GOL MUTE ON CORRUPTION 101 CHARGES

Corruption Watch TOP STORIES

FLYING LIBERIAS FLAG

At 17, Rochelle Yanger Kumba Samukai Is Aiming For The Stars With Her Head On Her Shoulders

pg 6a YOUNGSTERS ON THE MOVE

Lifestyle

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

Lands, Mines &Energy Minister Says He Has Not Received Supreme Court Opinion

BUYING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 , 2014 TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2014 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 , 2014 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1

SELLING L$85.00/US$1 L$86.00 /US$1 L$86.00/US$1

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

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.

VOL 8 NO.515

REAL MADRID STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO HAS WON THE FIFA BALLON DOR FOR 2013.

How did Liberia and neighbors vote in the 2013 FIFA Ballon dOr competition?

CROWINNG RONALDO

PRICE L$40

Sports

Pg.11

See PG 2

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
VOL 8 NO.515

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2014

Sports

PRICE L$40

RONALDO
How did Liberia and neighbors vote in the 2013 FIFA Ballon dOr competition?

CROWINNG
FrontPage

See PG 11

STREET SELLERS WAHALA

Spot News
Mae Azango maeazango@frontpageafricaonline.com

usy Broad Street and other surrendering Streets in Central Monrovia, woke up early Wednesday as usual with street vendors bringing their markets to the sidewalk to sell for the day, but uncertain of earning their living due to constant harassment from the police. The police can run behind us and seize our goods and we cannot get it back, because they dont want us to sell on the streets, but if we do not sell, how will we eat, Says Jerome M. Wamah, a street seller on Broad Street.I feed my family through this market, so when you take it from me, Where do you expect me to get money to survive? Wamah laments his ordeal with the police. The issue of street selling is an aged old problem for the government since end of the decade long the civil war. When President Sirleaf was elected for the first term, Street vendors and marketers met and appealed to the President give them ample time to enable them move into markets halls that were undergoing renovation at the time, a request the president accepted. But few years into her administration, President Sirleaf found out that it was hard to get the people off the streets, as they kept begging for more time, even with the completion of markets buildings.Things started to go wrong for the street markets when the President appointed Mary Broh as Acting City Mayor for the City of Monrovia. Broh was given such names as; General Broh, Mary Break it and Mary Burn it, all due to her robust actions of removing street sellers from the streets, destroying makeshift market stalls by breaking and burning them. We voted the government into power, for that reason, we are supposed to be enjoying not suffering. The government should leave us to live in peace, because at the end of the day, when you are running for senatorial or presidency job, we will vote for you, but if you make the citizens suffer, we will vote against you, when the time comes, Jerome Says. Warmah who is a high school dropout, says he started selling face towers and handkerchiefs since 2007. He complained that the market buildings are occupied and have no space to sell, calling on the government to find a place for them to sell or they will suffer. We the citizens are the ones that voted the government into power, so they need to find place for us to sell, because we make the government, and when the government doesnt address this problem, it will look bad. Bendu Freeman, a 36 year old single mother with a baby lying near her while she sells cold water, biscuits and candies on the street also complains that every day the police run after them, to leave streets and it is becoming difficult for her to survive without selling. I have been selling this market for five years now, but I am not happy to be selling on the streets for the police to be chasing me every day, but if I dont sell, my children wont eat. She explained that the father to her children left her alone to fend for four children while there is nobody at home to take care of the child, when she comes to sell. Pg.10

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Thursday, January 16 , 2014

reenville, Sinoe County - Shortly after his release from prison last year, Sinoe Superintendent Milton Teahjay arrived to a heros welcome in the port city of Greenville. Teahjay was incarcerated by the House of Representatives after Sinoe County District #3 Representative Matthew Zarzar filed a complaint that Teahjay obstructed his (Zarzars) functions and violation of national budget law regarding the appropriation of the countys development funds, amongst others. The incident is just one of many sideshows likely to dominate the potential match-up that could decide whether the incumbent Senator Mobutu Nyenpan stays in for another term or Teahjay steps in to take Nyenpans place. Teahjays supporters say, his arrest and home-going to Sinoe may have defeated the motives of his detractors and political foes looking to score points or shattered his political future. In fact, upon his arrival in Greenville, residents in the county showered Teahjay with praises, even comparing him to South African icon, Nelson Mandela. We would like to publicly declare that we regret the legislative representation of Hon. Zarzar and the invisible political mascara for their evil act which did not only bring shame and disgrace to Sinoe County but also exposed their malicious and cruel plan against their county and people, the residents said in a statement. We stand resolute and determined to conduct a rigorous search to make visible the invisible political hand behind Mr. Zarzars uncouth action. Let these words go forth, that if the facts are revealed regarding such invisible hands, the people of Sinoe will not rest until the conspirators face our democratic wrath for bringing Sinoe County to political disrepute. The feud between the pair has not gone unnoticed and resident have taken note of the deep wounds the feud has created. Late last year, the board members of the Movement of Reconciliation and Reunification of Sinoe Citizens, with headquarters and operations in Sinoe County, frowned on Senator Nyenpan and Superintendent Teahjay for trying to use tribal politics against each other for political gain---at the expense of Sinoe Citizens. Teahjay is also facing allegations that he entered into a half million dollars contract for the electrification of Greenville City without regards to the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC's) regulations governing contracts of such

financial magnitude. It is unclear how the negative publicity dogging Teahjay will play against his potential quest for the senatorial spot. The Superintendent also lost a land case when the 3rd Judicial Circuit court in Greenville, Sinoe County dealt him a severe blow as he lost a land dispute case against Ophelia Brown. During the proceedings, Teahjay accused Senior Senator Mabutu Nyenpan and Judge Dweh of the 3rd Judicial Circuit court in Greenville of being the brain behind the land dispute case between him and Brown. At the time, Teahjay told FrontPageAfrica that both the Senator and the judge were out to get him. First of all, under the law you must have the title and be in possession of the property and these I have in my covers, so there is no fear that my house will be taken away by anybody who wants to keep Greenville city dirty, said Teahjay. The Supreme Court of Liberia ordered on Thursday the release of deputy information minister Milton Teahjay, who was detained on contempt of court charges, news agencies reported. No official reason was given for Teahjay's release two days before completing the five-day sentence. He was convicted for describing the judiciary system as "rotten" during a talk show. Liberian Chief Justice Gloria Scott said the minister's remark "undermined the credibility of the judiciary". Sinoe is one of Liberia's 15 counties and it has 17 districts. Greenville is the county's capital. As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 104,932, making it one of the least populous counties in Liberia. As it is also Liberia's third-largest county in terms of area, it is accordingly the second least dense in terms of population density after Gbarpolu County. The districts of Sinoe County are: Bodae District, Bokon District, Butaw District, Dugbe River District, Greenville District, Jaedae District, Jaedepo District, Juarzon District, Kpayan District, Kulu Shaw Boe District, Plahn Nyarn District, Pynes Town District, Sanquin District 1, Sanquin District 2, Sanquin District 3, Seekon District and Wedjah District. While Sinoe maybe not be one of the hottest political counties in terms of population and many senatorial aspirants, the county is endowed with natural resources including Gold, forest, amongst others. The Sapo national Park, Liberias reserved forest which until recently was invaded by illegal

occupants is located in the south eastern county. It is one of four counties in Liberia with a sea port that is used for transportation, signifying the economic importance of the county. With special senatorial election expected to be held in October should the National Elections Commission of Liberia get the necessary funding required for the plebiscite, counties have seen the proliferation of aspirants who have already expressed their desire to contest the election. Although some aspirants are still undecided on publicly declaring their intention to contest the election but unlike other counties with up to a dozen aspirants, Sinoe has so far seen the at least three candidates lining their senatorial bid, already some may quietly be working on their ambition. Though not many aspirants, but Sinoes race will renew an already existing rivalry between incumbent Senator Nyepan and tough talking superintendent Milton Teahjay and international businessman and humanitarian, Mike Gegbae Mueller. Incumbent Nypeans Headache Chances: Nyepan was elected on the ticket of the Alliance

for Peace and Democracy (APD), a political party that is popular in the south eastern region of Liberia. He has been at the Capitol Building for nine years now, actively participating

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

A RACE FOR THE AGES

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for their political burial, because the CDC has been reduced to a party of mere dictatorial, tyrannical and few men show. This is totally wrong and unacceptable in the contemporary time in our history, Teahjay described his own CDC. Businessman Mike Geegbae Muller adds new flavour Chances: Another new name is surfacing in the Sinoe county senatorial election with the introduction of international businessman Mike G. Mueller. Muller is a businessman and an humanitarian who has been involved in humanitarian works in several counties in Liberia including Sinoe. Challenges: Muller is relatively new in politics which could play against his election but he has accordingly been involved in humanitarian work in Sinoe and other counties.

