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www.frontpageafricaonline.com

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015

VOL 9 NO.119

PRICE L$40

PARKER, PAILEY GET SMOOTH SAILING

BOND BROUHAHA ENDS

Yes, the court has ruled in our favor this is the first step to victory.
- A female supporter of Parker

Law & Order - pg. 5

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING

SELLING

L$87.00/US$1

L$88.00/US$1

MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2015

L$88.00/US$1

L$89.00/US$1

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015

L$88.00/US$1

L$89.00/US$1

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2015

These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of the foreign exchange market
in Monrovia and its environs. The rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the
commercials banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

Page 2 | Frontpage

FROM PAGE 1

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Monrovia
n ambitious, costly but controversial
pension bill aiming to provide whopping
pension and retirement benefits for the
President, Vice President, the Speaker and
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
President Pro Tempore and members of the Liberian
Senate as well as elected members of the chambers
of the national legislature, the Chief Justice and
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges
of the Subordinate Courts of Liberia may not get
the backing of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who
FrontPageAfrica has learned may be leaning toward
vetoing.
The bill since its passage by both the Senate and
the Lower House has been greeted with public
rebuke with many Liberians taking their elected
representatives to task for only seeking the interest
of themselves and not the constituencies and those
who elected them into office.
In the 2015/2016 National Budget the National
Legislature is allotted over US$38 million out of
which compensation accounts for nearly US$ 20
million within a year.
The office of the Senate pro temp is allotted more
than US$1,483 million; office of the Speaker more
than US$974, 000; the House of Senate over US$11
million while the House of Representatives carries
bulk of the budget over US$23 million.
At the moment, members of the House of
Representatives make between US$8,000-US$12,000
monthly in salaries, allowances, communication and
other benefits.
Senators make around US$12,000 all bundled
in categories such as salaries, allowances,
communication and others.
Despite high earning in an underdeveloped country
by the lawmakers, they are still pushing for the state
to continue to provide for them during their entire
life passing the pension bill which will obligate the
country to pay them during their entire life, even
transferring to their spouses.
Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com; Henry Karmoh, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com
Credible sources has informed FPA that the President
is said to be unhappy with the extravagancy of the
Government the annuity payments granted the former President benefits. In addition, he/she shall be provided the following
proposals lawmakers are seeking for themselves to the detriment shall be suspended and if he/she qualifies for a second annuity for the remainder of his/her life to be paid by the State; which
of ordinary Liberians who are struggling at the bottom of the upon termination of services with the Government, he/she shall includes full medical benefits, full EPS protection, a Diplomatic
economic ladder.
be greater of the two.
Passport, Duty Free Privileges for all personal effects, a vehicle
The President, according to one source, is not against benefits The law also calls for payment after death that spouse of a once every three years and at least five personal staff to include a
for former elected officials but the extravagancy will simply put President who dies in office shall be paid 50% of the annuity secretary, a cook, a butler, and a driver. However, upon being re
a lot of burden on the ordinary people, especially when theres and all benefits during their natural life. Upon the death of elected or appointed to another position within government, the
nothing in it for them. It is unthinkable for anyone to harbor said spouse, all such monthly payments shall be paid in equal annuity payments granted the former Speaker shall be suspended
such outrageous pension thoughts, said the source speaking on proposition to each of the minor children but in the case the and if he/she qualifies for a second annuity upon the termination
condition of anonymity.
spouse remarries all benefits shall cease.
of services with the government, he/she shall be granted the
FrontPageAfricas legislative reporter at the Capitol Tuesday In comparison to the U.S. whose constitution and laws mirrors greater of the two.
sensed jitters amongst lawmakers suggesting that something Liberia, retired legislators in America are not entitled to any of
was amiss about the bill amid reports that President Sirleaf had the benefits Liberian lawmakers are asking.
WHOPPING BENEFITS FOR JUDGES, SPEAKER, DEPUTY
already vetoed the legislation.
Under U.S. laws, members of Congress do not receive their full
Lawmakers remained tightlipped about the contents of a pay as a pension upon leaving office. Thats the case whether they Additionally, the bill proposes that upon the demise of the former
communication from the Executive Mansion Tuesday. The served one term or several.
speaker all such monthly payments and all other benefits shall be
communication was part of a six-items agenda working tools for The basic eligibility for collecting a pension is as follows, paid to the surviving spouse, and upon the death of this spouse in
plenary of the Senate.
according to a report from the Congressional Research Service, equal to portions to each of the minor children.
However, the secretary of the Senate was not allowed to read the the nonpartisan research arm of Congress: CRS, June 13: Members
In the case of the Deputy Speaker, the bill is seeking to give the
presidents communication in plenary as Senator Geraldine Doe- of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if they have retiree twenty five percent of his monthly allowance and benefits
Sheriff, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Executive opted completed at least five years of service. Members are eligible for and other services for the remainder of his/her life after leaving
for the communication to be diverted to executive. In legislative a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, offices. Those include full EPA protection, a Diplomatic Passport,
proceedings executive grants the lawmakers privacy to discuss or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount Free Privileges for all personal effects, a vehicle once every
issues behind closed doors.
of the pension depends on years of service and the average of three years and at least four personal staff, to include a Chief of
Lawmakers who attended the secret executive session were the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a Staff, a Secretary, a cook and a driver. Like the speaker, the bill
tight-lipped about what was discussed but sources have told Members retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her recommends that upon the demise of the deputy speaker, all of
FrontPageAfrica that the leadership of the two houses met in an final salary.
his/her benefits should be pass on to surviving spouse.
urgent meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the Presidents Veto
Similarly, the bill also seeks twenty five percent allowances and
of the bill.
US LAWMAKERS PALES IN COMPARISON
benefits for the head of the senate with all the benefits as the
The pension bill was proposed in 2013 to amend and restate
speaker and the deputy speaker.
an Act approved October 8, 2003 published by authority of the This, suggest that members of the U.S. House of Representatives Regarding former members of the national legislature, the bill
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monrovia, Liberia on October 17, who are up for reelection every two years would not be able suggests twenty five percent allowances and benefits after they
2003, providing pension and retirement for the President and the to collect pensions of any amount if they only served one term. are voted out of office for the remainder of their lives with full
Vice President, President Pro-Tempore of the Liberia Senate and U.S. senators, on the other hand, serve six-year terms and would medical, diplomatic passport, duty free privileges for all personal
members of the Legislature, elected officers of the chambers of be able to collect pensions after one full term. But the pensions effects. The bill is also seeking for continuance of benefits after the
the National Legislature, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices wouldnt be equal to their full salaries.
former lawmaker dies. Upon the demise of a former legislator, a
of the Supreme Court and Judges of the Subordinate Courts of In contrast, Liberian lawmakers are seeking benefits right after one-time benefit payment shall be made to the surviving spouse;
Liberia.
losing an election.
same to be determined by the national legislature.
According to the Congressional Research Service, as of Oct. 1, Similar benefits applies to a retired Chief Justice, four associate
The amended law
2013, there were 367 former members of Congress who had justices. However, upon the death of the former Chief Justice or
retired under the Civil Service Retirement System, the old system Associate Justices, fifty percent of all benefits should be paid to
In the amended Law former President who was elected and that was criticized for being too generous. Those members were the surviving spouse; and upon the death of the spouse in equal
has served his/her term successfully and is not re-elected, receiving an average annual pension of $71,664. The pensions portions of each of the minor children.
thus retiring to private life, and who is not in any way gainfully of the 250 former members who retired under the Federal Similarly, a twenty five percent allowance benefits is also being
employed by the government of Liberia, shall receive an annuity Employees Retirement System, which began in 1987, average sought for former judges of Subordinate courts in Liberia with
to be divided into monthly payments equal to fifty Percent (50%) even less. Their average pension was $42,048 in 2013, CRS said.
a one-time death benefit payment being made to the surviving
of the incumbent president salary and twenty five (25%) of the In Liberia however, lawmakers are demanding lifetime support spouse to be determined by the judiciary.
incumbent presidents Monthly allowances and benefits.
from government.
Amid speculations Tuesday about a presidential veto, the
In addition to the cash immunity the former President according In the case of the Speaker, Section 2.5.0 of the bill under Annuity insensitive nature of the proposed legislation, political observers
to the law shall have to be accorded the following benefits for the for former members of the National Legislature proposes, that say that despite passage by both houses in the national legislature,
rest of their life including; full medical benefits for they and their a former Speaker who was elected and has served his/her term the presidents rejection is likely to appease angry constituents
spouse, full executive Protection service protection, Diplomatic successfully and is not re-elected, thus retiring into private life and force lawmakers back to the drawing board to fine tune a bill
passports, Duty free Privileges for all personal effects, two but no longer in the employ of the government should receive whose future appears to be mired in a state of uncertainty.
vehicles once every three years and at least 6 personal staff to from the government an annuity into monthly payments equal to
include a chief of staff, a secretary, a cook, a Butler and (2) Drivers. fifty percent(50%) of the incumbent speakers salary and twenty
Upon being re-elected or appointed to another position within five percent of the incumbent speakers monthly allowances and

