
Amos Brosius minority

shareholder of
the Ducor Petroleum Inc.
versus Monrovia Oil Trading
Company (MOTC)
majority shareholder.
The motion was filed before
the Commercial Court on
September 10, 2014 and heard
on February 10, 2015 and later
decided on April 27, 2015.
Filed by the legal team of the
minority shareholder of Ducor
Petroleum, the motion called
on Monrovia Oil Company
to produce its shareholders in
Ducor Company.
Judge Eva Morgan denied
the motion based on the fact
associated with her ruling that
the motion should have been
filed within 10 days before

court held that any time before

trial, a party could amend its
pleading and the motion to
strike can only be filed by the
last pleader.
Petitioner says that corespondent judges ignored the
last pleader rule, as emphasized
in the Tradevco case which is
that the right to file a motion
to strike is strictly reserved for
the last pleader said the writ
of certiorari.
The
petitioner
most
respectfully prays the high
court to order a stay order of
further proceeding into the
instant case by the Commercial
Court and grant the petitioners
petition by correcting the
erroneous ruling from which
the petitioner is seeking relief.

"Interruption of transmission is a monumental achievement for a country that reported the highest
number of deaths in the largest, longest, and most complex outbreak since Ebola first emerged in 1976."