Liberia and Friends journal

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf sworn in for a second term .

2012-01-16T12:03:00.007-06:00

President Sirleaf and vice President Boakai at the inauguration ceremony.

Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in Monday for a second term in a ceremony attended by several world leaders, and the U.S secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"We inaugurate a new beginning -- a rebirth of our democracy," Sirleaf told the crowd of thousands, as supporters blew horns. "Today we can say with conviction that our country has turned the corner. Liberia is no longer a place of conflict, war and deprivation. We are no longer the country our citizens want to run away from."

In her inaugural address, Sirleaf directly addressed those who felt she has not done enough to lift them from poverty.

"To all who have yet to feel the hands of progress touch your life, your time has come," she said, as cheers erupted. "We have laid the foundations for peace and prosperity, and must now hasten our true mission: Putting people -- especially young people -- first. And lifting the lives of all Liberians."

And she responded to the opposition's claim that she was not listening to the country's disenfranchised youth: "The youth of Liberia are our future and they have sent us a message," she said. "Let me say to them: We heard that message. It is our solemn obligation to ensure that their hope will not be in vain."

Hillary Clinton (left) meets Liberian Foreign Minister Toga Gayewea McIntosh on arrival in Monrovia.

Thousands of people, many of them dressed in colorful ceremonial gown, gathered hours before the start of the ceremony in the capital Monrovia. The military fired two cannons Monday and hoisted the flag at the presidency.

Liberia is recovering from 14 years of civil war and conflict that ended in 2003. Sirleaf became Africa's first democratically-elected female president in 2005, and last year was one of three women awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The inauguration ceremony closed with a parade by security forces through the streets of Monrovia and floats representing Liberia's 15 counties.

Why change the pilot when the plane is still in the air?.....

2011-10-08T15:40:00.006-05:00

As the countdown to election begins in Liberia, it has become clear that the path Liberians choose on the 11 of October will determine if the country remains on the road to prosperity or the path of uncertainty and chaos.
Winston Tubman and the opposition CDC claimed that the Sirleaf administration has done nothing for the Country, On Friday, addressing some 200,000 of their supporters, Tubman told the crowd "What we know of her is that she brought war and that having now taken power, she hasn't brought unity," we can see nothing in the record about Ellen Sirleaf that tells us that she has been promoting peace, or that Liberia has become any better during her tenure as President.

Liberians should not forget Winston Tubman, is the nephew of Liberia's longest-serving president,William V.S Tubman, these people held power in Liberia for three decades, and what does Liberia has to show for it? absolutely nothing.

President Sirleaf on the other hand, has chalked up a series of economic achievements. She has managed to preside over 6.7% annual economic growth during her short time in office. She has also secured $4.6 billion in debt relief from creditors, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the U.S., the European Union and the African Development Bank. Her government has attracted billions more in foreign investment from companies all around the world.

Liberians should not be fool to think that a miracle will happen when the President is voted out of office, that all of a sudden every Liberians will automatically have a job. Rome was not built in a day, it will take a little bit more of time for people to start reaping the results of the Sound policies the President and her team have laid out.
Lets not forget fellow Liberians that when the Plane is still in the air, you don't change the pilots, Lets be patient and let the president complete what she started.

Congratulation to President Sirleaf and Leymeh Gbowee both of Liberia for winning this year Nobel peace prize..........

2011-10-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

I learned with joy and pride this morning that Two Liberians were among the winners for the Nobel peace prize.

Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, sharing the award with fellow Liberian, Leymah Gbowee and Yemen’s Tawakkul Karman, for work to promote women’s rights and peace building.

Johnson-Sirleaf, 72, Gbowee and Karman were announced as winners of the 10 million-krona ($1.5 million) prize on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo. They were awarded the prize for “their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work,” the committee said.

Among those who welcomed this year's award was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, viewed as the most powerful woman in Europe, who said: "This will hopefully encourage many women, but also many men, around the world to campaign for freedom and democracy and against injustice."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "Above all, it underscores the vital role that women play in the advancement of peace and security, development, and human rights."

Amnesty International secretary general Salil Shetty said: "This Nobel Peace Prize recognizes what human rights activists have known for decades - that the promotion of equality is essential to building just and peaceful societies worldwide.

We congratulate these women on their achievements, today is a day that all Liberians should be proud of.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of five people chosen by Norway's parliament and is named for Alfred Nobel, a Swedish scientist and inventor of dynamite.

Nominations come from lawmakers around the world, university professors, previous Nobel laureates and members of the Nobel committee.

Ecowas seeks UN help for Liberia and Ivory coast security.

2011-09-11T10:19:00.003-05:00

Leaders from West African countries on Saturday called on the UN to bolster monitoring of Ivory Coast's border with neighbor Liberia, which is set to hold general elections next month.

Liberian authorities last month announced a seizure of a "worrisome" amount of arms and ammunition near the border with Ivory Coast, which is still recovering from a bloody post-election crisis.

Presidents from six countries "urged the United Nations to intensify joint UNOCI-UNMIL (peacekeeping missions) monitoring and control of the common border zone between the two countries."

The special mini summit was called by Ecowas, to come out with ways to address security concerns after Liberian immigration said they had seized weapons which included rockets, machine guns and assault rifles and a large amount of ammunition from unnamed people.

In a statement the leaders meeting under the aegis of the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) "declared zero tolerance for any attempt to oppose the verdict of the ballot box."

Liberia is still fragile as it recovers from bloody civil wars waged by warloards and drugged child soldiers, that left some 150,000 dead between 1989 and 2003. The Country is set to hold Presidential election in October. The October vote is the second since the end of those devastating wars.

Massive show of support for President Sirleaf reelection bid....

2011-08-11T09:35:00.005-05:00

As elections fever continue to rock Liberia, News coming out of Monrovia say

A group of former fighters have pledged to support President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s bid for re-election in October.

“She has done well,” Austen Clarke, who was deputy defense minister under ex-President Taylor told reporters in Monrovia, the capital, yesterday. He cited developments in living standards and freedom of expression in the Country.

Clarke who is also the chairman of the group Nimba Citizens United for Progress said his group comprises about 80 percent of the country’s so-called Special Forces generals who led various factions during the years of conflict. The leaders have influence over as many as 100,000 former fighters.

In related developments there have been a massive show of support for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as she seeks reelection for a second term.

Addressing thousands of residents of the Communities of Barnesville and Garnersville on Sarturday, the President said the election was not about her, “It was about the country.”

Here is a Video of the President making her case for why she should be reelected to thousands of supporters in Monrovia.

The Liberian leader says she remains committed to ensuring that the gains made by her government over the past five years are sustained. She said a strong foundation for growth and prosperity has been laid, cautioning that the nation stands to lose unless Liberians excise the right decision in the forthcoming referendum and presidential and general elections.

Large amont of arms and ammunition seized in Liberia.....

2011-08-11T09:15:00.002-05:00

The Government of Liberia has seized a "worrisome" amount of arms and ammunition in the south of the country near the border with Ivory Coast, an official told a press conference Wednesday.

"The Bureau of Immigration with maximum support from the Ministry of Justice was successful in retrieving a cache of arms and ammunition through the cooperation of some ex-combatants," Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization commissioner Chris Massaquoi told journalists.

He did not give details about the former combatants who he said collaborated with state security authorities to find the weapons.

But he added: "This discovery of weapons is worrisome".

The weapons were found in the counties of River Gee, Maryland, Grand Gedeh and Nimba.

Some of the weapons were displayed during the press conference.

They included rockets, machine guns and assault rifles and a large amount of ammunition.

"The arms and ammunition were collected by Immigration Special Border Patrol Officers following intensive intelligence gathering in certain towns along the Liberian-Ivorian border," the immigration commissioner said.

He noted that the bureau in collaboration with other security officials would make sure that there were no internal and external security threats as the country is to hold general and presidential elections on October 11.

The Bureau of Immigration appealed to all Liberians, "especially those living near or around the borders of Liberia to report to national security the presence of any and all strange movements within or near the borders as well as the presence of arms and ammunition of all sorts, and any threat to national security".

Liberia charged 36 people in late June in connection with the discovery of a large arms cache near the border with Ivory Coast two weeks earlier.

The weapons stash included war weapons and ammunition, including Kalachnikovs and rocket launchers.

They were believed to have been sent to Liberia after a lengthy post-electoral crisis in neighbouring Ivory Coast which turned violent as former strongman Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in November polls to arch-rival Alassane Ouattara, who was sworn in as president in May.

Gbagbo was arrested on April 11 in Abidjan, after some 3,000 people died in the violence in which Liberian mercenaries were alleged to have taken part.

Meet Shadow, Liberia's new musical sensation ......

2011-04-09T15:26:00.006-05:00

Samuel Morgan AKA the Shadow.

Samuel Morgan aka the shadow is a Liberian musician, singer, composer, producer, and audio engineer who also happens to be, i am proud to say my own biological brother. Shadow and other Liberian refugee live and work in the Buduburam Liberian refugee camp near Accra, Ghana. He has spent most of his adult life in the run down refugee camp and Like most Liberian refugees, he wants to return home to Liberia but fears there is nothing there for him. Meanwhile, he makes music, partly to earn a living,and partly to inspire other Liberians with hope for the future. Last year, he and other musicians in the camps cut their first CD, with songs that tell the tale of horrors and flight from war and the desire to return home.
Despite the deplorable situation in the refugee camp. Samuel and other Liberian refugees try to stay positive and represent Liberia the best way they know how, through their wonderful music.

Here is one of my favorite song call super lady from my superstar brother.

Keep it up little brother, keep representing Mama Liberia, we are all proud of you.

Charles Taylor trial comes to an end, world awaits verdict..............

2011-03-12T22:43:00.005-06:00

The war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, once among West Africa's most powerful and by far the most brutal figures, ended Friday with judges expected to take months to reach a verdict on whether he can be linked to murders and amputations during Sierra Leone's civil war.

The three judges of the Special Court for Sierra Leone must weigh tens of thousands of pages of evidence, more than 1,000 documents and exhibits, and the testimony from more than 120 victims, former rebels - and from Taylor himself, who was on the stand for seven months.

Taylor has pleaded innocent to 11 counts of murder, rape, pillaging and deploying child soldiers in Sierra Leone.

His defense team has argued that the prosecution provided only unconvincing circumstantial evidence connecting Taylor directly with the rebels, who were notorious for slicing off limbs, ears and lips of civilians to impose a reign of fear during the 1991-2002 war. It portrayed him as a man of peace who tried to mediate an end to the conflict in the neighboring country, and said the testimony for the prosecution by former rebels was often tainted by payments from the prosecutors. can you believe that? Taylor a man of peace? we who saw first hand that brute handiwork in Liberia find it laughable that Charles Taylor can ever be associated with peace. The man hands are literally dripping with the bloods of thousands of innocent people in both Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

The people who committed acts of violence against innocent women and children must pay for their crimes.

We must never forget what these monsters did to our country....... These barbaric people should pay for their crimes.

While we await the final verdict, it is my hope that the judges will weigh all the thousands of evidence against this monster and put him behind bars for good, This man was the cause of terrible sufferings not only in my own Country Liberia, but across all west Africa, he must pay for his crimes, only then can we give justice to the thousands of innocent people who perish for nothing, in this asshole senseless wars.

One by one they will pay!!!!...........................

2011-02-24T16:50:00.005-06:00

Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Burkina Faso's Blaise Compaore are responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Liberians.

An old African proverb says he who dines with the dogs will eat feces, That is exactly what Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi i bet, is feeling these days. As we watched events unfold in Libya and their lunatic dictator Gaddafi loses his grip on power, one cannot help but to be happy for the Libyan people who for so long have had to live under the brutal rule of this man and his family.

Charles Taylor with the help of Libya, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast, killed almost 200,000 of our countrymen in a senseless war.

Many of us Liberians have serious beef with this fool who was one of the main player in all of the instabilities across Africa. It was Gaddafi who trained, armed and dispatched thugs like Charles Taylor and Foday Sankoh to take power in West African countries, initiating the brutal slaughter of innocent people in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. One by one all of these people and countries who hands are stained with the blood of our countrymen, Ivory coast, now Libya and one day Burkina Faso's Blaise Compaore will pay in blood too.

Tragedy at the Buduburan refugee camp again........

2011-02-13T22:56:00.005-06:00

Reports coming out of Ghana this morning speaks of at least 5 Liberians reportedly been shot dead by Ghanaian police at the Buduburan Refugee Camp outside Accra during a riot over leadership.

According to report still coming in, the incident occurred Sunday at a Church when a group of Liberian refugees attempted installing a new leadership despite call from the refugee board to halt the process.

Reports say there has been opposition against the current leadership at the Buduburan Camp headed by Varney Sambola. Mr. Sambola has been accused of tribalism and being in cohort with both the UNHCR and the Ghanaian authorities to relegate the interest of the Liberian refugees.

According to one eyewitness, the police surrounded the hall where the ceremony was set to take place and arrested two, including the leader who was about to be sworn in.

"As the police drove off with the two, some residents pelted the convoy and the police responded with gun shots and tear gas," the eyewitness said.

Police in Ghana have arrested a Liberian, Tyrone Marshall, said to be ringleader of the campaign to replace the current leadership on the camp. Other sources said the police are moving from house to house rounding up Liberians.

A resident of the camp told journalist by phone that reinforcement of the Ghanaian police in their hundreds has surrendered the refugee camp to the total amazement of the camp dwellers!

Another said that police are rounding up every male refugee as night falls going from door to door asking every occupants to come outside with their identification cards and as the result of that every male Liberian refugees has taken to their heels to safety in the surrounding villages within the Gomoa district and parts of Accra!

while we do not question the Ghanaian authorities right to maintain law and order in their country,they also have a duty to protect every one that resides within their borders. Did they really have to to use live bullets against unarmed people?

The Buduburam Refugee Camp has been home to refugees who fled the civil war in Liberia more than two decades ago. The camp currently hosts 15,000 to 18,000 refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as nationals from other West African countries, many of whom have settled into what has now become a town.

Couple of Interesting videos about Liberia on the Web.....

2011-02-08T20:21:00.005-06:00

The international reporting project just did a couple of interesting pieces on Liberia....
In the first video Etweda Cooper, mayor of Edina, Liberia, discusses her vision for the small town's future in the wake of 14 years of civil war.

In the second video, Firestone the largest foreign corporation in Liberia, which has come under scrutiny in recent years has made concerted efforts to improve its facility and the condition of its workforce, but have they done enough?

Liberia,Egypt, and China sign A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Tappitta Hospital..............

2011-02-08T19:35:00.004-06:00

The Chinese,Egyptian, and Liberian representatives at the signing ceremony .

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the smooth operation of the newly constructed modern Tapitta Hospital, in Northern Nimba County, Liberia has been signed among the Chinese, Liberian and Egyptian governments. The agreement among the governments of the three countries was signed last Tuesday in Monrovia, with the Ambassadors of the governments of China and Egypt affixing their signatures to the agreement, while the Minister of Health of Liberia Dr. Walter Gwenigale signed on behalf of the government of Liberia.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao recalled that the hospital has since been officially turned over to the Liberian government since July 26, 2010 as a gift from his government to the Government of Liberia on the natal day of the country, but noted that it had not been operational since its hand-over due to the inadequacy of medical workers in Liberia.

Chinese Ambassador Yuxiao underscored the importance for everything to be done to ensure the speedy opening of the hospital and the training of Liberian health practitioners in China, who will return later to render services to the hospital. For his part, Egyptian Ambassador Maher El-Adawy expressed happiness over the signing of the MOU and assured that his country is prepared to play its part despite the on-going political crisis in Egypt.

According to the MOU, Liberian Government will take ownership of the facilities and would manage and operate the hospital at its own cost. The GOL will also provide accommodations, local transportation and complimentary medical treatment and make available other convenient services for both the Chinese and Egyptian medical experts who will be made available by the two countries in keeping with the agreement.

Also in keeping with the MOU, these foreign health practitioners would be exempted from paying taxes from their salaries and given other duty free privileges on their personal effects. In keeping with the agreement, the Chinese government is expected to dispatch five experts to help with the operation and maintenance of the major medical equipment, while providing on-the-job trainings for local technicians.

The Chinese government will also bear the travel cost and training expenses for 25 medical, technicians and managerial personnel from Liberia to travel to China for a period of 45 days to learn and return, while the Egyptian government would also send to the country around two to five medical doctors in specialized areas such as Obstetrics/Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and ENT to assist in the running of the hospital.

What goes around does indeed comes around...............

2010-12-07T21:09:00.005-06:00

Supporters of Ivory Coast opposition leader Alassane Ouattara protest in the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.

It has been reported in recent days that thousands of Ivorian refugees have cross over into Liberia, fleeing the instability in their Country.
Tension has been mounting in recent weeks in the World's largest cocoa producing country following presidential elections in that neighboring state. It can be recalled that the Electoral Body in Ivory Coast recently declared opposition leader and Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara as winner of the presidential polls, but the commission's announcement was contested by the country's constitutional court that later confirmed incumbent Laurent Gbargbo as president elect and subsequently inducted him into office.

