26/07/2023
176Yrs, More Challenges Than Progress
For days of fond memories and several other intrinsic reasons, the peerless and magnificent black Queen of Africa relentlessly asserted proactive efforts, especially to ensure that days like these would have been venerated with honest smile on the faces of her kids, and with countless of reasons to do so without regret or disappointment.
The quest was never to have a space where uncertainty will hang over almost everything, or a synonymous floccinaucinihilipilification like unreliability, but a space where choice or alternative exists.
The founding of Liberia in the early 1800s was motivated by the domestic politics of slavery and race in the United States as well as by U.S. foreign policy interests. In 1816, a group of white Americans founded the American Colonization Society (ACS) to deal with the “problem” of the growing number of free blacks in the United States by resettling them in Africa. But Liberians’ aspiration for total freedom was guaranteed on July 26, 1847.
With the observance of today, July 26, 2023, it’s exactly 176 years since the country’s independence and it’s a proven fact that all of the struggles were driven by the fervent desire to ensure a new dawn, a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious LIberia,
a LIberia of inclusiveness, economic stability, job creation, food sufficiency, as well as a vibrant educational, health, security, infrastructure, and agricultural sectors.
Sadly, all of the above are still imagination, especially as the country continues to crumble with them, with absolutely nothing substantive to prove that it will actually be actualized or becomes an actuality.
These have left Liberians, especially those with like minds and desire to fulfill their dreams, with skepticism and curiosity as to possibilities of achieving their full potentials.
Liberia has had a turbulent history since its foundation, which has hampered its progress as a nation. Growth in the country’s political and economic structures has been constrained by failed leadership.
At 176, the country remains confronted with lots of challenges such as preparing a productive human capital to run its abundant natural resources that have been either mismanaged or left discarded without anticipated development dividends.
In a World Bank Poverty & Equity Brief on
Africa Western & Central, Liberia specifically in April 2021, Poverty in Liberia remains widespread, with more than half of the population 50.9 percent below the national poverty line, according to the 2016 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.
This translates into roughly 2.3 million Liberians who were unable to meet their basic needs. Around 68 percent of the country's poor live in rural areas where poverty incidence is 71.6 percent, more than twice as high as in cities (31.5 percent).
In addition, 44 percent of the population lived under the extreme international poverty line of $1.90 per day. Poverty in Liberia is projected to increase over the next few years, driven by increasing food prices, lower commodity prices for minerals, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The proportion of poor households living below the international poverty line of US$1.9/day (2011 PPP) is projected to increase to 52 percent in 2021. While it is difficult to gauge precisely the welfare impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, households are expected to be affected neg*tively due to potential impact on employment, particularly the non-farm self-employed in urban areas, high food prices, restrictions on trade, and losses either in terms of the sale of productive assets or consumption of working capital as they try to cope.
The World Bank round of the household survey about 60 percent reported paying higher prices for basic and staple food items. The business/firm track of the survey also showed significant revenue losses for businesses, and jobs to the employees.
Inequality remains relatively low, with a National Gini Index of 33 in 2016, one of the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Keeping inequality at such low levels will depend not only on growth patterns, but on how well the existing safety net programs target the poorest segment of the population.
In the business environment, some business leaders report that it is difficult even to meet with government representatives to discuss new investment or policies damaging to the business climate.
A weak legal and regulatory framework, lack of transparency in contract awards, and widespread corruption inhibit foreign direct investments. This was also highlighted on August 15, 2022, when the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, and Bill Twehway for their involvement in public corruption in Liberia.
As disclosed by the US, in the sanction report, corruption has long undermined Liberia’s democracy and its economy, robbing the Liberian people of funds for public services, empowering illicit actors, degrading the business environment, and damaging the rule of law and effective governance in the country. Corruption also contributes to diminished confidence in government and public perception of impunity for those with power.
Meanwhile, the international Trade Administration August, 2022 report, acknowledges that Liberia has longstanding historical ties to the United States that persist today in the form of familial relationships and robust diplomatic engagement. U.S. companies are welcome in Liberia, and retailers routinely seek opportunities to stock American-made goods. In practice, however, the government does much to discourage investors and investment. Some business leaders report it is difficult even to meet with government representatives to discuss new investment or policies damaging to the business climate.
