The Next Liberian President Must Make Education A Priority

Source: The Liberian Dialogue

TQ Harris Jr.
www.tqharrisforpresident
Also see www.friendsoftq.org

Ellen Johnso-Sirleaf

As information technology and the forces of globalization reshapes the political landscapes of governments and world economies, the role of the president in aligning the domestic agenda with the international environment is becoming even more complex. Therefore, education as one of the essential elements in preparing an individual to meet the critical challenges of this all-important office must be underscored.

Many in our society today, believe that the presidency is a realm of commonsense, and that it requires no formal education. Upon one’s ascendancy to the rein of power, an individual could only depend on others for the smooth functioning of government. Notwithstanding, in this day and time, this proposition is dangerous, incredibly absurd, frightening, and at the height of myopia. I say this because of the complex nature of the office.

With the advent of information technology and the forces of globalization, every major decision-making including budgetary appropriations and expenditures, and policy pronouncement and execution must be carefully planned and weighed against a backdrop of many external factors and forces.

Permit me to cite two case scenarios to support this position.

Case in point: Quite recently, the Internet and other major news outlets were filled with information concerning the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dropping Liberia’s debt burden in the tone of $4.6 billion. According to the news story, Liberia was reaping this benefit, as a result of the efforts of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mr. John S. Morlu, II, Liberia’s auditing general. As the news continued, they and other astute personalities at the Finance Ministry have proven to the IMF and other multilateral organizations that in the midst of the budgetary dilemma, they are determined to tackle the fiscal insanity, fraud, waste, and abuse that have run amok in our country for decades.

Another case in point: The issue of human rights cannot be ignored. An expert speaking at a recent conference stated that information technology is changing the world at a pace that it seems like we now live in a “Digital Democracy.” This is because governments that are committing crimes against humanity and concealing them are now being exposed by reconnaissance satellites. Moreover, with the introduction of broadband technology, the work of watchdog organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Democracy Now, and the United Nations has become less hectic, since these organizations can receive information from remote Internet bloggers instantaneously.

Bloggers are capable of reporting crisis, conducting video-conferencing and web casting, as well as transmitting and receiving humongous documents and images stored in gigabytes. Moreover, cell phones and other mobile devices are now retrofitted with Internet capabilities that enable them to transmit and receive videos and documents from anywhere and at anytime.

What are the lessons? The lessons here are that any government that desires to acquire loans to undertake capital projects nowadays must demonstrate to the international community their ability to tackle fiscal profligacy and the prudent use of its nation’s natural resources, and must respect the human rights of its citizens. Governments that behave to the contrary will stand to face the wrath of multilateral organizations in the form of sanctions, embargoes, and loan denials. Sanctions are not foreign to Liberia, as their imposition during the Charles Taylor’s regime brought absolute paralysis to the development of that country.

Nevertheless, there are opportunists, who would often pretend to promote the president’s agenda or interests, whereas, they have their own political dreams in the pipeline. To be real, it is impossible in this day and time when education is constantly evolving to expect an aspiring presidential candidate to specialize in every discipline. On the other hand, this cannot be used as an alibi for the individual not to have the requisite education, the analytical and critical thinking skills, which equips one to delegate authority and effectively monitor the roles of appointed ministers and government bureaucrats.

A legend that has circulated within the Liberian society for over two decades says that the late President Samuel Kanyon Doe was ill-advised by a renowned economist to raise the wages of soldiers by 100%. According to this legend, the president yielded to the advice without ascertaining whether such policy implementation would have been sustainable, because he (Mr. Doe) was uneducated and inexperienced.

In a rumor-based society such as ours, it would be fruitless to dwell on the veracity or falsehood of a legend. Notwithstanding there are definitely valuable lessons to be learned from it. The presidency is a position that calls for an individual of high intellectual caliber and cognitive flexibility, who is able to diagnose as well as comprehend the synthesis and analysis of complex issues, problems, and challenges which may be of profound significance to the nation.

A president who lacks this level of sophistication and depth of knowledge is extremely gullible, and is usually a victim of some defunct economic theory or demagoguery.

A speaker at a major commencement address once said years ago that our society was tittering on the brink of breeding its own Frankenstein. He was relating to our educational system and the need for government to invest in the improvement of schools and incentives to train and attract qualified instructors, because a multitude of Liberian youths were either socially promoted or graduated with dysfunctional education.

We can say today without a shadow of doubt that his words have become a prophetic implication, as we see individuals vying for the highest office in the land who do not have the least superficial insight on the perspectives of constitutional law, economics, political science, or finance, as the nation is now harvesting the crops of a degenerated educational system. One of the major challenges of the 21st century facing Liberia is illiteracy reduction. According to the latest statistical data, Liberia’s illiteracy rate is 75%, which is alarmingly high!

Another story that circulated during the 2005 presidential election was about a particular football star, who became a leading presidential candidate. The football star was asked whether he could debate then-presidential candidate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at the time. As the story goes, he designated the late Gabriel Baccus Matthews as his proxy. This event sparked rumors that the football star’s refusal to participate in a debate was due to incompetence and a lack of education.

Furthermore, there was a prevailing belief that his political ambition did not register well with the university students and ‘educated elites.’ This belief added to the deep-seated apprehension and fear that if he had clenched power, his improprieties would have made him vulnerable, and consequently an easy target for predatory and insidious politicians to exploit his inadequacies. This chain of events would have then reverted Liberia to the dark and ominous days of the military dictatorship.

Nevertheless, debates play paramount roles in the vetting processes of democratic societies, as candidates must prove that they can both “talk the talk, and walk the walk”. Critics of presidential debates say that the media often demonstrates biases in favor of certain candidates. Nonetheless, most electorates feel that it is a good exercise. For one thing, it gives the voters the opportunity to understand an aspiring presidential candidate’s level of tolerance, temperament and judgment, because nobody wants to elect a president who would eventually prove to be an iron-fisted dictator or a megalomaniac.

Next, the responses from the candidates clearly give voters the chance to know who is knowledgeable, enlightened, and has the grasp of the contemporaneous issues. Last, electorates do not want to buy “apples in the bags”. Therefore they regard debates as a way of checking whether candidates for the office possess the mental capacity or ability to articulate a vision, and execute the extraordinary duties and responsibilities that are required of the office.

What most members of the informed public would like to see today is for the Elections Commission of Liberia to craft a new paradigm shift within our political dialogue. Such a paradigm shift should be devoid of character assassination, ethnic discord, exaggeration and sarcasms. Instead, it should set the tone for debates and social discourses that are issue-oriented. The debates should engender the viewpoints of all Liberians including those on the other side of the political spectrum.

For example as the country prepares for another election in 2011, Liberians who are concerned about the direction of our country might want to know from the standpoint of an opened debate the stance of the presidential aspirants on issues like:

• Improving the dysfunctional educational system,

• Overhauling the abnormal legal system,

• Reducing poverty and ensuring an equitable distribution of wealth

• Assisting our farmers in developing cash crops and boosting agricultural yields,

• Combating crimes,

• Improving the health care delivery system,

• Aligning the Liberian economy to be in sync with the dynamics of the global economy

• Reshaping the military to become capable of engaging in civil construction and being responsive to disastrous situations,

• Confronting child prostitution,

• Reconstructing our economic infrastructure,

• Revisiting the eligibility requirements for elective positions,

• Combating corruption,

• Improving our farm to market roads, etc.

The 2011 election will be a litmus test of how well Liberia proceeds through this decade and into the next. Most importantly, it will depend on the participation of all Liberians irrespective of their social class, political indoctrination, ethnic background and religious affiliations, etc. The tasks of restoring our country back to a level of respectability, and projecting her once again among the comity of nations as a beacon of hope in Africa will depend on the courage we summon, and the vision we cast in electing a president with the education, breadth of experience, moral character, and the will and tenacity to lead.

Written by: Paul Jeebah Albert,
North Carolina.