Reports coming from Abidjan say opposition leader Alassane Ouattara has also declared himself and has been inducted into office as president of the Republic of the Ivory Coast. According to the BBC, Mr. Ouattara was inducted into office yesterday at a local Hotel in Abidjan amidst heavily armed UN Security presence.

United Nations soldiers from Togo stand guard outside the Golf Hotel, where opposition leader Alassane Ouattara was sworn-in as president, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. The two candidates in Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election took dueling oaths of office Saturday after each claimed victory

Many Diplomat and foreign observers in the country have predicted that war is eminent and have suggested that the west African regional body ECOWAS should called an urgent meeting to address the crisis before it turns into a full skill war.

In the main time The Liberian President, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued a stern warning to Liberians to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Ivory Coast," a press release from the foreign ministry said on Monday night.

"This comes on the heels of reports that certain individuals and former warlords have been contacted unofficially to intervene," the release says.

"The people of the sisterly and neighbourly Republic of Ivory Coast need all the support we can muster as they are currently going through a difficult period following the contested election results," Johnson is quoted as saying.

It was Ivory coast that once assisted Charles Taylor and his band of barbarians to rack havoc upon the Liberian people,while we do not want war in our sister Country, and we certainly do not want chaos on our border, I cannot help but see how Karma have come back to bite them in the butt.What goes around does indeed comes around.

Vice President, Joseph Boakai Commends Chinese Role in Liberia .......

2010-12-05T23:48:00.004-06:00

Liberian Vice President, Joseph Boakai, has commended the Chinese Government positive involvement in maintaining peace and stability in postwar Liberia, he attended a farewell reception held at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Congo Town .

While making a toast during the reception, the Liberian V.P. said it as an honor to be able to associate with Chinese peacekeepers during the farewell reception held by Chinese Ambassador ZHOU Yuxiao, and expressed the Liberian government's appreciation and gratitude towards the meaningful contribution made thus far by the Chinese Government and its people, not only in the area of the peace and stability, but also in showing their solidarity by been the first major power in the world to send its President to visit Liberia in 2007, and giving numerous development assistances after the resumption of the bilateral diplomatic relationship between the two countries in 2003.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador ZHOU Yuxiao thanked Vice President Boakai for his kindness and high regards to the bilateral relationship between China and Liberia by honoring his presence at the farewell reception. The senior Chinese envoy commended the departing Chinese peacekeepers for their devotion and sacrifice to the peace building and postwar reconstruction of Liberia, and challenged them to bring back to China not only the unforgettable experiences and memories, but also the daily progress in peace and development made by Liberian Government and its people.

Bob Johnson....... A True Friend of Liberia.....

2010-09-29T00:31:00.005-05:00

There is a saying “The friend who can be silent with you in your moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with you in your hour of grief and bereavement, who can fight for you, when you can no longer fight, that is a friend who cares, that is a true friend.

That is exactly what Robert Johnson have been to Liberia...... A true Friend.
Mr Johnson has worked tirelessly for the people of Liberia, investing and encouraging companies, and major corporations from around the world to invest in Liberia. Mr Johnson once said black Americans need to have the same commitment to Liberia that many American Jews have to Israel. "I believe passionately that African Americans have a responsibility to support Liberia, much like Jewish Americans support Israel. Given the long historical relationship between our two countries, we have a special responsibility to do whatever we can to ensure that President Sirleaf succeeds in her effort to rebuild the country.

Mr Johnson was in Liberia for Delta's first direct flight to Monrovia.

As a Liberian, I truly admire and applaud the efforts of Mr. Johnson to bridge that gap between Africans and African-Americans.

Johnson, the founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies (RLJ),has significant business and development projects in Liberia including the nation’s first four-star oceanfront hotel.

Meet Liberia's own Gregory Artus Frank.......

2010-08-30T21:47:00.004-05:00

Lovers of African Movies have seen him in a number of African blockbuster film like who loves me and Chelsea, but few know that this talented Actor is a Liberian, who struggle for years, before making it big on the silver screen all across Africa.

After receiving a Human Resources Management degree from AME University in Monrovia, Gregory decided to pursue his passion for acting. He started out doing a lot of minor roles, but then he decided he wanted to do something on his own. His first film Juetey (Children’s Business), a film he both directed and starred in, was also his first big attempt at doing screenwriting.
By 2008, Juetey has won six movie awards including Best Writer, Best Supporting Actress and Movie of the Year, just to name a few.

Here is scene from one of his movie WHO LOVES ME.......

Gregory Artus Frank was born on May 4th 1979 in Montserado County Liberia.

Withdraw the Maritime act from the Senate Madame President...............

2010-08-13T13:14:00.005-05:00

President Sirleaf

The Executive and the Legislative branches of government in Liberia, are said to be locked up in continuing discussions over the passage of the new Maritime Act that, among others, seeks to transform the Bureau of Maritime Affairs into an Authority and gives it the power to collect its own revenue, creates its own security unit and immunes its officials from prosecution while serving a seven-year term, among others.

The United States Government, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund have all slammed the Act, with the US warning that it potentially violates Liberia Public Financial Management Law. Even other government agencies such as defense and finance ministries have respectively opposed the financial autonomy and the establishment of a security unity under the Act.

Last week renowned Liberian rights activist Kimmie Weeks joined the chorus of opposition by denouncing the act as an affront to the Liberian People, Mr. Weeks claimed that the Act, which is being debated by the Senate and stands to give the Bureau of Maritime Affairs and its commissioners a broad power, gives way to the creation of an entity that will be unanswerable to the Liberian people and removes safeguards that prevent widespread corruption.
”We cannot allow ourselves to go back to the years long ago when multinationals and large companies could convince the Liberian Government to pass loss in their favors, but which were extremely detrimental to the Liberian people in the long run. We‘ve been accused of passing some of the worse contracts in the world. Let‘s not let history repeat itself. Just say no to Maritime act,” Mr Weeks said.

As a huge supporter of the Sirleaf Administration, i have praised the President when ever she did good, and when ever she was wrongly criticize for political reasons for the many good work she was doing for the Liberian people, but this Maritime act submitted by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is just not a step in the right direction. We just cannot let an agency of the government collect its own taxes, have their own security force and at the same time give them a wide range of powers including policing themselves, with out the input of the Liberian people. The international community thinks the act is seriously flawed, the Liberian people wants it withdrawn, and we think the President should seriously consider withdrawing it from the Senate.

couple of Interesting stories featuring Liberia on CNN Inside Africa.......

2010-08-05T12:58:00.006-05:00

CNN inside Africa this week has a series of interesting report about Liberia, that i will also like to share here on my blog.

In the first story Prince Johnson -- once a rebel commander in Liberia's civil war, and a man accused of crimes against humanity -- says he has found God, and he wants to lead Liberia to a secure future as a born again Christin.

This fool was not only responsible for the death of many Innocent Liberians during the civil war, but he was also caught on tape drinking Budweiser while his men were cutting off the ears of then President- Samuel Doe to his amusement, before torturing and killing him. and to think he has the audacity to want to be President and govern Liberia makes me sick, this criminal should be in prison along with his Pal Charles Taylor where they all belong.

The next story in the series and one of my personal favorite is about the dissemination of information to the masses, and the voice and vision of the young generation of Liberians ready to rebuild after years of war.

The final story in the series is about surfing in Liberia, and a young Liberian who is trying to get recognition for the sport.

Happy Independence Day...........................

2010-07-24T09:23:00.006-05:00

On July 26 1847 exactly 163 years ago 11 men, representing different parts of the commonwealth of Liberia, and led by Hilary Teage, signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. By signing the declaration of independence these patriotic sons of Liberia told the world that a new country,called Liberia, the land of the free, the first free negro nation on the African continent was born.

Liberians will gather all over the world to celebrate Independence day.....

Happy birthday Liberia, and happy independence day to all my fellow Liberians and friends of Liberia all around the Globe, as we all gather to celebrate the 163 years birth anniversary of our homeland this July 26, let us not forget who we are or where we came from, let us remind ourselves that though we may be of many tribes, we are still one people with one common destiny.

The Liberian People are a proud, resourceful, and Patriotic people who despite all the hardship and horrors of the last decades, continue to rise and put our nation first. the daunting task of rebuilding the country,after decades of war, may seem sometimes impossible, but the future holds nothing but possibilities if we all just work together for the common good of our Country.
Long live the republic of Liberia, Long live the peoples of Liberia.

World bank cancels Liberia's 4.6 billion dollar debt....

2010-07-01T00:33:00.003-05:00

One of the greatest achievement of the Sirleaf Administration came yesterday when the World bank agreed to cancel Liberia's 4.6 billion dollar external debt.
Noting that the country "has successfully implemented its poverty reduction strategy and maintained a stable macroeconomic environment, despite the global economic crisis.

The debt relief is expected to free up resources for Liberia to rebuild its social services following years of civil war.

"Liberia can now mobilize additional resources to rebuild the road network and the electricity supply system, providing the infrastructure needed to allow economic growth, while continuing to expand the health care and education systems," IMF mission chief for Liberia Chris Lane said in announcing the decision. "Liberia will also be able to further develop its own financial market and channel private savings to productive uses."

Liberia becomes the 29th country to reach the completion point under the HIPC Initiative. The completion point marks the end of the HIPC process, which started in 2008 when the Executive Boards of the IMF and the World Bank agreed that Liberia had met requirements for reaching the decision point, when countries start receiving debt relief on an interim basis.
Tuesday's announcement will reduce Liberia's debt by 90 percent, according to the IMF, relieving 4.6 of the 4.9 billion dollars the country owes.

We applaud the President and her team in Monrovia, for doing a great job, The granting of debt relief marks a significant milestone in our Country's path toward recovery, it would not have happen without the leadership of the President.

Actor Director Dermot Mulroney will direct a film based on George Weah....

2010-06-26T19:55:00.008-05:00

Actor Director Dermot Mulroney will direct a film based on the life of Liberian football player George Weah.
The actor - who recently completed filming on his directorial debut Love Wedding Marriage - and his partners are said to be excited about making a movie about the soccer legend.

Weah known in Liberia as King George rose from the slums of Liberia's capital, Monrovia, to not only become one of the best soccer player in the world, but also the only person to win FIFA World Player of the Year, European Footballer of the Year and African Footballer of the Year in one season (1995). He used his popularity as a sports figure to help child soldiers lay down their weapons during Liberia's civil war, and he was a factor in bringing down the bloody dictatorship of Charles Taylor, presently on trial at the Hague for international war crimes.

Mulroney, along with producing partners Tharita Cutulle and Rainier Negri, recently secured a deal for Weah's life rights after making a final presentation to him at his Miami home.

President Sirleaf meets President Obama at the Whitehouse.....

2010-05-27T21:13:00.004-05:00

President Barack Obama today praised Liberia's progress against poverty and corruption, saying its neighbors can learn from its emerging dedication to democracy.

Obama welcomed President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday for an Oval Office visit, praising her for leading Liberia after its brutal civil war.

Obama met Sirleaf in the Oval Office, and pledged the United States would stand with Liberia at every step of the way of its democratic development.

"I have been an extraordinary admirer of her work for many years now.... The United States and Liberia are close friends, longstanding partners, and Liberia is now emerging from a very difficult period," Obama said.

"Part of the reason it has been able to emerge is because of the heroism and courage of President Sirleaf."

"She is committed to the rule of law, made strides in reforming the judiciary and in all these endeavors I want to make sure the people of Liberia understand... that the United States is a constant friend and partner."

Obama said Sirleaf's example should be taken as inspiration to other African nations including, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Niger.

Sirleaf said her country had made important progress, and she thanked Obama for his and America's support.

Africa's first elected female head of state, Sirleaf said that she would not hide the fact that Liberia had challenges, but added that all basic freedoms were alive in her country today.

"We said that we were going to make Liberia rise again. I come today on behalf of the Liberian people to say that we have made a lot of progress," she said.

"We have been able to maintain peace for seven years now."

Delta airlines to start direct flight to Monrovia in September.....

2010-05-26T10:41:00.005-05:00

Delta Air Lines Inc. said Tuesday it will again begin once-a-week service between Atlanta and Monrovia, Liberia, in September of 2010.

The flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Roberts International Airport in Monrovia will stop in Accra, Ghana.

Delta, based in Atlanta, had planned to start the flights last June, but they were delayed while the airport in Monrovia was brought into compliance with international aviation standards.

Delta said the service will begin Sept. 4 and use Boeing 767 aircraft with 34 premium seats and 181 seats in coach.

The airline said Liberian aviation officials and have approved the flights, and U.S. regulators have given preliminary approval. Delta has operated in Africa since 2006.

The new service between Atlanta and Monrovia will be welcome by Liberians in both Countries....

In a statement issued by Delta, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said her government was enthusiastic about the first direct flights to the United States in several years.

Delta had hoped to launch Liberia flights in June 2009 but had been awaiting government approval since then.

The Transportation Security Administration pulled the plug on the planned route launch last year because the Monrovia airport did not meet international security standards. Also last year, Delta's planned inaugural flight to Nairobi, Kenya last year was canceled amid terrorist threats.

On Tuesday, Delta announced that it had preliminary approval from the U.S. government, along with approval from the Liberian Civil Aviation Authority, to sell tickets for the new flights. The company said it expects final U.S. government approvals before the flight begins.

The Sad case of five Liberian girls in Oklahoma........

2010-03-30T09:14:00.006-05:00

The Tyler, Convicted Child abusers........

I have been following the case of five Liberian girls who were adopted in 2005 from an orphanage in Liberia, by an Oklahoma couple who were later convicted early this year of abusing the oldest child.
Members of the Liberian community in Oklahoma and other concern groups have been trying to have the Oklahoma department of human services remove the remaining children from the care of this couple, but in a huge setback yesterday an Oklahoma judge ruled that the children should remain in the care of these monsters.

In a closed hearing Monday, Major County District Judge Vinson Barefoot ruled that the girls would remain with their adopted parents Verlon Tyler and Penny sue Tyler despite testimony from the couple's own 28-year-old son that he, too, was abused by them as a child.

The abused older girl, now 13, endured abuse from her entire adopted family, the girl was tied to bedposts, forced to sleep outside and denied food for several days as punishment, authorities say.

The Tyler Children have been convicted with sexual assault, and battery

She also was abused by the Tyler’s biological children. according to court records the couple's son Ashton Tyler 20, was charged and convicted with rape by instrumentation, and their daughter who is 21 was charged with assault and battery. She is living with relatives in another state.

This is truly unbelievable, how can a judge who is suppose to be looking out for the interest of these kids, let venerable children stay in the care of these monsters?

Melvin Johnson a Liberian attorney who is based in Atlanta, and represents the girls, said he will appeal the decision, and has plans to investigate the couple for adoption fraud."These children should not be living with convicted, longtime child abusers,” Johnson said.

We urged Liberian communities all across the U.S to get involved with this case, we also urged the Liberian Embassy to do what ever it can to get these girls out of the care of these people, they are still technically Liberian Citizens, and our government must do all it can to ensure their safety and protection.

Why I support President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for a second term as President of Liberia.....

2010-03-28T12:53:00.007-05:00

When President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf finally declared that she intends to seek the Presidency for a second term earlier this year, many of us who are her loyal supporters were ecstatic, and overjoyed.
Since the President's announcement that she would seek a second term in office, her detractors and some opposition politicians in Monrovia have attack her move as unconstitutional. Some like Charles Brumskine of the Liberty party have said the Sirleaf administration has been an utter failure,

Brumskine stated that no administration in the history of the country has received more international aid, benefited from more multilateral assistance, and been the target of such international goodwill as the Sirleaf government.

“Yet after four years of being in power, about 85% of the population is still unemployed and four out of every five Liberians cannot find $1 dollar a day on which to live. For the ordinary Liberian, not much has changed. In fact, life has gotten harder”, he said.

Most of us Liberians have had it with these so call politicians who are all talk but nothing else, what really do they expect? that the country would build itself, and go back to its prewar status in just four years, even if Mr Brumskine was President would he have accomplished half of what the Sirleaf administration have done so far? we have seen the effect of what these kinds of nonsensical statements have had on our society before, we remember clearly the 1979 rice riot, in which opposition politicians claimed the progressive government of President William R Tolbert was corrupt, and encourage our people to violence which ultimately led to the brutal assassination of the President, all for what? because Baccus Matthews and other politicians said the price of rice was too high. Today our country is still paying the price for what happen thirty something years ago.

Looking at where we are today, and compared to where we were before President Sirleaf took office, we can rightly say with full confidence that the country is in a much better shape, that the President and her team have done a remarkable job under the many difficult circumstances to put the Liberian people and the Country back on the road to prosperity. The Country's Image abroad has been restored, the rehabilitation of the nation is in full swing, the Country now boast one of the freest press in all Africa, something we could only dream of just few years ago.

President Sirleaf said that she was ignoring her pledge in 2005 not to seek re-election, as she was not aware then about the huge amount of hard work to be undertaken in rebuilding the country which is recovering from years of civil war. She also said that her decision to seek re-election was prompted by her successes in governing.

