TOP

STORIES

Politics

pg 5

NO WEAH,
BRUMSKINE
DISCUSSION

CDC Denies but open to talk

Legislative Beat

'FINANCIAL
IMPROPRIETIES'
pg 13

Agriculture Minister
Chenoweth Confirms
Audit Findings

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

VOL 9 NO.82

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015

PRICE L$40

PLEASE PAY YOUR

REAL ESTATE TAXES ON
OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2015
TO AVOID PENALTY
AND INTEREST.
ANY PAYMENT MADE AFTER
JULY 1, WILL ATTRACT
PENALTY AND INTEREST.
(SECTION 2002 LRC).

LEADING OPPOSITION REPORTEDLY LOOKING

TO STRENGTHEN BASE AHEAD OF 2017

TAX SENSITIZATION MESSAGE

WWW.LRA.GOV.COM

SOURCES: LIBERTY PARTY TALKING

MERGER WITH NPP, UPP, ANC & OTHERS

In the Alternative National Congress, a breakaway faction of George Weahs Congress for Democratic Change,
the United Peoples Party, the New Deal Movement, the Free Democratic Party of Liberia and the Liberia
Peoples Party, the Liberty Party supporters believe they could be on to something but the key for the party
would be how it performs beyond the stronghold of its political leader, Brumskine in Grand Bassa County.

Politics- pg. 5

CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA

MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES

LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR

BUYING

SELLING

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015

L$84.00/US$1

L$85.00/US$1

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015

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

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Page 2 | Frontpage

Rodney D. Sieh, Rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia
ustice may finally be in sight for the first
American casualties of the Liberian civil
war. Twenty two years after the killing of
five American nuns, slaughtered during the
height of the war, the case the U.S. Federal Bureau
of Investigation came close to declaring closed
appears to have been resurrected with the arrival
in Monrovia this week of a number of war crimes
investigators from the U.S., FrontPageAfrica has
learned.
The investigative journal, ProPublica reported
recently that a request to the FBI to release the file
on the nuns case was declined as the FBI claimed
that the files are now applicable to a pending or
prospective law enforcement proceeding and
could reasonably be expected to interfere with
that proceeding.
FrontPageAfrica has learned that U.S. authorities
are interested in pursuing extradition against
several figures tied to the civil war but most
especially linked to the killing of the American nuns
and the Lutheran Church Massacre in Monrovia.
The team in Monrovia are said to be from the
Center for Justice and Accountability, which has
been talking to victims of the civil war.
The center, according to its website, works
directly with foreign governments on a variety of
transitional justice initiatives. We work alongside
in-country prosecutors to hold human rights
abusers criminally accountable in national courts
- especially where defendants in CJAs universal
jurisdiction (UJ) cases have been deported or
extradited to stand trial in the home country.
CJA attorneys provide expertise on witness
preparation and testimony, the introduction of
evidence, charging human rights crimes and other
areas of human rights prosecutions. We also
organize trainings that bring together faculties
of judges, prosecutors, investigators and forensic
anthropologists with strong track records in
national court human rights prosecutions. The
focus of our training work is on imparting the
practical how to specifics of bringing successful
national court prosecutions and focusing on the
actual, day to day obstacles prosecutors and NGO
lawyers face in fighting impunity.
The nuns case is said to be tied to the trial of
Thomas Woewiyu, who served as Defense Minister
for Charles Taylors National Patriotic Front of
Liberia. Woewiyu who was arrested in the U.S. in
May 2014 upon arrival is currently out on bail and
under house arrest but is said to be bracing for trial
later this month with the Americans said to be keen
on proving what has already been established from
witnesses and evidence gathered that the nuns
were killed in the territory of Taylor and by forces
under Taylors command.
A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Prosecutors
office in the United States told FrontPageAfrica via
email recently that while no date has been set for
the Woewiyu case, prosecutors are still building its
case and talking to and finding witnesses.
One of those said to be on the radar is Christopher
Vambo, a former Taylor commander who went by
the name of General Mosquito. Vambo has been
implicated in the nuns deaths and acknowledged
to Pro Publica recently that while he commanded
the forces responsible for the nuns death, he was
not involved in their execution. "If there is charges
for that, there's a penalty for that," Vambo was
quoted as saying.
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the U.S.
investigators have identified a number of persons
who were directly or indirectly involved in the
killing of the nuns, particularly the Octopus

operation and the massacre at the Lutheran Church.

COVERED WITH BLOOD
CHURCH MASSACRE

AT

LUTHERAN

The team has been interviewing most of the

survivors of the Lutheran church massacre who
have formed an organization, the Association
of survivors of the Lutheran church massacre.
Majority of the victims there were from Nimba.
The team is said to also be interested in the
findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Report,
particularly the aspect that deals with the Lutheran
church massacre, a member of the group, who was
interviewed told FPA Wednesday on condition of
anonymity.
During her appearance before the TRC, Winifred
Kemo, a weeping survivor told commissioners
stories of how her entire body was draped with
blood as soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia
(AFL) killed hundreds of fellow refugees in the St.
Peter's Lutheran Church. Winifred explained that
on the night of the massacre soldiers of the AFL
demanded ransom from some of the refugees after
scores of them said they were tired killing. "After
they had killed and killed, then some of the soldiers
said they were tired killing. So they decided to
collect money from the few of us there in order
to allow us to leave the compound," the witness
explained.
Another witness, Boi Bleeju Boj, a former officer of
the army told the TRC that soldiers of the Armed
Forces of Liberia committed the July 29, 1990 St.
The former vice chairman of the defunct rebel
Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL)
said he was convinced that the AFL committed the
massacre because the army controlled the area
where the church is located.
The five nuns belonged to the Adorers of the Blood
of Christ, a St. Louis-based Catholic order and had
each volunteered to live in Liberia as missionaries
relief workers.
After Woewiyus arrest, the FBI notified the Illinoisbased order, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, also
known as ASC about Woewiyus arrest signaling that
Woewiyu could be asked about the role the NPFL
played in the nuns death. "Apparently, Woewiyu
did not give the order to kill the ASC sisters, but he
is implicated in that the killings were accomplished
under his command," Cheryl Wittenauer wrote to
her supervisors in communications published by
ProPublica.
The slain nuns included: Sister Barbara Muttra,
69; Mary Joel Kolmer, 58, a cancer survivor who
returned to Liberia after surgery to remove a
tumor; Agnes Mueller, 62, a trained nurse and a
theologian who taught aspirant nuns at the sisters
convent; Shirley Kolmer, 61, who served as a high
school principal in Monrovia, and according to the
St. Louise Post Dispatch in a 1993 report, advocated
forcefullyand successfullyfor the nuns return
to Liberia after fighting between Charles Taylors
rebels and government forces forced the nuns to
flee in 1990 and Kathleen McGuire, 54.
MUTILATED NUNS BODIES

The nuns were killed in October of 1992 during

Taylors National Patriotic Front of Liberia(NPFL)
Operation Octopus. The nuns reportedly left their
Gardnersville home to drive a Liberian colleague to
home but the never made it to their destination and
were reportedly killed along with the man in their
vehicle, along with two African peacekeepers the
women picked up along the way.
Mosquito, according to testimony the sisters order

provided to Congress, arrived at the convent with

several fighters, announcing that he was going
to kill the white people. Kathleen McGuire was
shot first, allegedly cut down my Mosquito as she
opened the convents gate. Another fighter, known
only as Black Devil, then executed Sisters Shirley
Kolmer and Agnes Mueller. Their bodies were
mutilated and the womens vehicle looted from
the compound. The U.S. government responded
forcefully upon learning of the womens murders,
according to a declassified State Department cable,
warning Taylor directly that it would hold him
and his commanders personally responsible for
mistreatment of any American citizens.
A 2012 Time Magazine report by John Dwyer
reported that a number of people lay the blame for
the nuns killings on Vambo.
One of those witnesses, a former fighter named
Morris Padmore, reportedly identified Vambo as
the man responsible for the nuns killing.
Dwyer wrote: Following that testimony, Sam
Saryon, the director of the Liberian National
Polices Criminal Investigations Division at that
time, approached Vambo for what he described
as an off the record conversation. Vambo, who
lives in Buchanan, the nations second largest city,
denied any role in murder of the nuns saying, he
was trying to rescue them. He was not credible,
Saryon told TIME.
Taylor vehemently denied responsibility for the
killings. We had protected Americans throughout
that period and it was very it was a sad situation
even for me, he said at his trial before the Special
Court for Sierra Leone in 2010. He is currently
serving a 50-year sentence for crimes against
humanity.
U.S., Dutch Extradition Treaties Key

The FBIs team visit to Monrovia this week,

according to multiple sources come just days after
two representatives from the prosecutors office in
The Netherlands paid a low-key visit to Liberia in
hopes of exploring the possibilities of seeking an
extradition of some key figures of Charles Taylors
National Patriotic Front of Liberia allegedly
responsible for the killing of a Dutch woman
reportedly around the same time five American
nuns were killed in the infamous Operation
Octopus battle.
Liberia has extradition treaties with both the U.S.
and the Netherlands.
On November 1, 1939, a Treaty of Extradition was
signed in Monrovia between the Republic of Liberia
and the United States of America on November 1,
1939, and ratifications were exchanged in Monrovia
on November 21, 1939 in which it was agreed that
the two countries shall, upon requisition duly
made, deliver up to justice, any person who may be
charged with, or may have been convicted of, any of
the crimes or offenses specified in Article II of the
present Treaty committed within the jurisdiction
of one of the High Contracting Parties. The treaty
also calls for the deliverance to justice anyone
who shall seek an asylum or shall be found within
the territories of the other; provided that such
surrender shall take place only upon such evidence
of criminality. According to the laws of the place the
fugitive or person so charged shall be found, would
justify his apprehension and commitment for trial
if the crime or offense had been there committed".
FrontPageAfrica has learned that the extradition
treaty between Liberia and the Netherlands dates
even further than the one with the U.S, going as far
back as the 1800s, 1895 to be exact and is said to
be still valid.
FrontPageAfrica has managed to obtain a copy
from the Dutch official treaty database through a
source. According to the extradition agreement,
both countries agreed to a settlement of the mutual
extradition of criminals and agree to deliver out to
each other those persons who, pitied or condemned
being committed for a criminal offense in the
territory of a party, will be found on the territory
of the other Party, under the circumstances and
conditions stated in the present Treaty.
The parties also agreed to extradite those who
complained of or convicted of any of the following
offenses: Attack against the life or liberty of the
King, the reigning Queen of the Regent of the
President of the Republic, or of another Head of
a friendly State, or undertaken with the purpose
Providing them unfit to govern; Stop against
the life or liberty of the non-reigning Queen of
the presumptive Heir Apparent or a member
of the Royal Family; 2nd Homicide or murder,
manslaughter or infanticide children.; 3 Rape,
double marriage, intentionally causing expulsion
or the death of the fruit of a woman by herself or
others; 4 Abuse, which serious injury or death is
caused, or aggravated assault.;. 5 Arson; 6 Revolt
by two or more persons on board a ship on the high
seas from the authority of the master.; 7 Burglary,
or therewith in the Dutch law corresponding
offenses of theft during the rest of the appointed

time, in a house inhabited by someone who has the

access provided through fallow or rock-climbing or
violence.; 8 Roof or their corresponding offense
in the Dutch law punishable under the definition of
theft committed with violence or by threats.; . 9
falsehood in writing, including official documents of
the Government or of the administrative or judicial
power, the title or claim to money or property
values sounding or intentional use of such false
or adulterated writings or documents; 10 . False
coin and the deliberate circulation of counterfeit
or adulterated muntspecin or paper currency,
falsehood in writings, debentures or certificates of
indebtedness of any state, province or municipality,
or while belonging dividend or interest certificates,
or bank notes, and the deliberate use of the false
or adulterated documents, creating or falsify of
stamps issued by the state.
Article II of the Dutch extradition however says
the agreement shall not apply to political offenses
or crimes with political offenses related, and that
in consideration of the Article II offenses listed
is extradited may be prosecuted in any case or
punished matter of a political crime or any offense,
a political offense coherent, committed before his
extradition.
Also, Article IV of the Dutch treaty says the
extradited person will not be prosecuted or
punished in the country to which the extradition is
granted, in respect of an offense not mentioned in
the present Convention and committed prior to his
extradition nor extradited to a third State without
the consent of the State which has allowed the
extradition unless he had Hebbe freedom to leave
the former Land again for three months after the
charge against him will be over, and he, in case of
conviction, the penalty imposed on him will have
undergone him it will be granted pardon.
While Liberia has been slow to implement findings
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission(TRC),
both the U.S. and the Netherlands appear to be
zeroing in on established cases relating to the
deaths of their citizens during the course of the
civil war.
In the case of the Dutch, the killing of one of its
citizens, and the Americans, the killing of five nuns.
FrontPageAfrica recently reported that the Dutch
citizen, a woman was reportedly married to a
Liberian man at the time of her death and ran a
school in the Bardnersville area. Her husband,
who has not married since is said to still be
traumatized by his wifes death. The womans
name is being protected due to the obscure nature
of the investigation, said a source privy to the
proceedings on strict condition of anonymity in an
interview with FrontPageAfrica.
HAITIAN DEATH SQUAD LEADER AMONG
CENTERS SUCCESSES
While in Monrovia recently, the representatives
from the Dutch prosecutors office reportedly
held discussion with Justice Ministry officials
in Monrovia but are said to be unhappy with the
governments lukewarm response when queries
were made about the possible extradition of
those identified as having knowledge to the
killing. Solicitor General Betty Lamin Blamo told
FrontPageAfrica that she was unaware of an
extradition request from the Dutch government.
But the two senior Dutch officials reportedly met
and had fruitful discussions with pathologist Isaac
Moses, who performed autopsies on the slain
catholic nuns and the Dutch woman.
It is unclear what timeline the Center for Justice and
Accountability is working on regarding possible
extradition of suspects but the centers previous
work has not gone unnoticed. Recently, the
centers investigators were successful in tracking
down Haitian death squad leader Emmanuel Toto
Constant. Constant was the founder of the FRAPH,
a Haitian death squad that terrorized supporters of
exiled president Jean Bertrand Aristide. In 2001,
a Haitian court convicted him in absentia and
sentenced him to life in prison for his role in the
Raboteau massacre. In 2008, he was convicted of
mortgage fraud and sentenced to 1237 years in
prison. He is currently incarcerated in a maximum
security prison in New York.
The center on its website describes its role in
bringing Constant to justice as an important
addition to the body of law prohibiting sexual
violence. The judgment against Constant marks
the first time a U.S. court has ruled that the
systematic use of rape against a civilian population
is a form of torture.
The center says its cases are also important because
they domesticate international conventions and
mechanisms in U.S. courts. CJAs cases are a
primary vehicle for bringing international law
concepts, including rulings from the International
Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and
Rwanda, into U.S. courts. CJAs cases play a critical
role in helping to develop U.S. human rights law in
a manner that is consistent with international law.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Frontpage

Page 3

FrontPage COMMENTARY
EDITORIAL INGOS, SHOW US YOUR NUMBERS
v

The lack of local governments to oversee International Aid Organization work fueling corruption

