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NEWS EXTRA Corruption
Watch
VOL 8 NO.629
FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014
See PG 2&3
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CENTRAL BANK OF LIBERIA
MARKET BUYING AND SELLING RATES
LIBERIAN DOLLARS PER US DOLLAR
These are indicative rates based on results of daily surveys of
the foreign exchange market in Monrovia and its environs. The
rates are collected from the Forex Bureaux and the commercials
banks. The rates are not set by the Central Bank of Liberia.
Source:
Research, Policy and Planning Department,
Central Bank Liberia,
Monrovia, Liberia
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 L$90.00/US$1 L$91.00/US$1
BUYING SELLING
L$90.00/US$1 L$91.00/US$1
L$91.00/US$1 L$90.00/US$1
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2014
THURSDAY, JULY3, 2014
EBOLA pg. 6
EBOLA News Extra

Liberia Joins Traditional
Ally US in Independence
Celebrations
FORMER NOCAL BOSS
WILL BE CALLED SOON
LACC PROBING
NEYOR'S
REVELATIONS
FIGHTING EBOLA
AT ELWA
BEING AN ORPHAN IN LIBERIA IS
THE GREATEST DANGER TO
OUR HOSPITAL STAFF
STRONGER
TIES
UGANDA RECALLS LIFE OF FALLEN DOCTOR
TO EBOLA IN LIBERIA


A DETERMINED MAN
The whole community is upset by the fact our very own Doctor is buried
abroad. We appreciate that fact that the nature of his disease it was
impossible to bring his remains home. However, we are upset. - Muhindo
Moris, a resident of Mutoros hometown of Uganda-Kasese, in an email to
FrontPageAfrica Thursday,
QUITE
FRUSTRATING
Page 2 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
Rodney D. Sieh, Rodney.sieh@frontpageafricaonline.com
SEE page 3
Monrovia
I
n explaining his exit from the ruling Unity Party this week,
Senator JSP Theodore Momo(Unity Party, Gbarpolu County)
pointed to a mantra the opposition in Liberia has been trumpeting
of for months, that the age-old Tubman-style patronage system
was still visible in the political landscape of post-war Liberia.
Without naming names, Momo lamented: Patronage power still
continues to roam heavily over peoples power and the power of rules
and laws around which parties revolve.
Momos angst may have been triggered by the fact that his bid for
a second term was reject at the partys recent convention to elect
candidates to contest the upcoming Senatorial Mid Term elections.
Momos rejection was not without controversy. Gertrude Lamin,
who only a few weeks ago had declared her intentions of joining the
opposition Liberty Party, suddenly appeared on the ballot at the UPs
convention as the preferred choice over Momo.
Delegates reportedly complained that the process was manipulated by
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
Democracy Tenets Now Daunting in UP
A UP partisan told FrontPageAfrica shortly after the proceedings that
the process was fxed, suggesting that the partys caucus had endorsed
the incumbent Momo but said while the process was ongoing the
head of the caucus committee allegedly received a call from President
Sirleaf to manipulate the process which led to the announcement
Representative Lamin as the winner.
Undeterred by the fallout from the UP primary saga, Momo insists that
constituents have not heard the last of him as he plans to move into the
future and will most likely run as an independent in hopes of retaining
his seat in the Upper House. We are confdent that our democracy,
especially at party level will become rewarding and meaningful when
individuals can stand up to upholding strong laws and policies that
bear the fruit of fair play, transparency and the protection of peoples
and groups right frst at party level and then at state level.
Momo says he has come to the realization that actual institutionalization
of the tenants of democracy remains a huge challenge in our Political
Parties as well as the national body politics.
Breaking ranks with the party which gave him political life, Momo
described his departure as an essential turning point in his life. In our
political sojourn, I have joined and known one party. I joined the Unity
Party when there was no faith or hope in sight that it certainly would
evolves as a ruling party. Following the 1997 election we, group of
faithful young people mounted suffcient courage and determination
and harness our energy and knowledge and began rebuilding a
political party from grass root to a totally inclusive institution that
would serve as a beacon of hope and cherished values for all. Our
eyes were fxed on the fewer role models around to inspire us into a
future of great leaders. We were the guys that bought and shared the
kola nut, bitter kola, BBC bread butter and coke, haitie with raw
peanut and walked from pole to pole to get home and began the same
assignment the next day. But we were strong and faithful to the cause
and we dare not to betray it.
Momo appears let down and betrayed as he went to great length to
explain how he labored tirelessly to get President Sirleaf elected.
As a result of his and others effort he saw, voters began to see little

by little, faith and hope in a small group of brave young people, who
in the face of tyranny and threat of life, determined to change Liberia
for the better.
Took Floggings for UP
Momo explained that he provided public relations for the party in
a bid to bring about change he and others, including Sirleaf, sought
which he later found, came at a high cost. We on several occasions
took fogging at RIA at hands of state security, SOD and ATU to
convey our Standard Bearer to party headquarters on every visitation.
But we were strong in taking the hunger, gapping, humiliation and
mockery. We were happy too to receive shame and disgrace for the
struggle of democracy for our country.
All that, according to Momo, paid off with the election of Sirleaf in
2005. Our struggle had paid off and we would write history forever.
So UP came from opposition to ruling party. Am sure all is forgotten
now, but this little piece of history will always remind us of our
personal bravery and quest for change and betterment for Unity Party
and Country.
Momo signaled out the likes of Martin S. Kollie, Henry Kesselly,
Macaetoh Wreh, Ennish Fahnbulleh, Jerry Hineh, KoliboyJohnson,
Hansan Kaizolu, Brother J. Molley Weedor(who has gone to rest)
Valarie Williams, VonpeaGongloe, Macarthy Kanker, amongst others,
with whom he shared the partys great transformation. Under the
chairmanship of Dr. Charles A. Clarke we struggled and made our
marks. Jemima Calcrick and a senior legal counselor (I will not name)
stood by our side frmly as we navigated our way through.
Back to the partys primary held recently, and one which Momo feels
he was betrayed and cheated, the embattled senator described the
process to push Lamin over him as undemocratic.
The primary of June 28, 2014 in Bopolu City will go down in history
of the Unity Party and political actors will have a lot to make of it.
Good, Bad, unfortunate, unfair, untimely, undemocratic, interference
etc. will be lines of judgments regarding the Bopolu meeting.
Momo said he went into the primary under protest a protest to test
the internal democratic credentials of our institution. Determining
the outcome of the primary before it began was not so much of a
strange thing, but upholding and respecting individual right to
recourse within our party is fundamental, even if the individual (s)
involved is not the choice and target of the outcome of our meetings,
let him/ her as a bona fde partisan be heard and address the issues
raised.
Objected to Lamin at Primary
Momo says he raised a challenge to a violation of the partys
constitution, National Executive Committee decision on the Gertrude
Tene Lamin inclusion on the ballot, describing it as a gross violation
of chapter 1 section 1.3 of the National Elections Commission
guidelines regarding political parties and independent candidates
which states: No person shall be a member of more than one political
party at the same time. Hon. Gertrude Lamin up to 28 June 2014 was
still a member of both Unity Party and Liberty Party while at the same
time; her application to the Unity Party was still on hold. How is our
Party conducting its internal self regulation if it cannot uphold and
enforce its own decision in reference to the Gertrude Lamins Saga?
Momo also took issue with the Liberty Party for being quiet on the
issue. How come also is the Liberty Party so silent on this matter
that is now of public concern? Hon. Gertrude Tene Lamin offcially
resigned on Monday, June 30, 2014 and back dated her letter to June
26, 2014. This is not politics, but complete dishonesty at its highest
and I still believe Liberty Party and National Elections Commission
should not allow Gertrude Tene Lamin and the Unity Party get away
with this gross violation.
Momo explained that his decision to withdraw from the process was
in no way a sign of weakness or lack of confdence in his ability, but
one essential to setting the record straight. On the basis of merit,
competence, able representation and honest leadership, I can come
out of any primary as clean winner. The controversy surrounding the
Bopolu CityUP Primary now has fact that we have two endorsements
from one primary with one being suppressed!
Momo also took aim at Lamin, the preferred choice of the president.
We do not need a GAC and LAC indictee whose purse has been
swelling up with our development money while our people suffer the
humiliation of poverty and developmental challenged.
Its unfortunate, UP SG Paye
Commenting on Senator Momos resignation from the party, Unity
Party Secretary General Wilmot Paye described the action of the
lawmaker as unfortunate.
I think it is unfortunate that he has to resign; we at the national level
do not know what transpired in Gbarpolu County, we thought he
could have behaved like the case of Bong County and also to fle a
formal complaint so that we can look into it, said Paye.
Paye said it is unfortunate for politicians to resign for such reason,
The return of former Minister Morris Saytumah is one of the many strange political moves
ruffing feathers in the ruling Unity Party.
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 3
Selma Lomax,
selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
Carbahs Emergence and the Unsettled Dust
Voinjama District, Lofa County -
W
hen the name
Francis Carbah,
former head of the
National Social
Security and Welfare Corporation
(NASSCORP),began to crop
up in political circles in Lofa
County early 2011, many people
could not have imagined his
emergence as the Unity Party
senatorial candidate in the
county.