We could not agree more, She is an able and experience leader, and she continues to be in my opinion the right person, the only person, to lead Liberia for a second time at this critical time in our history.
So Madame President we wholeheartedly support your bid for a second term as President of Liberia............ MA ELLEN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2011

Liberia remembers President Roberts on his Birth anniversary..............

2010-03-15T12:30:00.008-05:00

Liberia is today celebrating the birthday of its first President Joseph Jenkins Roberts. the day is being celebrated as a national holiday in line with a Presidential proclamation, and an act of 42nd legislature.The day was set aside to recognize the many invaluable services and sacrifices of the late President. The first president of Liberia, was born in Petersburg, Virginia, USA on march 15 1809, Of mixed black and white heritage, he emigrated to Liberia with his widowed mother and three brothers in 1829. He became a successful merchant and caught the eye of Liberia's white governor, who appointed Roberts as his successor. The first African-American governor of Liberia, he went on to become the first president of the new country in 1847, serving six terms in all. His major accomplishments include gaining the recognition of Liberia from most European nations, and halting the slave trade on Liberia's borders.

A monument dedicated to the late President on Ducor hill in Monrovia

The current President of Liberia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her Proclamation ordered that all Government offices, public and business houses be close from 6 am to 6 pm as a sign of respect for the late former president.

Senator Taylor needs to shut up................................

2010-02-16T07:32:00.007-06:00

The senior Senator from Bong County, and wife of former President Charles Taylor, Jewel Howard Taylor, said she is drawing, up an impeachment proceeding against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for allegedly violating the Liberian constitution when she recently call on her cabinet Ministers to appoint two members of her party to government positions.

The senator believes that the President's call which was made at a party convention a week ago, aims to promote segregation in employment, thus contradicting Article 8 of the Liberian Constitution which provides that job opportunities be given all Liberians regardless of creed, religion, political affiliation or social status.

The Bong County Senator told a news conference at the weekend in Monrovia that it was a sad day in Liberia's history that a president would seek the welfare of only her associates.

Where was the then first lady when her husband's men killed innocent people for no reason

Wow if Senator Taylor is such an expert on the Constitution, where was she when her Husband the former President blatantly used the Constitution to wipe his ass for lack of a better word.
where was she when her husband arbitrarily abuse the rights of the Liberian People, were was she when people were being taken to jail and killed without any reason, after what these people did to the Country they should be the last to open their mouths about anything concerning the constitution.

Former warlord and head of the Liberian peace council George Boley has been detained by U.S immigration and border officials.................

2010-02-07T23:59:00.006-06:00

Former warlord and head of the Liberian Peace council George Boley who has been accused of human rights violations in Liberia — allegations he has denied for years — has been detained by U.S immigration officials who accuse him of “extrajudicial killings, and other gross human rights violations during the Liberian civil war.

Immigration and border officials detained George Boley on Jan. 15 on allegations that he is in the country unlawfully and that he committed killings in another country, according to Pat Riley, a spokeswoman for the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Boley has long contended that federal authorities have relentlessly pursued him because of baseless allegations that he committed war crimes in Liberia.

Last year the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, tasked with detailing possible human rights violations committed during the civil war, named Boley as one of eight people who should be prosecuted for their actions.
He is scheduled to have a hearing later this month before an immigration judge to determine whether he should be deported to his home country.

I for my part cannot wait for the day Mr Boley, Alhaji Kromah, Sekou Conteh, and Prince Johnson all join former Liberian President Charles Taylor in the Hague to face war crimes charges, Most of us Liberians who saw these men and their barbarian armies at work during the war will never forget what these people did to our country, I hope they all burn and rot in hell where they all belong.

Liberian national arrested in Bensalem for attempted homicide.............

2010-02-02T19:47:00.004-06:00

A Liberian national who is also a notorious gang member was arrested for the weekend shooting of a man during a homecoming party and was arraigned last night on two counts of attempted homicide.

Investigators arrested Daniel “Rush” Potepa, an alleged member of the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Bloods gang, after two confidential informants and other witnesses identified him as the shooter.

Daniel “Rush” Potepa, 20, faces two counts of attempted homicide and related charges after allegedly shooting township resident Anchul Rostogi, multiple times.

Also charged in the case is Liberian national Augustine “Lyrico” Kiawu, 24, who also identified Potepa as the shooter. Kiawu was charged last week with aggravated assault and conspiracy, police said.

Potepa was jailed on $3 million bail. After his arraignment early Tuesday.
After the criminal charges he is most likely to get deported, and when he does, i hope the Liberian Government also deal with him and put him in the middle of nowhere, these fools don't need to be let loose among civilize people, he had nothing to offer here in America, he will definitely not have anything to offer when he is sent home except, to be another nuisance for our already ill equipped police force.

The Vice Guide to Liberia my ass....................

2010-02-01T07:18:00.009-06:00

I finally got to see this despicable piece of work called the vice guide to Liberia, a so called documentary that have been getting a lot of buzz all across the web.
Done by a bunch of nerds and racist fools who have nothing better to do but to put junk on the internet, these fools have manage to make my country look like a nation of cannibals, prostitutes, and drug addicts.

here are some of their work

I am frankly really offended that these assholes not only made my country the laughing stock of their demeaning work but in the process also exploited poor and venerable people in their videos for their own sick pleasures.

this video is comparable to if I made a video about homeless people, gangs, and drug addicts on the streets of a major American city like say New York and depicting it as the conditions of every day, average Americans. you have slums and ghettos that are worse here then anything we have in Liberia, so please don't insult our intelligence.

Our country have come a long way since the end of the civil war, we do not need your little fat white asses running around our country, demeaning our peoples and making us the butts of your sick and twisted jokes, if the good folks at vice TV or what ever you guys call yourselves don't have anything better to do, i suggest you guys go back in your parents basement and do what you do best, like looking at porns, and leaving subject matter you have no clues about .

Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai Extols China-Aid..................

2010-01-19T20:27:00.007-06:00

Liberian Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Liberia H.E. Mr. ZHOU Yuxiao, over the week end visited the Fendell Campus Construction Project of the University of Liberia, a China-aid program in the education field to the postwar Liberia.

Extolling the partnership and friendship between Liberia and China, the Liberian Vice President observed that, the construction of the modern facility by the Chinese Government demonstrated the value of the partnership China and the people of Liberia shared, the vice President also commended the Chinese Embassy in Liberia for its quick response in bringing the China-aid project into reality within a very short time frame, which has been clearly becoming another impetus towards Liberia's reconstruction agenda and surely will encourage numerous Liberian youth in the pursuits of their higher education.

Upon his departure, Vice President Joseph Boakai presented two local goats to the Chinese contractor as an expression of his personal appreciation towards their goodwork.

Highlights of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visit to Belle Yellah on Christmas day.........

2009-12-28T14:22:00.007-06:00

In fulfillment of a promise to spend Christmas with the people of Gbarpolu County, and the people of the once remote notorious prison town of Belle Yellah, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the delight of the people kept her promise when she and a host of Government officials and members of the diplomatic corp visited their town on Christmas day.

For the first time in the nation's history, the town once famous for the political prisons where previous governments locked up dissidents is being linked to the rest of the country by a motor road being constructed by the Government.

The President is reported to have walked about three hours to reach the town by foot, when it became clear road construction crews from the ministry of public works would not be able to clear the thick jungle fast enough for the Presidential convoy that was following behind, to reach the town by Christmas day.

With Government officials and the Ambassadors of the United States and China following, the President walked through the dense Belle forest, crossing creeks, connected sometimes only by makeshift bridges that challenged even those who use them regularly.
The crowd sang and danced while women spread their lappas on the ground as the President and her entourage walked to the recently constructed meeting place for an official program. County officials, led by Superintendant Gertrude Larmine and the Legislative Caucus, were present, and lavished praises on the President for fulfilling her promise to spend the Christmas with them.

The President thanked the citizens for the warm welcome, and reiterated that her visit was in fulfillment of a promise to the people of Belle Yellah that she would spend the Christmas with them. She apologized for the delay in reaching the town, but assured them they would spend Christmas night together.

The Liberian President also thanked all those who had made the trip, taking time from their families to spend Christmas in Belle Yellah. She was particularly full of praises for the Minister of Public Works and his engineering crew for their hard work. "We intend to turn Belle Yellah into a place of hope from a place of horror," the President told journalists later in an interview. The decision by the President to spend the night in Belle Yellah took many residents by surprise since accommodation, especially for a President, poses some challenges, which the President acknowledged. "We will all stay up, tell stories, and dance as it is done when a stranger comes to your town and there are no sleeping places," the President suggested.

It was worth the wait because, as the night progressed, and with the President keeping her word and staying awake, enjoying the traditional music and dance, there came word that the road crew was about to enter the town. The news spread like wildfire, and like an army of ants, residents, with their flashlights, began to move towards the construction site to witness, firsthand, the history that was unfolding before their very eyes.

At 3:15 a.m., the first vehicle, a caterpillar, followed by a fleet of vehicles, roared into Belle Yellah as its residents chanted. they hugged one another and welcomed the convoy into Belle Yellah - the first entry of a motor vehicle, a dream - which the President described as a fulfillment of a promise to the people of Gbarpolu to end the isolation of the town and bring development to the area.

Story and Photos courtesy of the Executive mansion

Two Vulture funds company sue Liberia in London........

2009-11-26T14:06:00.007-06:00

Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan

Two offshore investment funds are taking Liberia to London's high court, over an unpaid debt that dates back to the 1970s.

The Caribbean-based companies, described as "vulture funds" want more than $20 million.
Vulture funds are investment companies that buy up the defaulted debts of poor countries extremely cheaply and then sue for full, immediate repayment with steep levels of interest and penalty charges. They can make enormous profits from taking money out of the economies of very poor countries - money which has often been freed up by debt cancellation.

But Liberia says there is no way the country can pay the debt, and accuses the firms of profiting from poverty.
Liberian Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan told the BBC's Network Africa programme the country could not afford to repay the debt.

"Our lawyers are going to work tooth and nail to battle this," he said.

He added that he hoped that the international community would take action to make sure that "these people that survive on poverty do not thrive".

Liberia recently emerged from 14 years of civil war, during which it is estimated that 250,000 people – one in 12 of the population – died. Average life expectancy is just 45, according to the World Bank. The $20m the two firms are claiming amounts to half the country's health and education budget.

Maybe they expect us to pull the money out of our asses and give it to them, what the hell is wrong with these people, thousands of our children are dying everyday from malnutrition, and preventable deceases and all these greedy fools can think about is how to kill even more of them.
Let them take us to any court they want, we don't have the money, we cannot afford to pay the debt, and we should not pay it even if we have it.

Parents of the eight year old Liberian rape victim charged...............................

2009-11-21T18:23:00.005-06:00

The parents of the 8-year-old Liberian girl who was allegedly gang-raped at her apartment complex in Phoenix Arizona earlier this year, have now been arrested for child abuse.
Authorities said the couple used sticks, wires and their fists to abuse their 8-year-old daughter,

Arrest warrants were issued for 59-year-old Hemis Dio and his wife, 47-year-old Wedeh Dio. Each of them are facing 8 counts of child abuse related to an investigation conducted by police and the Maricopa County Attorney's Office over the past several months.
Witnesses also told police that the parents left their daughter wandering their apartment complex alone at night, begging for food.

The child abuse investigation was based on documented incidents from the Phoenix Police Department and numerous referrals to Arizona Child Protective Services dating to 2005.

Earlier this year the eight year old was allegedly lured to a storage shed, pinned down and gang-raped by four Liberian boys, none of them older than 14.
At the time of the incident Child Protective Services removed the victim from the custody of her parents, who, according to police, blamed her for being victimized and bringing shame to their family.

Details of the girl's assault and her parents reactions so shocked the country, that Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf sent Liberia's deputy Ambassador to the United States Edwin Sele to Phoenix for a weeklong fact-finding mission and to help dispel notions that rape is condoned in the West African country.

Renowned Liberian Human rights activist Kimmie Weeks on CNN African voices............

2009-10-19T00:58:00.006-05:00

This week CNN African voices had an interesting one on one interview with one of Liberia's most renowned human rights activist Kimmie Weeks.....

Kimmie Weeks has worked to alleviate poverty and human suffering in Africa and around the world since he was fourteen years old. Kimmie was born in Liberia 1981. When he was nine, Kimmie came face to face with civil war, human suffering, and death.

Over the years, Kimmie has formed partnerships and led organizations that have provided education to thousands of students in West Africa, lobbied the disarmament of over 20,000 child soldiers, and provided health care and recreation supplies to children.

In 1998, Kimmie Weeks investigated and released a groundbreaking report on the Liberian government’s involvement in the training children as soldiers. As a result, former Liberian President Charles Taylor made several attempts to assassinate him until he fled Liberia and was granted political asylum in the United States.

Once he came to the United States, Kimmie Weeks established an International organization called Youth Action International to support the needs of families living in post war countries. In 2008, Youth Action International’s programs benefited close to 150,000 people in six post war African countries.

Here is a potion of the program on CNN.................

In this part of the Interview Kimmie talks about his experienced during Liberia's bloody civil wars

In This part he talks about why he fled the the country and the potential that the country now has, after coming out of devastating civil wars.

After suffering as a child, human rights activist Kimmie Weeks is mobilizing Liberia's youth to heal the country.

He is truly one of our greatest Liberian role model.

Nigeria's first lady visits Liberia...............

2009-10-15T18:31:00.007-05:00

The First Lady of Nigeria is visiting Liberia as guest of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Dr. Hajiya Turai Umaru Yar’Adua, arrived in the country Wednesday morning.

An Executive Mansion release says the Nigerian first lady was met on arrival by the Vice President and Mrs. Katumu Boakai, as well Nigerian Ambassador to Liberia, Ebenezer Adigun, at the Roberts International Airport.

Vice President Boakai welcome the Nigerian First Lady

President Sirleaf also welcome her guest at the foreign Ministry.

While in Liberia, Mrs. Yar'Adua will hold discussions with the Liberian leader and representatives of women groups on ways of strengthening collaboration between women of Nigeria and Liberia. The First Lady will also meet with a Nigerian peace keeping contingent serving under UNMIL (the United Nations Military Mission in Liberia.

The Nigerian First Lady joined President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Wednesday afternoon at the dedication of the dormitory building of the Tubman National Institute for Medical Arts (TNIMA). The building was renovated with funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Liberian leader and Mrs. Yar'Adua later toured facilities of the John F. Kennedy Medical hospital to inspect progress and challenges at the Hospital.

Liberians are happy to have the Nigerian first lady in the country, we remember all too well the huge role Nigeria play in ending the civil war in Liberia, when everyone else just stood and did noting.

We welcome you madame first lady to our beloved and humble home, and we hope you enjoy your stay in our country.

Enough is Enough..............

2009-10-03T02:47:00.007-05:00

Military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara

Some opposition and rights groups in Guinea our neighbor to the north are reporting that Foreign gunmen, including some speaking English with Liberian accents, took part in the mass killings of anti-government protesters in Guinea this week.
Mouctar Diallo who claim to be an opposition leader, said that "Among those who shot on people were some odd individuals who were not wearing the regular army uniform properly. They were speaking with Liberian accent in a language I do not understand'' "They were drunk and clearly on drugs," he added.

Police clash with the opposition in Conakry, Guinea's capital.

Seriously this crap about Liberians being addicted to war and always in the Frey of trying to destabilize other countries in the region bullshit is enough, every time there is civil unrest in west Africa, Liberians are always accuse of being involved. it has got to stop. how can fermenting chaos in a sister country be of any benefit to Liberia? can you imagine what will happen if there were ever civil unrest in Guinea? just coming out of our own civil war and still struggling to find our own footing, How would Liberia ever deal with the influx of thousands of refugee that would inevitably cross the border trying to seek refuge? any instability in Guinea will spell serious trouble for our country too, so it is not in our national interest to get involve in their crisis.

And regarding the claim that some in the army were speaking with Liberian accent......... i say its ridiculous, there are thousands of Guinea nationals living in Liberia, some were even born there, i am sure some people in their military know how to speak English.

Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called for "an emergency meeting" of the Economic Community of West African States on the crisis in neighboring Guinea.

"The president has sent a letter to the ECOWAS for this sub-regional body to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Guinea," Information Minister Laurence Bropleh told the press on Friday in Monrovia.
"The president believes that we need as a regional body to get involved in Guinea because instability in Guinea means instability in the Mano River Union, and by extension in the ECOWAS region. Her approach is that ECOWAS and the International Contact Group on Guinea need to take the lead," Bropleh said.

Liberia Ranked high in recent doing business survey................

2009-09-23T21:02:00.001-05:00

Liberia still struggling to recover from war-induced economic crisis have emerged along with Rwanda among the top 10 countries in Doing Business 2010 ranking.
It is good news for Liberia. This year’s latest ranking of the World Bank ‘Doing Business Survey’ has showed that the country has done tremendously well than it did last year, even far more than expected.According to the latest ranking, the country has dived upward to 10th place, making it the second in the African region next to Rwanda and meaning that it has made huge improvement in the reform process.

it is now easier more then ever before in Liberia to start businesses, register property, protect investors, trade across borders, and even get access credit.