President Sirleaf Adopts Divide-And-Rule - Says Sekou Conneh

Mr. Sekou Damate Conneh

Source: allAfrica.com

Liberia’s unemployment is unofficially 85% even as the government fights tooth-and-nail to reduce it through its poverty reduction strategy (PRS) – while remaining the single largest employer in spite of fluctuating revenue projections. For a capitalist economy, the involvement of the private sector must be the soul of the crucial search for relieving solutions. But that appears not the worry of some national leaders: for them, it is who is employed and not how many or who has the moral and social – not political or legal – obligation to do so. The Analyst has been looking at Sekou Damate Conneh’s criticism of the Sirleaf Administration vis-à-vis that national question and the role of politicians aspiring for national leadership.

Mr. Sekou Damate Conneh has accused the Sirleaf Administration of conducting the economic and political policies of the nation through a system of divide and rule.

Mr. Conneh is the Chairman the opposition Progressive Democratic Party of Liberia (PRODEM, one several mushroom parties formed on the eve of the 2005 general and presidential elections to fill Liberia’s political vacuum in order to pave the way for socio-political and economic recovery.

He said the President came to power promising to be president for all Liberians by designing policies and programs that would help them restore their lost pride, dignity, and social standing.

He recalled the President’s campaign slogan, “Papa na kam”, which highlighted her administration’s promise to create employment opportunities for the breadwinners of families so that the Liberian child would smile again. Incidentally, “Papa naw kam” is the Liberian lingo for “Papa now come”, a child’s hearty welcome of a father coming home with a package after a long day’s absence.

AS CONNEH SEES IT: Sirleaf’s divide-and-rule tactics

But Mr. Conneh said that it was the exact opposite of the slogan that was now obtaining in Liberia because rather than upholding that promise, President Sirleaf decided to divide and rule the Liberian people through selective appointment in government.

Whether by his allegation he was implying that appointment in government presupposes political support for the incumbency, in which case it would be unhealthy for anyone in opposition to crave, is not clear.

But the former contender in the 2005 presidential elections that brought President Sirleaf to power said the President was giving lucrative jobs to Liberians from the Diaspora, neglecting to consider those in the country who actually need those jobs.

According to the former rebel leader, the President’s promise of poverty reduction through employment suggested to many that it would be done through merit and equity across political, ethnic, class, and regional divides but that “imported” labor seemed the preoccupation of the administration.

He said this divide and rule policy was not only pitting Liberians against one another regarding who got the President’s favor and who did not, but that it was also affecting the Unity Party’s promise of a government of national unity and inclusion.

There was no way President Sirleaf would say, according to him, that she was maintaining the campaign promise of national unity through inclusion when she was consciously dividing the people and giving undue advantage to one group.

What is currently obtaining, he said, was that the President was a leader for some Liberians and not all Liberians as she promised and prayed that the electorates would take note of the disparity between the UP’s campaign slogans and promises and its leadership output.

Conneh, whose PRODEM has recently teamed up with George Weah’s CDC and a number of other smaller parties to form an electoral coalition for the 2011 elections, is not the only politician to challenge President Sirleaf’s evenhandedness in job placement in government.

Conneh’s problem with the President however appears to go beyond “selective appointment” even thought that seems to him the vexing question.

It goes back to the campaign of 2005 when the President allegedly exploited the feud in his family at the time to tear his then estranged wife, Aicha Conneh, away from his presidential bid.

Whether Aicha who, prior to the 2005 elections was living in Guinea, would have supported the presidential bid of a man with whom some say she had security and political differences had President Sirleaf not drawn her to her camp, is not clear.

But according to the former boss of the defunct rebel Liberians United for Reconstruction and Democracy (LURD) the President’s role as a candidate signaled that she would set Liberians against each other through preferential treatment for her own political ends.

Besides the obviousness that Mrs. Conneh’s decision to campaign for UP instead of PRODEM is amongst factors that possibly subtracted from Mr. Conneh’s credibility as a presidential candidate, it was not clear how the alleged preferential treatment for “imported” Liberians in job placement benefited the Sirleaf Administration.

Weird as the allegation and the supporting argument may appear, Conneh seems not to be alone in his charge, which it takes seriously as a political blunder against President Sirleaf.

Many others have toed Conneh’s line of argument that the President has largely neglected her moral and social obligation to former colleagues, administrators, 2005 contenders at all levels of government, and even former faction leaders, mainly those now in political opposition.

According to the argument, the appointment of these individuals would have given them the social security required to survive in an economy that has fallen below minimal levels and that would take years to revive.

“This would have been cardinal to the government’s program of peace and reconciliation because a hungry man is an angry man. There is no way you can reconcile and unite a nation without settling the question of what goes on the dining table at the end of the day,” said one recent commentator on Liberia’s tall unemployment problem.

The allegation may seem trivial and therefore easily dismissible, but there are fears that it may haunt the administration at the 2011 polls as the opposition seem poised to use it as evidence that the President “does not have the Liberian people at heart”.

This is to say nothing about how difficult it would be to push that line of argument above the gutters of politics.

The administration has been fighting back, but feebly, insisting that the appointment of knowledgeable and experienced Liberians from the Diaspora in limited instances was both a way of strengthening the governance institutions and reversing the brain drain the nation experienced during 14 years of war and decades of bad governance.

How long and hard that explanation is filtering down to the grassroots remains to be seen when the nation gets down to the polls a little over 13 months from now.

But observers say that should not mean that the allegation and supporting argument should not be placed in the proper perspective while the sun is still up.



What the allegation must rather be

The allegation that appointment from abroad undercuts the nation’s economic empowerment goal should not lie against the administration, analysts say; but, for a country like Liberia where illiteracy has been worsened by poverty and hopelessness, the Sirleaf Administration will do well to address its appointment policy, if what critics see as “selective and exclusive employment” is any policy at all.

“The allegation must be about how the government charts its investment policies to create or nurture Liberia’s entrepreneur class and establish equity between Liberian and foreign businesses in terms of incentives and access to loans and credit guarantees. It should not be about political appointments, which are often no guarantee for survival,” said one observer who spoke with this paper yesterday.

BULL-FIGHT: After Akerele Showdown, Minister Off to U.S. to Fill Barnes’ Shoes

- Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia -

Finding a long-term replacement for the recalled Ambassador Nathaniel Barnes from the United States of America appears to have hit a wall with the man designated as a hold-over, the veteran diplomat William Bull apparently expressing initial reluctance to report for duty in 72 hours. Bull, the current Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the United Nations was said to be unhappy about the assignment even though it would have meant some time away from an ongoing feud between him and his boss, Foreign Minister Olubanke King Akerele. The matter was finally resolved late Thursday night with Bull finally agreeing to take up assignment.

Ad-Hoc Ambassador not first time

A Foreign Ministry statement released late Thursday night confirmed that Sirleaf has temporarily assigned Bull, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Ambassador Ad Hoc to the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C., the United States of America, pending the appointment of a new Ambassador.

The Ministry's statement said the information has been officially conveyed to the U.S. Government through the Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Embassy of the United States of America in Monrovia, when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Mrs. Olubanke King-Akerele at her Foreign Ministry office on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. "Foreign Minister King Akerele has also communicated to her United States counterpart, Honorable Hillary Clinton the decision of the Government of Liberia concerning the assignment of Ambassador Bull as Ambassador Ad Hoc," the statement said.

According to the Foreign Ministry, this is not the first time that an Ambassador Ad Hoc has been assigned to Washington , D.C. . In 2004 the Transitional Government of Liberia assigned an Ambassador Ad Hoc to the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., pending the nomination of Ambassador Charles A. Minor as the successor to Ambassador William V.S. Bull who ended his tour of duty in 2002.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has meanwhile categorically denies media report that President Johnson Sirleaf communicated with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue a 72-hour ultimatum for Ambassador Bull to take up assignment. Said the Ministry's statement: "Ambassador Bull is a career Ambassador who has served the Liberian Government in many distinguished positions in the Foreign Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as an Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador to United States of America and several Deputy and Assistant Ministerial positions having risen through the ranks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1972."

Conflicting announcement fuels speculations

The complications emerged this week when the Executive Mansion announced that Edwin Sele, the current Deputy Chief of Mission at Liberian Embassy in Washington – and not Bull would hold on to the post temporarily. FrontPageAfrica reported Tuesday that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had instructed Minister Akerele to dispatch Bull to Washington without delay as Charges d’Affaires.

