News Ganjaa

06/03/2026

“America wants to gamble with all its assets to defend the criminal Israeli regime! Anyone with common sense would not enter this killing ground," Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X.

"Worthless separatists—if they raise their heads and make the slightest misstep—will once again be sent to the dustbin of history," he said in an apparent reference to Iran's Kurds who are reportedly preparing for a ground operation against the Islamic Republic.

Iran International-English
Photo credit: Iran International English

https://iranintl.com/en/202603054104

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

• China calls for an immediate stop to military operations in the Middle East
• Dozens reported missing after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off Sri Lanka's coast
• Russia accuses the US of using an imaginary threat from Iran as a pretext to overthrow its constitutional order.

CGTNEurope

⬇️Read all the latest from the Iran-US/Israel conflict.
https://bit.ly/3OP4iMK

04/03/2026

02/03/2026

“US and Israeli forces are showing the overwhelming advantages of excellent electronic and cyber warfare."

South China Morning Post

02/03/2026

LACC Clears Emma Glassco—
Restores Reputation

The corruption saga that once engulfed Liberia’s fisheries sector has come to a dramatic end. The Liberia Anti‑Corruption Commission (LACC) has fully exonerated former National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) Director General Emma Metieh Glassco, declaring that months of investigation uncovered no criminal intent, no fraud, and no liability in her handling of World Bank–funded projects.

Glassco’s troubles began in February 2025 when President Joseph Boakai suspended her following concerns raised by the NaFAA Board over administrative and financial management tied to the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project, a major World Bank–supported initiative. The allegations centered on more than US$800,000 spent on the construction of NaFAA’s new headquarters on Bushrod Island. Her suspension ignited national debate. Critics questioned the use of donor funds, while supporters argued she was being unfairly targeted. Glassco herself publicly vowed to defend her character, insisting that all expenditures followed World Bank procurement rules and “no‑objection” procedures.

The LACC’s probe was extensive. Investigators reviewed procurement documents, interviewed stakeholders, and examined the financial architecture of the World Bank project. Their findings were decisive: no criminal intent, no misapplication of funds, and no evidence of fraud or personal benefit. In a formal communication dated December 23, 2025, the LACC stated that the evidence “did not establish any criminal intent or liability on the part of Hon. Emma Metieh Glassco,” officially clearing her of all allegations. The clearance aligns with earlier oversight reviews, including the General Auditing Commission, which issued no adverse findings on the project.

For Glassco, the ruling marks a powerful vindication. Her reputation—once clouded by political suspicion and public controversy—has been formally restored. Within NaFAA and the broader maritime community, the decision is seen as a reaffirmation of her leadership and the reforms she championed during her tenure. Governance analysts say the outcome underscores the importance of due process in a politically charged environment, especially in sectors tied to international funding and national development.

The fisheries sector, a growing pillar of Liberia’s economy, now enters a period of recalibration. The LACC’s findings remove a major cloud over the World Bank project and may help rebuild confidence among development partners who closely monitored the case. The ruling also reopens discussions about leadership continuity, institutional stability, and the future of NaFAA’s modernization agenda.

With her name cleared and her integrity reaffirmed, attention now turns to Glassco’s next chapter. Whether she returns to public service, re-engages with the fisheries sector, or steps into a new national role remains to be seen. What is clear is that she re-emerges with renewed credibility and a restored public image.

Credit: Spoon TV Live
Photo credit: Executive Mansion-Liberia

27/02/2026

Roads Or Factories, Which Comes First?

By Simion Freeman

Liberia borrowed, spent and built a 249 miles Redlight - Gbarnga - Ganta - Guinea border road with USD$249 million dollars, under the LIBRAMP project. Years later, there's been no significant increase in the volume of trade between Montserado, B**g and Nimba counties. We are still repaying the IDA, Kuwaiti and Saudi funds out of our meager resources.

Those who argued that road connectivity would spur economic growth, may want to temper their optimism with caution and could also review the budget to appreciate the revenue flow to the national envelope from these investments. No doubt, Liberia needs roads and pave roads too but, it's a question of - when and how - should we approach road construction.

A recent study by the Liberian Senate estimates USD$7 billion is needed to pave 11,788 kilometers of road but Liberia's GDP is about USD$5.1 billion and we are already heavily indebted by about 56% of GDP. That's why the conversation about which comes first - roads or factories - is cardinal to our developmental conversation.