My opinion about the proposed bill aimed at relocating the capital from Monrovia, and the changing of the Liberian Flag...

2009-09-07T00:32:00.007-05:00

Monrovia, Liberia

Lately there have been a lot of talks among our lawmakers on capital hill in Monrovia about changing the Liberian Flag so as to quote on quote reflect the entire country...........These so called law makers just came up also with a brilliant idea about relocating the nation's capital from Monrovia to God knows where in central Liberia, i mean what the hell.... our people don't have even enough food to feed their families, the government is so broke it cannot even provide the most basic services such as running water, electricity, or even garbage services, how the hell are we suppose to come out with the money to move the capital? these uneducated fools in the senate and the house of representatives don't have a clue about what they are doing or are suppose to be doing and are coming up with radical and crazy ideas about how they want Liberia to be like.

I am all for relocating the capital, i think its a fantastic idea, God knows Monrovia is way overcrowded, and it makes sense to move the capital inland for security and economic reasons, but frankly now is not the time. we are a post conflict country, and just staying afloat is a struggle, we have to prioritize what we want for our people and try to achieve it. it is absolutely outrageous to have children die in Liberia from malaria, and other preventable diseases, and it makes no sense what so ever to me to take money that would otherwise be going to build schools and hospitals for our children to relocating the capital.

As regards the changing of the Liberian flag, i am absolutely oppose to it, our flag and our history is unique in Africa, we should not be ashamed of who we are, or of our history......we should embrace it.
over 162 years of history as a sovereign nation, how are we suppose to change that all of a sudden, if we cannot appreciate our achievement and be proud of who we are, who will do it for us? we have evolve as a people, and we all know Liberia have seen better days, but in order to see better days again we must all do our part as patriotic sons and daughters of our great country, we must all remember that before glory there is suffering, we may be of many tribes but we are one people, with one common destiny, and one place that will always be home to all of us............................ namely LIBERIA.

Six Pakistanis Held in Monrovia on suspicion Terrorism ...............

2009-09-03T19:27:00.002-05:00

Liberia's defense minister says police have arrested six Pakistani men who tried to enter Liberia on fake U.S. passports with possible intent to carry out terrorism.

Defense Minister Brownie Samukai says the men were arrested earlier this week at the international airport. In a radio statement late Wednesday he said one of the suspects removed his phone's SIM card and swallowed it as he was being arrested. Samukai did not give further details on what Liberian authorities believe the men were trying to do, where the men are being held or what charges they may face.

Officials say they believe the men's U.S. passports were fakes.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visit to Liberia.......

2009-08-13T14:47:00.008-05:00

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Liberia on Thursday to continue her 11-day seven-country African tour.Despite pouring rain, huge crowds lined the streets of Monrovia to welcome Mrs Clinton to Liberia, where she held talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.Mrs Clinton sent a strong message of support to Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa’s only female head of state,saying that she was impressed with Liberian's post war progress. Liberia she noted was on the right path and the United States fully supported the government's effort of restoring peace and good governance.

President Sirleaf and Mrs Clinton at a joint press conference in Monrovia..

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Sirleaf, Secretary Clinton was asked if her visit here is meant as a show of support for Africa's first elected female president.
"Of course it's a sign of support," she said. "We have looked at the entire record that President Sirleaf brings to office, her performance in office, the accomplishments of the government she leads, and we are supportive and will continue to be because we think Liberia is on the right path, as difficult as the path might be."

Secretary Clinton says the Obama administration will continue to back Liberian efforts to reduce corruption and improve the electoral process ahead of the next national elections in 2011.

Liberia was the second to last stop on Mrs. Clinton’s seven-nation African tour.

The rape of an eight year old Liberian girl and her parents reactions spark outrage...........

2009-07-30T02:07:00.006-05:00

If you have been following news about Liberia for the last couple of days, you would have probably heard about the brutal sexual assault, and rape of an eight year old Liberian girl in Phoenix.
The alleged sexual assault and reaction by her family who according to police and children protective service said that the little girl shamed the family and that the family doesn't want her anymore, have sparked an international outcry, reaching all the way to the president of Liberia, the home country of the girl's family and the four young suspects.
Phoenix, police also said the 8-year-old victim of the alleged rape last week has been removed from her home and placed into protective custody.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said Friday that the family was wrong and urged the family to receive counseling, CNN reported.

"This is not a question of shame on the family. It is the question of an assault on a young child. That cannot be tolerated," Sirleaf told CNN from Monrovia.

Police have charged four boys, ages 9 to 14 -- also Liberian refuges -- in the case, alleging they lured the girl into a shed on July 16, restrained her and sexually assaulted her.

I am so outrage by this case, not only because of the stupidity of this little girl's parents who fail to be there for her when she needed them the most, but also by the actions of the four underage suspect themselves. i saw on CNN the mother and other family members of the older suspect who is fourteen and the ringleader,who by the way is being tried as an adult, crying, and talking about they are kids and thus not capable of committing such crimes.

Are you kidding me? these boys not only brutally gang rape and stole the innocence of this poor child, but they have traumatize her for the rest of her life, and frankly underage or not they must be punish and punish severely for their crimes. if they can do adult things, they should receive adult punishment.
Let this again serve as a warning to all of us Liberians here, that we are all guest here, and as such, we have to behave accordingly......this shit must not be tolerated anywhere, wither its in Liberia, or here, and let us never forget that we are ambassadors of our country, and whatever we do, negative or positive, will reflect on our country, and how other people view it.

Happy Independence Day Liberia...............

2009-07-25T12:02:00.005-05:00

On July 26 1847 exactly 162 years ago 11 men, representing different parts of the commonwealth of Liberia, and led by Hilary Teage, signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. By signing the declaration of independence these men told the world that a new country,called Liberia. the first free negro nation on the African continent was born.So this July 26 we at home and abroad honored these patriotic sons of Liberia for taking the first bold step in putting our country on to path to nationhood.

The Liberian National anthems..
written by President Daniel B Warner
3rd President of Liberia

All hail, Liberia, hail!

(repeat)

This glorious land of liberty

Shall long be ours.

Though new her name,

Green be her fame,

And mighty be her powers,

(repeat)

In joy and gladness

With our hearts united,

We'll shout the freedom

Of a race benighted,

Long live Liberia, happy land!

A home of glorious liberty,

By God's command!

(repeat last two sentences)

All hail, Liberia, hail!

(repeat)

In union strong success is sure

We cannot fail!

With God above

Our rights to prove

We will o'er all prevail,

(repeat)

With heart and hand

Our country's cause defending

We'll meet the foe

With valor unpretending.

Long live Liberia, happy land!

A home of glorious liberty,

By God's command!

(repeat last two sentences)

Happy birthday Liberia, and Happy independence day to all my countrymen at home and all across the globe, our country turn 162 years old on the 26 of July this year, let us again not forget and pray for the almost 200,000 of our countrymen who died in a senseless war,all the while holding our heads up high, for the future holds nothing but endless possibilities, and always remembering the words of our national anthem, In union strong success is sure, we cannot fail, and that we are all in the same boat together, one nation, one people, and one common destiny.we are of many Tribes but one people.... God bless us all.

former Liberian President Charles Taylor said he saw nothing wrong with putting human heads on poles at his check points........

2009-07-17T19:16:00.005-05:00

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor told the war crimes court in the THE HAGUE, Thursday he saw nothing wrong with displaying human skulls and heads at roadblocks as his rebel forces swept into the country from neighboring Ivory coast and began a revolution in Liberia.
Displaying human skulls at roadblocks was an effective method of encouraging people to obey soldiers’ orders, he said at his war crimes trial.

it was a known fact among many of us Liberians who lived in the country during those terrible times, that atrocities against innocent people were being committed on a daily basis by those drugged up savages calling themselves freedom fighters. stories of these barbarians using human entrails across their roadblocks and displaying human heads on poles to strike fear into the local civilians population and soldiers of the Liberian army, were common.

On one occasion, at the number seven check point in Firestone, my family and i while fleeing the fightings in Monrovia, witness one of the most gruesome killings ever. a guy was picked out of the line and accused of being Mandingo, a member of the enemy tribe, and before he could say anything to defend himself, he was hack to death with knifes and cutlasses in front of thousands of people waiting to cross the check point. i have never forgotten that scene, and as long as i live i will never forget it, it is just one of those things that stays with you for the reat of your life.

It is quite incredible, and i must admit, i was very amaze that he would sit among civilize people and say there is noting wrong with putting dead peoples head on a pole.

Here is a preview of what went on in court during the week....

Earlier in the week also, Mr Taylor also portrayed himself as an anti-corruption fighter, a humanitarian and a peacemaker. He said it is incredible that he is being charged with crimes against humanity.

He also denied claims that he sent children into combat during the Liberian invasion, saying that some youngsters accompanied their older brothers into military camps because they had nowhere else to go. The use of child soldiers equipped with automatic weapons they were barely able to carry became a grim feature of the Sierra Leone civil war.

“They were not trained for combat and did not engage in combat. They were used to cook food and to wash clothes, to man the gates and to search vehicles,” said Mr Taylor.

“When you hear reports there were some young men seen in Liberia carrying rifles, these reports are true. What the reports did not say is that the young men were carrying rifles walking with their families but never entered combat.

“All I was interested in . . . is trying to solve our little internal problem in Liberia, to build an environment in which our people would have a little peace, democracy and rule of law.”

Charles Taylor is the Devil himself, that man should never ever see the light of day again, he is a murderer, and he must pay for the thousands of innocent people he killed.

The invasion of Liberia and his ascent to power was a prelude to Taylor’s involvement in the brutal 1991-2002 civil war in neighboring Sierra Leone, for which he is accused of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The digrace that was the Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission...............

2009-07-03T17:11:00.011-05:00

President Sirleaf before the TRC early this year....

I am totally shock and frankly really pissed of by the apparent attempt of the so called Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to disgrace a sitting president, and in my opinion, stir up trouble in an already fragile country.
The TRC final report over the weekend recommended that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and 51 others be blocked from holding public offices in Liberia for 30 years for helping to form and finance warring factions.
The Commission was established in 2003 to identify the root causes of the Liberian civil war and determine those who were responsible in committing domestic and international crimes against the Liberian people.
But i find no logic whatsoever in their argument that those who financed the conflict, although they did not participate in the command and control of the factions, also bear the responsibility for the atrocities that were committed.
The president early this year testified before the commission and admitted she had endorsed former president Charles Taylor's rebellion against President Samuel Doe, but later withdrew her support, when the true and barbaric intentions of Mr Taylor became known.
But the TRC says Johnson Sirleaf didn't go far enough. One of the ideas behind a truth commission is that people responsible for past errors show remorse. By not apologizing or showing more remorse, the TRC says, Johnson Sirleaf denied both her own responsibility and undermined the TRC process.

What total nonsense, The president should not even entertain or comment on such stupidity.
If the aim of the TRC was to destroyed the reputation of a renown public servant, and in the process tear down all that Liberia has accomplish since the end of the civil war, then bravo, they have succeeded, because the internet is abuzz with this story.

Liberians and perhaps the rest of the world are still trying to come to grip with the political impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s statements, but the patriotic people of Liberia knows that such stupid and ridiculous comments will not stop the march to progress, because frankly we are tired of these detractors who have nothing to offer the Liberian people, but will stop at nothing and use whatever means at their disposal to bring the country down to her knees again.

Bob Johnson opens his Hotel and Resort in Liberia.....

2009-06-12T20:32:00.007-05:00

Bob Johnson

Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of The RLJ Companies, and the founder of BET, last week announced the grand opening of his latest business development, the RLJ Kendeja Hotel, Resort & Villas located in Monrovia, Liberia.
Located on 13-acres of ocean front property, the 78-room villa style hotel offers first-class amenities catering to domestic and international travelers and includes an on-site restaurant, full service spa, tennis courts and swimming pool with poolside bar.

Some Views of the Resort

The hotel is the most luxurious hotel Liberia has ever seen and the first resort to open in the country for two decades. Rooms are decked out with hip furnishings, Wi-Fi and 42in widescreen TVs, and have plush bathrooms with fancy robes and toiletries. Comfortable beds are covered with pure white sheets and the windows look out over the ocean. An on-site restaurant, Posh, serves such delights as cognac seafood bisque, blackened rump steak and chocolate salami.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf welcomed the investment by Mr Johnson describing the occasion as historic. The President expressed satisfaction that Mr. Johnson responded positively to her appeal two years ago to invest in Liberia.

The President praised the Black American businessman for believing in Liberia’s potential and the investment opportunities it offers. The President also spoke of a USD$30 million investment by Mr. Johnson to provide more business opportunities to Liberian entrepreneurs.

Charles Taylor now is a Jew.............................

2009-06-12T19:59:00.005-05:00

So apparently Charles Taylor is so bored in prison he is finding things to do that will entertain himself.

On a broadcast aired on June second, Victoria Taylor one of the former President's wives told the BBC World Service's Peter Ndoro that Taylor "is now a Jew. He's practicing Judaism."

Asked if Taylor believes his newfound faith will aid him in his trial, his wife suggested he does.

"Oh yes, I have seen a lot of transformation in my husband," she said, "and I know he truly wants to serve God with all his heart, all his mind and all his might."

In fact, Taylor found his Judaism upon entering the courtroom, she said.

"When he got to The Hague, he got to know that he really, really wanted to be a Jew,

And he wanted to convert to Judaism. And that's what he has done… He wants to know deeply about God and all about creation, and he wants to serve God accordingly and immediately."

This fool must truly think life is a joke...................

Happy mother's Day Mom ....................

2009-05-10T17:55:00.004-05:00

My mom in the early 70s, when she attended E.J Yancy high Totota, Bong County.

Today is mother's day and i want to just take this time to thank my mom for doing such a good job with us. we were not rich but we kids always had enough to eat, and we always had a roof over our head.
Mom always was there when we needed her, there is noway we can ever repay her or daddy for everything they did for us, but it is my resolve that my own kids know that no matter what, we will always be there for them. we had good parents,we were blessed, and it is important that we passed it on to our own kids.

And so to celebrate mother's day and to show my appreciation for my mom i wrote this poem for her......

Thank you Mother

When i was young and small,
many times i became sick i recalled.
but deep into the night you were by my side
trying the tears to hide.

sometimes i was rude and bad,
and other times i made you hurt and sad
but silently i knew you always pray,
that your little boy became somebody someday.

many times you told me about Jesus the son of God,
other times you told me about Satan the demon's lord.
and that if i in the presence of God enjoyed,
i would be a happy little boy.
no one can ever take your place,
no one can your soft and gentle love replace,
its been hard, but you have won
and i am glad i am your son.

Emmanuel Michael Liu

What i think about Frontpage Africa, and their boycott of the Liberian President.......

2009-05-04T17:08:00.005-05:00

President Sirleaf

Once a very big fan of the popular Liberian news website Frontpage Africa,
i now find myself looking more and more to alternative sources for news about Liberia.
Not only do i believe that they slander and spew lies at ever chance they get about the President, i also believe that their so-called news could incite violence,which is counter productive to what the President is trying to achieve.
Today they said In observance of World Press Freedom Day over the weekend, it has begun a coverage boycott of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 's Executive Mansion and the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and tourism.
FrontPage Africa Publisher and Editor Rodney Sieh told some international media the boycott was necessary because the Sirleaf government has either denied or ignored repeated requests for accreditation to weekly news briefings or presidential press conferences.
He went on to say "For some time, our website has been very pro-active, aggressive in terms of exposing corruption and ills in the Liberian society. And apparently some forces in the government have felt that we are anti-government, and they have continuously labeled us as anti-government forces. Last week, the president made a trip to Gbarnga, Bong County, and one of our reporters tried to get on the bus and he was rejected. And he had to get on the bus taking the police escort to go to Gbarnga. Even with all that, we still manage to continue publishing the Executive Mansion press releases, the ministry of information presses. But we feel that if they want to control what we publish, and they will not allow us access to the Executive Mansion press conferences and news conferences and stuff like that, we might as well not carry anything from them," he said.

What the hell is this guy really talking about? Everyone know that today Liberia boast one of the freest press in West Africa, if not the whole African continent,What do they really want the president to do? give them special passes whenever they demand it?, Why, because they are an internet news site based in the United States? Why make issues out of noting?
If this is what is passing for journalism these days, then our press is really in a sorry state.

President Sirleaf on the Daily show...........

2009-04-22T18:06:00.002-05:00

Liberian President Ellen Johnson, on a book tour for her book “This Child Will Be Great,” stopped by The Daily Show With Jon Stewart. She talked about her journey to become Africa’s first elected woman president but also took time to crown the popular TV show host an African chief.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

Political Humor

Worldfocus report on the President of Liberia....

2009-04-08T23:15:00.003-05:00

Liberia is slowly pulling itself back on its feet and rebuilding. But everywhere you go, fragments of the fighting remain. Under the leadership of President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, electricity and water are being restored, schools are being built and Liberians everywhere are trying to find a way forward, away from the past.
Worldfocus correspondent Lynn Sherr and producer Megan Thompson, just returned from reporting in Liberia, where They encountered daily reminders of the country’s civil war as Liberia emerges from its past.