The recalled Ambassador Barnes is due in Monrovia from the U.S. in the next couple of days and is expected to hold discussions with Sirleaf upon his return.

Senior administration officials confirmed to FrontPageAfrica this week that Bull was the ideal choice to hold over the embassy in the U.S. until a permanent replacement is found. But Bull, who has been at loggerheads with Minister Akerele for quite some time is said to have been against the move. When FrontPageAfrica contacted Bull Thursday, he declined comment but took FPA to task for what he described as “causing confusion” within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over its initial report linking Bull as a temporary successor to Barnes. Bull declared that he was surprised at FPA’s “Practice of tabloid-style journalism.”

The announcement from Badio that Sele will act as Charges d’ Affaires boosted speculations that Bull’s delay departure was eclipsed by his speculated feud with Minister Akerele.

Selee, the Current Deputy Chief of Missions at the Embassy of Liberia in Washington DC, is known for his experience in the Liberian Foreign service. He is noted for over 16 years of Service at key Liberian missions including the United Nations and Washington DC where he has served as the second highest diplomat with oversight of mission operations. As a top level Foreign Service official, Selee is regarded as one who has rendered unflinching support and service to the Sirleaf administration. He is also on record for supporting the Sirleaf-Boakai ticket in the second round of the 2005 elections against George Weah.

Selee’s elevation to the top post in Washington, as a long-term replacement, may be hindered by a Foreign Service practice which does not support the promotion of a member of the diplomatic staff to Ambassadorial level at the same mission. Another factor surrounds the political affiliation of Sele who ran unsuccessfully for nomination as the Standard Bearer of LINU. Recent reports confirm that LINU recently merged with George Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) may place him in the corridors of Barnes.

Ties strained for some time

Relations between Bull and Akerele have been strained in recent months. Akerele, according to Foreign Ministry sources was unhappy over complaints from some members of the Foreign Service that Bull had reportedly been stalling concerns raised by them to the minister.

One of those cases involved the recall of Mohammed Kanneh, a former Minister Consular at the Liberian mission in China. Bull has been accused of recalling Kanneh without the minister’s knowledge when he served as Acting Minister during one of the minister’s travels. Bull in an unusual move, sources say, Bull used Andrew Allakamian Deputy Minister for Expenditure. To write letter recalling Kanneh from China minister consular. which is unusual. For nine months bull has been delaying a meeting with Akerele. unprofessional . whoever responsible was wrong

The Bull controversy comes on the heels of what senior administration officials are describing as an “embarrassing” diplomacy blunder that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may not have been in the know of a recent 5-day visit to Beirut, Lebanon by football legend George Weah of opposition Congress for Democratic Change.

While in Lebanon, Weah held talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri who is said to have described Weah as an “iconic and inspirational leader whose life story serves as a motivational factor” for modern world leaders like himself who believe in the well-being of humanity.

Speculations have surfaced for weeks that Weah has been in and out of the Middle East raising money for his 2011 presidential run and seeking assistance for the CDC.

Chief among the concerns are: Did the Foreign Ministry know of Weah’s five-day “official” visit? Was the Minister of Foreign Affairs aware? -Did the Lebanese Ambassador to Liberia know? What are the statues with the Honorary Councils for Liberia in Lebanon? One administration official described the Ministry’s snafu as a colossal failure.

Weah's Lebanon meeting upsets some

While in Lebanon Weah held several meetings with Lebanese businessmen, politicians and philanthropists urging them to carry out impactful investment and support humanitarian projects in Liberia.

Hariri, 37 is the son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who came to power in 2009. The wealthy Hariri reportedly spent millions on his quest to become Prime Minister and some see Weah’s overtures as a sign that he may be out to raise funds for 2011.

With Bull now set to take on the post, pending the appointment of a new ambassador, FPA has learnt that he could remain in the post until after the 2011 elections. In recent weeks, several names have surfaced as possible replacement to Barnes. Among the names surfacing in recent weeks are Sele, John Lloyd, William Bull, Amos Sawyer and current Foreign Affairs Minister Olubanke King Akerele.

Akerele, insiders say may not be willing to take up the ambassadorial post which could seen as a demotion from her current position. Ironically, Akerele’s Grandfather Charles Dunbar Burgess King served as Ambassador to the U.S. long after he had served as President of Liberia. Former Vice President Clarence Lorenzo Simpson also served as Ambassador to the U.S. and London after he and Tubman fell out politically over Tubman’s refusal to step aside after a mandatory limitation of two-terms of office. Tubman had the constitution changed to provide that he could succeed himself as many times as the Liberian people wanted him to be president. Simpson was then drafted into the Liberian Foreign Service as Ambassador.

It was after that period that for more than 20 years the Liberian people were singing, “Tubman is the man we want, we don’t want nobody else, so all the people say.”

The chorus rang until the afternoon of July 21st 1971 when Tubman died in a London clinic as the popular African-American singer William Bell at a concert at the famed Relda Cinema in Sinkor, sang his popular tune “bring the curtain down, I can’t go on.”

David D. Kpormakpor, 75, Former Head of Liberia Council of State is Dead - FPA OBITUARY

Source: FrontPage Africa

Staten Island, New York-

David D. Kpormakpor

David D. Kpormakpor, the former chairman of the council of state collective presidency that ruled Liberia from March 7, 1994 until 1 September 1995 has died. He was 75.

Kpormakpor’s family members broke the news to FrontPageAfrica late Thursday night, said he had been ill for a long period of time. He died at his resident in Staten Island, the United States of America, Thursday.

The council of state consisted of a civilian chair, as well as members representing warring factions. Isaac Musa represented Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia, while Mohammed Sheriff represented ULIMO and Philip Banks represented the past civilian interim government. Also serving as a member was Dexter Tahyor.

A mourning family member told FrontPageAfrica late Thursday night that the late head of state was a very straight man. “He never liked cheating and he never took bribe.”

Following a year of political stalemate, the Kpomakpor council was succeeded by another council headed by Wilton Sankawulo and including factional heads themselves rather than representatives as in this version of collective presidency.

Sankawulo, who succeeded Kpormakpor died from congestive heart failure on February 21, 2009. He was 71 years old.

Kpormakpor, a former Supreme Court judge, a law school professor and an intellectual was one of Liberia’s well-respected statesmen. But during his last days and despite his illness, he was battling deportation and living on welfare.

In 2007, just short of his 72nd birthday, the former head of state underwent two surgeries to remove a tumor in his brain.

Like most Liberians, residing in America, Kpormakpor benefited from the annual reprieve granted Liberians in the U.S. on Temporary Protective Status(TPS).

The temporary immigration designation has been extended annually to those fleeing the war-ravaged country since 1990, offering a fallback option for those who could not obtain legal immigration status through work or marriage.

In recent years, Kpormakpor's health has been on the decline amid failing memory and has lost much of his cognitive functioning, family sources say. Although the former head of state had toyed with idea of return to Liberia, family members says he did not feel he would get the best treatment in Liberia as he required assistance from a full-time home health aid. Even if he could survive the long trip to Africa. In Liberia, there has been a push in the national legislature in recent years for benefits for former heads of state but not much has been done to assist those who once served as leaders.

The Staten Island Advance, the state newspaper where Kpormakpor lived before his death reported in July 2007 that when the U.S. government notified Kpormakpor of his changed immigration status this summer, they also cut off his Social Security benefits. Now, the First United Christian Church in Tompkinsville pays his bills. "He's not a charity case. We'll take care of him. He just wants an opportunity to stay in this country," said associate pastor Lloyd Land, who the paper said, had been helping Kpormakpor with his petition for a green card.

Kpormakpor originally applied for a green card in 1961, as a college student in California. He had the opportunity to study there because a missionary from Mississippi recognized him as a promising young man, and secured him a place at the prestigious College of West Africa in Monrovia.

"A bush boy" raised by Gola tribe parents who could neither read nor write, he finished third in his class and won scholarships to San Francisco State University and later to UCLA Law School. He returned home, became a professor of law, and was appointed to the Liberian Supreme Court by then president Samuel Doe. After Doe's assassination in 1989 and years of bloody civil war, a group of West African states, backed by the U.S., set up an interim government. Kpormakpor was appointed Interim President of Liberia between 1994-1995.

