-
www.frontpageafricaonline.comPRICE L$40
FrontPage
TOP STORIES pg
pg Law & Order Legislative Beat
VOL 9 NO.60 TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015
News Extra - pg.
NO MORE LYING ON POLICE
UN Installs Investigation Room Camera Senate holds Hearing
for
MOH Officials
The visit to Liberia last week of two representatives from the
prosecutors office in The Netherlands has been linked to a
purported attempt to seek 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 four American nuns were
killed in the Operation Octopus battle.
DAHN CONFIRMATION
ON HOLD
CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIAMARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES
LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of
the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The rates
are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the
commercials banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of
Liberia.Source: Research, Policy and Planning Department, Central
Bank Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2015 L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$84.00/US$1 L$85.00/US$1
L$85.00/US$1L$84.00/US$1
SATURDAY , MAY 16, 2015
MONDAY, MAY 18, 2015
COULD LIBERIA LOSE EU FUNDING OVER
WAR CRIMES EXTRADITION?
TAX SENSITIZATION MESSAGE WWW.LRA.GOV.COM
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).
-
Page 2 | Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 2015Monrovia - Taking a page
from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the Incident Management
System or Task Force overseeing Liberias response to the deadly
Ebola virus outbreak, has characterized a recent audit by the
General Auditing Commission as unprofessional, Unbalanced, unfair
and entirely out of context by an incompetent integrity body.On
Monday, the Incident Management System, took aim in a 36-page
letter to Auditor General Yusador S. Gaye, accusing the integrity
institution of being incompetent and unprofessional, even going as
far as issuing lawsuit threats and issuing a 24-hour ultimatum to
the GAC to retract its findings from the public domain.The letter
in possession of FrontPageAfrica is signed by GAC Ebola Audit
Indictees Wede Elliott Brownell Deputy Minister for Administration,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Tolbert Nyenswah, Head Incident
Management System/Deputy Minister for Health Designate (indicted by
GAC in 2006/2007and 2007/2008 audit of the Ministry of Health;
James Dorbor Jallah, Executive Director, Public Procurement and
Concessions Commission and Andre Pope, Head State Owed Enterprises
Reporting Unit, Ministry of Finance and Development
Planning.Expressing its disappointment in the GAC, the Incident
Management System said it is rejecting the integrity institutions
findings due to its incompetence and improper handling of the
report.MARRED BY FINANCIAL ACTIVITIESThe Ebola Task Force said
while the GAC correctly stated that President Sirleaf, on July 26,
2014, announced that Ebola was a national emergency and set up a
National Ebola Task Force to coordinate all interventions for
containing and eliminating this fast spreading epidemic; the GAC in
its report citing financial activities of the National Ebola Trust
Fund(NETF) it says was marred by financial irregularities and
material control deficiencies, failed to take duly into account the
national emergency nature of particular interventions that were
undertaken by the Task Force and were specifically aimed at
containing and eliminating the fast spreading epidemic. Instead,
the IMS said the GAC described specific emergency procurements made
by the NETF as marred by financial irregularities and material
control deficiencies simply because the NETFs purchase of food,
equipment and other items, on an emergency basis from various
suppliers had
Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected] either
been done without contract, lacked confirmation of transaction,
lack of valid tax clearance or in one particular case, the
supporting invoice from an overseas service provider was
unsigned.The IMS said the National Ebola Task Force did its work
under conditions that have been most unusual and truly unique,
which hopefully will not ever occur in this country. Those
conditions involved a race against time and fit the very definition
of a national emergency as had been declared on
July 26, 2014, per your report, by Her Excellency, Madam Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia.The President
while addressing media executives on Monday, April 13, 2015, at her
Foreign Ministry office acknowledged that she knows that there
might have been some procedural errors in expending fund, but said
she believes that was intended to save the lives of the hundreds
who were dying on a daily basis.Said President Sirleaf: "Five
millions were put in the Ebola Trust Fund. That fund was put there
at the time when nobody had given support to fight Ebola and it was
a time when hundreds of people were dying; when people were running
away from the places; when we had chaos. In the midst of chaos,
something has to be done, and so, I am quite sure that it reflects
the context of the kinds of urgency that was required in some
cases," said President Johnson-Sirleaf.Added President Sirleaf: "I
have not read the audit report, but I got some briefing on it. And
I know that there might have been some procedural errors, but I
believe that if someone says that they have to buy a bus to carry
people when a hundred people are dying on the street and they did
not go through a bidding process, I will leave it to you to say
which was better; to say to have bought the bus to save the lives
or for them to have taken two weeks to go through a bidding
process. As long as the fund was properly used for the purpose
intended, there is no problem. It was in those difficult days when
we had to run some decisions, decisions that run contrary to all
procedures," she emphasized as she continued on her defense.URGENT
INTERVENTION REQUIREDIn its letter, the Ebola Task Force tore the
GAC apart for not understanding the national emergency argument of
the crisis. As such the epidemic did indeed require urgent
intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation Madam Auditor
General, so urgent were the interventions then required and
undertaken, that it was often just simply not practicable, indeed,
not even sensible at all to insist on contracts, tax clearances and
the like without which, you appear to believe, that everything else
that was done even under those circumstances, just simply do not
matter at all.Continued the Task Force Letter: The perspective of
yours is unfortunate and regrettable coming as it does from the
Auditor General of the Republic of Liberia, the Supreme Audit
authority of this country. Given that stunted and limited tunnel
perspective of yours, with specific reference to the work of the
NETF, you have not at all bothered to place any transaction
conducted by the task force in context or to otherwise take that
context duly into consideration in the writing of your report.By
reasoning of that failure, the letter continued: You have also NOT
even as much considered all relevant pros and cons and different
perspectives BEFORE drawing the conclusions indicated in your
report. For that reason your report reads as if the author lives in
and has written, not about Liberia but an entirely different
country; or, for that matter, an entire different planet.The GAC in
its report of the National Ebola Trust Fund for the period August 1
to October 31, 2014 discovered that several government officials at
eight ministries and agencies of
-
FrontpageTuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 3government received and
disbursed funding without supporting documents.The GAC report
pointed out that the Incident Management Team on Ebola headed by
Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services Mr. Tolbert
Nyenswah, Mr. James Dorbor Jallah and Dr. Wede Elliott should be
held liable for violating Section 66 (4) of the Public Procurement
and Concession Commission (PPCC) Act, which regulates protocols for
government procurement, contract and others.The GAC mentioned in
its audit report that there were variances between the allowances
received by security officials who participated in the fight
against Ebola in the country.The anti-graft commission stated that
it observed in the audit that US$672,617.56 was received and
disbursed by the Ministry of National Defense (MOD) without
supporting documents during the period under review (August 1 to
October 31, 2014). REPUTATION IRRESPONSIBLY DAMAGEDBut in its
damning response to the GAC Monday, the Incident Management Team
accused AG Gaye of irresponsibly damaging what they described as
their hard-earned reputation.You have irresponsibly damaged the
hard-earned reputation of members of the senior leadership of the
National Ebola Task Force(NETF) that is otherwise alternatively
referred to, in your report as Incident Management System(IMS). You
have done so with reckless disregard of all relevant facts, along
with appropriate supporting documentation, that have been provided
by you.In light of its rebuttal, the IMS demanded that the GAC
among other things, reissue portions of its report pertaining to
the specific activities of the NETF or IMS, re-publicize the
portion of the reissued, ensuring that it receives equal prominence
as earlier given to the incorrect and unsubstantiated allegations
contained in the report against the IMS not later than 5:00pm
Monday, May 18, 2015.The IMS declared that failure on the part of
the GAC to make the necessary adjustments could lead to court
action against the Auditor General and the Commission for
deliberate libel. The IMS also requested the Liberia Institute of
Certified Public Accountants(LICPA) to render a formal professional
assessment conclusion on the professional quality of the GAC report
and if the LIPCA concurs that the report is materially defective,
to appropriately sanction the GAC and LIPCA members of the
GAC staff who were party to the report for professional
misconduct.The IMS also threatened to report the Auditor Generals
unprofessional reporting to the relevant USA State Board(s) of
Accountability wherein the AGs membership is currently active, with
a request to appropriate disciplinary sanctions against the AG or
any member of her staff who is deemed culpable.The IMS also said it
would make a similar request to the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants(AICPA) and will report the Auditor Generals
unprofessional reporting to both the President and the National
Legislature of Liberia, in order to bring to the notice and
attention of the President and the Legislature that the Auditor
General is supremely unsuitable and incompetent for the position.
The Legislators may then decide on whatever sanctions they deemed
appropriate under the law, the letter states.PAYMENT TO BTP
ADVISERS EXPLAINED
The Task Force also explained for the first time the
controversial US$30,000 payment to the British Public Relations
firm, BTP Advisers, suggesting that the firm was PR back office for
the governments information machinery.The letter to the Auditor
General explained: As so correctly stated in paragraph 4 of page 8
of your report, the amount of US$30,050.00 was transferred to BTP
Advisers, a London United Kingdom based international consultancy
firm for communication support services to help in the fight
against the Ebola Virus Disease(EVD). What your report does not
say, for reasons not explained therein and are not at all clear to
us, is that, as also previously explained to you on the subject.
