On Tuesday, January 19, 2010 one of a four-man delegation from Nordic (Norwegian) parliament arrived in Liberia to visit some of United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) sponsored programs in the country, especially the Sexual Gender-based Violence (SGBV) project.
The Nordic parliamentarian, Peter N. Myhre, along with Madam Esperance Fundira, UNFPA resident representative, visited Touching Humanity in Need of Kindness (THINK Inc) SGBV clinic in Du Port Road Clinic compound in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.
The THINK Inc, which along with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare are implementing partners of a UNFPA project, Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) Training and Services, which had already been carried out in four counties, Montserrado, Bomi, Nimba and Lofa, from June 2008 to December 31, 2009. The project was aimed at helping rape victims.
The CMR objectives were capacity building and training of clinical staff on the clinical management of rape, community awareness on the referral and clinical services and institutional strengthening of THINK to provide clinical services of rape survivors.
Madam Fundira, in her welcome remarks, acknowledged how critical the issue of rape is in Liberia, indicating that victims range from three years to adults. She added that the issue is of priority to the United Nations (UN) with the Nordic parliament playing a pivotal role.
She said that because of the critical nature of rape, the United Nations had joined programs with the Government of Liberia on Sexual and Gender-based Violence which comprises of five pillars, namely, coordination, health, psychosocial counseling, legal intervention and protection.
Madam Fundira lauded THINK for the their efforts in the health and psychosocial counseling in helping victims of rape from not only in Montserrado but also from other leeward counties that make referrals to them.
The UNFPA Liberia boss highlighted a number of other UN agencies which have been supportive to the CRM project and in combating SGBV, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), among others.
She further thanked the Nordic countries such as Denmark, The Netherland and Sweden, among others, for the support and funding that the UNFPA had been receiving and which had enabled them to reach out to the girls who are in need.
Also speaking at the gathering was Mrs. Rosanna D. H. Schaack, Executive Director of the THINK. She thanked the donors for their efforts in supporting the organization but stressed the need for more staffers at the THINK-operated clinic which, she disclosed, receives about 60 to 70 cases per month.
She added that THINK, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with funding from the UNFPA in 2009 identified a gap in clinical management that prompted a clinical management training in which the 60 health workers in three counties benefited by receiving reproductive health and rape kits.
She made mention of a ‘safe house’ for victims whose parents cannot afford to feed them while on their drugs.
Mr. Myhre, in his statement, appreciated the effort of the UNFPA in supporting the project.
In an interaction with journalists, Myhre said that his government was supporting such project because its security, especially for the young people, is fundamental for a prosperous society.
“Therefore,” Myhre said of his government’s support, “this is some initiative which is very important to maintain the good work and transforming Liberia into a country where there is security for all.”
He added that the purpose of their visit to Liberia is to get an overview of the country and the people that are working toward the development of this nation.
He added that monitoring the SGBV in the different counties where his country provides support, will help in the improvement of programs to meet the needs of victims of the SGBV program.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, October 26, 2009
AACC Hosts Youth, Climate Change Dialogue
On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the Action Against Climate Change (AACC) Liberia held a climate dialogue with youths as well as other development organization in preparation for the Copenhagen climate conference which will commence on December 6, 2009 in Germany.
Speaking during the introduction of the program in the reading room of the Liberia Resource center (LRC), Mr. Yurfee Shaikerlee, Director of AACC, said the change of climate is real, though it may not be felt in Liberia as much as it is in other countries, but there are storms and floods that have devastated many countries around Liberia.
He stressed other climate change effects such as drought and famine which last week compelled Ethiopia to ask food of the United Nations (UN) for about 6.2 million of its citizens.
He further added that the advocacy for climate change is not a new thing, it started since the 90s up to date and it is still our hands and they will go to Copenhagen and tell the world leaders to cut emission.
“We are facing the impact just as other countries, it may not be as severe as theirs, but the conference is coming up in December. There’s going to be a lot of talking with world leaders and organizations and we supposed to be there too. And we will be telling them that we want people to stop heavy pollution,” Shaikerlee said.
He pointed out that if people are adding pollutants to climate change is like shifting a matter from worse to ridiculous.
“We just got through with a case that we’ve been involved with firestone, there’s a community that people have died, that a child was born with one arm and we’ve been into that talking about that pollution.
Climate change, when people are adding to it, is like adding gasoline or anything flammable to cut a fire out and burn the house,” he said.