LINGERING FEARS
OVER EBOLA

By Subhas Ghimire, Contributing Writer

KEEP LIBERIAS
BORDER CLOSED
Travel Alert Not Enough As Virus Continue
To Wreak Havoc In Sierra Leone, Guinea
IT DOES NOT TAKE a rocket scientist to figure out that
Ebola is still lurking over Liberia.
LAST WEEK, the government issued a travel and health
alert, warning Liberians to avoid traveling to Guinea and
Sierra Leone, two countries still feeling the heat as the
virus outbreak continue to wreak havoc.
JOANNE LIU, International president of Doctors
Without Borders (MSF), last weekend cautioned that
health authorities in both Guinea and Sierra Leone are
continuing to make the mistakes of the past in combatting
Ebola, more than a year after its onset and more than a
month after Liberia was declared Ebola-free.
We are still making the same mistakes as we did in
the past, said Liu. We know now that engaging the
community in the response is essential, she added. But
we also know that leadership at the government level
is absolutely essential. Liu said that when certain
political interests are prioritised over the response to the
epidemic, this does not work, an apparent reference to
Guinea, where the issue of combatting Ebola has been a
subject of debate between President Alpha Conde and the
opposition.
IN LIBERIA, A FANFARE event climaxed an end of a
turbulent year which saw a killer virus claim nearly 4,000
lives and while many have credited Liberia for beating
the odds and the virus, the sad reality is, the porosity of
the countrys borders with next-door Sierra Leone and
Guinea makes it very likely that a simple slip could result
in one case returning to Liberias soil.
THE 18-MONTH-LONG Ebola epidemic has killed more
than 11,100 people in West Africa, although weekly
numbers of new cases have fallen sharply from last year's
peaks.
WHILE WE DO NOT HOPE that it does not come to that,
authorities must take cue from procedures put in place by
countries around the world when Liberia went through
the ruts of Ebola.
MANY LIBERIANS had to endure stigmatization and
forced to stay in their country as the virus killed scores of
its citizens and those next door.
AIRLINES WERE quick to pack up and leave because no
country wanted anything to do with a virus which still
has no cure and still is capable of wreaking havoc if it is
allowed to slip back in.
YET, THE GOVERNMENT through Deputy Health Minister
Tolbert Nyenswah while acknowledging that the virus is
still active in the two neighboring countries which have
reported 31 confirmed Ebola cases between May 1 and
May 7, 2015, cautioned Liberians wanting to visit the
two countries to be careful with how they attend burial,
funeral, and make visitation to medical facilities during
their stay in those countries. "It is good to stay on this side
of the border if you don't have very pertinent thing to do
there," Nyenswah.
EBOLA IS SPREAD only through direct contact with the
bodily fluids of an infected person showing symptoms,
such as fever or vomiting.
THROWING CAUTION to the wind is a norm, especially
when many Liberians have thrown away the sanitizing
buckets and are going about their normal business as
if Ebola has left our shores for good with no chance of

ew York-based ProPublica's recent expos of the

'gross mismanagement of half a billion dollars' by the
International Red Cross in the aftermath of the 2010
earthquake in Haiti provides useful insight into the
workings of many international organizations in the developing
world. They built just six houses and never trusted local wisdom
and expertise in Carribean country's rebuilding efforts.
Of the 3.5 billion dollars in earthquake funds, 96 percent was
managed by INGOs in Haiti, with the Haitian government managing
only one percent. Most of the 96 percent of the funds was spent on
consultations, transportation and on expert opinion. The lack of
local governments to oversee INGO work only fueled the corruption.
Haiti is popularly known today as the 'republic of INGOs'. We do not
want to see a replay of the same story in Nepal.
It is a given that our government is pathetically indecisive during
times of crisis, but it is always under rigorous scrutiny. Just a few
weeks ago, the National Vigilance Center probed into government
irregularities and the misuse of relief goods, and submitted a
report to the prime minister, highlighting lapses in service delivery
on the part of our state authorities. Parliament's Public Accounts
Committee has started grilling government ministers and top
officials over alleged abuse of authority. Furthermore, the CIAA
has confisticated related documents from the Ministry of Urban
Development and started investigating the cases of corruption.
Similarly, the Office of the Auditor General will look into all relevent
transactions and point out all the unsettled accounts and arrears in
its annual report.
While the INGOs never tire of preaching to us about "transparency
and accountability," they must also abide by the same standards.
Let all the INGOs working in Nepal make public the expenses of all
"international experts and consultants" that have been brought in
to help with the earthquake relief effort.
INGO reluctance to contribute to the PM's Relief Fund is a ploy
designed to perpetually undermine and weaken our government
and keep themselves relevant to our "development efforts" for the
foreseeable future. Clueless experts arriving in Kathmandu the day
after the quake to "help us" wanted their interviews published in
the major dailies, before even trying to understand the severity of
the tragedy.
Many international organizations have not been able to spend all
the funds they received for emergency rescue and relief operations.
So they are actively exploring ways to spend those fund. Some
organizations are hiring a five-seater helicopter at a cost of $2,500
per hour. The usual rate for such helicopters is $1,000 per hour for
long-term contracts.
While the Koirala government was harshly criticized for its snailpace reaction in the first few days of the earthquake tragedy, it has
so far arranged 4,999 helicopter flights, rescued 7,606 individuals
through its air ambulances, and treated thousands of victims, all
free of cost. The government mobilized 66,069 army personnel,
41,776 police, 24,775 armed police force personnel and 22,500
civil servants in the field for rescue operations, relief distribution
and data collection. More than five million people slept outside
their homes without any major incident. This whole operation was
carried out with a budget of less than $50 million.
The UN and various international organizations, NGOs/INGOs and
v

returning.
LIBERIA, STARTING with its government, must remain
vigilant and continue to follow Ebola safety measures,
including hand washing, temperature testing at both
private and public facilities across the country.
THIS MUST ALSO be exercised with a strong degree of
caution and keeping our borders along Guinea and Sierra
Leone closed until those two countries have been declared
Ebola free.
THE MSFS CAUTION comes in the wake of the Sierra
Leonean governments decision to imposed a three-week
daytime curfew in the last Ebola-hit areas in a bid to curb a

bilateral and multilateral donors received $124.7 million through

the UN Flash Appeal and $182.9 million was received outside of that
appeal. According to sources, various UN agencies have brought in
hundreds of additional staff, in addition to their regular staff in
Nepal. UNICEF Nepal has hired 104 international experts, WFP has
hired 200, IOM 200, UNDP 45 and WHO 100. There are about 2,000
UN/INGO staff operating as consultants. Their perks range from
$1000 to $10,000 per day. When operational and logistics costs are
included, it comes to about $20 million dollars in monthly expenses.
The majority of the UN staff are supposed to be here only during for
rescue and relief operations. The government has already declared
that the rescue and relief phase is over; these consultants should be
on their way home. But they are still here, planning on extending
their stay, claiming that government institutions are incapable of
handling the crisis and they have to keep stepping in.
The UN has set-up shelter cluster-coordination teams in Gorkha,
Dhading and Sindhupalchowk without government approval.
Members of the teams include gender specialists, socio-economic
specialists and so on. They are often using Nepali tour guides and
family members as resource persons for identifying earthquake
victims, and relief materials are distributed without any
coordination with the CDOs concerned.
ORGANIZED SYNDICATION

One of the organizations actively lobbying the UN and other aid

organizations to send in more international staff is the Nepal Risk
Reduction Consortium (NRRC). The organization just compiles risk
reports prepared by government agencies and other NGOs. While
the secretary at the Home Ministry is honorary chairman of the team,
the organization is headed by a highly-paid international consultant
($10,000-30,000 per month). This is the same organization that
was vehemently opposed to the Nepal government's suggestion
before the earthquake to train an international standard Search and
Rescue Team (from among our security forces). If we had had the
search and rescue team ready, the government's rescue operations
would have been much more effective. NRRC is also working hard
to remind the international community that the Nepal government
is incapable of handling a crisis, and is urging them to donate funds
to the UN and other international agencies, but not to the PM's
Relief Fund. The tenure of the NRRC was to end by 2015, but they
are lobbying the government intensely to extend their term for one
more year.
Nepalis deserve the right to see the detailed expenses of money
coming in to help the earthquake victims. We want to know what
kind of expertise and knowhow was brought in at $10,000 per
day, and how useful those experts have been during the crisis. Are
the international organizations willing to hold themselves to the
same standards of transparency that they propose for Nepal? Are
they willing to submit to a review process for evaluating if these
contributions are effective, not in terms of their own internal agenda,
but by the standards and requirements of the people on the ground
whom they claim to serve? It's doubtful that the very agencies that
are ignorant of our organic and highly organized systems of selfgovernment will be capable of the kind of ego-less rigor required
to truly understand if their contributions are effective. But if these
huge agencies insist on participating, they must be held accountable.
The whole saga only looks like one more example of greed, using
natural disasters as an occasion to prop up a well-oiled industry
of paid professionals invested in maintaining dependence and
justifying their own existence. This is a familiar story, a phenomenon
that is real and decades old, and rooted in racism and classism.
The underside of all this grief-tourism is disturbing at many
levels. The approach that the international community is taking is
fundamentally unsettling for the spirit, expertise and wisdom of
our people. It appears that our ideas and leadership are hard to
acknowledge for the international organizations operating here,
let alone accept. Our resilience and our unwillingness to become
another Haiti, a pawn of the international aid regime, must be
frustrating to many "international experts" in Kathmandu. If they
are serious about helping us, this sorry saga must end now.

resurgence of the deadly virus.

PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA has imposed curfews
in two northern districts after the number of new Ebola
cases in the country spiked to the highest level in months.
Offenders will be detained and prosecuted if they violate
the new measures, which will be in effect for the next 21
days.
IF SIERRA LEONE which is still battling the outbreak can
continue to exercise vigilance, Liberia which has beaten
the odds must not allow complacency to ruin the gains
made or even think about throwing caution to the wind.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Page 4 | Frontpage

The Reader's Page

FrontPage

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB

COMMENTS FROM
FPA ONLINE

DEBT OVERTAKES
NOCAL, MONTHS IN
ARREARS TO LANDLORD
DAVID MURRAY TOP COMMENTER BARUCH COLLEGE & NEW
YORK UNIVERSITY(MBA)
This pitiful; indeed, pathetic saga should be preserved to infinity
and ideally published in a text book while distributed freely to
all elementary, high and college students as mandatory study:
Title:"CASE STUDY: HOW TO TOTALLY MISMANAGE A 100% STATE
OWNED AND OPERATED MONOPOLY 101"!
Ps: "Anytime your cash outflow exceeds your cash inflow.....your
cash upkeep will be your cash down fall"!
FINAL GRADE TO NOCAL: F- to the power of 1Trillion!!
NYEMADE WANI TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA,
MONROVIA, LIBERIA CAMPUS
Wow, I thought Seward Cooper was the whiz-kid, the guru of
finance who had the magic touch. he came with such hoopla from
the ADB just like Chris Toe. They were going to "save" Liberia. Ha,
looks like the joke is on us. With all their book knowledge, Samuel
Doe knew more than they do. He knew that Liberia needed to build
structures to house its ministries and agencies. Now we still renting
from people.
JOHN-LORD BAXTER TOP COMMENTER DAMANSARA, KUALA
LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
These people really don't care about Liberia and Liberians. Why
would they continue to lease a building with all the millions NOCAL
has made??? Why couldn't they have built a structure for NOCAL
offices??? We are still locked in the past when government leased
private buildings as offices from families and friends of the very
same government officials. What a corrupted people!!!
CLARENCE PEARSON TOP COMMENTER GENERAL OVERSEER/
FOUNDER AT GRACE UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Considering the well-articulated comments I have read under this
news article of NOCAL financial slow down, there is little to be
added other than the fact that the monthly rent of NOCAL alone is
unrealistic, and should there be an investigation, nothing short of
corruption based on conflict of interest will be uncovered. While
will a government owned institution be complacent with such
a rent amid abundance of early and massive financial resources?
What was the long term sustainability strategy when NOCAL was
dishing out cash as though someone was running his or her personal
farm? Liberia does not have the appropriate public structure of
operational management, control and accountability to continue
with this concept of autonomous agencies. NOCAL, NPA, RIA, LMA,
LTA, etc. should all be constitutionally reviewed and restructured
in a way that it is directly accountable to the State and not a select
group of individuals driven privately by the President. National
budget legs, poverty thrives, and external debts are climbing
once again, yet these lucrative institutions are left to generate and
expend millions impulsively by few individuals based on patronage.
God help Liberia.
JOSEPH SANKAITUAH COUNTRY DIRECTOR AT SEARCH FOR
COMMON GROUND/TALKING DRUM STUDIO
I am sick. Pay 1.6 Million in rent annually? This is quite sad for a
poor country. The management could use part of that money to buy
a building or construct one.... The worst thing anyone can do to a
country is to deceive the whole country into believing that you can
transform the country when in fact you lack the will power to do
so. This is the case of President Sirleaf. She deceived the majority
of Liberians into believing that she can transformed Liberia. This
deceit has been in for over 30 year. She has been fighting every
former Liberia leader for this opportunity that has been misused.
What a lost opportunity.
ANSU OPA DUALU TOP COMMENTER COALITION OF
CONCERNED LIBERIANS
What?? What??? What??? I am glad it's going to a church, but who
the hell signed that deal? Why would any responsible entity paid
$135,000/month in a location where the same yearly rent could
build similar or better building? Oh yeah, crocogee at work ; you eat
I eat, LIB suffers! Wow!!!
NYEMADE WANI TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA,
MONROVIA, LIBERIA CAMPUS
You pull rope, rope pull bush. That is why they do not care about
poor Liberians. How is it possible to pay that kind of rent. Oh, I bet
the person who owns that building knows somebody in government
who signed the lease. Everyone should be put in jail. The landlord
herself is outrageous.

DISCLAIMER

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

Send your letters and comments to:

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

$US45K PER ANNUM,

NOT MONTHLY
NOCAL CLARIFIES LEASE AGREEMENT
WITH EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Editor

e write, most respectfully, to provide

clarification relating to a FrontPage story in the
Tuesday, June 16, 2015 edition of your paper
regarding a lease agreement between the
Episcopal Church of Liberia and the National Oil Company of
Liberia (NOCAL) for the use of three floors of the Episcopal
Plaza building.
Contrary to your story, NOCAL entered into an agreement
with the Episcopal Church of Liberia to lease per annum,
three floors of the Plaza at the cost of US $45,000.00 (Fortyfive Thousand United States Dollars) for each floor, and not US
$45.000.00 monthly for a floor as was reported.
Under the terms of the lease agreement, NOCAL is obligated to
paying to the church a total of US $135,000.00 (One-hundred
Thirty-Five Thousand United States Dollars) per annum for
the premises.
NOCAL has already made an initial payment of US $45,000.00
(Forty-five Thousand Dollars) towards the amount, and
has now processed and made payment for an additional US
$45,000.00 (Forty-Five Thousand United States Dollars).
Processing for the remaining balance of US $45,000.00 (FortyFive Thousand United States Dollars) is in progress.
We hope this clarification will help to provide a more accurate
picture of the lease agreement entered into between NOCAL
and the Episcopal Church of Liberia for three floors our entity
is now occupying as office space, and the efforts we continue
to make to meet our obligations to all of our partners--despite
the austerity measures the global economic meltdown has
imposed on the oil company.
Thanks for the space.
Yours truly,

Cyrus Wleh Badio

Director, Public Affairs (NOCAL)

ARCELOR MITTAL IS

CONTRIBUTING TO JOBLESSNESS

AND POVERTY IN LIBERIA

The Editor,

rcelor Mittal Liberia (AML) has redundant

190 employees, amounting to 16 percent of its
workforce. According to Arcelor Mittal, the action
was taken due to decline in the price of iron ore on
the world market.
We condemn this decision and unequivocally call on this
government to act now in order to restore hundreds of

hopeless citizens from huge trauma and frustration. Instead

of providing more employment opportunities for Liberians,
Arcelor Mittal Liberia has engendered a shocking campaign to
increase joblessness, poverty, hunger, and hardship in Liberia.
According to the Corporate Communications Manager
Hester Baker Pearson in order for Arcelor Mittal to remain
operational and competitive in the world, these steps had to
be taken. This does not make sense to us when Arcelor Mittal
is increasing its exports and decreasing its labor force in
Liberia. This only happens in Liberia. How long will foreign
companies and businesses exploit our country?
Arcelor Mittal is currently mining and shipping 5 million tons
of iron ore a year in Liberia from its operations in Yekepa and
Buchanan. The company is also working on an expansion
project that will see shipments rise to 15 million tons of iron
ore with first production planned by the end of 2015. The
decision by Arcelor Mittal Liberia (AML) to make 15% of
its workforce jobless is cruel, inhumane, and it undermines
economic productivity in Liberia.
Arcelor Mittal currently operates in 61 countries worldwide
with an industrial footprint in over 20 countries, but why
must it be Liberia always? We want to send this clear message
to those who think they can economically rob us that enough
is enough. Our people (Liberians) have been through a lot.
Arcelor Mittal is employing more people in other countries,
sadly in Liberia; it is reducing its manpower. For example, at the
beginning of 2014, it employed 4,600 employees in the Grand
Duchy. Arcelor Mittal is the world's largest steel producer
with a global employment population of over 232,000 people,
of which 37% were in the EU, with a further 16% in non-EU
European countries, 17% in Asia, 16% in North America, the
remainder split between South America and the Middle East
and Africa
In 2013, Arcelor Mittal had revenues of $79.4 billion and
crude steel production of 91.2 million tons, while own iron ore
production reached 58.4 million tons. Liberia has contributed
hugely to these huge successes and wealth accumulations.
Liberians are not Guinea Pigs and foreign companies must
understand this.
The reduction in the price of iron cannot be a genuine
justification for making hundreds of our people jobless. Why
is Arcelor Mittal not reducing its labor force in South Africa
even though there is global decline in the price of iron ore?
This is what happens when a country is led by self-seeking
and cash-driven stewards.
Are we paying back for the 100 Mitsubishi Pick-ups that were
donated by Mittal Steel to the Liberian Government for use by
members of the 52nd National Legislature? In 2008, when
greedy Legislators were receiving these Pick-ups terming
them as good gifts, we raised the red-flag by describing Mittals
gesture as a form of bribery and inducement. Unfortunately,
Lawmakers could not listen to us!
It is time to defend and protect our citizens against foreign
interest. Where are opposition political parties and politicians?
We will not remain silent on this issue until we reach its
bottom. When we return from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County,
we will issue an official Press Statement condemning Arcelor
Mittals unreasonable, indefensible, and unjustifiable decision.
Above all interests, Liberia is Supreme!
About The Author: Martin K. N. Kollie is a Liberian youth
activist, student leader, an emerging economist, and a young
writer. He is currently a student at the University of Liberia
reading Economics and a member of the Student Unification
Party (SUP).