The letter explained that the amount in question was a specific
line item in the special emergency Ebola budget approved by the
President as part of efforts required to respond to the national
emergency under authority of the President Republic of Liberia to
the UK-based firm, as professional fees charged by the firm for
assisting the Government of Liberia in making its case to the world
for international assistance to Liberia and other Ebola affected
countries. The President of Liberia has also directly confirmed to
you that she did indeed, specifically authorize those payments,
apparently based on her previous knowledge of the caliber of work
done by that firm.The Task Force letter explained that BTP Advisers
effectively served as the back office for the professional
publicity by the Government of Liberia that prompted the world
response that has enabled Liberia to have avoided the
dire predictions(ten to twenty thousand new Ebola cases per
week, etc.) If the situation then at hand was not swiftly contained
as then widely broadcast by organizations such as the World Health
Organization(WHO), Medicins Sans Frontiers(MSF) and the like.
Excerpts from Incident Management System Teams response to the
GAC.The Task Force team wrote that even though the GAC was informed
of the BTP payment by the president, it still classified the
payment as improper because it was done without supporting
documentation such as receipt, contract and details of the services
provided to justify the payment. On that particular score, Madam
Auditor General, it is just
plainly NOT at all true, that the transfer was made without
supporting documentation.Regarding why it did not follow the
procedures of the Public Procurement Concessions Commission(PPCC),
the Task Force explained: Please do keep in mind that an emergency
by its nature, particularly in this case, basically meant a race
against time. Under the circumstances, a relaxation of related PPCC
requirements was so clearly called for, whether de facto/and/or de
jure. It is both amazing and disappointing that for some strange
reason you stubbornly refuse to accept this plain, simple, obvious
and undeniable rational fact.
-
Page 4 | Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 2015
v
v
FrontPageCommentaryEDITORIAL
LIBERIA IS AFRICAS oldest independent Black Republic after
declaring its independence in 1847 but after 168 years of
existence, the country still lacks well organized and sustainable
institutions including political parties.IN THE EARLY days of the
countrys political history only one major political party existed -
the Grand True Whig Party (TWP) but in the late 70s the country
politics shifted and despite the multiplicity of political parties,
none of the parties has been able to form an organized political
institution.ALL THE POLITICAL parties in Liberias history are built
around individuals and as such they short-live not going beyond one
regime. IN OTHER COUNTRIES, political parties are institutionalized
and live beyond individuals but for Liberia the expiration of one
regime mean the collapse of a political party.POLITICIANS AND
INDIVIDUALS follow the political wind and follow where the wing
blows, switching allegiances to another side when things turn
around. WHEN IT WAS the tenure of the TWP, all politicians in
Liberia joined the party of the day with no real opposition
political party. Following the coup dtat in 1980, Samuel K. Doe
founded the National Democratic Movement of Liberia (NDPL) and the
trend repeated itself with all politicians joining the NDPL as the
TWP was no more, completely dead.WHEN FORMER PRESIDENT Doe left the
scene, the political pendulum shifted to the National Patriotic
Party (NPP) of Charles Taylor. All Liberian politicians joined the
NPP with President Sirleaf Vision 2024 when he predicted that his
NPP could have ruled Liberia from 1998 to 2024.AFTER THE REGIME of
Taylor, the NPP is now like any other political parties in Liberia,
no longer strong like it was under the Taylor regime.FROM 2005 WHEN
the Unity Party won the presidential election, the party has been
the hot cake with politicians joining in search for jobs. With two
years left on the card for the UP, some of the politicians who
joined the party have already started moving the other way.TO NAME
A few, Galakpai Kortimai has deflected; Dr. Fodee Kromah and others
have all crossed over to the opposition Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC).THE LACK OF institutionalization of political parties
has made the politics in Liberia so complex to the extent that
succession trail is always difficult to determine.ELECTIONS 2017 IS
nearing as Liberians gear up for a hectic general and presidential
process. The pending election is complex and could be one of the
most confusing political processes with no clear cut favorite in
the Presidential race.IN OTHER COUNTRIES, the trend of succession
is sometimes close to call but for Liberia every presidential
election offers new variables and surprises which is primarily due
to the disorganized nature of political parties both opposition and
ruling.SINCE 2005, THE CDC has shown some signs of cohesiveness but
not organized in a manner that portrays a party capable of existing
beyond George Weah.
COMMENTARY
LIBERIA NEEDS SERIOUS POLITICAL
PARTIESDr. Yossef Ben-Meir, President, High Atlas Foundation,
Contributing Writer,
[email protected] ;
[email protected])
IMPLEMENTING THE U.N.S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALSAfter
fifteen years of nations pursuing the Millennium Development Goals
established by the United Nations, representatives of the member
states, along with experts and private
citizens, have defined Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) to help set the course for the next fifteen years.All
told seventeen goals have been developed which together aim to end
poverty and hunger; ensure access to health and education for all;
achieve gender equality as well as greater equality between
individuals and nations; and protect the environment, combat
climate change and promote sustainable growth.One critical SDG
involves the strengthening of the means by which nations can
implement the overall vision. Is there proven methodology that
member states can consider and adopt in this regard, even as the
challenges and opportunities they face are as diverse as humanity
itself? We suggest four specific factors that are applicable in
this case.First, we know from decades of global project development
evaluations that peoples participation from design to evaluation is
the primary factor in determining whether sustainability will be
achieved. In order to promote effective community participation, an
administrative system that is decentralized will empower local
populations to make decisions and assume responsibility for
implementing the social change they seek. Since sustainable
development is a reflection of the extent to which people own their
particular development process, it follows that institutionalizing
local open spaces so that people can come together and build
partnerships and shared action plans is of paramount importance in
achieving the SDGs.A fortuitous occurrence is that in global terms
decentralization is on the rise, albeit for different reasons in
different countries. In a number of Arab Spring nations, for
example, the promotion of human development and popular empowerment
is - rightfully - part of a calculated attempt to avoid political
instability.A second necessary measure at the national level is
capacity building among stakeholders to advance projects that
achieve the SDGs. Specifically, there is a critical role to be
performed by facilitators of local community meetings and dialogue
in order to promote participation. Trained facilitators help to
ensure that all voices are represented and heard. Further, they are
aware of pre-existing power relationships and how to engage with
these so as to guide a development process in a manner that is
broadly based and just.Third, it would be helpful if measures for
sustainable implementation were described in culturally relative
terms. In many societies the enduring precepts of peoples
participation in communal life leading to sustainable
societies are informed fundamentally by Islam. Integrated
Islamic and developmental concepts include shura, itself the
practice of participation and consultation; ummah is the global
integration of individuals and groups with rights to solidarities
and part of humanity as a whole (decentralization); baya in Islamic
tradition holds leaders accountable; and tawhidi society is one
that recognizes the indivisibility of mankind. Ensuring that
participation and decentralization are explained in Islamic, rather
than Western, terms would allow Muslim people to see their own
outlook and values fully present and incorporated in the steps
needed to implement the SDGs.Developmental concepts are also
present in the Biblical story of creation. And God said, Let us
make Man in our image, after our likeness. What is meant by us?
Jewish Sages recording a tradition dating back at least two
thousand years explain that God included the angels in the decision
to create humanity in order avoid conflict between the angels and
humankind (by being part of the decision, angels accepted the
outcome). God in effect created the blueprint for consulting with
others before embarking upon initiatives. Only then did God create
humankind who by virtue of being formed in the Divine image are
enjoined to follow the Divine example.Finally, policy development
embarked upon by nations in order to achieve the SDGs, occurs
sustainably and most suitably as local participatory processes
unfold and light is shed naturally upon policy opportunities that
promote sustainable development. Peoples participation in a sense
tests the social system. In this way for example, restrictions to
the growth of civil society are clarified and the necessary roles
that could be played by public agencies, in order to bring to
fruition projects determined by local communities, may be defined
in greater detail. In sum, the most effective policy development
emerges from lessons gained from the experience of community
participation in development.In the same way as laws and policies
to advance the human condition, the SDGs find their efficacy only
in their processes of implementation. Indeed, in development and
social processes generally, the means are the ends (or at least
they determine them to a large extent). While there are no absolute
preconditions to sustainable human development there are
undoubtedly conditions conducive to such development. Enabling
local communities to plan and implement their future in an
empowering decentralized environment is a recipe for success on an
historic scale in this respect.Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir is president of
the High Atlas Foundation (http://highatlasfoundation.org/) .
Similarly, the Liberty Party is also tied to Cllr. Charles W.