He said that AACC wants people to stop doing that and urged industrial nations which are heavy pollutants to cut down some of the things that they are doing.
Also addressing the students at the program, Madame Rosemary Ernie, of the society for women empowerment education and training (SWEET), working along side AACC said that climate is one of the biggest challenges humanity is facing or have ever faced.
She said that Liberia like any other country in African country those not bear the causes of climate change because emission is very low in Liberia but the problem is being caused by advance countries like the USA, Japan, China and India among others.
“but we can not sit back and say that because they are the ones causing the problem then we have something to do; we have our part to play. Because even here if we look around our waste management is poor,” Madame Ernie said.
She further said that China and India are shifting blames of the climate change we face today on those industrialized nations during the industrial revolution.
Another speaker, Heather Cannon-Winkelman, doing research in Liberia, said that the Liberian forest have reduce from 90 percent land coverage to less than 50 percent land coverage with in five decades.
She said that this reduction was done because a lot of people have coal pot to cook with so they needed char coal.
“960,000 trees are being cut down every year just for those type purposes. That what is happening,” she said.
Speaking during the introduction of the program in the reading room of the Liberia Resource center (LRC), Mr. Yurfee Shaikerlee, Director of AACC, said the change of climate is real, though it may not be felt in Liberia as much as it is in other countries, but there are storms and floods that have devastated many countries around Liberia.
He stressed other climate change effects such as drought and famine which last week compelled Ethiopia to ask food of the United Nations (UN) for about 6.2 million of its citizens.
He further added that the advocacy for climate change is not a new thing, it started since the 90s up to date and it is still our hands and they will go to Copenhagen and tell the world leaders to cut emission.
“We are facing the impact just as other countries, it may not be as severe as theirs, but the conference is coming up in December. There’s going to be a lot of talking with world leaders and organizations and we supposed to be there too. And we will be telling them that we want people to stop heavy pollution,” Shaikerlee said.
He pointed out that if people are adding pollutants to climate change is like shifting a matter from worse to ridiculous.
“We just got through with a case that we’ve been involved with firestone, there’s a community that people have died, that a child was born with one arm and we’ve been into that talking about that pollution.
Climate change, when people are adding to it, is like adding gasoline or anything flammable to cut a fire out and burn the house,” he said.
He said that AACC wants people to stop doing that and urged industrial nations which are heavy pollutants to cut down some of the things that they are doing.
Also addressing the students at the program, Madame Rosemary Ernie, of the society for women empowerment education and training (SWEET), working along side AACC said that climate is one of the biggest challenges humanity is facing or have ever faced.
She said that Liberia like any other country in African country those not bear the causes of climate change because emission is very low in Liberia but the problem is being caused by advance countries like the USA, Japan, China and India among others.
“but we can not sit back and say that because they are the ones causing the problem then we have something to do; we have our part to play. Because even here if we look around our waste management is poor,” Madame Ernie said.
She further said that China and India are shifting blames of the climate change we face today on those industrialized nations during the industrial revolution.
Another speaker, Heather Cannon-Winkelman, doing research in Liberia, said that the Liberian forest have reduce from 90 percent land coverage to less than 50 percent land coverage with in five decades.
She said that this reduction was done because a lot of people have coal pot to cook with so they needed char coal.
“960,000 trees are being cut down every year just for those type purposes. That what is happening,” she said.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Culture Village Ground Breaks
Bong County Senator Franklin Siakor, on Tuesday September 29 broke Ground in Dimeh Bomi County, for a construction of a culture village in honor of Liberia’s Culture Legend the late Bai T. Moore.
Doing the ceremony the Youthful senator remanded Liberian of their compulsion in upholding their cultural heritage.
He recounted the efforts and contributions of the late Bai T. Moore in promoting and educating the young people of Liberia about their cultural heritage of the country.
He made an initial contribution of 20 bags of cement and urged Liberians to contribute massively to the realization of the project.
Senator Siakor also appealed to Liberians throughout the country to practice their own culture because according to him it is a symbol of unity.
For his part Momo Rogers’s former deputy Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, currently serving as deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs hailed the late Bai T Moore as one of the finest spices the country could boost of in the history of the country.
Mr. Rogers lauded the work of the former deputy Minister of Information culture and research Bai T. Moore for his remarkable role played in the area of cultural research at the Ministry of information. He also made a contribution of US$200 for the construction of the Culture Village in honor of the late culture hero of the country. “The late Bai T. Moore was more then a father to me while he was serving the information Ministry of Information in 1979,” Mr. Rogers averred in a passionate tone.