It says, weak legal and regulatory framework, lack of transparency in contract awards, and widespread corruption inhibit foreign direct investment. Investors are often treated as opportunities for graft, and government decisions affecting the business sector are driven more by political cronyism than investment climate considerations. Many businesses find it easy to operate illegally if the right political interests are being paid, whereas those that try to follow the rules receive little if any assistance from government agencies.
It was predicted that Top market challenges U.S. companies are likely to experience include: 1) widespread poverty resulting in low purchasing power, 2) high tariffs and inconsistent tax administration, 3) poor physical infrastructure, 4) a weak judicial system, and 5) widespread corruption.
Though it was recommended that these systemic challenges could be addressed through sustained and inclusive economic development, comprehensive review and harmonization of the tax system aimed at attracting investments, increased investment in physical infrastructure, a strengthened judicial system, strong political will to fight corruption, and strong political support for Liberia’s integrity institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and Financial Intelligence Unit, a little or no effort has been applied so far.
The Freeport of Monrovia is the country’s main external trade g*teway, for which reason it is called “The Gateway to Liberia’s economy”, but high port-handling fees, inadequate infrastructure, bribery, and administrative delays neg*tively affect businesses and even encourage some importers to use the ports of neighboring countries including the port in Conakry, Guinea, and transport overland to Liberia.
International partners have alerted of the appeals to Liberia’s Supreme Court are common, and businesses and contacts consistently report that bribes throughout the court system are used to prevent cases from moving forward, or to influence the outcome. Foreign investors report that corruption is most pervasive in government procurements, contract and concession awards, customs and taxation systems, regulatory systems, performance requirements, and government payments systems.
It was pointed out by the World bank that Multinational firms often report having to pay fees to government agencies or government officials that were not stipulated in investment agreements.
Because of corruption, fiscal mismanagement, or other constraints, the World bank and other sources reveal that the government is often late or in default in paying its bills to private suppliers – a factor businesses and investors should consider when estimating revenue flows and risks. Business models that do not rely on regular government payments for their success should be considered.
“Local entrepreneurs rank access to finance as a top challenge for the private sector, followed by legal and regulatory frameworks, and logistical constraints. The Investment Act of 2010 prohibits or restricts market access for foreign investors, including U.S. investors, in certain economic sectors or industries”.
According to the Education Development Center (EDC), a research center founded in 1958 by university scholars and researchers coincided with a growing national investment in the education sector.
“Out-of-school youth in Liberia face many health challenges, including high rates of unintended pregnancy, low levels of knowledge about their HIV status, and limited access to medical care. Improving public health for these young people requires innovative interventions that reach well beyond formal health settings”.
On a daily basis, Liberians get multiplicity of reasons to be skeptical about their country’s security system, judging from past experiences.
Though this is something that has been seen from one government to another, records of mysterious deaths, and disappearances in Liberia under this administration is over twenty, including: John Hilary Tubman, son of former Pres. Tubman; Rev. William R. Tolbert III, son of former Pres. Tolbert, Matthew Innis of the Central Bank, believed to possess information about missing 16 billion, Kollie Ballah, driver at Central Bank, Miss Maude Elliot of the Immigration Service, Emmanuel Barten Nyesuah head of the Internal Audit Agency, Gifty Asmah Lama auditor of the LRA, Albert Peters auditor of the LRA, George Fanbutu auditor of the LRA and Alexander Yeahnur in River Gee.
Among others are: Eliza Robert in Maryland, Madam Hawa in Cape Mount, Mulbah Kunyon in Cape Mount, Afoa Williams D #9 montserrado; county, Ma Nowai in Johnsonville, Siafa, St. Moses employees, Robert Blamo Jr St. Moses employee, Blama of the St. Moses employee, Odell Sherman, Princess Cooper of Island Clinic, Charloe Musu, niece of Cllr. Gloria Musu Scoot, and Melvin Earley, EPS officer who was killed in Tappita.
Gender based violence
Eearly June of this year, Mamena Kai, the Acting Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection at the Ministry of Gender, disclosed that for the first quarter in 2023, the Ministry has recorded 759 s*xual and gender based violence cases in Liberia.
According to the young Minister, the total number of cases the Ministry has recorded for the first quarter, which is January to March is 759 cases. Concisely, she said in January they recorded 310, in February they recorded 309, and in March, they recorded 140 SGBV cases.
In 2023, she said 34 health facilities reported GBV cases, and 15 WAPS, which amounted to 49 facilities.