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Page 3

FrontPage COMMENTARY
REFLECTIONS: THE DAY LIBERIAN
EDITORIAL PRESIDENT WILLIAM V. S. TUBMAN DIED
Frontpage

GREEDY & I
INSENSITIVE
PENSION
BILL DESERVES
PRESIDENTIAL VETO

WHEN LAWMAKERS elected by the people of Liberia continue

to use and abuse their powers through submission and passages
of insensitive and outrageous legislations to better their own
lives at the expense of those who elected them, the presidency
must do what is right as the last hope for those languishing at
the bottom of the economic ladder.
THIS IS WHY we welcome reports emanating out of the
Executive Mansion that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is
contemplating vetoing the controversial pension bill which has
been languishing on her desk for several weeks now.
TO UNDERSTAND the outrageousness of the proposed
legislation, one needs only to turn to the United States of America
from whence Liberia mirrors much of its laws and policies to
see how members of the national legislature in a country with a
population of just over four million are determined to damage
the progress and gains made by a post-war nation emerging
from war.
THE BILL among other things seeks pension and retirement
benefits for life for the President, Vice President, the Speaker and
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President
Pro Tempore and members of the Liberian Senate as well as
elected members of the chambers of the national legislature, the
Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and
judges of the Subordinate Courts.
WHILE NO one is against rewarding those who serve their
nation, the decision to decide what a retired lawmaker gets must
be made with caution and with the plight of the constituents in
mind.
FOR A RETIRED President, Vice President, Speaker, Pro Temp
and lawmaker elected by the people of Liberia to demand
through such a bill, annuities in monthly payments equal
to twenty five(25) and fifty percent(50%) of their monthly
allowances and benefits, speaks volumes to the insensitive
nature of those representing Liberia in the national legislature.
THE LAWMAKERS are proposing for the remainder of their lives,
full medical benefits, full EPS protection, a Diplomatic Passport,
Duty Free Privileges for all personal effects, a vehicle once every
three years and at least five personal staff to include a secretary,
a cook, a butler, and a driver.
THE LAWMAKERS ARE also proposing that upon the death
demise, their surviving spouse should continue to receive
benefits.
EVEN THOSE ELECTED to serve in the great United States of
America do not get such benefits after leaving offices and when
they do, it is for those who have served multiple terms and
comes long after they leave public office.
UNDER U.S. LAWS, members of Congress do not receive their
full pay as a pension upon leaving office. Thats the case whether
they served one term or several.
THE BASIC ELIGIBILITY for collecting a pension is as follows,
according to a report from the Congressional Research Service,
the nonpartisan research arm of Congress: CRS, June 13:
Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at the age of 62 if
they have completed at least five years of service. Members are
eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years
of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service.
The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the
average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting
amount of a Members retirement annuity may not exceed 80%
of his or her final salary.
THESE LAWMAKERS IN LIBERIA want all of these outrageous
benefits right after they are voted out of office. They want
taxpayers, many of whom are constituents they failed to
represent properly, to fund their lives after they have been voted
out of office. They want a small country like Liberia to fund EPS
protection, pay for cooks, staff and other annuities without
identifying the source of funding for such a costly operation
likely to hurt the very constituents who elected them?
HOW WOULD SUCH a scheme affect education, poverty
reduction, health and other essentials?

By: Doris D. Grimes (Mrs. J (Joseph) Rudolph grimes, Contributing Writer

t is amazing that after all these years, I get calls from Liberians
in the U.S.A. and elsewhere, and foreigners worldwide asking
me what happened this or that time. One interest to most of
them seems to be what happed when my husband "received a
radiogram from officials to say that W V S Tubman had died. My
husband died and was buried on September 22nd 2007, and he
never received a radiogram from anyone (official) with President
Tubman to say that he had died.
I have decided to print a section from my soon to be publish book,
"One Together - J. (Joseph) Rudolph Grimes and Doris D. (Delicia)
Grimes - which deals with the day Mr. Tubman died. I am doing
this because Liberia has "so called Experts" and some newspapers
spreading inaccurate information (Lies) about their relatives and
friends and about historical events.
On July 18th, 1971, it was announced that the Liberian President,
William V. S. Tubman would be traveling to London to enter the
London Clinic for health reasons. His wife Antoinette Tubman, his
doctor, Dr. Henrique Benson, Security Officer Wilfred Clarke and an
Under Secretary of State, T. Ernest Eastman would be included in
the group to accompany him on his trip. Many of us drove up to
Roberts International Airport to see the President off to wish him a
safe trip. Mr. J Rudolph Grimes, Secretary of State, was left in charge
of the Government.
On the afternoon of July 20th, our friend Putu (Augusta) Porte came
by our home. I was sewing near the garden, she sat down with me,
and what she told me had me spellbound. She told me that she
had come to ask me for Mrs. Tubman's telephone number because
she had had a very strange dream and therefore wanted to talk to
her cousin Nettie. When I inquired about the dream she said that
she had seen Mrs. Tubman with her hair all opened and grey and
someone was saying all the time "A Nation mourns. I told Putu that
I did not have the number and that I would ask my husband if he
could get it for me when he returned home later in the day.
Rudolph came home for lunch on the 23rd of July 1971, and Sylvia
Harmon, a culinary person at the Mansion and I were at our place.
He mentioned that Mr. Tubman had informed him that he changed
his mind and decided that he would have the surgery that he said
he would not have the day before. Rudolph said he had called all of
the Cabinet to the State Department and informed them of what Mr.
Tubman had said of the pending surgery and told them that he had
been informed that it was over successfully and that Mr. Tubman
was in the recovery room with seven doctors. He also asked them
NOT to leave the city. The Vice President, Mr. William R. Tolbert, in
a navy blue suit, led the group in prayers and the acting Secretary of
Treasury-Lafayette Johnson cried out openly.
Rudolph and I were having the Independence celebration. I had
given many of the food that would be prepared to professional
people to help - Fanny Speare, Thelma Morris Badio, and Jemima
Peal - of course, the \mansion staff and others.
About a half hour before Rudolph came home for lunch, around 1:00
pm, my phone rang and it was a call from the Vice President's house
- a female voice - and she said, in a low voice, "they say he is dead
and the Tolbert family people are arriving" and then the person
hung up. Sylvia saw the expression on my face and said "Mrs. G.
What happened? -I then said, "I cannot understand what's going
on."
I began warming the lunch for Rudolph - he was having his usual
drink before lunch. Our doorbell rang and I went to answer the bell
and this man entered just as Rudolph sat at the table for lunch, the
telephone at the head of the stairs rang, - I suggested that Rudolph
take the call in the bedroom after the overseas operator said that
she had Mrs. Tubman on the line.
I put the food in the oven to keep warm and went to the table where
the visitor was seated. He did not want a drink and said that he had
just left the Vice President's home and Ernest Eastman had called to
tell the Vice President that Mr. Tubman had died.
Rudolph was on the phone with Mrs. Tubman and I did not want
this man to see me through the glass triangle on the swinging door
- so I needed a beer - got down on all four and went to the bedroom
and told Rudolph what the man, Emmett Harmon had told me.
Rudolph told me to pick up the phone extension and listen to Mrs.
Tubman, I heard Mrs. Tubman say that she had been told that her
husband was in the recovery room - the operation was successful
and seven doctors were in the recovery room with him and that
v

WITH THE COUNTRY already strap for cash, the proposal being
thrown around is likely to draw anger from those struggling to
make ends meet and barely getting by.
THESE ARE THE KINDS of decisions that led this country to war
and history appears to be repeating itself when senseless and
heartless lawmakers hide behind a pension plan that is miles
away from the realities of Liberia and a glaring insult to the
people of Liberia.
PRESIDENT SIRLEAF, if she has not already must say no to this
and send a strong message to those in the legislature that this

was all she knew. When Rudolph came back to the dining room,
Emmett Harmon asked him what he had heard, and he said what
Mrs. Tubman had said.
Emmett Harmon got up to leave and I took him to the door where he
again repeated what he had told me earlier that Ernest Eastman had
called to tell Mr. Tolbert that Mr. Tubman had died.
Rudolph left to return to his office and I took a shower and went
to check on things at the Mansion. Sylvia had been trying to get
in touch with me; she said Rudolph wanted to talk with me. We
could not find a free phone. We ended up getting the phone in the
upstairs of the kitchen. When I finally got Rudolph, he told me what
the woman from Mr. Tolbert's house and Emmett Harmon told you
were true. I asked him if someone called him and he said no - he had
called and it was confirmed.
Ernest Eastman, Dudley Lawrence or any other officer never
informed J. Rudolph Grimes of Tubman's death.
Sylvia Harmon, Mai Padmore, and I went to the State Department.
Sylvia was in the front seat with me, and Mai Padmore in the back
seat. We saw Oliver Bright and James Morgan downstairs. I rarely
went to Rudolph's office, now here I was knocking on his office door,
when he said, "Come in" and we entered. I was not prepared for
what I saw. All hell broke loose. Sylvia screamed, rolled, cried and
cried and rolled. Later I remembered the Tubman had educated
Sylvia at the Cordon Bleu in France and elsewhere.
Rudolph was at his desk and the only person in his office was George
Henries, the Attorney General. I have to add here that the Attorney
General remained in Mr. Grimes office until after Mr. Tolbert was
sworn in.
Rudolph then said "honey you go and stop all the preparations of
food, etc. at the Mansion and elsewhere. You people do not breath
a word to anyone, even though I told everyone to remain in the
Monrovia area - now they are saying Mr. Tolbert is not at home
or his office and has gone to his farm." I have sent the Director
of police, Smythe, from Monrovia with a team of Police and the
Attorney General has a team of police coming from Gbarnga, and
wherever he is he will be brought in and sworn in keeping with the
laws of Liberia.
"Mai, I have booked George to leave for London tonight to be with
his sister when she returns home. He says he is not going and will
send Ed Padmore. This is no time for Ed Padmore - go and see if
you can get him on the plane tonight. The three of us left for the
Mansion - did what we had to do and Sylvia and I went to our home.
We brought the telephone near the garden and there we remained
downstairs the entire time.
Rudolph called to remind me that we had a dinner engagement at
the Italian Embassy. He suggested that I get us out of it. I called the
ambassador's wife and apologized that my sinus was acting up we
would not be able to be present at the dinner. Her response was,
"Oh Doris, we are so sorry and I do understand the Doyen of the
Diplomatic Corps who is the Vatican representative just informed
my husband that he received the information from the Vatican less
than an hour ago, we will keep in touch - you take care now.
Who informed whom - The Ambassador, J Dudley Lawrence called
McKinley DeShield to tell him that Mr. Tubman had died. Mac
DeShield sent his son, Leonard DeShield, an official of the State
Department to tell Mr. Tolbert who then began calling his relatives
to come to his home. The Under Secretary of State, Ernest Eastman,
had called Tolberts brother Steve Tolbert who was in Washington
D. C. Steve expressed the opinion that Ernest Eastman was trying
to get on their bandwagon now that Tubman was gone. Eastman
deserved more than that, what was said of him. Eastman than called
Vice President Tolbert to tell him that Mr. Tubman had died.
The two men who were with Steve Tolbert in D.C. when Eastman
called him, Estrada Bernard and Clarence Simpson are in Monrovia
and can confirm their presence there. The third has died. Steve
Tolbert began sending messages to Liberia to be met - he knew he
was taking over the country, Liberia.
Mr. Grimes was still in his office doing his work, Sylvia and I was still
near the garden when the telephone rang, it was a Liberian Foreign
Service official in an Embassy trying to find out if what he had heard
was correct and he wanted to talk with Mr. Grimes. I told him Mr.
Grimes was in his office - suggested that he call Mr. Grimes at his
office as I knew nothing.