in legislative politics which gives him an added advantage over his opponents. He serves on several senate committees including Committee on National Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs, Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget and Committee on Maritime Affairs amongst others. In 2005, Nyepan won as senator in the upper category out of nine contenders for the post, obtaining 9,165 votes out of total valid votes of 31,144 representing 29.8%. His political party the APD is very popular in Sinoe as the party produced both senior and junior senators in 2005, giving Nyepans bid for a second term a boost. Nypepan re-election could be further propelled by the fact that he is a Sapo and the current senator Joseph Nagbe is a Kru, as citizens of the tribal divided county may not opt for a senate occupied by individuals from the same Kru tribe leaving out a Sapo. Also, Nyepans bid for re-election received a boost in 2001 when his fellow 2005 winner, Junior Senator again from won a second term of office with 10,770 votes out of 23,225 valid votes representing 56.4%. Nagbes re-election could serve as a factor in favor of Nyepan. Challenges: Nyepan stay at the Capitol has not been short of controversies ranging from allegations that he fell out with the people of Sinoe for allegedly diverting five motorbikes intended for five schools in the county to his political campaign activities. Richard Koffa Wleh a citizen of the county at time told journalists that Sen. Nyepan wrote the management of the Putu Iron Ore Mining Company, appealing for five motorbikes for five junior and secondary schools in the county but alleged that when the bikes were provided by the Putu Mining Company to Senator Nyepans sub-office in Sinoe County, instead of turning them over, the senator reportedly diverted the bikes to his political campaign activities, leaving the schools administrators, in whose names the request was made, empty-handed. Accordingly, as a consequence of the incident citizens, predominantly students and teachers planned to stage a massive demonstration in Greenville to demand Superintendent J. Milton Teahjay and the rest of the local authorities to pressurize Sen. Nyepan to immediately return the bikes. Senator Nyepan at the time clarified that the bikes were turned over to the as promised. Again dispute between Senator Nyepan and superintendent Teahjay is another odd against the senator re-election bid. Many believe he and Teahjay are both sewing tribal seed in the county. Teahjay hails from the populous Kru tribe while Nyepan is from the minority Sapo. Tough-talking Teahjay up for fight Chances: The tough-talking Sinoe County Superintendent has been residing in the county since his appointment as Superintendent few years back making him to be closer to the electorates which give him the chance to directly interact with the people of Sinoe County. Teahjay was far apart from Sinoe before his appointment but his relationship with the county has now change evidenced by the support he received following his imprisonment by the House of Representatives based on complaint from Representative Matthew Zarzar. Teahjay rousing welcome in Greenville following his release

also provides him some confidence that he can oust Nyepan at the polls. With tribal politics on the card in Sinoe, Teahjays tribal background with the Kru could help him if his native kinsmen decide to overwhelmingly vote him against his Sapo opponent Nyepan. Challenges: Teahjay has proven over the years to be very

George Marshall, a member of the Muller for Senate campaign told Frontpageafrica that Muller is confident of election in October. Says Marshall Muller is the best candidate for Sinoe right now, because he wants to unite the people of the county and bring development. While Teahjay and Nyepan are preaching tribal politics, Muller will be there to unite the people of Sinoe. Marhsall says his candidate has different mindset for the county, doing away with the old tribal politics and trying to unite the people. Once there is unity, there will be development but right now, all the talk is about Kru, Sapo which Muller is not here for, he wants to unite the people than afterward in the midst of unity, development will come, the Muller for Senate campaign member expressed. Mullers humanitarian foundation is said to have won him some support in Sinoe County which could help him to secure votes.

Klahn Gboloh Jarbah

confrontational, unreliable as during his tenure as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Information, he was constantly in conflict with his immediate boss, Minister Joe W. Mulbah. Teahjay confronted Mulbah publicly during the par tenure at the Ministry. Furthermore, Teahjay has proven not to be reliable, in 2005 he publicly declared that Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf cannot be reelected President of Liberia and if such happens, hair should grow in my paw. Teahjay criticized presidential candidate Sirleaf at the time while serving as a strong member of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change. Following the 2005 elections Teahjay was a strong critic of the Sirleaf regime to the extent he declared that a son to President Sirleaf, Charles Sirleaf had the key to the vault at the Central bank of Liberia and was in the constant habit of taking money from the national treasury based on request from his mother. Not too long when Teahjay was appointed superintendent of Sinoe county, he somersaulted and begun praise singing President Sirleaf. When quizzed during confirmation hearing Teahjay said Now I have to adjust my mode of operations, because I now have access to the president we were launching those political missiles because we did not have access to the President. Soon after Teahjays appointment as Superintendent, he turned his missiles against his own political party, the CDC. Teahjay speaking on the removal of Cllr. Winston Tubman as Standard of the opposition of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) described the partys founder George Weah, National Secretary General Acarous Gray, and National Mobilization Chair Mulbah Morlu as tyrants, bent on destroying the institution. Teahjay said CDC executives, including Weah, Gray, Morlu and George Solo, on the expulsion of Cllr. Winston Tubman as an indication that the CDC was heading for doom. Any politician joining will be nailing their own political coffin

Chances: Klahn Gboloh Jarbah contested the 2011 elections from electoral district 3 in Sinoe County where he managed 4th place with 905 votes out of total valid votes of 7,553 representing 12.0%. He contested on the ticket of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy (APD) but is believed to be lining up his senatorial bid on the ticket of Liberty party this time around. He once served as President of Sinoe Association in the United States of America. He was elected in July 13, 2004 an election that split the organization into two separate groups. During his tenure as president he visited Liberia touring the county. Challenges: Jarbah failure to win a single district in Sinoe could serve as a minus for his senatorial bid in the entire county. Additionally, the APD on whose ticket he contested the 2011 election fruitlessly is popular in Sinoe county than the Liberty party, so it remains to be seen how he weigh his options to switch political affiliation from APD to Liberty party.

FrontPage COMMENTARY EDITORIAL OBAMA'S LEGACY ON THE LINE

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Thursday, January 16 , 2014

Commentary

AWARD IN THE MIDST OF ECONOMIC DOOM

Until Liberians begin to see the fruits of their labor and governments programs and policies begin to impact those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder, questions will continue to linger especially in the midst of recognition for a finance minister of a nation in dire economic straits.
IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD thing when a Liberian excels to some prominence, especially on the international scene which is why we are pleased that the Banker Magazine, a subsidiary of the Financial Times Group, named Liberias Finance Minister, Amara Konneh, as its choice for Africa Finance Minister of the year 2014. AT A GALA PROGRAM in London, England Wednesday, the magazine established since 1926 tipped Minister Konneh as the fourteenth recipient of its annual prize. THE AWARD COMMITTEE said the decision was made after discussions among the magazines editors and a survey of views among bankers and economists, and therefore represents a vote of confidence by the markets in the role played by the Liberian Ministry of Finance over the past year. THE AWARD COMES at a time when Liberia is engulfed in a major economic crisis and many remain unsure why the magazine tipped Konneh, the finance minister of a country going through some really bad times and some serious hardships. THOSE TURBULENT issues include rising unemployment, dissatisfaction among citizenry about the economic outlook and huge inflation facing the country characterized by deprecation in the Liberian dollars against the United States dollars. THE MINISTRY insists that the country experienced sustained growth in 2013, with estimated real GDP growth of 8.1%, due primarily to macroeconomic stability and supported by further mining and agriculture related foreign direct investments (FDI), construction, and strong performance in the service sector. Last year (2013) was a particularly difficult year for the Government of Liberia with several missteps that created a dent on its image at home and abroad. WE APPLAUD EFFORTS by Konneh for exhibiting character in telling the Liberian people where their government had erred on economic management and the actions his team was taking to remedy them. WE HOWEVER caution the minister to remain focused and thorough. WHILE WE welcome the ministrys assertions that the Liberian government succeeded in raising over US$2 billion dollars in domestic and external resources to fund its ambitious five year development strategy, the Agenda for Transformation (AfT), those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder are not feeling the pinch. WE HOPE and encourage the minister that bolster with his recognition by the Bankers magazine, he would begin to lay the foundation for Liberia to become a middle income country by 2030. THE BOTTOM LINE REMAINS that while the governments budgeting model has drastically shifted to a three-year Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), intended to make long term budget planning for capital intensive economic infrastructure projects, netting over US$144 million in the last two years, the impact is not being felt. MAKE NO MISTAKE, we are thrilled that the Ministry of Finance has made progress in instituting a number of reforms and strengthening existing practices and systems for public financial management, including reforms around fiscal administration, tax administration and public sector institutional reforms. WE ARE ALSO thrilled that the Ministry intervened in 2013 to stabilize a worsening exchange rate situation by selling an additional US$10 million to the Central Bank by end of December to shore up reserves and increase government transactions in Liberian Dollars. WHAT WE ARE NOT thrilled by is the fact that the exchange rate continues to be a burden for businesses and ordinary Liberians. UNTIL LIBERIANS begin to see the fruits of their labor and governments programs and policies begin to impact those languishing at the bottom of the economic ladder, questions will continue to linger especially in the midst of recognition for a minister from a nation in dire economic straits.