We are proud of her, and we pray for her as she continues leading the nation to recovery, and prosperity.

New Chinese Embassy dedicated In Monrovia.............

2009-03-26T15:41:00.005-05:00

The New Chinese Embassy in Monrovia

The Chinese Ambassador to Liberia Zhou Yuxiao, on March 24 2009. hosted a grand dedicatory ceremony for his newly constructed Embassy In Monrovia.
The ceremony was graced by the President and, Vice President of Liberia, and many other government officials including the House Speaker, Chief Justice and other senior Liberian government officials as well as diplopic corps, representatives of Chinese aid workers, peacekeepers and enterprises in Liberia. President Sirleaf and Ambassador Zhou unveiled name plate of the Embassy and planted a friendship tree in the new compound.

Ambassador ZHOU

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Friendship tree planted on the Embassy grounds

in his remarks, Ambassador Zhou said that the dedication of the Embassy represented a new milestone in the history of Sino-Liberian friendly relations and a practical support to Liberian effort to "lift Liberia", and that he and his colleagues would double their efforts to expand and upgrade the bilateral ties in all fields.
Zhou expressed his satisfaction with the ever-deepening Sino-Liberian relationship, and assured that China's financial assistance to and economic cooperation with Liberia would not be affected despite of the hard hit on China by the current world financial crisis. He believed that like the young tree, the Sino-Liberian friendly relations would grow fervently and bear rich fruits in the years to come. He added that China was also delighted to witness the tremendous changes that had taken place in Liberia in the last few years, and would continue to stand firmly behind the Liberian government and people in their uphill journey to renew, rebuild and revitalize their nation.
President Sirleaf for her part recounted the achievements and contributions made by the Chinese government towards Liberia in recent years. She said that the Chinese government had constructed the new Embassy which was a clear manifestation of the confidence the government of China has in the long term stability and prosperity of Liberia. She pointed out that the construction of the Embassy was just one project on the long list of what the Chinese government had made to Liberia's post-war recovery. She expressed that the level of cooperation prevailing between two countries spoke for itself and that the friendship and cooperation was strong and growing by day. The President finally expected the two countries to conduct more mutually beneficial cooperation projects in the future.

Liberians with TPS granted another 12 months extension......

2009-03-20T20:06:00.005-05:00

Late this evening we finally got the good news that thousands of Liberians with Temporary protected status, which was set to expire on the 31 of march have been granted a 12 months extension.
Temporary protected status is an immigration status given to nationals of countries or parts of countries that are deemed by the U.S. government to be too unsafe for nationals to return. That status can be granted for reasons like an armed conflict or environmental disaster.

President Barack Obama has signed an executive order allowing Liberians living in the United States to stay in the country for an additional 12 months.

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar who has been among the congressional leaders on this issue, confirmed this afternoon that an extension of the March 31 deadline was granted for those Liberians living in the United States on a temporary immigration status.

We applaud the Presidents decision, to help our countrymen, and we thank all the members of congress who stood by and continue to stand by our side when it comes to all the relevant issues in our community.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is seeking a temporary reprieve for Liberians about to be deported.......

2009-03-08T15:24:00.005-05:00

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, of Minnesota, along with six other Democratic senators, is asking Pres. Barack Obama to grant thousands of Liberians living legally in the U.S. under a temporary protected status, a reprieve from imminent deportation.

Klobuchar says it is important to extend the protected status and, eventually, give them permanent legal status.

"They've been a part of our community in the Twin Cities. They work in our jobs in Minnesota, and we want to make sure they can stay and not go back to a dangerous situation. These Liberians have been living in the United States for almost two decades. They've fled their own country; they were forced from their homes.," said Klobuchar.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 Liberians live in the state of Minnesota, one of the highest concentration of Liberians in the country , and most of them were granted Temporary Protected status when they fled the civil unrest in Liberia. Their temporary status is due to expire on March 31st.

Missing Home.....................

2009-03-07T21:47:00.005-06:00

Today for some reason, all i could think of was Liberia, and how i really miss home...
some of the fondest memory i have about home was growing up on the back road in congo town. I miss the cool breeze of the Atlantic ocean,i miss my friends,but above all i miss my family....

There is really nowhere like home.

Liberians facing mass deportation after march 31 ........

2009-02-09T20:33:00.005-06:00

There is a deep sense of anxiety these days in Liberian community all around the United States. About 10,000 Liberians could face deportation come march 31, this year when a temporary protection status that allows them to stay here expires unless President Obama or Congress intervenes. The U.S. government contends Liberia is now a stable country and these migrants should return home.
Liberians have lived in the U.S. since the early 1990’s under a temporary protected status. Now that the Liberian government is showing some signs of stabilization, the U.S. government is trying to lift the temporary protected status and deport many of the 20,000 Liberians who are now living in the U.S.
I watched in complete disbelief Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform on CNN talking about how "It is time for people to go back and rebuild their country,"He said for Liberians to stay when their country is at peace would be an abuse of U.S. hospitality.
"It makes a mockery of the concept of short-term temporary humanitarian protection." he went on to say.
I would like to point out to Mr Stein however,that the State department own travel advisory is warning Americans to avoid travel to the country, because of serious security concern. so my question is, if its not safe for Americans to go there, how is it safe for thousands of Liberians with their U.S born children, who are U.S citizens to go there?

the new government in Monrovia, is doing all it can to provide basic services, to the people already there, and with some difficulty i might add, how can they be expected to cope with the thousands more who will be force to go home? Monrovia is already overcrowded, unemployment is at 80%, the education system is in shambles not to mention the health sector, there is no way this is going to work, if this plan is implemented it will be a disaster in the making. Our people understands that there is nowhere like home, we are grateful to the United states for all it has done and continue to do for our people, all we ask is a little more time, to let the government in Monrovia, firmly put their feet on the ground.
I have monitor blogs and comment online today about this very subject and it is sad that many people would post such hateful and vile comment about refugees who don't beg for government handout, but instead work hard and pay their taxes.
here i some of the comments i am seeing online......

Hey, I'm the Girl from Boston.......
Born here, Raised here, schooled here, Worked here,
Taxed here. We, can't feed the world and neither can
we allow these immigrants to change the law.
I feel like a stranger in my own country. Now, disable
and living on a shoe string fighting for surival with
no relatives just a handfull of good friends and theses
people expect me to feel bad for them by putting their
story in a newspaper. Gee, anybody interested in my life
as a true born American? Yeah, right I didn't think so.
SEND THEM ALL BACK...........

how do you figure the Midwest would benefit? Most of them are looking for handouts, not work.
Why do you think they immigrate to a big city?? Oh yes, your right on the button about boosting the local economies. Are you insane? This is why, I am being cut down on my services for the disable and elderly that have put into the system for a lifetime of hard work.
Pretty sad that this is what they got for a reward from the United States and Local Government. Now, put your money where you mouth is and you support them.

The US can no longer be the take all for the world. A this price our schools are suffering, health care is suffering, welfare, and the like. We are busting at the seems. Some of these law brakers are chanting in the streets wanting better breaks in this society while not a citizen. We need to filter these people and sent them home.

Trust me our people are not beggars, they are hard working people who just want what everybody else want, the best for their family. and its sad that people will add insult to injury, to people who have not only lost everything in the world, but must also be insulted for wanting the best for their family.

Thank you President Bush, Liberia will always be grateful to you...

2009-01-19T15:21:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow the administration of President George W Bush will officially come to an end. What Bush’s legacy will be in the United States and the world at learge as he leaves office, is still been debated by so called political pundits .
It is true, he made some colossal mistakes at home and abroad like the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . It is also true his relations with America's allies, especially in Europe, have been abysmal. But outside of the Middle East and Europe, Bush has been successful, especially in Asia and Africa.

For years, America has given lip service to African disease and poverty. But Bush reversed course, and today millions of Africans receive free medicine for AIDs, TB and Malaria. Half of all African food aid comes from the US. The Millenium Challenge, a very effective program in which rich countries ban together to foster economic development in poor countries, was created by Bush.
Most Americans have been hard on the President, some insulting and calling him the worst president ever, But Liberians will always be grateful to this president for he truly have been a friend of Liberia and Africa.

President Bush has been a good friend of Africa

When President Clinton had a chance to save thousands of people in Rwanda during the 90s he refused to get involve, calling it an African Problem, and because of America and the world's inaction almost a million people die in the Rwanda Genocide.
Bush on the other hand got involved in Africa like no other president before him, he demanded that the Tyrant Charles Taylor leaves office and send U.S soldiers to help stabilized the country, and in the process ending almost 2 decades of civil war that left the country in a state of total ruin.
He called Sudan's military actions in Darfur, Genocide when most African and European countries refused to call it so.

Whatever his critics in the Liberal media say, President Bush, unlike any other U.S. Presidents, change dramatically the way the United States dealt with Africa and her problems.
Farewell Mr President you were a great friend of Africa, may God bless you and your family as you end this chapter of your life and begin a new one.

Two Liberians arrested in Maryland for Black money scam....

2008-12-28T22:55:00.005-06:00

Police in Frederick Maryland say they've arrested two Liberian citizens who tried to scam the owner of a Chinese restaurant out of $100,000.
The men allegedly told the restaurant owner that they could counterfeit $100 bills by placing them between sheets of black paper and applying a chemical.
During the investigation, police officers learned that the two men, Liberian citizens later identified as Calvin Billfrank Swen, 44, of Jamaica, N.Y., and Radcliffe Reynold Howard, 41, of Philadelphia, initially visited the restaurant to ask about buying the business, according to the police.
On a later visit, they demonstrated the black-paper trick and asked the restaurant owner to give them $100,000, saying they could turn it into $4 million which would then be split evenly between them.
After several communications with the restaurant owner, police officers conducted surveillance operations and arrested the men as they entered the business.
Both men are now awaiting appearances before the District Court Commissioner.
I mean really how stupid are these guys to think that they would have gotten away with something like this? it infuriates me when people like these two bring unnecessary bad publicity to our community, Liberians are known to be hard working law-abiding people, and for these two crooks to bring such shame and disgrace to us is unforgivable.
An old saying back home says when your eye spoils, you can't ask someone else to lent theirs to you, because they are Liberians, we the thousands of other law abiding Liberians apologize for what these fools did, there is no justification for what they did, and i hope they put behind bars for a very long time.

Liberian community mourns 7 killed in Philadelphia fire.......

2008-12-27T19:03:00.005-06:00

Today is a sad day for us, members f the Liberian community in the United States. Today seven members of our community including a toddler, died when fire roared through a three-story home in southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday night.

Six of the victims -- three adults, a teen and two children -- were found in the townhome's basement, huddled together, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

A 2-year-old boy who was pulled from the burning house by firefighters was later pronounced dead at Children's Hospital, Ayers said.

The medical examiner identified one adult and three children, and said the children died of smoke inhalation, while the adult died of smoke inhalation and burns. The four were identified as Henry W. Gbokoloi, 54, of Yeadon; 8-year-old Ramere Markese Wright-Dosso, 6-year-old Mariam Iyanya Dosso, and 1-year-old Zyhire Xzavier Wright-Teah, all from the same home on Willows Ave. in Southwest Philadelphia.

A family member holds a 2008 Christmas photo of the three child victims killed in a deadly house fire in Southwest Philadelphia: Zyhire Wright-Teah, 18 months, front left; Ramere Wright-Dosso, 8, back left; and Mariam Dosso, 7, front right.

The other victims still had not been identified.

The neighborhood is home to many of the city's 15,000 Liberian immigrants. Soon after daybreak, Liberian community members began showing up to learn more about the victims.
Fire marshals have not yet released the cause of the blaze. But one survival said it started after a woman added fuel to a kerosene heater and, when it became too hot, tried to move it outside through the basement's only door.

Instability in Guinea could mean trouble for Liberia.....

2008-12-23T20:21:00.004-06:00

The 24-year reign of Guinea's president Lansana Conte , one of Africa's longest-ruling president, ended in confusion and chaos on Tuesday as a group of soldiers seized on his death to announced a coup that was immediately challenged by government officials.
International reporters in the capital Conakry, are reporting the movement of dozens of heavily armored tanks and troops heading toward the prime minister's office inside the presidential compound, and the city center. soldiers have set up check-points along the main roads into the city center, but so far there have been no reports of them abusing any citizens.

Guinean soldiers on armored vehicles patrols in the streets of Conakry

Liberians everywhere are monitoring the developments in Guinea our neighbor to the north with utmost concern. any instability in Guinea could spell serious trouble for us too. Any power struggle would be extremely dangerous, and could easily become a regional problem.
The Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her part in a statement expressed shock and great sadness at the passing of President Conte.

In her statement, she adds “On this mournful occasion, the Government and People of Liberia join me in extending to the brotherly people of Guinea heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained. Under General Conte’s administration, Guinea served as sanctuary for tens of thousands of Liberian Refugees”.

The Liberian leader hopes that during this period of national mourning and transition, the people of Guinea will continue to enjoy the blessings of peace and stability, saying “ The government and people of Liberia will always stand ready to identify with the Government and brotherly people of Guinea”.

While we all pray and hope that the situation in Guinea remains peaceful, our government must start making the necessary arrangement to bring home the thousands of our country men who sought refuge in that country during our own civil crisis. we cannot afford to let our people suffer another war when they have already been through enough already.
And the international community must do all it can to not let the situation in Guinea go out of control, Liberia will only enjoy peace when all its neighbors are at peace.

Chinese company to invest billions in Liberia.......

2008-12-20T16:28:00.003-06:00

A Chinese company promised over the weekend to spend 2.6 billion dollars on Liberia's main iron ore mine at bong mines in the biggest investment ever made in the country's history.
Speaking over the weekend at the National Investment Commission (NIC) offices where a team of government negotiators and a high powered delegation from the China Union Company held their first meeting, NIC Chairman, Dr. Richard Tolbert described the US$2.6 billion investment project as very important to the government of Liberia.

Presenting a graphic description of the investment project, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of China Union, Mr. Yin Fuyou disclosed that his company will construct a 130MW Hydro Power Plant on the St. Paul River to supply electricity to Monrovia and other areas.

Mr. Yin who spoke through an interpreter noted that Bong Mines will be transformed with modern facilities including a residential area for employees of the company. He said the company will also create an agricultural site where rice and other crops will be planted.

China Union, according to Mr. Yin, will also build a park where livestock will be raised. He said the ore that will be extracted from the mountains of Liberia would benefit every Liberian as the company will be producing steel in the country.

Liberia honours Kufuor of Ghana..............

2008-11-24T08:18:00.003-06:00

Liberia on Saturday honored President John Kufuor of Ghana with the country's highest national award in appreciation of his tremendous contribution in restoring peace and supporting the post-war reconstruction of the country.
At the investiture ceremony, the Liberian President, Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, decorated President Kufuor with the Distinction of Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia.
President Johnson-Sirleaf said the Ghanaian leader had demonstrated strong leadership and care for his neighbours and had carved for himself a special place in the hearts of Liberians for his efforts and contributions.

She said the investiture ceremony was an expression of the deep appreciation for the role he played in securing peace for Liberians, as well as a recognition of all that Ghanaians had done for Liberians during the time of its national tragedy.

She told President Kufuor, “You are deserving of the honour because you merit it. We are proud of a true African solution to an African crisis. Happy is the peace maker, for he shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

A citation accompanying the award described President Kufuor as an astute politician, a good listener and a great consensus builder.

Receiving the award, President Kufuor said he was happy and humbled by the honour but indicated that he accepted it not only for himself but also on behalf of all Ghanaians.

He said the event marked another milestone in Ghana-Liberia relations.

He noted that the Liberian people had demonstrated that a setback could be turned into the beginning of great things to happen and underlined the need for continued peace, solidarity, patience and perseverance among all the stakeholders in Liberia’s development.

At the University of Liberia where he received the honorary doctorate degree, President Kufuor said he was impressed with the effort to revive Liberia and said the restoration was testimony to the fact that out of devastation and the ashes of war, progress was still possible.

Additionally, the Council of Traditional Chiefs of Liberia also decorated the President with a gown as a mark of the appreciation of the people of Liberia for him and Ghana, and was installed as a traditional ruler by Paramount Chiefs from all the 15 Counties of the country.
President Kufuor and party have since left Liberia for home.

Chuckie Taylor convicted of murder and torture in Miami.....

2008-10-30T15:07:00.003-05:00

Chuckie Taylor (depicted in court) shot three victims and ordered dozens tortured because they were a threat to Charles Taylor's government, a prosecutor said.