Brumskine and does not look a formidable party without
Brumskine.NOW WITH ELECTION nearing, since these political parties
are not organized and capable of winning state power alone, they
are hastily forming collaboration, merger or coalitions to get to
state power.LIBERIAN POLITICS HAS been dead and going forward,
the countrys politics is heading to purgatory land and there is
a compelling need for the building of a strong, vibrant,
institutionalized political party that can survive for centuries
even when the founders are nowhere around.LIBERIA NEEDS POLITICAL
parties built on ideologies, principles and people oriented, not
parties built around a few individuals with ego for power and
wealth.
-
FrontpageTuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 5
NO COMMENDATION FOR EJS, WHY MR. WION?
FrontPageSend your letters and comments to:
[email protected]
YOU WRITE; WE PUBLISH; THEY READ!
COMMENTS FROM FPA ONLINE
DISCLAIMERThe comments expressed here are those of our online
readers and
bloggers and do no represent the views of FrontPageAfrica
Rodney D. Sieh, Managing Editor, 0886-738-666; 077-936-138,
[email protected];
[email protected]
Danesius Marteh, Sports Editor,
[email protected], 0886236528James-Emmanuel
D. Cole, Jr, Graphics Designer & Layout Editor,
[email protected]; 0886 211 390, 0777 027 030Henry Karmo,
[email protected] Rogers
[email protected], 0886-304498Sports Reporter, A.
Macaulay Sombai,macaulay.
[email protected], 077217428COUNTY NEWS TEAMGrand
Bassa, Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, 0777432042Bong County, Selma Lomax,
[email protected], 0886-484666Sinoe County,
Leroy N.S Kanmoh,
[email protected]
BUSINESS/ADVERTISINGKadi Coleman Porte, 0886-304-178/
0777832753, [email protected]
EDITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
The Reader's Page
Massa Washington Top Commenter Clinical Supervisor/ Therapist at
WesWell, Well, Well, we can see that the TRC is being vindicated
for recommending that people who directly destroyed their own
Country, own up to their actions, and sincerely make efforts at
reconciliation. Instead of being selfless and humble, perpetrators
holding state power and misapplying state resources, came after TRC
Commissioners so viciously attempting to destroy innocent people's
reputation who were just doing what the Liberian people asked us to
do... "to state the truth about what happened to our country and
make recommendations for moving the country forward". Rather than
addressing issues the report highlighted, TRC Commissioners were
attacked both publicly and privately, putting a price tag on our
heads as if we were criminals and the ones responsible for the
destruction of Liberia and the murdered of nearly 300,000 ...
John-lord Baxter Follow Top Commenter Damansara, Kuala Lumpur,
MalaysiaWell said, Massa. Posterity shall be the judge.John-lord
Baxter Follow Top Commenter Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaI am
making a personal appeal to my fellow Liberians back at home and in
the diaspora. It is about time we stop supporting criminal elements
only because they are members of our ethnicity, direct family
members, or friends of friends. We must be selfless, put our
country first, stand together as Liberians and not allow KILLERS
and THIEVES to create a divide amongst us. We must see them for who
they are as common criminals that are undermining the development
of our one country and it's people. Let's be realistic ladies and
gentlemen. No one who has killed another or has been caught in
corruption should go with impunity, be celebrated, elected or
appointed to any position of governance in our country if we are to
make significant progress as we work towards nation building and
removing our people from poverty. The time of reckoning is at hand.
Watch out all ye KILLERS and THIEVES who have brought untold
sufferings upon our people!!!Sylvester Moses Top Commenter Works at
Self-EmployedIs the anonymous ACDL member also suggesting that the
murders of the three nuns, whose presence in Liberia was simply to
serve our people, should also be handled by the TRC?From 1984 to
1989 the entire leadership of the ACDL were either lobbying to
prevent aid to Liberia, or plotting invasions in Freetown and
Abidjan. Today some work for President Sirleaf who begs in every
capital of rich nation's for money to pay these rascals obscene
compensations. The irony is that some of these anarchists now shake
like leaves when they hear about small street demonstrations.Jay
Wion Top Commenter Works at Amtrak Washington, DCMY TURN: Someone
said: Truth crushed to earth shall rise again because no lie can
live forever. The moral arm of the universe is long and it is bent
toward justice and justice usually triumphs over injustice as good
triumphs over evil. War crimes and crimes against humanity carry no
statute of limitations. War criminals are still being hunted around
the globe: Nazi Germany and the Jewish holocaust, Croatia, Serbia,
Bosnia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Argentina, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and so
shall it be in Liberia.The TRC Report is legal and binding. Those
who brought war to Liberia can run but they can't hide. We will not
reward criminals. There must be a deterrent mechanism against
future war mongers. 99 days for rogue but one day for master. We
must have faith in the final morality of the universe. We didn't
get here on earth by some accident. Only the fool says in his heart
there is no God until when harm stares him in his face. Thou shall
not kill, says the oldest book in the world, the Holy Bible. You
shall reap what you sow.Thanks for your calls and concerns. I
worked yesterday but did not work on Amtrak train 188 that derailed
in Philadelphia in which six people sofar were killed and 146
injured.
LIBERIA: WAR CRIMES MURMURS AMID
LINGERING FEARS OVER
THE END OF EBOLA FOR
LIBERIAThe Editor,It was with great happiness and relief that
Liberia was declared Ebola-free on Saturday, May 9, 2015. While the
country has gone over 42 days without a death from this disease, it
also experienced far more deaths than any other African nation with
4,769 victims. The disease spread quickly for many reasons
including an inherent mistrust in government. I would like to
congratulate President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the end to this
deadly and disruptive crisis. She showed tremendous courage and
patience in the very difficult decisions she had to make all while
dealing with a system and subculture where many of those involved
in Liberia's government lack integrity. She showed great
determination in ensuring our country became rid of this
disease.While Liberia can celebrate the end of this crisis, our
neighbors are continuing to fight and hope for an end to their own
epidemics. Guinea and Sierra Leone have seen a slowdown in the
spread of Ebola but are still experiencing deaths. The President
will have to continue to take the necessary and sometimes difficult
steps to be certain Liberia remains free of Ebola as there is a
fear that it can easily cross back into our country and take hold
again. We must also restart efforts such as the vaccination program
that was stopped to focus on the Ebola problem. Vaccinations, such
as for measles is imperative to keeping our children safe and
healthy. Recently the experts at the University of Southampton said
as many as 5,000 West African children are at risk if the
vaccinations do not start again soon. Our government must continue
to work hard to keep all Liberians safe and healthy.In an effort to
strengthen Liberia and Liberians, I encourage President Sirleaf to
establish a National Workforce Development Board that will
strategize about job creation nationwide and support small business
establishment among Liberians. As an example, the residents of West
Point recently renovated its school with the help of United Nations
and other donors. They also organized themselves and successfully
saw an end to the disease a full five months before the rest of the
country. Sadly, their own government's involvement was lacking;
this is an example of where a strong and supportive government can
build a great nation. We can still do that.I urge her to revamp and
support the country's Peace and National Reconciliation process as
well as to continue to be bold and tough during the final years of
her last term to ensure that ordinary Liberians become the true
beneficiaries of her leadership.
Jones N. Williams is the founder of the New Liberia
Foundation.
The Editor:Thanks for the space provided. I write in response to
the letter written by one Mr. Jerry Wehtee Wion, with the title:
Weak Leadership Led to Ebola Deaths. I have often read the many
letters and critical comments coming from the hands of Mr. Wion
about the performances of the Government of Liberia led by Madam
Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf. Many times in my views those comments are
welcomed, eventhough often spiced with half-truths; as these are
parts and parcel of the democratic process. Mr. Jerry Wehtee Wion
seems to be one of those Liberians who have been fortunate to
travel out of Liberia to their much cherished promised Land, the
United States of America; as such, they deport themselves as having
the magic wane solutions to all of Liberias problems.Now coming to
the aforementioned titled, written by Mr. Jerry Wehtee Wion, I have
not seen one of our own, whose origin is from Liberia, seething
with bitterness and resentment; as Mr. Wion seems to be, he has not
seen any good things done by this Unity Party-led government of
Madam Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf. Even as we have had difficult fight
with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)and have come out successfully by
Gods grace and the resilience of the Liberian people supported by
Liberia friends internationally, Mr. Jerry Wehtee Wion, has no
commendation for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her hard
working team but spite. Even though, he isnt in Liberia now, but
had painted pictures for others; depicting that all was well in
Liberia, until Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became president, especially,
in the healthcare delivery system; what a myth! How a so-called
Journalist and political commentator can feed us his usual
half-truths as if we had not lived in Liberia? The Ebola outbreak
in Liberia was not the result of weak leadership as claimed by our
learned Journalist, even some of our nationalistic medical doctors
who decided to confront the disease or epidemic succumbed because
of it peculiarity and that they did not know the protocol or
procedures to follow; those who survived, did so because of Gods
grace and not how smart they were.Many international organizations
criticized the World Health Organization (WHO) for its slow
response to the virus in West Africa; if the United Nations with
sufficient resources could not move with terrific speed to confront
the virus, how could Liberia which had destroyed itself
for14(fourteen)years do better? Political commentator Wion, do some
reflections and purify your soul.The only Liberian leader who made
use of the medical facilities at the John F. Kennedy medical center
was the late assassinated President (William Richard Tolbert); the
rest have used external facilities for their healthcare services.