These reports, according to the Acting Deputy Minister, are basically collected from the various health facilities and WAPS.
From the health facilities, she said 640 cases were reported, amounting to 83.6 percent, while from WAPS, she said 126 cases were reported, amounting to 16.4 percent.
Meanwhile, it was referenced by Minister Kai, that the Ministry recorded 2,015 s*xual and gender base violence case in 2018, 2,780 in 2019, 2,240 cases in 2020, 1,751 case in 2021 and 1,975 cases in 2022.
As disclosed by the Minister, because they have now gone digital, the structure of the report in 2023 is a bit different from the previous years, a structure that considers quarterly reports.
In the coming months, she said the Ministry is expecting to transition to a more advanced data collection medium, which she said will enable them access data on a real time basis.
Mathematically, if the recent number of cases (759) is to be deducted from the number of cases Liberia recorded in 2022 (1,975), there will be a difference of 1,216 cases.
With June being the sixth, out of the 12 months of the year, there’s still no much reason to venerate a reduction in the occurrences of s*xual and gender based violence, especially when April and May were not included, and there’s still six months to the end of the year.
From a skeptical perspective, it appears that if it remains on this paste after ever three months, the country will produce a total of 2,277 cases in nine months (January to March, April to June, and July to September).
If this happens, the Ministry will record more cases than they did in 2022.
However, with the various measures in place so far and with the Justice system’s efficiency in ensuring that perpetrators of SGBV account for their actions, one may argue that this (increased in cases) will not be possible.
Howbeit, it can be recalled that in January of this year, the fifth edition of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development project titled ” the President Meter/WeahMeter” graded President Weah 95% implementation on all promises made inline of addressing Gender inequality gap during and after the 2017 general elections.
The President’s Meter is an annual democratic monitoring tool used by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development to provide an independent assessment of the implementation of the campaign and post-election promises made by President George Manneh Weah and the Coalition for Democratic Change.
According to the report, Pres. Weah made eight(8) promises under the gender component of his administration; of which, he has successfully laid a huge benchmark during the last 5-years of office.
Moreover, the government in its efforts
established gender and social inclusion Unit in all government ministries and agencies, to propose an anti-female ge***al mutilation bill.
It also unveiled $USD6million roadmap to curb s*xual gender based violence, declaring R**e a national emergency, appointment of special prosecutor for r**e, set up of national s*x offender registry, established a national security taskforce on SGBV and the allocated USD$2million to beef up the fight against s*xual gender based violence (SGBV).
Street children
In June, 2023, it was again proven that the has escalated at the angle one of the most vulnerable groups of our country, as the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection m reported that there are about 366, 585 (Three hundred and sixty-six thousand, five hundred and eighty-five) children that are living on the street in all counties across Liberia.
These figures are resources of a recent report, from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender and her partners, in an effort to have a comprehensive understanding/data about the situation of children living and selling on the street in Liberia.
Assistant Minister for Children and Social Protection at the Ministry of Gender, Carr-Gaye, while a addressing the WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR recently, disclosed that in Montserrado County, there are 153, 982 children that are living in the street, and this is the highest of all counties, while there are 100 children that are residing in the street in River Cess, which happens to be the lowest of all counties.
Of the total number of children that are on the street, she said there are 126, 702 of them that are not in school at all.
According to the Assistant Ministry, the report emphasizes multi dimensional poverty, as the major reason for the overwhelming number.
Additionally, Carr-Gaye listed none persistent child support (father absence), limited access to education, abandoned children, teenage pregnancy and early parenting, child labour, peer pressure, children accused of being witchcrafts, punishment, kids walking baggers, children that have decided to be that way, and the presence of drugs in the country.
She confirmed that children in Liberia are engaged in child labor, “Children in Liberia are involved in child labor actions all our sectors, domestic services, you will find it there mostly, you find them in street selling, rock crushing, mining, rubber industry and so on”.
Prior to her appointment, Assistant Minister Carr-Gaye said the Ministry never had existing data with regards to the number of street selling kids in Liberia.
With this, she mentioned that the Ministry worked with several partners, including UNICEF to understand the situation of children living and selling on the street, and hired local and international consultant network to work with the Child Protection Network and all other NGOs that are involved with the issue of child rights, to produce the report.