CONGRATULATIONS MINISTER KONNEH, BUT

WITH SURVEILLANCE POLICY

Geoffrey King/CPJ Internet Advocacy Coordinator

hen President Obama takes the lectern to discuss U.S. surveillance policy, as he is expected to do Friday, those hoping for sweeping reform are likely to be disappointed. As reported in The New York Times, the president appears poised to reject many of the recommendations of his Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, a brain trust of five experts he handpicked to study U.S. intelligence practices in the wake of disclosures by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. This would be a mistake. The White House review group examined the issues soberly and carefully, producing a 308-page report that includes 46 recommendations for surveillance reform. Its members published an opinion piece in The New York Times publicly highlighting what they felt were the most important recommendations, and yesterday each of them appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to present testimony. Nonetheless, the president appears unconvinced, and instead seems willing to "give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety," as Benjamin Franklin put it. (Franklin, famously, said those who make such a tradeoff "deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.") But stepping back from Franklin's absolutism, if the president is going to pick and choose from the review group's recommendations, there are several that would arguably have a profound and immediate impact on press freedom. Many of these overlap with the recommendations emphasized by the review group's op-ed, as well as withrecommendations by the Global Network Initiative, of which CPJ is a founding member: End the domestic bulk call records program as it currently exists, and severely restrict bulk collection and retention of non-public data generally. The White House review group, a federal judge, and independent experts agree: the NSA's mass call records program invades legitimate privacy interests, and it does not work. Even the government tacitly admits this latter point: having claimed that the program foiled 54 attacks in June of 2013, as of last week the NSA has resigned itself to describing the program as an "insurance policy." (When asked about the program in December, even Obama could not identify a single thwarted attack.) By contrast, like a nightmarish version of the Associated Press call records subpoena, bulk data collection of this sort could easily link journalists with their sources, as Foreign Policy pointed out in September. The White House review group urged strict curbs on bulk data collection more broadly, recommending that it be "narrowly tailored to serve an important government interest," and subject to senior policy review. This is crucial, as there are many ways in which even "non-content" metadata can constituteextraordinarily revealing surveillance. Finally, it is important to note that the review group suggested mandatory data retention by private parties as a possible alternative to the current paradigm, a suggestion Obama floated in a recent press conference. This "solution," while somewhat better than unfettered government access to communications records, is dangerous and should be rejected. Promote a "strong presumption of transparency" so elected representatives and the American people may independently assess the merits of programs for themselves. Transparency is fundamental to reform. Just as the public would not know about the extent of the NSA's spying but for Edward Snowden, the FBI's COINTELPROdirty tricks but for a group of idealistic burglars, or the secret history of the Vietnam War but for whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, many of the most egregious abuses will likely only come to light when sources share information with reporters. Nonetheless, the government serves both the public and its own interests by showing that it is operating openly and in good faith to the greatest extent possible. The review group's recommendations to enhance transparency include: reforming "gag orders" placed on the recipients of national security orders; lifting restrictions on the publication of general information about secret data-production orders by third-party recipients such as ICT companies; increased reporting of similar statistics by the government; and a shift away from secret programs and law. As James Madison observed, "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both." Information about individuals should be limited to foreign intelligence information directed exclusively at protecting national security interests, must be collected pursuant to law or executive order, and the collection or use of information about U.S. persons should be sharply limited. At present, the gathering of information on non-U.S. persons located outside of the U.S. is subject to very little oversight. As NSA Director Gen. Keith Alexander is reportedly known to say, the agency prefers

to "collect it all." Although data collection on U.S. persons is subject to more restrictions, the NSA nonetheless searches vast amounts of Americans' private information. This "incidentally" collected information can be stored for years--in some cases indefinitely--and can also be shared with law enforcement. The changes proposed by the review group would serve journalists by eliminating many of the "back doors" the NSA uses to get around restrictions that would prevent it from spying on reporters in the U.S., which the agency did during the Cold War and is alleged to have done more recently. Specifically, the recommendations would require that incidentally-acquired information about U.S. persons must be purged immediately unless it has foreign intelligence value or is necessary to prevent "serious harm" to others; information obtained about a U.S. person could not be used in any proceeding against him or her; and data collected could not be searched to identify U.S. persons unless necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm, or based on a probable cause warrant that the person is planning or engaged in acts of international terrorism. Non-U.S. persons would also see major privacy gains, including restrictions on the purpose for which surveillance may be conducted, as well as the extension of certain statutory protections. Though less robust, the reforms would provide significant additional oversight and privacy checks both before and after information could be gathered on international journalists. Stop undermining--and support--encryption standards, and promote increased adoption of encryption. Edward Snowden was quoted in The New York Times last year as stating, "unencrypted journalist-source communication is unforgivably reckless." Encryption is vital for journalists, as it represents the kind of preparedness that might even make the difference between freedom and incarceration, or life and death. Yet the NSA has engaged in efforts--reportedly ranging from bribery, to hacking, to the perversion of technical standards-setting processes-all to undermine encryption standards. Promote international norms that support the Internet rather than destroy it. It is clear that the White House review group members recognize the turning point at which the world finds itself. Rather than allow the U.S. to hurtle toward global Hobbesian cyber-anarchy, the review group recommends the U.S. lead by moral example. The most important of its recommendations include a policy of addressing, not exploiting, so-called "Zero-Day," or undiscovered, vulnerabilities, other than in rare circumstances subject to high-level, interagency review. Secure, reliable digital tools are necessary if journalists are to do their jobs, which necessarily includes handling sensitive information. Additionally, as CPJ has documented, and as the review group notes, efforts to place Internet resources under localized government control threaten the open nature of the Internet itself. This openness is vital to the free flow of journalism and other information; once lost, it may be irretrievable. In October, CPJ issued a special report on press freedom in the U.S.-the first such report in our 33-year history--which found Obama's record on press freedom to be dismal. If he is concerned about his legacy as he puts the finishing touches on Friday's remarks, perhaps he will be mindful of the words of his one-time colleague, Geoffrey R. Stone, who hired a young Obama to teach constitutional law at the University of Chicago. As Professor Stone, one of the White House review group members, wrote in his 2004 book chronicling more than 200 years of free speech in wartime, It is, of course, much easier to look back on past crises and find our predecessors wanting than to make wise judgments when we ourselves are in the eye of the storm. But that challenge now falls to this generation of Americans . . . As Justice Louis Brandeis explained in 1927, "Those who won our independence . . . knew that . . . fear breeds repression" and that "courage is the secret of liberty." Those are the two most central lessons for Americans to bear in mind.

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Thursday, January 16, 2014

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB

Send your letters and comments to: editor@frontpageafricaonline.com

YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!

The Reader's Page

than I do.

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COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE

REPORT: ECOWAS COURT PUTS LIBERIA ON HOLD OVER US$500K

Your Excellency,

OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, H.E ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF

Madam President, you will agree that that money should have been used to improve health care and education as well as basic social services for our people. Unfortunately, it ended in the coffer of Ellen and Melvin, depriving million others of their compatriots. I wonder where the espoused love for country is. When Ellens deal became exposed to daylight, her only defense was to incriminate and indict almost your entire administration that she was not alone. To plea her cause and attract sympathy and empathy, Ellen and her boyfriend Melvin began releasing secret recordings of Your Excellency, your defense minister, police director and other officials they claimed were equally embroiledin the corruption syndicate. Notwithstanding the legality or illegality of those recordings, you will admit, they have caused your administration considerable damages, some of them irreparable. You presented your side of the story (even though not in a satisfactory fashion) and lifted the GAC ordered your administration placed on the Liberian media playing the secret recordings on radios and televisions. The Defense Minister conceded acting irresponsibly and apologized to you and the nation. Then came what many consider the most intriguing episode with Police Director Chris Massaquoi, the man whom our country relies on for the protection of lives and properties. That the Director of Police of all people, after attending high level national security meeting, would alert Ellen and her boyfriend to immediately flee the country in order to escape arrest and prosecution, was a flagrant breach of public trust and a crime punishable under our laws controlling. There is a simple and well settled principle of law which holds that anyone who aids and abets the commission of a crime is equally liable as much as the real perpetrators of the crime. It is within this spirit of the law that we think that Director Massaquoi is liable and should face the full weight of the law, if there is any such measure. Unlike you and Minister Brownie Samukai who took up time to explain yourselves and express remorse for your interactions with indicted Ellen Crokrum, your police director has remained defiantly arrogant, claiming he did no wrong as if all of us Liberians are mannequins. He has uprightly dismissed any idea or suggestion to resign on grounds that he still enjoys your confidence. Perhaps Chris Massaquoi is right when he says he still enjoys your confidence and he is not going anywhere. But I guarantee you that if Chris Massaquoi was police director in my administration, he would have been fired and made to pay for his action. I am not an irrational human being and I completely understand the difficulties leaders face in making decisions that affect their friends and families. But you cannot eat your cake and have it or better put, you dont allow sympathy to exceed your interest. Sincerely yours,

It is my singular honor to present compliments of a happy and prosperous New Year and, as usual, to thank you for your stewardship of our beloved country in its transition from a devastated and senseless civil war and despair to a hopeful promised land of prosperity. Madam President, it is with a deep sense of respect for you and all past and future occupants of our nations highest office (including myself) that I write you this memo on a very important subject that has filled many Liberian hearts with inexpressible concerns: the systemic and epidemic corruption that has engulfed our country under your watch. It is repetitious but worthy to remind you of the pledge you made when you took the presidential oath of office in January 2006 to break away from the past or the business as usual way of conducting the affairs of government and even more important was your vow to make corruption PUBLIC ENEMY #1. Sadly, none of this has happened. Instead, corruption, as acknowledged by your very self, remains systemic (to borrow from your eloquence) and continues to undermine every national effort to reconstruct our war-torn country. Public officials have grown in confidence in doing business as usual and in looting our meager resources. Liberias coffer bleeds at the hands of some of your lieutenants you entrusted to help you manage our countrys affairs. You may not have known the characters of some of the officials who have and continue to violate the public trust by their actions and or inactions but I am confident that you knew or know some of them. And while you may not be in acquiescence with their dirty deeds, your reluctance or failure to act as President speaks volume and this is why most people blame you, and so rightly too, for the level of mismanagement and corruption that has besieged our country. You will recall, Your Excellency, countless instances or occasions in which the conducts of some public officials have both betrayed your confidence and caused unspeakable embarrassment for your government and our country here and abroad. Due to time and space constraint, I cannot recount all of the corruption and mismanagement cases involving officials of your administration but for the purpose of this subject, I like to draw your attention to the Ellen Corkrum Saga. I am almost certain that when your administration recruited Ms. Corkrum to serve our country as the Managing Director of the Roberts International Airport, it did so with a somewhat good intent to tap into and utilize the best talents of our country but as evidenced by the unfolding events, your namesake soon turned out to be undesirable as you have rightly conceded. Ms. Corkrum, as one of your new diaspora trained and recruited public servants, already had a mindset to return to Liberia and get her piece of the elephant meat. You may not have known or perhaps she did not tell you that she was a citizen of another country, America, in this case, and her loyalty was to the country she loves and swears to defend with her sweat and blood and not Liberia. Her boyfriend and soon to be accomplice in a well calculated and executable economy crime, Melvin Johnson, accompanied her to Liberia and in a relatively short period of time, they both allegedly conspired, and with malicious intent, stole about a quarter million United States dollars. You know the rest and detail of the story more