As Interim President, he had little power, but access to millions of government dollars. While many of his colleagues plundered, Kpormakpor said he kept his reputation as the only honest politician in Liberia. Others called him a fool.

"They said anyone who doesn't take money is an ass," Kpormakpor told the Advance in a 2007 interview at the Vanderbilt Nursing Home, where he was recovering after another stint in Richmond University Medical Center. "Well, when it's not in you, it's not in you," he added.

After Charles Taylor took over the government, he threw Kpormakpor in prison for two months. He then spent two years living on a military base guarded by African peacekeepers who broke into his home twice, stealing everything he owned.

Kpormakpor returned to the United States in 1997, broke and already in failing health. He has remained relatively unknown outside his native country and the borough's Little Liberia community. In 2005, he was introduced to Jason Price, an NYU graduate student who was volunteering with survivors of African civil wars. The chance meeting sparked the creation of a short documentary, "The Professor," which was screened at the Staten Island Film Festival in the summer of 2007.

Illicit miners overrun Betibah in Lofa County Liberia

Written by Peter Fahny & Vivian Gartyn
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Thousands of illicit miners have taken over the gold mining district of Betibah in Voinjama, Lofa County driving out immigration officers assigned in the area.

Betibah is a forest town in Voinjama along the border with Guinea, but BIN officials say the miners came into the country through the Quardu-Gboni District.

Our correspondent says the illicit miners believed to be mainly ex-combatants from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone attacked the two officers assigned in the area.

According to our correspondent, the miners broke into the house where the officers were lodging, and threatened to kill them if they did not leave immediately.

The officers had gone to verify the nationality of those residing in the camp and their occupation when the group of illicit miners confronted them.

Residents of the area and a surrounding town told Star Radio they are living in fear, as the hostile miners usually harass them and disrespect local authorities.

Our correspondent gathered, the situation has been going on for the past three months.

Meanwhile, the administrative assistant to Lofa County superintendent, George Tengbeh has called on government to immediately intervene.

When contacted, BIN officials in Monrovia said they are verifying the reports with commanders in the region and will address the situation soon.

NEC announces 2011 election timetable Friday

Written by Matthias Daffah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The National Elections Commission says it would on Friday release the official timetable for the 2011 Legislative and Presidential elections.

A release issued Thursday said the Commission will also use the occasion to declare its position on the Joint Resolution passed by the Legislature.

The controversial Joint Resolution was later signed by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf .

The action by the two branches of government has since received widespread criticisms from civil society and Liberians in the Diaspora on grounds that it is illegal.

The Legislature approved the resolution not to use the census results to prescribe a threshold for constituency representation but rather prescribed nine additional seats in the House.

The joint resolution did not also include a threshold as provided for in Article 80 of the Liberian Constitution.

The Constitutional provision mandates the Legislature to prescribe a threshold for electoral constituency representation in the House following the conduct of a national census every ten years.

New Democratic publishes George Weah’s nude photo

Written by D. Emmanuel Wheinyue & Julius Kanubah
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Government has condemned a lead story in the Thursday August 19 edition of the New Democrat Newspaper captioned ‘Weah Walks Butt Naked’.

Acting Information Minister Norris Tweh described the publication as a serious ethical transgression of professional journalism.

According to Minister Tweh, government was concerned due the choice of words used to describe the outlook of Ambassador Weah’s sexual organ.

He said the New Democrat publication on Ambassador Weah does have any social value.

Minister Tweh told Star radio, government was consulting with the relevant institutions including the Press Union of Liberia on the next course of action.

The publication comes a little over two weeks since the paper released a naked photograph of British Supermodel, Naomi Campbell which came under fierce criticisms.

The criticisms forced the management of the paper to publish an apology to the public and said it was an error of judgment..

‘CDC condemns publication’

Meanwhile, the Congress for Democratic Change has condemned the Thursday’s publication in the New Democrat News Paper.

The CDC said the publication in which the paper brought the photos of George Weah in a video advertisement is immoral and unacceptable.

The Chairperson of the CDC told a news conference the publication captioned “Weah Walks Butt Naked” is intended to damage the reputation of CDC political leader George Weah.

Senator Geraldine Doe-Sherriff said the photos published by the New Democrat reflect a 1996 video advertisement by George Weah.

According to her, the video advertisement was done at the time when George Weah was a celebrity and should not be considered as an immoral act.

Senator Doe-Sherriff clarified the video advertisement did not in any way show George Weah butt naked as reported by the New Democrat.

The CDC Chairperson said the party would do a formal protest letter to the Senate to ensure the Publisher of New Democrat Tom Kamara appears for questioning.

Senator Doe-Sherriff called on Liberian women to rise up and condemn the New Democrat’s publication against the political leader of the most popular party.

At the same time, the CDC says Ambassador Weah would arrive in the Country Friday to address crucial national issues including the video advertisement.

Selling of Liberia - Billions For Less: Investors Get Resources For Cheap?

- Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa


Monrovia –

Since 2006, Richard Tolbert, head of Liberia’s National Investment Commission has been touting his successes in luring massive investment to the post-war nation. In 2006, for example, Tolbert was quoted as saying that there were $US15 million dollars in foreign investment. In 2007, Tolbert says, it went up to 130 million dollars and in 2008, the NIC boss says, Liberia had at least 200-300 million dollars direct foreign investment. “That is an enormous increase which has drastically helped my country. I am proud to be a part of that,” Tolbert told the World Investment News back in 2008.

Size of Initial Investment key

The riddle that comes resolved is while Mr. Tolbert shows off the size of the investment, most knowledgeable experts question the sheer magnitude due to Liberia’s lack of absorptive capacity, meaning the country’s economy cannot adequately accommodate the investment because it lacks the skills training, economic infrastructure and supportive environment. But even more, it is the disingenuity and dishonesty inherent in remarks which say that a company will invest billions over the “life” of the project. The statement does not indicate the initial investment size, and how many jobs will be created from it.

If a company initially invests 50 million dollars in a project and reinvests its profits over 30 years into the same project, which are billions of dollars, then the underlying assumption that a 50 million dollar investment raking in billions over time should reap more benefits for the country which gave out the concession in the first place. If the company will use free cash flows from the project to reinvest without additional equity contribution, you cannot say company X will invest billions. That is a bold faced lie and intended only to score political points.

In extractive industries such as gold, diamonds and iron ore, companies spend up front monies to explore to prove the reserves. After that, a bankable feasibility is prepared. It is only after a bankable feasibility that a company knows with a high degree of probability the projected size of its investments. Experts say most of the big name projects in Liberia have not conducted bankable feasibility studies and thus they cannot claim that they will invest billions. They cannot know how many jobs will be created and what social impact their operations will have on the environment and therefore any announcement of a major investment is pure speculation as the gestation time from exploration to mining in green-field projects is at least 7 to 10 years. Someone is not telling the truth.

Over the course of the post-war era, millions of dollars in investment packages have been announced in all shapes, forms and sizes but explaining the trickle-down effect or how those investments benefit the average Liberian has proven to be a daunting task for the post-war government and the NIC.

Jobs - Lost in translation

The translation for many of the concession deals has the capability to make the difference in a post-war environment nursing a high youth unemployment. Fourteen years of civil war kept many of today’s generation out of school and out of jobs making the employment challenges of the post-war government even more pressing. According to the UNDP, 55 % of Liberia’s population is under the age of 20, and 40 percent under the age of 15. Non-governmental organizations estimate the unemployment rate at 65 to ¬70 percent. Those with limited working experiences make very little incomes. Since coming to office in 2006, the post-war government has sought to address the issue of low wages with additions to wages in the annual budget but the results have still left many languishing at the bottom of the economic barrel.

As a result of the lack of unemployment, the post-war government, from the start set its sights on investment opportunities to improve the job market and create employment for stray youths.

In 2009, Liberia announced an $800 million palm and rubber deal with Malaysian firm, Sime Darby, touting that the deal would lead to the creation of 20,000 much needed jobs. "This agreement ... will create 20,000 jobs within 10 years," Tolbert told Reuters shortly after the deal was signed.

ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steelmaker, is also developing a $1.5 billion iron project in Liberia. That deal was eclipsed last January when China Union said it would spend $2.6 billion over the next eight to 10 years on another iron ore project, even as other mining firms scale back on investment as demand for metals falls amid the global downturn. As well as buying the plantations on which to grow crops.

The mining deal between the world's largest steel company, Mittal Steel, and the Government of Liberia was later found to be unfair to Liberia and had to be renegotiated. The international watchdog group, Global Witness reported that the deal was heavily weighted against the interests of that war-torn and impoverished West African country and should be substantially re-negotiated. The group dissected the mineral development agreement (MDA) signed on 17 August 2005, five months before democratic elections in Liberia, which gives Mittal the right to extract iron ore from Liberia.

The China Union investment conglomerate promised to spend $2.6 billion on Liberia's main iron ore mine in one of the biggest investments that China has ever made in Africa. At the time, Tolbert declared that China Union company had promised that within 12 months it will have built a one million ton-a-year capacity refining factory at the Bong iron mines, about 150 km north of Monrovia. The investment it was reported would create 3,000 jobs within three years and jobs created indirectly in the long run could be as higher as 70,000. The jury is still out on the job creation aspect of the deal as many critics have pointed to the fact that Chinese firms have brought in mostly Chinese to do the work instead of Liberians.

Perhaps the biggest concerns for post-war Liberia investors have been that many have not been adequately vetted prior to the awarding of contracts.

Just last week, Singapore’s second-largest listed palm oil plantation firm Golden Agri-Resources declared that it was looking at investing in an unnamed firm that will control 220,000 hectares of land in Liberia. The company, which is part of Indonesia’s Sinar Mas Group, said it was planning to invest in private equity fund Verdant that is the sole shareholder of a Liberia-based firm in the process of being granted a government concession to develop 220,000 hectares for 20 years. Golden Agri did not give financial details of the possible transaction for the land, which is three times the size of Singapore, but said the initial development will commence with 15,000 hectares. The move comes after Indonesia announced plans to impose a two-year moratorium on new permits to clear forest for oil palm cultivation from 2011.

Interestingly, the Sime Darby deal covers 63-year lease on 220,000 hectares of land with an initial outlay close to $20 million for 10,000 hectares.

While the deals with Mittal and China Union came with high-profile backing, the one involving Buchanan Renewable came with a bust. The venture involves an agreement to establish a biomass power plant in Margibi to produce 35 megawatts of power to Monrovia. BRE has pledged to provide a 24-7 electricity project at an affordable price. The project is said to be on schedule and a plant is expected to be ready between January and March in 2011 producing 35 megawatts of power from Kakata. The company says its initial focus is on making use of non-producing rubber trees in Liberia to generate electricity domestically and for export markets. By clearing and replanting rubber farms on a 30 year cycle, Buchanan creates a renewable and sustainable supply of woodchips.

Despite its pledge to deliver, BRE initially encountered problems raising funds to get the project off the ground and had to be rescued by the McBain Foundation. BRE had earlier said its operations in Liberia was $150M, but was still selling shares after it had secured the deal and could not cough up the $150M capital for the deal.

Complicating matters, it was later revealed that Tolbert and the Finance ministry granted the company a 100 percent tax waiver. At the time of the controversy, Deputy Finance Minister Tarnue Marwolo differed with the lawmakers that signing the contract was in violation of the Investment Incentive Law. He said some aspects of the Revenue laws of Liberia and that of the Investment Incentive Code grants the National Investment Commission the right to award contracts below US$3.4 million; though this contract is above the US$3.4 million that he was alluding to in the tune of US$150 million.

Then this week, the deliberations in the National legislature have revealed that another concession deal involving BHP Billiton is full of flaws and in consistencies that if ratified could means nothing in terms of near terms revenue or income for the Government of Liberia and job for the jobless.

For example, the Mineral Development Agreement MDA) has no time frame as to when the company will begin mining operations in Liberia, creating a situation where the company could get the agreement and sit back when there are other potential companies that are willing and ready to invest in the mining industry of the country and help revive the economy. BHP Billiton has been given high privileges on taxes and duty free in the MDA which could make the company generate more and pay less to the Government of Liberia but officials of Government who negotiated the agreement ignored these issues.

According to the Mining Law of Liberia, agreement for mining rights can be signed for 25 years but a clause in section 5.8 of the agreement grants BHP Billiton the right to extend its contract. The 10% duty free carry by the Government of Liberia under the mining law was given out by the negotiating team of the contract

Deputy Finance Minister for Revenue, Elfreda Tamba confirmed during a public hearing on the BHP Billiton Mineral Development Agreement that the Government of Liberia stands to lose US$ 2 million in revenue due to reduction in fiscal terms to suit BHP Billiton.

While the company mineral development agreement is now before the National Legislature, investigation conducted by FrontPageAfrica indicates that the company has already began exploiting the resources of Liberia without due regard to ratification of the agreement.

BHP has accordingly been operating two exploration licenses (KITOMA and GOE-FANTRO RANGE) since May, 2005.

BHP Billiton also does not have a detailed exploration plan plus timeline for the proposed five years, detailed plans plus timeline that will lead to mining of each of the deposits, detailed infrastructure-transport and electricity facilities.

More recently, a bogus carbon deal which a British company allegedly offered bribe to officials of the Liberian Government to get carbon emission contract in River Cess County came to public with British police investigating a British national.

The series of cases brought the integrity of the Government of Liberia to international disrepute questioning the level of corruption in the country. To the President’s credit she appointed Counselor Negbalee Warner to investigate the entire carbon credit issue. The administration has confirmed that Counselor Warner was recently in London, UK to look into the matter and is expected to present his findings and recommendations to the President by month’s end.

Lack of Due Diligence, Screening Hurting Liberia

The post-war investment climate for now appears to still be grappling over how to control shady and most times incapable investors from slipping through the cracks. Liberia’s inability to properly screen potential investors has been the norm amid reports that most officials tend to look the other way in an era where a simple tool as a google-search could yield much information about potential investors. The Miinistry of Lands and Mines which is responsible for vetting potential mining firms has done very little to properly vet companies. More formidable firms who lost out to lesser-known firms have been left baffled and confused by the complexities of the Liberian bidding system.

For example, a bid by Broadway Inc. another relatively unknown venture became the first of the off-shore concession agreements to pass full ratification by the Upper House (Senate) in late 2006 and the Lower House (Representatives). Much of the details of the agreement were kept under wraps and in the absence of a full disclosure of the details of the agreement, the mystery surrounding the company continues to boggle watchers of the Broadway deal. Broadway’s web site : www.bc-plc.com, prior to signing the deal, had been under construction for months offering little to no information about their operations let alone their location. The website has since been updated. Prior to its venture in Liberia, Broadway Consolidated owning or operating any oil fields anywhere in the world, nor is there any record of them trading oil or having any kind affiliation to oil operations. The only reference to Broadway Consolidated on the web pertaining to oil is in reference to their activities in Liberia in procuring an oil block.

Although the company had never proven its financial capabilities (through Banking verifications) to substantiate their claims of investing US$15 Billion Dollars into Liberia’s oil program. FPA had previously uncovered that Broadway Consolidated was seeking to sell part of its Agreement with the GOL to an oil operator for an undisclosed sum that Government of Liberia has no participation in. However, the company’s managing director Gary Allsopp later explained to FPA it was not the case. Allsopp did however, revealed that his firm’s initial investment was around US$5 to US$6 million and not US$15 billion as was first announced by Liberia. “Obviously we got top staff from around the world working on oil. It’s basically working capital for the licenses including the geologists that we’ve had on the ground as well as the working programs,” Allsopp said at the time.

$’50M Investor

Another investor to raise a red flag was Leonard Kragness, an American investor, who unveiled what he said was an investment package of more than US$50 million for mining and oil exploration in Sinoe County, southeastern Liberia. Like Broadway and now BRE, Kragness’ firm’s website http://www.alluvialgold.com/index.html was temporarily down with no access to information about his company’s profile.

Kragness and his team were convicted by jury of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and other drugs, under the RICO anti-racketeering act. The five-week trial was described by the prosecution as the largest drug case in Minnesota history. Kragness, a former Alaskan gold miner, was at the center of the conspiracy, which prosecutors say, involved extensive smuggling from South America in private aircraft. As a result of the conviction, Kragness’ license to fly in U.S. airspace was revoked.