Chuckie Taylor the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor was today convited in a Miami court of murder and torture while he headed his father pro-government military unit from 1997 to 2003.
A federal court jury found Chuckie Taylor guilty of five counts of torture, conspiracy to torture, using a firearm to commit a crime and conspiracy to use a firearm to commit a crime. The jurors deliberated for almost two days. He faces life in prison, with sentencing set for Jan. 9.
Prosecutors said the 31-year-old Chuckie was involved in killings and torture as head of an elite Antiterrorist Unit in his father's government also known as the "Demon Forces." From 1999 to 2003, Chuckie's job was to use his paramilitary soldiers to silence opposition to Taylor and train soldiers for conflict in neighboring African countries, according to trial testimony.
A succession of witnesses and victims told the jury about Chuckie's involvement in horrific acts including at least three killings and torture using electric shocks, lit cigarettes, molten plastic, hot irons pressed to flesh, stabbings with bayonets and even biting ants shoveled onto people's bodies.

Many of the victims were accused of being anti-Taylor rebels or sympathizers and were kept prisoner at a base known as Gbatala, where inmates were often kept in pits partially filled with water and covered with iron bars and barbed wire.

"I want the world to know what happened to me so it will not happen again in the future," former prisoner Rufus Kpadeh testified during the trial. He showed jurors scars on his arms from molten plastic that was dripped on him.

Did these fools really think they would go free after all the atrocities they committed in Liberia? in my opinion this criminal don't even deserved life in prison, but at least this victory in court today will give some closure to the families of the thousands of victims of these savages barbaric crimes against the Liberian people, i can only hope he rots in hell where he and his good for nothing father belongs.

Happy Birthday Madame President.............

2008-10-29T18:24:00.004-05:00

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf today Wednesday marked her 70th birth anniversary in Monrovia.
Speaking at a ceremony in Monrovia the Liberian leader, according to a presidential mansion press statement, urge Liberian youth to work harder as they prepare to take over the mantle of future state affairs.

Liberians at home and abroad congratulate you and join you in celebrating this special day in your life, and we wish you many more happy birthday to come. some people were truly born to lead, and you Madame President are definitely one of them. we pray and thank you for your tireless effort in helping guard our people and the nation to prosperity in these trouble times.

12 Peace corps volunteers sworn in at a ceremony in Monrovia......

2008-10-28T00:27:00.007-05:00

Twelve American peace corp volunteers have been sworn-in at a ceremony witnessed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and United States Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield in Monrovia.
Peace Corps country director, Lucianne Phillips said the volunteers will focus on the educational sector of the country, expressing the hope that their work would make a significant impact in the growth and development of the country.
The volunteers will take up assignments in rural Liberia and other parts of the country with a focus on the educational sector of the country including the rural teachers training institutes, agriculture, as well as midwifery training programs in South-eastern Liberia.

Administering the oath of service Monday at the C.Cecil Dennis auditorium, Peace Corps director Ronald Tschetter, credited President Sirleaf for the return of the volunteers to Liberia. Mr. Tschetter said it was the Liberian President who convinced US President George Bush of the need for the return of the Peace Corps to Liberia during previous discussions in the United States between the two leaders. The peace corp director also expressed the hope that their contribution will help enhance the country’s development programs and further strengthen the longstanding ties which Liberia and the United States have shared since the founding of the Republic.

Peace corps volunteers with the president after their swearing in ceremony

The Peace corps were active in Liberia from 1962 to 1990 the year the program was suspended due to Country’s civil conflict.
More peace corps are expected to join the initial number of volunteers later.

U.S and Liberia hail ties during President Bush and President Sirleaf meeting at the White House.......

2008-10-22T21:16:00.005-05:00

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Wednesday met with President Bush in the oval office and said Liberia was on track to become a strong and democratic economy after more than a decade of civil war.She thank the President and the American people for all the support given the Liberian people over the years. "With the continued support of the American people and continued support of the American administration and Congress, we feel that Liberia can become a post-conflict success story," she added.
President Sirleaf clearly one of the U.S president favorite foreign leader was received warmly by the President. "Madam President, I have come to respect you and admire you because of your courage, your vision, your commitment to universal values and principles. Laura and I had a fantastic experience traveling to Liberia, and we want to thank you for your warm hospitality. Yesterday, you made note of my -- the lack of my talent when it came to dancing. But nevertheless, I want you to know I danced with joy. And no question Liberia has gone through very difficult times. But no question there's a bright future for Liberia. Liberia needs the help of the United States and other nations to help make sure children are educated, to make sure babies are not dying because of malaria, to make sure there's an infrastructure so that small businesses can flourish, to make sure the port is open for business. We have been helpful and we want to be helpful in the future. And I'm confident in saying to the American people that by helping this President and Liberia, we really help ourselves in many ways.

And so it's been a joy to know you. It's been a great experience working with you, and I congratulate you on your strong leadership. Welcome.
Liberia continued to enjoy warm relations with United States since President Sirleaf was elected as President of Liberia in 2005.
In other positive news for Liberia, The U.S. Peace Corps annouce today that it first group of volunteer will return to Liberia next week for the first time since brutal fighting erupted there two decades ago.
Peace Corps director Ronald Tschetter says the 12 new volunteers who arrive Monday will focus on rebuilding the West African nation's shattered education system.
And Delta airlines Inc the only U.S. network carrier to serve Africa, today announced it will expand its service to the African continent with the introduction of the first and only flight between Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Monrovia's Roberts International Airport, Liberia*. The service, which will make a stop at Amilcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island, Cape Verde*, will start in June, 2009.
in an announcement today at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf praised Delta's investment in her country.
"I was excited to learn that Delta Air Lines has made the commitment to provide direct flight service to Liberia," said Johnson-Sirleaf. "Liberia continues to flourish and, with the commitment by companies in the U.S. to do business in our country, there is opportunity for continued economic growth. This development also provides convenience for Liberians in Diaspora to come home and to bring their skills and talents in support of the country's development. Delta Air Lines is providing a means to bring business into the country and we welcome them."
In recent years, Delta has expanded its presence in Africa. The carrier already offers flights from Atlanta to Lagos, Nigeria; Johannesburg, South Africa and Dakar, Senegal.

Spotlight on Liberia singing sensation Sundaygar Dearboy......

2008-09-25T02:09:00.004-05:00

Sundaygar

Accused of some of the worst crimes against humanity during the Liberian civil war, Micheal Davies also known as Sundaygar Dearboy has emerge as one one of the most successful artist on the Liberian Music scene.
The traditional music maestro, since the success of his last albulm entitle Baejay have since toured, the United States and Europe where he thrilled his audience at every performance. Sundaygar's tour took him to several states; including Minnesota, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.
here is one of my favorite song from the talented singer....

Sundaygar was born on July 20, 1972, in Grand Bassa county. he became a household name in Liberia during the 2005 presidential elections when he released the prophetic song 'Ellen will win'.

Chuckie Taylor's Trial begins today.....

2008-09-24T01:52:00.005-05:00

Chuckie Taylor

The trial of the former commander of the so called anti terrorist unit and the son of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor, begins in Miami today.
Charles MacArthur Emmanuel, also known as Charles "Chuckie" Taylor Jr., is set to go on trial as prosecutors test, for the first time, a 1994 law making it a crime for U.S. citizens to commit torture overseas.
Federal prosecutors say chuckie poured molten plastic on the skin of the regime's opponents, rubbed salt in their wounds and shocked them with electricity during a horrific three-year campaign of intimidation in Liberia.
the indictment also indicated that Chuckie brutalized at least seven people by pressing hot irons on their flesh, shocking them, and even shoveling stinging ants on one naked victim who was forced into a dirt pit.
here is a video of these criminal atrocities in Liberia..

One by one these assholes will pay for the thousands of lives they took, and the chaos they and their band of criminals brought to Liberia, and west Africa during their so called war of liberation. i feel no pity whatsoever for them,How dare they destroy my country, how dare they soil the name of homeland.
an eye for an eye, and i hope they all die painfully.

Liberian Author Helene Cooper talks about her new book The House at Sugar beach with Minnesota Pubilc radio..

2008-09-16T22:54:00.002-05:00

Here is a potion of Liberian Author and journalist Helene Cooper interview with Euan Karr of Minnesota public radio.
In this potion of the interview she talks about the Liberia, and its History.

And in this last potion of the interview she talks about moving to the United States,the situation in Liberia now, and what the future holds for Liberia.

Today Cooper is a diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times, traveling the world to cover major conflicts.

The House at sugar Beach is a must read...........

2008-09-10T22:18:00.008-05:00

Helene Cooper

I am so excited, i just got a copy of Liberian author and journalist Helene Cooper's new memoir entitle The House on Sugar Beach. The book is so good i am already half way through it.
Helene tells a vivid story about her life growing up at Sugar Beach, a twenty-two-room mansion by the sea. Her childhood was filled with servants, flashy cars, a villa in Spain, and a farmhouse up-country. When Helene was eight, the Coopers took in a foster child — a common custom among the Liberian elite or congo people. Eunice, a Bassa girl, suddenly became known as “Mrs. Cooper’s daughter.” Helene like my mother is of Americo-Liberian or congo origin descendants of free slaves who left the United States in the late 1800s and founded Liberia.

For years the Cooper daughters — Helene, her sister Marlene, and Eunice — blissfully enjoyed the trappings of wealth and advantage. But on April 12, 1980, a group of soldiers staged a coup d’état, assassinating President William Tolbert and executing his cabinet. The Coopers and the entire Congo class were now the hunted, being imprisoned, shot, tortured, and raped. Helene, Marlene, and their mother fled Sugar Beach, and then Liberia, for America. They left Eunice behind.
I thought the book was well-written and thought provoking, and though i was only a kid of about 3 or 4 years old when the coup that Helene describe in the book took place,i can still relate to her story, because i remember how scared my parents were during those days too. I know the places she talks about, like Sophies icecream shop to Relda cenema and to Ceasar's Beach.
The book is a good read, it is a story every Liberian Can relate to,but above all the book reminds you that no matter how long or how far away from home you are, you will always be connected someway somehow to the land of your birth.

Sekou Conneh demands to be called a hero........

2008-08-27T19:26:00.006-05:00

former Liberian warlord Sekou Conneh leader of the the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy LURD, the rebel group that encircled Liberia's capital and heavily shelled it in the final months of Liberia's 14-year conflict in 2003 demended that he should be treated as a hero for having launched the attack that led to the defeat of President Charles Taylor, himself on trial for war crimes at The Hague, Netherlands. Conneh appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Monrovia on Wednesday and refused to accept any wrongdoing during an appearance before a public commission.

Here is a video of his group during the war...

can you believe this criminal, have the audacity to ask the Liberian people to call him a hero? we know of his atrocities in Lofa and Bomi counties when his group burn churches and killed innocent people, infect his drugged fighters once appeared on camera holding up a human heart.
Besides shelling the capital, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy is tied to massacres of entire villages. The group's siege of Monrovia led to so many deaths that Liberians began piling up the bodies in front of the U.S. Embassy in a plea for help. if anything this asshole should be jailed and hang for his crimes against the Liberian people.

Amazing grace like you never heard it before....

2008-08-06T03:01:00.002-05:00

check out this stirring rendition of the song "Amazing Grace" by Wintley Phipps.
I saw this video about a year ago, and I still say to this day that this is the best version of Amazing Grace ever performed.
Here check it out yourself.

Enjoy Folks.

Bill Clinton announced new initiative to fight malaria in Liberia.......

2008-08-03T20:39:00.006-05:00

Former American President, William Jefferson Clinton at the head of a sixty (60) member delegation visited Liberia Sunday, to participate in the launching and promotion of the awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS and Malaria.

President Bill Clinton says there is a need for Liberians to know that there is an enormous amount of support and sympathy for them in the United States and has appealed to Liberians to be patient and not get discouraged. President Clinton attributed the interest and support Liberia has generated in the United States to the admiration Americans have for the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whom he said represents something new and different not only for Liberia but for the continent of Africa.

The President announced a new initiative to combat the malaria epidemic in Liberia. Mr. Clinton disclosed that the Clinton Foundation has signed a new agreement with a leading ACT (Artesunate Combined Therapy) manufacturing company to reduce the price of malaria drugs by 30%.

The President was speaking at the official program held at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized by the Government of Liberia.

The president and his delegation have left Liberia for Senegal in continuation of his Africa tour.

Happy 161 birthday Liberia....

2008-07-23T23:11:00.001-05:00

On july 26 1847 11 men, representing diffrent parts of the commonwealth of Liberia, and led by Hilary Teage, signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. By signing the declaration of independence these men told the world that a new country, and the first free negro nation on the African continent was born. they were Samuel Benedict, Hilary Teage, Elijah Johnson, John Naustehlau Lewis, Beverly R. Wilson and J.B. Gripon from Montserrado County; John Day, Amos Herring, Anthony William Gardiner and Ephriam Titler from Grand Bassa County; and Jacob W. Prout and Richard E. Murray from Sinoe County.
So this july 26 we at home and abroad honored these patrioctic sons of Liberia for taking the first bold step in putting our country on to path to statehood.

Timeline of Key events in our country's history....

In 1822, groups of freed Black Americans from the U.S. settled on the coast of Western Africa with a grant of $100,000 from President James Monroe.

Because of the inhumane way they were treated in America, many of the free slaves, after the American civil war of the 1860s decided to come to Africa, and start a new life.

Free slaves in America preparing to come to Liberia in 1862.

The Elizabeth brought the first group of free slaves to Africa in1822 and settle on an island called perseverance island. today its called the providence island.

In 1847, these settlers established the Republic of Liberia, the first independent country in Africa, they would then call their capital Monrovia for President James Monroe.

Susanna Lewis, and seven other women design the Liberian Flag, also know as the lone star.

The Liberian president residence as it looked in 1850.

The Liberian cabinet in the late 1800s.

Liberian 2 dollars of 1880.

1917 - Liberia declares war on Germany, giving the Allies a base in West Africa.

The city of Monrovia at the turn of the century, it was partially destroyed by a German U-boat when Liberia joined America and the allies in the first world war.

1926 - Firestone Tire and Rubber Company opens rubber plantation on land granted by government. Rubber production becomes backbone of economy.

1936 - Forced-labour practices abolished.

1943 - William Tubman elected president.

1944 - Government declares war on the Axis powers.

President Edwin Barclay of Liberia chats with U.S president F.D.R

1951 May - Women and indigenous property owners vote in the presidential election for the first time.

1958 - Racial discrimination outlawed.

1971 - Tubman dies and is succeeded by William Tolbert Jr.

1979 - More than 40 people are killed in riots following a proposed increase in the price of rice

1980 - Master Sergeant Samuel Doe stages military coup. Tolbert and 13 of his aides are publicly executed. A People's Redemption Council headed by Doe suspends constitution and assumes full powers.

1989 - National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor begins an uprising against the government.
1990 - Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) sends peacekeeping force. Doe is executed by a splinter group of the NPFL.

2003 August - Nigerian peacekeepers arrive. Charles Taylor leaves Liberia after handing power to his deputy Moses Blah. US troops arrive. Interim government and rebels sign peace accord in Ghana. Gyude Bryant chosen to head interim administration.

2005 23 November - Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf becomes the first woman to be elected as an African head of state. She takes office the following January.

The Beloved President of our proud nation continues to carry the hope of an entire country

Happy birthday Liberia, and Happy independence day to all my countrymen at home and all across the globe, our country turn 161 years old on the 26 of July this year, let us again reflect on the last 2 decades of our country's recent past, and pray for the almost 200,000 of our countrymen who died in a senseless war,all the while holding our heads up high, for the future holds nothing but possibilities, and always rembering the words of our national anthem, In union strong success is sure, we cannot fail, and that we are all in the same boat together, one nation, one people, and one commom destiny. God bless us all.

Increase in armed robberies causes concern.......

2008-07-15T21:30:00.005-05:00

Monrovia, the Liberian Capital have been hit in the past week by violent crime waves that has left inhabitants fearing for their lives while the government admits the security situation is deteriorating.
In the past eight days at least 160 homes in Monrovia were attacked by armed robbers, according to figures collected by AFP, demanding money or valuables and raping.
Observers say most of the robbers are former fighters who fought in the civil war. Many have kept their weapons and find it hard to find and keep regular jobs in a country plagued by over 80 percent unemployment.

Former fighters Of the Liberian War are to be blame for many of these violent crimes.

The Liberian Police is poorly trained, many officers do not even carry firearms.

President Johnson-Sirleaf admitted that the security situation in the capital had deteriorated. She even said that some of the crimes were carried out by police officers assigned to protect the population.
"The general security situation is bad. The reason is that our own security for several reasons has not been effective. Certain police officers have just been arrested as the result of their own participation in some of these crimes," she said on State radio.
The only remedy to this problem in my opinion is to start hanging these people when they are caught. The government have to seriously start thinking about bringing back capital punishment, and really start fighting fire with fire. These people have already killed a lot of our people during the war and got away with it, they must not be allowed to get away again, enough is enough.

Liberia' Ellen Sirleaf Denounced Zimbawe's elections and called on the African Union to do same......