Please read full commentary online

insensitive bill belongs in the garbage and is not fit for any leader
in their right mind to approve.
THE PENSION bill belongs in the dark ages. It is the kind of
document the some of these very elected officials fought against
in the past and took exception to from leaders of the past. Yet, in
this day and age, they are determine to inflict economic hardship
on a country emerging from war while enhancing their own
elitist lifestyle to the detriment of the poor, the major reason why
President Sirleaf must reject this trashy piece of legislation with
nothing to offer Liberia.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

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THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DO NOT USE THE
HIGHWAY DEATH: PUBLIC SITUATION TO ATTACK MINISTER NGAFUAN

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE

TRANSPORT BUS CRASH

KILLS SCORES IN LIBERIA
TERRY DIAMA SMALL BUSINESS AT SELF-EMPLOYED
We have three kinds of people in this world ( white people,
black people, and Liberian people). We complain about
everything and still refused to follow any simple instructions.
Even if traffic signs are installed left and right On the road we
will complain and still break the rules. When police take action
the same people will gang up against the police and burn down
police depots as well as destroy their vehicles. We eat and throw
the trash on the streets without thinking that malaria and
typhoid will come after us. When we contract our self-created
diseases, we blame the government because we refused to
follow the rules set by but the same government. About 90%
of Liberian drivers are professional drinkers and they can even
drink behind the steering. We need to help our government by
obeying rules because it's for our own good. One man mistake
has taken dozens of lives in just a second. May their souls rest
in peace.

YINI GUVA SAHN ASHLAND UNIVERSITY

Yeplah, most Liberian drivers don't have the word "safety" on
their list of words. This bus has the capacity of 25, but 25 more
passengers were added for the drivers and car boys to lick their
hands. People sit in the isle and everywhere on their luggages.
They bribe the COPs to get free pass with such overload. Only
the GoL can put stop to this. MoT and LNP must work together
to enforce the LAWS- speed limit, the amount of passengers in
a taxi, van or bus. If not, this will be the beginning of more to
come. How about a 24/7 highway patrol on these new roads?
BESTMAN K. MONDAYE STUDIED AT AME UNIVERSITY
My deepest condolences goes to the bereaved families, may the
good old Lord receive them in his bosom. The problems with
accidents in our country are due to bad roads, indiscipline
drivers as well as careless driving. Most of our highways are
narrow and curvy as a result some drivers take advantage of
that and try to overtake thus by resulting into serious accidents.
I believe strongly that if some serious measures are put into
place by relevant authorities...we'll experience a reduction in
such dangerous accidents. A hint to the wise is quite sufficient.
SAMUKA V. KONNEH GENERAL MANAGER AT VIVACIOUS
CONSULTANTS, INC.
THIS PART IS SO TRU FPA. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO
CREAT OWN SIGNS IN YOUR MINDS. ....Investigations by
FrontPageAfrica, however, revealed that majority of the
accidents occur on the spots where diversions are made by the
construction companies. While these diversions are necessary
for the progress of the job, adequate road signs are usually not
given and this leads to most of the accidents that have damaged
many vehicles.
STANF BUSHCHICKEN PEAB PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT
GROW LIBERIA: FACILITATING INCLUSIVE MARKETS
The driver was speeding and sipping from a wine bottle. He did
not heed the persistent calls from passengers to stop speeding
and stop drinking. My people will be suing MTA for damages.

SAMUKA V. KONNEH GENERAL MANAGER AT VIVACIOUS

CONSULTANTS, INC.
Stanf BushChicken Peab What do you mean "my people"? Is it
confirmed he was drinking and never heeded to passengers'
warning?

SALIHO KENNEH WORKS AT NEW YORK, NEW YORK

This is terrible, my sincere sympathy and deepest condolences
to the bereaved family
GEORGE ZOTA GAILOR WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Just so sad - terrible accident, caused by yet another damnedfool calling himself a CDL Class B driver. Increasing the pains
and sufferings of the innocents.

SAMPSON BLOH MONGER HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY,

PENNSYLVANIA
Police needs to patrol along the highway. That's how it is done
in the modern world. Two lanes highway is always a death trap
anyway.

DISCLAIMER

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

The Editor

some quarters. I can safely say that this is an

evil planned and executed by some of the
elements that have the opportunity to work at
the Ministry with very bad and wicked intent
that decided to perpetrate this against the
people of Liberia.

However, the scandal that occurred in the

division of International Cooperation should
not be used to get at Minister Ngafuan who
has set dissimilar record in this country that
we must grant. This wonderful child of Liberia
though I am not the spokesman for him, but I
Know he is innocent. I want to quickly come
out with this quick ratification this is not in
any way an attempt of debunking a headline
in one of the daily newspapers published on
the 10th of August. The paper in the front page
sub-headline, asked if Minister Ngafuan milked
some of the money that the Ministry had alarm
that an employee took and absconded with.
I want to say categorically the current Minister
of Foreign Affairs is totally innocent and his
name should not be used in this situation.

Perfection belongs to God but let me say safely

that from the Human perspective, the former
Director of the budget, former Minister of
Finance and the astute Student General yes the
current Minister of foreign Minister Augustine
Kpehe Ngafuan, is a perfect man I just care if
you will agree with me or not. Follow people
record and what they stand for. This Minister is
one of the most morally and ethical characters
in this government and of course in this country
based on his status.

ecently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

under the wonderful and distinct
management of Minister Augustine
Kpehe Ngafuan swiftly unearthed an
evil igneous by an element that has been in the
employ of the Ministry.
I want to give this out as an advice to us
intellectuals that this situation should be void
We have division of labor in any professional of politics and let critically scrutinizing and
area particularly like the Ministry of Foreign investigate it properly instead of focusing on
Affairs that are divided into bureaus or divisions politics. This thing is fundamental and vital for
as you may. Characters in those divisions were us to have basic understanding of the situation
equally appointed by the employer of minister than for us continually concentrating on leaving
Ngafuan. Granted for the sake of clarity that out what the issues are but go against or use it
managerially the Minister oversees all of these against characters that you cannot judge based
slices.
on his remarkable records.

The Ministry upon hearing this sadden or evil

information from an audit report decided to be
the one to unleash the information to the public
instead. I think this demonstrates that the evil
was not an organize crime as insinuated in

So let go back in our secret houses to start

rethinking and preparing our arsenals so that if
you are sincerely speaking for your country to
jerk doing some serious investigations on this
matter.
Akoi Dakala
LOFA COUNTY/
akoidakala@yahoo.
com/0886588857/0775013347

EDITORIAL TEAM

Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666;

077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com;
rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com
Samwar S. Fallah, News Desk Chief, 0886-527
541, samwar.fallah@frontpageafricaonline.com
Gboko Stewart, Copy Editor 0886 484974
gboko.stewart@frontpageafricaonline.con
Danesius Marteh, Sports Editor, danesius.
marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528
James-Emmanuel D. Cole, Jr, Graphics Designer
& Layout Editor, echange4life@gmail.com;
0886 211 390, 0777 027 030
Henry Karmo, Reporter, henry.karmo@
frontpageafricaonline.com
Bettie Johnson, Reporter, , / betty.johnson@
frontpageafricaonline.com/0886971922

Al-varney Rogers, Reporter, al.rogers@

frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-304498
Kennedy L. Yangian, Reporter, kennedy.yangian@
frontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781
A. Macaulay Sombai, Sports Reporter, macaulay.sombai@
FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428
COUNTY NEWS TEAM
Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042
Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@
frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
BUSINESS/ADVERTISING
Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753,
advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Frontpage