Mr. Wion is only interested in knowing the salaries of the
president and some cabinet Ministers and not how Liberia became the
first of the three countries to be declared Ebola free by the World
Health Organization (WHO). How have you permitted hate and deceit
to blind you?Madam President is using her international connections
and will power to salvage our dear country. If you do not have
anything positive to say to us after losing our live ones to this
invisible enemy, then shut-up. Mr. Jerry Wehtee Wion, you are too
envious to think on any good that others have done for Liberia;
only negativity is exemplify in you, stay in your Promised Land and
leave us to re-develop our country. If it is prosecution that you
are talking about for corruption; then you have just failed. Ask
God for reprieved, I think Radio ELWA taught you that!Thanks.Gbada
J. [email protected]
-
Page 6 | Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 2015Monrovia
The low-key visit to Liberia last week of two representatives
from the prosecutors office in The Netherlands has been linked to a
purported attempt to seek 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 four American nuns were killed in the infamous Operation
Octopus battle, FrontPageAfrica has learned.Multiple sources
confirmed to FrontPageAfrica Monday that after years of
investigation the Dutch government has finally given the greenlight
to pursue alleged war crimes figures linked to the killing of one
of its citizens in the same norm the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation is using to pursue justice for five of its citizens,
catholic nuns, killed during Octopus.The Dutch government had
initially commenced its own proceedings into the womans death but
reportedly hit a wall until new evidence and witnesses surface in
recent years.The Dutch citizen, a woman was reportedly married to
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
COULD LIBERIA LOSE EU FUNDING OVERWAR CRIMES EXTRADITION?The
visit to Liberia last week of two representatives from the
prosecutors office in The Netherlands has been linked to a
purported attempt to seek 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 four
American nuns were killed in the Operation Octopus battle.
Rodney D. Sieh, [email protected]
nature of the investigation, said a source privy to the
proceedings on strict condition of anonymity in an interview with
FrontPageAfrica. 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
Monday 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. The Dutch citizens killing mirrors the killing of
five American nuns. That case was recently announced reopened by
the FBI.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. One of
those proceedings is
said to be the upcoming case of Jucontee Thomas Woewiyu, a
former Defense Minister in Charles Taylors National Patriotic Front
of Liberia who was arrested in May 2014 by the Department of
Homeland Security as an alleged war crimes criminal. Woewiyu is
currently released but is under house arrest.The FBI immediately
notified the Illinois-based 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 FBI,
according to ProPublica had previously said the case was
closed.Christopher Vambo, a former NPFL commander known as General
Mosquito denied killing the nuns but acknowledged that men under
his command may have done so.ProPublica quoted a former deputy
chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia Gerald Rose, who
has sought justice for the nuns for some time as saying: I dont
think many American people
remember that there were five American citizens killed during
the Liberian war, he said. I think if the American people were
aware of that, they too would feel that justice was not done.
Hopefully this freshly re-opened case will force people to remember
and find the perpetrators.Meanwhile, FrontPageAfrica has learned
that a meeting in June has been planned for the U.S. state of
Massachusetts bringing together prominent Liberian journalists and
war crimes activists to share ideas on possibilities of a war
crimes court for Liberia.Also, sources tell FrontPageAfrica that EU
trade ministers expected in Liberia in July have been updated about
the new information in the killing of the Dutch citizen and are
being urged to prevail on Liberia to turn over those linked to the
killing. They would use their ministers to pressurized Liberia to
do the right thing, said a source privy to the extradition
discussion Monday. With aid money in the works, it would be a good
time to press the Liberian government.
By: Bettie Johnson/
[email protected] female
reporters from various news outlets have gathered to identify
issues affecting gender in the Country. The three day workshop
which is geared toward gender sensitive reporting was organized by
the West African Journalists Association, Press Union of Liberia
with support from the Norwegian Journalists Union.Speaking at the
workshop, Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL)
Coordinator, Torwon Sulonteh Brown said she was overwhelmed by the
training saying there are several issues affecting women that are
not being reported by the Media.She urged female reporters to
continuously report on gender sensitive issues as it will be
understandable by citizens and will reduce the high percentage of
risk involving women.Journalist Brown named 1325 of the UN
convention, CEDAW, and African charter on Democracy, election as
guides for female reporters to get acquainted with in reporting on
gender sensitive issues.Providing an overview of the media in
Liberia, PUL President Abdullai Kamara disclosed that journalists
in Liberia still go to jail for their speeches and the PUL is
working to decriminalize media offenses.He said though the
decriminalization of the
offenses is not easy, but said the Liberian President is yet to
submit the law to the Legislature.Mr. Kamara said the PUL has
penalized Journalists who violate the code of conduct. Kamara also
said the union is focused on building and strengthening gender
reporting and improving the capacity of female journalists.He added
that the Media Economy is poor and journalists salary is
disgracefully low.Mr. Kamara said the Union is working with Media
managers to increase the salaries of journalists.He disclosed that
media managers are not listening and have failed to comply with the
union on the collective bargaining agreement.Also speaking,
Journalist Mae Azango commenting on the gender situation in Liberia
said parents determine the role of children as most decisions of
children are made by the parents in Liberia.Culture plays a major
role in females lives in Liberia, and some culture dictate that
women should be seen but not heard, she said.Journalist Azango
named some of the issues affecting gender as poverty, trafficking,
early, marriage, sexual exploitation, illiteracy, persistent
non-support, stigmatization and discrimination among others.
WOMEN REPORTING WOMEN-FEMALE JOURNALISTS DISCUSS GENDER
ISSUES
-
FrontpageTuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 7
Monrovia - The prolonged detention of defendants without trial
in several prison facilities across the country continues to spark
criticisms against the justice system by both local and
international organizations working within the countrys judicial
system.The countrys law provides that crimes such as misdemeanor
requires the period of 30 days in detention for defendants that are
tried and found guilty but that has not been the case in most
instance as defendants found in this category stay in jail longer
than the statutory period as required by law.Fingers have been
pointed at magistrates who operate the first court of instance as
being those responsible for the over-crowdiness of prison
facilities and the prolonged detention of inmates without
trial.Magistrates are responsible
HOPE FOR PRETRIAL DETAINEES, PUBLIC DEFENDER NEW LEADERSHIP
PLEDGES
NAPDOL President Atty. Elisha Forkeyoh Sr.for this
overcrowdiness of prison facilities across the country because they
arrest people and hold then from the morning hour to the evening
and take them to jail without acquainting them with their rights to
a lawyer, am saying it without fear, said former Solicitor
General
Wilkins Wright.With the current statistics put out by prison
monitors in the country set at 800 pre-trial detainees held
only
Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]
0777296781in the famous Monrovia Central Prison, the newly-elected
leadership of the National Association of Public Defenders of
Liberia (NADPOL) has raised concerns and promised to provide legal
services to those defendants that cannot afford lawyers to
represent them.Atty. Elisha Forkeyoh Sr., who was elected president
along with three other officials to steer the affairs of the
organization for the last two years praised his colleagues for the
election of the officials but claimed that the organizations aim
and objective is to provide legal services to indigent defendants
who cannot afford a lawyer of his or her own and vowed to provide
legal services to pre-trial detainees who cannot afford lawyer.Let
the Liberian people know that they have a right to a lawyer once
they do not have the money to obtain a
lawyer and this is what we are here to do for them said Atty
ForkeyohAttorney Forkeyoh, in a FrontPageAfrica interview Friday,
stated that while serving as president for NADPOL for the last two
years, he and his officers will be going from community to
community to educate Liberians about their rights to a lawyer under
the law.He praised the Judiciary for providing the needed support
to public defendants in order to perform their duties to represent
indigent clients in court across the country.Atty Forkeyoh also
appealed to partners of the judiciary to come in and support the
current initiative of NADPOL as the association looks forward for
both local and international training of its over 29 members across
the length and breadth of the country.The Public Defender program
was established in 2009 by the late Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis to
provide legal service to indigent clients at every stage of an
investigation starting from criminal investigation up to conviction
and post-conviction proceeding.
