Farcon News

12/06/2024

Civil Society Group Demands Dismissal of Deputy Health Minister's Special Assistant Amid Corruption Allegations.

The Coalition of Youths & Students for Better Liberia (COYSBL), a civil society organization, has called for the immediate removal of Abraham Jusu, Special Assistant to the Deputy Health Minister for Administration, Martha Morris.

Jusu, a former B**g County Health Services Administrator, faces accusations of corruption and financial misconduct raised by residents of B**g County. Allegations include his involvement in the misappropriation of funds earmarked for a clinic in Gbondoi Town.

An article published in the FrontPage Africa February 27, 2023 edition implicates Jusu in the disappearance of $107,176.00 intended for a clinic in Gbondoi Town. COYSBL alleges that Jusu opened an account for the Gbondoi Clinic but failed to initiate construction. Instead, funds were diverted and misused. Additionally, it is reported that Jusu conspired with others to redirect funds for personal gain.

COYSBL spokesperson Edrick Newmah stressed the imperative of removing Jusu from the Ministry of Health. He emphasized that his continued presence would damage the ministry's reputation and hinder its efficiency.

Newmah stated that COYSBL would communicate its demands for Jusu's dismissal to Health Minister Dr. Kpoto within 72 hours.

Jusu reportedly has a record of professional misconduct. He was dismissed from his previous public service role at the General Auditing Commission (GAC) for mismanaging an institution vehicle and fabricating an accident. Moreover, Abraham Jusu was chased out of Tappita hospital by the citizens and protest actions by doctors for alleged corruption, abuse of health workers and mismanagement of the hospital prior to him taking over as County Health Administrator.

COYSBL firmly believes that Jusu's immediate dismissal is crucial for maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the Ministry of Health. The spokesperson said his organization will pursue further action if Deputy Health Minister Morris fails to act promptly.

By: Alfred Kollie, [email protected]

02/05/2023

Nigerian Superstar Tiwa Savage set to perform at King Charles III's coronation

Nigeria-born music sensation, Tiwa Savage, has been invited to perform at the coronation of the British monarch, King Charles III. This historical event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the famous Westminster Abbey in London, England.

Tiwa Savage’s performance will come along with various other celebrities such as DJ Pete Tong, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith, Steve Winwood, Lang Lang, Lucy among others. This coronation ceremony follows the death of Queen Elizabeth II, mother to King Charles III. The crowning will see the official ascent of King Charles III to the throne alongside Queen Consort, Camilla.

Tiwa Savage's invitation to perform at the coronation is a significant achievement that will make her the first Nigerian artist to receive such an honor. Several African performers will also grace the concert with Tiwa Savage being among the few.

The organizers of the coronation expressed excitement over Tiwa Savage's selection, stating that she was chosen because of her uniqueness in blending African and Western sound.

02/05/2023

02/05/2023

02/05/2023

US Ambassador to Liberia denies interference allegations made by Senate Pro-Temp

The US Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy, has denied allegations made by Senate Pro-Temp Albert Chie of interfering with the politics of Liberia. Chie had accused McCarthy of spreading lies about the government to help strengthen the opposition in the upcoming elections.

Addressing a large crowd of supporters in Grand Kru County, Chie had claimed that McCarthy was working to undermine democracy in Liberia by lying about the government's policies. He also alleged that the diplomat had been recalled by Washington for interfering in the country's politics.

However, the US Embassy in Liberia has categorically denied these allegations, stating that Ambassador McCarthy has been working within the scope of his position to support the democratic process in Liberia.

In a statement, the embassy said, "We strongly reject any suggestion that Ambassador McCarthy is interfering in Liberia's politics. We continue to support the government and the people of Liberia as they work to build a stronger democracy."

The allegations come at a critical time for Liberia, as the country prepares for elections later this year. It is important for the country to conduct free and fair elections, and any suggestion of external interference could have serious implications.

The US has been a longstanding ally of Liberia, providing support for the country's development and democratic institutions. The US Embassy's denial of meddling in Liberia's politics is therefore significant, as it underscores the commitment of the international community to a stable and democratic Liberia.

02/05/2023

Presidential Aspirant Alexander Cummings Defends His Refusal to Join Corrupt Opposition Empires

Collaborating Political Parties standard bearer Alexander Cummings has spoken out against critics who question his political ambitions due to his refusal to join corrupt opposition empires. Addressing newsmen yesterday in Monrovia, Mr. Cummings slammed those who have criticized him for not aligning with certain political parties and emphasized his commitment to bringing real change to Liberia.