Page 5

BONDParker,
BROUHAHA
ENDS
Pailey Get Smooth Sailing

Monroviahe
controversy
surrounding
the
US$1.2m bond filed
by the defense team
of Matilda Wokie Parker and
Christiana Kpabar Pailey at
the Criminal Court C came
to a screeching halt Tuesday
when Judge Peter Gbeneweleh
accepted the bond in his ruling,
much to the dismay of the
prosecution team.
In his ruling on Tuesday August
11, Judge Peter Gbeneweleh
said that in the exhibition or
attachment to the bond, the
Articles of Incorporation of the
insurance company is evidence
that the company does exist.
A careful perusal of the
insurance bond filed by the
defendant shows that the said
bond met the requirements
to execute the criminal
appearance bond in this
case, the surety during the
examination answered the
affirmative that the defendants
will appear before this court
whenever needed, the bond is
valid said Judge Gbeneweleh.
He furthered: There is a
registration
certificate
of
the insurance company with
the appropriate government
ministry or agency indicating
that it is authorized to do
business in Liberia that is also
in good standing.
Prosecution lawyers Attys.
Eric Garlawolo and Oretha
Davis were present in court to
receive the ruling on behalf of
the prosecution.
Lawyers of the defendants,
alongside cheerleading squads,
beamed with smiles from ear
to ear following the judges
ruling.
Yes, the court has ruled in our
favor this is the first step to
victory, said one of the female
supporters of Parker who
asked for anonymity.
Though
the
defendants
were not present during the
proceedings, lead defense
lawyer, Cllr. Frederick Cherue,
told FrontPageAfrica shortly
after the ruling that the judge
did exactly what the law
requires.
The ruling was in line with the
law and that if anything shall
have gone contrary we would
have gone to the Supreme
Court for redress said Cllr.
Cherue

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@fontpageafricaonline.com 0777296781

The indicted
Managing
Director of the National Port
Authority
(NPA)
Matilda
Parker
and
Comptroller
Christina Paelay have come
under immense pressure from
state prosecutors since filing
a US$1.2m insurance bond to
secure a temporary release.
State lawyers, guarded by

Montserrado County Attorney

Cllr. Daku Mulbah, took
exception to the bond and
asked the court to set the
bond aside and re-arrest the
defendants because the Family
Dollar Universal Insurance
Company that served as surety
of the bond has not shown any
evidence of an asset.

You cannot come to this

court and talk about having
assets when there has been no
evidence to show to convince
the court; we want evidence
shown to this court to defend
your claim said Cllr. Mulbah
While defense lawyers, Cllr.
Federick Cherue and Frank
Musa Dean maintained that

the US$1.2m insurance bond

filed by the company means
they have the assets to defend.
Both Parker and Paelay
are charged with economic
sabotage, theft of property
and
criminal
conspiracy.
Their indictments stemmed
from allegedly awarding over
US$800,000.00 to dredge the

NPA to a bogus company.

The acceptance of their bond
by the court means they are
temporarily released to be
present at all times of the trial,
which is expected to start
during the just opened August
2015 Term of Court.

MISSTEP

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Page 6 | Frontpage

IN U.S EBOLA RESPONSE; EMPTY ETU TO USE OVER US $5 MILLION

Al-Varney Rogers alvarney.frontpageafricaonline.com 0886304498

Ganta, Nimba Countyehind the Ganta

Methodist Hospital
sits
an
Ebola
Treatment
Unit
which is considered state of
the art by experts - but since
its opening in January, the
center has had no confirmed
Ebola patient.
With no Ebola patients, the
center operated by Project
Concern International has
exhausted almost 60% of
$5.6 million provide by
the U.S government for its
operation.
We have used not more
than 60% of the funding,
we reprogram, some of the
money we did not use for the
purchase of supplies, and we
reallocate it to new program.
County
health
team
requested more training. We
build the capacity in term
of outbreak response, if
there is a case people know
how to do it, PCI Chief of
Party for Support to Ebola
Treatment Unit Project
(STEP) Tweldebrham Hailu
Abrha told reporters.
The ETU was built by the
United States Department
of Defense, to be operated
by
Project
Concern
International.
Critics charge that millions
of dollars spent by an
Ebola treatment center that
never had an Ebola patient
is unjustifiable, but PCI
argues in interview with
FrontPageAfrica that though
it wasnt receiving Ebola
patients, it used the money

to strengthen surveillance
in Nimba County, and the
organization suggests that
this intervention could
explain why the county
remains stable in the Ebola
fight thus far reporting zero
new cases.
Terrance Yeana, a Ganta
resident appears to be shock
by the news that the ETU
in his city run by PCI has
used more than half of $5.6
million without treating any
confirmed Ebola patient.
For me I cant believe that
$5.6 million can be used in
less than one year on a place
that had no Ebola patient
and the staff there does
not reach even 100, Yeana
argues.
Yeana added that spending
such money on an ETU
without an Ebola patient is a
waste of resources.
While Yeana is skeptical that
the amount was spent on the
Ganta ETU, he says closing
the ETU would not be a good
idea.
I dont believe that. I always
go there; I usually passed
there when Im going home.
I dont support any plan to
break the ETU down. They
can keep it for different
purpose. This 5.6 million is
shocking to me, Yeana said.
Chief of Party of PCI STEP
admitted that the center did
not receive any confirmed
Ebola
patients,
adding
that workers at the center
are spreading awareness
messages in the community
instead of sitting in the

empty ETU.
Dr. Abrha said that PCI,
in line with the County
Health Team is increasing
surveillance and community
awareness in the county.
We started testing from
nearby villagers - if any call
from the village we go there
and collect them, check you
but we had no positive case,
we decided to move from
defensive to offensive, more
community awareness. We
observed that there were
many healths facilitates that
need help. We designed a
team to focus on capacity
building.
Out of the 71 health
facilitates, we selected 24
high-priority facilities we
started training. If theres
no Ebola patient coming to
us, we increase community
surveillance.
We
have
screened
about
3,000
people, Abrha said.
The PCI STEP boss said that
from January to June they
admitted 41 cases, adding
that all were suspected.
Most of them had malaria
and meningitis. In addition
to this we screened over
4,000 people in the field and
here (ETU).
Nimba County Health Officer
Dr. Collins Bowah said hes
not aware of the full amount
of money PCI has to operate
the ETU. Once a hospital
is open whether you get a
patient or not you spend
money, we did not know
how much they got, Bowah
said.

Interventions
by
the
international
community
came very late, Bowah said,
adding that if they had taken
place earlier in Liberia many
lives would have been saved.
Bowah said the County
Health
Team
initially
requested PCI to construct
a
permanent
structure
instead of an emergency
structure.
PCI STEP Chief of Party
said that the $5.6 million
originally
was
meant
to cover staff salaries,
program supplies, vehicles,
ambulance services and
training.
Dr. Abrha said the majority
of the funding was directed
to program supplies, mainly
infection control supplies.
About 75% was about
program supplies, infectious
control
supplies,
PPEs
(personal
protective
equipment), medicine. We
had one ambulance working
out of the three ambulance
requested, 85 staffers, two
medical
doctors,
three
physicians assistants, 18
nurses, 28 hygienists and
other maintenance staffs,
Dr. Abrha explained.
[IS THIS 800,000 in LD?]
Abrha said 800,000 a month
is required to run a normal
Ebola center. For now we
are using quarter of that

amount a month.
The case of PCI is akin to
many international nongovernmental organizations
that received money to
combat Ebola in Liberia
but did not utilize it for the
intended purpose.
But the influx of funds and
resources might have been
a little too much, too late,
according to the reports.
In 2014, a week after U.S.
President Barack Obamas
announcement, Ebola cases
peaked at 635 per week.
By the time the first U.S.
treatment center opened in
mid-November, the weekly
rate of infection fell by
more than half, according to
data collected by the World
Health Organization and
United States Agency for
International Development.
On the week when the last
of the 11 centers opened
in January, health officials
reported fewer than 100
confirmed cases of Ebola.
PCI
Country
Director
Jolene Mullins said that her
organization will use the
funding in the best possible
way, and she praised
Liberias Ebola response. A
great deal has been used; it
is our hope we spend it in
the best possible way. I think
Liberia has dealt with Ebola
amazingly, Mullins said.

Mullins said that if the

allocated funds for the ETU
are not spent, the PCI will
return the money.
This money is America
taxpayer money. If it we
do not use [it] from now
to the end of the project in
December we will return the
remaining, Mullins said.
Abrha recounted that in
Ganta, Nimba County, when
the outbreak started; the
Nimba County Health Team
was using an eye clinic.
The eye clinic has to serve
as ETU until PCI step in. In
December, U.S Department
of defense had completed
the new ETU, and we
started running the project
in January 1, covering the
expenditure of staff cost to
run the ETU.
The ETU and the capacity
built during the life span of
this project may go down
the drain, but many medical
practitioners and even locals
believe that it should be
used for infectious disease.
Abrha hopes that ETU is not
decommissioned,
adding
that it could be used during
any future outbreak.
The decision and the fate
of the ETU are still with the
Ministry of Health, Abrha
said.
This is an ideal structure
for infection control, not
only Ebola. It just started
operating late. If we had this
facility last year, we could
have save lives, particularly
health workers. This facility
is playing a great role; we
are keeping things stable.
This facility could have
played a more better role six
months back.
I hope the Ministry of
Health will use this for
infection control and it could
be used to train people in
infection control.
Six months after the first
reported case in the region,
American officials sent
nearly 3,000 troops to the
West African nation, and
spent nearly $1.4 billion
to help construct nearly
a dozen new treatment
centers.
Now, Liberian health officials
and other international key
players say those efforts may
have been ill-timed. Reports
by American officials show
that, out of the 11 treatment
units that American troops
constructed, only two have
been used.

EXPRESSION OF
INTOLERANCE
Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Frontpage
of a difficult time in Liberian
history.
The
abrupt,
unlawful
and prolonged closure of
the Chronicle was a stark
reminder of a difficult time
in Liberian history, wherein
political
and
military
tyranny limited the peoples
right to free speech and
freedom of the press, the
PUL stated.
According to the Union it sees
these actions as a further
expression of intolerance
and unwarranted attack on
the free press.
Said Kamara The Press
Union of Liberia sees
these actions as a further
expression of intolerance,
an unwarranted attack on
the free press and a failure
by the government to utilize
due process.