EDITORIAL TEAM

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

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

Al-varney Rogers, Reporter, al.rogers@

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

POLITICS

Thursday, June 18, 2015

NO WEAH, BRUMSKINE DISCUSSION

Frontpage

CDC DENIES MEDIA REPORTS

New Democrat lied to the world, there is no Weah Brumskine ticket in closing before we say it is
coming to an end". - Mr. Nathaniel McGill, Chairman-opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)

Monroviahe
opposition
Congress
for
Democratic Change
(CDC) has denied
media reports that the Party
is at the concluding stage
of discussions with the
opposition Liberty Party (LP)
for a possible merger in the
upcoming
2017presidential
elections.
At
a
news
conference
Wednesday at the Partys
headquarters in Congo Town,
the Party Chairman Mr.
Nathaniel McGill said, the
story published in the June 17
edition of the New Democrat
Newspaper was a mere
assumption and is far from the
reality.
He
confirmed
ongoing
discussions with other political
parties and individuals but
said it is not the Liberty Party
but claimed that the party is
not opposed to talk with the
Liberty Party. For now that
is far from happening, McGill
said.
McGill added: We are not in

Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

discussion with the Liberty

Party; we are in discussion
with other political parties.
However, there are suggestions
for us to have discussion with
Liberty party. The CDC is not
opposed to talking to political
parties; we are open and will

CORRUPTION WATCH

Monroviaiberias
Agriculture
Minister Dr. Florence
Chenoweth
has
admitted to most of
the findings contained in audit
conducted by the General
Auditing Commission of Liberia
(GAC) on the operations of the
Ministry of Agriculture for the
periods 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Minister Chenoweth claimed that
most of the findings contained in
the report are reflective of what
took place at the Ministry and
added that upon her ascendency
to the position of minister her
predecessor did not turn over
any record.
During a joint Public hearing
conducted by the Legislative
Public Accounts Committee,
Minister Chenoweth said upon
taking over as Minister at the
Agriculture Ministry she did not
receive any financial documents
on the army worm invasion.
Minister Chenoweth said I have
no record of it; I was shown a
check book by Mr. Sirleaf that
said army worm. There was also
one check book that said bamboo
with no justification written
in the line of the check book as
to what they were used for and
it did not state anything of the
amount the auditor general has
put in this report.
She said the Ministry had
experienced
problems
with changes in financial
comptrollers, thereby creating
documentation challenges.
Said the Minister Agriculture has
had problems with comptrollers
they have come and gone. We
dont have attractive budget
for good comptrollers so we
dont get many qualified people
applying for the position.
The
General
Auditing
Commission (GAC)
in its
report
forwarded
several
recommendations
to
the
National Legislature for possible
action by the body on audit
conducted on the Ministry of
Agriculture for the fiscal years
2006/2007and2009.

like to listen to the Liberty

Party if they have suggestions
to collaborate.
The CDC Chairman expressed
What is unfair and I want to
clarify is that it is saddened
that the New Democrat
Newspaper reported that

there is a Weah and Brumskine

Ticket Discussion. That is
absolutely not true there is no
discussion in any way, manner
and form a discussion for any
ticket between Brumskine and
Weah what is true is that we
are holding discussions with

other political parties and

individuals.
The CDC chairman at the
News conference confirmed
that the Party began initiating
discussions
with
other
institutions
recently
at
the Gbarnga; Bong County
Conference which he said
was intended to encourage
likeminded people to form
collaboration and expressed
hope that the Liberty Party
could join the discussions.
I called the Party chairman of
Liberty Party and he denied
giving the Newspaper that
story and our partisans are
concerned. I have received
more than five-hundred calls
just today from partisans who
are concerned. Lets face the
fact everyone expect Weah
to contest 2017 even though
he has said I want to sit and
listen to others which is fair
enough and if we have not had
discussions with anyone for
someone to suggest now that
the most popular man in this

Page 5

country is going number two

to any one is unfair, it is good
to sit and have a discussion,
McGill said.
McGill said if the CDC could
honor a merger with Cllr.
Winston Tubman, a lone
candidate it can honor any
arrangement with any other
political institution including
the Liberty.
The first attempt at forming
a coalition to face President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005
collapsed with both parties
suffering defeat at the hands of
the Unity Party.
New Democrat lied to the
world, there is no Weah
Brumskine ticket in closing
before we say it is coming to an
end, he stated.
The
New
Democrat
Newspaper in its Wednesday
June 17 banner headline
edition reported In Closing
Brumskine , Weah 2017
Ticket where it stated further
that the political leaders of
the opposition Congress for
Democratic Change and the
Liberty Party could most
likely lead the opposition
community into 2017 fight for
the presidency.
The paper quoted the chairman
of the LP Cllr. Fonati Koffa as
saying that negotiations with
and discussions with the CDC
and other political parties have
been positive.

'FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETIES'
Agriculture Minister Chenoweth Confirms Audit Findings
Henry Karmo (0886522495) henrykarmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Among many issues the GAC

recommended that
Former
Minister Chris Toe, Peter
N. Korvah and Borkai A. M.
Sirleaf, Deputy Ministers for
Administration from 2006 to
2008, and Philomena Williams
Assistant Minister, as well
as Samuel B. Nah, Ernest
Massaquoi and Stephen Y. Konah
Comptrollers of MOA from 1 July
2006 to 30 June 2009 should be
made jointly and severally held
to restitute the US$526,447.51
and US$600,897.51 withdrawn
from the special project and
bamboo accounts during the
period under review at the
Agriculture ministry.
The GAC also recommended
that Mr. Peter N. Korvah, Deputy
Minister for administration
and
Philomena
Williams,
Assistant Minister, as well as
Samuel B. Nah, Comptroller,
provide material justification for
Ministry Of Agriculture (MOA)
failure to maintain accounts for
the Agriculture Credit Account,

Spinal AHI, CAADP, Caterpillar

and LD Special Project Accounts
as well as the non-compilation of
bank reconciliation statements
for the bank accounts.
The GAC report stated: The
MOA authority should ensure a
regular administrative review or
a supervisory check on banking
transactions on a routine basis to
ensure that transactions carried
out by employees are properly
documented, authorized and
duly acquitted.
Other audit recommendations
stated Former Comptrollers
Ernest Massaquoi and Samuel B.
Nah who served for 2006, 2007,
2008 and former Minister Chris
Toe, former Deputy Minister
Peter Korvah and Assistant
Minister Philomena T. Williams
who served as signatories to
the accounts should jointly
restitute
US$346,417.03
and
L$5,148,472.13
being
amounts withdrawn without
documentation.
Rule 51 of the Public financial

management Act calls for

Ministries, Agencies and Public
Corporations that receive funds
from the Ministry of Finance
to maintain proper books of
accounts as well as complete
documentation for all expenses
incurred, which shall be subject
to audit on demand, something
the GAC observed was not done
at the Ministry of Agriculture,
exposing the ministry to fraud.
The GAC audit report also
indicated that MOA former
Comptrollers Ernest Massaquoi,
Samuel B. Nah and Stephen
Y. Konah, did not provide
appropriate
and
sufficient
evidence to acquit the 120 petty
cash transactions amounting to
US$4,013.50 and recommended
that they should be made to
restitute the amount.
At the hearing it was also
disclosed by the GAC report
that the 87 staff the Ministry of
Agriculture claimed it dismissed,
retired, or resigned names were
still maintained on the ministry

payroll.
The MOA former Personnel
Director Daniel B. Smith,
Personnel
Director
Mrs.
Maryann Blidi, James Sellie
and the former Comptrollers,
Ernest V.B. Massaquoi, Samuel
B. Nah and Stephen Y. Konah
should be held to restitute the
total unearned remuneration
of L$546,952.88 paid to the
separated staff outside of GOL
regulations, the report stated.
The report also recommended
that the Personnel Directress,
Mrs. Maryann Blidi, former
Personnel
Director
Daniel
Smith, the Comptroller, Ernest
Massaquoi, Samuel B. Nah,
Stephen Y. Konah and Director
of MOF EDP Section should
jointly restitute L$23,522.36
being remuneration paid to nonexisting personnel.
NON-ADHERENCE TO
STANDING ORDERS

CSA

The Audit report further

recommended
that
the
Management of MOA should
present 66 said to be employees
of the Ministry together with
their credentials to the GAC for
verification.
According to the GAC, former
Personnel Director Daniel B.
Smith and Mrs. Maryann Blidi
current Personnel Director, and
former Comptrollers Ernest
Massaquoi, Samuel B. Nah and
Stephen Y. Konah of MOA, did not
provide substantive justification
for the incorporation of the
66 individuals in the records
maintained by MOA and failure
on their part they should be made
to restitute LD5,902,560.00
representing the amount paid to
these 66 individuals who were
not head-counted during the

course of the audit

The Director of Procurement
Mr. James S. Dolo and former
comptroller Mr. Samuel B. Nah
should be held to restitute
jointly for US$88,254.00 paid
to ghost business. On the other
hand, former Deputy Minister
for Expenditure, Mr. Roderick G.
Smith and Acting Comptroller
Cecilia Roberts should be held
to restitute for the US$65,000.00
not certified by physical auditors
yet paid upon, the report
recommended.
IRREGULARITIES
WITH
PROCUREMENT
AND
DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL

It is also recommended by the

GAC that MOA Assistant Minister
for Administration Philomena
T. Williams should provide
documentation on the use of
136,225 gallons of fuel and
lubricants worth US$408,675.00
that
were
acquired,
not
distributed but could not be
accounted for.
In further recommendation,
the GAC recommended that
Former Minister Chris Toe,
Samuel B. Nah and Stephen Y.
Konah, who served as Minister
and Comptrollers in 2007/08
and 2008/09 and Hon. Arthur
Fumba, former Deputy Ministry
for Expenditure at the Ministry
of Finance should give account
of the US$96,324.03 and
US$13,214.00 paid in excess of
approved allotments.
The Director of Procurement
James F. Dolo, was also
recommended
to
provide
substantive justification for
dealing with entities which were
not duly registered and should
restitute the US$68,714.99
disbursed to bogus entities.

Page 6 | Frontpage

NEWS EXTRA

Thursday, June 18, 2015

LAW & ORDER

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER GOES TO

COURT FOR ALLEGED $33K THEFT
SENATE TABLES FOR DISCUSSION
Kennedy L. Yangian kennedylyangian@frontpageafricaonline.com

LEADING OPPOSITION REPORTEDLY LOOKING

TO STRENGTHEN BASE AHEAD OF 2017

SOURCES: LIBERTY PARTY TALKING

MERGER WITH NPP, UPP & ANC. OTHERS
Rodney D. Sieh, rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monrovia
peculations
and
negotiations
continue to heighten
ahead of the crucial
2017
presidential
elections in Liberia with
multiple
political
parties
looking to consolidate their
bases and narrow the playing
field via political blocs in hopes
of bolstering their chances.
FrontPageAfrica has reliably
learnt that one party looking
in the direction of merger is
the opposition Liberty Party,
whose political leader Charles
Walker Brumskine is expected
to come out of political
retirement at the partys
convention in Voinjama, Lofa
County from June 25, 2015
June 28, 2015.
In the 2005, general elections,
there were at least 30 (thirty)
registered political parties in
Liberia but only 25 contested
the October 11 elections.
That number included two
political alliances and one
coalition - Alliance for Peace
and Democracy (APD), United
Democratic Alliance (UDA) and
Coalition for Transformation
of Liberia (COTOL) - and one
independent candidate.
In 2011, talk of unseating
the incumbent ruling Unity
Party government led to
the formation of the shortlived, National Democratic
Coalition, which aim was to
contest the 2011 presidential
and
legislative
elections.
The original members of
the coalition were the New
Deal Movement(MDN), the
National Democratic Party of
Liberia(NDM), the National
Patriotic Party(NPP) of former
President Charles Taylor, the
National Democratic Party

of Liberia(NDPL) of late
President Samuel Doe, the
Liberia Peoples Party, the
United Peoples Party, the
Liberia Equal Rights Party and
the Labor Party of Liberia.
Despite boasting some highprofile figures, the NDC lead
by Ambassador Dew Mayson,
a former university professor,
struggled to raise money and
eclipsed by internal wrangling.
The New Deal suspended
Mayson as its standard bearer
on July 6, 2011 for unspecified
reasons, but later reinstated
him. The ambassador later
told reporters that there was
an internal debate within the
NDC over whether to contest
the presidential election or
to solely field candidates
for the legislative elections.
However, the coalition was
dealt a blow the day prior to
its convention, as the NPP
and the NDPL withdrew from
the coalition. On July 17 the
remaining members of the
coalition nominated Mayson
as their presidential candidate.
Mayson secured 5, 819 votes
for 0.5 percent of the votes.
With the 2017 presidential and
legislative elections around
the corner, talk around many
political parties is pointing
toward the realization that
coalition and merger could
be a viable option for parties
seeking state power with many
political observers holding
the view that a sea of splinter
political parties may give the
incumbent UP government the
edge.
But while mergers and
coalitions appear to be a viable
alternative, it could boil down
to numerical strengths of the
parties involved.
In 2011, for example, sixteen

persons
contested
the
presidency. Ironically, outside
the top three finishers
Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf(Unity
Party,
43.9);
Winston
Tubman(CDC, 32.7) and Prince
Y. Johnson(NUDP,11.6), none
of the remaining candidates
managed to break the one
percent mark with the
exception of Liberty Partys
Brumskine who secured 5.5
percent of the votes tally,
Gladys
Beyan(GDPL,
1.1
percent) and Rev. Kennedy
Sandy(,LTP1.1 percent).
Ahead of 2017, the key, political
observers say could line in how
political parties play to their
numerical strengths and their
political maneuverings.
In the Alternative National
Congress, a breakaway faction
of George Weahs Congress
for Democratic Change, the
United Peoples Party, the
New Deal Movement, the Free
Democratic Party of Liberia
and the Liberia Peoples Party,
the Liberty Party supporters
believe they could be on to
something but the key for the
party would be how it performs
beyond the stronghold of its
political leader, Brumskine in
Grand Bassa County.
In recent days, speculations of
a discussion between the party
and Weahs CDC have been in
the air but neither sides have
been able to confirm or deny
the reports until Wednesday
when Nathaniel McGill, the
partys Secretary General shot
down the speculations at a
news conference at the partys
headquarters in Congotown.
While confirming ongoing
discussions with other political
parties and individuals, McGill
said the CDC is not opposed to
talk with the Liberty Party but

those talks have simply not yet

started. For now that is far
from happening.
He added: We are not in
discussion with the Liberty
Party; we are in discussion
with other political parties.
However, there are suggestions
for us to have discussion with
Liberty party. The CDC is not
opposed to talking to political
parties; we are open and will
like to listen to the Liberty
Party if they have suggestions
to collaborate.
FrontPageAfrica has learned
that the party is weighing a
lot of options and putting a
lot of numbers on the table
in hopes of finding a formula
that works. But judging
from the 2005 elections
which fielded 22 candidates,
coalitions and mergers did
not dominate the play until
the second round with the
exception of the Coalition for
Democratic
Transformation
and the Alliance for Peace and
Democracy. The CDT candidate
Cllr. Varney Sherman finished
with 7.8 percent of the votes
while the ADP finished with
2.8 percent of the votes.
Amid
the
speculations,
the more pressing issue of
campaign finances and political
marriages and combinations
could prove pivotal.
A source privy to ongoing
discussions between Liberty
Party and the band of coalition,
led by the ANC, said the party
is exploring every avenue or
window of opportunity to
clinch the presidency in 2017.
Everything is on the table,
and names are being thrown
around From Brumskine to
Cllr. Kwame Clement to Jewel
Howard, Mill Jones, Winston
Tubman,
Amara
Konneh,
Samuel Kofi Woods and
perhaps vice President Boakai.
It could be any combination of
these persons.
But the source also appeared
uncertain when the issue
of egos and unbending
alliances propped up in the
conversation. That is the
biggest dilemma. Who tops a
ticket and who will be willing
or open to run second; I wont
lie, it could be a problem, the
source acknowledged.