FINANCE MINISTER FALLS TO LIBEL SUIT, SET TO PAY US$ 1.65M IN
DAMAGES
Monrovia - Finance and Economic Planning Minister Amara Konneh
has been found liable for libel by the Civil Law Court at the
Temple of Justice and ordered to pay over US1 in damages, though
his lawyer has taken an appeal to the Supreme Court for a final
decision.Minister Konneh was sued for libel in March 2013 by one of
the Finance Ministrys employee and Director of Large Tax Eric
Nagbe. Complainant Nagbe told the court in late march 2013 that the
minister accused him of allegedly receiving bribe to compromise
governments 2009 and 2010 audits in favor of the Luck Development
Corporation, B- Kay Pharmacy and Shehney Incorporation and
allegation which he said was unfounded and had no iota of truth in
them.Also in his complaint to the court, Nagbe stated that Minister
Konneh
Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]
0777296781
subjected him to a full scale investigation at the Internal
Audit Division.The complainant further states that he was subjected
to another investigation at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission
(LACC) from March to December 2012 where the LACC investigation
concluded that there was no criminality on the part of the
plaintiff /Nagbe.Nagbe explained that he received a visa to travel
to the United States but was denied entry upon arrival in the U.S.
based on the request by Minister Konneh to the revoke his visa and
was forced back home by the Americans.Nagbe further noted that
after the LACC investigation found him not guilty, the commission
ordered the minister to re-instate him but the Minister failed to
adhere to the commissions recommendation.Due to the embarrassment,
stigma, stereotype and inconvenience as the result of the
defendants action, plaintiff requests your honor to award the
plaintiff not less than US$1M in general damages which is to be
decided by the jury the plaintiff s complaint stated.Contrary to
the plaintiff s lawyer argument that Nagbe suffered injury as the
result of the ministers action during the course of the trial, the
Ministers lawyers represented by the Ministry
of Justice told the court to dismiss the complaint because the
plaintiff did not suffer any injury.At the close of the trial in
its legal argument, lawyer representing the plaintiff led by Atty
Arthur Johnson, called on the court to bring down the plaintiff
liable because they have proven their case by presenting every
requirement needed to prove libel. We presented copy of the
Inquirer Newspaper that covered the Ministers press conference and
the memorandum and placed on the Ministrys bulletin indicating the
allegations levied against our client, said Atty. Johnson.In his
ruling on Friday Judge Johanes Zogbay Zlahn ruled in favor of the
plaintiff because the state failed to prove its case.In his ruling
the judge found the defendant liable for libel and asked the
defendant to pay the amount of US$1M though the state lawyers took
an appeal to the Supreme Court sitting in its October 2015 for
final opinion.Atty Johnson praised the courts decision adding that
the Judge gave the rule in the interest of justice. This is a
landmark ruling of the court which will demonstrate to people in
government who want to use their position to infringe on the right
of other people that the law is for everyone, said Atty. Arthur
Johnson.
-
Page 8 | Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 2015
NO MORE LYING ON POLICEUN INSTALLS INVESTIGATION ROOM CAMERA
Sometimes they say we can torture them when they are undergoing
investigation by the police and with this investigation room
established, nobody will say negative
things about us anymore- William Mulbah; Deputy Police
DirectorBettie Johnson/ [email protected]
Henry Karmo (0886522495)
[email protected]
Monrovia-It was a scene of smiles on the faces of police
officers working in the Criminal Intelligence and Criminal Service
Departments at the Liberia National Police.The expression on the
faces of the officers was triggered when the United Nations Mission
in Liberia and UNPOL officially turned over a quick impact project
which includes the provision of office equipment, establishment of
interview room and a case file registry at the LNP.Speaking at the
program during the weekend, UNPOL head of Crime Service Department,
Tomas Johansson said the LNP is a primary law enforcement agency
and is responsible for internal security.The LNP remains in the
process of restructuring and rebuilding to achieve a sustainable
level of operational effectiveness and efficiency, and the LNP is
to transform the organization from its current reactive position to
one of community based-intelligence driven public service, he
said.Johansson, pointing at the office equipment said the Criminal
Intelligence Department (CID) within the LNPs structure has to
contribute to a more effective crime prevention that will be
achieved through an improved intelligence gathering system through
collaboration with other agencies as well as with the community.To
effectively combat criminality that is an efficient system of
information collection including the
national crime and criminal databases, collation, analysis and
dissemination necessary for the development and implementation of
crime strategies is needed for the LNP, Johansson said.The UNPOL
CSD head continued: There are different challenges that CID
continues to face to perform their specific daily duties which
include the logistics resources and the provision of basic office
furniture and equipment such as filing cabinets, printers shredder
is to support the CID agents daily performance on information
management tasks and contribute to improving its record keeping
system in different sections.Johansson added that the expected
impact of the provision of the office
equipment, the CID will benefit from the project by enhancing
its different sections capabilities with equipment for print and
copy of gathered information reports and different documents for
further disseminations.The resources will improve its capability to
scan and save digital copies of key documents
for analysis purposes while filling and storing hard copies to
maintain proper record keeping of the information and intelligence
report, UNPOL head stated.Speaking on the establishment of the
interview room, Johansson said the LNP CSD with respect to
interrogation constitutes a serious challenge,
the department does not have an interview room as a result the
interrogation is conducted in offices that are not conducive due to
space and other interruptions by personnel, the interrogation
offices are in deplorable condition as furnishing are worn out.The
UN personnel added The aim of this project is to establish quality
police service through the provision of equipment and environment
conducive for conduct of criminal investigations that are
professional, transparent, and responsive and tailored to prevent,
detect, and investigate crimes.The UNPOL CSD head indicated that
the establishment of the case file registry room is to effectively
maintain proper record and quick retrieval of cases filed in CSD at
the LNP.Responding, Deputy Police boss, Col. William Mulbah said
investigation plays a key role in the justice system, saying what
is sent to the judiciary matters.No lying on police
We as police officers go a long way in regard to human life, for
example if one is arrested and a case file is sent to the court and
proper investigation is not done, we either damage or rebuild lives
based on what
we sent to the court, said Col. Mulbah.Col. Mulbah continued:
this project builds the capacity through a case file registry and
especially the interview and the analysis room; thank God it is
televised so that people will stop lying on police for torture
during investigation or saying that they had no access to the legal
counsel while they were undergoing investigation.He commended
UNMIL/UNPOL for the project stating that it will go a long saying
it is meaningful and will improve their efficiency as cases will
not be thrown out of the windows from court.Most often our crime
scenes are intruded into and if there is a crime mainly a murder or
homicide everybody wants to enter which is very wrong. Without
these tapes crime scene are damaged and it causes embarrassment for
us and the tapes will barricade the scene to protect evidence.He
added that though the CSD has been empowered it is the call for
other departments to look for support as the project was
established through the intervention of former Police Intelligence
boss Thomas Nimely known as (PI).Col. Mulbah urged officers to not
misuse the items in order to help the LNP win cases.Meanwhile, two
newly appointed police officials Col. Joseph Flomo and CID head
Jessie Harris commended UNPOL for the project and promised to use
it for its intended purpose.
TRADEOFF?
Monrovia-Sources close to the Liberian Senate have hinted
FrontPageAfrica that the temporary reinstatement of three officials
from the Liberia Institute of Public Administration by President
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a tradeoff for the confirmation of
Education Minister designate, George Werner.According to the
sources, the Senate Committee on Education chaired by Senator Jewel
Howard Taylor (Bong County, National Patriotic Party) requested the
reinstatement of the three
LIPA officials previously dismissed by President Sirleaf to pave
the way for the Senate to confirm Minister designate Werner who was
denied a while ago for the post of Health Minister before his
appointment to head the Education Ministry.Close Senate sources
indicate that Senator Commany Wesseh (Unity Party-River Gee County)
has earlier requested the former CSA boss, now Education Minister
designate to prevail on President Sirleaf to reinstate the three
officials of LIPA since they were dismissed based on recommendation
from the CSA.Since the request by the Senator was yet to be
implemented the confirmation of Minister designate Werner has been
delayed by the Senate, the source added.In a release issued by the
Executive Mansion, President Sirleaf directed that the three LIPA
recently dismissed be temporarily reinstated pending the
fulfillment of certain conditions.The officials include the Deputy
Director General for Administration & Management, Mr. P.
Emerson
Harris, Deputy Director General for Training & Development,
Mr. Richard S. Panton; and Deputy Director General for Research
& Consultancy, Atty. Harris F. Tarnue.The Executive stated that
President Sirleaf's directive is the result of an investigation she
ordered based on documentation submitted to her by the three LIPA
officials protesting their dismissal for "unilaterally increasing
their salaries in the absence of the Head of the Institute." The
sequence of events and the facts uncovered from the investigation
did not uphold the stated reason for the dismissals, the Executive
Mansion release stated.The statement furthered that in light of the
ongoing reform of Government agencies by the Civil Service Agency
(CSA), the three LIPA officials will be required to compete with
other candidates in the professional recruitment exercise to be
conducted by the CSA in order to retain their respective.
Sirleaf Reinstatement of LIPA Officials Favors Minister
designate Werners Confirmation
-
FrontpageTuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 9
PARKER AND ASSOCIATES, INC. Certified Public Accountants &
Business Advisors
P. O. Box 1921 81 Sekou Toure Avenue, Mamba Point
Monrovia, Liberia
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT To the shareholders of Ecobank
Liberia Limited The accompanying statements of financial position,
comprehensive income and cash flows are derived from the audited
financial statements of Ecobank Liberia Limited (the Bank) for the
year ended 31 December 2014. We expressed an unmodified opinion on
the financial statements in our report dated 30 April 2015. The
accompanying statements of financial position, comprehensive income
and cash flows do not contain all the disclosures required by
International Financial Reporting Standards and in the manner
required by the New Financial Institution Act (FIA) 1999 and the
prudential regulations of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) applied
in the preparation of the audited financial statements of the Bank.