PUL Decries Constant Attacks Against Media

Monrovian Friday, August 7

the Supreme Court
of Liberia ordered
that the National
Chronicle
Newspaper
shutdown down by the
Government of Liberia be
reopened.
Following the high courts
decision, the Press Union
of Liberia Monday said the
decision by the court closes
a sad chapter in the failure
of the government to abide
by due process of law and
a reflection of their high
degree of intolerance.
PUL President K. Abdullai
Kamara
in
statement
indicated
that
the
unfortunate and unlawful
closure of the National
Chronicle had been a
difficult note in the history
of press freedom and

DISTRUST
BETWEEN
MEDIA AND GOL

democracy in Liberia.
It simply placed Liberia
further down the line on
adherence to free speech,

UNMIL OFFICER-IN-CHARGE
STATEMENT ON THE STATUS
OF THE UNMIL DRAWDOWN

UNMIL Officer-in-Charge Antonio Vigilante

made the following statement today

n April, the
United Nations
S e c u r i t y
C o u n c i l
authorized UNMIL
to
resume
its
drawdown, which
was
suspended
last year due to
the Ebola crisis.
The
Missions
military
strength
will be reduced
to approximately
3,400 by September
2015 while the
number of police
personnel will be
almost 1,400. The
Council
Security
is
expected
to
authorize the next phase of UNMILs drawdown (October
2015-June 2016) of military and police personnel in the
coming weeks.
UNMILs drawdown is not new. The number of military
personnel has been reduced by well over 11,000 over the
past decade, without major security incidents in the areas
from where UNMIL has withdrawn.
As the UNMIL drawdown advances, the Mission continues
to support the implementation of the Governments
detailed plan to assume full responsibility for all aspects of
security in the country by 30 June 2016. Although the initial
benchmarks of the transition plan were met, progress in
recent months has been slow. Greater national commitment
is urgently required to make sure that the critical targets
are achieved in the coming months, including passage of the
Police Act and other important legislation.
While the Government holds primary responsibility for the
security of the Liberian people, as citizens, all Liberians
have an important role to play in maintaining law and order
and resolving problems through peaceful means.
Now is the time to support sustained progress in the
achievement of the Governments security transition plan.
In future years, all Liberians should be able to look back
with pride at how they took full responsibility for their
own peace and security, a similar pride that has come from
uniting to overcome Ebola.

the PUL president said.

The
Union
President
described the National
Chronicle saga as reminder

The PUL also expressed

in the statement that the
Chronicle saga strengthens
the distrust between the
government and the media
and undermines the rule of
law.
We
seriously
believe
this action strengthens
the distrust between the

government and the media,

undermines the rule of law
and lays to waste the fruitful
collaboration
that
has
existed between the media
and the government, the
Union statement delivered
by Kamara stressed.
In spite of the saga, Kamara
assured that the media
will remain engaged as the
foremost partner in the
maintenance of peace and
the development of a vibrant
democracy.
Kamara disclosed that the
media has taken steps such
as suspending its members
and issuing fines against
individuals and institutions
but lamented that in spite
of these efforts by the media
to institute regulations
within its ranks, the media
continues to be subjected
to unjustified attacks from
several sources.
Kamara also commented
on a recent statement from
United States Ambassador
Deborah Malac regarding a
newspaper publication.
He said while it true that
newspapers that published
the story should have
contacted the Embassy,
it is also unfair for the
Ambassador to attribute the
actions of few to the entire

Page 7

Liberian media of more than

80 institutions.
A few days ago, US
Ambassador
Deborah
Malac, while responding
to an unfortunate story
in one/two of the papers,
which she rightly described
as
"shoddy
reporting,"
effectively blamed the entire
media landscape for that
one mishap. Ambassador
Malac said: Not a single
journalist contacted U.S.
Embassy Monrovia to check
the veracity of this story or
to ask for comment.
Kamara
described
the
Ambassador comment as a
good point before insisting
that
the
Ambassador
should not have blamed the
entire Liberian media for
the mishap of one or two
newspapers.
Said Kamara So, Madame
Ambassador, attributing the
wrong doing of one or two
newspapers to the entire
media of more than 80
institutions who would go at
great length to practice high
level of professionalism - is
quite unfair to the rest of the
media.

SUPERINTENDENT PLEDGES
STRONG COMMITMENT

Monroviahe newly appointed

Development
Superintendent of
Grand Cape Mount
County has vowed to work
diligently in the interest of
his people and county.
Mr.
Mohammed
Kiawu
who
once
served
as
Representative of Kpokpah
District in Cape Mount
said
as
Development
Superintendent
his
appointment means a lot for
the county and people and
promised that he is going
to work hand-in-hand with
other officials in order to
carry on more developments
and also improve the lives of
the citizens.
Mr.
Kiawu
revealed
that
as
Development
Superintendent he is going
to focus on development
disclosing that he has a
number of projects to be
implemented.
He highlighted improvement
of several of the county
major facilities and said
citizens need to have access
to good road condition,
electricity, drinking water,
good health care and better
school system.
Said Superintendent Kiawu:
The main car road leading
to our county capital
City Robertsports needs
serious rehabilitation, the
county seat presently lacks
electricity, good drinking
water and the entire county
lacks better school system
and good health care and all
these areas need complete

A. Macaulay Sombai, sombaifrontpageafricaonline.com 0777217428

attention. So, I am going

to work hand- in- hand
with other officials and our
lawmakers so that we all can
put together better ideas
that we all will use to carry
on real development in our
county.
He called on his fellow
officials of the county to
put aside their political
differences and focus on the
problems facing the county
in order to find tangible
solution and bring total
development.
Please let us put aside
our individual differences
and hold together as we
struggle to better improve
our county in the area
of development because
through togetherness all
problems can easily be
solved and this is the time
for us to work together with
all of the companies that
are operating in our county

to work with us in all of

our county infrastructure
development, he said.
In the area of agriculture,
the
Development
Superintendent agreed that
agriculture is the bedrock of
all development and noted
that the county leadership
needs to pay more attention
to agriculture.
I am urging my fellow
citizens to put more
attention to agriculture
but again we as county
officials and our citizens
in the diaspora need to
come in and help provide
those equipment or tools
and seeds because if these
things are provided, I think
the agriculture sector will
improve in our county,
Superintendent
Kiawu
stressed.
On the Ebola virus, Kiawu
urged citizens and residents
of Cape Mount to remain

watchful about the virus

and increase the preventive
measures that are already
in place and called on
the security forces at the
Liberia, Sierra Leone border
to remain vigilant over the
disease and to always keep
both countries citizens
on their alert as they all
struggle to kick the disease
out of both countries.
I think citizens of both
countries know the danger
the virus has done to
our people and the only
way we can overpower
this dangerous disease
is to always keep our
environment clean, watch
our hands clean and cook
our food well and I hope
our people in Cape Mount
will continue to go by those
preventative measures until
we kick the virus totally
out of our country, he
cautioned.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

VACANCY
The Central Bank of Liberia is seeking applications from highly
motivated and experienced Liberians for the post of LIBRARIAN
within its Research, Policy & Planning Department.
Post Title :
Opening Date
Deadline :

LIBRARIAN
: August 10, 2015
August 21, 2015

Brief Job Description

The Librarian provides leadership and expertise in the selection,
acquisition, evaluation and organization of information, resources
and technologies in required formats. He or she ensures access
and responsible use of information by developing and maintaining
catalogs of resources appropriate to workers of the CBL, researchers,
students and the general public.
Principal Duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to, the
following:
The Librarian is the overseer of the library daily routine;
Responsible to undertake appropriate cataloging, circulation and
maintenance of the Banks publications;
Undertakes documentation of periodicals from both internal and
external sources;
Assists workers of the CBL, researchers, students and the general
public in accessing information;
Submits regular reports to the head of the Department of Research,
Policy & Planning; and
Systematically produces attendance record of the library and
responses to audit report(s).

VACANCY
The Central Bank of Liberia is seeking applications
from highly motivated and experienced Liberians for
the post of SYSTEM OPERATOR/ADMINISTRATOR
within TREASURY OPERATIONS SECTION
Position: System Operator/Administrator
Opening date: August 10, 2015
Deadline:
August 21, 2015
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Monitor the daily operation of the Scriptless Securities
Settlement System (SSSS) used for the settlement of
securities: T-Bills, CBL-Bills, Treasury bond, corporate
bond, Municipal bond and equity securities.

Responsible for securities transactions: DvP; RvP;

ILF; REPO; Securities Account Balance and Movement
Inquiry; Transaction matching and Settlement;
Required Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants should have the following background, experience and Intra-position transfers; cancellation of securities
competences:
transaction; making bids on auctions and sending text
The holder of this position must have obtained at least Bachelor of
Science degree in library science or its equivalence and must have at messages.
least three (3) years of library administrative experience;
Any equivalent combination of education and experience is
advantageous;
The Librarian must have thorough knowledge of professional
library principles, practices, methods and administration;
Thorough knowledge of reader interest levels, books, authors and
reference resources;
Knowledge of office and bookkeeping practices;
The Librarian must be computer literate; and
Must possess good writing skills as well as interpersonal and
organizational skills.