Making remarks, the wife of the late Bai T. Moor, Gillian Lorba Moore thanked everyone for recognizing the sacrifice her late husband made to the country in the areas of culture. She added by saying: “thank you for leaving your basic schedules to be a part of this ground breaking ceremony; it signifies that those who work harder will surely be appreciated for their works.”
Doing the ceremony the Youthful senator remanded Liberian of their compulsion in upholding their cultural heritage.
He recounted the efforts and contributions of the late Bai T. Moore in promoting and educating the young people of Liberia about their cultural heritage of the country.
He made an initial contribution of 20 bags of cement and urged Liberians to contribute massively to the realization of the project.
Senator Siakor also appealed to Liberians throughout the country to practice their own culture because according to him it is a symbol of unity.
For his part Momo Rogers’s former deputy Minister of Information Culture and Tourism, currently serving as deputy Minister of State for Presidential Affairs hailed the late Bai T Moore as one of the finest spices the country could boost of in the history of the country.
Mr. Rogers lauded the work of the former deputy Minister of Information culture and research Bai T. Moore for his remarkable role played in the area of cultural research at the Ministry of information. He also made a contribution of US$200 for the construction of the Culture Village in honor of the late culture hero of the country. “The late Bai T. Moore was more then a father to me while he was serving the information Ministry of Information in 1979,” Mr. Rogers averred in a passionate tone.
Making remarks, the wife of the late Bai T. Moor, Gillian Lorba Moore thanked everyone for recognizing the sacrifice her late husband made to the country in the areas of culture. She added by saying: “thank you for leaving your basic schedules to be a part of this ground breaking ceremony; it signifies that those who work harder will surely be appreciated for their works.”
LNP Override Court’s Jurisdiction
Authorities at the Liberian National Police (LNP), a subset of the Ministry of Justice responsible to combat crimes in the country, have themselves been brought to the spotlight for defying the orders of the Monrovia City Court, after a verdict against the illegal search of Nigerian house.
Judge Nelson Chineh of the Monrovia City court, in a ruling brought down on July 28, 2009 he sustained that the properties of Michael Efe Igho the defendant were seized illegally and should therefore be turned over to him.
The home of defendant Igho was ‘illegally’ allegedly searched on the 20th of July 2009 by Sam Gaballah, Raffel A. Wilson one Issac and others to be identified all being Officers of LNP and away US$2,650, one brand new apache motorbike valued US$1,600 and at least 14,000 Euros after they had gone to effectuate an arrest of alleged burglary committed by the Defendant.
Lead defense Lawyer Cllr. Emmanuel B. James had argued before the court that his Client’s home was illegally searched and properties seized in violation of the Constitution, which is the organic law of the land.
Cllr. James told the court that his Client’s rights was violated by the officers who raided the house without search warrant, searching and snatching away property and money without respect to the rule of law.
The prosecution had also argued that the action of the LNP was not a violation of any statue. The prosecution represented by City Solicitor Sam T. Solomon indicated before the court that the LNP had gone to the home of the defendant in ‘Hot’ pursuit of an alleged criminal who had committed the act of burglary on the premises of Eddie Textile situated at Waterside, the City of Monrovia. The prosecution further denied in total the submission of the defendant about properties seized from his home.
After entertaining arguments from both sides Judge Nelson B. Chineh in his final ruling said: “these are the contentions of the parties before this court, which required passing for the settlement of this information.”
The Judge further added: “let us first look at what the constitution has to say; article 21 sub-paragraph B. of the 1986 constitution states, “ No person shall be subject to search and seizure of his person or property, whether on a criminal charge or for any purpose unless upon warrant lawfully issued upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.”
The judge further intimated that for the fact that the police did not proceed to the Defendant’s resident on the same day or the day after prior to the commission of the crime the prosecution’s assertion that it had gone in ‘Hot’ pursuit of the defendant was also a violation of the laws of the state.
Chineh indicated that even if the LNP had gone to the Defendant’s home with a search warrant the court is the legal arm in a trial that is clothed with the authority to keep or possess the properties of the Defendant.
“Wherefore, and in view of the foregoing, it is holding of this court that the information field by the informant before this court, be and same is hereby sustained in part,” the judge averred.
“The state is hereby ordered to return to this court all properties all properties seized from the informant, who is believed to be in connection to the burglary case. As those items which have no bearing on the burglary case in connection with the police findings must be returned to the person from whom it was seized and is hereby so ordered.”