In February of this year, B**g County District 6 Representative, Moima Briggs- Mensah raised concern about the recent wave of massive increase in the number of street selling kids across Monrovia, and called on authorities of the Ministry of Gender, and the Liberia National Police, to ensure that it is addressed in due time.
In an interaction with Legislative reporters on Thursday, February, 2, 2023, Representative Briggs expressed dismay over the proliferation of street selling children, especially during school time.
She believes the children are being denied of education, and they are also exposed to all forms of violence and abuses, especially with elections just in few months to come.
“The most frustrating part about it is that even during school hours, you can still find children selling in the streets, and along with visually impaired people begging, I think it’s so alarming and it’s really scaring”, she said.
She added, “Especially for the ones that are selling, someone with an evil intention might call them pretending to be a buyer, and they might be interested, sadly, that’s how they might get entrapped in things of ritualistic purposes”, she added.
The B**g County District #6 Representative fear was mainly triggered by secret killings that often occur during electoral periods, especially considering the October 2023 elections that’s just in few months, and with the wave of multiple reports of ritualistic killings that have been reported of late.
“We are approaching elections, and some people are so desperate, they think the only way to get to power is to do terrible things, so we need to be careful with our children”, she said.
She recommended that the government ensures that street selling Kids are placed in safe homes, in order to have them enrolled in school and completely taken from the street.
“These are things that should be important to the government, the safety of citizens and the state, so we need to allocate sufficient money in the budget to ensure that it is addressed in time to avoid further embarrassment”, she stressed.
She pleaded, “I’m calling on the Gender Ministry to ensure that those children are taken from the streets, because it’s risky for us, and if those children are killed, it will also hurt a lot of us because we have children”..
On Thursday, February 2, 2023, the Honorable House of Representatives- HOR, cited authorities of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Liberia National Police- LNP to ascertain reasons why they have not taken action to curtail street selling by Children in the Country.
Plenary decision was reached Thursday following a communication from B**g County District 6 Representative, Moima Briggs- Mensah.
"Honorable members, few months ago we commemorated the 16days of Activism as a country; thereby, alarming all harmful practices and violations against women and children over the past years and finding means to eradicating these challenges", she noted in her communication.
Howbeit, both authorities of the Gender Ministry and Liberian National Police were expected to appear the following Thursday but it didn’t materialize.
Of recent, there have been a massive increase in the number of street selling kids, on major streets in Monrovia, and children that are residing in the street.
Red light, Broad street, Capitol Bye pass, and other major commercial areas across Liberia are vivid evidences of the female lawmaker’s concern to the Liberian legislature.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 64 percent of Liberians live below the poverty line ($1.25/day), with 1.3 million living in extreme poverty.
According to UNICEF 2020 report, Liberia has one of the world’s highest levels of out-school children, with an estimated 15 to 20 per cent of 6–14-year-olds who are not in class.
Drug us on the rampage.
Kush, a very harmful illegal drug proliferation is speedily increasing in every street corners across Liberia, as it terribleness have been seen through multiplicity of demeaning ways it has treated its end users, especially young folks, through maltreatment, madness and death.
Few months ago, there were several reports of death that was reportedly influenced by the consumption of kush, in Caldwell New Georgia, Central Caldwell Back road, Grand Cape Mount Cape Mount County and other parts of Liberia, as young people remain the number one victims.
Hundreds of young Liberians are indescribably falling prey to the dreadful hands of the narcotic substance that’s also known as Kush or K2, which often treats them like they are running mad.
Annie (Not her real name), a 23 years old drug user who got involved in it through peer pressure, described kush as terrible as one can imagine, as she stressed that they are being greatly affected by it because it is more dangerous than co***ne and ma*****na.
“It’s something that when you take it, it makes you feel like you are in the next world, it makes you feel miserable, it’s very bad and it’s something that if you don’t have a good resistant it can kill you”, she said.
Emphasizing the difference between the kush, grass and drug, Annie said though drug is bad, but it’s more preferable and advisable to consume than kush.
“The grass is much better more than the kush, because you can be a bit ok if you take the grass, but the kush, when it’s leaving from in you that’s the time you can know yourself, but it’s not correct, kush is not correct, it’s very bad, bad indeed, it’s a bad thing the people bringing for us “, she added.
According to the addicts of the dreadful substance, they often buy it on Gerlay Street, Buchanna, Center, and other streets in central Monrovia for $LRD 100 for piece of it.