Factories first, roads second, is an interactive developmental approach that enables centers of production in rural Liberia. Roads must connect centers of production. Roads are very expensive, both during construction and after, so when roads do not connect centers of production, they place significant pressure on current revenues for past liabilities. There are too many examples across Africa to guide our strategy, Nairobi - Mombasa, Addis - Eritrea and our own domestic missteps.

While 265 pieces of road equipment are celebrated, operating the equipment will cost upwards of USD$90 million annually. We will need about 1200 new employees, fuel, pickups and SUVs, offices, parking location, repairs and maintenance and etcetera. We do not have the money. Providing such equipment support will withdraw funding from other import materials.

It's best to create the factories first in rural Liberia and before anyone suggest it's impossible to set up factories in rural Liberia, read our next submission on the economic competitiveness of factories in rural Liberia with bad roads.

Public resources must be leveraged to create private structures and then use resources generated from the private structures to build the roads connecting them. This significantly increases national output.

We must deploy our best minds for national development or fail repeatedly with mediocrity.

As President, we will use public resources to create a non-existing private sector for job creation.

26/02/2026

Reflection
With Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR
Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Silence amidst failure does not serve regional stability, national security or interests of our soldiers affected by lapses. Good governance understanding of how the Mano River Union should function inspires me to share my lived experience as leader and public servant.

Tonight, I write with hindsight.

Photos were during my role as de-facto leader of the Sierra Leone delegation at a Ministerial Council Extraordinary Session of MRU, where I firmly but respectfully urged Haja Saran Daraba Kaba, whose tenure had concluded, to agree to a handover of the MRU Secretary General position to a nominee put forward by Liberia.

This was on Saturday 3rd June 2017, when I was serving as Sierra Leone Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs. The meeting took place at the Farmington Hotel in Harbel, Liberia. The then Minister of Finance, Momodu Kargbo, requested that I lead the delegation as he was engaged elsewhere in Liberia at the time.

The context was not pleasant. The MRU was experiencing an institutional stalemate, with Guinea declining to endorse Liberia’s nominee to replace Haja Kaba.

Prior to the meeting, I had given assurances to both President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone that the delayed handover of the MRU Secretariat leadership would be resolved at the ministerial session. Despite resistance from two member states, that assurance was ultimately fulfilled. I kept my promise.

With the benefit of hindsight, that was one of the few decisions in my public service life that I regret. The individual whose appointment I strongly supported that day went on to preside over a period during which the MRU steadily lost relevance and effectiveness.

Those subsequent leadership challenges and politicisation of MRU Secretariat in Freetown contributed to institutional weaknesses from which the organisation has yet to fully recover. This marked a clear departure from the steady leadership style of her predecessor.

I also regret that my personal efforts that day, which helped secure consensus among all four member states and culminated in the signing of the Communiqué, overrode serious reservations expressed by both Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire to my humble self.

In retrospect, the appointment proved to be a serious misjudgement.

The MRU States would undoubtedly have benefitted from leadership continuity of the calibre previously demonstrated by Haja Saran Daraba Kaba.

Had the Secretariat retained strong, decisive leadership, I believe recent developments, including the detention of Sierra Leone soldiers following a perceived border incident, might have been resolved far more swiftly.

This leads to a broader institutional issue.

The MRU Protocols, initially championed by leaders such as Siaka Stevens, Sékou Touré and William Tolbert and later strengthened after regional conflicts, place significant emphasis on joint security collaboration.

Joint border patrols are provided for under the Protocol on Defence, Security, Internal Affairs and Foreign Affairs, which establishes Joint Border Security and Confidence-Building Units tasked with coordinated joint patrols and cross-border cooperation.

Whosoever is the MRU Secretary General plays a central role in supporting the arrangements by coordinating information flow, monitoring implementation, and facilitating compliance among member states.

Where these mechanisms function effectively, border-related operations are conducted jointly, with advance coordination between national security forces.

The current situation suggests that these protocols have not been consistently implemented. Ministerial and Heads of State meetings have been irregular and institutional follow-through has been weak.

Responsibility for this decline does not rest in one place alone. Leadership shortcomings at the MRU Secretariat level, combined with lapses in host-country facilitation, have collectively weakened MRU’s effectiveness.