Since the ruling of the Court and evident by a letter from the court to the minister of Justice the LNP had failed to adhere and respect same.
Judge Nelson Chineh of the Monrovia City court, in a ruling brought down on July 28, 2009 he sustained that the properties of Michael Efe Igho the defendant were seized illegally and should therefore be turned over to him.
The home of defendant Igho was ‘illegally’ allegedly searched on the 20th of July 2009 by Sam Gaballah, Raffel A. Wilson one Issac and others to be identified all being Officers of LNP and away US$2,650, one brand new apache motorbike valued US$1,600 and at least 14,000 Euros after they had gone to effectuate an arrest of alleged burglary committed by the Defendant.
Lead defense Lawyer Cllr. Emmanuel B. James had argued before the court that his Client’s home was illegally searched and properties seized in violation of the Constitution, which is the organic law of the land.
Cllr. James told the court that his Client’s rights was violated by the officers who raided the house without search warrant, searching and snatching away property and money without respect to the rule of law.
The prosecution had also argued that the action of the LNP was not a violation of any statue. The prosecution represented by City Solicitor Sam T. Solomon indicated before the court that the LNP had gone to the home of the defendant in ‘Hot’ pursuit of an alleged criminal who had committed the act of burglary on the premises of Eddie Textile situated at Waterside, the City of Monrovia. The prosecution further denied in total the submission of the defendant about properties seized from his home.
After entertaining arguments from both sides Judge Nelson B. Chineh in his final ruling said: “these are the contentions of the parties before this court, which required passing for the settlement of this information.”
The Judge further added: “let us first look at what the constitution has to say; article 21 sub-paragraph B. of the 1986 constitution states, “ No person shall be subject to search and seizure of his person or property, whether on a criminal charge or for any purpose unless upon warrant lawfully issued upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation.”
The judge further intimated that for the fact that the police did not proceed to the Defendant’s resident on the same day or the day after prior to the commission of the crime the prosecution’s assertion that it had gone in ‘Hot’ pursuit of the defendant was also a violation of the laws of the state.
Chineh indicated that even if the LNP had gone to the Defendant’s home with a search warrant the court is the legal arm in a trial that is clothed with the authority to keep or possess the properties of the Defendant.
“Wherefore, and in view of the foregoing, it is holding of this court that the information field by the informant before this court, be and same is hereby sustained in part,” the judge averred.
“The state is hereby ordered to return to this court all properties all properties seized from the informant, who is believed to be in connection to the burglary case. As those items which have no bearing on the burglary case in connection with the police findings must be returned to the person from whom it was seized and is hereby so ordered.”
Since the ruling of the Court and evident by a letter from the court to the minister of Justice the LNP had failed to adhere and respect same.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Narcotics Ghettos Overwhelms Monrovia
Despite the danger it poses on the health and thoughts of many youngsters, narcotics are flowing on the Liberian street especially in central Monrovia where a higher lever of national security offices is concentrated.
The problem of drug abuse in Liberia goes beyond just the users. Farmers are tempted to grow cannabis rather than other crops because profits are higher and the drug can be trafficked relatively easily throughout the region, 100km and 150km from Monrovia.
The Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) in June of this year simultaneously disposed of a huge consignment of narcotic drugs valued over L$24million in the 15 political sub-division of the country.
In April of this year, DEA agents in Greenville, Sinoe County accused some law enforcement officers in the county of aiding drug traffickers.
Apart from the cannabis grown in rural Liberia other synthetic drugs such as cocaine, Italian White, Dugee, morphine among others are found on the streets of Monrovia.
Some of the areas pin-pointed for harboring narcotics Ghetto include trench town, Mechlin street, the west point, the redlight and center street where the ghetto is located not more than 25 kilometer away from the police metro one depot.
Information gathered in the area indicated that the police and the drugs dealers in central Monrovia are in a very close tie and ghettos hardly get raid.
According to an informant, who preferred anonymity, the only time ghettos get raided is when an order is issued from headquarters for a general raid which last took place in January of this year.
Besides the general raid, the police often visit some of the ghettos on Self Interest Operations SIOs at which time the narcotics dealers organized some funds for them.
For the ghetto at center street there is more than one dealer. Each of these dealers operates on certain day of the week in other to get their product going.
At least the lowest as amount paid for a piece of crack is settle at an amount of 280 Liberian dollars a piece.