Synonymous to Annie’s testimony, Konah, (not her real name) a 28 years old disadvantaged youth, said whenever she takes kush, she feels miserable, a feeling that sometimes makes her do mad things.
“Really, when I smoke the drug, I don’t really feel hard, but anytime I spoke the kush, I can feel hard, and like I am in a different world, sometimes it can make me eat then when I don’t have food I can be confused,” she narrated.
She continued, “Prof, really the kush get bad spirit, when you smoke the grass, it makes you meditate, but the kush, it can make you almost crazy, sometimes if you don’t have strong system you can get crazy and it na happen to some of our men them here now they are crazy in the street”.
On one of the few occasions she took kush, Konah said her friends from the ghetto along with other concerned citizens had to pour huge quantity of water on her head before she became normal.
“It na treat me like that, the people g*t to waste water on me because I was not to myself, after I came to myself what people told me I was shamed because they said I was jecking and acting confused,” she explained.
In addition to Annie and Konah’s troubling kush experience, Massa (not her real name), a 5 years old drug user that uses the famous deplorable Phelmah building on Center Street as her shelter, characterized kush as the worse among all illegal substances she has consumed.
“Kush is bad, I don’t smoke it always because the very day I smoke kush it was just like I was in hold, and if you smoke kush the same way crazy people can act, that’s how you can be behaving
Like several other drug users we spoke with, Massa said co***ne, and ma*****na are far better than kush, in terms of its reaction to end users.
As a result of this demeaning experience , the young people want government to assert efforts in order to ensure that the harmful substance gets off the Liberian market because it is neg*tively affecting the youths and some elderly folks, and they are suffering.
“Kush” is one of the popular substances (drugs) that arrived in Liberia late 2020 to 2021, similar time it arrived in Sierra Leone but it was scarce on the drug market in Liberia.
Kush looks a bit different from ma*****na, and according to it consumers, its reaction on them is quite different from the reaction they get after smoking ma*****na.
Though it is quite different from ma*****na in terms of size, shape and form, kush is known for its intense sedative effects on its users.
It is famously known as, “K2”, however, it has other street names like: Bliss, Blaze,, Fake W**d, etc.
Many of those we spoke with couldn’t give a justifiable reason why they consume kush, however, some attributed it to the fact that it makes them active.
Moreover, some said it increases their appetite while other said it increases their s*xual desire.
Even though they are knowledgeable to its terrific reaction, and how it manhandles them whenever they consume it, the young people said once its not harming them, it increases their thoughts.
Like many other illicit drugs, research has shown that kush can lead to Blood pressure changes (blood pressure may go both up and down and may change suddenly at different phases of the drug’s active period), Dizziness, Drowsiness, Extreme fatigue, Facial flushing, Red irritated-looking eyes (may happen with or without any discomfort), Short-term impairment of memory and cognition (possible long-term impairment being explored).
It often result to Coughing, increases mucus production, Long-term use may increase the risk of asthma and COPD, Vomiting, and Abdominal cramping. It is established that in pregnancy, it may also be associated with premature births and babies born underweight or needing additional medical assistance.
In addition to the side effects of Kush, you should also know about the addiction risk that using Kush and Kush products can bring.
A thorough probe has unearthed that kush is found in all of the 15 counties across Liberia.
Though this does not mean it is adequately available in every street corners in the various counties, it is mostly available in every parts of Montserrado, the county that holds Liberia’s capital, Monrovia.
As the substance remains a serious threat to the country, those involved with the sale described it as their only sources of income.
A dealer in central Monrovia who we spoke with but preferred being off record, said they are cognizant about how bad the substance is, but just as he’s addicted to it, his customers have also gotten addicted to it, as such, he can’t renege on making it available for them.
Just like other clean business, he sees it as a profitable business, and it shows that his service is still important to those that that are interested in it.
According to part ||, count 11 of the current drug law, it provides that “Any person who, without lawful authority-(a) imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popu- larly known as co***ne, L*D, heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
(b) exports, transports or otherwise traffics in the drugs popularly known as co- caine, L*D, heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life”.
It further states that “any person who sells, buys, exposes or offers for sale or otherwise deals in or with the drugs popularly known as co***ne, L*D, heroine or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
Cd) knowingly possesses or uses the drugs popularly known as co***ne, L*D, heroine or any other similar drugs by smoking, inhaling or injecting the said drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years but not exceeding 25 years”.