SYLVESTER MOSES

The overarching point at issue in this case isnt whether the ECOWAS court has jurisdiction over our Supreme Court, it should be whether, one of our most brilliant legal minds, Justice Philip Banks, as minister of justice, had any legal authority to not only seize Ayikas $500, 000, but to also deport him, without trial, out of the country. US law, which we copied, requires declaration of money over $10, 000 when traveling to and from the country. Violation of this reporting requirement may lead to forfeiture of the money if it is proven that the traveler, in this case Ayiki, had knowledge of the reporting requirements, and knowingly failed to report the $500, 000. Obviously, he knew because he concealed the amount on his body. But not so fast, there were legal ways for him to get the forfeited amount back from Minister Banks.... It entailed proof of legitimate source of the money and its intended use. Clearly, there wasnt any evidence that Ayika illegally got his money, and he had legitimate businesses in Liberia around the time he brought the money into the country. As a result of such mitigating evidence, the most our custom bureau could have done was to impose a small fine on him. Taking the mans money and deporting him was disgraceful. And hiding under jurisdictional mumbo jumbo (TABATA, as an angry Kru man would say ) embarrasses us all. Unnecessary crises such as these only divert governments attention from the mass unemployment, poverty, hunger and suffering of the dispossessed 95% of our population. GEORGE ALONZO KAMARA This is necessary for those Liberian to read who claim that the ECOWAS court has no jurisdiction over it and was of no significance to Liberias judicial system. Now the fats and document has proving it. Finally we have been rejected for a seat on the ECOWAS court and we have gone ahead and summit list of unprofessional judges/lawyers. To Prove it these are follow: Judge Yussif Kaba: who is currently in the midst of a controversial case involving 19 Grand Gedeans accused of involvement in mercenary activities in neighboring Ivory Coast in 2011. Kaba has been criticized for his handling of the case after he recently denied the motion for acquittal filed by defense lawyers. he is the head of the Criminal Court D and former head of the The National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia. Cllr. Pearl Brown Bull CKA Tango: Cllr. Bull is one of the experienced legal minds in Liberia. She is one of the framers of the 1986 constitution and serves as a commissioner on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia. But she has been involve in faking with the case of FPA issue for not administering the right laws during the front page africa epedico, by giving the wrong advice. Philip A.Z. Banks: who brought liberia in this trouble today. It is he who was involve in handling of the illegal confiscated, and usage of US$500,000 belonging to Nigerian Businessman, and now a Lawmaker, Valentine Ayika, that continues to dog the Associate Justice whose name has been submitted to the ECOWAS Court. Let us understand that this man isn't going to succeed in representing liberia seat . because he crook the nigerian man of his money. He lie by stating at the time that the Nigerian Government approved the use of the money by the Government of Liberia, the. These are what we call corruption. And finally, Benedict Sannoh: who was previously involved in the controversial debate over the status of forces agreement with ECOWAS during the Liberian Civil War. All of these crooks/criminal liberian lawyers cannot or are not capable of occuping nor even qualify to represent our republic. And these are the same names of lawyers/judges that the American bia and laws association listed to be the most corrupts judges in Liberia supreme court.

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

DISCLAIMER

Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666; 077-936-138, editor@FrontPageAfricaonline.com; rodney.sieh@FrontPageAfricaonline.com Wade C. L. Williams, News Desk Chief, wade. williams@frontpageafricaonline.com; 0880664793 Francis F.B. Mulbah, Layout Editor; 0886639382 REPORTERS Sports Editor, Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886236528 Henry Karmo, henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline. com Al-varney Rogers al.rogers@frontpageafricaonline. com, 0886-304498

EDITORIAL TEAM

You can read the full letter on www.frontpageafricanonline. com

Sports Reporter, A. Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.sombai@ FrontpageAfricaonline.com, 077217428 COUNTY NEWS TEAM Grand Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042 Bong County, Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@ frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666 Sinoe County, Leroy N.S Kanmoh, leroy.kanmoh@ frontpageafricaonline.com 0886257528 BUSINESS/ADVERTISING Kadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/ 0777832753, advertise@ frontpageafricaonline.com

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GOVERNMENT NEWS

Thursday, January 16 , 2014

My office [Solicitor General] has formulated no opinion on the criminality of the accused [employees] due to the lack of cooperation of the team set up by you [Ministry of Finance] to assist us in the conduct of the investigation, Former Solicitor General Cllr. Wilkins Wright.

SEEK REINSTATEMENT
Al-Varney Rogers alrogers2008@gmail.com 0886304498

DISMISSED MOF EMPLOYEES

ight employees of the Ministry of Finance who were fired for an alleged unauthorized payment of over US$ 11.2 Million and gross negligence have been cleared by the Ministry of Justice but are yet to be reinstated. Had they been culpable of any criminal act they would have been indicted by the Ministry of Justice for prosecution, the lawyer representing the dismissed employees Nyenati Tuan said.The power to reinstate those employees who have been out of job for almost two years rests with Finance Minister Konneh who is currently in London to receive an award as the best Finance Minister in Africa for 2013. A letter in the possession of FrontPage Africa from the then Solicitor General, Cllr. Wilkins Wright dated December 6, 2012 addressed to the Deputy Minister for expenditure and Debt Management at the Ministry of Finance Angela Bush Cassell stated that the Justice Ministry found no criminal act on the part of the dismissed employees. The communication stated: My office [Solicitor General]

has formulated no opinion on the criminality of the accused [employees] due to the lack of cooperation of the team set up by you [Ministry of Finance] to assist us in the conduct of the investigation. The letter continued: Despite several phone calls to arrange meeting with the various representatives of the Civil Service Agency, Ministry of Education, General Auditing Commission and the Ministry of Finance for the purpose of acquiring additional information and establishing the specific roles, conducted or activity of each of the individuals dismissed by the Ministry of Finance, our effort have yield no meeting or fruitful result. It can be recalled on April 13, 2012; Finance Minister Amara Mohammed Konneh dismissed eight employees for single or collective negligence. According to the dismissal letter their dismissal was as a result of gross negligence in the management of the national payroll which emerged out of an investigation by the Special Wage Bill Management Task Force. The letter of dismissal stated:

The task force has discovered unauthorized payment of over US$ 11.2 Million which have caused a deficit in the national budget. According to the dismissed employees, the US$ 11.2 Million would-be deficit at the time was a projection done by Mr. Henry Sele former Deputy Comptroller & Accountant General for Payroll to the Department of Budget informing them that a potential deficit would have occurred at the close of FY 2011/2012 if the trend of payment in the Ministry of Education budget continues. This wouldbe deficit was attributed to the following; Under budget increment in teachers with masters degrees and bachelors degrees salaries, the failure of the Government to include in the increments for C certificates holders, The Creation of additional supplementary payrolls to deal with several challenges being encountered by the Ministry of Education, For example, the abrupt stop payment by USAID of Newly recruited Teachers Salaries, Retroactive payments

for teachers who were owed arrears and the increase of high school teachers who minimum wage from USD $ 70 to USD $ 100. But according to the Minister of Finance, the eight employees dismissal was predicated upon the Civil Standing Order 4.2.2 (f) which states that an employee may be dismissed due to conduct unbecoming in the public service, such as negligence but the employees argued that the law was misused. Civil Service Standing Order 4.2.2 (f) says Negligence or willful damage of public property warrant restitution of damage property based on official appraisal and money paid to Revenue through salary deduction or dismissal. The dismissed employees were requested by the Ministry of Finance to turn over all government properties and proceed to the Ministry of Justice for Investigation. You are instructed to immediately turn over all properties of the government of Liberia in your possession to the Assistant Minister for Administration. You are further advised to report to

the Ministry of Justice (Office of the Solicitor General) upon receipt of this communication, the letter stated. The eight dismissed employees files presented by the Wage Bill Management Task Force to the Solicitor General at that time Cllr. Wilkins Wright accused the dismissed employees for loss of LD$12,000,000.00 by the government contrary to the dismissal letter which says unauthorized payment of over US$ 11.2 Million which have caused a deficit in the national budget and gross negligence in the management of the national payroll.The eight files as presented to us [Ministry of Justice] by the Wage Bill Management Task Force do not clearly connect the accused to the loss of LD$12,000,000.00 by the government. A broad accusation of LD$ 12,000,000.00 has to be clearly connected on a piece by piece basis to each of the accused individuals, specifically, the role of each individual has to be clearly delineated, Cllr. Wilkins Wright said. Cllr. Wright said, the absence of cooperation on the part of Wage Bill Management Task Force in defining and

establishing the criminal conduct of each accused individuals makes the Ministry of Justice unable to proceed with any investigation.The lawyer representing the eight dismissed employees of the Ministry of Finance, Nyenati Tuan in a communication to Deputy Minister for Administration Ministry of Finance Jordan Sulonteh said, his client did make themselves available to the Ministry of Justice for further investigation as instructed by the Ministry of Finance. Cllr. Tuan said, his clients are not incriminated of any criminal misconduct adding that had his client been culpable of any criminal act they would have been indicted by the Ministry of Justice for prosecution.Cllr. Tuan requests that the Minister of Finance reinstate his clients with retroactive payment along with all as the date of their dismissal. Critics say that Minister Konneh action to dismiss the eight employees was meant to target people who were considered friends and confidants to the former Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