Qualifications:

Must have a Bachelor or advance degree in Accounting,

Finance, Management or Economics
Must be Computer literate
Must have Good communication skills
Must be a Self starter
Application Submission Guidelines:
Must have a minimum of 3 years of working experience
Letters of application, together with curriculum vitae, photocopies
in a fast pace environment
of relevant certificates and degrees, names and addresses of two
referees should be sent to the following address not later than August Please address all applications and CVs to:
7, 2015:

Mr. Elijah F. Chilar

The Assistant Director of Administration for Human Resource
Central Bank of Liberia
Corner of Warren & Carey Streets
Monrovia, Liberia

Deputy Director for Administration

Central Bank of Liberia
Warren & Carey Streets
P. O. Box 2048
Monrovia, Liberia

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

VACANCIES
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) was established by
an Act of Legislature in September 2013 for the purposes
of assessing and collecting national revenues as specified
in the Revenue Code of Liberia and other related laws;
administering, accounting, auditing, enforcing revenue
collection laws and regulations; and educating taxpayers to
facilitate tax and customs compliance.
The Liberia Revenue Authority now seeks to recruit
competent, hardworking, and committed Liberians with
integrity for the below positions:
1. Assistant Collectors-Customs Business Office
2. Chief of Office Staff- Office of the Commissioner
General
3. Executive Secretary-Office of the Commissioner
Domestic Tax Department
4. Manager- Results Analysis Section
5. Manager-Quality Assurance Section
6. Manager- Operations & Technical Affairs/Office of
Professional Responsibility Section
7. Senior Collectors-Customs Business Office
8. Technical Focal Point-Office of the Commissioner of
Domestic Tax
9. Technical Focal Point-Office of the Commissioner
General

Applicants will be selected through a highly competitive

evaluation process.
Detail of the requirements can be obtained at:
www.lra.gov.lr
Liberia Revenue Authority Social Media Pages( Facebook
,Twitter and LinkedIn )
Interested individuals are advised that all applicants
should submit their resume Online (www.lra.gov.lr) via
LRA job recruiting link (job portal).
Note: Every TOR downloaded has an opposite
corresponding link to submit related application/resume
for said job.
The deadline for application is on or before Monday,
August 24, 2015 at 5:00 pm

The LRA strongly encourages qualified females to apply.

Note: This announcement and other LRA related
information are also available at www.lra.gov.lr and Liberia
Revenue Authority Facebook page.
Signed:
A.Trokon Tarr
Communications, Media &Public Affairs /LRA

Frontpage

OBITUARY

Page 9

Funeral Announcement
The late Lawrence A. Sneh
Filled with personal sadness, but
giving praise and thanksgiving to
God, we announce the death of
our beloved Mr. Lawrence A. Sneh.
This blessed event occurred on
Wednesday, the 29th of July 2015
at the Redemption Hospital, New
Kru Town, Liberia
REMOVAL: St. Moses Funeral
Home, Gardnersville: Friday,
August 14, 2015 at 5:00 PM.

WAKE KEEPING:
A service of songs, praise and
tributes will be held at A. P.
Camphor Memorial United
Methodist Church, Clara Town,
Bushrod Island on Friday, August 14, 2015 from 6:00 pm ~ 9:00 p.m.

SERVICE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LAWRENCES LIFE:

Service for the Celebration of Lawrences Life will be said on Saturday August
15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, Clara
Town, Bushrod Island.
INTERMENT: Immediately following the service in the Township of
Bardnersville

May the Almighty God bless you Lawrence, may he keep you, may he pour his
continence upon you, and may he grant your soul and the souls of all the faithful
departed rest eternal in perfect peace. Amen.
Family Contact:
John F. Sneh

Phanta Sneh
Brenda Sneh
Rufus S. Berry II

+231-886-528522
+231-886-510577
+231-886-494883
+231-886-362332 / +231-770-301071

CHANGE OF NAME

Page 10 | Frontpage

DONALD TRUMP: I
WHINE UNTIL I WIN

PAGE

RONT

RIVAL
LIBYA
FACTIONS
Resume Peace Talks in Geneva

onald Trump says hell do whatever it takes to become

president to make America great again even if it
means whining his way to the White House.
I do whine because I want to win and Im not happy
about not winning, Trump said on CNNs New Day on Tuesday.
And I am a whiner and I keep whining and whining until I win.
Trump, the current leader in the race for the Republican
nomination, refuted an ABC News report that he is considering
ruling out a third-party run.
Im running as a Republican, Im leading in every poll Im
leading all over the place and I want to run as a Republican,
he said. If I am treated fairly thats the way its going to be, but
I want to keep that door open. I have to keep that door open
because if something happens where Im not treated fairly, I may
very well use that door.

DOLLAR COULD SUFFER IF U.S. WALKS

AWAY FROM IRAN DEAL: KERRY

NEW YORK (Reuters) f the United States walks away from the nuclear deal struck
with Iran last month in Vienna and demands that its allies
comply with U.S. sanctions, the dollar may soon cease to be
the world's reserve currency, the top U.S. diplomat said on
Monday.
"If we turn around and nix the deal and then tell them, you're
going to have to obey our rules and sanctions anyway, that is a
recipe, very quickly .... for the American dollar to cease to be the
reserve currency of the world," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
said at a Reuters Newsmaker event.
He added that it would be impossible for Iran, under the nuclear
agreement between Iran and major powers, to create a secret
program for developing atomic fuel without the United States
being able to detect it.

WORLD NEWS

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Geneva (AFP) ival Libyan factions

were set to resume
peace
talks
on
Tuesday
after
a
partial deal was reached last
month, but hopes for a lasting
ceasefire remain dim without
the support of key power
brokers.
The negotiations at the
United Nations in Geneva are
being hosted by UN envoy
Bernardino Leon, who said the
accord signed in Morocco on
July 11 was an important step
towards ending four years of

deadly chaos.
That
deal
was
backed
by members of Libya's
internationally-recognised
parliament based in the
eastern port city of Tobruk,
as well as members of other
political parties, civil society
and local officials.
But it was boycotted by the
Islamist-aligned
General
National Congress (GNC),
which was installed in Tripoli
by a powerful militia alliance
that seized the capital last year.
The UN has not yet confirmed
those attending the latest

round of talks.
Representatives from the
GNC were "expected", UN
spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told
journalists on Tuesday, but he
stopped short of confirming
their arrival in Geneva.
Experts said that even if the
GNC commits to dialogue, a
durable ceasefire could remain
elusive.
"There may be a disconnect
between the negotiators and
those fighting," said Frederic
Wehrey, a North Africa
specialist at the Carnegie
Endowment for International

AMNESTY APPROVES POLICY

TO DECRIMINALIZE SEX TRADE

RWANDA CELEBRATES
SPY CHIEF RELEASE
AFTER 'POLITICAL'
ARREST

ZUMA BLAMES APARTHEID

FOR WEAK GROWTH

Johannesburg (AFP) outh African President Jacob Zuma blamed the

country's tepid economic growth on apartheid Tuesday,
describing it as "colonialism of a special type".
Addressing reporters in Pretoria, Zuma said South
Africa suffers from "complex historic problems" that are unique
on the continent.
"Other countries in Africa never had a racially based economy,"
said Zuma at a briefing where he took stock of reforms
implemented by the government since the beginning of the year.
"We are trying to address the legacy of apartheid, and it's going
to be with us a long time," said Zuma.
"At the same time it (South Africa) must be competing with
countries that never had such a challenge."

Peace.
The UN-backed talks include
"fairly influential people", and
may ultimately lead to the
declaration of a prospective
ceasefire, he said.
But he warned that without
"a
separate
(negotiation)
track for these armed groups",
stopping the bloodshed could
prove impossible.
Libya has been plagued by near
relentless violence since the
2011 overthrow of Moamer
Kadhafi.
With the country deeply
fractured -- including two
parliaments vying for power
and a slew of armed groups
battling for control of the
country's oil wealth -- the
UN hopes to forge a unity
government that can ease the
violence.
The West "may see the
negotiations process as a path
to 'stability' rather than peace
necessarily,"
said Fadil Aliriza, a
Libya specialist at the Londonbased Legatum Institute.
"But it's hard to imagine how
political figures with dubious
popular support and minimal
control over their armed forces
can bring peace to a fractured
country.
"Even if GNC comes on board,
which is anyone's guess, the
international
community's
focus on getting a unity
government doesn't fix the
sources of conflict," he told AFP
in an email.

LONDON (AP)
mnesty International approved a
controversial policy Tuesday to
endorse the de-criminalization of the
sex trade, rejecting complaints by
women's rights groups who say it is tantamount
to advocating the legalization of pimping and
brothel owning.
At its decision-making forum in Dublin, the
human rights watchdog approved the resolution
to recommend "full decriminalization of all
aspects of consensual sex work." It argues its
research suggests decriminalization is the best
way to defend sex workers' human rights.
"We recognize that this critical human rights
issue is hugely complex and that is why we
have addressed this issue from the perspective
of international human rights standards," said

Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty

International. "We also consulted with our global
movement to take on board different views from
around the world."
Amnesty's decision is important because it will
use its heft to lobby governments around the
world to accept its point of view.
Advance word of the Amnesty policy touched
off outrage among women's groups who argued
that the human rights organization has made a
serious mistake. The groups, such as the U.S.based Coalition Against Trafficking in Women,
have argued that while it agrees with Amnesty
that those who are prostituted should not be
criminalized, full de-criminalization would
make pimps "businesspeople" who could sell the
vulnerable with impunity.

