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

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.....

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.......

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..............

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.....

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.............

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......

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.