A
Monrovia

n independent (The Movement) aspirant in Bong County, Mator M. F. Kpangbai has expressed optimism that he would win the October 2014 senatorial election. In an interview with FrontPageAfrica Wednesday, Kpangbai said he is confident of election later this year. According to him, his plans for the people of the county are stated clearly in his policies and programs for the development of the county and are in line with the citizens manifestoes. I come with a five-point agenda for the people of Bong County if elected into power, says Kpangbai The Senatorial aspirant continues The agenda are targeted at education, agriculture, infrastructure, health and employment,. He pledged to carry the people of the county along to ensure better governance. Mator said his ambition to govern Bong County stemmed from the desire to liberate his people from certain cliques. He said his ambition is based on the fact that he has the ``right pedigree, education, work experience as well as the right temperament for the job''. `` I learnt from a tender age the importance of listening to the governed and for taking

A MUST WIN BATTLE

Kpangbai Vows to Oust Jewel in Bong County
Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com, 0886-484666
teachers are paid regularly and promptly in order to encourage the citizens of the county to put in their best, he said. I will make sure teachers of the county are placed on governments payroll. On infrastructure, Kpangbai promised to improve on the existing ones and build more, to enhance the people's living standard. He said another area of his priorities would be improvement of the county's health facilities, especially Phebe and Dunbar hospitals that have been lacking essential drugs in recent months. I will make sure that doctors, nurses and other health workers receive better remuneration through my presence at the national legislature, he said. ``This is because of the important role of the health sector of the county and in any part of the world, he said. He also assured the electorates that agriculture would be made more attractive to youths, in addition to partnering with international agencies to tackle flood.

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COUNTY NEWS

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Mator M. F. Kpangbai
care of the downtrodden, the aspirant narrated. He further promised to turn the county into a United Bong void of the lower and upper Bong syndrome if the electorates offer him their mandate. Kpangbai expressed determination to create job opportunities among the youth to avoid restiveness. The independent aspirant said his administration would partner with international agencies interested in investing in the countys economy. Speaking on education, Kpangbai, who is a former Deputy Minister of Education, promised to give quality service to his people as he says it is the right of the people to have access to quality education at all levels. He added that education is the best insurance and legacy to be left behind for the future generations of the county, especially the youth. He also promised to recruit more teachers and train those on ground already for the betterment of the education sector. Kpangbai promised to lobby with partners to build schools and rehabilitate the existing ones, to enhance learning. `` My administration with the help of development partners will also build additional libraries, laboratories and equip them with modern gadgets for better performance, the aspirant outlines his plans. He indicated `I will make sure

TRIAL JUDGES CALL FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF APPEAL COURT

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LAW & ORDER

Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com 077296781

the association is intended to ensure that minor cases are handled by the immediate appeal court while cases such as murder, rape, armed robbery which are all capital offences are determined by the Supreme Court.On the persistent accusations of judges receiving bribes to handle cases, that is currently embarrassing the judiciary, the head of Trial Judges said the association is aware of the report but while it is true that judges are not perfect no individual has come out in the public to prove the allegations of bribery against judges.Commenting on the role of the National Association of Trial judges which composed of both the Magistrates and Judges of Circuit Courts within the Judiciary, the incumbent head stated that the association is set to seek the welfare of Judges and Magistrates in an orderly manner since they are a professional body who adheres to the rule of law.As his tenure expires after two years in office and election pending for this month and contender to the incumbent still undisclosed, Judge Jones has announced plan to seek re-election for another two years adding that under his two years term members of the Trial Judges Association were able to get the needed benefit due them.What I only want my colleagues going to the poll to do is to look at my past leadership and grade me of whether I did or not and vote their conscious said Judge Jones.According to the soft spoken judge positions to be contested in the January 25, 2013 National Association of Trial Judges election will include president, vice president, secretary General, assistant secretary general and chaplain.The incumbent head of the association indicated that the constitution of the association provides that the position of president should be contested by only Judges while position such as the secretary general can be contested by magistrates.

National Association of Trial Judges Head Judge James E. Jones

rial Judges in Liberia are calling for the establishment of an Appeal Court. The current leadership of the Trial Judges Association says the immediate establishment of an appeal court will help reduce the high number of appeal cases

pending before the Supreme Court for adjudication.Judge James E. Jones, head of the Association speaking ahead of the pending election of the organization slated for January 25, 2013 told FrontPage in an interview Wednesday that if the appeal court is established

it will help reduce most of the appeal cases pending before the Supreme Court.Says Judge Jones In the coming months we will be working with our bosses at the Supreme Court to press for the establishment of the immediate appeal court. He added that appeal is the right of everyone before the law but said at the moment some of the appeals from the lower courts to the Supreme Court originates from minor cases some of which value is up to LD$500. He noted that it takes a long time for the Supreme Court, which is the final arbiter of justice to hear these cases. The incumbent Trial Judges leader noted that the move by

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arely two days after the publication of a FrontPage Africa news analysis detailing the potential chances and challenges of candidates vying for the Lofa county senatorial slot this year, a team of three former senatorial aspirants in the 2011 elections have unanimously concurred to support the candidacy of Mr. Stephen Zargo, (Liberty Party) who unsuccessfully contested the senatorial seat in 2011 holding onto third place. The three former contestants include: Mr. Jekeh F. Koiyan, Liberia Transformation Party of Rev. Kennedy G. Sandy, John P. Namayan of the National Patriotic Party of convicted war criminal Charles Taylor and Mr. Kollie Massayan Sorsor Sr. of the Grass-root Democratic Party According to a communiqu signed among the three contestants and Mr. Zargo currently in the possession of FrontPage Africa, the former contestants revealed that following months of deliberations, both candidates have reached a decision to overwhelmingly endorse the candidacy of Mr. Zargo to

FORMING A UNITED FRONT

Former Lofa County Senatorial Aspirants Throw Weight Behind Zargo Ahead of 2014 Election
Stephen D. Kollie, stephenkollie13@gmail.com 0776329124

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POLITICS

Thursday, January 16 , 2014

Jekeh F. Koiyan, Chairman of the solidarity movement

contest this years mid-term election, reaffirming that none of them would contest against Mr. Zargo in the said election. Said the former contestants: However, the decision to lend our support to Mr. Zargo is predicated upon the fact that not only to narrow-down the crowdedness on the political field but to have a common and united front in order to redeem the lost aspiration of our people in Lofa County. The group went on to say

Mr. Stephen Zargo, Lofa Senatorial candidate

of Lofa, following years of political, economic, social and developmental deprivation. Continued the former senatorial candidates: Finally, we have also agreed to visit our people in Lofa County to put fourth this commitment for their support, with the belief that they will wholeheartedly embrace this idea as it has been their cries over the past years. We will also discuss with our people on how we intend to actualize this dream.

DIASPORA LOFA CITIZEN DONATES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, CLOTHING TO NEEDY

district. He believes the only way to get rid of this mess is to make available good educational materials like library and text books for the students.Dukuly told Front Page Africa. This is the fourth time citizens of the district have received gifts from Sesay and his friends of Neshaming District School in Philadelphia with a promise to continue such support to the people of the district. The district focus person said Sesay kindness and generosity towards the people of his town and district has shown that indeed he is a true citizen of the county and promised not to misuse materials given by Sesay. Dukuly urged other citizens of his district and town to follow the good footstep of Sesay if they wish for their future generation to be counted among the educated and future leaders of Liberia. Says Dukuly: I am also calling on us as citizens of Barkedu Town, Quadu Gono District to put aside our differences and follow the good example of our brother Sesay in order to really help our little brothers and sisters as they struggle to prepare themselves for a better future. He confirmed that the items were distributed among the needy and the educational materials given to schools in the district.

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NEWS EXTRA

that in a bid to broaden the horizon of Mr. Zargos support base, they have committed themselves to join the Senatorial hopeful in his political sojourn, hopping to endeavor a better representation to the people

citizen of Lofa County has donated educational materials as well as clothing to citizens of his native County. Seleke Sesay who currently lives in the State of Philadelphia United States of America has in recent time donated school materials and used clothing to the needy in Barkedu Town Quadu Gboni District, Lofa County. Commending Sesay for the gesture, Abrahim Dukuly a resident of Barkedu Town has applauded the continuous kindness and generosity exhibited by Sesay towards their district and people. Dukuly who is the focus person between Sesay and people of the town and district says Sesay continues to provide educational materials for students of the district along with huge quantity of used clothing which is normally distributed amongst the citizens. Dukuly said currently citizens of Barkedu Town are carrying on the construction of a library with the aim of facilitating smooth learning atmosphere for the students of the town and district. Sesay saw the need to help students of our district after he heard that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the educational system in Liberia as a mess and he thinks is now time to come to the aid of the future generation of his town and

A.