But that indeed was what
unfolded at the end of the Lofa
County primary, which was
held at the Lofa administration
building on Friday, June 27,
2014.
Carbah not only clinched
the party's ticket, but did so
convincingly, throwing up lots of
dust in its wake as the virtually
aspirant and incumbent Senator
Sumo Kupee who took part in
the primary expressed varying
degrees of rejection of the
outcome.
His candidacy, to many observers
of the UP politics in Lofa, was a
foreclosed arrangement waiting
to be perfected at the appropriate
time. The matter was not also
helped by the latter's alleged
deep pocket but insinuations
of his ability to pay his way
through and buy over the party
machinery in the county.
Other sentiments by the party
leadership and some members,
not excluding the fact that
the 'General' is a friend to the
Vice President, Amb. Joseph
Boika, which further propped
perceptions that the former
NASSCORP boss was anointed
from the outset.
The permutation of party
members was that the UP in the
county was that Kupee was not
favored by the Vice president
who is reportedly harboring a
presidential ambition due to
Kupees perceived proximity
with Central Bank Governor
Dr. Mills Jones, a potential
presidential candidate for 2017.
It was also rumored that the
Lofa chapter of the UP was
in dire need of a candidate of
Voinjama origin, because of
its far larger numerical voters
strength. Such a candidate, it
was openly argued, must be one
with a heavy fnancial war chest,
to stand a chance of slugging it
out with the Liberty Party (LP)
and the Congress for Democratic
Change (CDC) on October 14.
At the end of the party primary,
Carbah scored 12 votes and
Kupee obtained 8 votes.
Observers of unfolding events in
the party in Lofa County claimed
he injected a new life into the
party, bringing about what some
of the analysts described as
vintage youth tactics into play.
Carbahs response to Kupees
dig
Carbah in response to Kupees
earlier claim at the outset of
the race in 2013 that he was a
political neophyte had this to say.
"To me, there is nothing better
than to bring my experience to
bear on the politics of the county.
People have been traumatized.
The people of Lofa need fast
development. This is a movement
and I am just the symbol. I want
to hit the ground running. I want
to give to the society and key in
the county. We need to develop
at a fast pace. That is my duty
and that is what I want to go
about doing without much ado."
Kupee, FrontPageAfrica
observed, cannot be said to have
shown much determination. For
much too long, the incumbent
senator tarried in Voinjama,
LOFA UP PRIMARY


Kolahun and Zorzor districts.
The Carbah camp heightened
political tempo in the county,
not least with the staging of a 1,
000 youths' rally in the capital,
Voinjama,late 2011, during
which placard-carrying youths,
adorned in vests bearing the
politicians image, among other
things, lamented what they
described as the failure of the
incumbent senator. To several
of the youth, Carbah, the new
UP entrant at the time, will bring
them relief.
The superintendent of Lofa,
George Dunor, who was one
of those that addressed the
youngsters, commended them
"for recognizing the qualities of
Carbah.
Primary dust not settled yet
Days after the senatorial
primary, the dust was however
yet to settle, as Kupee from the
very venue of the event rejected
the outcome. Despite what
was adjourned as free and fair
primary, Kupee insisted it was
manipulated from high up in
favor of Carbah while the latter
wasted no time in moving in to
persuade partisans on a need to
join hands with him, to be re-
elected.
Following pockets of protest
over the conduct of the primary,
the UP local offcials in the
county came out strongly against
such allegations, saying the
outcome of the primary was a
true refection of delegates' wish.
The outcome of the exercise, he
said, showed a trend that cannot
be overlooked.
He said, "I want to say with
every sense of responsibility and
sincerity that Francis Carbah
won on merit, and appeared as
a popular choice of the party.
He was the most popular choice
of the party, and of those who
constituted all the districts in
the county. If the process was
manipulated for Carbah, there is
no way delegates from Kupees
native district, Zorzor, could
have voted against their son.
Zargo lobbies with aggrieved UP
partisans
Just as Carbah was said to
have met with some of the
aggrievedpartisans of the party
in their homes, Steve Zargo,
candidate for the Liberty Party in
Lofa County who fnished second
in 2011 election, appeared to be
cashing in on the fall-out of the
UP primary, as he was sighted
at the homes of many of the
aggrieved partisans.
The question however remains:
Now that the Lofa County
chapter of the Unity Party has a
candidate, will it be able to retain
its membership and go on to win
the election come October?
saying If he resigns from UP
and go to another party, what
happens if similar situation
occurs, will he go to another
party? Politicians should not do
that because it means you will
be jumping from one party to
another.
The UP Secretary general
disclosed that Senator Jonathan
Binney of Rivercess County has
written the party complaining
and the situation will be looked
into.
UP invested in Momo
Paye said the party has invested
in Senator Momo and his
resignation is not good.
The UP has invested in him,
everybody including the
standard bearer, vice standard
bearer and other party offcials
all campaigned for him to get
elected, unfortunately he has left
and that is after the fact that all
these were done for him.
He disclosed that the
investigation into the confusion
in the Bong caucus has started
and hearing will begin tomorrow.
The investigation, he said is
headed by Dr. Charles Clarke,
former Chairman of the Party.
But Momo is not the only one
feeling the pinch of the ruling
party shuffe.
Kupee, Lansannah Also Singing
the Blues
Embattled Senator Sumo Kupee
lost his primary battle in Lofa
County to Francis Carbah,
the former head of the Liberia
National Social Security and
Welfare Corporation, 12 votes
to 8.
Carbah, like Lamin also left
the Sirleaf government clouded
in charges of corruption,
forced to resign, according to
the Executive Mansion, for
gross indiscretion in fnancial
management." Carbah was
never prosecuted or indicted but
forced to resign and fnd himself
reappointed later as Chair of the
board of the National Housing
Authority (NHA).
But Kupee and Momo are the
only UP fallen stars left singing
the blues. Senator Lahai Lassana
of Bomi County, sensing that the
emergence of Morris Saytumah,
another former Sirleaf long-
time aide, also resigned from the
Unity Party recently. Saytumah,
was elected at the partys primary
last week.
The fallout from the recent
Unity Party primary continues
to inject dissent within the ruling
Unity Party climaxing with the
exit of Senator JSB Theodore
Momo(Gbarpolu County) whose
bid to seek re-election on the
partys ticket was rejected at
convention recently.
Even Senator Jewel Howard, the
former frst lady from the vote-
rich Bong County, who had been
allied with Sirleaf for some time
now, was hoping to get the UP
not to feld a candidate in Bong
where the race is expected to be
tight, only to seek the party tip
Dr. Henrique Tokpah, president
of Cuttington University, as its
candidate, beating his cousin,
Ranney Jackson in a disputed
primary held last week.
In Grand Bassa County, the UP
did not get a candidate as the
party is believed to preparing
to support Gbehzongar Findley
who has been a darling of the
Executive.
But at the other end, Nimba
County Senator Prince Y.
Johnson whose support to
President Sirleaf in 2011 ended
the CDC hope of putting up a
fght in runoff was also believed
that President Sirleaf could
return the favor for his reelection
but on the contrary, the UP has
now put up a candidate to oust
Johnson.
Dr. Peter Weatuo has been
elected as the UP candidate
meaning the ruling party is not
willing to help Johnson like he
did to them in 2011.
By the end of the frst round of
voting in 2011, inching towards
the second round all eyes were
on Prince Johnson who managed
third spot as his support to
either of the two could mean the
eventual election of such party
and he did President Sirleaf a
great favor by openly endorsing
her election.
While many political observers
are showing sympathy for Momo
and other UP rejects, some say,
voters ire and dissatisfaction
toward the current batch of
lawmakers in the legislature
could be a contributing factor
to the UP looking to inject
new blood within its rank.
However, the choice of Lamin,
Carbah, Saytumah and others,
on the partys ballot for the
Mid Term races, appears to be
resurrecting fears that the party
may still toying with the core
establishment, a move which
could further drive voters away
at the polls, a sentiment rejected
stones like Momo are now openly
professing, on their way out.: I
am proud to leave Unity Party
with clean hands where I have
served with loyalty, honesty,
objectivity and openness. But I
am sure that these qualities are
no longer attractive to the Unity
Party but better still, the good and
purposeful trademarks that can
market me to other institutions.

Saytumahs arrival forced incumbent Senator Lahai Lansanah from the
party;While many political observers are showing sympathy for Momo
and other UP rejects, some say, voters ire and dissatisfaction toward
the current batch of lawmakers in the legislature could be a contributing
factor to the UP looking to inject new blood within its rank. However,
the choice of Lamin, Carbah, Saytumah and others, on the partys ballot
for the Mid Term races, appears to be resurrecting fears that the party
may still toying with the core establishment, a move which could further
drive voters away at the polls, a sentiment rejected stones like Momo are
now openly professing, on their way out.
Page 4 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
GROBA WILLIAMS, blessedgroba@yahoo.com, Contributing Writer
H
arper City, the capital city of Liberias
Southeastern most county, is situated on Cape
Palmas. It is a coastal town situated between
the grand Atlantic Ocean and the Hoffman
River. It has a population of approximately 136, 404
persons.
Though the traditional homeland of the Grebos, it has
established itself as a heterogeneous community where
people from all walks of life come, to work, live and stay
in peace. For example, there is Old and New Kru towns.