Like co***ne and other harmful substances, kush is illegal in Liberia. As a result of mounting pressure from concerned Liberians and INGOs about stronger laws on drug, the
Plenary of the Liberian Senate Thursday, November 10, 2022, passed into law the ‘Controlled Drug and Substances Act of 2014’’.
Taking the decision, the Senate categorized drug crime into two categories, hence making it non-bailable and bailable depending on the gravity of the crime.
In the wisdom of the Senate, those who are involved in the importation, distribution, massive production, and custody of illicit drugs shall not be granted the right to bail when caught in the act, while the end users of the drug shall have the right to a bail when apprehended in the act.
As a result of its horrific threat to those that often consume it, concerned social media users across Liberia have taken to the media to call the government’s attention to the troubling substance.
“A Narcotic Substance (Drug) known as Kush or K2 is taking the life of so many young People”, a Liberian wrote.
In another Facebook post, a young Liberian narrated, “Mothers are losing their Children on a daily basis. Of recent about 4 persons died from taking in this harmful substance in the Soniewen community and even reports have it that a ransom number of Young people have died in other communities from this as well”.
They have rallied the government’s attention to the situation, thus describing it as a national crisis with a hashtag "NO TO DRUGS"
On different occasions,scores of other Liberians have shared their experiences with how “KUSH” has treated most of the young folks that have been involved with it.
“Let's protect our babies as we strive to fight against the most deadly disease in our country now called "KUSH"”
He continued, “I watched a young guy around 18/19yrs. Who left me in my yard while preparing my Detergent products for sale. He returned in less than 30mins. But very calm with nothing smelling on him but in less than 5mins. Omg the boy started sweating profusely that his clothes got soaking wet. I was afraid n blood started coming from his nose, Jesus”.
According to him, “Another passer-by said, daddy don't worry just gave him enough water and the rest was story. He came through later n hmmm... My body still shakes each time I reflect. Our children are dying and we as parents and community dwellers must stand up and rescue our children”.
Ishmael Ballah Mayango, a Liberian youth expressed dismay over the situation, as he called on the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency-Ldea and other Civil Rights Organizations to do the needful.
“By now, there should be an awareness and strategies put in place to combat this newly narcotic substance that is killing and getting young people off their heads. It's so toxic and alarming
Let's say no to ”, he suggested.
Conspicuously, sme other Liberians are of the thought that young people are on the verge of going to their dark place because of "KUSH".
They believe that one of the major problems is that KUSH is entering Liberia through its porous borders with neighboring countries, especially Sierra Leone.
“As a concerned Liberian, I am appealing to the national government to treat KUSH as a national emergency and take swift and decisive action to protect young people. government should prioritize this issue over politics and work with all Liberians to find a solution”.
He believes that the situation is dire, and the government needs to act urgently to stop the spread of KUSH and save young lives.
Maxson Kpakio, the Executive Director of Justice Forum Liberia, has recommended the need for a ban on the sale of KUSH, SH**HA and other Narcotic Substance in Liberia.
“For God sake, let's place a ban on all of them and violators should be punished harshly. KUSH and SH**HA are also very dangerous to human beings,” he articulated at a peaceful assembly in Monrovia.
He continued, “Ban the sale of Ho**ah and other Narcotic Substance in Liberia for the sake of the innocent Children that are consuming it and dying"
Recently, s𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧ed 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐉𝐅𝐋 to 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐬 " 𝐊𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐨𝐤𝐨" 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲.
Months ago, there were reports of young people killing or harming themselves and others as a result of the consumption of kush in Sierra Leone.
According to BBC, Medical staff in the capital Freetown revealed that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to Kush use.
Liberia and Sierra Leone's neighbor, Guinea, is also battling to contain an increase in the consumption of kush.
Authorities say that more than ten young men have died after taking the substance. Many others were undergoing medical treatments due to side effects.
Guinea and Sierra Leone share border with Liberia. Many Guineans blame Sierra Leonean drug dealers for illegally transporting kush into the country, something Liberians have also complained about.
What’s the LIberia Drug Enforcement Agency Doing?
Legally, the act that established the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), gives the institution the responsibility to adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from drug-related offences or property whose value corresponds to such proceeds.
It gives the LDEA the power to
adopt measures to eradicate illicit cultivation of narcotic plants and to eliminate illicit demand for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with a view to reducing human suffering and eliminating financial incentives for il- licit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, among others.