Macaulay Sombai-0777217428

Thursday, January 16, 2014

GOL MUTE ON CORRUPTION 101 CHARGES

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com
declaring therein that the appellees have been denied their right of due process of law accorded by the constitution of Liberia, the termination of their mining licenses in the absence of such due process rendered the termination illegal, null and void, and of no legal effect is hereby affirmed, stated the court. The court ruled that the mining and mineral regulation make it mandatory that the ministry, in terminating any mineral and mineral license, state in the letter of termination the right of the licensee to appeal from the ruling, something it said the co-appellant Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy did not state in its letter of termination to the appellees and hence deprived the appellee of the required notice under the law. The court stated Friday during the handing down of its opinion into the matter after nearly four years of the case, that the act by the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, terminating the mineral exploration agreement and the licenses held by the appellees (Liberty Gold and Diamond) was in direct violation of the arbitration provisions of the license agreement between both parties. The court said by this action the co-appellant ministry waived its right to arbitration; hence, the appellees petition for the declaratory judgment, in seeking judicial redress against the ministry, was not admissible. That the other co-appellant, being in privy with the co-appellant ministry, the agreement which they entered into between them and the said ministry, acting for and on behalf of the government of Liberia, are rendered null and void and of no legal effect: and such third parties are to cease all activities being carried out under said agreements, said the court.Reading on behalf of the full bench, in the presence of Chief Justice Francis Korpkor, and other associate justices, Associate Justice Phillip Banks, ordered the clerk of the court to send a mandate to the trial court commanding the judge presiding therein to resume jurisdiction over the case and to give effect to the Supreme Courts judgment. Said the Court: Having heard the oral legal arguments

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CORRUPTION WATCH

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Lands, Mines &Energy Minister Says He Has Not Received Supreme Court Opinion
advanced by the parties, analyzed the fact and circumstances presented by them, and reviewed the written contentions, factual and legal, contained in the briefs submitted by both parties; and being satisfied and convinced, upon the full examination of the records certified to this court, the evidence shown therein, and the applicable and controlling laws, that the trial judge committed no error in granting the appellees motion for summary judgment and declaring the action of the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy as illegal, same being consistent with the right of due process accorded by the constitution of Liberia and in harmony with the statutory and decisional laws of this jurisdiction. Speaking to FrontPageAfrica following the verdict, the elated head of the company who recently published a book on corruption detailing malpractices at the ministry that led to the cancellation of his companys contract, Mr. Lindstrom said he dreamed of a day like this when justice would finally prevail. Mount Coffee 2015 completionMeanwhile Minister Sendolo has recommitted government to reaching its 2015 December 25 deadline of making the Mount Coffey Hydro Power plant up and ready.He made the commitment Wednesday at a special hearing held by the Senate Committee on Lands, Mines and Energy chaired by Senator Cletus Wortorson (COTOL-Grand Kru County). At the hearing, Minister Sendolo stressed the issues of theft as one of the major problems the government is faced with and called for stronger policies that will curtail the act.He confirmed that all the money needed to complete the project has been received from committed partners and sectors of the project have been contracted out to other firms to ensure that the December 25, 2015 guideline is met.Senator Wortorson, chairman on the senate committee stressed on the need for the Ministry in collaboration with its implementing partners to ensure that Liberians are trained and ready to take over the project after it is completed by the company that is currently carrying out the project.

Monrovia n the wake of a series of allegations levied against the Government of Liberia, specifically the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy by Mr. Len Lindstrom a Canadian investor who recently unveiled widespread corruption in the mining sector, the government is yet to address the issues raised by Lindstrom. In his just-released book, Corruption 101 Liberia Style, Mr. Lindstrom, President CEO Liberty International Mineral Corp & Liberty Group of Companies, amongst several things, accused the Liberian government of illegally terminating his companys contract agreement and illegal giving it to other companys despite meeting all the terms and conditions required by law.The book exposes white-collar crime, government corruption and corporate bribery in the case of Liberty vs. the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy and the Government of Liberia. The book summarizes key events, facts and laws pertaining to the case in the fight for justice in the midst of gross corruption, extortion, economic sabotage, impunity, violation of Court

injunctions, bought-off lawyers, tampering with official Court Records, and repeated flagrant assault against the sanctity of the honorable Court of Liberia. Lindstrom also accused the Liberian government of also disrespecting court ruling in the case between them and the Government. However, when contacted Wednesday, Minister Patrick Sendolo, declared that he had not received the V VCVcourt opinion in the case. Said Sendolo: I have not receive the opinion of the Supreme Court to know what the court, said or did not say. So to be able to comment on this I will have to receive and read the courts opinion. The Supreme Court handed down its opinion in the case last Friday, ruling that the LME acted illegally by arbitrarily revoking the companys licenses without affording it due process.The court, which is the final arbiter of justice in the country, ruled that the verdict of the trial judge be upheld dismissing the governments assertions that the civil law court does not have jurisdiction over the matter. That the ruling of the trial judge granting the appellees motion for summary judgment and

A PROMISING VENTURE
CDC SG receives warm welcome in Gbapolu County
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gamil.com
the Legislature and to tell them why he is the best candidate. The CDC Secretary General last month at a news conference declared his intention in Monrovia to contest the senatorial election in Gbapolu County on the Ticket of the CDC to provide according to him the needed representation the county is lacking at the level of the legislature. During his visit as per tradition an official welcoming program was held where a Kola nut and a chicken was presented as a sign of welcoming back one of their own or strangers who have gone to visit them. Old man John Ballah an elder of Gbarma District on behalf of the elders presenting the Kola nuts to Mr. McGill said, the people of the area are prepared for change because according to him past leaders who they have entrusted with leadership have failed them. He also claimed that the people of the district have heard about the CDC SG many contributions to the county and to the Nation and are prepared to allow him represent them at the senate. Old man Ballah said: This is the first time to have a turnout of this nature during the visit of government official of prominent people in this

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COUNTY NEWS

he Congress for Democratic Change Secretary General, Mr. Nathaniel McGill who recently announced his interest in contesting the senatorial seat in Gbapolu County appears to be making headways as citizens of county gathered in their numbers to grace his visit to Gbama district recently. The visits according to the aspirant was intended to officially declare to the people of the District and County at large his interest in contesting in the 2014 special senatorial election as a candidate to represent them at

district with this kind of turn out it demonstrates that the people of this county are ready for change. Ballah also accused past and current leaders of the county of selling their traditional land to Sime Darby palm oil Company without any benefit to them. During his Monrovia news conference McGill said past and present leaders of the county have made little impact on the lives of Citizens of Gbapolu County at the level of the Liberian senate and stressed the need for a change. McGill said: Individuals who have represented the county and are currently representing

the County have done little so we need a change of leadership because there are so many things we see happening that we believe should not happen so we want to change that. The CDC secretary general also said, Gbapolu as a newly formed county nothing has been done by local authorities to improve the livelihood of the

people in the county and bring about development despite all the resources allocated to the county. McGill in response to question about rumors that he could be challenged by Mr. Robert Sirleaf son of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said; I am not ready to talk about someone else as far as I know Mr. Sirleaf

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Thursday, January 16 , 2014

Nairobi (AFP) -

TRIAL OF KENYA WESTGATE MALL MASSACRE SUSPECTS OPENS

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WORLD NEWS

49 KILLED IN LATEST WAVE OF IRAQ ATTACKS

IN BRIEF

he trial opened Wednesday of four men charged in connection with the massacre at Kenya's Westgate mall, an attack claimed by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab insurgents. The court heard testimony from a guard who was outside the upmarket mall when the gunmen launched their attack in September, killing at least 67 people. The men are not accused of carrying out the attack, but of lending support to the gunmen. The four, Adan Mohamed Abidkadir Adan, Mohamed Ahmed Abdi, Liban Abdullah Omar and Hussein Hassan Mustafah, have all pleaded not guilty to charges of supporting a terrorist group. The charge sheet gives no details of the nature of their alleged support, but security sources say the prosecution will argue they played a role in logistics for the gunmen, including organising accommodation. Witnesses in the mall after the attack described how the fighters stormed the crowded complex, firing from the hip and hurling grenades at shoppers and staff. In court, witness Stephen Juma described how he had been outside the mall directing traffic when a car pulled up at the building and three men leapt out. "I began to hear gunshots, I made a radio call for help while running to the main entrance," Juma said. "I took shelter in a residential compound until when I saw policemen come," he said, adding that he had not seen the faces of the three men. All the gunmen in the Westgate siege -- understood to have totalled four, not the dozen that security forces initially reported -- are believed to have died during the attack, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Shebab said the gunmen came from a special suicide commando brigade. They said the attack was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia, where they are fighting the extremists as part of an African Union force. Interpol and the FBI have assisted Kenya in trying to identify

A
(CNN) --

SENATE COMMITTEE SAYS BENGHAZI ATTACKS PREVENTABLE

four bodies believed to be those of the attackers. "We believe, as do the Kenyan authorities, that the four gunmen inside the mall were killed," the FBI's legal attache in Kenya Dennis Brady said last week, in a statement posted on the bureau's website. "There is no evidence that any of the attackers escaped from the area where they made their last stand." However, a New York police report said the lack of concrete evidence of their death means they may have escaped. A second security guard, Patrick Otwane, also gave evidence on Wednesday, describing how he had seen two men shooting at the mall

entrance wearing "dark glasses, headscarves, brown T-shirts and jackets." Two of the gunmen are named in court documents as Mohammed Abdinur Said and Hassan Abdi Dhuhulow, a 23-year-old Somali who spent time in Norway. Like the attackers, the four on trial are all ethnic Somalis, but it is unclear whether they are Somali or Kenyan citizens. Western officials have suggested that as many as 94 people could have died in total in the attack. Bodies were buried under tonnes of rubble after part of the mall's roof collapsed at the end of the raid following an intense fire that burned for weeks.

t least 49 people were killed and scores wounded Wednesday in the latest wave of attacks in and around the Iraqi capital. Twenty-two people were killed and 74 were wounded by seven car bombs and two roadside bombs that exploded in Baghdad, targeting mainly Shiite areas, police said. Two of the bombs detonated near a busy market in the mainly Shiite area of Hussainiya, in northern Baghdad, police said. The deadliest bombing in Baghdad was in the predominantly Shiite al-Shula neighborhood in the northwestern part of the city, where a car bomb detonated at an outdoor market, killing seven people. In Baquba, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Baghdad, 14 people were killed and 21 wounded in a bombing at the funeral of a school official, according to police.