The problem of drug abuse in Liberia goes beyond just the users. Farmers are tempted to grow cannabis rather than other crops because profits are higher and the drug can be trafficked relatively easily throughout the region, 100km and 150km from Monrovia.
The Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) in June of this year simultaneously disposed of a huge consignment of narcotic drugs valued over L$24million in the 15 political sub-division of the country.
In April of this year, DEA agents in Greenville, Sinoe County accused some law enforcement officers in the county of aiding drug traffickers.
Apart from the cannabis grown in rural Liberia other synthetic drugs such as cocaine, Italian White, Dugee, morphine among others are found on the streets of Monrovia.
Some of the areas pin-pointed for harboring narcotics Ghetto include trench town, Mechlin street, the west point, the redlight and center street where the ghetto is located not more than 25 kilometer away from the police metro one depot.
Information gathered in the area indicated that the police and the drugs dealers in central Monrovia are in a very close tie and ghettos hardly get raid.
According to an informant, who preferred anonymity, the only time ghettos get raided is when an order is issued from headquarters for a general raid which last took place in January of this year.
Besides the general raid, the police often visit some of the ghettos on Self Interest Operations SIOs at which time the narcotics dealers organized some funds for them.
For the ghetto at center street there is more than one dealer. Each of these dealers operates on certain day of the week in other to get their product going.
At least the lowest as amount paid for a piece of crack is settle at an amount of 280 Liberian dollars a piece.
60 Health Practitioners Get Neonatal Training
The ministry of health in collaboration with the Latter-Day Saints Charities yesterday began a two day Mid-level Neonatal resuscitation training in order to reduce the higher rates of maternal death as well as neonatal death.
The workshop was stage at the latter-day saints church on the Horton avenue opposite St. Simon Baptist school.
According to the Ministry’s director of family health services, Dr. Saye D. Bawoo, the rate of neonatal death remains high in Liberia and the training was aimed at preparing up to 60 health practitioners.
“In spite of the global decline we are experiencing in less than five mortality rates, neonatal mortality rate remains unchanged. Neonatal mortality constitute about two-third of the deaths that occurred in infants,” he said.
He pointed out that infection which constitutes 47%, Births at home contributing 29% and premature birth accounting for 24% of neonatal mortality in Liberia.
The infections that bring about neonatal mortality according to Dr. Bawoo include tetanus, pneumonia and diarrhea among others.
Dr. Bernice Dawn also speaking at the training workshop said that the participants in the work shop would be assigned at about health facilities around the country.
She rated the maternal mortality as ratio 10 deaths to every 1,000 women that give birth and neonatal mortality is three times more at 32 deaths to every 1000 infants that are delivered.
She urged the participant to be agents of change to reduce the mortalities rate in the country.
She said that the training will help take the task from the traditional mid wives to professions adding that there would be mentors assign to each of the trainees to help them to cope up with the training they would receive.
Meanwhile, the Latter-day Charities, facilitators of the training, said that at the end of the training each of the participants will be presented resuscitation kit.
One importance of the resuscitation training is that many at times when babies are bore there can be fluid in the air way which could be fatal leading to death.
The workshop was stage at the latter-day saints church on the Horton avenue opposite St. Simon Baptist school.
According to the Ministry’s director of family health services, Dr. Saye D. Bawoo, the rate of neonatal death remains high in Liberia and the training was aimed at preparing up to 60 health practitioners.
“In spite of the global decline we are experiencing in less than five mortality rates, neonatal mortality rate remains unchanged. Neonatal mortality constitute about two-third of the deaths that occurred in infants,” he said.
He pointed out that infection which constitutes 47%, Births at home contributing 29% and premature birth accounting for 24% of neonatal mortality in Liberia.
The infections that bring about neonatal mortality according to Dr. Bawoo include tetanus, pneumonia and diarrhea among others.
Dr. Bernice Dawn also speaking at the training workshop said that the participants in the work shop would be assigned at about health facilities around the country.
She rated the maternal mortality as ratio 10 deaths to every 1,000 women that give birth and neonatal mortality is three times more at 32 deaths to every 1000 infants that are delivered.
She urged the participant to be agents of change to reduce the mortalities rate in the country.
She said that the training will help take the task from the traditional mid wives to professions adding that there would be mentors assign to each of the trainees to help them to cope up with the training they would receive.
Meanwhile, the Latter-day Charities, facilitators of the training, said that at the end of the training each of the participants will be presented resuscitation kit.
One importance of the resuscitation training is that many at times when babies are bore there can be fluid in the air way which could be fatal leading to death.
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