Kragness later admitted to FPA that he did make some mistakes in his life: “In the late ‘70s I made some mistakes… It was a period of my life where it was a big mistake. I went to Mexico on a vacation with a friend of mine. I was flying my airplane and he convinced me to haul back a small quantity of marijuana and we did it. He requested that I do it again and we did it like four times on a very small scale in the late ‘70s. In 1985, the Feds came knocking on my door. It was over, done, finished and they handed me an indictment with a lot of names on it. I didn’t even know a lot of the people. There were charges about cocaine, charges about all kinds of different things. They had a lot of various charges and they said I had to go to trial. So I went to trial.

Raising eyebrows

It can be recalled that a similar scheme unfolded during the transitional reign of Charles Gyude Bryant when a little-known James Yarclay, outbid more recognizable firms to win the rights to refurbish the Liberian Telecommunications Corporation. At the time, Yarclay said he was the owner of a company based in Dallas, Texas with US$170Million to invest. It turned out Yarclay, was a struggling businessman down on his luck, who had filed for bankruptcy. His multimillion empire was a one-room office space in Dallas, Texas, without a secretary or answering service, Most calls by a reporter to Yarclay’s Texas office were answered by an unnamed Nigerian partner. Similarly, Yarclay’s Universal Telecommunications Exchange website was also inactive at times and provided very little information or track record of its business dealings.

Also raising eyebrows was another famous deal which ignored red flags. In bid to sell ore in the Western Cluster of Liberia, the inter-ministerial committee awarded a contract to a lesser known South African Company, when steel Giant like Mittal were competing. It backfired. Former Planning Minister Togba Nah Tipoteh challenged deal. The President later agreed that the deal was signed and called for due diligence of the contract. Regrettably, the President made the pronouncement that the Western Cluster Deal was done and signed during her State of the Nation Speech in January 2008.

Even more troubling, Africa's oldest republic, known for an abundance of minerals and resources continue to languish at the top of the unemployment ladder and among the world's poorest nations while much of its resources are sold on the cheap to relatively unknown firms and individuals aiming for a big payday. For a post-war nation on the rebound, the realities of it all remains clear - that those at the bottom of the barrel continue to live in dire straits, pleading for help and hoping for a miracle that perhaps for once in their lifetime, those tasked with the responsibility of looking out for them will do so with the interest of the people above their own and free of all the complicated errors and explanations that even the poorest of the poor may find difficult to decipher or much more difficult to comprehend.

Defense Minister seeks enhanced cooperation

Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Ministry of Defense says it looks forward to an enhanced cooperation with the US government in combating narcotics and other controlled substances in Liberia.

The Minister of Defense said such cooperation needs to be enhanced because narcotics and other substances have the potential to threaten peace and security.

Minister Brownie Samukai noted the issue of drugs could be what he calls cancer if allowed to spread.

Minister Samukai stressed the need for a robust campaign by the two governments as was done recently in the crackdown on narcotics in Monrovia.

According to the release, the Defense Ministry Boss spoke Wednesday when the newly assigned Charge Affairs at the US Embassy, Karl Albrecht visited him.

For his part, the new US Charge Affairs said he was attracted to the country because of the harmonious cooperation between Liberia and the United States.

Karl Albrecht said he has come to the country not to break new grounds for partnership but to reinforce existing cooperation between the two countries.

Aliens infiltrate Rivercess County

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The Commander of the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization in Rivercess County has reported an influx of aliens in the county.

Commander Alfred Blayee said the aliens are engaged in mining activities in the Sand Beach community of Central Rivercess District.

According to him, the aliens usually entered the county by way of the border between Rivercess and Nimba Counties.

Commander Blayee said immigration officers find it difficult to patrol the area due to the lack of transport and limited manpower.

He told Star Radio the motorbike assigned to the county got damaged about two years ago and has not been repaired.

He appealed to Immigration authorities in Monrovia to provide more manpower and transport to the detachment to enhance its operations in the County.

Who will be the next President of Liberia come 2011?

TQ Harris Jr.
www.tqforpresident.com
Also see www.friendsoftq.org

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

- Bernard Gbayee Goah

If Liberia must move forward in order to claim its place as a civilized nation amongst world community of nations, come 2011 elections, Liberians must critically review the events of the past with honesty and objectivity. They must make a new commitment to seek lasting solutions. The track records of those who are presenting themselves as candidates for the position of "President of the Republic of Liberia" must be well examined. Liberians must be fair to themselves because results from the 2011 elections will determine the future of Liberia’s unborn generations to come.

George Weah

OPODL Hosts Forum, Honors Minister Brownie Samukai in Minnesota

 By: Josiah Dorbor
Source: The Liberian Journal

(L-R) Garden Inn Hotel, Minister Brownie Samukai

The Organization for the Promotion of Development in Liberia, OPODL, has scheduled a town hall-style forum and an honoring evening dinner for Brownie Samukai-- Liberia’s Minister of National Defense--in Minnesota, The Liberian Journal (TLJ) has learned.

“Honorable Brownie J. Samukai will be our guest from the 20th to the 22nd of August, 2010”, said a release issued by OPODL.

“ We have scheduled two major events in Minnesota for Mr. Samukai: the town hall is geared towards discussing and updating Liberians on the current security situation in Liberia; while the second event is a ‘Dinner Reception’ in honor of his service to Liberia”, added the release.

Abraham Kamara, OPODL’s public relation officer, noted that “security is one of the leading issues on the minds of Liberians everywhere, especially in the Diaspora”, and that Samukai, one of Liberia’s foremost experts on security, “is the right person to address the numerous security concerns Liberians in the Diaspora have about their country”.

OPODL, a group recently formed to promote the development agenda of the Liberian government as well as the second term bid of President Johnson-Sirleaf, also said it is impressed with Minister Samukai’s long years of service to his beloved country, adding “he has served Liberia with great distinction and therefore deserves our appreciation”.

To celebrate the minister’s “selfless contributions to his native land”, OPODL said it was honored to feature what its officials called “a great honoring and appreciation dinner for Minister Samukai”, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Maple Grove, an hour after the town hall forum.

OPODL is a political pressure group registered in the state of Minnesota—with a public declaration of an unqualified support for the reelection of President Sirleaf-- citing her ability “to deliver economic and social development since taking office in January of 2006”.

“Liberia”, it confidently argued,” is being transformed at an unprecedented pace under the able leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf”.

MFWA empowers 15 West African journalists

Written by Vivian Gartyn
Source: Star Radio Liberia

Fifteen journalists from Liberia, Ghana and Sierra Leone are undergoing a three day training in human rights, peace, elections and investigative reporting.

The Media Foundation for West Africa sponsored training is providing the journalists with new skills to enable them make positive contributions to peace.

The Foundation’s Program Officer said the training was necessary to empower journalists as a number of West African Countries are going to the polls in 2011 and 2012.

Mr. Sulemana Braimah told Star Radio, the foundation will monitor the work of the journalists after the training to see impact.

Day one of the training focused on identifying conflict triggers and early warning signals as well as critical human rights issues in post conflict countries.

The training being held in Monrovia will also provide practical skills in reporting human rights, election and investigative stories.

An acclaimed investigative reporter from Ghana Anas Anas, veteran journalist Kwasi Apenteng, UNDP’s Napoleon Abdullai and Cllr. James Verdier are among facilitators.

WAEC final results show overall poor performance

Written by Hilary Vasco Wiagbe
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The West African Examination Council has released what it considers the final results of the 2010 Senior High school certificate examinations.

The Head of WAEC-Liberia Office said of the 20, 565 students who sat the exams only 14, 682 successfully passed.

Mr. Thomas Gaie disclosed, five of those who passed successfully are ranked in division two.

According to Mr. Gaie, four of the students are from the Firestone High School in Margibi County and one from the Phebe Community in Bong County.

The Head of WAEC-Liberia Office also revealed all the students from the fourteen schools successfully passed the May 2010 examination.

They include St. Theresa’s Convent, Sotiamon Christian School System, Vahun Central High, Karnplay Inland Academic, and Hope International Christian School and Bromley Mission, among others.