Monrovia rontPageAfrica has reliably learned that the detained

Publisher of a local newspaper, the Women Voices
Newspaper Helen Nah is to appear before the Monrovia
City Court at the Temple of Justice this Thursday morning to
answer charges of theft of property, aiding consummation
of crime and criminal facilitation.
The newspaper publisher may be freed on a criminal appearance bail
bond to return at a later date or be sent to jail if she fails to acquire the
needed bond that will be requested by the court as required by law.
Police charge indicated that suspect Nah was arrested on June 8,
2015 by officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and has been
undergoing investigation until late Tuesday when she was formally
charged with multiple criminal offences.
Helen arrest by the police was based on statement from Joshua
Osadagbonyi, believed to be her fiance IT personnel of the United
Bank of Africa (UBA) who accordingly admitted to the police that
he used the server application at the bank to activate account with
unknown user to transfer an amount of US$ 33, 199.00 to various
banks in Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria.
According to the Police, suspect Osadagbonyi narrated that he used
some individuals in the three countries, Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria
to withdraw the money which he later deposited into his girlfriend
Helen G. Nah account at the UBA.
Suspect Osadagbonyi is reported to have told investigators that during
the fraudulent transaction, he was the sender as well as the receiver of
the cash and after receiving the amount of US$33, 199.00 he allegedly
deposited same in Publisher Nahs account operated at the UBA for
the purpose of purchasing a printing machine from America since the
company from whom the machine was to be purchased does not deal
with individuals but rather institutions.
The police declared that Osadagbonyi also claimed that no one aided
him in the process when he disabled the Western Union Platform at
the UBA to pass the entry and that the amount was to buy a printing
machine.
According to the police, suspect Osadagbonyis arrest was also based
on complains from Madam Majek Polorunsho, Executive Director of
UBA and Archie Sheriff Country Chief Inspector of the United Bank
Of Africa (UBA) who complained that as the result of a reconciliation
carried out it was discovered that some fake transactions emanated
through the Western Union Platform which were not initiated by any
of the approved Western Union tellers.
The two complainants alleged that they immediately commenced an
investigation and during the course of the questioning the Director of
IT Osadagbonyi confessed that he hacked the Western Union Platform
and executed the transaction and engaged some fraudulent agents to
withdraw the fund totaling US$33, 199.00.
The police charge sheet indicated that suspect Helen Nah when
questioned about alleged involvement in such act in the present of
her lawyer Atty.Festus Nowon she denied involvement or knowledge
of the US$35,000.00 that was credited to her account bearing number
004127956981 and preferred to remain silent.
The police said its investigation established that on March 12, 2015
defendant Helen Gbeh Nah, Managing Director of the Truly Yours
account instructed UBA through written communication to transfer
US$35, 187, 19 out of the herein named account to a company bearing
the following address: 12635 Lake Normandy Lane Fair, Virginia
22030 USA, the purpose was payment for A-1 printing equipment to
be brought to Liberia to be used by Truly Yours Inc
The police further stated that on March 12, 2015 suspect
Osadagbonyi debited US$9,000 from the Global Bank account number
204010212124 and added US$3,000 to the US$9,000 deposited
into Truly Yours Inc account at the UBA bearing account number
53030160005670 owned and managed by Helen Gbeh Nah.
Defendant Helen Nah purposely aided Joshua Osadagbonyi to
secretly disguise or convert the proceeds of the crime or otherwise
benefit from a crime stated the police findings.
Police also said that in view of the facts in its investigative findings
as well as the circumstances involved in the case, the investigation
resolved to charge suspect Joshua Osadagbonyi with the alleged
commission of the crimes of money laundering, theft of property and
forgery while also suspect Helen Nah was charged with the alleged
commission of theft of property, aiding consummation of crime and
criminal facilitation in violation of chapters 15.12 and 10 of the
revised penal law pending court trial.
Meanwhile family sources told FrontPageAfrica Wednesday that
detained Publisher Nah who is currently in police custody has gone
on hunger strike refusing food and water on claim that she is innocent
of the charges.
Police spokesperson Sam Collins when contacted said he is not aware
that the Women Voices Newspaper Publisher has gone on hunger
strike.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Frontpage

Page 7

Blue print of the proposed Somalia Drive Road

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON SOMALIA DRIVE

ROAD-RESIDENTS WARNED TO RELOCATE

Monroviahe
Government
of
Liberia
has
warned
residents
of Somalia Drive, a
major road linking populated
Gardnersville to Monrovia
constructing
building
in
the alleys and right-away to
immediately relocate and
give way for the Japanese
contractors to start the road
project that was put on hold
due to the Ebola outbreak in
Liberia.
The Government through
Foreign
Affairs
Minister
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
has called for the cooperation
of all Liberians to see the
successful commencement and
completion of the project.
Minister Ngafuan is calling on
residents to cooperate with
contractors and government
by
removing
structures
constructed in alleys and near
the main road.
The Governments of Liberia
and Japan on Monday June
10, 2013 signed a US$50
million agreement for the
reconstruction and expansion
of the Somalia Drive road.
The
signing
ceremony
followed a Detailed Design
Agreement that was signed
between both governments,
as Foreign Minister Ngafuan
signed on behalf of the
Liberian Government while

Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-genowayedwin@gmail.com

Naoto Nikai, Ambassador of

Japan accredited to Liberia
at the time signed for his
government.
The Somalia drive project
is being implemented by
the
Japan
International
Corporation Agency (JICA).
Physical work on the road
started in 2014 but was
suspended due to the Ebola
outbreak in Liberia.
Liberia is being declared
Ebola free by the World
Health Organization (WHO),
and all major projects that

BASELESS

Civil Society Slams Attacks Against

Central Bank Loan Scheme

Monrovialoan scheme by the

Central
Bank
of
Liberia
continues
to
draw
mixed
reactions around Liberia with
some describing the process
as taking a political trend

accusing the Bank Executive

Governor J. Mills Jones using
the banks resources to score
political marks.
Governor Jones had repeatedly
defended the initiative saying
it is intended to empower
Liberians and help build a

were suspended are now

commencing and the Somalia
Drive Project is one project that
Liberians have been eagerly
waiting to see implemented in
order to help ease the traffic
congestion along the road.
The
Japan
International
Corporation Agency (JICA), the
contractor has announced the
resumption of full operation
of Japanese funded projects in
Liberia for post Ebola recovery.
JICA is expected to resume
implementation of projects
beginning
with
the

middle class.
The Civil Society Network
of
Liberia-CSO-network
has joined in commending
Governor Jones for his
reaffirmation to support and
build the financial capacity
of middle class Liberians
through the financial loan
scheme at the Central Bank of
Liberia.
CSO Network has indicated
that it sees the initiative as
laudable and worth supporting
as it is designed to help
alleviate poverty especially
among the thousands of less
fortunate Liberians across the
country.
Our
research
conducted
revealed that the Central
Bank of Liberia Governor has
established loan schemes
in seven of the fifteen (15)
counties an initiative that has
tremendously helped to better
the living conditions of our
people in those areas which
is worth commendation, the
CSO network indicated in a
statement issued in Monrovia.
The association mentioned

reconstruction of the Somalia

Drive in Monrovia, and the
project for rehabilitation of the

Monrovia power system which
was suspended since August
2014, due to the spread of
Ebola in Liberia.
Foreign Minister Ngafuan
Wednesday described the
resumption of JICA operations
in Liberia as a success story for
Liberians.
Speaking at a joint press
conference
in
Monrovia,
Minister Ngafuan said the
resumption will bring great
that the recent visits of Dr.
Jones in Bomi and Nimba
Counties where scores of
Liberians gave him a rousing
welcome demonstrated that
Liberians are appreciative
of the CBL Boss support to
improving their livelihoods.
We will also like to use this
medium to call on detractors
of the CBL governors loan
scheme to stop politicizing the
initiative and give him their
support as Governor Jones
strives to better the economy
of the nation, the CSO Network
noted.
The CSO-Network has also
described criticisms against
Dr. Jones as baseless and
reckless and against the true
spirit of peace, Unity and the
development of the Country
and its suffering masses.
The group further stated We
also want to call on some
lawmakers opting for the
CBL to be audited to drop
their argument which is in
the wrong direction and not
in the interest of the ordinary
citizens of the country.

joy to the people when they

see tangible or physical work
starting in their country.
He described the outbreak
of the Ebola as a pause on
development in Liberia. This
project was interrupted by
Ebola but thank God JICA
is commencing the project,
Ebola can be described as a
pause button and now with the
restart of the project, we can
now say the play button has
been pressed by JICA.
Minister Ngafuan described
Japan as a true friend to
Liberia.
Thanks to the great people of
Japan for being a true friend
to Liberia, I am happy that
the JICA office is reopening
and our people will be happy
because development is about
to restart, he said.
The Foreign Minister noted
that government didnt only
celebrate the end of Ebola,
saying, we were not happy to
celebrate the end of Ebola only,
we were happy because all of
our projects in Liberia were
about to start again.
JICA has dispatched a mission
team comprising nine Japanese
consultants and JICA members
from Tokyo and Ghana to
Liberia to assess the post
Ebola situation in the country
aimed at resuming Japanese
funded projects following the
outbreak.
The CSO Network further
argued Our argument with
the lawmakers is based on part
X (2) of the act authorizing
the establishment of the CBL,
approved in March 18, 1999
and published October 20,
1999 which states that the
accounts of the CBL shall be
audited at least once every
year, by a reputable and
professional external/internal
auditors by the board of
governors.
According to the CSO Network,
the CBL has been audited in
the past as evidenced by the
recent audit conducted by the
international auditing firm
Price Waterhouse with such
audit report submitted to the
Executive and copies sent to
the National Legislature.
There is no need for a GAC
audit. Let us quickly sign this
as a warning to individuals
who are wrongfully criticizing
this
distinguished
and
patriotic kinsman of ours
in the name of wanting to
contest the presidency come
2017 to desist and rally their

Speaking earlier at a news

conference, Japan current
Ambassador to Liberia, H. E.
Kaoru Yoshimura described
the outbreak in Liberia as a
setback on development.
He said the outbreak in
Liberia presented a very
difficult situation for Liberians
and development partners
especially in the areas of
project implementation.
I am very happy, and I can
say
the
commencement
of JICA projects in Liberia
marks the beginning of more
future economic cooperation
between Japan and Liberia, he
stated.
The Japanese envoy noted
that the government of Liberia
has
demonstrated
great
commitment
to
ensuring
the wellbeing of Liberians
promising that Japan will
continue to support endeavors
of the government of Liberia
to advance its development
agendas.
Recently the Governments
of the Republic of Liberia
and Japan also signed a NonProject Grant Aid valued at 4.2
Million United States Dollars
for economic and social
development at a ceremony
held on Monday, May 18, 2015
in the conference room of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Acting Foreign Minister Hon.
B. Elias Shoniyin signed on
behalf of the Government of
Liberia while Ambassador
Kaoru Yoshimura signed for
the Japanese Government.
support to him in bettering
the livelihood of our povertystricken population, the group
warned.
The Civil Society has declared
that the time for politics is
far and all Liberians should
work with Governor Jones as
he strives to build a middle
income society when he said
to the people of Nimba County
and 1 quote Its time to look
for the Liberian man and
women those that believe in
Liberia, those who stand up
for Liberia and those who say
count on me for what I have
done the interest of Liberia
is not about empty promises
neither destroying excellence
so that mediocrity can rise.
We therefore, called on
Governor Jones not to be
distracted by those unfounded
information from his detractor
and continue to empower
our less fortunate citizens
something that could put more
Liberians to work in the midst
of the high unemployment in
the country, the group stated.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Page 8 | Frontpage

[L-R] Vice President, Joseph N. Boakai (left) inducting LTA officers into office at the Royal Grand Hotel; Guest attending the induction ceremony of officers of the Liberia Timber Association (LTA)

Induction Speech Delivered By: Mr. Rudolph J. Merab,

President, Liberia Timber Association (LTA)
At program marking the induction of Officers-elect of the Timber Association

Hon. Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President, Republic of Liberia,

Hon. J. Alex Tyler, Speaker of the House, Hon. Armah Jallah
President Pro-Temp of the Liberian Senate, His honor
Francis S. Korkpor Chief Justice, Supreme court, R,L; Hon.
Harrison Karnwea Managing Director Forestry Development
Authority, Rev. Dr. John G. Innis Resident Bishop LAC/UMC,
other officials of Government here present, Her Excellency
Madame Tiina Intelmann Ambassador of the European
Union and other members of the diplomatic corps, Heads of
various institutions, members of the fourth estate, invited
guest, my colleagues of the Timber Association, Ladies and
gentlemen;
I am humbled and grateful to my fellow members and colleagues
of the LTA for re-electing me with my new corps of officers for
the next two (2) years. We accept the mandate giving us and can
assure you all that we are committed to serve the association with
renewed enthusiasm, commitment and dedication for the overall
good of its members.
It has been twelve (12) years since the cessation of the hostility
and the establishment of this present Government yet the Timber
Industry has not reach its full potential in helping meet neither the
need of our development agenda nor the benefits of our people. We
had high hopes that by this time around the industry would have
evolved and become one of the engines of growth, contributing
to nation building by providing jobs, creating downstream
investment, education, infrastructure development and become a
major contributor to the nations Income generation.
The obvious question to ask ourselves then, is why these dreams
or expectation have eluded us thus far. The answer to that question
are due to several factors that hinder or stifle the progress and
development of the sector and these are, but not limited to:
a) The prevailing environment;
b) Taxation;
c) Legal constraints;
d) Lack of proper facilities and infrastructure
The prevailing Environment:
We believe the conditions we set create the environment that will
allow a business to succeed or fail. We strongly feel that certain
external forces have pressured the Government to believe that
commercial logging is detrimental to the country and every effort
is being made to frustrate its development and progress. The
industry has been viewed in a negative way and with suspicion. It
is an actual fact, that with proper policies and regulation in place,
this will encourage the success of the industry in a transparent
and accountable manner.