As host country to the MRU Secretariat, Sierra Leone bears responsibilities that have not always been fully discharged in recent years. This has contributed to the broader institutional stagnation we now observe.

When these factors are viewed together, it becomes clearer why the MRU has struggled to respond decisively to current challenges.

I continue to pray for the safe return of our soldiers.

May the Mano River Union regain its strength and purpose in line with the vision of its founding leaders.

23/02/2026

Re-framing the Debate on Nimba's Development:
A Focus on Impact, Not Just Mandate

By: Honorable Nyahn G. Flomo,
Representative,
Nimba County Electoral District Two
Liberia

February 22, 2026

The recent debate surrounding the use of Nimba County’s Social and Development Fund by Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono raises important questions about governance and resource allocation. Critics have pointed to projects like the renovation of the "Welcome to Nimba” Building Built by President William V.S. Tubman in the 1960s, the construction of police substations, and even the renovation presidential palaces, arguing that these fall under the central government's purview. While the concern for proper fund utilization is valid, this critique misses a larger, more crucial point. To judge the Superintendent fairly, we must consider the context, the tangible results, and the fundamental question of whether Nimba County is getting value for its money. Here are five reasons why the debate should be re-framed in favor of the progress we are witnessing.

First, we must acknowledge the policy vacuum. The critics are applying a standard of "government responsibility" that does not exist in any formal policy governing this specific fund. The Social and Development Fund is a county resource, and in the absence of clear, legislated guidelines dictating exactly what it can and cannot be spent on, the primary mandate for any leader is to use it for the public good. Superintendent Gono has stepped into this void with a vision. To criticize her for not following non-existent rules is to hold her to an arbitrary standard. The real issue is not whether a project is technically a "government duty," but whether it addresses a pressing community need or unlocks further potential for the county.

Second, the tangible impact of these projects is undeniable. They have given Nimba County a long-overdue facelift. The renovation of the "Welcome to Nimba" structure in Sokopa is more than just a sign; it is a statement of identity and pride for every citizen entering our homeland. The renovation of the Superintendent’s compound, transforming 1950s structures into a functional administrative hub, and the work on the administration building in Sanniquellie, restore dignity to our governance. These projects, along with the work on historical presidential palaces in Saclepea, Tappita, and Butuo, are not just about bricks and mortar. They are about preserving our heritage, boosting local morale, and creating a sense of place that sets Nimba apart from every other county in Liberia. This psychological impact on our citizens brings pride and social satisfaction, and is a form of development that cannot be measured by a simple ledger.

Development is not only economic; it is psychological and social. A well-maintained county capital enhances civic pride. Modern facilities improve service delivery. Improved public infrastructure signals seriousness, organization, and readiness for investment.

Counties compete not only in natural resources but also in governance optics. A county that looks orderly and progressive attracts attention, confidence, and opportunity.

Third, the critics' argument proves too much. If we accept that the Superintendent should only fund things that aren't the government's responsibility, then we must logically object to almost any development project. Is building roads not a government responsibility? Is providing desks, instructional materials, and school supplies not a core function of the Ministry of Education? Yet, these are exactly the types of projects we would all applaud. The Superintendent’s portfolio includes these essential items as well. The construction of a state-of-the-art primary school in Sanniquillie, and maternal waiting homes at clinics across Nimba directly addresses critical gaps in education and healthcare, gaps the central government has been slow to fill. The Superintendent is not usurping government function; she is accelerating it, filling the potholes of neglect with the asphalt of responsive leadership.

Fourth, the optic of development under this administration is remarkably different. We must compare the current situation to previous administrations. For years, the Social and Development Fund was a mystery to many. Where was the money going? What was it achieving? Today, that question is answered by visible, physical structures across the county. For the first time, citizens in Saclepea, Tappita, Butuo, and Sanniquellie can point to a project and say, "Our fund did that." This visibility is the first step toward accountability. It transforms the fund from an abstract concept into a concrete tool for progress.

Finally, and most importantly, the crux of this debate must be shifted. The core question should not be a pedantic argument over departmental mandates. The central questions for the citizens of Nimba should be:

1. Impact: Are these projects improving the lives of our people and the image of our county? The evidence strongly suggests yes.

2. Transparency: Are the processes for awarding contracts and spending money open to public scrutiny? This is a fair question that deserves a fair answer.