There is Bassa Community. There is Bunker Hill, where
those who consider themselves as descendents of Settlers
reside. There is a large community of Marylanders with
Togolese, Ghanaian and Nigerian background, and they
are prominent sons and daughters of the County serving in
Government and the private sector.
Activities
With the presence of Tubman University, the second
public University in the Republic, Harper has now become
a University-City, with all the attractions that come along
with such a City. It attracts students, teachers, researchers,
traders, visitors and tourist from the around the globe.
With its magnificent, unexploited beaches, Harper
boasts one of the finest Natural sceneries in west Africa.
There are lagoons, lakes, rivers, and Atlantic beaches.
Fishtown(different from River Gees Fish Town) a town
located east of Harper is home to the beach that attracts the
most visitors to Maryland.
Its very shallow beaches allow kids as young as three(3)
and four(4) years to go two(2) miles into the ocean
unsupervised. Hiking, safari, fishing, boat-riding, sun-
bathing, etc are all activities available for you.
Under day light, Harper is usually very quiet and passive.
Students are in class, Business people are at their business
shops, office workers are at their desks, and fishermen are
at sea.
At night it is a sharp contrast. The main business avenue,
known locally as the 18th, is alive with activities of all sorts.
Though all in one straight line, all these shops exercise
independence by playing their own music, which makes
the atmosphere very noisy and while this is happening,
movements and transactions of all sorts and shades are
taking place. Men and women just from work can be seen
drinking beer, Guinness stout, Calao, Mandingo bitter and
other beverages and chatting the night and stress away.
Two banks operate in Harper; International Bank and
Ecobank. They run shifts. EcoBank operates on Tuesdays
and Thursdays and IBL on Monday, Wednesday and
Fridays. Restaurants are dotted all over town, with a
variety of of Liberian dishes. Menu almost always has
palm butter. Palm butter is a local delicacy. A good Cape
Palmas palm butter is made with dry fish, country spice,
and opossum, locally know as Tabado.
Newcomers are easily noticed, which is typical of small
towns. Gossips, lies, rumors, all comes along with living
in this small town.
In spite of what may appear to be a bad press for Harper
out there, living in Harper will convince you that Harper
is one of the safest cities in Liberia. Everyone seems to
care about everyone else and people make other peoples
business their concern and worries. When theres even
the slightest rumor that a dead dog was found, people will
troop at the scene to find out how that dog died. This is
the caring spirit of Harper. This is the zero-tolerance for
murder and crime that Harper is known for.
So, If youre in search of a place to spend vacation with
your family along the great shores of the Atlantic, Harper
could be an attractive place.
Tubman University Presence
Harper has many public and private schools. The
Governments Cape Palmas High School, the Catholic
run Our Lady of Fatima School, the Methodist J.S. Pratt
among others operate in Harper, but the biggest presence
is The William V. S. Tubman University. It was established
as a full fledged University by an act of the 52nd National
Legislature in 2008.
TU, one of the only two public Universities, is seen as
the educational hub in southeastern Liberia, and it attracts
students from all of Liberias 15 political subdivisions.
With its spacious, green, clean and well laid out campus, it
is a learners paradise.
Even though it benefits all, it is a particular blessing to
the people of Maryland, Grand Kru, Sinoe, River Gee and
Grand Gedeh who have not had a University since the
foundation of the Liberian State.
With six(6) Colleges and a line up of highly trained foreign
and Liberian instructors under the watchful direction of Dr.
Dr. Elizabeth Davis-Russell, TU has established itself as
an emerging educational force to contend with; a potential
contributor to Liberias growing public and private sectors.
Harper was sopping with celebrations on June 19, 2014
when TU had its inaugural graduation convocation.
Eighty(80) candidates were cleared for graduation, but
only seventy-nine(79) made it to the promised land. One of
them, Mr. Fred Batoe(R-I-P) died just before graduation.
With all said, you can bet that Harper City is truly a city of
Sunshine and Happiness. Welcome.
HARPER A CITY OF
SUNSHINE AND HAPPINESS
FrontPage
v
v
Commentary
EDITORIAL
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS which has been
working to fght the deadly Ebola epidemic since March
warned last week that a "massive deployment of resources"
is needed by West African nations and other organizations
to curb the outbreak from spreading even further and put
it in check.
AFRICAN MINISTERS and health experts convening in
Ghana this week were still unsure how to stop the biggest
ever outbreak of the virus in recent memory.
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has warned
that "drastic action" is needed to halt the killer in its
tracks. The WHO reports that there have been 759 cases,
including 467 deaths, in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
as of June 30 since the outbreak began in March, making
it the "largest in terms of the number of cases and deaths
as well as geographical spread," according to the WHO.
Not only is it uncontained, but this strain of the Ebola
virus can kill up to 90% of those infected.
DR. PETER PIOT, The scientist who frst discovered the
Ebola virus in the 1970s, said in a CNN interview this
week that the situation is unprecedented. "One, [this
is] the frst time in West Africa that we have such an
outbreak," he said. "Secondly, it is the frst time that three
countries are involved. And thirdly it's the frst time that
we have outbreaks in capitals, in capital cities."
THIS BRINGS US TO ONE scary conclusion that an
outbreak Liberia, its government and people have been
taking for granted, is now a full-blown National Security
matter with many now coming to terms with the reality
that it could get much worse before, any sign of better
comes around.
SADLY, the disease is one of the easiest one to prevent but
one of the fastest to kill, with a simple exposure to body
fuids. However, lack of communication and preventive
mechanism have allowed the outbreak to grow legs and
kill a lot of
people in the process.
MAKE NO MISTAKE. Ebola is deadly: The symptoms,
at frst, mimic the fu: headache, fever, fatigue. What
comes next sounds like something out of a horror movie:
signifcant diarrhea and vomiting, while the virus shuts off
the blood's ability to clot.
THE MOST VULNERABLE have been health workers.
JUST THIS WEEK, Dr. Samuel Muhumuza Mutoro,
a Ugandan health expert lost his battle to the disease,
becoming the second reported health care work to lost his
life in the battle against Ebola. At the time of his death,
Muhumuza is said to have volunteered to treat a colleague
who was infected with Ebola, thereby exposing himself to
the deadly disease. He had reportedly been in isolation for
several days, since he contracted the virus from a Nurse,
Esther Kesselley, who was the frst health care worker to
succumb to the outbreak in Liberia.
DR. MUTORO was a surgeon assigned at the Redemption
Hospital in New Kru Town on a contract with the Liberian
government and the World Health Organization (WHO).
THIS WEEK, SOCIAL media have fnally caught on after
a report from British Television, Sky TV highlighted the
case of another nurse who like Kesselly contracted the
virus by caring for a patient. In footage of the telecast,
Nurse Elizabeth Smith is seen lying on a bed next
to another nurse who had contracted Ebola from the
same patient they had both treated. But Ms Smith was
signifcantly weaker than her co-worker. She did not raise
her head as we entered and her bed was soaked in blood,
the report said.
FOR MANY LIBERIANS, health workers included,
COMMENTARY
LIBERIA - FEAR
AND LOATHING
OVER EBOLA
Ebola is a new phenomenon, one no one prepared to tackle
and one no one in Liberia appears capable to stop.
THIS IS WHY, authorities should work extra hard to engage
the international community for more assistance in dealing
with this outbreak and increase its communications network
to ensure that Liberians truly understand how deadly Ebola
is and how they can prevent themselves from getting it.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, the believable factor is crucial in
the major battle against a killer disease. Many Liberians
still do not believe that Ebola is even in Liberia.
IT IS AN ISSUE, Dr. Bernice Dahn, Chief Medical Offcer
alluded to this week when she told Reuters: Our biggest
challenge is denial, fear and panic. Our people are very
much afraid of the disease. People are afraid but do not
believe that the disease exists and because of that people
get sick and the community members hide them and bury
them, against all the norms we have put in place."
IN NEXT DOOR Sierra Leone, President Ernest Bai
Koroma, announced Wednesday that his vice president and
all cabinet ministers would donate half of their salaries to
help fght the outbreak.
THIS SUGGEST THAT the outbreak is serious and could
be here to stay if nothing tangible is done to keep it in its
tracks.
IN THE ABSENCE of a cure for Ebola, it is important that
authorities in Liberia become more robust in the fght and
leave no room for errors in the fght. Government can allay
the fears of its people by investing in communication and
tackling the outbreak head on. Liberians can allay their
own fears by simply learning the basics about prevention
and keeping their surroundings clean and avoid eating
bats, washing their hands and doing all they can to nip this
virus in the butt. It is deadly, it is serious and it is no joking
matter. A hint to the wise
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 5
UGANDAN WANTS
PROOF OF EBOLA-
CASUALTYS LAST DAYS
HIRING AMERICAN
CITIZENS IN
GOVERNMENT IS WRONG
FrontPage
Send your letters and comments to:
editor@frontpageafricaonline.com
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E
DITORIAL TEAM
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
ABOUT OUR STORIES ON THE
WORLDWIDE WEB
The Reader's Page
PHILIP BLIDI TOP COMMENTER ALVERNIA
UNIVERSITY
Finally, Somalia Drive is about to have a new look. Just a
suggestion, I think Liberian auto drivers should pay toll when
the road is ready for operation. I see this suggestion as a terrifc
economic idea, because toll collections is essential for the
maintaining of public high ways. It will also creates employment
for reliable Liberians who are unemployed.