Consumers desire to desist
Following the signing into law the Control Drug and Substance Act of 2023, commonly called the Drug Law by President George Weah, disadvantaged youths from across central Monrovia hailed the president for the decision, and described it as a significant step in combating the proliferation of drug across the country.
Scores of the at risk youths who are undoubtedly direct victims of the harmful substances, believe the president’s decision is in the right direction, on the basis that with the unavailability of drugs, they will be unable to access it, and this will create a huge distance between they and the substance.
Like many of the victims we spoke with, Sarah Tamba, said with the signing of the law, they now have a hope for change.
“It’s good, one, it will change my life, two, it will position me, and three, the things that spoiling my life it will not come back to spoil me”.
Now that the law has been signed by the president, and as it comes as y bossy to the fight against drugs, she emphasized the need for rehabilitation.
In her opinion, raiding their ghettos and having them incarcerated will not address or limit the spread of drugs. “Carrying me South Beach can’t solve the problem, but at least if they find rehab for us, it will be fine, for time I’m tired with this life because I’m not finding my way through,” she articulated.
Like Sarah, Evelyn Jackson, a 35 years old drug victim, venerated the president’s decision, and further the fled it as a major step in giving them relief.
“It’s fine, it’s ok, I like it, because I want to change and go to my children, look at the place I’m sleeping?, I’m tired,” she said.
Everlyn further emphasized how exhausted she is being in the situation, and referenced that she often get s*xually abuse me and harassed by her male colleagues, due to her involvement in the harmful practice.
With this, she thanked the President, and jointly recommended that he considered reasons to ensure that they are rehabilitated.
President George Manneh Weah on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, signed into law the Control Drug and Substance Act of 2023, commonly called the Drug Law.
The President carried out the landmark duty July 12 after the Drug Bill was recently passed by the National Legislature following months of thoughtful introspections and deliberations.
The new law aims to regulate, restrict, control, limit, or eradicate the illegal export and importation as well as the flagrant use, abuse, and proliferation of narcotic substances within the bailiwick of the Republic.
The law, in part, provides penalties for specified offenses such as the unlicensed and unauthorized importation of controlled drugs or substances into the country.
The law, for example, states that "A person commits an offense if he/she purposely or knowingly imports into Liberia "any controlled drugs or substances without a license from the Minister."
It further added: "The offense of unlicensed importing of controlled drug or substances shall be graded as where the subject matter of the offense is a drug or substances" as prescribed by the Act.
It further states that "the person shall be guilty of a felony of the first degree and punishable to a prison
of a maximum of ten years and not exceeding twenty years consistent with'provisions of the Penal Code 1, section 50.5 and 50.6."
It is clearly noted that the offense shall be a grave offense and shall not be bailable.
The Act outlines where the subject matter of the offense is a drug or substances listed in schedule II, III
and lV of the Law to be used for the purpose of trafficking, the person shall be guilty of a second degree felony punishable to a prison term of not less than five years and not exceeding ten years pursuant to the provisions of section 50.5 and 50.6 of the Penal Law of Liberia.
"As to the matter of bail," the Act states "only cash to the value of the bond or cash' deposit in the bank to the value of the bond as evidenced by a bank certificate."
With regards to unlicensed manufacture of controlled drugs or substances, a person cornmits an offense if he engages in the manufacture or preparation of any drugs or substances listed in Schedules I, II, lll, IV, or precursor or essential chemicas listed in Table I and Table II of the Act without a license.
According to the law, such person shall be'guilty of a felony of the first degree and, if used otherwise, shalt be guilty of a second degree felony and shall face jail sentence between l0 to 20 years or as prescribed in Section 50.5 and 50.5 of the Penal Law of Liberia.
Howbeit, it’s unarguably clear that despite our huge age, LIberia’s problems are surplus, and complex, as every sector are at its worst level
Though a little commitment has been made by this government and other governments, I believe less has been done in curbing this suppression on the lives of Liberians.
Like economic growth, major sectors are engulfed by an overmastering constrain, and all of these have been attributed to the fact that corruption remains the biggest problem, couple with the lack of political will.
I intentionally place emphasis on economic growth because it’s a proven fact that if the lives of the citizens are improved, it helps in delivering an improvement in all sectors. As such, I believe more needs to be done.