Kigali (AFP) wanda on Tuesday

celebrated
the
release in Britain
of its intelligence
chief, claiming the "wrongful
arrest" was a "political" tactic
by those who deny the 1994
genocide.
A court in Britain on Monday
dropped
a
controversial
extradition case against General
Karenzi Karake, leaving him
free to return home.
Kigali offered its "profound
gratitude" to those who secured
his release, singling out for
thanks Cherie Blair, wife of
Britain's former prime minister
Tony Blair, who led the legal
challenge in London.
"Rwanda
regards
the
discredited arrest warrant
as just a tactic in a political
campaign by those who deny
the genocide of 1994," the
government statement read.
Karake, a key figure in the
regime of President Paul
Kagame, was arrested in June
in London on a European arrest
warrant issued by Spain.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Frontpage

Sports

DEAD
PETITION?
T
he Civil Law Court
has
lifted
the
preliminary writ of
injunction it issued
on the congress of the Liberia
Basketball Association (LBA).
The injunction, which was
issued by resident circuit
judge Yussif D. Kaba on August
6, was served on the LBA
leadership as first respondent;
the minister, deputy and
assistant ministers of the
Ministry of Youth and Sports
(MYS) as second respondent;
Yanqueh Borsay and his
adhoc elections commission
as third respondent and LBA
president Rufus Anderson as
fourth respondent.
The aggrieved party or
stakeholders, by and thru
Calvin Diggs of Flames,
Malcolm Wleemongar Joseph
of Cestos Mogars and Ali Sillah
of D-Rockas Basketball Clubs,
petitioned the court to issue
the injunction in a renewed
twist of the leadership crisis
that has engulfed the LBA
since November 2014.
But following an eight count
motion to dismiss the petition
as was filed by attorneysat-law Joe S. Barkon and
Morris Davis on behalf of the
respondents, assigned circuit
judge Johannes Z. Zlahn issued
this order to the sheriff, Fofee
Kamara.
By directive of His Honor
Yussif D. Kaba, resident
and assigned circuit judge,
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
of
Montserrado
County,

Civil Law Court lifts writ of injunction on LBA

congress; delegates poised to reassemble on Thursday
Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

SPORTS

CHELSEA 2-2 SWANSEA

CITY: CHAMPIONS HOLD
ON FOR A POINT AFTER
COURTOIS RED CARD

helsea were unable

to
begin
their
defence
of
the
Premier League title
with a win, losing goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois to a red card
on their way to a 2-2 draw
with Swansea City at Stamford
Bridge.
Jose Mourinho's side took the
lead when Oscar whipped a
free kick which was intended
as a cross beyond Lukasz
Fabianski.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0

TOTTENHAM: WALKER OWN
GOAL GETS VAN GAAL OFF TO
A WINNING START

Rufus Anderson
Republic of Liberia, you are
hereby ordered to vacate the
injunction levied upon the
respondents in view of the
indemnity bond filed and
intended to indemnify the
respondents/petitioners
in
the event injury is sustained as
a result of these proceedings.
Accordingly the injunction
filed by the respondent is
hereby order lifted with
immediate effect. (Please find
hereto attached photocopy of
the judges order to this effect.
And it is hereby so ordered,
Zlahn ruled on August 11,
which was conveyed to clerk
of court Ellen Hall.

The respondents/petitioners
have until August 21 to file
their reply and resistance
and/or
appearance
as
judgment by default will be
rendered against any party
failing to do so.
FrontPageAfrica (FPA) was
told by Anderson, who
is poised to be reelected
unopposed, that the legally
suspended-congress
will
be legally-reconvened at
the Providence Hotel in
Paynesville on Thursday.
Others to be elected or
reelected unopposed are
Fred Ted, vice president for
administration; Bruce Quaye,

UNCERTAINTY
IN
THE
PAST
YAYA TOURE SET MAN CITY OFF TO FLYING START

n an opening
weekend bereft of
quality from any of
the other Premier
League title contenders,
Manchester City provided a
performance of the highest
level.
Central to that, among
others, was Yaya Toure.
Manchester
United
laboured to victory against
Tottenham, Chelsea could
only draw at home against
Swansea City, and Arsenal
were handed a reality
check by West Ham after a
summer of optimism.
Toure, David Silva and Co.,

Page 11

meanwhile, would not fall

victim to the complacency
which hampered the rest
of the prospective top four
against West Brom on
Monday night.
Though they eventually
rallied to finish second
behind Chelsea last season,
Manuel Pellegrini's side
were a shadow of their
former selves as they
relinquished the title. Drab
performance followed drab
performance, and were it
not for Sergio Aguero's goals
they may have struggled to
even finish in the top four.
Toure toiled as his future at

the club remained in doubt

for long periods, while
Vincent Kompany provided
hints that his time as one
of the world's outstanding
defenders was coming to
an end. Pellegrini's own
situation did not help
matters as the spectre of
Pep Guardiola hung over the
Etihad Stadium for much of
the campaign.
But with Pellegrini having
extended his contract until
2017, there is all of a sudden
more stability around City.
Although that deal is likely to
be a smokescreen to shield
the Chilean from criticism

Malcolm Joseph
vice president for operations;
Abiodun Thomas as treasurer,
Jarius J. Harris as financial
secretary and Isaac Smith as
chaplain respectively.
For months now, basketballing
activities have been grounded
due to a power struggle among
key stakeholders with charges
of accusations and counteraccusations.
The congress to elect a new
leadership should have taken
place last November but
was called-off as Liberia was
engulfed in an Ebola crisis.
The sports ministry has been
trying to find a resolution
to the impasse and even

before Guardiola inevitably

arrives in the summer, it is,
in the short-term at least, a
show of faith.
And that belief was reflected
in
City's
performance
against West Brom as they
took control early on before
picking the Baggies off at
will. On a night when 49
million man Raheem Sterling
made his competitive debut,
it was somewhat symbolic
that Toure and Kompany
provided the goals.
The pair along with
Aguero and Silva were the
driving force behind City's
title triumph in 2014, and
if Pellegrini's side are to
replicate that feat they will
need all four to be at their
best again to ensure Chelsea
are toppled come May.
At the Hawthorns, it
was Silva who put in the
outstanding performance of
the night as he showcased
why he remains the best
player around the edge of
the box that the Premier
League has to offer.
It defies belief that Pellegrini
insisted on playing him
wide on the left as part of
a 4-4-2 system for so long.
Clearly more at home as a

sought the intervention of

basketballs governing body in
AfricaFiba Afrique.
Our reporter was told that
the sports ministry and adhoc
elections commission were
served a copy of Zlahns ruling.
It remains to be seen whether
the elections will finally
take place ahead of the final
disposal of the aggrieved
partys protest, which should
have first gone to the grievance
committee and appeals sought
at the executive committee,
Fiba-Afrique and the Court of
Arbitration for Sports.

No.10, the Spaniard now

has the chance to stamp his
authority on this season as
Eden Hazard did the last.
Behind Silva, Toure too was
in his more natural role as a
roaming central midfielder.
Too often he was tied to
defensive duties last term,
but against West Brom he
was given the freedom to get
forward thanks to a quietly
outstanding performance
from Fernandinho alongside
him.
Birthday-cake-gate seems
to be behind the Ivorian and
his second goal a superb
curling effort from 20 yards
following neat interplay
with compatriot Wilfried
Bony was a sign that his
confidence is returning.
Few midfielders in the
English top flight possess
the talent the Ivorian has,
and his physical presence
just adds to the task
defenders face in stopping
him. An in-form Toure can
be the difference for City,
and Pellegrini is well aware
of how key it is he puts his
issues from last season
behind him.

n
own
goal
from
Kyle
Walker ensured
Manchester
United opened the Premier
League season with a 1-0
victory over Tottenham at Old
Trafford on Saturday.
The right-back stabbed into
the back of his own net
midway through the first half
after a new-look United side
had made a shaky start.
David de Gea watched on
as Sergio Romero made his
United debut, with Louis van
Gaal stating that the Spain
goalkeeper is not in the right
frame of mind amid ongoing
speculation over a move to
Real Madrid.

VAN GAAL: WE WON'T

LET DE GEA GO EASILY

ouis van Gaal

has warned Real
Madrid
that
Manchester United
will not let David de Gea go
easily this summer.
De Gea was dropped by Van
Gaal for United's 1-0 victory
against Tottenham on the
opening day of the season,
with the Dutchman indicating
that the Spain international
was not mentally prepared to
play.
Sergio Romero was handed
his debut instead as De Gea
watched from the stands
alongside Victor Valdes and
Anders Lindegaard but his
manager says that a deal
for the goalkeeper is yet to
be agreed with the Spanish
giants.

Page 6a
12 | Frontpage

est Point-Schools
reopen
next
month in Liberia.
In West Point,

some may not.

Due to sea erosion, many schools
have been swept away in the
slum township. At the Global
Harvest Institute, students use
the unused side of a church
edifice as the school was one of
those affected by the erosion of
the Atlantic Ocean.
Lyon Saydee, an instructor of
Harvest Institute intoned that
the students, numbered 300, sit
on the floor since their school
was swept away three months
ago. He lamented that teaching
outside has been daunting task as
the kids are easily distracted.
Saydee revealed that since the
destruction of the school, the
administration has been chasing
government officials and other
meaningful Liberians to come to
their rescue but their pleas have
fallen on deaf ears, no matter the
plight of the children.
According to Saydee, he is

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

SWEPT BY
EROSION
NO SCHOOL FOR LIBERIAS WEST POINT KIDS

worried that his institution

could be left out of the Ministry
of Education reform process
because without a structure, they
cannot form part of the entire
process. The process is also
characterized by the distribution
of copybooks.
Said Instructor Saydee; These
children that you see sitting
on the ground are our future
leaders. Building a good future
is to wrap around these children
to build a good future. If we
only relinquish these children,
it means that these children
future will be relinquished. If
you look among them you can
see brightness. Though they are
small but we have presidents,
doctors, lawmakers, police, and
soldiers among them.
He furthered: I believe that
these children will not be part of
the reform process. And if these
children dont form part of the
reform process, it means that the
Education system is still dormant
and it is still in limbo.