Addressing concerns about his experience and qualifications, Cummings stated that some Liberians see his lack of political connections as a weakness. However, he argued that his distance from corrupt political networks is a strength that sets him apart from other candidates.

While acknowledging that the challenges facing Liberia are significant, Cummings expressed optimism about his ability to lead the country toward a brighter future. He vowed to tackle issues of poverty and corruption head-on, declaring that real change is possible and necessary.

Cummings also aimed at the current CDC-led government, which he claims has failed to improve the lives of ordinary Liberians. He pointed to high levels of poverty and corruption as evidence that the current administration is not serving the people.

As his campaign for the presidency continues, Alexander Cummings is hoping to win the support of Liberians who are looking for a leader with integrity and a commitment to genuine change. Though some may doubt his ability to succeed, Cummings is determined to prove his detractors wrong and to fight for a better future for the people of Liberia.

02/05/2023

Liberian President Replaces Post and Telecommunications Minister in Light of Opposition Ties

In a surprise announcement on Monday, May 1, 2023, President George Weah nominated Cllr. Worlea-Saywah Dunah as Minister of Post and Telecommunications, replacing Cooper Kruah. The move comes just days after Kruah was seen at the headquarters of the Unity Party.

Kruah, who was chairman of the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction and pledged support for Weah's re-election bid, attended the Unity Party event where former Vice President Joseph Boakai announced Senator Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County as his running mate. The move was seen as a blow to the CDC party's efforts to maintain support in Nimba County, a key constituency.

Dunah, an experienced public servant and administrator who previously served as District #7 Representative, Nimba County, and former Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives from 2006-2018, has been lauded for his leadership skills and is expected to steer the post and telecoms sector towards greater efficiency and service delivery.

The president's decision to replace Kruah with Dunah, who also hails from Nimba County, could be seen as a strategic move to shore up support in the county. With the Unity Party gaining momentum and the upcoming election looming, every vote count, and Weah's decision to replace Kruah with a popular figure from the county could be a bid to gain favor with voters.

The appointment of the new minister is seen as a sign that President Weah is taking a hard line on loyalty within his government.

President Weah seeks to maintain a competitive edge over his opponents and his decision to replace Kruah with Dunah could prove to be a savvy political move.

The appointment of Cllr. Dunah is likely to be seen as a positive move by supporters of the ruling party.

30/04/2023

Representative Gray demand the resignation of Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Cooper Kruah.

In a Facebook post, Gray labeled Kruah a "dangerous sellout" and urged him to step down immediately. The representative accused Kruah of being a "political polytheist" and a "quisling," highlighting the severity of his alleged betrayal.

These accusations have sparked concern among members of the public regarding the legitimacy of the administration. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the representative call for action and whether Kruah will step down from his post.

27/04/2023

The Liberty Party has announced that Unity Party standard-bearer, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai, has chosen to select his running mate for the upcoming 2023 presidential election outside of the Liberty Party.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, during a meeting with the executive leadership of the Liberty Party.

The news was received with mixed reactions among the party executives, as many had anticipated that Boakai would choose his running mate from within the Liberty Party.

In response to the announcement, the executive leadership of the Liberty Party has unanimously resolved to consult with its various constituents across the country and in the diaspora before providing a clear direction for its partisans and supporters.

The consultations have already begun, and the public will be informed of the Party's decision in due course.

The Liberty Party urged all its supporters to remain calm during this period of consultation, stating that the Party's focus remains on working with like-minded forces to bring positive change to the governance of Liberia.

The Party also reiterated its commitment to putting the interest of the country ahead of personal ambition or loyalty to an individual.

Meanwhile, the public has expressed their approval for a Boakai-Nyonblee ticket, based on various opinion polls conducted in the past.

It remains to be seen who Boakai will choose as his running mate on Friday, April 28, 2023, but the Liberty Party has made it clear that it will continue to work with other forces to provide a new direction for the country.

27/04/2023

The government of Liberia, under the leadership of President George M Weah, has made good on its promise to renovate military barracks across the country.

In addition to the renovations, the government is also building 25 new structures as part of its commitment to improving the living conditions of the country's military personnel.