EGYPTIANS VOTE ON 2ND DAY OF BALLOT FOR CHARTER

CAIRO (AP)

WASHINGTON (AP) he Senate Intelligence Committee released a report on the deadly assault on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, Wednesday, laying blame on the State Department, the intelligence community even the late Ambassador Chris Stevens for failing to communicate and heed warnings of terrorist activity in the area. The highly critical report also says the U.S. military was not positioned to aid the Americans in need, though the head of Africa Command had offered military security teams that Stevens who was killed in the attack had rejected weeks before the attack. It also said that in the aftermath of the attacks, U.S. analysts confused policymakers by blaming the violence on protests without enough supporting intelligence.

There was no immediate comment from the State Department. The 2012 Benghazi attacks have dogged the Obama administration, because thenU.N. Ambassador Susan Rice initially blamed the violence on mob protests over an antiIslamic film. Al-Qaida-linked militant groups were later blamed for the attacks, first when militants overran the temporary U.S. mission on Sept. 11, 2012, and later that same night, when militants fired mortars at the nearby CIA annex where the Americans had taken shelter. The bipartisan report may settle what has become a running political battle between Republicans, mostly in the House, who say the Obama administration has been covering up what they consider misdeed before, during and after the attack, and the administration, which says Republicans are on a political witch hunt.

I am tire carrying my children father to Gender Ministry and the court. The court told me to go back, but I stopped because every time I was up and down and if I dont sell, we dont eat that day, Says Bendu.Bendu says catering to the children is difficult for her At least if I sell on the street, before the day ends, I can be able get something for us to eat. Furthermore, my baby is not using diapers, but pampers because by the time we get home, it is late and there is no way to wash the diapers and pampers are expensive. Addressing the issue of seizing street vendors goods, Liberia National Police Spokesman Sam Collins, said some people lack the understanding as it relates to the functions of the police. Collins says goods taken from vendors who sell in prohibited areas, are not taken to the police station, but directly taken to the city Court. Goods confiscated, are taken to the court and not to the police station because we do not have storage at the police. But we are the enforcement arm of the government and we work along with the City government in clearing the streets. And the City government has made it clear that people should not sell in certain areas, Says Collins. Collins disclosed that the police was a bit relax on street sellers during the festive season, but after the season, they are putting the city back into its proper shape by chasing street sellers from the streets. When you see the police clearing the streets, it is to create safe passage for human and vehicles, because sometimes blockage may lead to accidents. And we are responsible to protect lives and properties, so those that are selling on the sidewalk, it is our responsibility to protect them. We may even be protecting them and properties, but they may not know it. When asked as why the police do not inform vendors that it is the city Court and not police who that keeps confiscated goods, he answered; We are not in the business to sensitize people about how they can retrieve their goods because the government has its own responsibility. Furthermore, we cannot be doing police work and do local government work at the same time. The local government should be able to sensitize the people they govern. Addressing the issue of insufficient space in the markets, Collins says there are markets like the Rally Time market that has a large space for people to sell, but people just want to sell on the streets indicating that if they are given the chance, they would sell in front of the police station.

STREET SELLERS WAHALA

ndeterred after a day of sporadic violence, Egyptians on Wednesday lined up to vote on the second, final day of a key referendum on the country's new constitution. The vote is a milestone in a military-backed political roadmap toward new elections for a president and a ballotbox test of public opinion on the coup that removed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood from power last July.The charter is almost certain to win a majority approval, following an intense endorsement campaign in the mostly promilitary media. Nearly all voters interviewed by The Associated Press said they backed the new constitution. Those who campaigned against the draft have been arrested and now face criminal charges. Monitors suspected of Brotherhood ties were not given permission to oversee the vote, and judges in charge of supervising the vote were carefully selected to weed out those suspected of links to the group.Hours after polls reopened at 9:00 a.m Wednesday, the turnout appeared lighter than on the first day but the mood was upbeat. In Cairo's upscale eastern district of Heliopolis, patriotic songs about the military blared from loudspeakers mounted on pickup trucks.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Sport

Frontpage

Page 11

NIMBAIANS, GRAND GEDEANS NERVOUS AHEAD OF BIG CLASH

By: A. Macaulay Sombai-0777217428

~ UP BEAT ~

CROWINNG RONALDO R
Monrovia eal Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Fifa Ballon dOr for 2013. The Portuguese saw-off competitions from Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery of France and Barcelona midfielder Lionel Messi of Argentina at a star-studded gala in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday. Ronaldo first won the award, then Fifa World Player of the Year, by also beating Messi and Fernando Torres (then of Liverpool) for the coveted prize in 2008. The award began in 1991 for the best men's player in the world. The winner is decided by a voting system based on positional, which was previously done by coaches and captains of national teams but now includes a select group of international journalists. Each voter has three votes: five points for the first choice; three points for the secondchoice and a point for the third choice and the winners are ordered based on the total points received. Following criticisms from some sections of the media over nominations in previous years, Fifa drew up a shortlist of 35 men and 21 women in 2004 from which coaches and, for the first time, team captains and representatives from FIFPro (the worldwide representative organization for professional players) could vote. The Fifa Ballon dOr was awarded for the fourth time on Monday following the amalgamation of the Fifa World Player of the Year award with the Ballon dOr France Football in 2010. 184 national team coaches and captains and 173 media representatives voted for last years winner. Ronaldo secured the title with 1,365 points, ahead of Messis1,205 points and Ribrys1,127 points. So how did Liberia vote? Interim coach Thomas Kojo, Captain Solomon Wesseh and journalist James Burgess

How did Liberia and neighbors vote in the 2013 Fifa Ballon dOr competition?

Danesius Marteh, danesius.marteh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Carter of the Daily Observer newspaper voted as follows: Kojo picked Messi, Barcelona midfielder Andreas Iniesta of Spain and PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden while Wesseh of LPRC Oilers voted for Messi, Barcelona winger Neymar da Silva Junior of Brazil and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil of Germany. Carter chose Ronaldo, Messi and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie of the Netherlands. Our neighbours Ivory Coasts French coach Sabri Lamouchi picked Ribery, Ronaldo and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure of Ivory Coast. Captain Didier Drogba of Galatasaray SK in Turkey selected Toure, Messi and Ronaldo while journalist Adam Khalil went for Toure, Ribery and PSG defender Thiago Silva of Brazil. Sierra Leone coach Johnny McKinstry of Northern Ireland and captain Ibrahim Kargbo of RWDM Brussels in Belgium didnt vote but journalist Mohammed Fajah Barrie, who works for the African service of the British Broadcasting Service (BBC), voted for Ribery, Messi and Ronaldo. Guineas French coach Michel Dussuyer selected Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic while captain Kamil Zayatteof Sheffield Wednesday in England and journalist Ibrahima Diallo chose Ribery, Ronaldo and Messi respectively. West Africa In the sub-region, Ghana coach Akwasi Appiah and captain

Asamoah Gyan of Al Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates didn't vote but Michael Oti Adjei, who works for the BBC African service, chose Ronaldo, Ribery and Messi. Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi opted for Toure, Ribery and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez of Uruguay while captain Vincent Enyeama of Lille OSC in France went for Messi, Ronaldo and Ribery. Journalist Samm Audu chose Messi, Ronaldo and AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao of Colombia. Cameroons German coach Volker Finke selected Ribery, Ronaldo and Iniesta while captainSamuel Etoovoted for Toure, Messi and teammate Eden Hazard of Belgium. The world's best10 coaches and captains Spain (#1) Captain Iker Casillas chose Ronaldo, Ribery and Arjen Robbenwhile coach Vicente Del Bosqueselected Xavi, Iniesta and Ribery. Germany (#2) Captain Philipp Lahm decided on Ribery, Ronaldo and Messi but coach Joachim Low didnt vote. Argentina (#3) Captain Messi voted for Iniesta, Xavi and Neymar while coach Alejandro Sabella chose Messi, Ribery and Ronaldo. Colombia (#4) Captain Mario Yepes went for

Falcao, Ribery and Messi while coach Jose Pekerman chose Falcao, Messi and Ibrahimovic. Portugal (#5) Captain Ronaldo rested on Falcao, Gareth Bale and Ozil while coach Paulo Bento chose Ronaldo, Falcao and Robben. Uruguay (#6) Captain Diego Lugano went for Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Messi while coach Oscar Tabarez selected Ribery, Messi and Ronaldo. Italy (#7) Captain Gianluigi Buffon opted for Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldo and Messi while coachCesare Claudio Prandelli chose Pirlo, Lahm and Robert Lewandowski. Switzerland (#8) Captain Gokhan Inler rested on Ronaldo, Messi and Ribery while coach Ottmar Hitzfeld (Germany) went for Ribery, Messi and Ronaldo. Netherlands (#9) Coach Robin Van Persie went for Robben, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo while coachLouis Van Gaal stayed with Ribery, Thomas Muller and Robben. Brazil (#10) CaptainThiago Silva opted for Messi, Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo while coach Luiz Felipe Scolari chose Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic. The statistics, reviewed on Fifas website, revealed some fascinating choices but does it matter who a coach, captain or journalist chose? My choice would have been Ribery, Messi and Ronaldo if I had voted on Monday.