TAXATION:
The taxes imposed on the sector are higher than most other timber
producing country. For a country coming other of crisis; with the
poor conditions of its infrastructure, it is strange to believe that
we will impose the same or higher taxes then countries that have
had over more than thirty (30) years of continuous activities,
where all of their investment have been amortized. This makes
our commodity not to be competitive with these countries. Added
to this is the additional cost that we have to expense in order to
meet all the new legal requirements ( i.e. Chain of custody using
GPS, VPA & LEITI preparedness etc.). The government needs to
re-look at its tax policies and come up with a more conducive tax
structure that will attract more direct investment in this sector.
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS:
As we improve the governance issues surrounding the Forestry
Sector, we should be reminded that the Laws are the frame work
around which we all have to work. The Government, Civil Society,
Communities, Private Sector and our International Partners will
all have to be held to the Law. Any action by any party should be
according to the Law; The Government and any other Institution

Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Deputy Managing Director, Darlington S. Touagben makes remark
or Government cannot enter
into any agreement outside
the guidelines of the Law
and expect that agreement to
be legal. Also the actions we
take to remedy any action we
presume contrary to the Law
needs to follow the rule of Law.
When we realize that portions
of the law has ambiguity we
should not be afraid to seek
amendments. We all agree that
we are reforming the sector
from the way things were; and
reform is a process and not an
event. Mistake and missteps
will take place; we should have
the wisdom to mutually work
for improvement. An Executive
Order cannot and should not
be the medium for correcting
issues of law.
Lack
of
facilities
and
Infrastructures:
It is no secret that our
infrastructures are in a
deplorable state. Our road
network needs continuous
repair,
bridges
need

replacement;
more
work
needs to be done on our ports.
Electricity is not available or
too expensive for industry such
as processing facilities. This all
add to the cost of production
and
limits
productivity.
Concessions
(Forest
Management Contracts) are
given with no maintenance
of the major highways. The
timber companies are expected
to maintain these highways
without any compensation,
while at the same time paying
full taxes to Government. At
ports there are no places to
serve as Log Park; logs will
have to be stored miles away
from these ports increasing
the cost of timber companies
in handling. There need to be
some compromises!
It is our hope that we will begin
constructive
engagement
with Government to improve
the relationship with all
stakeholders; to seek ways of
improving how the industry

is perceived as we follow the

Rule of Law and allow for due
process.

CONCLUSION:
It is our fervent hope that
with the new corps of officers
within the LTA, we can engage
the government and all
stakeholders in constructively
seeking new avenues in
improving the industry for
the betterment of society as a
whole.
To our international partners,
we want to thank you for your
support through the VPASU and also your continuous
support to the Government.
We can assure you of our, the
LTA, support of the VPA and its
implementation.
To the members of the timber
association we want to assure
you that we are going to work
in your best interest. We
ask for you full support and
understanding as we serve
you. We will want all of us in

this industry engaged to the

fullest. When meeting and
training workshops are called,
please let us be in attendance.
To our Government and
the Forestry Development
Authority, we want to assure
you of our commitment to work
within the frame of the law and
that given the chance we will
be the partner you desire. We
are going to manage the forest
in the most sustainable way.
When we work together there
is nothing that will be too
difficult for us. Lets move the
economy together for the good
of our people and nation!
Thank you and God Bless!
Officers inducted are: Mr.
Rudolph J. Merab, President,
Mr. John M. Barter, First Vice
President, Mr. John S. Deah,
Second Vice President, Mrs.
Eliza D.J Kronyahn, Treasurer,
Mr. Augustine B.M. Johnson
Secretary, and Macdonald
Wento.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Frontpage

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ECOWAS VOLUNTEERS

I. Information on EVP Assignment
EVP Assignment Title: Midwives (Senior)
Project Title: UNFPA Mano River Midwifery Response Project
POSITIONS
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS
Midwives
10 volunteers
Duration of Assignment: 6 months (renewable based on Expected Starting Date: Immediately
availability of funding and satisfactory performance)

Location, Country: Sierra Leone

II. Preamble

Type of Contract: ECOWAS Volunteers

In line with its vision 2020, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is implementing a Volunteers
Programme to cut across all areas/sectors of activities of the ECOWAS Commission and its sister Institutions.
The ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP) was inspired by the social value that voluntary action represents. This social
value has existed for a very long time in African societies and especially in ECOWAS Member States. The traditional
volunteer service is a current, everyday practice, demonstrated for instance in running to the assistance of aged persons
or communal work in maintaining the environment, or jointly mobilizing to save or provide aid to victims of disasters, or
indeed the giving out of grants to indigent members of our communities.
The EVP promotes this social value in support and pursuit of development, peace and regional integration. It contributes
to the development of the sub region by providing technical assistance through volunteers, tinted by the dynamism and
innovation particular to youth, to support the efforts of Member States in their priority areas for development.
ECOWAS Volunteers are a group of volunteers men and women (18 to 35 years) from ECOWAS countries, with the
capacity to adapt to different social, cultural and political circumstances. They are deployed in selected communitybased associations, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and specialized agencies that
are active in socio-economic, cultural, political, and humanitarian work. The volunteers help consolidate peace, recovery,
national reconciliation and rehabilitation in crisis-affected communities. It is expected of the members of the volunteer
corps to strengthen the capacities of local organizations by assisting them in the development and implementation of
projects and programmes.
This initiative complements existing programmes for Peace Building and national volunteers programmes in ECOWAS
Member States. It helps to address the structural causes of vulnerability, instability or outbreaks of violence in the region.
The ECOWAS Commission, through the ECOWAS Volunteers Programme (EVP) is to facilitate the involvement and
participation of its young citizens in peace and development through volunteering initiatives.
The Programme is currently present in three countries for the pilot phase, namely Sierra Leone and Guinea.

III. Brief Project Description

The overarching purpose of the Mano River Midwifery Response is to increase access to essential normal and emergency
obstetric and neonatal service delivery and care for women and new-borns in the Mano River area (Guinea and Sierra
Leone). In addition, this response contributes to reinforcing the health systems in the perspective of the post-Ebola
epidemic. This response puts in place essential human resources, equipment, drugs and supplies, builds the capacity of
national health professionals and raises community awareness. In each country a quick assessment will be done to
determine population distribution, the available health professionals and equipment, and the international support

already in place, in order to respond to the most critical needs and to complement efforts already conducted.
UNFPA is setting-up RMNH services to pregnant women and new-borns, establishing a network of midwives in the
affected areas, able to address the urgent needs of childbearing women and new-borns. Community outreach through
community health workers to restore trust in the RMNH services and to reach childbearing women through mobileclinics is part of the response. The Services include family planning, antenatal, childbirth, post-partum/natal care,
including basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care, sexual reproductive health matters and services. The midwives
will serve in teams across the three affected countries. These Basic Emergency Obstetric Care (BEmONC) Centres will be
connected with Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmONC) Centres linked with a referral system.
In response to the emergency situation created by the Ebola epidemic, the EVP has created a new corps of volunteers,
the humanitarian Emergency Response Team. These volunteers will be recruited and deployed for the first time under
the UNFPA Mano River Project. The ECOWAS Volunteers will contribute to regional integration, peace and development
by providing technical assistance through volunteers, tinted by the dynamism and innovation particular to youth, to
support this global effort.
Background:
The current outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa is the largest and most complex outbreak of Ebola to
date, with more cases and deaths than in all-previous outbreaks combined. Mistrust and general panic are posing
barriers to essential health care in the affected countries, with pregnant women being too scared to visit health s and
facilities no longer being able to perform routine and emergency maternal and new-born health services. The crisis has
diverted critical resources away from pregnant women and new-borns. It is estimated that more than 800,000 women in
Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia will be pregnant in the next 12 months. Moreover, more than 1.3 million women in
these countries will need family planning services in 2015. If no intervention takes place, it is expected that the number
of pregnant women and new-borns dying from preventable causes will significantly increase.

IV. Host Agency/Host Institute:

V. Organisational Context

Clinical midwifery and gender sensitive reproductive health service delivery and care
The midwife ensures that gender considerations are part of the core professional midwifery practice on the unit and
guides the team towards institutionalizing the following:
Early recognition of pregnant women presenting to midwives-led centres with symptoms that could suggest Ebola
leading to immediate isolation and testing, before referral if positive case
Prompt the rapid institution of infection control measures (e.g., use of personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation,
decontamination) to prevent potential transmission to staff, patients and visitors.
Diagnosing, supporting and examining women during pregnancy; developing, assessing and evaluating individual
midwifery services of care for vulnerable groups;
Providing childbirth and neonatal services including basic emergency obstetric and new-born care (EmONC) services;
Providing full gender sensitive, integrated antenatal care, in facility, community and at home, including counselling and
advice;
Identifying high risk pregnancies and, where possible, making timely referrals to more appropriate facilities;
Providing post-abortion services, including Family Planning (FP);
Arranging and providing parenting and health education for the woman, her partner and family members; encouraging
participation of family members in the birth to support the mother and enhance both mother/ baby bonding and family
relationships generally;
Offering support and advice following events such as miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, neonatal abnormality and
neonatal death;
Supporting and assisting mothers in labour, monitoring the condition of the foetus and using knowledge of drugs and
pain management;
Giving support and advice on the daily care of the baby, including exclusive breastfeeding, cord care, hygiene and
Kangaroo mother care for preterm and for less than 2000g babies;
Providing advice and guidance on a safe and timely transfer home;
Provides advice and counselling on birth spacing (Family planning) methodologies and options to the client and her
family.
Liaising with agencies and other health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care;
Where possible, consults with and makes recommendations to the referred to facility concerning health needs of the
clients;
Supports Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (EMTCT) of HIV services including providing HIV counselling and
testing services; Supporting and providing comprehensive reproductive health services particularly for youth and other
vulnerable groups including internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees;
Providing integrated antenatal care services, including EMTCT for HIV, STI and Malaria prevention and treatment,

UNFPA Country Office

The Country Coordination Office represents EVP in the beneficiary countries. The EVP Country Coordination office is
responsible for the management of operations at country level, and works with country partners to define the objectives
of specific program in the country in accordance with Program guidelines. It provides all programme and administrative
support to ECOWAS Volunteers deployed to the country.
While remaining under the administrative authority of EVP, ECOWAS Volunteers shall be under the overall direction and
substantive supervision of the UNFPA Country Office. In each country a logistic cell will be established to provide logistic
and management/ programme services to the temporary centres. Furthermore, Furthermore, at country level the
MoHS/UNFPA coordination committee will monitor and oversee the Volunteers technical activities..
VI. Description of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative of the applicable Country Office and the project coordinator
in the country of assignment and in close collaboration with the programme associate, the senior midwife will assume
the following responsibilities:
Administrative and Professional Responsibilities
He/she will support the project coordinator in the supervision of midwifery staff and support staff in the planning of care
and implementation of the midwifery case management. She/he will support the overall management of the
performance of the midwives in the team.
Plans unit workflow, determines priorities, assigns responsibilities, oversees and reviews clinical practice; prepare staff
work schedule, reporting and record keeping;
Provides regular feedback to the staff on their clinical performance, identifies staff development needs and presents the
information to appropriate personnel for onward planning of professional advancement in best practice;
Mentors the more junior midwives in their daily work;
Promote professional ethics and conduct. Maintains and promotes standards of midwifery care in collaboration with
partners including nurses and midwives associations;
Ensure an effective monitoring and supervision of the midwifery/clinical case management of patients/clients admitted
to the hospital or facility;
Provides oversight for the requisition, safe storage and administration of drugs and supplies including the maintenance
of equipment and all relevant inventories;
Assists the procurement process including identifying items necessary to provide the required care;
Assists, supports and encourages implementation of clinical and administrative policies and procedures;
Assists and supports the implementation of functional referral mechanisms;
Completes all required documentation and reporting on expected project results and outputs.
Facilitates team meetings including case reviews, and creates a forum for learning;
Engaging in professional development to meet PREP (post-registration education and practice) requirements;
Ensures the facility remains functional in administrative and clinical operations;
Liaises with agencies and other health and social care professionals to ensure continuity of care;
Identifies and shares best practices in their area of work with the UNFPA country team.
Clinical midwifery and gender sensitive reproductive health service delivery and care
The midwife ensures that gender considerations are part of the core professional midwifery practice on the unit and
guides the team towards institutionalizing the following:
Early recognition of pregnant women presenting to midwives-led centres with symptoms that could suggest Ebola
leading to immediate isolation and testing, before referral if positive case
Prompt the rapid institution of infection control measures (e.g., use of personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation,
decontamination) to prevent potential transmission to staff, patients and visitors.
Diagnosing, supporting and examining women during pregnancy; developing, assessing and evaluating individual
midwifery services of care for vulnerable groups;
Providing childbirth and neonatal services including basic emergency obstetric and new-born care (EmONC) services;
Providing full gender sensitive, integrated antenatal care, in facility, community and at home, including counselling and
advice;

Page 9

nutrition and immunization;

Play a central role in establishing partnerships and cooperating with and eventually supervising traditional birth
attendants, other health care workers and community midwives.
Cooperating with and eventually supervising community outreach workers who mobilize the community to seek
services in the BEmONC centres;
Providing support for victims of gender based violence (GBV) and clinical management of rape.
Assist with supportive supervision and on-site training of midwives, midwifery students and other health workers;
Supervise community outreach workers who mobilize the community to seek services in the BEmONC centers;
Contribute to the regular reporting on activities and outcomes in his/her deployment area;
Take part in the review of maternal deaths and near-miss cases;
Develop and monitor progress indicators for Safe Motherhood in the hospital (facility) and completes all required
documentation and reporting on expected project results and outputs and submit report
Further ECOWAS volunteers are expected to:
Strengthen the capacities of local organisations in order to assist them in the development and implementation of
projects and programmes involving volunteers.
Promote a culture of peace and regional integration
Promote gender equality
Establish and supporting partnerships between communities
Network and collaborating with other development partners
Provide expertise/services to the host communities
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant EVP and external
publications and take active part in EVP activities (for instance in events that mark IVD).
VII. Results/Expected output:
By the end of the project period, ECOWAS Volunteer midwives are expected to have contributed to the following results:
Women provided with comprehensive antenatal services;
Women and newborns provided with quality and respectful midwifery care at childbirth and in the post-partum/natal
period;
Women and newborns with complications are referred in a timely manner to the appropriate level of care, to the extent
possible;
Women with Ebola symptoms are well managed (immediate isolation, testing, referral) and the health professionals well
protected;
Women, including adolescents, and men receive access to family planning services;
Women and men receive access to HIV and STI counseling and treatment services;
Women and girls provided with care and counseling related to gender based violence, including rape;
Women provided with care and counseling in the case of abortion, stillbirth, neonatal abnormality and neonatal death;
Increased access to midwifery services, including FP and GBV;
Community outreach activities are well supported;
Production of timely and quality reporting;
Maternal deaths and near miss cases reviewed, as well as management of Ebola suspect/infected cases, with
recommendations and follow-up;
Documentation of best practices for publishing/presentation and newsletters on UNV activities documented and
disseminated;
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on
the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
The senior ECOWAS Volunteer midwives will also have contributed to:
Excellent management of the midwifery centres;
Implementation of the Mano River Midwifery Response Programme;
Establishment and running of functional referral mechanisms.
VIII. Qualifications/Requirements:
Qualified midwife with at least a Diploma or equivalent in Midwifery with a minimum of 5 years experience in practicing
midwifery;
An additional minimum 3 years of experience in managing midwifery unit, coordinating and supervising staff, mentoring
and training staff and quality assurance of midwifery unit;
Experience in an ECOWAS Member State is required; experience in an emergency setting is considered an asset;
Previous training in dealing with infectious diseases/ public health emergencies is considered as asset;
Knowledge of midwifery association, education, legislation and regulation, preferably in the region;
Demonstrated skills in team and consensus building;
Ability to work independently;
For Guinea: fluency in French and a working knowledge of English is required/ For Sierra Leone and Liberia: fluency in
English is required. Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.
Core Competencies
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Learning
Achieving results
Being accountable
Developing and applying professional expertise
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work independently
Values
Exemplifying integrity
Demonstrates commitment to UNFPA and the ECOWAS Commission
Embracing cultural diversity
Embracing change
Respecting patients choice
Functional Competencies
Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
Job knowledge/technical expertise
Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
Integration in a multidisciplinary environment
IV. Conditions of life
The health-systems are under pressure and panic exists among the population and health care workers. It is not easy to
predict how the situation will develop over the coming months.
The living and working conditions in the areas affected by Ebola are difficult, and each country and host institution put
systems in place to assist the volunteers to integrate into the communities to the best of their abilities.
V. Conditions of Services
As stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding between UNFPA and EVP, ECOWAS Volunteers (in their capacity as
individual volunteers) shall serve under contract with EVP and are governed by the applicable EVP Conditions of Service
and Code of Conduct as stated in the EVP Management and Administrative Procedures Manual, and the code of conduct
of UNFPA.
A monthly subsistence allowance (1165 USD) intended to cover housing costs, basic needs and utilities charges are paid
monthly. An installation allowance; medical insurance, disability insurance and life insurance; fees for air travel from /to
home country.