Mr. Gaie described the overall performance of the senior high school students in the examinations as poor.

Lack of interpreter impedes Chinese murder trial

Written by Bruce Boweh
Source: Star Radio Liberia

The lack of an interpreter is said to impeding the murder trial involving two Chinese men at Criminal Court B.

Wang Meng and Ma Li were indicted in March 2010 for allegedly murdering Wesley Craig, a South African.

The men are alleged to have committed the act in September 2009 at the victim’s Randall Street residence.
When their trial commenced last week, the court discovered the men can not speak and understand English.

The Court wrote the Chinese Embassy to assist it with an interpreter but the Embassy said it could not find any qualified Chinese interpreter.

It instead wrote Judge Blamo Dixon to ask UNMIL for an interpreter.

According to our judicial correspondent, the court has postponed the trial to August 23 pending the outcome of a request to UNMIL.

Rights group concern about TRC implementation

Written by Matthias Daffah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

The National Human Rights Center says it is concerned over the continued silence by the Executive and Legislative branches of Government on the TRC report.

The Center said it was deeply worried whether President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted her second quarterly report on the implementation of the TRC report.

The group said it was concerned because since the receipt of the final report, findings on its implementation should have been submitted to the legislature.

The Center believes the Executive branch of Government is under obligation to implement its statutory mandate on the report as prescribed by the TRC act.

The rights group maintains the report must be done with what it calls the utmost efficacy and commitment rather than treat it with discretion and option.

A statement said although the second quarterly report being referred to has since expired, the culture of silence being exhibited over the report was worrisome.

The Center observes the indifference with which the two branches are treating the report has the propensity to darken the transitional justice process.

Meanwhile, the group has commended President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for nominating Commissioners of the Independent Commission on Human Rights.

WAS AG MORLU OFFERED A BRIBE? Ngafuan, GAC Debunk Speculations

By Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia-

Is Liberia’s Auditor General John S. Morlu on the take? Speculations have been surfacing in recent weeks that Morlu, who is currently conducting a detailed testing over numerous inconsistencies and shortfalls in the 2010/2011 budget is assisting the Ministry of Finance correct some of the errors in the budget for an undisclosed fee. But the General Auditing Commission, when contacted Monday dismissed the allegations and declared that such a practice will never occur under Morlu’s watch.

Finance ‘will never dare’: GAC Says

Ernest Maximore, Communications Director of the GAC told FrontPageAfrica Monday that the Ministry of Finance will never dare to even attempt to bribe the GAC , or the AG if it even had the intent to do so because GAC or the AG never takes bribe and would expose anybody who attempts to bride the GAC, or the AG . “GAC never received a cent from any official of MOF and will never receive a bribe from anybody or any institution. At no time did MOF officials attempt bribing the GAC,” said Maximore.

Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan also dismissed the suggestions when FPA made inquiries Monday.

For Maximore, the thought of AG Morlu or the GAC being in a compromising position is unthinkable. “This is wishful thinking by those that have always been bewitching the GAC to crumble so that feast of corruption that has existed nearly in all successive governments will become never-ending; but this will never happen under the Administration of Morlu.”

Maximore continued: “The AG has a statutory mandate as enshrined in Section 53.3 of the Executive Law of 1972 to conduct reconciliation and analysis of national accounts of GOL. The preamble of the International Organization of Supreme Auditing Standards (INTOSAI) also encourages Auditor Generals to provide a review and analysis of the draft budget for their National Legislatures.”

‘Professionalism will follow’

Maximore further noted that, since the AG received request from the Joint Legislative Committee on Ways and Means evaluating the draft National Budget for period 2010/2011 to provide technical support in the analysis and review of the National Budget, AG and his team of budget analysts have exercising high professional due care in fully screening every bit and pieces of vouchers, checks, supporting documents submitted to the GAC by MOG to determine and establishing bank balances that should be carried forward .

Maximore futhered: “The screening and review of those documents require time and at least we are finishing early this week to submit our analysis and review to the National Legislature. So if anyone thinks we should hurriedly do this with no patience of keen and professional due care, is making a grave mistake. Whatever we send to the Legislature is based on accuracy, reliability, appropriate, material and substantive justification and high core proof because of the professionalism we follow. “

For the past two fiscal years, Maximore explained the GAC has supported the National Legislature to identify and bring into the Consolidated Accounts, additional revenue sources including contribution from rental fees on Government owned properties, contributions from public corporations, additional tax assessments, outstanding taxes, among others. “ In 2007, GAC also concentrated on cash balances carried forward and three years later, it is vital that the exercise on carried forward balances be thoroughly conducted as it is important in establishing the true financial position of the Government of Liberia. Carried forward balances have also been identified as significant risk area in audits.”

The speculations regarding alleged compromise between Morlu and the Finance Ministry have been fueled in recent days by what some believe is Morlu’s surprising silence in the current budget debate. In previous years, Morlu has been vocal in his criticisms of budget lapses.

Morlu’s most famous indictment of the government’s spending practice came during the 2006 budget debate, when the AG caused an uproar by declaring in a Voice of America interview that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf presided over a regime "three times more corrupt" than that of her predecessor, Gyude Bryant, who faced graft charges after he left office. Morlu, a year later said, he stood by his analysis: "I made that statement in 2007, and I have been proven correct."

Morlu followed the controversy when during the debate over the 2008-2009 budget, he put Minister Ngafuan on the defensive, forcing the ministry to xplain a $500,000 snafu – in unjustifiable expense – 55 times over- in the tune of Twenty seven million, six hundred and sixty eight United States Dollars (($27, 668,042). The same budget period drew attention to some $US12.7 million listed under goods and services. The money reportedly controlled by the Ministry of Finance was listed annually but was not assigned or attributed to any government agency or ministry. The General claims portion of the budget has been an annual headache for Liberia’s international partners concerned about general claims and why no explanation is ever forthcoming on the amounts.

This year, the ministry has reported US$64,221,700.67 as the bank balance for the recently-ending fiscal budget. Out of that amount, US$24,552, 885.19 represents outstanding checks while US$30,307,510.28 represents the dollar value of vouchers processed against the reported balance.

The draft budget declared US$385,563.75(three hundred eighty five thousand, five thousand, five hundred sixty three dollar, seventy five cents) as the uncommitted cash balance or left over revenue for concluded 2009/2010 period. To date, the ministry has not been able to take on the challenge of the Auditor General regarding more than $64million bank balance trickled down to some US$300,000. The US$64, 221, 700.67, reported by the Finance Ministry falls within the estimated shortfall which the ministry earlier declared in the 2009/2010 budget.

While many have taken Morlu’s silence to mean he has compromised his work, GAC sources suggest that Morlu has been urged by his bosses at the European Union to stay out of the media and keep his eye on the audits. This coming after Morlu’s last public comments in which he challenged the Ministry of Finance to explain how it spent more than US$50million. Said Morlu in a recent FrontPageAfrica interview: “The truth is that if the Government of Liberia can account for the 31 million general claims that they reported spent, if they can account for the 21 million that was reported in 2006/2007; 2007/2008, We are talking about almost US$ 50 million plus, if they can account for that, I will resign and I will ask the European Union, I will pay the money back which they have used to pay over the years. They cannot account.”

SPOILER OR CONTENDER? 4-Party Merger Raises Stakes On Weah’s Political Future

By Rodney D. Sieh

Source: FrontPage Africa

Monrovia -

Shortly after his first round victory in the 2005 Presidential elections, football legend George Manneh Weah’s fate was sealed. In the eyes of those loyal to the football legend, his place in history was all but secured. Major endorsements from veteran politicians Varney Sherman and Ambassador Winston Tubman were supposed to seal the deal on Weah as the next President of Liberia. But that was before the realities of Liberia’s post-war political play sunk in.

In the end, it all came down to experience and the perception that Weah’s perceived lack of education was not worth the risk, leaving voters with no choice but to give Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf the edge over Weah. Sirleaf won 59%-41%, according to the National Electoral Commission. It didn’t help Weah’s case that his political clout posed an even more potent dilemma. The fear among the astute intellectuals was that Weah had not surrounded himself with a core of experience political stalwarts and even though he enjoyed massive popularity amongst the youths, still in awe about his football legacy, the clock soon ticked on Weah’s dream and perhaps his best chance at becoming President of Liberia.