itizens from both Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties are nervous ahead of a bug soccer match between the two counties today. As the four semifinalists of the 2013/2014 National County Sports football version prepare for today encounter, some citizens who spoke to Frontpageafrica expressed that the match is an open game and could be won by any of the two teams. Moses Z. Jackson, a citizen of Grand Gedeh County has told Front Page Africa that his county clash with Nimba County will be a hard match and that any of the two counties could advance to the tournament grand finale. Jackson described the match between the two counties as a reconciliation match and he believe any of the two counties could advance as grand finalist because of the caliber of players playing for both sides. He believes anything can happen doing the entire game whether in the 90 minutes, extra 30 minutes or penalty kicks. Jackson pointed out that his county needs to win against Nimba if they are to be crowned champions for the second time in the county and competition history. Our opponents Nimba is the highest carrier of the tournament football version and we know they still want to win more trophies and they are going to play against us with all of their power but our players are ready than ever before to make the difference. Jack added. The Grand Gedian called on his county team technical staff and players to play against their opponents with all of their soccer techniques and power in order to bring smile to citizens of their county because the team has receive all of the supports from the county officials. He highlighted that this is the time for their players to bring smile to their county and people because the players are well catered for on the line of equipment and finance and is time for them to set the history others have failed to set for the county. It can be recalled that Grand Gedeh County won the tournament football title in the 1980s and since then they have not been successful to regain the title but not withstanding Jackson is wishing for his county to overpower Nimba. Jackson called on his kinsmen to turn out at the Samuel Kenyan Doe Sports Complex today to cheer their county to victory against their opponents. On the other hand, Alfred Lakpo who hails from Nimba agrees that today clash between his county and Grand Gedeh is a hard game and he cannot clearly say who is going to take the day but prayed for victory against their opponents. Said Lakpo:We defeated Grand Gedeh doing the preliminary round of the 2012/ 2013 county meet but not withstanding our technical officials and players are not taking none of our opponents for granted and they are ready to tackle Grand Gedeh with all of their techniques and strength but according to the rules governing the game. Lakpo emphasized that his county has provided all of the necessary materials to the team and members of the technical staff and they wish them success in their battle against Grand Gedeh. We are urging you our players to be focused while in battle with your opponents and you must try your possible best to put into use any opportunity that comes your way so that we will return to our various homes with happiness. He added. Football enthusiasts and analysts have described today battle between Nimba and Grand Gedeh to be competitive and could be the match of the entire tournament.

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FLYING LIBERIAS FLAG

F
Monrovia or most seventeen year-olds, leaving Liberia for America for further studies can be a difficult gamble. For Rochelle Yanger Kumba Samukai, daughter of Defense Minister Brownie Samukai, the journey has been challenging but one she says, is

YOUNGSTER ON THE MOVE

At 17, Rochelle Yanger Kumba Samukai Is Aiming For The Stars With Her Head On Her Shoulders

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LIFESTYLE

Thursday, January 16 , 2014

molding her into a better person. Yanger, in her final year of studies at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Majoring in Comprehensive, Business Administration, is a regular on the Deans List and will take on the responsibility of leading the International Students Association when school resumes later this month. It is a group for all international students which informs America about the rest of the world. Our goal is to bring the world to Edinboro and inform them about other countries, Yanger says. It was not surprising for the headstrong Liberian foreign student that a meeting with Erin Gruwell last term changed her perspective on life. Gruwell is an American teacher known for her unique teaching method, which led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them. The book was the subject of a 2007 film Freedom Writers starring academy award

winner Hilary Swank. When I got the chance to meet her, she inspired me. I wish to have the same passion and drive in anything I take on in the future, Yanger says. A member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Catholic Chruch, Holy Mayters Parish, Yanger is a fond admirer of Manchester United with a great sense of humor. Her hobbies include reading and a knack for social media. This past holiday season, Yanger was busy helping her dad organize a Christmas party for kids in the Bardnersville Estate neighborhood. We shared food, drinks and toys, it was fun but tough. There were a lot of kids that came, they danced and played in the bounce houses. Overall, the party was a success. Yanger says the party gave her a chance to connect with the people, but recalls an even more enlightening experience in her fathers hometown, Foya District, Lofa County. Yanger also adds President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf among her idols. Shes a strong independent woman

who has her head on her shoulders. From what she went through to where she is today. Her story is a true inspiration. Prior to her Edinboro sojourn, Yanger attended the J.J. Roberts for elementary school and traveled to Dar E Salem where her father was assigned as a United Nations staffer, to continue her studies. She also attended St. Peters Lutheran and Christ The King, where she graduated from high school in 2011 and attended the University of Liberia UL from 2011-2012. She left January 2012 and went to Edinboro in Pennsylvania. Upon completion of her studies later this year, Yanger hopes to pursue a degree in Corporate and Business Law and hopes to be in the position to gave back to her homeland someday. When I graduate from law school, Im definitely coming back home to work, she says. On her latest visit back home, Yanger says she has been impressed with some of the developments unfolding in Liberia. The traffic light,

the new bridge and there are a lot of smooth roads compared to when I was last home. The next time I come back I may not remember some places because there will be probably more changes. Her siblings include: Five brothers: Malcolm, Fidel, Michael, Douglas and Hillary; Three sisters: Michelle in Georgia -US, Stephenette (Deddeh) and Sandra in Monrovia and Foster Sister Florence. As she prepares to complete her studies, Yanger is setting her sights on preparation for law school, looking to follow the footsteps of her mother (Mae Peters-Kandakai). She sits for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) this June and says while she is getting ready, she still

has a lot of work to do to get there. Always looking to work under pressure, Yanger says she will take a break after graduation in December before venturing into law school. Since I started 2012, I havent taken a break, been in school back to back, spring, summer, fall and winter. It is a well deserved break. I will have finished school in less than four years, and at a young age. When I am under pressure thats when I do my best. Yanger says her decision to do law is a long-term goal and says her dad always knew she would be a lawyer, although at the back of her mind, she has been contemplating entering the medical profession. From a young age I would argue

my point and never gave up. He said one day said to me "what kind of doctor. I see you being a lawyer." I enjoy debating, reading, and finding facts and using those facts and putting them into my arguments. Most importantly, I want a great career that will enable me to have an impact on society. What drives you? My two most important motivators are God and my family especially my mom and dad. They are the reasons I strive everyday to be better than I was yesterday. Yanger says she is driven by challenges. It gives me the opportunity to grow and change my perspective, to learn new things and achieve set goals.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

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BUSINESS

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Page 13 6b

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY FORUM LIBERIA HOLDS 3RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP
of Liberia, the Corporate Responsibility Forum, Liberia (CR Forum), a private sector initiative, provides a forum for sharing ideas and collaborating on corporate responsibility issues which includes the sharing of lessons, experiences and best practices. The CR Forum also supports capacity building and good business practices among companies and corporations; provides on-going support and advice for small medium enterprises (SMEs) with regards to good business practices and local economic integration (local supply chain management); and plans to mobilize private sector resources in support of specific government development initiatives. The CR Forum is situated in the office of ArcelorMittal 15th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia.

Monrovia he Corporate Responsibility Forum Liberia (CR Forum) has elected its new Executive Members during its annual meeting held at the RLJ Kendeja Resorts on December 5, 2013.The annual meeting brought together members and stakeholders of various institutions, companies and NGOs respectively. The newly elected members will work with the secretariat of the CR Forum to carry on activities and plans for the ensuing year 2014/2015. The newly elected Executive Members are: 1. ArcelorMittal 2. BHP Billiton 3. LBDI Bank 4. CHICO 5. Libra Sanitation 6. Vedanta Western Cluster Limited The process of electing the executive members was completed 12th December

2013 during a vital executive meeting call by the Chairman Joseph Mathews. The new chairman of the CR Forum will be elected from these newly

executive members during the next executive meeting scheduled for March 2014. As executive members, these officials are expected

elegates from Europe, America and Africa working in the WASH sector are holding a two day strategy WASH intervention meeting in Liberia. The meeting according to a newsletter is intended to prepare and support organizations in the WASH Sector to carry out programs and projects in the WASH sector up to and beyond the United Nations 2015 set agenda of improving access to safe water, good sanitation facilities and hygiene practices for everyone. The Monrovia strategy will put in place plans that will ensure that countries around the world especially in subSaharan Africa are provided the necessary and needed financial support through organization such as Water Aid to improve access to safe water, good sanitation and hygiene. Access to safe water and sanitation are basic human

IMPROVING SANITATION GLOBALLY

Liberia hosts international strategy working meeting
and education. The survey also claimed that people within these sectors are often failing to take necessary steps with in their areas of responsibility to ensure universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene. Studies also show that globally, between 1990 and 2012, the number of children dying before the age of five fell from more than 12 million to 6.9 million, however, despites progress on child mortality, infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea remain the top killers of children under five. At the Monrovia strategy meeting plans are on the way and step will be taken

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News Extra

to deliberate on issues of responsible investment, good corporate citizenship and collective action for the sustainable development of

Liberia. Officially inaugurated in Monrovia on February 12, 2010 by H.E. Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo47@gmail.com

rights, yet 768 million people lack access to an improved supply of clean water 40% of which live in sub-Saharan Africa while 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation globally. As highlighted during the 2008 international year of sanitation, the Millennium development goal of 2010 summit and the 2012 Millennium Development goals survey conducted by international organizations shows that the lack of progress in improving access to sanitation is acting as a brake on progress in economic and human development, particularly in areas such as health nutrition

according to the organizers Water Aid Liberia to increase access to water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

The meeting is a two day event and a draft policy document is expected to be crafted at the end of the forum.