NYEMADE WANI TOP COMMENTER UNIVERSITY
OF LIBERIA, MONROVIA, LIBERIA CAMPUS
I agree with you. But did you see even South Africans refuse to
pay toll on the road built for them. President Zuma had to make
them shame. Liberians, we hard head ooo
JOHN GBOMO TOP COMMENTER (SIGNED IN USING
HOTMAIL)
I am not sure I am for toll, at least not at this time. Don't get me
wrong as I am for development but not at the backs of the suffering
poor. One of the reasons for toll collection is to use that revenue
to maintain the road I presume, but at whose expense? Charging
toll will increase the fares of commercial transportations such as
taxicabs etc. as the owners will pass that cost onto their passengers,
the fnal consumers. Who does it affect? It affects market women,
students and others that rely on these transportations for daily
activities.
Solution is for government to curb corruption and waste in
government and use the proceeds to fund these types of projects
the toll will be intended for. If government can do this and still
need additional funding for such project, then it can consider toll.
Or better yet, toll can be intended for only private transportation
ownersIt doesn't make sense for government to add to
commuters burden by added cost
Again, like I said I am for these sorts of development all over the
country, but one that is sound and well-thought-out
DJREUB REUBEN COOPER REVENUE AND BENEFITS
OFFICER AT ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN
BOROUGH COUNCIL
They have to be mindful of criminals, I am sure sooner rather than
later we will hear something gone missing....Liberians we are our
own downfall lol
SYLVESTER MOSES TOP COMMENTER
We take this time to congratulate Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and
the government and people of Japan, the Liberian government
of President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf, Dai Nippon Construction
with the guidance of project manager Mr. Masahiro Nonogaki,
Minister Weeks of MPW, and, our very own, Ambray Seyon
Moses, local representative for DNC.
Projects such as the Somali Drive road construction are what
result when foreign partners respect the developmental aspirations
of a post - confict recovering country, including the bold vision
of the leader. We hope that this meaningful partnership between
Japan and Liberia under the able leadership of Abe and EJS will
continue to cement the friendship between our two nations.
As we have said before, a bunch of development goals could be
achieved between now and 2017, because, certainly, what isnt
done within that time would wait for the next administration,
and this could create gridlock. No one wants that for a new
government which would need time to wet its feet. This is a great
joint effort; again, we thank Abe, the Japanese people, EJS and
Project Manager Masahiro Nonogaki.
JOHN GBOMO TOP COMMENTER (SIGNED IN USING
HOTMAIL)
Certainly this is good news! Frankly, I rather see slow but well-
thought-out plan that is executed to the letter with an outstanding
results than a half-fast job with half-assed results! Perhaps, one
of the reasons this project took this long to get underway is the
details that were being worked out the design, the scope of
work, and the contract detailswe just learned that routing and
identifying existing pipings for LPRC and LWSC, and rerouting
high-voltage lines were part of the delays especially when no
existing drawings are availableIt may seem premature but I
must congratulate this government and the Japanese for what is
about to take place. What we see and hear so far if it comes to
fruition with sound Japanese engineering, I think the people of
this nation will love you!
The Editor,
G
reetings from Uganda-Kasese, specifcally where the
late Dr. Sam is coming from. The whole community is
upset by the fact our very own Doctor. is buried abroad.
We appreciate that fact that the nature of his disease it
was impossible to bring his remains home.
However, we are upset. The purpose of this mail is to establish if
the photos of his body, and the grave could be accessed so that the
wife and the family members could see them. We are going to have
a funeral so clips could help us see how the situation was. This will
be in Uganda Kasese District at the border Obuganda with Congo.
Muhindo Moris,
morismuhindo77@gmail.com
LIBERIAN GOVT NOT
DOING ENOUGH TO
FIGHT EBOLA
W
hen the disease frst hit Liberia in March this year and Health
Ministry authorities asked for a mere US$1.2 million to combat
the crisis, Ellen, our globe-trotting president who never sees a
foreign trip invitation that she didn't like, took off then for visits
to KUWAIT and Europe while our people were dying.
The government only provided US$250, 000.00 then. Health Minister Walter
Gwenigale in April equated the Ebola outbreak to a predator leopard/lion and
said: "if you are in the house and the leopard/lion enters the house, (1.5 million
people live in Monrovia alone), you have to decide whether you want to close
the house (doors) so that the leapord can eat you up, or try to get the lion to
go outside," he said then. Well, it seems this hungry Ebola lion is not going
outside of this crowded house where it has already eaten/killed hundreds of
our people, and a panic stricken government that has neglected the healthcare
system.
To add insult to injury, the once respected JFK Hospital where African leaders
once got their medical checkups during state visits to Liberia before the war
has been so neglected by this government that you can't even literally take your
Madam President:
I
t is constitutionally wrong and very disappointing for you
to knowingly appoint people "with their American Papers"
(meaning American Citizens) to positions of public trust in
Liberia. This is a gross violation of our laws you swore to
uphold upon taking the Oath of Offce as President of Liberia.
Since you have voluntarily admitted to knowing the "plenty people
with their American Papers", I am calling on you to immediately
remove them from our government.
You are hurting your legacy and embarrassing some of us who
put everything aside to repose our trust in you for which we are
undeservedly being branded all sorts today.
The time to act is now. Time is not in your favor.
AB Darius Dillon
Monrovia, Liberia
SOMALIA DRIVE PROJECT
FINALLY IN MOTION,
JAPANESE FIRMS IN PLAY

EBOLA HOTLINE
PLEASE CALL THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS
IF YOU, A FAMILY MEMBER, FRIEND OR
LOVED ONES ARE EXPERIENCING ANY
OF THE SYMPTONS OF THE DEADLY
OUTBREAK: SYMPTOMS OF EBOLA
HF TYPICALLY INCLUDE: FEVER,
HEADACHE, JOINT AND MUSCLE ACHES,
WEAKNESS, DIARRHEA, VOMITING,
STOMACH PAIN, LACK OF APPETITE.
0886229641; 0886397381; 0776547437
dog there for good treatment. But Ellen gets free
healthcare paid for with our money from the US each year.
Even the JFK Laboratory has been relocated to Paris, France where the frst
Ebola patients' body tissues were sent in April for analysis. But strangely
while the results were pending from Paris, our Health
Authorities were barking in Monrovia: "No EBOLA in Liberia. "
But this is the same government that "ate" the US$13 million the European
Union sent us to help with our Healthcare system in Liberia and they lied to
us about the money. First, Finance Munister Amara said he
deposited the money into the account of the Health Ministry to be shared with
JFK, Phebe Hospital in Gbarnga and the Jackson F. Doe Medical Center in
Tapita, Nimba County. When Dr. Gwenigale said he had not seen a penny of
the $13 million, Konneh met with Ellen behind closed doors, and changed
the story to: we put it there (Health Ministry), then we took it out fr national
budget support." This us
how our government treats its own citizens.
Now our people are dying from EBOLA like fies and Ellen wants to jail
already heart broken families who may not even know if their loved ones had
it, let alone died from Ebola. Say your prayers Liberians.
Jerry Wion
Washington, DC
USA
Page 6 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
A DETERMINED MAN
F
RONT
PAGE
EBOLA
Monrovia -
D
r. Samuel Muhumuza
Mutoro was so
determined to
become a doctor that
he repeated classes in school,
just to fulfll his dreams, the
Ugandan Monitor quoting family
members reported Thursday.
Dr. Mutoro, who was pronounced
dead Tuesday, became the latest
health care worker to die from
the fatal Ebola virus sweeping
Liberia in recent months.
He had been in isolation for
several days, since he contracted
the virus from a Nurse, Esther
Kesselley, who was the frst
health care worker to succumb to
the outbreak in Liberia.
Medical aides who spoke to
FrontPageAfrica on condition
of anonymity Thursday said, Dr.
Mutoro had instructed his peers
not to get too close to him as
he fought to treat himself to no
avail.
Medications and essentials he
needed were slipped under the
door of the isolation unit room
he was kept shortly after he
contracted the virus.
A report from British Television,
Sky TV which has gone viral on
social networks, highlightsthe
case of another nurse who like
Kesselly contracted the virus by
caring for a patient. In footage
of the telecast, Nurse Elizabeth
Smith is seen lying on a bed
next to another nurse who had
contracted Ebola from the same
patient they had both treated.
But Ms Smith was signifcantly
weaker than her co-worker. She
did not raise her head as we
entered and her bed was soaked
in blood, the report said.
The Ugandan Monitor reported
Thursday that Dr. Mutoro
was constructing a storeyed-
residential structure in Ruharo
town suburbs with proceeds
from his work in Liberia.
He was a surgeon assigned at
the Redemption Hospital in New
Kru Town on a contract with
The whole community is upset by the fact our very own Doctor is buried
abroad. We appreciate that fact that the nature of his disease it was
impossible to bring his remains home. However, we are upset. - Muhindo
Moris, a resident of Mutoros hometown of Uganda-Kasese, in an email to
FrontPageAfrica Thursday,
UGANDA RECALLS LIFE OF FALLEN DOCTOR TO EBOLA IN LIBERIA

the Liberian government and
the World Health Organisation
(WHO).