VI. Application criteria and other Considerations

Nationals of the assignment country cannot apply to serve in their country of origin. Interested candidates are
invited to apply by sending their CV and cover letter to the email address: info@ecowasvolunteers.org and
ecowasvol@gmail.com and copy to cdjs@fasonet.bf no later than 26 June 2015.
Prepared by: Ibrahim Patingd A
OUEDRAOGO
Approved by: Francis Chuks
NJOAGUANI

Signature:

Date: 01/06/2015

Signature:

Date: 03/06/2015

NEWS EXTRA

Page 10 | Frontpage

Thursday, June 18, 2015

CHEVRON LAUNCHES INFECTIOUS

DISEASE CONTROL CENTER IN LIBERIA

Monrovia s
part
of
its
contribution
to
Liberias post-Ebola
recovery,
Chevron
Liberia and its joint venture
partners
including
the
Liberia Ebola Private Sector
Mobilization Group (EPSMG),
on Tuesday launched the
Center of Excellence for
Infectious Disease Control at
the John F. Kennedy Medical
Center in Monrovia.
Mr. Karl Cottrell, Country
Manager, Chevron Liberia
Limited said the company
was excited to be competing
the signing of an agreement
for a center that will bolster
Liberias post-Ebola health and
infectious disease control.
Chevron is currently exploring
for energy resources in
deepwater concessions off the
coast of Liberia. Working with
international and Liberian
partners, the company is
drilling some of the first
deepwater wells in Liberia
in decades. As part of the
companys commitment to
Liberia, it has created the
Chevron-Liberia
Economic
Development
Initiative
through which it has invested
in a variety of successful
programs focused on health,
education and enterprise
development.
On Tuesday, Mr. Cottrell said
when Chevron entered into a
Partnership with the people
of Liberia in 2010, it made a
commitment to help overcome
some of the health challenges
that were facing the Nation at
that point in time. In particular,
he said, the company made
a commitment to focus on
Mother Child Health care and,
working with partners like JKF,
Redemption Hospital, Grand
Bassa Hospital, St. Josephs
Hospital,
Kingdom
Care,
Bensons Hospital and other
health institutions across
Liberia, progress was being
made in this critical area.
Mr. Cottrell said at the time and
even up until a year ago, no

Massa F. Kanneh massa.kanneh@frontpageafricaonline.com/ 0886848625

R to L: Dr. McDonald, CEO JFK Medical Center, Dr. Bernice Dahn, Minister of Health Designate, Karl Cottrell, Country
Manager, Chevron Liberia, Deborah Malac, USA Ambassador and Caroline Dow, Economic officer, USA Embassy at JFK
Medical Center tour following the launch of the Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease Control.
one would have predicted the
onset of Ebola and the impact
that it would have on Liberia.
With the strong collaboration
between the Government of
Liberia, Government of United
States, other international
governments, UN agencies,
national and international
donors,
national
and
international NGOs, private
sector
companies,
media
and most importantly local
communities leaders, Liberia
can truly celebrate success
in accomplishing the goal of
Zero is achievable
Mr. Cottrell said Chevron
recognizes the hard work
of health workers and their
commitment, dedication and
their personal sacrifices in
line of duty. We remember
those health care workers you
made the ultimate sacrifice
in the service of others.
Chevron clearly recognizes
the impact that Ebola has
had on the health sector and,
with the signing of this grant
agreement, Chevron along with
the other contributors to the
Liberian Center of Excellence
for Infectious Disease Control,
wishes to move Liberia past

the goal of Zero is Achievable

towards a bigger goal of
Zero is Sustainable, not only
for Ebola but against other
common infectious diseases
that impact lives of every
Liberian on daily basis.
Mr. Cottrell said the key to
achieving the goal of Zero is
Sustainable is to establish a
central platform that can build
capacity of the health sector
and health professionals in
Liberia.
He said the Center will serve
as a central, collaborative
platform in capacity building;
infectious diseases clinical
care; research and public
health outreach with the
ultimate outcome being a
center that delivers high
quality care and preventative
services to all Liberians.
We hope that the support,
commitment,
partnership
and dedication demonstrated
during Ebola eradication will
continue during execution
of this post Ebola signature
health project.
For her part, Dr. Wvannie
McDonald,
General
Administrator at JFK said the
center will operate as a true

Public/Private
Partnership
model with an initial grant from
Chevron, Liberia, a Member of
the EPSMG and would operate
under
international
best
practices with an Advisory
Board, First Class Management
and Governance Systems.
Dr. McDonald added:
As
Liberias internal and external
stakeholders mobilized in a
precedent way to fight the
Ebola Virus Disease, this
Center continues that legacy
of collaboration; sounding out
to the world that this historical
partnership will continue to
keep Ebola at Zero Level in
Liberia and ensure that there
is a frontline defense for Ebola
or any other infectious disease
that comes to Liberia.
The JFK boss said the first
order of business for the
Center will be to hire an
Executive Director; with a job
posting that will be issued
on Tuesday, June 17, 2015.
We are calling on worlds
top specialists in infectious
diseases, with experience in
the developing world and
health care administration
to apply for this position. We
want to emphasize that the

position is open to Liberians

and Non-Liberians. We are
specifically seeking someone
with the skill sets, knowledge,
competency, expertise and
a burning passion to make a
difference.
The next essential task of
the Center, she said would
be to understand the lessons
learned in Liberia so they can
be shared with the world and
built into any on-going disease
management and response.
My fellow Liberians, the
world responded, but you
did it. We must understand
how we stopped the chain of
transmission in its tracks, from
the community workers, to
the youth leaders, the mothers
and caregivers, the religious
community, civil society, our
political leadership, we must
understand individual by
individual.
Dr. McDonald expressed thanks
to Chevron for its generous
donations to the CEID Project.
She also applauded Chevrons
five-year
commitment
to
the health of the Liberian
people, more especially for the
difference made in the health
of our children. For the past

children in the country.

Little Satta Sheriff said: We
the children of the Republic
of Liberia are asking the
government of this country to
please make funding available
to people who are in charge
of women and children
protection so that we can be
protected.
She called on President Sirleaf
to pay more attention to
children as they are the future
of the country. Miss Sheriff
also cautioned people against
abusing children to stop.
This years celebration was
held under the national theme,
Promoting and Preserving
Healthy Family Systems to End
Child Marriage in Liberia.
Speaking at the program
held on the Fairgrounds
in Buchanan City, Gender
and
Child
Development
Minister, Julia Duncan Cassel,
encouraged
the
National
Legislature to enact laws to
stop parents from forcing

their children under age into

marriage.
Minister
Duncan-Cassell
who recently attended an
international conference in
South Africa said during that
conference she assured that
the government is strongly
working with women and
children in the country.
So as we are working for you,
we also need your corporation
as parents to minimize child
labor, child marriage, and other
negative activities our children
are faced with, DuncanCassell said. If you want a
brighter future for your child
or children then start working
towards that now and also be
willing to disclose people that
are in the habit of abusing your
children. Do not compromise
child abuse as your children or
child are your future.
For his part, Senator Peter
Coleman, Chair of the Liberian
Senate Health Committee,
called on the Ministry of

Gender and Child Development

to initiate a forum to discuss
issues relating to child
marriage, child labor and
teenage pregnancy amongst
other vices affecting Liberian
Children.
Senator Coleman suggested
that the forum should bring
together
stakeholders
including traditional chiefs
and the head of the traditional
council, Chief Zanzan Karwor
to discuss issues about child
marriage and abuse.
Youth and Sports Minister,
Eugene Nagbe disclosed that
the minister has programs
underway for the 15 counties
to help empower children who
have physical disabilities.
The program also graced the
induction of the leadership
of the Children Parliament
following an election on
Monday, June 15.
The days activities were
climaxed with a football match
between Grand Bassa County

Five (5) years Chevron have

funded our Under-5 children
Clinic at JFKMC. Bringing in
Doctors from Baylor (Notably
Dr. Josephine Reese and Dr.
Ivonne Bulter) to work at
the Maternity Hospital and
the Childrens ward at the
Memorial Hospital.
The JFK boss also hailed and
expressed appreciation to U.S.
Ambassador Deborah Malac for
her never ending support and
standing firm with us during
the Ebola Crisis. Turning to the
U.S. envoy, Dr. McDonald said:
You attended meetings with
us, you advocated and assured
that the necessary resources
and expertise came into the
country. Thanks for all you
have done and continue to do.
May God Richly Bless You!
The Center of Excellence for
Infectious Disease Control
is a healthcare capacity
building program established
to prevent, treat, and control
infectious diseases as part
of the post-Ebola recovery.
Housed at the John F. Kennedy
Memorial Medical Center,
Liberia's primary medical care
facility and teaching hospital,
the Center will bring together
resources and leverage the
expertise and contributions of
diverse partners from national
and international academic
institutions, bilateral and
multilateral donors, African
partners, NGOs, civil society,
the private sector, and the
government of Liberia. This
collaborative platform will
seek to develop skills and
infrastructure to promote
excellence
in
diagnosis,
management, and prevention
of infectious diseases through
clinical
care,
education
and training, research, and
advocacy.
Chevron Liberia is co-funding
the initial investment for the
project as part of its Corporate
Social Investment plan and as
a member of the Ebola Private
Sector Mobilization Group
(EPSMG). It is anticipated that
the Center will become the
vehicle for Liberia's partners
and stakeholders, serving as
a frontline defense to guard
against future outbreaks and
further empower the Liberian
population in preventative
care.

LIBERIAS CHILDREN PARLIAMENT WANTS BUDGET TO PRIORITIZE KIDS

Alpha Daffae Senkpeni,
alpha.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County

iberias
Children
Parliament has echoed
the need for the
national government
to allot more budgetary
support to government entities
that implement programs for
children in the country. This,
the Speaker of the Children

Parliament said will ensure the

effective protection of children
across the country.
Speaking at program marking
celebrations of the Day of the
African Child held in Buchanan
City on Tuesday, June 16, the
Speaker of Liberias Children
Parliament asked that the
national budget should place
importance to the welfare of

Under 14 and the Liberia

Children Parliament with
Grand Bassa defeating the
parliament three goals to one.
The Day of the African Child
is celebrated June 16 every
year since 1991. The day
was first initiated by the
OAU Organization of African
Unity to honor those who
participated in the Soweto
Uprising in 1976 in South
Africa during its dark days of
apartheid. The observance of
the day also intends to promote
awareness of the continuing
need for improvement of the
education provided to African
children. Governments, NGOs,
international
organizations
and other stakeholders gather
to discuss the challenges and
opportunities facing the full
realization of the rights of
children in Africa. This years
global theme is Accelerating
our Collective Efforts to end
Child Marriage in Africa.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

NEWS EXTRA

Frontpage

CHEVRON LAUNCHES INFECTIOUS

DISEASE CONTROL CENTER IN LIBERIA

n Wednesday, 17th
June
2015,
the
European
Union,
together with its
partners will celebrate Climate
Diplomacy Day, promoting
a
common
worldwide
understanding of the need
for action to mitigate climate
change. Climate change is
one of the major challenges of
the 21st century, presenting
risks for our planet, for our
prosperity and security. Turn
on your TV to watch the news,
listen to the radio and read the
papers: almost every week you
will receive information about
extreme weather conditions
resulting in natural disasters
around the world. All of these
disasters cause misery and
loss of human life, as well as
billions of US$ in damages.
Climate change is not just

happening to others elsewhere

in the world, it is happening,
to all of us, including here in
Liberia.
The risks of climate change
are serious: rising sea levels
that threaten to flood coastal
cities; increasingly extreme
weather that jeopardises food
production and worsening
water shortages; serious air
pollution, which troubles
many
cities
worldwide;
melting of glaciers in the
north etc. Without sustained
climate action, these impacts
will have dire effects on future
generations.
2015 is a crucial year for
our common action, as the
international
community
prepares to adopt a new
global climate deal in Paris in
December 2015. All countries
are expected to come forward

with their contributions well in

advance of the Paris conference,
to enable us to negotiate an
agreement for global action.
Preliminary talks are ongoing
with Liberia participating via
the Environment Protection
Agency (EPA) led by Hon.
Anyaa Vohiri. If we are to stand
a chance of keeping global
warming within 2C compared

with
preindustrial
levels
and avoiding catastrophe, an
ambitious, legally binding
agreement is going to be
needed, covering all countries.
You may ask: how is this
relevant to Liberia and what
could Liberia possibly do to
help. Liberia has been blessed
with a considerable resource
of rainforest. It is important

to preserve it for the sake

of our planet.
Rainforests
help stabilize the worlds
climate by absorbing carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere.
Therefore, rainforests have an
important role in mitigating
climate change and should be
preserved where they still exist.
Globally, it is estimated that
20 % of global CO2 emissions
results from deforestation.
Deforestation
like
other
sources of greenhouse gas
emissions have accelerated
considerably. Estimates are
that about a half of the Earth's
mature tropical rainforests
between 7.5 million and
8 million km2 were cleared
since 1945 and that one fifth
of the tropical rainforest was
destroyed between 1960 and
1990.
Good forest governance and
law enforcement are critical
to the success of efforts to
halt deforestation and forest
degradation.
This is the
reason why the EU is currently
working with Liberia and its
Forest Development Authority
(FDA) to end illegal logging

POLITICS

LINU RESURRECTS-NAMES NEW POLITICAL LEADER

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr (231886458910)-genowayedwin@gmail.com