Reading the accompanying statements of financial position,
comprehensive income and cash flows, therefore, is not a substitute
for reading the audited financial statements of the Bank. In our
opinion, the accompanying statements of financial position,
comprehensive income and cash flows are consistent, in all material
respects, with the audited financial statements of Ecobank Liberia
Limited for the year ended 31 December 2014, from which they were
derived. .
.. .
PARKER AND ASSOCIATES CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS &
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BUSINESS ADVISORS 13 YIYIWA DRIVE, ABELENKPE
P O BOX 1921, MAMBA POINT P O BOX GP 242 MONROVIA, LIBERIA ACCRA,
GHANA 30 April 2015 30 April 2015
ECOBANK LIBERIA LIMITED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR
THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014
2014 2013 Note LR$000 LR$000 Interest income 6 1,121,614 972,505
Interest expense 7 (229,178) (149,693) --------- ---------- Net
interest income 892,436 822,812 --------- --------- Fees and
commission income 8 1,291,826 1,083,431 Fees and commission expense
9 (2,528) (2,940) ----------- ----------- Net fees and commission
income 1,289,298 1,080,491 ----------- ----------- Net trading
income 10 74,881 129,919 Other operating income 11 23,629 60,790
--------- --------- Other income 98,510 190,709 --------- ---------
Total income 2,280,244 2,094,012 Net impairment loss on financial
assets 12 (300,275) (182,463) Operating expenses 13 (1,647,553)
(1,690,650) ------------ ------------ Profit before tax 332,416
220,899 Income tax (expense) / credit 14 (83,134) 5,007 ---------
--------- Profit after tax 249,282 225,906 --------- --------- The
notes on pages 19 to 68 form an integral part of these financial
statements.
ECOBANK LIBERIA LIMITED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014 (CONTD) 2014 2013 Note
LR$000 LR$000 Profit after tax 249,282 225,906 Other comprehensive
income Available for sale financial assets net change in fair value
19 (25,428) (44,948) Related tax 6,357 11,237 Net amount
reclassified to profit or loss 44,948 - --------- -------- Other
comprehensive income, net of tax 25,877 (33,711) ---------
--------- Total comprehensive income 275,159 192,195 ===== =====
Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Bank 249,282 225,906
===== ===== Earnings per share Basic earnings per share 16 0.04
0.04 === === Diluted earnings per share 16 0.04 0.03 === === The
notes on pages 19 to 68 form an integral part of these financial
statements.
ECOBANK LIBERIA LIMITED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014 2014 2013 Note LR$000 LR$000
Cash flows from operating activities Profit for the year 249,282
225,906 Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortization 104,812
119,934 Net impairment loss on financial assets 300,275 182,463 Net
interest income (892,436) (822,812) Profit on disposal of property
and equipment - (19,562) Write of property and equipment - 240 Net
gain on available for sale financial assets (55,672) (32,753) Tax
expense / (credit) 83,134 (5,007) -------- --------- Cash outflows
from operating activities before changes in operating assets and
liabilities (210,605) (351,591) ---------- --------- Changes in
operating assets and liabilities Loans and advances 481,623
(3,001,521) Other assets 366,343 (776,136) Customer deposits
(469,879) 2,947,958 Other liabilities (664,707) (333,227)
Borrowings 197,025 72,225 ----------- ------------ (300,200)
(1,442,292) Interest received 1,121,614 972,505 Interest paid
(229,178) (149,693) Income tax paid (50,641) (169,817) ---------
---------- Net cash generated from/ (used in) operating activities
541,595 (789,297) ====== ===== Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of investment securities 18 (1,983,272) (2,111,156)
Proceeds from redeemed investment securities 18 1,999,497 1,502,156
Acquisition of property and equipment 22 (52,762) (219,535)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment - 28,959 ----------
---------- Net cash used in investing activities (36,537) (799,576)
===== ====== The notes on pages 19 to 68 form an integral part of
these financial statements.
ECOBANK LIBERIA LIMITED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014 (CONTD) 2014 2013 Note
LR$000 LR$000 Cash flow from financing activities Dividend paid -
(116,292) Investment in equity shares - (1,147) Proceed from issue
of shares - 56,249 --------- --------- Net cash used in financing
activities - (61,190) --------- ------------ Net
increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 505,058
(1,650,063) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 8,355,225
10,005,288 ------------ ------------- Cash and cash equivalents at
31 December 35 8,860,283 8,355,225 ====== ======= The notes on
pages 19 to 68 form an integral part of these financial
statements.
-
Page 10 |Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 2015
EGYPTIAN COURT SEEKS DEATH PENALTY FOR
EX-PRESIDENT MURSI
CAIRO (Reuters) -
An Egyptian court on Saturday sought the death penalty for
former president Mohamed Mursi and 106 supporters of the Muslim
Brotherhood in connection with a mass jail break in 2011.Mursi and
his fellow defendants, including top Brotherhood leader Mohamed
Badie, were convicted for killing and kidnapping policemen,
attacking police facilities and breaking out of jail during the
uprising against Hosni Mubarak.The court's request drew
condemnations from Amnesty International and Turkish President
Tayyip Erdogan.The final ruling is expected to be made on June 2.
The court sought capital punishment in a separate case for
Brotherhood leader Khairat el-Shater and 15 others for conspiring
with foreign militant groups against Egypt.
BAGHDADI MESSAGE REAFFIRMS IS LEADERSHIP
STRONG AFTERSHOCK HITS NEPAL, NEAR
KATHMANDU: USGS
Baghdad (AFP) - The Islamic State's release of an audio message
by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi reaffirmed his leadership of the group
following a six-month silence and rumours over his health.In his
half-hour speech posted on jihadist forums on Thursday, Baghdadi
calls for a general mobilisation and urges all Muslims to move to
the caliphate he proclaimed last year or wage jihad (holy war)
wherever they are."I think this release partly has to do with
rumours of his supposed incapacitation," said Aymenn Jawad
al-Tamimi of the Middle East Forum research group.Rumours emerged
last month that Baghdadi was seriously wounded in a March air
strike and had relinquished the organisation's leadership to a
militant called Abu Alaa al-Afari.
(Reuters) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit Nepal on Saturday,
about 76 km east south east of the capital Kathmandu, at a shallow
depth of 10 km, the U.S. Geological Survey said.A 7.8 magnitude
earthquake struck on April 25, killing more than 8,000 people and
there have been a series of aftershocks since then.
IN BRIEF FRONTPAGE WORLD NEWS
ILGA STATE-SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA REPORT 2015 OUT
Geneva, 13 May 2015 A few days before the International Day
Against Homophobia and Transphobia, ILGA, a human rights advocacy
group launches at the Palais des Nations in Geneva the 10th edition
of its annual report on State-Sponsored Homophobia, a world survey
of laws: criminalization, protection and recognition of same-sex
love, authored this year by Aengus Carroll and Lucas Paoli
Itaborahy.While in 2006 said the Authors 92 countries criminalized
same-sex sexual acts between consenting adults, we now see this
number falling down to 76 countries in 2015. However, the situation
is still unacceptable: more than one-third of the worlds States
consider same-sex sexual activity illegal. On the other hand,
although 2013 saw an alarming rise in the number of States
considering a new wave of criminalization through homosexual
propaganda laws, in fact only a small number actually implemented
them.Surveys said ILGA Co-Secretaries General Ruth Baldacchino and
Helen Kennedy are there for interpretation and our general
interpretation of this world survey is that some countries have it
better or worse than others. However, we do not stop there. We see
the analysis of the legal situation in countries as one of many
layers of analysis. This report provides us with a solid platform
from which to understand, discuss, lobby, advocate and analyze
further.When we lift that legal layer continued Baldacchino and
Kennedy we find many brave individuals, organizations operating on
shoestring budgets, networks of activists, scholars, policy-makers
and other professionals, risking their livelihood (and often their
lives) to fight for what
is right. We find lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and
queer people maneuvering through political, social, religious,
cultural and linguistic battles to be recognized and respected.