At the time of his death,
Muhumuza is said to have
volunteered to treat a colleague
who was infected with Ebola,
thereby exposing himself to the
deadly disease.
His wife, Diana Namusoke, a
mother of three, told New Vision
that the family was notifed
about his death by an offcial
from Liberias government
Rev Jehoida Mutoro of South
Rwenzori Diocese, the only
brother of the deceased said
the bereaved family have been
advised against travelling to
Liberia as earlier planned.
Relatives in regions where the
virus has hit have been warned
against giving Ebola victims
traditional funerals - for fear of
spreading the deadly infection.
Traditional funerals involve
manual washing of the body, but
the infected dead are supposed to
be buried by health staff outftted
with protective gear.
A requiem mass was scheduled
for Thursday morning at 9:00am
at Mbarara University of Science
and Technology.
Costa Bwambale, a brother-in-
law of the deceased, described
the Muhumuza as a very
determined person, who even
repeated class in order to achieve
his dream of becoming a medical
doctor
It is believed that yesterday
Muhumuzas remains were
disposed of immediately since
World Health Organisation
(WHO) guidelines recommend
the immediate disposal of Ebola
victims.
At his home in Mbaguta cell,
Ruharo, in Mbarara neighbours
gathered and held a wake to
commiserate with the relatives.
Muhindo Moris, a resident
of Mutoros hometown of
Uganda-Kasese, in an email
to FrontPageAfrica Thursday,
wondered whether the Liberian
authorities had video footages
and photos of the fallen
doctors last days. The whole
community is upset by the fact
our very own Doctor. is buried
abroad. We appreciate that fact
that the nature of his disease
it was impossible to bring his
remains home. However, we are
upset.
"People are afraid but do not
believe that the disease exists and
because of that people get sick
and the community members
hide them and bury them, against
all the norms we have put in
place," she said.
On Thursday, Mr. Tolbert
Nyenswah, Assistant minister for
curative services at the Ministry
of Health told FrontPageAfrica
that authorities were in touch
with Dr. Mutoros family in
Uganda and keeping them
abreast of the situation on the
ground and will work with them
to fulfll the family wishes.
The outbreak has killed 467
people in Guinea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone since February,
making it the largest and
deadliest ever, according to
the World Health Organization
(WHO).
In Dr. Mutoros hometown,
Uganda-Kassee Thursday,
Muhindo Moris says residents
observed moments of silence as
many are still in disbelief. He
worked on crowds of people
across the whole country and
they cant believe, it is really hard
to accommodate. In the village,
people are still wailing loudly
and cursing the government of
Uganda for not making attempts
to bring Sam home, but just
condemning whoever attempts
to think of bringing him. Dr.
Sam belonged to a small tribe
of Bakonjo in kasese district at
boarder of Uganda and Congo.
People are not happy by the fact
Sam wasnt buried home and no
attempts by Liberia to bring their
son, who had been hired in their
Ministry of Health, it is a pitty to
hear of the time at which he was
buried 10:am, really...?????????
He was not worth this...people
even tried to attack government
offces for not designing means
to bring him home.

Dr. Samuel Muhumuza Mutoro and his wife and baby during happier days. PHOTO/Fred Turyakira
Reuters) -
W
est African states
lack the resources
to battle the
world's worst
outbreak of Ebola and deep
cultural suspicions about the
disease remain a big obstacle to
halting its spread, ministers said
on Wednesday.
The outbreak has killed 467
people in Guinea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone since February,
making it the largest and
deadliest ever, according to
the World Health Organization
(WHO).
West African health ministers
meeting in Ghana to draw up a
regional response mixed appeals
for cash with warnings of the
practices that have allowed the
disease to spread across borders
and into cities.
Abubakarr Fofanah, deputy
health minister for Sierra Leone,
a country with one of the world's
weakest health systems, said
cash was needed for drugs, basic
protective gear and staff pay.
FEAR, CASH SHORTAGES HINDER FIGHT AGAINST EBOLA OUTBREAK

Sierra Leone announced on
Wednesday that President Ernest
Bai Koroma, his vice president
and all cabinet ministers would
donate half of their salaries to
help fght the outbreak, though
the total amount of the donations
was not disclosed.
"In Liberia, our biggest challenge
is denial, fear and panic. Our
people are very much afraid
of the disease," Bernice Dahn,
Liberia's deputy health minister,
told Reuters on the sidelines of
the Accra meeting.
"People are afraid but do not
believe that the disease exists and
because of that people get sick
and the community members
hide them and bury them, against
all the norms we have put in
place," she said.
Authorities are trying to stop
relatives of Ebola victims from
giving them traditional funerals,
which often involve the manual
washing of the body, out of fear
of spreading the infection. The
dead are instead meant to be
buried by health staff wearing
protective gear.
Neighboring Sierra Leone faces
many of the same problems, with
dozens of those infected evading
treatment, complicating efforts
to trace cases.
RED CROSS STAFF
THREATENED
The Red Cross in Guinea said it
had been forced to temporarily
suspend some operations in
the country's southeast after
staff working on Ebola were
threatened.
"Locals wielding knives
surrounded a marked Red Cross
vehicle," a Red Cross offcial
said, asking not to be named.
The offcial said operations had
been halted for safety reasons.
The Red Cross later said only
international staff were removed.
A Medecins Sans Frontieres
(Doctors Without Borders)
center in Guinea was attacked by
youths in April after staff were
accused of bringing the disease
into the country.
<For a map of the region affected
by Ebola, please click on link.
reuters.com/fyj32w>
Ebola causes fever, vomiting,
bleeding and diarrhea and kills
up to 90 percent of those it
infects. Highly contagious, it is
transmitted through contact with
blood or other fuids.
WHO has fagged three main
factors driving its spread: the
burial of victims in accordance
with tradition, the dense
populations around the capital
cities of Guinea and Liberia and
the bustling cross-border trade
across the region.
Health experts say the top
priority must be containing
Ebola with basic infection
control measures such as vigilant
handwashing and hygiene, and
isolation of infected patients.
Jeremy Farrar, a professor of
tropical medicine and director
of The Wellcome Trust, an
infuential global health charity,
said people at high risk should
also be offered experimental
medicines, despite the drugs not
having been fully tested.
"We have more than 450 deaths
so far, and not a single individual
has been offered anything
beyond tepid sponging and 'we'll
bury you nicely'," Farrar told
Reuters in an interview. "It's just
unacceptable."
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 7
Page 8 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
INDUCTION PROGRAM OF THE
EXECUTIVE BOARD, LIBERIA POST GRADUATE MEDICAL COUNCIL (LPGMC) AND FOUNDATION FELLOWS,
LIBERIA COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS (LCPS)
MONROVIA CITY HALL, JUNE 27, 2014
-A PICTORIAL
The Academic Procession by members of the Executive Board and Foundation Fellows
A cross-section of Foundation Fellows receiving the Oath of Offce
Vice President Ambassador Joseph Boakai administers the Oath of Offce to members of LPGMC Executive Board-Dr.
Roseda Marshall, President; Dr. Robert Kpoto, First Vice President; Dr. Benjamin Harris, Second Vice President; Dr.
Rose Jallah Macauley, Treasurer and Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy, Secretary General (From left to right)
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 9
Deputy Health and Social Welfare Minister, Matthew Flomo makes remarks
on behalf of Minister Walter Gwenigale
A toast by visiting guests from post graduate medical training institutions in the
region including Ghana, Nigeria and the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO)
Page 10 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
Protocol for Reception of, and Funeral Rites
Over, the Remains of the Late Archbishop Dr.
William Nah Dixon;
Outstanding Man of God, Humanitarian,
Educator, Peacemaker, Theologian, International
Church Leader, Etc.
Monrovia, Liberia
T
he Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) announces
the Celebration of Life / Funeral Ritesfor the Late Rt.
Rev. Dr. William Nah Dixon; Archbishop, Don Stewart
Christ Pentecostal Church; Former President, Liberian
Council of Churches; Former President, Inter-Religious Council
of Liberia; Former President, Association of Evangelicals of
Liberia; Former Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Pentecostal
Fellowship Union of Liberia; amongst others. Archbishop Dixon,
a great soldier of the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ went home
to be with his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June
4, 2014 at his Staten Island home in New York, The United States
of America.
The Itinerary is as follows:

1. Wednesday, July 2,
2014 Conveyance of Remains
of The Late Rt. Rev. Dr. William
Nah Dixon to Liberia via SN
Brussels Airline and Reception
at Roberts International
Airport (RIA) at 6:00PM for
deposit at St. Moses Funeral
Home by National Church
Leaders, Families, Friends and
Sympathizers, amongst others
2. Thursday, July 3,
2014 Removal of the Remains
of The Late Archbishop
William Nah Dixon from the
St. Moses Funeral Parlors
in Gardnersville, Monrovia,
beginning at 3:00PM
3. Thursday, July 3,
2014 First Wake Keeping
Ceremony for the Christian
Community and the General
Public at the Don Stewart Christ
Pentecostal Church, Point 4,
Bushrod Island, Monrovia,
beginning at 5:00PM
4. Friday, July 4, 2014
Second Wake Keeping
Ceremony for the Family and
Churches in the Borough of
New Kru Town at the SAME
VENUE beginning at 5:00PM
5. Saturday, July
5, 2014 Funeral Service
at the Don Stewart Christ
Pentecostal Church, Point 4,
Bushrod Island, Monrovia,
Liberia beginning at 11:00AM.