The Ministry of National Defense has overseen the project, with the Engineering Company of the Armed Forces of Liberia carrying out the work. Completed buildings have already been unveiled at the RIA and Coast Guard Barracks, offering comfortable and modern facilities for the country's security forces.

Construction work is also ongoing in several counties across the country. B**g, Bassa, Lofa, and Grand Gedeh Counties are currently benefitting from the renovation project, which is designed to improve the infrastructure of military barracks and ensure that personnel has everything they need to carry out their duties effectively.

The efforts of the government and the Engineering Company of the Armed Forces of Liberia have been praised by citizens and military personnel alike. The completed buildings are a testament to the quality of work being carried out, and the commitment of the government to improving the lives of those who serve the country.

27/04/2023

U.S. Ambassador to Liberia Michael A. McCarthy has expressed concern over the lack of funding for county hospitals and service centers in Liberia.

Following visits to every county in the country over the past three weeks, McCarthy discovered that hospitals, which rely on government appropriations to operate, did not receive a single penny of their 2022 budget allocation of over US$100,000.

The lack of alarm raised over the issue indicates a syndicate involving players at the legislature, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The dire situation facing hospitals also casts doubt over the government's ability to operate Liberia's new US$40 million state-of-the-art National Reference Laboratory when completed.

Alongside county hospitals, service centers have also fallen victim to the government's lack of funding. McCarthy found that most county service centers had not received their budget allocation of around US$13,333 in 2022, with some centers unable to print marriage certificates for four years due to a broken printer. Despite the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) receiving increased revenues for the past four years, the lack of funding for vital public services suggests a disconnect between central and county government officials.

McCarthy called for additional funding for county hospitals and primary education, which he says would make a big difference and improve the lives of Liberia's poorest citizens.

27/04/2023

Liberia Clarifies US Ambassador's Statement on Healthcare and Education Centers

The Government of Liberia has responded to concerns raised by U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy regarding the state of some health and education centers in rural areas of the country, asserting that the narrative presented was inaccurate. In a press statement released on Monday, April 24, Ambassador McCarthy highlighted Liberia's efforts to decentralize its development, particularly in the health and education sectors, but the Liberian government maintains that the claim of a lack of government funding for essential services is false.

The Weah Administration, which has prioritized investing in critical infrastructure in health and education, received acclaim from bilateral and multilateral partners for its efforts. The government acknowledges that there is room for improvement, but healthcare coverage has been a key focus in expanding efforts to meet the needs of millions of Liberians while honing the skills of service providers. The recently concluded 3rd International Symposium for Community Health Workers, hosted in Monrovia with speakers from the World Bank and the Global Financing Facility, cited Liberia as a powerful example of building a healthy workforce.

Furthermore, the government has set up a revolving fund to address the perennial problem of drug shortages at some facilities, while also strengthening the free and compulsory primary education initiative and developing standard curriculums to improve students' performance.

Regarding the allocation and disbursement of funds, the government emphasized that the U.S. $60 million mentioned by Ambassador McCarthy was not entirely going to the Liberian government, but instead, only a small fraction of Government-to-Government support was disbursed directly to the government after proof of performance. The rest was expended through USAID's funding mechanisms.

At the same time, the Liberian government remains grateful for the support it has received from all development partners, including the U.S. government, which has agreed to construct a National Reference Lab in the country. The government has assured the U.S. government of its full preparedness to run the facility when it is completed in a few years.

Data from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, validated by the Ministry of Health, showed proof of cash disbursement to health facilities nationwide for the year ended FY2022. The summary also provided clarification on the actual disbursements and the mode of disbursement to health centers and the reporting requirements to correct the assertions made in the Ambassador's press statement that no funding was reaching healthcare centers.

Under FY2022, over US$7.2 million was disbursed to more than 70 hospitals, clinics, and health centers across Liberia. This amount represents operational activities and excludes salaries of employees, rent, drugs, and vaccines that are provided by the central government through the National Budget or with assistance from development partners. The top 10 receivers in the report account for about US$3.8 million, or 59 percent of the total US$7.2 million disbursed.

Minister Ledgerhood J. Rennie's press statement, highlights the government's dedication to investing in critical health infrastructure across the country as well as human capital development. Liberia values its longstanding partnership with the U.S. government and believes that open communication between both governments is essential to the sustenance of their historical tie.