These children that you see sitting on the ground are our future leaders. Building a good future is to
wrap around these children to build a good future. If we only relinquish these children, it means that
these children future will be relinquished. If you look among them you can see brightness. Though
they are small but we have presidents, doctors, lawmakers, police, soldiers among them.
Massa F. kanneh-Dorley masskanneh@yahoo.com or 0886848625

Kids attending a vacation school in west point

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

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

CHILD FUND LIBERIA SHUTS DOWN

EBOLA INTERIM CARE CENTER
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovian October 2014 during

the peak of the Ebola
Virus outbreak in Liberia
over fifty children who
were affected by the virus
were taken to an Interim Care
Center as a result of rejection
from their communities and
at time family members.
The Kelekula Interim Care
Center in sinkor is one of those
centers in Liberia that had
its doors opened to orphans
and Ebola affected children
funded by the United States
Agency for International
Development through Child
Fund Liberia.
Of the over fifty children taken
to the care center according
to Anthony Klay-Sie head
of the home five died from
Ebola at Ebola Treatment
Unit controlled by MSF in
Paynesville.
On Tuesday at official
programs marking the closure
of the center children were
re-united with their parents
and others who lost both
parents were re-united with
community
members
or
relatives.
Klay-Sie said: The reason
we are officially closing
this center is part of our

community
development
efforts. We started this
project in the community and
obviously the thinking was
that the place was not safe.
Today we come to officially
close this center to tell
Liberians and the community
that we have decontaminated
this compound.
Parents and guardians who
had gone to take delivery of
their children or that of their
relatives who may have died
of Ebola were beaming with
smiles this time with no fear
of been affected as a result of
contact with these children.
Some of the children as young
as 2 years were not allowed to
go back home empty handed
but were given back-packs
loaded with books, toys and
other essential materials that
are intended to help them in
their academic activities.
Parents who spoke at the
event told the home how they
were grateful for their efforts.
We are happy today for our
children we first of all want to
say thanks to child fund and
others who supported this
initiative. Today it may seem
gloomy and easy but at this
time last year many of us were
not sure of these children here

today, one happy parent said.

Liberia has been declared
Ebola-free, but the virus has
taken a lasting toll on children
in the West African nation
who lost their parents to the
deadly disease, according
to
reports there are over
4,500 boys and girls across
the country who have become
orphans because of Ebola,
Liberias gender and social
protection ministry said.
The Liberian government
identified and documented
2,200 boys and 2,372 girls
who have lost either one or
both parents to the Ebola
virus.
About 2,500 orphans have
received a one-time donation
of $150 each from the United

Nations Children Education

Fund. However, support will
be extended to another 4,500
children across the country
who have been affected by
Ebola in some way, Lydia
Sherman, deputy minister
for children protection at
Liberias Ministry of Gender
and Social Protection, said.
One of the challenges Ebola
orphans and affected children
face is educational support.
Many Ebola-affected children
live in rural Liberia where
it is difficult to travel to and
from school. The orphans also
face psychological trauma,
for which the Liberian
government is providing
counseling, Sherman said.
We hope that the government
of Liberia can put some money
into the next budget to help
these children, Janice Cooper,
the director of psychosocial
counseling with the gender
and social protection ministry.
There are still more affected
children out there and we
hope to assist them.
The Ebola virus has killed
nearly 5,000 people in Liberia.
More than 26,000 people have
been infected across West
Africa and over 11,000 of
them were said to have died
in the past years.

GOVERNMENT WELCOMES SUPREME COURT

DECISION; CAUTIONS JOURNALISTS

By: Webster Clayeh

Monroviahe Government of
Liberia
has
said
it
welcomes
the
decision
by
the
Supreme Court of Liberia
ordering the reopening of the
National Chronicle Newspaper.
Information Minister Lewis
G. Brown told a Ministry of
Information regular press
briefing Tuesday that the
Government of Liberia is
committed to the rule of law
and freedom of expression.
Minister Brown however
recalled that on August 16 2014
the Ministry of Information

under the signature of the

Deputy Minister for Press and
Propaganda Isaac Jackson
wrote a letter to the publisher
of the National Chronicle
Newspaper Philipbert Brown
informing him that the
national security including
the national police drew
the urgent attention of the
Ministry regarding ongoing
Investigation of at least
two publications from the
National Chronicle Newspaper
in which it was stated that
the democratic order and
consolidation processes in
the replacement of president
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to
form a national transitional

government.
The National Chronicle claimed
on two radio stations that it
had the evidence to support its
report.
According to Minister Brown,
the national security was
able to order the Ministry of
Information to suspend all
further publications of the
paper and be subjected to
investigation. But eventually
the letter sparked a legal issue
that led to petitions before the
Supreme Court.
The Minister however said
the fact that the order of the
ministry can be challenged, it
is welcoming.
The fact that the publisher
can feel aggrieved by the
suspension order and can seek
redress in the court of law
testifies the progress that this
country has made and that is
a welcoming development for
this country, Minister Brown
said.
Minister Brown also said
that the government had no
intention to take the National
Chronicle Newspaper to court.
We did not go to court it
was the National Chronicle
newspaper and the PUL that

went to court, minister Brown

said.
The minster continued: we
only said we suspend you
until our investigation then
you go to court to delay your
own time. We welcome the
decision of the court, we must
all celebrate these changes
that are going on in our court
system.
Speaking about the threat of
US$5 million law suit by the
managing editor and publisher
of the National Chronicle
newspaper Minister Brown
described it as a joke.
After you were told by the
court to go and sin no more
than you say you want to sue
the government. I think that
is a joke, Minister Brown
asserted.
The
minister
however
cautioned journalists to always
report the truth.
You should not write your
imagination, you should always
verify your information, always
ask the relevant authority.
Most of you journalists are
weak because of that you
write rubbish to feed you and
your family. You can lie on us
but now you are taking your

Frontpage

Page 6b
13

DIGNITY OF COURT
SHOULD BE RESPECTED

Bettie K. Johnson /betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviariminal Court E Judge Ceaineh Clinton Johnson wants

the judiciary to be respected at all times, especially by the
media.
Staring at journalists during the opening of the August
tem of Court, judge Clinton warned: We know that we now have
the information act, but the dignity of the court will and must at all
times be respected.
She further stated that reporting by the media should be bereft of
biases.
We expect you to carefully check information. Balance and verify
from the court before reporting to the general public. And if the
truth is revealed, put it as you see it and dont report to satisfy
individuals, Judge Johnson opined.
The judge of the rape court also clarified that Lebanese nationals
were not the only ones who were granted bail.
The press published that Lebanese nationals were the only ones
who were granted bail in the Criminal Court E; but from the
records of Court E, forty two bails were granted and only three were
Lebanese nationals, she said.
She continued: When the state applied for nolle prosequoi, the
news was that the court was just freeing criminals. When the change
of venue was requested and granted, the newspapers reported that
they will be watching the judge who transferred the case.
Judge Johnson said that media too has a responsibility to ensure
that respect is given to the courts and avoid unjust causes and
unmeritorious reporting.
PLACE OF LAST HOPE
The Criminal Court E Judge referred to the courts as a place of last
hope, citing judicial cannon five which states the court is the last
place of hope for a man on earth.
Said Judge Johnson: We must everyday return to the place where
it first began. It began when we first took an oath as attorneys to
create a just and decent society which respects and preserves the
dignity of all people,\ regardless of differences, a society which
eradicates cruelty by protecting people from abuse, violence and
humiliation caused by communities and institutions.
She continued: All of this is geared towards changing the power
relationship between relevant decision making institutions and the
people affected by their decisions. We said that in this society when
there is any cause of action, as it is laid out in the oath as lawyer, we
would do everything to abide by the rule of law.
Judiciary corrupt
Sitting as the lone female among four judges, Judge Johnson said
that oaths are taken by media, jurors, and lawyers but wondered
why the judiciary will be labeled as corrupt.
We have heard that lawyers bravely tell their clients that the
Judiciary is corrupt and thereafter they call us your honor, which is
an honorable statement, said Judge Johnson.
The Criminal Court E Judge further stated that judges and lawyers
are the same, adding they should avoid behaviors that will lessen
the dignity of the courts, thereby defacing the majesty of the courts.
We charge you today and say that the quality of the judiciary
determines the quality of justice and the quality of justice
determines the quality of justice and quality life in any nation, she
charged.
She said when so many unfounded statements and charges of
corruption against the place of hope are made, the judiciary is
impugn on the dignity and majesty, thereby undermining the
confidence in the judiciary and judicial process.
Judge Johnson cautioned the Prosecution, and Public defense to be
bold in discharging their duties.
To the prosecution, we charge you today to be bold and say to
yourselves and to your bosses that your first charge/duty as a
lawyer is to advise against unmeritorious suits, you must know that
it is not about winning but also ensuring that the truth is told and
if you do not have the truth or cannot find it, do not come to court,
said Judge Johnson.
The criminal Court E judge continued: to the public defense,
your mandate is to represent those who cannot afford the cost of
representations. Your job not only searching for the doubts in the
prosecution case, but also finding the truth. You dont do justice
when your client has told you the truth that he or she is wrong and
you still want to free them.
The court opening brought together several lawyers, and staffers of
the judiciary to be effective as they perform their duties.
For his part, the Liberia National Bar Association President Cllr.
Moses Paegar said lawyers will not do anything to undermine the
court.
However, he called on judges to also respect lawyers especially in
the presence of their clients.

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