Interment follows Immediately
at The Deaf and Hard Of
Hearing School Campus,
Virginia, Montserrado County,
Liberia
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT: Only
Government of Liberia,
Liberian Council of Churches
(LCC), Umbrella Para-Church
Organizations, Don Stewart
Christ Pentecostal Church
and Families will pay Tribute
at Funeral Service. All other
tributes will be paid during two
nights of wake-keeping. MAY
HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!
The death of His faithful ones
is valuable in the LORD's
sight. Psalm 116:15
Funeral events for the late Samuel
Dafa Washington AKA Old School of
Sinkor, Cabral Estate are as follows
Friday, July 4, 2014 Removal of the
body from the St. Moses Funeral
Home, Gardnersville at 4: 30 pm and
taken to the Living Water Baptist
Church, Cabral Estate, opposite
Haywood Mission School for a night
of wake-keeping from 7pm to 11pm.
Funeral services is on Saturday, July
5, 2014 at 9am at the same church.
Internment follows at Klay, Bomi
County, home of the deceased.
Announcement is brought in by
Massa Washington, journalist and
former Commissioner of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission(TRC) on
behalf of the family.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT FOR MR. SAMUEL
DAFA WASHINGTON, AKA: OLD SCHOOL
REPORTING LIBERIAS OIL INDUSTRY
F
RONT
PAGE
OBITUARY
Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable organisation of Thomson
Reuters, is working with New Narratives, a non-governmental organisation
that has been driving improvements in Liberias media sector for 4 years,
to run a project that supports Liberian journalists and news organisations
to cover the countrys oil industry.
The project will run from 2014-16 and will feature training, mentoring
and capacity building for Liberian journalists and news organisations.
The project will focus on a range of oil sector issues including contracts,
the management of revenues, the implications for Liberias economy, and
the environmental impact of the industry. It will encourage journalism that
relates these issues to the lives of citizens through engaging storytelling.
The project in Liberia is part of a larger programme taking place across
Africa, which aims to support journalists and media organisations to cover
fnancial and extractives issues which are central to development.
Oil reporting scheme call for applications
Journalists working in Liberia are invited to apply to the oil reporting
scheme being run by Thomson Reuters Foundation and New Narratives.
The scheme will involve a series of training courses over approximately
two years, combined with ongoing mentoring and opportunities to produce
stories and investigations.
Journalists taking part in the scheme will learn how to produce accurate,
impartial and independent coverage of the oil sector in Liberia. The
ultimate aim will be for journalists to report to the internationally
recognised standards of Reuters.
The scheme is a major commitment but it will also be a rewarding one.
We are looking for journalists who:
- Report for a national media outlet in Liberia print, online, radio
or television journalists are eligible
- Have at least 2 years of professional experience as a journalist
- Have experience of, or can demonstrate a genuine interest in,
business and fnancial journalism
- Are motivated to cover the oil industry and how it relates to other
aspects of life in Liberia
Please note: journalists taking part in the programme must report the
oil industry in an independent manner and must not take payment from
any sources in the course of their reporting. The project will not tolerate
the acceptance of such payment. Participants will be required to sign an
agreement to this effect.
Funding will be available within the project to help journalists cover
stories on the oil industry.
Application process
To apply send a cover letter detailing any experience in business and
fnancial reporting and why you want to take part in this scheme, as well
as a CV and two writing samples to contact@newnarratives.org.
Deadline: July 14th 2014
About the partner organisations
Thomson Reuters Foundation has been supporting excellence in journalism
worldwide since 1982. It draws on the global expertise of Reuters and its
network of nearly 200 bureaus to run pioneering journalism development
projects. More than 12,000 journalists from 170 countries have been
involved in its projects and training courses. Responding to world events,
it has created news platforms to provide accurate, objective news to
populations in countries such as Iraq, Egypt and Zimbabwe.
New Narratives provides resources, editorial and business support to
help leading African media houses deliver independent, honest news
that Africans use to drive change. Working in Liberia since 2010, New
Narratives reporters have repeatedly broken stories that have prompted
action on major societal issues such as teen prostitution, child labor and the
growing drug trade. Reporting has won major national and international
awards and appeared in media around the world.

Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 11
Wade C.L. Williams
Al-Varney Rogers alrogers2008@gmail.com 0886304498
F
RONT
PAGE
NEWS EXTRA
STRONGER TIES
Monrovia-
T
he President of
Liberia Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf says
Liberia continues to
beneft from cooperation and
assistance of its traditional
ally the United States of
America. Speaking during the
238th celebrations of the U.S
independence anniversary,
President Sirleaf extolled
the government and people
of the United States for its
assistance to Liberia in the
area of security, accountability,
health and human capacity
development.
Recently Liberia has been
selected to be one of the power
Africa companies and I hold
you to the commitment you just
made that we shall see lights
over Liberia, said President
Sirleaf.
We applaud the contributions
of the Peace Corps volunteers
and their support of the training
program which is providing
young Liberian graduates
the opportunities to work
with volunteers in teaching
assignments across the country.
We have already begun to see
the results of these efforts.
President Sirleaf said with
the help of the United States
Liberia was recently able to
undertake the frst rotation
of troops from the Armed
Forces of Liberia (AFL) in
the African-led international
support mission in Mali with
the deployment of the second
platoon.
We are proud of the quality
of the service provided by our
soldiers and remain grateful
to the US, for the training
and other logistical support;
which not only made this
Liberia Joins Traditional Ally US in Independence Celebrations

Monrovia-
T
he Liberia Anti-
Corruption Commission
says it will invite former
head of the National Oil
Company of Liberia (NOCAL)
Christopher Neyor in an attempt
to probe allegations contained in
his open letter to President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf.
We managed to follow the
publication attributed to Chris
Neyor and as we speak just as
we did with the NOCAL case
Mr. Clemenceau Urey appearing
before the Legislature said they had
to engage in bribery in A B C and
D, Neyor in his publication made
some allegations, Christopher
Neyor is suppose to appear, we got
the information that he is not in
the country but a communication
has been sent to him to come and
give explanation on some of those
issues of fve million dollars and I
said in my statement, if misconduct
is detected we will follow the trail
if it leads to individual then it leads
to individual, if it leads to animal
it leads to animal but whoever it
leads to, we will follow you and
that what we are going to do if he's
in town hes going to come and I
learn that he has travel but a letter
has been written to him already,
said LACC Chairman James
Verdier.
Commissioner Verdier disclosed
that the letter was written early
July and the LACC is in readiness
to further investigate the Neyors
revelation.
Said Commissioner Verdier I
think it was written July third or
second that invitation is out there
for Mr. Neyor to come to LACC
to provide clarity that will help us
to investigate the allegation he has
made.
Recommendation for Prosecution
Cllr. Verdier disclosed that the
LACC has recommended a list of
corruption cases to be prosecuted
by the Ministry of Justice.
"The LACC assures the people
of Liberia that it will pursue,
suspected, reported, discovered,
and uncovered cases alleging
misapplication, misappropriation
of public resources and abuse of
public offces no matter where
and when necessary to curb
corruption and restore some level
of accountability and justice in
government," LACC Chairperson
James Verdier.
The cases recommended for
prosecution are the allegation of
bribery involving some offcials of
National Oil Company (NOCAL)
and some lawmakers and staff
of the Legislature, allegation
of corruption at the National
Commission on Higher Education
(NCHE); allegation of corruption
involving the public Works and
Flash Point Incorporated and
allegation of corruption with
Japanese Oil Grant of 2011
between the governments of
Liberia and Japan.
Cllr. Verdier said, the LACC has
retrieved four cases from the
Ministry of Justice for further
actions.
According to Cllr. Verdier, the
four cases retrieved are, the
investigative report on allegation
LACC PROBES NEYORS REVELATION
FORWARDs CORRUPTION CASES FOR PROSECUTION TO JUSTICE MINISTRY....
mission possible, but enabled
an important transformation
of our country, from being
widely considered an exporter
of war, to now an exporter of
peace. Once again Madam
Ambassador, Congratulations
to you, your government and
your people, on your nations
238th birthday.
United States Ambassador
to Liberia, Deborah Malac,
relishing the historic
relationship between the two
countries said the United States
through many mechanisms is
working with the government
to help build a Liberia that
is at peace with itself and its
neighbors and offers economic
opportunities to all its citizens.
Building such a bright future
is no easy task, especially
in the wake of devastating
confict. It requires unity of
effort, a shared vision and a
commitment to the common
good.
This does not mean that there
must always be complete
agreement on every policy
decision- alternative and
dissenting views can drive
innovative solutions and are
a necessary component of
a vibrant democracy- but it
does require public discourse
marked by civility and respect.
We can agree to disagree while
continuing to work together in
best interests of the country.