•Accountability: Is there a clear record of how every dollar was spent?
•Value for Money: Were these renovations and constructions done to a high standard at a fair price?

Let us focus the debate on these critical issues of fiscal responsibility. And this is where one of our cardinal functions of oversight should come in as lawmakers. And it's against this background that I support the audit of those projects.

If the projects are impactful, the process is transparent, and the county is getting excellent value for its money, then Superintendent Gono should be commended for her bold vision, not condemned for stepping outside an imaginary line. In my opinion she has taken a dormant fund and used it to build not just structures, but also a renewed sense of identity and possibility for Nimba County.

Photo credit:
House of Representatives Press
Liberia

23/02/2026

Fotos Field
February 10-15, 2026

Triennial International General Conference of the Harvest Intercontinental Ministries Unlimited held in Freetown, Sierra Leone

23/02/2026

LETTER FROM SACLEPEA
With Musa Hassan Bility

A Chance Moment by River Weh

Last week, life paused for me.
It paused in the most unexpected and beautiful way.

A lifetime friend, my boyhood companion, Nvasekie K. Konneh, whom we affectionately call Professor NNK, came home. We grew up together in Saclepea. We shared dreams. We shared hunger. We shared confusion. We shared hope. And in many ways, we shared the turning point that shaped the rest of our lives.

From the very first moment we sat together, we did not speak as grown men. We became boys again. We returned to yesterday.
We returned to Saclepea.

I remembered the mornings when I was a student journalist. I would wake before dawn, sit with my shortwave radio, listening to the Voice of America and the BBC, gathering international news. I would combine it with local updates from our community, write everything down carefully, and stand at 8 o’clock devotion to deliver the news to the school.
It required discipline. It required dedication. It required belief.

And after delivering the news, you still had to sit in class and study your lessons like everyone else.

Those were hard days.
But they were beautiful days.
We laughed remembering Saclepea, calling the names of friends. Some are dead. Some are scattered across the world. Some are still in Liberia. All of them are part of us.

Then came the memory that shaped everything. As boys, confused yet inspired, we had immersed ourselves in the works of Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. We were intoxicated by Pan Africanism. We believed Africa could rise. We believed we would be part of that rise.

But we had no idea how to make it in the world. So we decided we would become musicians.

For days and days, we went down to River Weh, that sacred river of our youth, carrying our little tape player. We sat by the water with another dear friend who is no longer with us. We sang. We practiced. We believed.

Months passed. Then one day, after listening to ourselves honestly, we faced the painful truth that we were not musicians.

Letting go of that dream hurt. It broke something in us. But that day, that exact day, defined our future.

We looked at each other by River Weh and realized that life would demand different sacrifices from each of us.

He chose the road outward. I chose the road inward. He set out to cross Africa, through Libya toward Europe. The journey did not succeed. He disappeared from our sight. For years, we did not know his story. Then one day, he returned to Saclepea. And eventually, he left again, this time to the United States. He joined the US Army, served honorably, retired successfully, and has now returned home with pride.

As for me, I once went to my mother and told her I wanted to leave like he did. She cried.

My older brother had already left, first to Saudi Arabia, then to Nigeria. He never came back. To this day, our family does not know where he is. Over time, we have quietly accepted that he may be gone forever. My mother died with tears in her heart, longing for her missing son.

When I told her I wanted to leave too, she asked me one question:

If he is gone and never came back, and now you want to leave me too, what will be the meaning of my life?

I looked at her face. And I stayed.
That was my decision by River Weh. That was my sacrifice.

Sitting with Nvasekie last week, we remembered our admiration for great Black leaders, our excitement when Barack Obama was elected, our frustrations about tribe and religion dividing our country, and our determination, even in confusion, to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

It was Saclepea in real time. It was memory alive. It was laughter mixed with pain. It was the river flowing again inside our hearts.

When Saturday evening came and it was time to say goodbye, it was painful. But I told him:

Let us do this again. And again. As many times as we can.

Because Saclepea is not just a place. Saclepea is heritage. Saclepea is identity. Saclepea is sacrifice.

Yesterday is our today. And it is our tomorrow.

And when we gather again, by memory or by river, we return to who we truly are.

Have a pleasant week.

23/02/2026

Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research

Christian Today

Questions about the study have been raised.