Monroviaiberia is expected to go
election in 2017 and as
usual several dormant
political parties are
preparing for the political
process.
The opposition Liberian National
Union (LINU), a party that was
used by Cllr. Winston Tubman
to make his way to the Congress
for Democratic Change in 2011
has named a new political leader
who will steer the affairs of the
party.
The Executive Committee (EC)
of LINU and other members of
the Partys (EC) have resolved to
confer upon Nathaniel T. Blama,
Sr the title of Political leader of
the Liberian National Union.
According to a resolution,
a copy of which is in the
possession of FrontPageAfrica
the EC took the decision to
make Nathaniel Blama the
party political leader due to his
invaluable contribution to the
transformation of the party.
Due
to
the
invaluable
contribution of this eminent
partisan, the time seems prudent
to elevate this illustrious son of
the party to its leadership, it
is hoped that in this capacity
we will be able to inculcate
his expertise with the existing
ones in
a noble quest for
consolidating the machinery of
our institution, the resolution

stated.
LINU says in the dialectics of
building a vibrant party, (LINU)
remains in the continuous thrust
of making advancement geared
at the attainment of forming a
government for the Liberian
people.
According to the party, the
realization of this grandiose
plan should not be seen as
an overnight dream, saying it
should rather be accepted as
realistic for a political institution
traditionally considered as a
government in waiting.
The party has indicated that
it has however written the
National Elections Commission
(NEC) informing them (NEC)
about the party new political
leader.
A letter to NEC dated June 5,
2015 the LINU stated: we
respectfully extend profound
compliments and request your
acknowledgement for decision
reached by the Liberian National
Union (LINU) in conferring the
title of political leader upon Hon.
Nathaniel Blama, Sr.
The letter furthered stated
that, the Liberian National
Union has resolved and reached
the decision to empower Hon.
Blama in executing his mandate
to achieve galvanizing all
necessary support for the party,
constructively engage other
political leaders and relevant

stakeholders in consultations
with the Executive Committee of
the party,.
The Liberia National Union
(LINU) is a political party that
was formed by Dr. Harry Moniba,
the former Vice President of
Liberia (1984 - 1990).
Moniba also helped to create the
multi-party election system that
the country currently uses. He
served as LINU's first standard
bearer as well. LINU participated
in the 11 October 2005 elections
as part of the three-party United
Democratic Alliance (UDA)
coalition obtaining 3,756 votes
with 0.31%.
LINU before the 2011 elections
expelled their former standard

bearer Winston Tubman from

the party on ground that he
(Winston Tubman) forced the
party into alliance with the CDC
and five other political parties
without the knowledge of the
larger majority of its partisans,
a decision some executive
members of LINU strongly
rejected.
Following his expulsion from
LINU, Cllr. Tubman joined the
CDC thus winning the standard
bearer-ship of the CDC but later
withdrew the party from the
race during the second round
of the election between the CDC
and the Unity Party.
Nathaniel T. Blama, Sr. was born
in the city of Monrovia, Republic

of Liberia, he was a contestant

for the Senatorial seat for
Montserrado County in 2014,
and he also served as Assistant
Secretary General for the
Liberian National Union (LINU)
in 2009-2011.
He holds a Masters degree in
Public Administration, with
emphasis in Public Policy Process
from the Graduate School of
Studies at the University of
Liberia; he earned a Certificate
of Completion in Strategic
Management of Regulatory and
Enforcement Agencies, from
the Harvard University, John F.
Kennedy School of Government,
Executive Education Program in
Boston, USA.
He earned a Bachelor of Science
Degree (with Honors) in Public
Administration from the A. M. E.
Zion University in Monrovia. He
earned several other Certificates
in Environmental and Social
Impact Assessments, Strategic
Environmental
Assessments,
Environmental Monitoring and
Environmental
Management
from Liberia and abroad
including the University of Cape
Town in South Africa; Currently,
he is private businessman
serving as General Manager
for Global Construction and
Mechanical
Company,
Inc.,
Managing Partner for Planet
Management Services, Inc.
He is also a founding member
of Constantine International
Corporation
(CIC),
a
consultancy firm. He worked the
Environment Protection Agency

Page 11

and to make sure the forests

are not destroyed.
Scientists have shown that
excess carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere resulting from
human activities and more
specifically from burning fossil
fuels is also driving climate
change. Although the biggest
emitters of greenhouse gases
have
been
industrialized
countries that consume a lot
of energy, it is important for
all of us to focus on renewable
sources of energy. This is why
the EU and other development
partners are working in Liberia
to provide access to renewable
and affordable hydro energy,
instead of using costly and
polluting generators.
The EU is fully committed to
doing its part and counts on
the continued cooperation
and collaboration of its
international partners to reach
a successful conclusion in
Paris. Investment decisions
over the next 10 to 15 years
will determine our success in
leading the transformation to
a cleaner, more sustainable
future for all people for the
decades to come. It is clear
that the Paris deal must also
deliver on challenges other
than reducing emissions. The
EU is ready to support those
most vulnerable to climate
change and with least means
to be able to cope with its
negative consequences.
There are some concerns that
measures to tackle climate
change will adversely affect
economic growth. This is not
necessarily so. Analysis shows
that an efficient, low carbon
path is key to future economic
success. The EU has ambitious
targets for energy efficiency
and renewable energy.
This is an historic opportunity
we cannot afford to miss and
these decisions do affect all of
us.
of Liberia (EPA) for 2008- 2014;
at the EPA, he served in several
positions,
including;
Chief
Technical Advisor and Program
Coordinator for the UNDP/
GOL, Energy and Environment
Program; Deputy Executive
Director, a.i.; Administrative
Assistant and Chief of Staff in the
office of the Executive Director,
Project Manager and Planning
Officer among others.
Blama served as a part of the
Technical Review Team at the
EPA that reviews and validated
submissions as they relate to
Environmental and Social Impact
Assessments (ESIA) reports.
He served as a member of
the
Liberian
negotiating
team
on
Multilateral
Environmental
Agreements,
(MEAs), participating in the
development of international
legal instruments; he has also
represented Liberia at several
international
conferences,
including:
The
African
Ministerial Conference on the
Environment; The UNSG Summit
of Climate Change, Conference
of the Parties (COPs); Technical
Meetings; Capacity Building
programs
and
Negotiation
Meetings. He worked with the
United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) for 3 years
where he served in several
capacities;
including,
Field
Mobility and Logistics Officer,
Administrative and Logistics
Officer and Operations Assistant.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Page 12 | Frontpage

Print Rate Sheet

INVITATION TO BID

FrontpageAfrica Newspaper Advertisement Rates

Size

Dimensions

Color

Black/White

Center Spread

Center Pages

$1,200.00

$700.00

Full Page

11"x16"

$600.00

$350.00

Half Page

11"x8.5"

$300.00

$200.00

Quarter Page

6"x8.5"

$225.00

$125.00

One Eighth Page

6x4.5"

$200.00

$175.00

Front page Special Position

10"x1.5"

By Contract

By Contract

Front page Earpiece

1.5"x2"

$300.00

$200.00

Back Page Special

11"x1.5"

By Contract

By Contract

Back Page Earpiece

1.5"x2"

$250.00

$150.00

Insertions

Per Thousand

$150.00

$150.00

Classified

1.5"x3"

By Contract

By Contract

Deliver AD copy in person to the offices of the Front Page Corporation in Congo Town,
Monrovia or via email at advertise@frontpageafricaonline.com.
Ask our AD Executive for a volume discount if you also place your AD on
Frontpageafricaonline.com or a frequency discount if you run the ad for more than two
consecutive periods.
We accept payments via Paypal, wire transfers, checks and money orders. Frontpageafrica
reserves the right to reject any advertising.

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

Issue Date : June 8, 2015

RFP Title
: Request for Bids/Proposals for the provision of six to twelve (12)
Land Cruisers (Jeep)
RFP NO :

eHA/RFP/JUN-01/2015

RFP Submission Address: eHealth Systems Africa Liberia,19th Street and Warner
Avenue (beach side, first avenue intersection house and fence with cream color
and brown gate), Monrovia, Liberia. ONLY hard copy in the tender box at the office
will be considered.
eHealth Africa is a nongovernmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to improving health
care in developing countries through strengthening health workers and the system that
support them. ehealth Africa works towards this goal by creating sustainable eHealth and
mhealth systems, providing technology infrastructure, performing training and capacity
building workshops, publishing research on our works in Africa, and by providing
consulting and support for other organizations working on healthcare in Africa. Based in
santa Ana, California, in the United States, eHealth Africa main office is located in Kano,
Nigeria.
In order to achieve its goals and objectives, eHealth System Liberia has secured funds
from its partners for the continuation of these operations in Liberia. eHealth Africa
Systems Liberia is seeking bids/proposals for the provision of six (6) to twelve (12)
pieces of the below specified vehicles:

Toyota Land Cruiser 76 4WD 52 (Jeep)

Interested and suitable qualified manufacturers or suppliers may request complete

tender information from eHealth Systems Africa Liberia office located at:

19th Street and Warner Avenue

Monrovia, Liberia
Contact Person: Logistics Manager
Cell #: +231880512714, +231886132874

Offers to supply this vehicle will not be accepted after close of business 4:00PM on Friday
June 19, 2015.
We greatly appreciate your participation and look forword to reviewing your submission.

WANTED URGENTLY Part Time

The below positions are available for qualified, experienced
applicants:
1. Part time experienced COOK to prepare early continental
Breakfast and Grill foods, four (4) times per week.
2. Guests Services Assistants for three (3) days, and one
(1) night, per week. Ability to operate a stand - by Generator.

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

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

NEWS EXTRA

Thursday, June 18, 2015

YEBETT LAUNCHES FUND

RAISING PROGRAM FOR
EBOLA ORPHANS

Frontpage

Page 13

authorities in the fight against drugs trafficking. The Network

further called on governments in the region to adopt legislative
frameworks in line with the UN Convention against corruption
and step up efforts to mobilize internal revenues from natural
resources and curb illicit financial flows outside the region.

A. Macaulay Sombai, sombai121@gmail.com

Monroviahe World Health Organization (WHO) Ebola

Response Coordinator in Liberia has described
the humanitarian role by the Youth Empowerment
for Better Tomorrow (YEBETT) for Ebola affected
children in Monrovia as a good step forward.
Dr. Badini Mchbbob Khan speaking during a fund raising
program organized by (YEBETT) described the work of the
organization as significant.
The program was intended to raise fund to help approximately
20 orphans both boys and girls who lost their parents during
the Ebola outbreak in the country and are currently under the
supervision YEBETT.
Said Dr. Kahn: What you are doing for this children is a big
step forward not only for them but for the country as a whole
and I can assure the fullest support of WHO as you struggle to
educate and improve the lives of these future generation not
only for your country Liberia but also for the world at large.
Also speaking Ama David Jarteh, the organization Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) made a philanthropic call on Liberians
especially members of the legislature to come to the aid of his
organization as they try to keep the children on par with other
children in the country in the area of education and better
living condition.
Jarteh explained that all of the help provided the children
presently are coming from the organization own pocket
and said that they need more help in order to continue such
assistance to the children.
He called on his comrades in the organization to put aside
their differences and remain together as they endeavor to help
better prepare the future leaders of the county.
Liberia is all what we have and our objective is to help
educate the future leaders of this country. We must not change
but we must double our effort until our objective is met, the
CEO urged.
YEBETT Liberia came into being in November 2014 with the
objective of catering to disaster victims or Ebola survivors.
The organization brought to light some young Liberians who
felt that all Liberians need to join hands and ideas in order to
fight the challenges they are faced with.
With great spirit and the mind to educate young Liberians,
knowing that the government cannot do all for its people,
we as citizens rather need to organize ourselves as private
entity to buttress government, international and national
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) effort by reaching to
disaster victims, Jarteh mentioned.
YEBETT is now providing school fees for over 17th Ebola
survivors, psychosocial support, health care service and other
initiatives to over 50 Ebola orphans.
YEBETT has been doing all of these sponsorship by herself,
and after careful look we have decided to bring this initiative
to the attention of the Liberian people and to officially launch
this program on today date and we are kindly asking your help
or sponsorship and connection with any international and
national NGOs so as to enable us reach the rural areas and help
other Liberians or orphans to go to school, Jarteh indicated.

NACIWA CALLS FOR STREGTHENING OF ANTICORRUPTION INSTITUTIONS IN WEST AFRICA

Monroviahe Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West

Africa (NACIWA) has called for the strengthening of
anti-corruption institutions in the region in order to
effectively curb corruption and promote economic
and social development.
The call was contained in a communiqu issued at the
Extraordinary General Assembly of NACIWA which took place
in Bamako, Mali from 8-9, June 2015. Liberia was represented
by the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption
Commission, Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. who is the current Vice
Chairman of the Bureau of Executives of NACIWA.
The Network also adopted a revised constitution and
committed itself to cooperate more closely with national

The Extraordinary General Assembly brought together heads
and representatives of anti-corruption institutions from
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia. Also attending the Assembly
were representatives from the African Development Bank
(ADB), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),
the national authorities from Mali and Togo for the fight
against drugs trafficking and money laundering as well as civil
society organizations.
The Network of Ant-Corruption Institutions in West Africa
(NACIWA) is independent and a non-profit association
established at the initiative of the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS). The meeting took place with
technical and financial support from the UNODC and the
Government of Denmark.

WOMEN GROUP DONATES

ITEMS TO EBOLA ORPHANS

Bettie Johnson /betty.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

Monroviahe deadly Ebola virus which broke out in three

neighboring countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra
Leone in early 2014 is said to have killed over 10,000
people with Sierra Leone and Guinea still battling
their outbreaks.
Though Liberia was declared free of the virus on May 9, 2015
it still seems like the country is at risk especially with its
borders with the two affected countries open for business.
In Liberia according to the Ministry of Health, there were 3,143
cumulative confirmed cases and 3,747 cumulative confirmed
deaths and nearly 4,000 children losing their parents to Ebola.
Survivors of the EVD are still facing stigmatization in which
psychosocial counselors from agencies including the Red
Cross, Gender Ministry and religious leaders are all at the
forefront advocating for survivors to be reintegrated into their
various communities.
During the outbreak some orphans were left at ETUs for fear of
parents or guidance contacting the virus through interaction
with these orphans.
On Wednesday, a women group under the banner Unique
Women visited over 60 orphans at several schools in
communities around Monrovia.
The visit of the group was intended to identify with the
orphans through food items and schooling accessories, among
others.
Madam Marie Kolleh, President of Unique Women disclosed
that the group is a non-profitable social club it is their first
intervention since establishment.
She named clothing, beddings, copybooks, cash, toiletries and
sanitizers among others as items donated to the orphans.
Madam Kolleh disclosed that the items cost over one thousand
five hundred United States dollars.
After we were established, we said it is not every day jollyjolly so since the outbreak we decided to sympathize with the
orphans as some of them have nowhere to live neither eat
since the Ebola struck their lives, she said.

With a smile on her face, the caretaker of 23 children in

Caldwell Lajaw Town, Madam Elizabeth Moses happily
embraced the items stating that only God fearing people can
care for these children.
She disclosed that of the 23 Children, Solomon Sando, an 8
month old baby who mother died in the Island Clinic ETU is
one of a sibling of four that is currently at her care center.
Madam Moses said she recruited the children after they were
discharged from the ETU but they had to stay longer at the
ETU as no one could come to get them.
I did nursing, I worked in the ETU and children who survived
during my stay had to stay longer there because either they
lost their two parents-a parent die or no one wants to identify
with them so at that time the issue of stigma was high so since
I worked with them that was how I took them in here, she
stated.
The orphans and their caretakers are said to be at a local clinic
where Madam Mosess mother contacted the virus from one of
the orphans, though her mother survived according to her she
had nowhere to place the children but in the 4-bedroom clinic.
Outlining her challenges, Madam Moses further said that the
clinic needs to be reopened lo look after the welfare of the
children but currently it is being used as a shield because
nowhere for them to live.
You see in there, there are four rooms in the clinic, and my
mother, sister, and brother got the virus from here but they
survived, what we are really facing now is that we want the
clinic to reopen but it cant because it is used as a shield for my
children and no mattresses for them so they have to squeeze
themselves beside each other to sleep, she said.
Majority of the Ebola orphans at the Sis R.B. Maternity clinic
are males while few are females.
The donation was done in the Caldwell and Virginia
communities respectively by the Unique Women.
The group is said to consist of twelve members and the head
of the group said they are striving for the betterment of the
society in all quarters.
Meanwhile, three other schools with Ebola orphans namely
Second Sarah Barclay, Pamela K and FAWE Liberia received
several items.
Speaking on behalf of the schools, the President of FAWELiberia Mr. Johnnie Togba disclosed that his school currently
has 37 orphans while the two other schools have six orphans.
He commended the group for the donation and promised that
it will be used for the intended purpose.
Mr. Togba said it is time for stigmatization to stop against
Ebola survivors, they are not the one who sat and invented
it neither they brought on themselves but the public should
be happy that they survived so let them be embraced and be
loved like they were before contacting the virus.
At the three schools in Virginia, the women group gave
$40,000 LD and several school and food materials to help their
caretakers efforts while at the R.B. Maternity Clinic $32,000
LD was given to the caretaker.
The Government of Liberia is yet to draw up a program to
provide proper care for the many children made orphans by
Ebola, leaving individual institutions to take on self-initiatives
to help some of these children.

Page 14 | Frontpage

PAGE

RONT

IN BRIEF

COURT GIVES S.AFRICA

SEVEN DAYS TO EXPLAIN
WHY IT LET BASHIR GO

POPE SLAMS NATIONS WHICH

'CLOSE THE DOOR' TO MIGRANTS

Johannesburg (AFP) he South African government has a week to explain to

judges why it defied a court order barring the Sudanese
President Omar al-Bashir from leaving the country.
Bashir flew out of South Africa on Monday, before the
end of the African Union leaders' summit, despite an earlier
ruling blocking him from leaving.
A court Monday ordered the government to disclose why he
was allowed to leave, in a ruling which criticised the authorities'
action as inconsistent with the constitution.
Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)
for genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur, arrived in
South Africa on Saturday to attend the AU summit, prompting a
court bid by a rights group to have him arrested.