Ambassador Malac said
Liberia has made tremendous
progress in its strides for peace
and economic development
since the election of President
Sirleaf.
She said Liberians should help
to push the efforts of other
Liberians helping them to
succeed in their endeavors.
Furthermore, anothers
success or opportunity should
not automatically unleash
unfounded invectives, but
should serve as a model of what
is possible to achieve through
joint effort, said Ambassador
Malac.
The wheels of progress
cannot turn forward if they
are constantly blocked by the
stones of pettiness and personal
attack whose sole purpose is to
prevent things from happening
or to preserve a political or
personal advantage.
She said sustained and broad-
based development and true
economic prosperity do not
happen overnight and a nation
is fortunate if it happens in a
generation.
It requires sustained
commitment and concentrated
focus and lots of patience, she
said.
Under President Ellen
Johnson Sirleafs leadership,
Liberia has made progress. But
we all know that there is much
more to be done to deliver
the promise and benefts of
peace and prosperity to all
Liberians. Let us all renew our
commitment to work together
to achieve the promise.
The program, which was
attended by US Embassy
offcials and some high-
ranking offcials in the
Liberian government was held
on Thursday evening at the
Executive Pavilion on Broad
Street.
of corruption in payment of
domestic debts, investigative
reports on LMA and CCTV,
investigative report on missing
civil servant salary checks for the
months of July-August 2008, from
the EDP unit of the Ministry of
Finance, investigative report on
missing civil servant salary checks
for the months of July-August
2008, from the EDP unit of the
Ministry of Finance involving the
role of the Central Bank of Liberia
and some commercial banks.
Verdier warned public institutions
and their heads not to under-
estimate the LACC as the
institution is resolved and
committed to executing its
mandate.
Verdier continued:"We will pursue
misconducts and improprieties,
not individuals; we will act on
discovered facts but our actions
will not be prompted by politics or
witch hunting."
Verdier explained that the LACC is
aware that that corrupt individuals
will use ill gotten wealth to fght
back at the LACC.
"We are aware that corrupt
individuals will use corrupt and ill-
gotten wealth to fght back, but we
remain resolute, challenged and
emboldened to gallantly take on
this challenge," Verdier said.
The LACC boss, name fnancial
and logistical incapacities and the
lack of political will to give the
Commission full prosecutorial
power.
Verdier explains: "The Ministry
of Justice is over-weighed,
overstretched, and over loaded
with volume of cases statutorily
assigned to It." some of these
problems can be alleviated by the
legislature if it grants direct power
to prosecute to the LACC."
Verdier said, "We therefore call
on the legislature to share in this
vision and wisdom to accelerate
the pace of prosecution for acts
of corruption and debunk the
impression that impunity is
sanctioned by the government of
Liberia."
Verdier added, that the fght
against corruption is not a fght
of the LACC alone adding it is
a collective responsibility of all
Liberians. "Liberia must prevail
over this evil of corruption and
abuse of public offce."
Verdier disclosed that a list of
"delinquent and rebellious"
offcials who have not disclosed
their assets will be submitted to the
president for appropriate sanctions
as prescribed under the executive
order 55.
"Today, we are pleased to announce
that list of public offcials who
have not complied with the asset
disclosure regime and a list of
offcials who have not honored
these requirements," Verdier said.
According to Verdier, assets,
income and liabilities disclosure
remains one of the most effective
means to monitor and measure
acquisition and disposal of wealth
by public offcials.
Verdier further said: "And by this
means, anti-graft institutions can
follow and study the performance
of offcials and determine element
of impropriety, criminality and
corruption."
Verdier said the LACC remains
committed in fghting graft despite
criticisms from people that it is
doing nothing.
"There have been growing
speculations and judgment calls
about what the LACC is doing or
going to do under our leadership."
In fact, there are those who have
begun to document, in writing and
verbal expression, that the LACC
has made no impact and remains
toothless," Verdier added.
Verdier continued:"We will
not engage in the practice of
challenging people's impression
of what the LACC is or what it's
capable of doing or what it is going
to do."
Cllr. Verdier promised to
commission an audit of the LACC
adding as an integrity institution
they should lead by respecting
and complying with accountability
regimes.
Commissioning a self audit is
one of those responsibilities
of an institution like ours must
undertake," The record here at
LACC speak to the contrary.
According to Verdier, the LACC is
currently investigating allegation
of corruption in the administration
of the CDF/SDF in Sinoe County;
allegation of corruption in the
administration of the CDF/SDF
in Gbarpolu County; allegation
of corruption at LINSU and the
Mano-River Youth Parliament;
allegation of corruption at the
National Bureau of Concessions;
allegation of corruption involving
offcials of the Ministries of
Finance and Defense, members
of the legislature, and the Don-
Kan Gas Station and allegation of
corruption involving the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and offcials of
Liberia's Consulate in New York.
Page 12 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
Gbarnga, Bong County-
U
nlike most of
his peers, Peter
(surname withheld)
has an unusual
personal history. He was an
unwanted child, abandoned in
the Maimu displaced camp in
Bong County during the heat
of the civil war in Liberia and
left to die or be picked up by
kind-hearted Liberians.
In a society where orphans are
nearly always stigmatized and
sometimes treated like social
outcasts, it is hard to imagine
the emotional pain that Peter
must have suffered. But, over
the years, he managed to
develop a thick skin against
unkind remarks aimed at
disparaging his condition.
I dont care what anybody
else says about it. For me, this
is not an issue. Painful as it
sounds, I have accepted it and I
am already used to it, he says.
Like Peter, Prince Pajibo, and
Dennis Suakoliie were also
raised in orphanages in Bong
County. They spent most
of their lives growing up in
company with other children
and learning to survive against
all odds.
Today, Peter is a senior
executive with the Lee Group
of company in Salala district in
Bong County. Bubbling with
self-confdence, he tells our
correspondent that working
for the company is the best
decision he has ever made.
He is not only doing well at
his job, he is also comfortable
and now looks forward to a
prosperous future.
But success did not come
without some challenges. I
had a lot of challenges. There
were times when I felt really
discouraged. At such times, I
would ask myself why things
were so tough for me. Was
it because of my status as an
orphan that things were not
working well for me? I would
ask myself if it was because
I had no biological parents,
uncles, aunts and cousins that I
was having problems charting
a course in life. It was quite
frustrating. But for the fact that
I was focused all the while,
I might not have been able to
stand on my feet, he says.
Prince is a graduate of the
Cuttington University. Apart
from being a renowned
entrepreneur in Salala, he
seems to have a bright future
laid out before him as an
accountant.
At 34 years, perhaps it would
be correct to assume that
this dashing and seemingly
ambitious man is on his way to
becoming an A-list accountant
in Liberia.
Also, Dennis holds a degree
from the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion University in
Monrovia.
Memories of childhood
In separate interviews with our
correspondent, all three agreed
that life in a typical Liberia
orphanage was far from being
rosy all the time. It had its dark
and bright sides.
There were challenges, most
of which directly impacted
on the children and helped to
shape their personalities, their
responses to the society and
F
RONT
PAGE
COUNTY NEWS
QUITE FRUSTRATING

Selma Lomax, selmalomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
their future in various ways.
Growing up at the Feleta
Childrens Home was
challenging in many ways,
Dennis says. I remember that
we used to walk all the way to
school and back. Sometimes,
we had diffculty feeding
three times in a day. Only few
people knew that orphanages
existed and were willing to
help. What kept us going was
the love that we experienced at
the Home and the knowledge
that we were appreciated.
Each time we were outside the
premises of the Home, it was
this knowledge, which instilled
in us a deep sense of security,
and the warm atmosphere that
always made us look forward
to coming back, Dennis says.
On the other hand, Peter recalls
memories of his childhood at
the Christs Childrens Home
with nostalgia. . I was eight
years old then. For me, that
was a developmental stage
in my life. When I arrived in
the institution I was still quite
vulnerable and confused.
Initially I kept asking myself
where I was. But in no time I
got used to the place. I quickly
adapted to the communal
life and atmosphere in the
orphanage home.
It was a pleasant experience
being surrounded by people
who cared for me. There was
so much love in the place. As
a child, that was what mastered
most to me. Till date, I have
not found the right words to
describe how it felt to live
in such a place. I wouldnt
say that we were pampered.
We were treated the way any
loving parent would treat his
own children, he says.
Despised by neighbors
Discipline has always been
a fundamental issue in most
orphanages across Liberia.
Some people are apprehensive
that some of the operators of
the charity homes have mixed
if not negative mindsets. But
many of those who run such
institutions are emphatic about
raising disciplined children.
There are laid down rules and
offenders were often punished.
Peter notes that while growing
up at the Christs Children
Home, he was exposed to what
he describes as the Liberian
wayof discipline.
If you did something wrong,
you would be punished for it.
As much as we were treated
just like other children, we
were not pampered. We were
loved, but we were not spared
the sting of the whip whenever
we erred. The fact that we were
orphans made no difference.
So, we learnt to be disciplined
just like other children. Apart
from this, we were taught
to love and appreciate one
another, to uphold moral values
in the society and to respect our
elders, he says.
The same rules applied in
Feleta Childrens Home.
During an interview with our
correspondent, the Executive
Director of the Home who gave
her name as Ma Mary indicated
that the institution thrived on
rules.