2008-07-02T20:38:00.004-05:00

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf speaking at a closed session today during the 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, has called on the African Union to pronounce the June 27th elections in Zimbabwe as not credible and declare the results unacceptable, if the Union is to maintain its credibility.President Sirleaf reminded Summit participants that the African Union Observer Mission declared the June 27th elections fell short of the accepted AU standards, and that this was a similar position taken by the Pan African Parliament and the United Nations Security Council. She urged Summit participants to take a firm stance as well: ‘All these persons and institutions cannot be wrong, cannot be conspiratorial as we may be made to believe,’ she stressed.She put forward Liberia as a case in point, saying the 1985 election was endorsed by Africa and the world, which frustrated the true will of the people of Liberia and subsequently engendered a fourteen year civil war that left over two hundred thousand persons dead. The Liberian leader called on the African Union to be courageous to say that ‘all is not well in Zimbabwe’ and that the request by SADC for a postponement of the June 27 Zimbabwean elections should be heeded.
The leaders of Botswana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone also were critical of Zimbawe's Elections and said the vote lacked legitimacy, and Botswana urged that Zimbabwe and Mr. Mugabe be barred from A.U. and SADC membership.

Robert Mugabe shamelessly arrives at the Summit.

The African Union is a useless organization.

The African Union summit in Egypt this year only proves how toothless the organization is, Robert Mugabe is a disgrace to Africa, and should have been barred from the summit, The people of Zimbabwe were denied their democratic right to freely choose whom they want to be president of the country and all the African Union summit did was to tighten Mugabe's grip on power.

The African Union summit in Egypt, attended by Mugabe, approved a resolution calling for him to negotiate with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who withdrew from the run-off election because of violence against his supporters.
The resolution fell short of the tougher statement wanted by some African countries.

Germany announced more support for Liberia's development.....

2008-06-26T19:53:00.003-05:00

The German government pledged substantial funding to Liberian infrastructure projects Thursday at the start of a two- day visit by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Berlin.
In the presence of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul opened the international Liberia 2008 Poverty Reduction Forum this morning and announced that that German development cooperation support for Liberia this year would amount to a total of 15 million euros. 10 million of this will be provided to the Liberia Reconstruction Trust Fund, which focuses on infrastructure development.
In her opening statement, the Minister said: "Liberia's people have suffered terribly. They deserve the support of the entire international community. So we are pleased to be able to host this conference." She noted that in so-called "post-conflict countries" in particular, the international community needed to be involved on a long-term basis, thus contributing to peace.
Moreover, Germany will cancel Liberian debt amounting to 268 million euros. Liberia is one of the most heavily indebted developing countries worldwide. Since March 2008, the country has been participating in the international Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief initiative.

German Chancellor Merkel and Liberia President Johnson-Sirleaf inspect the honour guard.

German Chancellor Merkel talks to Liberia President Johnson-Sirleaf during the welcome ceremony .

Members of President Johnson-Sirleaf delegation at the welcome ceremony in Berlin .

The Liberia Poverty Reduction Forum is being held in Berlin on 26 and 27 June 2008. At the conference, Liberia will present its Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Liberian government, donors and international institutions will discuss future goals and challenges in the area of poverty reduction and harmonize their efforts.

A Night of Partying........

2008-06-23T02:40:00.003-05:00

I Tend to avoid going to Liberian Parties, not because i don't like to go, but because of the bad reputation that Liberians have made for themselves in the Minneapolis area.

Liberian gatherings, usually always ends in fights and mayhem, which is so shameful.

Some of these rebels who for some reasons where fortunate to come to the states, have brought their jungle mentality with them. And like the old parable back home says, when the monkey hands black its black there is nothing you can do about it.

With My boy Rannie In Minneapolis.

Today however i did go out to a couple of parties with my friends, and i must say i was very impressed, the parties were fun and peaceful. for the first time in a long time i was really having fun among my own people. could it be that our people are getting their acts together?

Peace corps to return to Liberia in september..........

2008-06-06T00:05:00.003-05:00

The peace corps this week said that they are pleased to officially announce its return to Liberia and is preparing for the arrival of the first group of Volunteers in September 2008.
After an absence of nearly two decades, experienced Volunteers will be serving in the country through a program called Peace Corps Response.
From 1962-1990, Peace Corps Volunteers in Liberia were involved in every facet of the country’s development efforts, from education and health to agriculture and rural development until the program was suspended due to the Liberian civil war in the 90s.

Liberia and FiFa to investigate stadium tragedy............

2008-06-05T01:51:00.005-05:00

FIFA and the Liberian Government opened an investigation this week into the deaths of at least eight people at a World Cup qualifying match in Liberia.

The tragedy happened before Liberia took the field against Gambia in a World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Monrovia.
The chief mortician of the city, Dominic Worlu, gave the reason for the deaths. In all, 16 people were taken to hospital.
Witnesses said the stadium was packed by noon with people who came in earlier to find seats for the match.
Worlu said illegal ticket sales might have led to many more fans being crammed into the stadium than the seating capacity allowed.
Football’s governing body Fifa said it was investigating the incindent.

In another development President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has declared this weekend as a period of national mourning in remembrance of those spectators who met their unfortunate death.

The 33,000-seat venue was built in 1987 and had been renovated after the country's civil war ended five years ago.
United Nations peacekeepers closed the stadium gates on Sunday when it became clear it was already over capacity after thousands had entered using fake tickets.
Eyewitnesses reported that some security staff sold tickets and took money from fans without tickets to let them in.
The deaths occurred after dozens of people fell from upper-level seats onto spectators below when a metal barrier gave way.
The match was played and drawn 1-1.

The foolishness and stupidity of T.Q. Harris and Mulbah Morlu declarations......

2008-05-21T20:51:00.008-05:00

Today i was reading an article on the Front page Africa website about two advocacy groups calling for regime change and declaring Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf a war crime suspects, therefore they are forbiding her not to represent the country in an official capacity unless she is vindicated in a court of law.
The two groups, the Forum for the Establishment of a War Crimes Court based in Liberia and Solidarity and Trust for A New Day based in the United States, are led by former presidential candidate T. Q. Harris, and Mulbah Morlu, two people who have no business what so ever, or the moral characters to be accusing anybody of anything, let alone to be making stupid and irresponsible declarations, and calling for regime change of a sitting President.
These fools love to sit in the United States and throw stones and hide their hands, they have nothing to offer the Liberian people but their stupidity, and when other people roll their sleeves to do the heavy lifting, they have the audacity to criticize them.
The President has proven time and time again beyond all doubts that she is able and willing to deliver the goods for the Liberian people, if anything in my opinion she is one of the best presidents Liberia ever had, and these fools must know, some of us who are admirer of the president, will defend her vigorously against such stupid and silly talks.
here is a video of some of the great work the president is doing.

Let T.Q Harris and Mulba Morlu be reminded that the president was duly elected by the Liberian people, and at such calling for regime change of a sitting President can be consider treason, so if they don't have anything to contribute to the development of our country, they should just shut the hell up and let the lady do her job. Long live the President and Long live the peoples of Liberia.

Ex vice-president Moses Blah testisfies against Taylor.......

2008-05-14T21:05:00.004-05:00

Ex-Liberian vice-president Moses Blah today entered the witness box to testify against his former boss Charles Taylor, who stands accused of war crimes in the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The Ex vice President told the court Libyan authorities trained Charles Taylor's rebel force in the 1980s before it violently overthrew Liberia's government. Blah said he was among about 180 fighters recruited by Taylor and flown to Libya in the late 1980s to undergo months of military training.

The fighters learned to use AK-47 assault rifles and surface-to-air missiles at a military camp near Tripoli, he said.
Blah said men from countries including Gambia, the Philippines and Sierra Leone were also trained at the camp.
Among them was Sam Bockarie one of the Sierra Leone rebels Taylor is accused of supporting.

Blah testified that Taylor met the future head of the RUF, Foday Sankoh, in the camp, where they were received by Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.
Kadhafi gave Taylor half a million dollars after the Liberian was elected president in 1997, said Blah, who was ambassador to Tripoli at the time.

Moses Blah briefly served as Liberian president in 2003, taking leadership of the war-ravaged country after Taylor was
forced into exile. He is the 27th and highest-ranking witness to take the stand against Taylor since his trial began early this year.

Spotlight on Liberian Raggae Star Nesseman.........

2008-05-09T01:18:00.003-05:00

Here is one of my favorite Liberian musician called Nesseman, i have high hopes for this guy, and i absolutely believe this guy will be the next Lucky Dube, his songs are so simple yet so moving, and the fact that he shoots most of his videos in Liberia, just shows not only his love for his Country, but his high confidence he has in his wartorn country.

Here he is singing his smash hit call Till we meet again, a song he made as a tribute for his mentors and all those that left this Earth before their time, especially the 250,000 of his fellow Liberians who lost their lives in a senseless civil war.

God Bless Liberia and may we no longer kill our brother. We are many Tribes but One People.
.....Nesseman.......

Highlights of U.N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visit to Liberia..........

2008-04-23T02:29:00.005-05:00

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon began a visit to Liberia Monday, "I have come to Liberia to see at first hand the remarkable achievements your country has made in recovering from a devastating conflict. And I have come to reassure the Liberian people of my steadfast commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in your nation," Mr. Ban said in an address to a joint session of the Liberian legislature in the capital, Monrovia.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon (R) is greeted upon his arrival at Monrovia's airport on April 21.

Traditional Leaders and Chiefs honor UN Secretary General at Gowning Ceremony.

Mr. Ban outlined several areas where further progress is needed, including reforming the legal and judicial system and extending the rule of law throughout the country.
He said more also needs to be done to reintegrate populations affected by war and promote reconciliation and national unity, as well as ensure economic development. "Delivering the peace dividend in these areas is necessary to underpin the stability that Liberia currently enjoys," he noted.
"In this and other challenges confronting Liberia, the entire United Nations family will work with you," the Secretary-General pledged.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has begun the first phase of its drawdown process, and the Security Council will decide on the next phase after reviewing the progress made by the Government in meeting certain key benchmarks.
Mr. Ban said his recommendations to the Council on the drawdown will be linked to the Government's ability to assume full responsibility for its national security. "Our common strategic goal is to ensure that Liberia has a solid security sector - one that can stand on its own feet before UNMIL completes its withdrawal."

Some Notable Liberians of the 19th and 20th century.....

2008-04-14T01:15:00.007-05:00

Angie Brooks Randolph.

Liberian lawyer and diplomat who was the FIRST woman to be accepted as a legal apprentice. On her first appearance in court she was laughed at. She was accredited by the Liberian Supreme Court in 1953, as the first woman Liberian lawyer. She had a career in government administration and legal education in Liberia before being appointed assistant secretary of state in 1958. In 1969 she became the first African woman to be elected president of the General Assembly of the United Nations . During her career she was awarded 18 honorary doctorates of law from various universities in America and received many awards from civil and religious organisations.

Wilton Sankawulo is one of Liberia's foremost creative writers, educators, and public servants of long record. While engaged in government service, he joined the faculties of the University of Liberia and Cuttington University College as Professor of English and Literature. Sankawulo's many publications include myths and legends of Liberia, novels, a biography, and a collection of essays.

Presedent Barclay With President F.D Roosevelt at Roberts field Liberia, 1944.

Edwin Barclay, a member of the True Whig Party served as foreign minister and secretary of state of Liberia in the government of Charles D.B. King from 1920 until 1930. He became the 17 President of Liberia in 1930 when President King and Vice-President Allen B. Yancey resigned because of a scandal. He was elected in his own right for the first time in 1931. Barclay is credited with helping the country survive some of Liberia's greatest threats to its sovereignty in that country's history. They included threats by the League of Nations led by Germany, and the United Kingdom, to to recolonize the country unless reforms were made. He also compose the Liberian national song the lone star forever. Barclay retired in 1944 and was replaced by William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman .

Father of Pan-Africanism.

Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832-1912) was a Liberian educator and statesman. More than any other figure, he laid the foundation of West African nationalism and of pan-Africanism.

In his writings, he defended his race at every opportunity, exalted the achievements of other Blacks, and attacked slavery. As a teacher he was professor of classics and president of Liberia College . He was also a politician and diplomat in Liberia, serving as Secretary of State, Minister of Interior , and Minister to Britain from and Minister Plenipotentiary to London and Paris in 1905.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809-1876), often called the Father of his country, was born of free parents in Norfolk, Virginia, on March 15, 1809. He became the first black ACS governor of Liberia in 1841. In 1848, he was elected the first president of an independent Liberia.

He spent his first year as Liberia's leader attempting to attain recognition from European countries and the United States. England and France were the first countries to accept Liberian independence in 1848. In 1849, Portugal, Brazil, Sardinia, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck, and Haiti all formally recognized Liberia. However, the United Stated withheld recognition until 1862, during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, because the U.S. leaders believed that the southern states would not accept a black ambassador in Washington D.C.
Roberts was re-elected three more times to serve a total of eight years. During his leadership, an institution of higher learning, later to become Liberia University, was established. By 1860, through treaties and purchases with local African leaders, Liberia had extended its boundaries to include a 600 mile coastline.

April 12 1980 a day that will forever remain in infamy..........

2008-04-12T23:47:00.005-05:00

In the early morning of April 12 1980, a group of junior officers from the Armed forces of Liberia, led my Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe, entered the Executive mansion, seat of the Liberian government, fought their way into the presidential suite and staged a bloody coup. thus starting a chain of events that would forever change the history of our country.
Doe's forces executed President William R. Tolbert, along with dozen officials of the Tolbert's regime, who were mostly of Americo-Liberian descent. This marked the first time since Liberia's establishment as a country that it was governed by people of native African descent instead of the Americo-Liberian elite. Doe became head of state and suspended the constitution, but promised a return to civilian rule by 1985. Many people welcomed Doe's takeover as a shift favoring the majority of the population that had been excluded from power, my mother said market women would dance and sing songs praising the military government with songs like, " native woman born soldiers, soldiers killed Tolbert.

The late Liberian president William Tolbert is welcome to the white house by president Nixon.

Former American president Jimmy Carter waves to cheering crowds during his state visit to Liberia in 1979.

But Doe's government increasingly adopted an ethnic outlook, as members of his Krahn ethnic group soon dominated political and military life in Liberia. This caused a heightened level of ethnic tension leading to frequent hostilities between the politically and militarily dominant Krahns and other ethnic groups in the country.

Members of the people's redemption council led by Doe.

The execution of former government officials. April 12 1980.

President Doe pays a state visit to the U.S 1983.

Liberia in later years would be shaken to the very core, as a brutal civil war, which will last for almost two decade , pits tribe against tribe and leads to the death of more than 200,000 Liberians, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of others, and the destruction of the country's infrastructure.

On September 9, 1990, Prince Johnson head of the independent national Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) captured Doe and tortured and killed him. The end of the Doe regime only continued the ethnic warfare in Liberia.

Liberian Refugees are national security threat, says Interior minister Bartels.....

2008-04-02T19:10:00.003-05:00

Ghana's Interior Minister Kwamena Bartels, told the Ghanaian press today that the seemingly innocent demonstration by Liberian refugees in the country was part of a wider plot by a number of persons to cause mayhem at the Gomoa Buduburam settlement and threaten the security of Ghana.
According to him, Government is aware of the presence of a number of ex-combatants at the settlement and will, therefore, not sit down unconcerned for the country’s security to be jeopardized. Bertels also told the press the Ghanaian Government is considering closing down the Buduburam refugee camp in the Central Region after it has repatriated the last batch of the Liberian refugees this year.
This is due to the closeness of the resettlement site to the country's capital, Accra, which officials fear could pose a threat to the nation's security.

Ghana continue to maintained its hard line in the standoff with Liberian refugees which culminated in the deportation of 16 of them and removal of more than 600 others from their camp just west of the capital, Accra, and said a "firm decision" had been taken that all of them must return home.

Ghanaians love to think of themselves as the most hospitable people in all Africa, but by treating helpless women and refugees like they were the scum of the earth, they have dug a hole they can never get out of, is this their idea of hospitality? Our late president Samuel Doe once said the town trap is not for rat alone, today Ghana may be stable but who knows what will happen in the future, we will forever remember what they did to our people, in our time of need you give us a place to lay our head but at the same time insulted and abuse us, what could we have done? after all a beggar has no choice, he must accept what is given him.
The xenophobia cause by the Ghanaian interior minister's hatred and his disgust of Liberian refugees in his country is shameful but it’s yet another reason why our government must do all it can to bring our people home, they are not stray dogs for Ghanaians to do or say what ever they feel like to them, enough is enough, after all no man is an island, thank you for your hospitality, but our people will take their chances at home.

Outrageous....

2008-04-01T21:53:00.003-05:00

I came across this video on the Internet and i was mad like hell with the so called reporter one sided reporting.

i lived in Monrovia when that war criminal Charles Taylor, and his savages attacked the city, we were at the mercy of these criminals, and if it was not for the west African peace force, we would not have made it out alive, i am glad they bomb the shit out of those fools, i am glad their leader is sitting in a UN jail. i hope he rot in hell, those asshole destroy our nation and forever traumatize a who generation of Liberian children, they will pay for what they did.

More arrest of Liberian refugees in Ghana.......