These are efforts, initiatives and actions that empower us.As
expected, a picture of lights and shadows emerges from the report,
in particular:There are 117 countries (UN Members) where same sex
sexual acts between adults in private are legal. Mozambique and
Palau have decriminalized same-sex acts in 2014 and Lesotho in
2010.There are 76 countries where same-sex sexual acts are still
illegal. Chad introduced a new Penal Code in 2014, punishing anyone
who has sex with persons of the same sex.In relation to death
penalty, eight States officially legislate for it, but only five
(Mauritania, Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen) actually
implement it, but
BEIRUT (AP) In a rare ground attack deep into Syria, U.S. Army
commandos killed a man described as the Islamic Group's head of oil
operations, captured his wife and rescued a woman whom American
officials said was enslaved.A team of Delta Force commandos slipped
across the border from Iraq under cover of darkness Saturday aboard
Black Hawk helicopters and V-22 Osprey aircraft, according to a
U.S. defense official knowledgeable about details of the raid. The
official was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and
spoke on condition of anonymity.The Americans intended to capture a
militant identified by U.S. officials as Abu Sayyaf. When they
arrived at his location, a multi-story building, they met stiff
resistance, the U.S. official said, and a firefight ensued,
resulting in bullet-hole damage to the U.S. aircraft.Abu Sayyaf was
killed, along with an estimated dozen IS fighters, U.S. officials
said. No American was killed or wounded.
Before the sun had risen, the commandos flew back to Iraq where
Abu Sayyaf's wife, Umm Sayyaf, was being questioned in U.S.
custody, officials said.Abu Sayyaf was described by one official as
the IS "emir of oil and gas," although he also was targeted for his
known association with the group's leader, Abu Bakr
al-Baghdadi.U.S. officials said it was likely, given Abu Sayyaf's
position, that he knew about more than just the financial side of
the group's operations.The U.S. official said his removal probably
has temporarily halted IS oil-revenue operations, critical to the
group's ability to carry out military operations in Syria and Iraq
and to govern the population centers it controls.But U.S. Rep. Adam
Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee,
cautioned against exaggerating the long-term gain from killing Abu
Sayyaf.He said IS, like al-Qaida, "has proven adept at replacing
its commanders and we will need to keep up the pressure on its
leadership and financing."A U.S. Treasury official told
Congress in October that IS militants were earning about $1
million a day from black market oil sales alone, and getting
several million dollars a month from wealthy donors, extortion
rackets and other criminal activities, such as robbing banks.
Kidnappings were another large source of cash.U.S. airstrikes in
Syria since September have frequently targeted IS oil-collection
facilities in an effort to undermine the group's finances.IS
controls much of northern and eastern Syria as well as northern and
western Iraq, despite months of U.S. and coalition airstrikes and
efforts by the U.S.-backed Iraqi army to retake territory. IS holds
most of the oil fields in Syria and has declared a caliphate
governed by a harsh version of Islamic law.Also Saturday, activists
said IS fighters pushed into the Syrian town of Palmyra, home to
famed 2,000-year-old ruins.The U.S. Army raid occurred one day
after the U.S.-led campaign to roll back IS gains in Iraq suffered
a significant setback in Ramadi, the capital
US SAYS IS HEAD OF OIL OPERATIONS KILLED IN US RAID IN SYRIA
a sixth State, Iraq, although not in the civil code, clearly has
judges and militias throughout the country that issue the death
sentence for same-sex sexual behaviors. Further, some provinces in
Nigeria and Somalia officially implement the death penalty. We are
also aware that in the Daesh(ISIS/ISIL)-held areas the death
penalty is implemented (although a non-State actor, it is listedin
the report).Brunei Darussalam is due to activate the death penalty
for same sex sexual acts in 2016, but it seems likely that like
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qatar although it is on the statute, it
will not beimplemented.Regarding the recent legal practice,
emerging from Russian provinces first in 2006, to criminalize the
propaganda of homosexuality, it is with some relief that we note
that in fact to date only four countriesactually appear to have
adopted this on their statute books: Algeria, Lithuania, Nigeria
and Russia.Discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation
is now prohibited
in 63 countries, including Chile (2012), Samoa (2013), Namibia
(2004) and city of Buenos Aires in Argentina (2015).A total of 7
countries have a constitutional prohibition to discrimination based
on sexual orientation, including Mexico (2011) and Virgin Islands
(2007) associate of the United Kingdom - Hate crimes based on
sexual orientation are considered an aggravating circumstance in 34
countries. Laws in this respect have been identified in several
European countries, including Andorra (2005), parts of Bosnia and
Herzegovina (2013), Iceland (2004), Kosovo (2013), Lithuania
(2009), Montenegro (2010), Norway (1994), Serbia (2012), Slovakia
(2013), Slovenia (2008).Incitement of hatred based on sexual
orientation is prohibited in 31 countries. Austria has introduced
such law in 2011, Hungary in 2013, Montenegro in 2010 and
Switzerland in 2015.Marriage is open for same-sex couples in 18
countries, including in Luxembourg and Slovenia, both in 2015. The
state of Coahuila in Mexico and 19 further states in the United
States of America have passed same-sex marriage laws in 2014,
bringing the total number of states legislating for marriage
equality to 37 (plus the District of Columbia). Finland approved a
marriage equality law in 2015 that will come into force in 2017,
while Estonia approved a similar law in 2014, to come into force in
2016.Joint adoption by same-sex couples is legal in 19 countries.
It was legalized in Luxemburg and Malta in 2014, and in Austria ,
Ireland and Slovenia in 2015.
of Anbar province. IS fighters are reported to have captured a
key government building in Ramadi and have established control over
a substantial portion of the city, officials have said.U.S. House
Speaker John Boehner, in a written statement Saturday praising the
raid into Syria, said he was "gravely concerned" by the IS assault
on Ramadi and that it threatened the stability and sovereignty of
Iraq.IS has made major inroads at Iraq's Beiji oil refinery complex
in recent days. Reports vary, but U.S. officials have said IS is
largely in control of the
refinery, as well as the nearby town of Beiji. It's on the main
route from Baghdad to Mosul, the main IS stronghold in northern
Iraq.U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter in Washington announced the
raid, followed soon after by word from the White House.Bernadette
Meehan, spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council, said in
a statement that the woman who was freed, a Yazidi, "appears to
have been held as a slave" by Abu Sayyaf and his wife. She said the
U.S. intends to return her to her family.
-
FrontpageTuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 11
SportsSPORTS
CHELSEA HAVE GIVEN CECH PERMISSION TO LEAVE - AGENT
Former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle was delighted to hear from
Jose Mourinho that he will receive a winners' medal despite leaving
Stamford Bridge for Wolfsburg during the Blues' triumphant
campaign.The Germany international struggled for form and playing
time in the first half of 2014-15, something on which he feels that
his World Cup exploits played a big part, but will be recognised
for his efforts.Harbouring no grudge over his exit from Chelsea,
Schurrle paid tribute to those who had secured them the trophy."I
didn't know that I'd get a medal when I didn't play most of the
second half of the season," he told the BBC World Service."Jose
Mourinho sent me a text to say that I'd get a medal and he asked me
to come to the last game. That was very nice for me.Roberto
Mancini's men face a real battle to reach the European spots after
Alvaro Morata's late strike somehow evaded his graspInter's
European hopes were dealt a crushing blow by Juventus on Saturday
as a howler from Samir Handanovic gifted the champions a 2-1
win.
IVORY COAST GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATES UNPAID BONUSES
INTER 1-2 JUVENTUS: HANDANOVIC HOWLER
GIFTS CHAMPIONS THE WIN
Ivory Coast's ministry of interior affairs has launched an
investigation into unpaid bonuses which should have been given to
the country's victorious 2015 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Players
and officials were promised a substantial financial reward by the
Ivorian government for winning the tournament in Equatorial Guinea
in February. There has been a lengthy delay in the money reaching
some squad members, prompting both coach Herve Renard and
midfielder Serey Die to question why.
