Amnesty International Invites The Liberian Journal to attend Screening By: Staff Reporter Amnesty International USA has invited The Liberian Journal to attend the screening of “Women of Liberia: Fighting for Peace” and the post screening discussion forum, all scheduled on Thursday July 24, 2008 in Washington D. C.
The film, which features three former Liberian girl soldiers, is sponsored by Amnesty International USA and directed by Jonathan Stack, an Oscar-wining producer. The three, currently visiting the United States, through Amnesty International USA, are Jackie Redd, 30, Mickey Kesselly, 27, and Florence Ballah, 27. Full Story
Liberia’s Independence Day Celebration Set In Buffalo, New York By: Paul A. Wie BUFFALO, NY July 22, 2008: The 161st independence anniversary of Liberia, Africa’s first republic, this Saturday will be celebrated formally in Buffalo, New York with Chief H. McCarthy Gipson, Commissioner of the City Police serving as guest speaker.
Members of the Union of Liberians in Western New York in Buffalo, Rochester, Utica are hosting the main program beginning at 7:30 PM in the Holy Cross Church Gym at 345 Seventh St. off Niagara St., and Soccer Games in the afternoon at a nearby field.
Other African community organizations, refugee agencies and individuals have been invited to the outdoor/indoor activities marking the Liberian July 26th Independence Day. Full Story
Reconciliation Process Kicks Off Amongst Liberians in Minnesota By: Staff Reporter The former Executive Director of the Liberian Ministerial Association (LMA), Reverend Father James Wilson, over the weekend hosted “A Community Reconciliation Meeting” to address what he termed “Division in the Liberian community in Minnesota” at his home in Brooklyn Park. Deacon Edgar Badio, a well-respected elder in the community, presided over the meeting.
“Our community is falling apart and we need to come together to discuss what best can be done to help solve the problems”, said Father Wilson, an Episcopal priest.
The discussion produced some very frank exchanges, mostly focused on what constitutes the problems that are deepening the division in the Liberian community. However, full details of the meeting were not immediately released, as an understanding to prevent premature media coverage was reportedly arranged by the organizers. Full Story
Benjamin Yeaten Killed Fiancée Before Fleeing Liberia By: TRC Release Monrovia, July 22, 2008 (TRC): General Benjamin Yeaten, former chief of staff of the disbanded Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) murdered his fiancée before fleeing the country in 2003, a witness told commissioners of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The witness, who was a captive at Yeaten’s Congo Town residence for six months after he was transferred from Lofa County on suspicion of being a fighter for the LURD rebel group, explained that one day the feared ATU commander returned home and asked for tarpaulin before it was discovered that his fiancée only named “Babygirl” had been killed.
The witness, James Y. Kollie, said after the killing, which was secretly carried out under the cover of darkness, there were concerns amongst bodyguards, servants, and captives about the conspicuous absence of Babygirl. Full Story
Wynfred Russell Wins Major HIV/AIDS Conference Award By: Staff Reporter The United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) has awarded Liberian educator and community health activist, Wynfred Russell, a full scholarship to attend its annual conference.
In the invitation letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Liberian Journal, the USCA Scholarship Committee said it is pleased to offer an “Option B Scholarship to Russell to participate in this year's conference which will be held September 18-21, 2008 at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida” as a testament of his commitment to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS in Minnesota’s minority communities. Option B scholarship recipients will receive one complimentary registration, hotel accommodations at one of the official conference hotels and a travel subsidy, including ground transportation. Full Story
Liberian National Reconciliation Efforts at a Critical Crossroad By: William G. Nyanue After accusing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of shying away from those the Daily Observer calls the “Major Actors” of the Liberian civil war, the Liberian people and world community would, if all goes as planned, soon hear from this group of high profile Liberians whose names are closely associated with the Liberian tragedy. People like Senator Prince Johnson, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Dr. George Boley, Alhaji Kromah, Sekou Damate Conneh, Dr. H. Boimah Fahnbulleh, and Dr. Amos Sawyer, among others, are expected to begin appearing before the TRC in August. As a result of their testimonies, it is quite possible the TRC would be compelled to call others whose names heretofore have not been publicly connected with the war. Full Story
Louisiana Native Sworn in as Ambassador to Liberia By: GERARD SHIELDS (Adocate Washington Bureau) WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice swore in Baker native and LSU graduate Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Friday as the new ambassador to the Republic of Liberia.
A crowd of about 300 family members, friends from Louisiana and State Department colleagues gathered to cheer her on.
The political science major will return to a nation where she worked during the early part of her 26 years of foreign service and where she met her husband.
Rice credited Thomas-Greenfield for helping to address conflicts in the African nations of Nigeria, Gambia, Kenya and Rwanda, where she faced bullets.
“This lady works extremely hard,” Rice said before giving the oath. “Wherever there is hard work to be done, Linda is there.” Full Story
Holistic Approach Needed in Addressing Crime in Liberia By: James W. Harris Just within the last few weeks alone almost every known Liberian news outlets have been reporting on the seemingly uncontrollable crime wave sweeping the now war-wrecked country, especially, in the Monrovia area.
One top news headline on the apparently government-leaning Daily Observer website read:” ‘General Security Situation Bad’” quoting the crippled country’s imperial President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf [10 July, 2008]. Thank God that the Madam President has finally come around to acknowledging this major problem in the country.
But so far the government’s immediate response to this very disrupting trend has been the offering of a single resolution, i.e., “get at the criminals wherever they are and who ever they are” to quote Acting Information Minister Cletus Sieh as he announced new measures in Monrovia recently “aimed at diminishing the [current] crime [wave]” in the war-battered nation. Full Story
Liberia Announces Protocol for 161st Independence Celebration By: MOFA (Monrovia, Thursday, July 17, 2008): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the Special Protocol surrounding the Official Program marking the Commemoration of the 161st Independent Anniversary of the Republic of Liberia which takes place in Kakata, Margibi County.
The Orator of this year’s Independence Day Celebration is Dr. Sakui Waibu Suo-Godoe Malakpa who will deliver The National Oration. Dr. Malakpa is a son of Liberia who hails from Lofa County, and a Professor of the University of Toledo, the USA. He is also a Braille Specialist and a distinguished illustrious Scholar and Academician with acclaimed achievements.
According to Foreign Ministry Release signed by Assistant Minister for Public Affairs, Hon. Josephus Moses Gray, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to announce that His Excellency Joaquin Chissano, Former President of the Republic of Mozambique and Chairman of The Africa Forum, at the head of five member delegation, comprising of Former heads of States of Africa will arrive in the country to participate in the 161st Independence Anniversary Celebrations, and to engage the Government of Liberia in an interactive dialogue. Full Story
Philadelphia’s Homeless Get Recognition By: Moses D. Sandy Philadelphia, PA…Mr. Nathaniel Robinson works for the non-profit, Social Emotional Learning Family (SELF), Incorporated as Vice President of Programs. SELF, Inc. is one of the prominent and well-accomplished providers of homeless services in the City of Philadelphia. Dr. Sylvester Outley established the agency in 1989 in response to the growing needs of Philadelphia’s homeless population. SELF, Inc. operates a drug and alcohol clinic and shelters for homeless men and women.
Mr. Robinson, affectionately call Nate, is one of the brains behind the accomplishments of SELF, Inc. Nate is a former drug addict and homeless person. Nate was one of the former and current homeless individuals in Philadelphia hailed and recognized at the 18th anniversary of the Homeless Recognition Day.
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