2008-03-22T20:40:00.004-05:00

Ghanaian Police on Saturday made their second swoop on the Liberia refugee camp just west of Accra in one week as the government carries out its resolve to ensure that the refugees obey Ghana's laws.This time they arrested dozens of men who they say have been fomenting trouble at the camp, as the standoff between the refugees and the government continues.Eyewitnesses said police went to the Gomoa Buduburam refugee camp just west of Accra at dawn on Saturday moving from house-to-house seeking the alleged male troublemakers. Many men fled into the bush while other locked themselves up in their rooms.

Liberian refugees were only protesting for their rights.

Main while Thirty Liberian refugees were expelled from Ghana and are expected home on Sunday amid disagreement between the two countries about the best way to deal with thousands of refugees.
Liberia's Information Minister Laurence Bropleh said in a radio broadcast Saturday that the "first batch" of nine women and 21 men would be met off the plane by senior officials and given temporary housing.

I am really starting to get angry about some of the reporting by the Ghanaian press and some insensitive statements made by some government officials, for example, Kwamena Bartels the Ghanaian interior minister after ordering the arrest and detention of helpless women and children told the news media “Ghana was good enough for them when their country was at war and they needed a place where they can have peace and protection and Ghana is not good for them when the war in their country was over…this shows their crass ingratitude to a country has protected them, fed them and given their children a free education.”

Kwamena Bartel Ghana's interior Minister.

what the hell is this guy problem? if he wants Liberians to leave Ghana, they should just say it and not come up with crazy excuses for beating, and harassing our people because they are protesting for their rights. Let them call us ungrateful and whatever the hell they want to call us, but the truth of the matter is they have no reason what so ever, of treating our people like crap.

Life in Ghana is hard for any foreigner, let alone refugees, they are not allowed to operate and own businesses unless Ghanaian citizens are not operating the same businesses, were as in Liberia, Ghanaian nationals can do whatever they want, as a matter of fact they practically own and operate all the business in the new Kru town, fanti town, and westpoint area of Monrovia.

All over the blogger sphere today Ghanaian bloggers have being insulting and calling our people names, and saying shit like God bless Ghana, throw out these ugly Liberians ingrates. and How dare these ugly Liberians, these savages try to bite the hand that feeds them?” i am so sick of this shit, not only are these people helpless, but must you make them feel like shit too? this has got to be the last straw, our government must do everything to bring our people home, i would rather they suffer in poverty home, then be beggers and insulted by people who are suppose to be our African brothers.

Bring our people home now!

The Plight of Liberian refugees in Ghana.....

2008-03-19T20:16:00.003-05:00

Hundreds of Liberian women refugees arrested Monday by Ghanaian police remain in custody, and there are reports the Ghanaian government is considering deporting them back to Liberia as soon as possible. The BBC said a group of Liberian refugees most of whom are women were accused by a minister of being naked while protesting by the roadside, the refugees were protesting plans to send them back home with only US$100.

Some of the refugees told the BBC that they were beaten by the Ghanaian police at Buduburam camp.

While most of us Liberians are very grateful to the Ghanaian Government and the people of Ghana for their hospitality and generosity in our time of great needs, we also respectfully ask that they be patient with our people, and not resort to acts that would abuse the rights of our people, and further add insult to injury to women and children who not only lost everything during our country's civil war, but must also live as beggars in another country. i live in Ghana for several years before coming to the states and i can tell you from experience that it is not easy for Liberians or any foreigner for that matter to just integrate into Ghanaian society, it is hard to start a business because the government don't want you taking business from, or competing their citizens, leaving many of our people to depend on aid from relatives abroad, or in some cases, our young women resorting to prostitution just to feed their family.

Meanwhile, The Coalition of Ghanian Human Rights Organizations says it will sue the government of Ghana if it fails to resort to the courts in dealing with the arrested Liberian Refugees. The coalition slammed the government of Ghana for what it calls an “over reaction” to the protests of the refugees. The coalition has formed an investigative team to look into the stand off between the refugees and the government.The team comprises of people from the Legal Resources Centre and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. A fact finding team was dispatched to both the Buduburam camp and holding area for the over 600 arrested refugees in Kordeabe in the Eastern Region. The team claimed its initial findings revealled that the rights of the refugees had been grossly violated by the Ghanaian government. The Head of the Legal Resources Centre, Mr. Edward Amuzu who was part of the team told the press that the public was generally misinformed on the crisis.He said the women had not striped themselves naked as had been reported in the media and that there were no road-blocks at the Buduburam camp.Mr. Amuzu said the government’s handling of the crisis was embarrassing to the country.According to him only a court of competent jurisdiction could determine whether the refugees should be repatriated.The Country Representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Ms Hida Harley Mariam told the BBC that the UNHCR was concerned about the manner in which the crisis was being handled.She said the Commission supported the government’s decision to ensure that the refugees respected the country’s laws.It was however worried about any disproportionate action by the government.The Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr. John Mahama said although the demands by the refugees could be unreasonable, it was important to protect their human rights.He said the anger of the Interior Minster should not be allowed to damage the reputation of the country. The Liberian government is said to be sending a delegation led by the Liberian Foreign Minister to Ghana to plead with the government to rescind its decision to repatriate the protesting refugees.

Former NPFL fighter alleges Taylor ordered atrocities in both Sierra Leone and Liberia.....

2008-03-13T00:11:00.010-05:00

A former rebel from Liberia described the atrocities that he and and other fighters carried out under the command of Charles Taylor, at the Liberian ex-president's war crimes trial Wednesday in the Hague.

Joseph Marzah told judges at the Special Court for Sierra Leone how he personally had killed more than a hundred people during his time with Taylor's National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) -- including babies.
"It's not hard," said Marzah. "You hit them against the wall, throw them in a pit, or in the river, and they are dead. And then you give the report to Charles Taylor."
Marzah said he had been part of a special unit that Taylor had set up called "No Baby on Target", adding: "He said we should execute any baby we saw. After we did that, he gave us money."
Fighters had also used knives to cut open pregnant women, he added.

Victims Of the Liberian and Sierra Leone civil war.

A father whos hands were chop of by the RUF in Sierra Leone trys to hold his daughter without any hands.

A rebel loyal to the warlord Charles Taylor poses next to a painted skull at his checkpoint, in Liberia .

Abu, 7, buttons the collar of his father's shirt at a camp for amputees outside Freetown, Sierra Leone. Abu Bakarr Kargbo, 31, is one of the thousands of victims of forced amputations performed by the Revolutionary United Front during Sierra Leone's 11-year civil war.

How can anybody do something like this to another person, is truly beyond words.

This asshole has to pay for what he did.

During the war in Liberia they would mount ambushes on civilians, said Marzah.
"At the checkpoint we used human intestines and sometimes put heads on sticks to scare people," he said. And the same thing went on in Sierra Leone, he added.
Both Sierra Leone's RUF rebels and the Liberian fighters of the NPFL operated under Taylor's command, he said.
There was no RUF as such, he said. "From Freetown to Liberia there was one organisation, all answering to Taylor."
Taylor was in constant touch with the RUF leaders by satellite telephone and radio links, said Marzah.
Some of those leaders frequently visited the Liberian capital Monrovia to deliver diamonds, receive their orders and pick up weapons.
Prosecutors accused Taylor of having amassed a 600-million-dollar (385-million-euro) fortune.
Marzah told the court Taylor ordered him to take arms to Sierra Leone rebels and exchange them for diamonds.
In the early 1990s he went to Sierra Leone some 40 times with transports carrying AK-47 assault rifles and rockets.
"Sometimes, we got ammunition from White Flower (Taylor's presidential residence) or a Russian plane," said Marzah, 49.
"By Charles Taylor's directive, I sometimes would take some straight to Sierra Leone," he added.
Asked by prosecutor Nicholas Koumjian if he ever saw diamonds, Marzah replied: "Many times. I escorted diamonds to Charles Taylor. He himself can tell you that if he tells the truth," he said.
He told the court he had personally brought some 10 to 15 consignments of diamonds to Taylor.
He recalled one diamond in particular that was around five centimetres (two inches) in diameter.
"At that time, we called (it) father'. When he took it along, Charles Taylor was impressed," Marzah said.

Here is a video of some of these savages atrocities in Liberia....

Taylor, 59, is accused of arming, training and controlling the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels in Sierra Leone in exchange for still-unknown amounts of diamonds.
Around 120,000 people were killed in the conflict, and thousands more were raped and mutilated with rebels cutting off arms, legs, ears or noses.

Superstar Akon to perform in Liberia....

2008-03-06T00:53:00.002-06:00

Senegalese born American superstar Akon is expected to visit Liberia on April 15, 2008, Cellcom Public Relations Managers, T-Max Jlateh has disclosed.He said Cellcom was sponsoring the visit of Akon so as to entertain its many subscribers.
Speaking at a news conference Monday at Cellcom's offices in Monrovia, Mr. Jlateh said the Senegalese born American musician would arrive in Liberia with a 14-man delegation to perform at a musical concert which would be held at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville on the same day.

Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That". He is the founder of Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. He is well known for singing hooks and has over 130 guest appearances and 21 Billboard Hot 100 songs to his credit. He is the only artist to ever accomplish the feat of holding both the number one and two spots simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice.

Alleged Rapist Faces Deportation…..

2008-02-28T23:59:00.003-06:00

The case of alleged rapist Mahamu Kanneh, a Liberian national, accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl, and an 18 month old baby in the State of Maryland, was a devastating news for me and most of the Liberian community here in the United states.

Kanneh was arrested in August 2004 after witnesses told police he had raped and repeatedly sexually molested a 7-year-old relative left in his care. He was the focus of national media attention when a judge dismissed the charges against him in mid-July, of 2007 ruling his right to a speedy trial had been violated while officials hunted for an interpreter. Kanneh speaks Vai, the language of one of the sixteen tribes in Liberia.

Although Kanneh attended high school and community college in Maryland, his attorney argued that he did not understand english and that he needed an interpreter to fully understand the court proceedings.

Kanneh, while trying to run from police, was later arrested in Philadelphia on charges he allegedly failed to appear in court on Aug. 3 of 2007 at a hearing involving a prosecution effort in Maryland to reinstate the rape charges.

Executive Office for Immigration Review, said Kanneh is in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She said that since Kanneh is not fighting deportation, it’s entirely up to immigration officials when to send him home.

This case has brought an unnecessary spotlight on Liberian communities all across the U.S, and its downright shameful, if he is guilty let him be deported.What the Hell was he thinking? Liberians are generally known to be hard working law abiding citizens, and it pains me when a few bad apple spoil the reputation of our community.

Here check out this Myspace video of what generally a typical Liberian party looks like.

LIBERIA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION (G.M.H)

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At almost every Liberian parties, there are always reports of fights and drugs,in Minnesota for example, they don't even allowed Liberians to hold any large gatherings, or events any more, what is wrong with these people? they have the opputunity of a life time to make something of themselves, and contribute to the developement of our country, and they just throw everything away.

Let this be a reminder and a lesson that we are guest here, and if we abuse that privilege we will suffer the consequence after all who wants a bad guest in their house.

Random Old Pictures from back in the days....

2008-02-26T23:44:00.004-06:00

Ok so today i am going through my closet and doing some cleaning, and i found some old pictures from back in the days in Liberia, and i am going Hmmm....... should i post these and let my readers, and most of you good people who take time to read my blog laugh at me a little at my expense or not? and finally i decided, what the heck, i will post them, if anything this will be another way for me to save these pictures too. so here are some old pictures of how i used to look like few years ago.....

Cooper's beach with friends, one day before leaving for the States.
First day in the U.S november 1999.

My 9th grade school ID, oh my God is that really me? that looks like a century ago. On Broad street, Monrovia 1999

My graduation day 1998, from the R.C Lawson High in Congo town.

With friends on the statue of George weah, broadstreet Monrovia.

With my boys in Monrovia.

Me today.

I know, you guys can laugh all you want, but trust me i can't even believe that was me either, but all in all I miss my country and i can't wait to be back home for the first time in almost 10 years, next year, i will have a lot of catching up to do.

Highlights of President Bush visit to Liberia.......

2008-02-21T19:21:00.011-06:00

President George W. Bush arrived on Thursday in Liberia, the United States' staunchest ally in Africa, where he pledged to support the country's efforts to rebuild after a crippling civil war.
"I want the people of Liberia to know, Madame President, the United States stands with you,'' Bush told Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. "We want to help you recover from a terrible period. We want you to build lives of hope and peace, and under your leadership, that's exactly what's happening'' he told the cheering audience, "It's easier to tear a country down than it is to rebuild a country," Bush said. "And the people of this good country must understand the United States will stand with you as you rebuild your country.
While in Liberia, Bush also promised to give the country one million textbooks by the start of the next school year and enough desks and chairs for 10,000 students.
Liberia was the final stop on Bush's six-day tour of Africa. He is the first US leader in 30 years to visit Liberia, a nation founded in the 1820s by slaves freed by the United States.

The U.S and Liberian presidents prepare to inspect the honor guards.

Liberian Troops marched pass the president Bush during the honor guards review.

The car carrying both president sirleaf and Bush arrives at the Executive Mansion.

Traditional dancers were on hand to welcome the U.S President o Liberia.

U.S. President George W. Bush walks with President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf during an arrival ceremony at Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, welcome the U.S president and his wife to Liberia.

U.S. President George W. Bush and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf walk past an honor guard during an arrival ceremony at Spriggs Payne Airport in Monrovia.

President George Bush and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf inspect an honor guard at Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.

Traditional Liberian dancers perform prior to President Bush's arrival for a lunch, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, in Monrovia, Liberia.

President George W. Bush receives the key to the city of Monrovia from Mayor Ophelia Hoss-Saytumah in Monrovia.

U.S. President George W. Bush walks past Liberian dancers to join an outdoor lunch with Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at the Executive Residence in Monrovia .

President Bush waves after recieving Liberia's highest Honor, at the Executive mansion.

President Bush is presented with Liberia's highest civilian honor by Liberian president Sirleaf.

Liberians line the streets to welcome U.S. President George W. Bush in Monrovia.

U.S. President George W. Bush and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf today held bilateral talks of mutual interest at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia, Liberia's capital.

Today was not officially declared a national holiday in Liberia, but with thousands that gathered in the streets of Monrovia to welcome United States President George W. Bush, it certainly felt like one. School children, government workers, market women, and street peddlers lined the streets to welcome President Bush and his entourage to Liberia.

here is a video of some of the celebrations today in Monrovia.

At the end of what he called a productive trip, Bush heaped praise on Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

President Bush begins five nation Africa tours...

2008-02-16T19:40:00.004-06:00

Bush began a six-day, five-nation tour of Africa on Friday, hoping to showcase progress on AIDS and malaria and his commitment to economic development on the world’s poorest continent.Bush and first lady Laura Bush will visit Benin, Ghana and Tanzania — three of Africa’s most stable countries — as well as Liberia and Rwanda, which have emerged from civil wars. By all accounts, Bush has done more to combat the AIDS pandemic that has devastated Africa than any other president, and even his harshest critics usually credit him for paying attention to a region often neglected by Washington. His five-year, $15 billion AIDS relief plan is the largest-ever international health initiative devoted to one disease, raising the number of people on anti-retroviral treatments from 50,000 to 1.3 million. And while Much of the world has soured on the United States, a surveys by the Pew Global Attitudes Project show that Africa is one place where it is held in high regard.

The White House says the trip is an opportunity to demonstrate US commitment to these countries and to Africa in general.

Liberia might be choosen as location for Africom...

2008-02-15T18:46:00.003-06:00

President Bush, embarking on his second trip to Africa on Friday said that Liberia might be chosen to be a new location of U.S. military command for Africa, local mass media reported Friday.President Bush said the possible shift of the U.S. military command for Africa to the continent from its current home in Germany will be on the agenda as he meets with leaders of five African countries.
"If there is going to be a physical presence on the continent of Africa in the forms of a headquarters ... obviously we would seriously consider Liberia," Bush said in an interview with foreign media on Thursday and released on Friday. The U.S. attention to Africa has been growing in recently years amid concerns that some African countries could become safe havens for militants seeking to base operations and plan attacks on the United States.Liberia has publicly offered to host a headquarters, while other African powers like Nigeria, and South Africa, have reservations about where the command would be based and whether it would give the U.S. too much influence.
Mainwhile back in Liberia, the Government has accelerated a major clean-up of the capital, Monrovia, ahead of President Bush's visit to Liberia on February 21,The main streets are being swept and makeshift structures on the roadside are being demolished.
While America's standing in much of the world has diminished because of the Iraq war and other Bush administration policies, A recent Pew poll of 47 nations found that America's popularity is exceptionally high in Africa, where some hold the U.S. in higher regard than Americans do themselves, America's popularity verges on exuberance especially in Liberia,a nation founded in 1847 by freed U.S. slaves, many Liberians remember the sight of U.S. warships off the Liberian coast and Bush's call for former President Charles Taylor, accused of orchestrating war crimes, to leave, they believe that president bush was very instrumental in helping to end the the Liberian civil war. Liberians are also grateful to Bush for the recent cancellation of the country's debt.

So funny.....

2008-02-13T23:06:00.002-06:00

I found this funny video of comedy central's Jon Stewart making fun of Liberia and former dictator Charles Taylor, and i just had to share it.

enjoy folks.