TRADITIONAL RIVALS FACEOFF AT PRESIDENT ANNUAL FOOTBALL CUP
TOURNEY
LIVERPOOL 1-3 CRYSTAL PALACEThe Eagles struck either side of
half-time to condemn Brendan Rodgers' side to defeat and move to
within two points of the top half of the Premier League
tableCrystal Palace spoiled Steven Gerrard's farewell party with a
3-1 Premier League win over Liverpool at Anfield.Gerrard's final
appearance on his home ground before joining Major League Soccer
outfit Los Angeles Galaxy dominated the pre-match build-up and Adam
Lallana's 26th-minute opener meant the 34-year-old's 354th
competitive Anfield outing was all set up to end in success.But
Palace ignored the script, as the brilliant Yannick Bolasie and
Jason Puncheon led the charge against a shaky Liverpool backline,
the latter equalising with a free-kick late in the
first-half.Visiting substitute Wilfried Zaha scored 22 seconds
after his 59th-minute introduction and then won a late penalty that
Glenn Murray converted on the rebound, as Alan Pardew's team
completed a deserved league double over the Merseyside outfit.The
120th Premier League goal Gerrard and his adoring faithful craved
proved elusive and Liverpool now head into the final weekend of the
season yet to secure UEFA Europa League qualification.Gerrard was
afforded a guard of honour by the players from both sides and a
thunderous reception from the Anfield crowd as he entered the field
separately with his daughters, Lilly-Ella, Lexie and Lourdes. The
pre-match festivities, capped by a spine-tingling rendition of
'You'll Never Walk Alone', gave way to an initially subdued
contest
with a testimonial-feel, as neither team created any chances of
note during the opening exchanges.Palace winger Bolasie almost
scored the opening goal after 23 minutes when his speculative shot
spun wide off Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel with goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet beaten.Ex-Liverpool defender Martin Kelly featured
as one of five changes to an experimental Palace line-up and he had
an unwitting hand in his former teams opener - playing a dreadful
pass back towards fellow centre-back Scott Dann for Lallana to
intercept, charge through on goal and
finish emphatically.Palace should have been level in the 29th
minute when Bolasie outmuscled Dejan Lovren to send in a low cross
from the right. Emre Can could only clear as far as Joe Ledley, who
blazed a shot wastefully over.Mignolet got down well to keep out a
deflected strike from Puncheon and the same player gave the
Londoners the equaliser they deserved two minutes before
half-time.Can was booked for bringing Bolasie down in full flight
on the edge of the box and Puncheon left Mignolet red-faced by
whipping a fine left-footed free-kick across the
goalkeeper and into his side of the net.Liverpool wing-back
Jordon Ibe drove a shot into the side netting after 49 minutes
after a strong start to the second half from Palace.Jordan
Henderson also had an effort deflected wide but the visitors
continued to attack with the greater authority and Zaha's instant
impact put them ahead.Bolasie was again instrumental, cutting the
ball back across the six-yard box for his fellow attacker to score
with his first touch.Gerrard finally enjoyed a sight of goal in the
64th minute, arrowing a drive
towards the bottom corner that Wayne Hennessey saved. Once more,
Palace responded and Bolasie turned inside Skrtel to rattle a shot
against the crossbar.The fairytale ending ultimately proved beyond
Gerrard, with Zaha winning a 91st-minute penalty - although fellow
substitute Lucas Leiva's foul appeared to be fractionally outside
the area.Murray, another substitute who had already struck the
post, fired home after Mignolet had saved his initial spot-kick
before Anfield rose to acclaim its hero at full-time.
Monrovia-Liberia traditional soccer rivals Invincible Eleven
(IE) and Mighty Barrolle faceoff on Friday on Day one of the 2015
annual President Cup tournament at the Blue Field Sports pitch on
Lynch Street.The Yellow Boys got the better of their rival as
Shalle Quiah got the match opening goal in the 55th minute through
a header after receiving a cross from teammate Julius Nah.Both
teams ended the first half goalless but IE performed better through
ball possession and shots on goal.Jimmy Gray scored the Yellow Boys
second goal in the 89th minute through spacing after
MURRAY, PUNCHEON & ZAHA SPOIL GERRARDS ANFIELD FAREWELL
he got a splendid pass from Monue Jimmy.Barrolle could have
conceded more goals if it was not goalkeeper Seku Boyah who denied
IE players several clear scoring opportunities.Earlier in the day,
Keitrace FC recorded the tournament first victory through penalty
shootout against Aries FC after the two teams settled to a 1-1 draw
during the full 90-minutes of play.Amadiel Kawah scored the
tournament opening goal for his side Keitrace FC in the 16th minute
but Musa Bah equalized for Aries in the 60th minute.Stephen Jayee
failed to utilize Aries FC opportunity of advancing to the second
round of the tournament after he missed his side last penalty kick
that could have given them victory as they lost 5-4 in the penalty
shootout.The Head Coach of IE Papa
Kamara described his side 2-0 triumph over Barrolle as a step
forward and urged his players to take each game in the tournament
serious. As we all know this is a knockout tournament, we are
presently participating in and so we all have to do our best in
order for us to finish as champions and that aim can only come true
if we maintain our winning spree against our opponents, said Coach
Kamara. On the other hand, Goalkeeper Sekou Bayoh who made several
brilliant saves for Barrolle, blamed his fellow players for their
team quick exit from the tournament.I blame my fellow players
especially the midfield and forward line for our team quick exit
from the tournament because they lacked total ball possession, shot
on goal and finishing touches, the goalkeeper said.
Goalkeeper Bayoh disclosed that they agreed to participate in
the ongoing President Cup tournament and the just ended Coca-Cola
tournament in order for Head Coach Benjamin Saydee and members of
his technical staff to be able to know the best players on the two
squads and prepare for the LFA 2015 national league season.We
agreed to take part in those competitions so that we will be able
to select good players for our final squad for the LFA 2015
national league season and not to win trophies, Coach Saydee
said.The goalkeeper urged his fellow players to learn from their
past mistakes and to now increase their training at the highest
degree if they wish to be part of the final selection for the
league season. The tournament is sponsored by Srimex OIL and
Kailondo.
A. Macaulay Sombai, [email protected]
-
Page 12 |Frontpage Tuesday, May 19, 20156a
Henry Karmo (0886522495)
[email protected]
Monrovia-Criminal Court D at the Temple of Justice was Monday a
scene of disbelief when six alleged armed robbers pleaded guilty
while two others denied the charges.The six alleged armed robbers
who face other charges including attempt to commit murder,
conspiracy and facilitation admitted their guilt right after the
indictment was read to them.Are you guilty? Yes, we are guilty all
six of the armed robbers responded unanimously in open
court.Although the six young men believed to be in their early
thirties have pleaded guilty but are required to go through the
normal formality of trial as required by law.By their plea of guilt
the defense lawyer Atty. Jallah Zumo asked the court to grant the
six defendants separate trial from the two others who denied any
involvement in the act.State lawyers led by Cllr. Sunifu Sheriff
interposed no objection to the request made by the lone defense
lawyer Atty. Zumo who is also a public defense lawyer. Presiding
Judge Johannes Zlahn granted the request for separate trial while
the case was adjourned to resume at 9: am Wednesday May 21,
2015.The eight alleged robbers Six Armed Robbers Plead Guilty In
Open Court
OPEN CONFESSION
MINISTER DESIGNATE DAHN CONFIRMATION ON HOLD- SENATE HOLDS
HEARINGS FOR MOH OFFICIALS
who have been in jail since October 2012 are held for series of
armed robbery incidents that took place in Paynesville and Newport
Street in Central Monrovia.The court indictment stated that the
October 20, 2012 armed robbery in which the men were held took
place in Paynesville and the
victim (name withheld) was placed under gun point, as the
alleged robbers used cutlasses and other deadly weapon with a plan
to kill the victim.Items including cell phones valued at US$710,
00, one laptop computer valued US$1,200.00, one watch valued US$10.
00 and cash
in the amount of US$ 600.00 and L$5,000 were reportedly
stolen.On October 28, 2012 on Newport Street the alleged armed
robbers also placed the victim under gun point and took away cash
amounting to US$2, 500, assorted packs of scratch cards valued
US$832.00 and
assorted cell phones placed on charge by the victims
customers.Another armed robbery incident allegedly by the men is
reported to have also taken place on October 30, 2012 on the Duport
Road in Paynesville.The indictment also stated that a police
officer assigned
Kennedy L. Yangian [email protected]
0777296781
Monrovia-The Liberian Senate Committee on Health Monday held
confirmation proceedings for two of the four candidates nominated
by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the Ministry of Health.Dr.
Francis Kateh and Mr. Edward B. Tolbert, Chief Medical Officer and
Deputy Health Minister for Administration designate respectively
met the senate committee without Dr. Bernice Dahn and Tolbert
Nyenswah Minister and Deputy Minister for Preventive Services
designate respectively.According to the Committee Chairman, Senator
Peter Coleman, (Congress for Democratic Change-Grand Kru County)
the two nominees could not appear before the senate because
committee members agreed that the
nominees appear two at a time to provide the Senators the
opportunity to ask important questions on the health sector.On
whether the Committee is giving any consideration to the
allegations against Dr. Dahn and Nyenswah by the General Auditing
Commission (GAC) on the alleged misapplication of Ebola funds he
said, the committee will go ahead with confirmation
proceedings.Senator Coleman said: That will be left with the public
account committee (PAC). That report is being evaluated and they
will make the necessary recommendation and the legislature will act
upon that recommendation.Senator Coleman who chairs the committee
that denied Mr. George Werner as Health Minister said, despite the
decision to leave the issue of the GAC report with the PAC each
senator on the committee
has a vote to decide the confirmation of the two.At the
committee level each senator has a vote and at the plenary level
each senator has a vote and if a senator decides that by virtue of
the fact that because these people are being accuse by the GAC will
influence his or her vote than that is it, Senator Coleman
said.Speaking on the issue of protesting health workers whether
that could influence the decision of the senate to deny Dr. Dahn
and Nyenswah he said, Dr. Dahn has responded to the health workers
complaints against her to the senate and that response will be read
in plenary as was done with the health workers and decision on next
step will be left with the senate.Health workers last month wrote
the Liberian Senate requesting that body to
deny the health minister designate because according to them she
has been part of an administration with no interest in the welfare
of health workers demonstrated by their failure to place on payroll
sacrificing health workers and refusal by former Minister, Dr.
Walter Gwenigale to reinstate dismissed health workers.Nyenswahs
Position not legislatedCommenting on Deputy Minister Nyenswahs
position - dep