In the aftermath of the run-off, Weah claimed the elections were fraudulent, stating elections officials were stuffing ballot boxes in Sirleaf's favor. However, many election observers, including those from the United Nations, the European Union and the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), reported that the election was clean and transparent. The Carter Center observed "minor irregularities" but no major problems. The second round loss to Sirleaf showed not only showed Weah’s inability to tap into the intellects base but also showed that despite his popularity, he was still unable to protect his strongholds in the vote-rich Monrovia, including New Kru Town, Claratown and West Point.

Five years later and on the eve of another campaign season, Weah and a part of his Congress for Democratic Change have joined ranks with three opposition parties in a bid to unseat President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's ruling Unity Party in the 2011 presidential election. Last weekend, Weah's CDC, the former ruling National Patriotic Party of ex-president Charles Taylor and the Progressive Democratic Party of former warlord Sekou Damate Conneh announced their alliance in a joint statement. "The five-year rule of the Unity Party-led government has been characterized by misrule with untold hardships and abject poverty..." read the statement.

With much riding on the 2011 elections, Weah who believed he was robbed victory in 2005 embarked on his quest to polish his credentials and has claimed that he has been studying for his University degree, Business Administration at DeVry University in Miami. The football legend recently told the Associated Press that his desire for more education was not based on his hope of becoming president, but simply “to improve my potential and because I think it is the right thing to do.”

Many have attributed Weah’s 2005 demise to his educational shortcomings. It remains to be seen whether he has done enough to repair that damage in his quest for the Presidency. For now though, Weah’s more pressing dilemma appears to be how he reestablishes himself as the formidable candidate he was in 2005.

Since 2005, the football legend has faced numerous criticisms about his electability. The fact that he has spent most of his time away from home has also given Weah’s critics ammunition to conclude that he is not in tune with the plight of most of Liberians, especially his base in key districts like New Kru Town, Clara Town and West Point. Even Weah’s acceptance of his 2011 endorsement was held at an indoor New Kru Town rally and not outdoors where he once drew huge crowds.

It has not helped Weah, observers say that he is currently embroiled in the legal troubles of his childhood friend, James Bestman, who was arrested recently in the United States on drugs and money laundering charges. Sadly for Weah, he was on the property at the time of the arrest and despite his explanations that he was only passing by and questioned for ’45 seconds’, close associates of Bestman have confided to FPA that Weah was a frequented visitor to Bestman’s home. There are also concerns that the football legend may have benefited from Bestman financially, a key piece of fact which could hurt any potential political run by Weah.

The Bestman probe, FrontPageAfrica has learned contributed to Weah’s late arrival at this year’s World Cup finals in South Africa. Weah, who had a scheduled appearance at the veterans gala arrived at the World Cup one week after kickoff.

Today, the stains of arrest still haunts Weah as his friend, Bestman lingers in the custody of the FBI and as U.S. prosecutors prepare its case against Bestman. One of the key reasons for the delay of the case going to trial, sources say, is the fact that Bestman has cases pending in a number of different states including the states of Virginia, North Carolina, New York and Maryland. Thus, prosecutors are looking to throw additional charges on in a bid to supersede the indictment to add more counts. As a result Bestman remains in FBI custody in the Howard County jail. No bond hearing has been set and Bestman has not yet been arraigned until prosecutors have consolidated the case for multiple jurisdictions.

While Weah insists that he did not sleep on the property the night leading to the morning arrest of Bestman as has been reported and speculated in many circles, many remain unsure especially after Weah, in admitting that he was on the property at the time of the arrest said he was only questioned for 45 seconds. “When I pulled into the driveway, Mr. James came down the stairs and I saw two officers that served him a warrant that he needed to come with them,” Weah said.

Weah, who has not publicly declared his plans for 2011, has pledged to stand before any force in his quest to defeat Sirleaf in a rematch of 2005 race. Weah, accepting petition from CDC supporters in Logan town recently said: “I will stand before any force, I will stand in the interest of my people and ensure Ellen Administration’s defeat in 2011.” The CDC 2005 standard bearer went on to say that he has always accepted the call of his people and that the issues in 2011 will not be about academics but about corruption and the failed promises of the Sirleaf government.

Despite Weah’s declaration and pledge to take on Sirleaf, there have been numerous speculations that the CDC 2005 standard bearer and the party’s secretary general Lenn Eugene Nagbe recently struck a deal with the ruling party to play the role of the spoiler come 2011: Keep the opposition in disarray and ensure that Weah emerges into a second round run-off with Sirleaf in 2011. It is a matchup, Unity Party officials believe suits them perfectly. Having trounced Weah once, the ruling party is convince that its best chance to win in 2011 is a second round matchup with Weah.

Nevertheless, the timing of the start of the Bestman trial could also be a factor in how well a second presidential quest by Weah materializes and how much of the details of Bestman’s activities traces to Weah.

For the foreseeable future, last weekend’s four-party merger have no doubt raised the stakes on the political future of Weah and his political survival. Keen political observers will no doubt be looking to see whether the football legend survives a potential primary in the newly-formed coalition in the aftermath of his previous declaration that he will not play second fiddle to any other politician. Has Weah gambled the political cards away? Or has the football legend sold the political cards of his congress for democratic change away?

The truth, critics will come as Liberia inches closer to the 2011 elections which is almost a year away when every action or inaction by Weah will be scrutinized by astute political observers and players within his own party, CDC. Lurking in the shadows is the ruling Unity Party, eagerly looking to see how it all plays out or whether it will once again have the luxury of having Weah in another second round duel. But Weah must first survive the political infighting of what will no doubt be a brutal primary as more forces look to mend ties in a bid to take on the ruling party. How Weah measures up remains to be seen. The long and rugged road to 2011 is about to get very interesting.

Ex-Information Min. wants technological education in Schools

Written by Charles Gbollie

Source: Star Radio Liberia

Former Information Minister Dr. Lawrence Bropleh has called for the inclusion of technological education in the country’s national curriculum.

Dr. Bropleh believes there is an urgent need for such consideration due to the improved age of technology and globalization.

He observed Liberia is backward in computer technology with less twenty percent of its population computer literate.

Dr. Bropleh said as a result, many young graduates from high schools across the country lack the ability to write a fitting letter using computer.

The former Information Minister suggested that computer education be taught from elementary to senior level.

The Changing Minds and Changing Attitudes campaigner maintained Liberia can not be redeveloped until the minds of its people are developed.

Dr. Bropleh spoke to Star Radio Saturday when he served as Keynote Speaker at a Scholarship Fund Drive in Monrovia.

The program was organized by the Youth Computer Training Program in collaboration with PHP and South Beach Communities.

Dr. Bropleh is currently standing corruption trial after his resignation from govenrment last year amidst an over two hundred and forty thousand US dollars financial scandal at the Information Ministry.

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"They pretend to advocate the cause of the people when their deeds in the dark mirrored nothing else but EVIL!! When evil and corrupt men try to champion a cause that is so noble … the moment they are noticed by the public, such cause, how noble it may be, becomes meaningless in the eyes of the people" - Bernard Gbayee Goah.

Bill to elect County Superintendents introduced

Written by Julius Kanubah

Source: Star Radio Liberia

A bill seeking the election of County Superintendents and District Commissioners has been submitted to the House of Representatives.

The Governance Commission submit the bill with a view to amend Article 54 (d) of the Liberian Constitution.

The Constitutional provision provides for the President to appoint County Superintendents and other local County officials.

In a letter to the House, the Governance Commission however said after series of consultations across Liberia it was necessary to amend this Constitutional provision.

The Governance Commission said under the proposed Act, County Superintendents and District Commissioners will be elected for a term of six years.

House spokesman Isaac Redd said it also provides for the elected local officials to be removed or impeached for a cause subject to Legislative hearings.

Mr. Redd told STAR Radio, the Governance Commission is of the view the election of key local officials would ensure government’s decentralization and participatory democracy.

The House spokesman said the proposed Act has been sent to the committees on Good Governance, Judiciary and Internal Affairs for review in one week.