Author: Staff Writer

MONROVIA, June 3 – The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Liberia’s largest opposition party, has found itself in the eye of a political storm as Acting Chairperson Janga Kowo faces intense criticism for his silence on the glaring failures and excesses of President Joe Boakai’s regime. Since his controversial election, President Boakai has consistently demonstrated his incapacity to govern effectively, starting with his embarrassing fall during his own inauguration. His tenure has been marked by a series of missteps, including the appointment of incompetent bureaucrats, frivolous expenditure of public funds on foreign trips with bloated delegations, and a crackdown on…

Monrovia, Liberia – June 2, 2024 – Mamaka Bility, the current Minister of State Without Portfolio, is now the most powerful figure in President Boakai’s administration. Widely referred to as the “darling girl” of the President, Bility’s sudden ascent to power has sparked outrage and concern among government staff and political analysts alike. Mamaka Bility, who has no prior experience in any significant governmental role, has somehow been entrusted with running the country’s most critical affairs. Insiders describe her influence as absolute, with her word becoming final in the administrative decisions of the state. This shift in power dynamics has…

By David Dueh Chieh Sr. (Private Secretary to the President) There were no ominous signs regarding the President’s June 1971 trip to London for his annual medical treatment. However, circumstances necessitated a change in the mode of travel – instead of the usual ocean trip, it was by a Swiss Air flight. On the President’s entourage for the first time was Liberia’s Ambassador-at-Large, Mr. Emmett Harmon. Again, there was no premonition of any kind that the President’s trip to London for a routine annual medical check-up would be a “trip of no return.” The flight to London went smoothly. We…

JOHANNESBURG, June 2 – President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africa’s political parties to unite for the country’s benefit as final election results confirm the African National Congress (ANC) has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since coming to power 30 years ago. The results, announced on Sunday, mark the ANC’s worst electoral performance since the end of apartheid, with support dropping to 40.2% from 57.5% in the 2019 parliamentary vote. The ANC, Africa’s oldest liberation movement once led by Nelson Mandela, now holds 159 seats in the 400-seat National Assembly, down from 230. The outcome forces the…

Capitol Hill, Monrovia: On May 29, 2024, the House of Representatives, represented by Deputy Speaker Hon. Thomas P. Fallah, officially inaugurated Hon. Anthony F. Williams, the lawmaker for Pleebo Sodoken District #2 in Maryland County, as the new chairperson of the House’s statutory committee on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Environment. Williams succeeds Hon. Thomas Goshua of Grand Bassa County. The inauguration ceremony coincided with the WASH Multi-Stakeholder Acquaintance Meeting at the Capitol, which brought together key international partners, including the African Development Bank (AFDB), USAID, PSI, C4H, Living Water, World Bank, and various sectoral line ministries and agencies such as…

In the midst of swirling controversy, the Executive Protection Service (EPS) has cast doubt on former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s claims of being targeted in an attack. Taylor alleged that her convoy was assaulted, leading to minor damage to her vehicle’s windshield. However, the EPS has characterized the incident as insignificant, sparking speculation about the agency’s motives. A video circulating on social media captured the aftermath of the purported attack, showing damage to Taylor’s car windshield. Despite Taylor’s assertions, the EPS, in its preliminary investigation, has downplayed the severity of the incident, labeling it as minor damage. This development…

Monrovia, May 29, 2024 – In response to the recent fluctuations in rice prices and the looming threat of further increases, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has formed a dedicated committee to address the pressing issues surrounding Liberia’s staple food. This initiative aims to ensure that rice remains available and affordable for all Liberians. The newly established Committee on Rice has been tasked with several critical responsibilities designed to stabilize the rice supply chain and boost local production. Among its primary objectives are: Formulating Policies for Steady Supply: The committee will develop comprehensive strategies to maintain a constant and reliable supply…

Monrovia, May 28, 2024 – In a celebration of emerging talent, Minister of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), Jerolinmek M. Piah, awarded prizes to the top three finalists of the Rising Stars Talent Hunt competition. This nationwide talent show, launched on December 28, 2023, in collaboration with popular Liberian musician Friday-the-Cellphone-Man and his dance crew, aims to discover and promote new talents across Liberia. During the awards ceremony held at the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, Minister Piah emphasized the abundance of talent in Liberia across various fields such as sports, artistry, and music. However, he noted that more…

MONROVIA, May 28, 2024 – Last week, Eric Akoi, the former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), came forward with detailed allegations against Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA) Hon. Bill McGill Jones. Akoi, who was dismissed under contentious circumstances, claims that his refusal to engage in questionable procurement practices led to his ousting. The allegations center on the controversial Budget Management System contract, marking the first major corruption scandal under President Joseph Boakai’s administration. Akoi’s allegations revolve around the Budget Management System contract, originally negotiated at US$180,000. He alledged that Deputy Minister Jones unjustifiably…

MONROVIA, May 28, 2024 – Representative Sumo Mulbah, District #3, Montserrado County, and Co-Chairperson of the Youth Legislative Caucus, is set to travel to Bonn, Germany, to participate in the SB-60 conference. This study tour aims to initiate the process of legislating for carbon pricing in Liberia, a crucial step towards addressing climate change and fostering economic growth. SB-60, or the 60th session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), is a key conference under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It serves as a platform for negotiating…