CHINA REBUFFS TRUMP COMMENTS

ON STEALING U.S. JOBS

BEIJING (Reuters) hina on Wednesday rebuffed comments by U.S. real
estate mogul and presidential contender Donald Trump
that China is stealing U.S. jobs through crafty business
practices, saying trade between the two countries was
win-win.
Trump wallowed in political incorrectness on Tuesday as he
insulted everyone from Mexican immigrants to Jeb Bush and
U.S. ally Saudi Arabia in announcing his bid for the Republican
nomination.
He saved his wildest attacks for foreign policy, frequently
accusing China of stealing jobs and portraying himself as a
tough negotiator who would beat Beijing at its own game.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang disagreed.
"Economic and trade cooperation between China and the United
States has grown to such an extent today that it has become like
'You are among us and we are among you'," Lu said when asked
about Trump's comments.

BLACK CHALLENGER THREATENS ANC

ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA'S RACIAL DIVIDE

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) oung, charismatic and pro-business, South Africa's

first black opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane, could
be the poster boy for the racially inclusive, socially
equal "Rainbow Nation" envisioned by the late Nelson
Mandela.
Unfortunately for Maimane, two decades after the end of
apartheid, South Africa is still racially divided, starkly unequal
and his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is struggling to
shake off its image as a white, elitist movement.
Maimane, who won a DA leadership race last month, believes he
can overturn deep-rooted perceptions about his party and end
the dominance of the African National Congress (ANC).

WORLD NEWS

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Vatican City (AFP) ope

Francis
said
Wednesday that those
who "close the door"
to refugees seeking a
safe haven in Europe should
ask God's forgiveness, as
tensions rose in the EU over
the migrant crisis.

A day after European interior

ministers failed to agree
on how to stem the flow of
boat migrants across the
Mediterranean or house the
thousands of new arrivals,
Francis demanded greater
respect for "our brothers and
sisters who seek refuge far

from their own lands".

"I encourage those who bring
them aid and hope that the
international community will
act in a united and efficient
fashion to prevent the causes
of forced migration," he said.
"And I invite everyone to ask
God's pardon for those people

and institutions who close the

door to those who are seeking
a family, who are seeking to be
protected," he said.
Italy has threatened a backlash
if other EU states refuse to
share the burden of asylum
seekers, but even so ministers
took no decision to carry out
proposals by the European
Commission for quotas to
redistribute 40,000 refugees.
European
leaders
swore
action after an estimated 800
migrants died in a shipwreck
in April, the worst disaster yet
in the Mediterranean in a year
in which a total of 1,800 people
have died trying to cross from
Africa and the Middle East on
flimsy boats.
In one of the largest pledges of
assistance so far, France said
Wednesday it would create

an additional
10,500 housing
places for migrants.
More than 100,000 migrants
have arrived in Europe this
year, 60,000 through Italy
alone, according to the EU's
border agency Frontex.

NIGERIAS LEGISLATORS WILL GET $43 MILLION OF

TAXPAYERS MONEY FOR A WARDROBE ALLOWANCE

igerias
newly
inaugurated
National Assembly
is set to receive a
whopping 8.64 billion naira
($43 million) to spend on
clothes.
Described as a wardrobe
allowance, the amount will be
split between both chambers
of the National Assembly
with the 109 members of the
Senate receiving 21.5 million
naira ($108,000) each while
the 360 members of the House
of Representatives, the lower
chamber, will each receive 17.5
million naira.
Aside from a wardrobe
allowance,
the
National
Assembly will also receive
other furniture and car loan
allowances. The furniture
allowance will see 107
senators receive 650 million
naira while 358 House of

Representatives
members
will receive total of 2 billion
naira. The lawmakers can also
access car loans with senators
possibly provided with 867
million naira and House of
Representatives
members
provided with 2.8 billion naira
in car loans. While ordinary
members of both chambers get
these allowances, two principal
officers from each chamber, the
Senate President, the Speaker
of the House and their deputies
will have furniture provided by
the Federal Government.
Before the inauguration of the
new National Assembly, there
had already been calls for
transparency and reductions
in funding for the lawmakers
who rank among the worlds
highest paid. Lawmakers in
Nigeria earn around $160,000
annually based on current
exchange rates- more than

British lawmakers. While the

lawmakers earn so much,
regular Nigerians survive on
the $90 monthly minimum
wage.
In
the
United
States,
supplementary Congressional
allowances make no provision
for clothing and in the Britain,
which was rocked by its
ownallowance scandal in
2009, clothing expenses are
not listed amongexpenses
members of parliament can
claim for.
For Nigerians who went to
polls and voted for a new
government on the premise of
its Change campaign, there is
a real need to see significant
evidence that, under President
Buhari, excesses such as
extravagant allowances are
effectively cut out.
The
campaign
tagged
#OpenNASS is led by BudgIT,

a civil start-up and outraged

Nigerians have taken to social
media to vent. Nigerians can
also draw inspiration from
events in Kenya where citizens
forced legislators to rethink
increases in their pay with
fierce protests in 2013.
The National Assembly is
already infamous for its
wage bill as well as a litany of
allowances and it continues to
receive immense funds that do
not reflect the current financial
reality of the nation. Still in
its early days, the National
Assembly will have to make a
bold decision on its expenses
and while it appears that
newly elected Senate President
Bukola Saraki may be in
support of fiscal transparency,
many feel he must begin to
show real intent on pushing
the agenda for a prudent and
transparent federal legislature.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Frontpage

Sports

OFFERS FOR NEYMAR

JUDGE TO INVESTIGATE BAYERN, CHELSEA, CITY AND MADRID
Four of Europe's biggest clubs are to be investigated over proposals made to the Brazil
forward before he moved to Barcelona in a controversial transfer in 2013

Page 15

SPORTS

MAROTTA: POGBA
OFF THE MARKET UNLESS HE ASKS TO
LEAVE JUVENTUS

uventus
general
manager
Giuseppe
Marotta insists that Paul
Pogba is "off the market"
- unless the midfielder says
that he wants to leave Turin.
Pogba is one of the most
coveted players in world
football, with European
heavyweights
such
as
Barcelona, Real Madrid,
Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea
and Manchester City all
interested in signing the
22-year-old.

MESSI: URUGUAY DIDN'T

WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL
AGAINST ARGENTINA

ayern
Munich,
Chelsea,
Manchester City
and Real Madrid
have all been ordered by
a Spanish judge to submit
documentation
detailing
their offers to sign Brazil
forward Neymar prior to
his move to Barcelona in the
summer of 2013.
Jose de la Mata Amaya
agreed to investigate a
complaint by DIS, the
Brazilian company that
owned a 40 per cent stake
of Neymar's rights and that
has long maintained they
are still owed money from
the controversial transfer.

The signing-on fee - a 10

million payment made
by Barcelona two years
before the move - is said
to contravene with the
free market rules in the
transfer of players and DIS
is accusing officials from
the Blaugrana and Santos of
corruption and fraud, court
documents reveal.
As part of the ongoing
investigation, De La Mata has
now asked Bayern, Chelsea,
City and Madrid to hand over
offers made to Neymar and
his parents between 2009
and 2013, while the player
himself could be called to
give evidence in the case.

Meanwhile, Barca president

Josep Maria Bartomeu,
former club chief Sandro
Rosell and Neymar are
being charged with the
falsification of contracts for
the purposes of tax evasion
in the controversial deal,
which saw the player move
from Santos in 2013 for a fee
quoted by the Catalan club
as 57.1m.
A complaint by Barca
socio Jordi Cases later led
to an investigation into
the funding of the deal
and Rosell resigned in
January last year due to his
involvement in the murky
transfer.

Bartomeu took over as

president and immediately
revealed
the
figures
behind the deal in a press
conference the following
day, with the total operation
actually costing 86.2m
(57.1m euros for the
transfer itself including the
40m paid to the player's
parents, 10m as a signingon fee, 2.7m in commission,
4m in marketing, 2.5m
for Neymar's foundation
and 9.9m in scouting and
collaborative deals with
Santos).
However, De La Mata claims
Barca are guilty of fiscal
fraud after allegedly failing

Other than a couple brief hugs

from his teammates, everyone
obliged.
It should surprise no one
that James was beaten
down physically, mentally,
emotionally
and,
most
painfully, on the scoreboard
105-97 in Game 6 of these NBA
Finals, losing the series 4-2
to the Golden State Warriors,
who were outside, in his house,
spraying champagne.

team here, deep into June,

six games into the Finals, like
few, if any, ever had. It wasnt
enough.
If I could have given more, I
would have given it, he said
later.
There were 40-point games
and 50-minute nights and
triple-doubles and that violent
celebratory spike back in
Oakland and waves of Warriors
trying to wear him out. He did
so much he led bothteams
in total points, rebounds
and assists, so much that he
garnered four of the 11 votes
for Finals MVP despite losing.
How great was LeBron in this
series? The Warriors Andre
Iguodala, who started not a
single game all regular season,

the Finals MVP trophy mainly

because he was the most
effective in slowing him, or
whatever you call it when a guy
still averages 35.8 points, 13.3
rebounds and 8.8 assists for a
series.
Well, Golden State coach
Steve Kerr said, guarding
LeBron James is the hardest
job in basketball.
All of that was meaningless at
this point. All of it was nothing.
The bitter end for the
triumphant return was just the
bitter end. LeBrons legs were
dead, his shot short. He put up
32, 18 and nine on Tuesday, but
he was 13 of 33 from the floor.
He was finally pulled from the
game with 10.6 seconds left,
took a tour of the court and

JUST ANOTHER TALE OF CLEVELAND

SORROW FOR LEBRON JAMES
Hed hauled an undermanned got the other seven votes and

CLEVELAND
tuffed in the corner
of
the
Cleveland
Cavaliers locker room,
LeBron James sat alone,
wearing nothing but oversized
gym shorts and a white towel
draped over his face.
His hands rested on top of his
head. Each knee was wrapped
in ice. Each foot sat in a bucket
of freezing water.
He wanted a chance to think.

to pay 12.7m in taxes

which would bring the deal
close to 100m.
The corruption charges
could lead to time in prison
(between six months and
four years) for Rosell and
Bartomeu, who could also
face a multi-million euro
fine if they are found guilty
of the charges.
Barca released a statement
on
Wednesday
night
declaring their surprise
at the allegations and said
the questions raised by
DIS should be resolved in
relation to Santos and not
them.
shook everyones hand.
Finally, there was this scene,
frozen feet headed into a long
summer where reality sets
in: This was never going to be
easy and it may get harder still.
James, as much as anyone,
always knew that. Even
that dream team he helped
assemble in Miami had to fight
and claw for a couple of titles.
Still, there was always the
hope that he could write an
uplifting story, that he could
join up with Kyrie Irving and
lure Kevin Love and find the
role players and steal a title
in a transitional year. The plan
to return home was to do just
that. Cleveland mortgaged the
future to win it now, trading
away Andrew Wiggins for Love
and now there still is nothing
to show for it.

ionel Messi accused

Uruguay of doing
little
else
other
than trying to bully
Argentina in Tuesday's Copa
America clash.
Sergio Aguero scored the only
goal of a bruising encounter
in La Serena that featured six
yellow cards and Argentina
coach Gerardo Martino being
sent to the stands in his side's
1-0 win.
Messi felt Oscar Tabarez's
men were to blame for the
ugly nature of the game,
claiming his team-mates had
been left with no choice but
to fight fire with fire.
"Uruguay wanted to play
hard with a lot of contact,"
the Barcelona superstar told
reporters. "We demonstrated
that we know how to play this
way too, even if it is not the
thing we want most.

VAN BOMMEL LIFTS LID

ON 'DIFFICULT' VAN GAAL

ormer Bayern Munich

midfielder Mark van
Bommel has lifted
the lid on Louis van
Gaal's coaching methods, and
feels the Manchester United
manager can be difficult to
work with.
Van Bommel played under
Van Gaal for 18 months with
the Bavarians before leaving
the club in January 2011 to
join AC Milan despite being
captain of the Bundesliga
outfit.
And he feels the ex-Barcelona
boss can sometimes struggle
when he first takes over at
a club due to his persistent
belief in his own philosophy
and refusal to be flexible.

FrontPage
www.frontpageafricaonline.com

Sports

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015, , JUNE 16,

VOL 9 NO.82

CAMEROON KEEP AFRICAN

HOPES ALIVE AS NIGERIA
EXIT WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

urprise newcomers Cameroon kept African hopes alive at

the Women's World Cup as continental champions Nigeria
followed Ivory Coast by exiting the tournament after the
group stage.
Cameroon came from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 following
second-half goals from Gabrielle Onguene and substitute Madeleine
Ngono Mani in Edmonton on Tuesday.
They took the second automatic spot for the knockout round
behind Olympic champions Japan in a Group C which also included
Switzerland and Ecuador.
The 53rd-ranked African side next take on 1999 runners-up China
in the knockout round in Edmonton on Saturday.
But Nigeria lost 1-0 to the United States and leave after the group

phase for the sixth time in seven editions of the tournament, along
with debutants Ivory Coast, at 67 the lowest ranked team in Canada.
"We are excited to qualify for the second round. Just the fact we are
here will have a positive impact on Cameroon," said coach Enow
Ngachu.
"We've received many messages on social media. Some teams have
started to be created in Cameroon and we hope that many more
will be created.
"Compared to Nigeria, Cameroon is a small team. We're not just
representing Cameroon but carrying the colours of Africa."
Ngachu said they were relishing the chance to take on China. "We
are learning and if we can surprise China then fine for us," he
continued.

PRICE L$40

"The Chinese are a great team, they are very fast,

with a Japanese-style football. We know it will be
very tough, but every tournament has lessons."
Cameroon's first major tournament was the London
Olympics where they were eliminated in the group
stage.
"After the Olympics we came back and had to
work," the coach explained. "It's the same team that
played in London, they've learned a lot and are still
learning. We have a long way to go."
- Nigeria head home Despite Nigeria's Super Falcons impressing in their
opening 3-3 draw against Sweden, they soon had
their wings clipped by Australia 2-0 and the United
States 1-0.
US star Abby Wambach's volley just before the
break condemned Nigeria to bottom of Group D but
coach Edwin Okon blamed lack of discipline for the
result.
Defender Ugo Njoku was suspended for the game
after elbowing Australia's Sam Kerr in the face in
an earlier match and Sarah Nnodim was sent off
during the game.
"I don't think they (USA) were very good -- it was a
lack of concentration on our part," said Okon who
refused to shake US coach Jill Ellis's hand after the
game.
"They were just lucky to win today. She (Wambach)
only got that goal because of a lack of concentration
from our defence."
Nigeria, who have won nine of the eleven African
championships so far, have competed in every
World Cup since 1991 but only advanced once out
of the group stage.
"We just have to go home and think of what went
wrong," the Nigerian coach said.
Ivory Coast were eliminated after conceding 16
goals, and coach Clementine Toure called for more
resources to help develop football in African.
"We have worked so hard to try to present a good
image of Ivory Coast," Toure said.
The Ivory Coast were thrashed 10-0 by Germany,
but suffered a narrow 3-2 loss to Thailand before
falling 3-1 to Norway in the final group match on
Monday.
"We wanted to do well in important matches like
the one against Germany," Toure added.
"We arrived 72 hours before the game, and were
very tired from a long journey of 15 hours and
with jet lag. Those are things that we would like to
correct, to arrive earlier, and to play preparation
games. We haven't been able to play friendly games,
and this has hurt us.
"I want to make an appeal to not only our federation,
but to all of Africa, that women's football has
arrived.
"We believe in our women. We have a good team.
Today the Ivory Coast showed it deserves a place
in the World Cup. But we also deserved to be better
prepared. We didn't deserve to be humiliated."

VISIT UNCLE ZEH'S LAUNDRY & DRY CLEANING SERVICE ON

CROWN HILL, BROAD STREET WHERE THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

CALL: 0775 149 376, 0775 149 161