The enforcement of such
rules and punishment is the
joint responsibility of the
disciplinary committee and a
social welfare department set
up for that purpose, according
to her.
But there was a problem. Most
people, especially those living
near the orphanage, looked
down on the children all the
time. They had formed the habit
of addressing the latter in a very
abusive manner and causing
them harm psychologically.
People outside the home
always cast at us in those days.
They called us foolish people,
which was quite derogatory. At
every opportunity they would
tell us that we had no biological
parents, Dennis recalls.
Each time the children returned
to the orphanage, smarting
from the abuses and insults,
and reported the matter to their
mother and elder siblings, the
latter would rise with anger and
protest the harassment.
On such occasions, we always
felt proud that we had such
backing from our people. At
the same time, we were flled
with a sense of responsibility
and the urge to always rise
in defense of others that
were similarly oppressed,
Willoughby adds.
No brother, no uncle, no cousin
Peter and Dennis owe their
successes; so far, to the kind
of upbringing they had at the
Feleta Childrens Home and
Christs Childrens Home.
The kind of life you encounter
after the orphanage depends
a lot on how you lived in the
institution. For example, the
Feleta Childrens Home gives
you the opportunity to be
whatever you want to be. If you
are not academically inclined,
you go for vocational training.
If you focus on what you are
doing, you wont feel the
transition from the orphanage
to the larger society. Instead,
you will blend easily. In my
case, I didnt feel anything,
Peter remarks.
Similarly, Dennis believes
he would never have made
much progress in life but for
the fact that he was raised in
an orphanage home where
he learnt to be focused,
resourceful and to work hard
towards achieving his goals in
life.
But contrary to Peters
expectation, life after the
orphanage turned out to be a
nightmare of sorts. For the frst
time in his life, he understood
what it meant to be alone in
the world. That was when a
vacuum that he never really
believed existed reared up its
head. He calls it the loophole
in his life.
I realized what it means to
be disconnected from ones
blood relations. When I
started relating as an adult
with other people, who grew
up in a normal family setting
knowing their biological
parents the full import of
my status as an orphan with no
blood relations to relate with
fnally dawned on me.
There was no uncle, aunt,
cousins or brother to go to for
assistance. It was just me alone
in the world. At a point I said
to myself: So, this is what
it means to be an orphan? In
Liberia, when people know
that you are an orphan, there
is an X-factor on you. You
automatically become an
outcast. This is the kind of
thing I experienced, he notes.
My daughter cannot marry an
orphan
Life as a budding actor
proved tougher than Peter had
imagined. Every step of the
way appeared to be strewn with
thorns. Even getting auditioned
and accepted for a role at Lee
Group was diffcult.
Initially I was not accepted
because I was an orphan.
Fortunately, one of the judges,
a lady, decided to give me an
opportunity to prove myself.
I thank God that I didnt
disappoint her.
Before then, I had met some
people for help. But each time,
they would ask me, Who are
you, who do you know and
what do you have? Somebody
once took my resume and, after
skimming through it, asked,
You mean that you have
achieved all this without the
backing of anybody? he says.
Also, Dennis has felt the sting
of the loophole on many
occasions and each time, he
yearned to fnd and reconnect
with his real parents.
He says, To be realistic, I
think the only person on earth
who does not feel the need
to be close to his biological
parents is the person that lacks
blood in his veins. As long as
you have blood in your veins,
you will have the urge, even
wish, to reconnect with them.
Consider that you are in
school and watch the parents of
your colleagues coming to visit
them. You will defnitely feel
a vacuum. There is something
missing in your life and you
want to fll it. Most of the time
in the past, I felt the urge to
meet my real parents. But, I
thank God that everything is
okay now.
He had felt a deep sense of
personal loss when his two-
year relationship with his
girlfriend broke up because her
parents could not cope with the
fact that he was an orphan.
She wanted me for keeps,
but her parents thought
differently. Probably they
had felt uncomfortable with
the fact that I had no tangible
background. We dated for one
year. But she left reluctantly,
he says.
For Prince, life after the
orphanage, though laced with
a few hard-won successes, has
been tough. But he sees himself
as capable of solving his own
problems.
I think I was suffciently
prepared to face the challenges
of living outside the orphanage
home. Although it has not been
easy coping without the usual
support from the environment
where I grew up, I have what
it takes to succeed on my own
outside the home. Everywhere
I go, I always fnd myself
leading other people towards
achieving goals. I think this
is the result of the orientation
I had back in the orphanage,
Prince says.
Even as a youngster, he
had always known that the
conditions at FeletaChildrens
Home were a lot different
from what obtained in the
larger society. While the latter
is a much tougher, even brutal
a place where the strong
feed on the weak to survive
the orphanage presents
a more humane setting and
atmosphere to co-exist with
other people.They are two
different worlds entirely, he
observes.
BEING AN ORPHAN IN LIBERIA IS
In a society where orphans are nearly always stigmatized and sometimes treated like social outcasts, it
is hard to imagine the emotional pain that Peter must have suffered. But, over the years, he managed to
develop a thick skin against unkind remarks aimed at disparaging his condition.
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 13
REGULATOR STILL IN LACC DRAGNET
Commission on Higher Education Director General long Corruption tale
F
RONT
PAGE
EBOLA
FIGHTING EBOLA AT ELWA
by Jake Buller, Photos by Bethany Fankhauser
T
he frst rumors of
Ebola in Liberia
began to seep into
conversation in the
middle of March. Before the
month closed, there were cases
being reported from Lofa, and
papers all over the capital city
carried headlines with Ebola
in the title. As the situation grew
more serious, ELWA Hospital
prepared an isolation unit and
prayed it would not be needed.
At frst it seemed that the prayers
had been answered. The outbreak
experienced a short lull, and
for a time there were no new
confrmed cases in Liberia. But
on June 11th, ELWA Hospital
received their frst suspected
case of the Ebola Virus Disease
(EVD), an indication of a
resurgence that has lasted weeks
and shows signs of continuing
for much longer.
Since May 29, at least 33
new cases of EVD have been
confrmed, 12 of which were in
Montserrado, either in or near
the capital city of Monrovia.
Five of these cases have been
treated at ELWA Hospital in
ELWAs isolation unit. The ward
currently has two patients, and
both have been confrmed as
having EVD.
Right now there are three doctors
working with the EVD patients,
along with nurses and aides. In
addition, these doctors and nurses
have support from the outside
through their decontamination
team. This team gets supplies,
helps the doctors and nurses
dress in their protective gear, and
decontaminates them when they
come out as well as mixing the
bleach that is used in the process.
Dr. Debbie Eisenhut, a SIM
surgeon in charge of the EVD
response for ELWA, shares that
the workers at the hospital have
an obligation to take care of these
patients, in order to maximize
their chances for survival and
relieve their suffering. There is
a need for a place to put them
in order to protect their families
and the community at large from
contracting the disease.
The greatest danger to our
hospital staff, she continues, is
the possibility of missing a case of
Ebola that comes to our ER. The
symptoms of Ebola are very non-
specifcfever, gastrointestinal
symptoms, headache, fatigue,
etc. So great vigilance is needed
We have an obligation to take care of these patients, in order to maximize their chances for survival and relieve their suffering. There is
a need for a place to put them in order to protect their families and the community at large from contracting the disease.
Dr. Debbie Eisenhut, a SIM surgeon in charge of the EVD response for ELWA
Ebola 'out of control' in West Africa as health workers rush
to realize that a patient might be
a suspected case so that he/she
can be isolated and not admitted
to the regular ward. This takes
careful screening and many
questions about the history and
contacts. We have a protocol in
place to minimize the probability
of inadvertent admission of an
Ebola patient to our regular
wards. We also have a security
protocol in place in front of the
ER to reduce traffc and to help
screen patients appropriately.
All of this takes vigilance and
attention to detail in order to
keep our hospital staff safe.
The current isolation unit is
small, a converted chapel.
But ELWA, with the technical
and fnancial assistance of
Samaritans Purse, is converting
a building of the new hospital
into a larger isolation unit with
improved care facilities. God
willing, it should open sometime
next week.
Here are some ways you can
pray for Liberia, and ELWA
Hospital in particular:
- Pray for protection for all of the
hospital staff members. Pray that
no cases of EVD will be missed
in the ER and be inadvertently
admitted to the regular wards.
- Pray for healing for the patients
who have been admitted.
- Pray for rest and stamina for
those working double duty
doctors, nurses and the workers
helping outside the unit. For the
missionaries, their regular jobs
havent stopped. They continue
to keep up their regular work
even while staffng the Ebola
unit.
- Praise for all the helpsupplies
and personnelthat Samaritans
Purse is providing.
- Pray that Liberia will become
more aware of the situation. Pray
that Liberians will understand
what causes EVD and take the
proper precautions to prevent its
spread.
H
undreds of West
Africans could be
carrying the deadly
Ebola virus and not
know it, potentially infecting
hundreds more, as cash-strapped
governments and overwhelmed
aid agencies struggle to contain
the virus's spread.
At least 1,500 people have not
yet been traced who are known
to have come into contact with
others confrmed or suspected to
be infected with the haemorrhagic
fever, Medecins Sans Frontieres
(MSF) told The Telegraph.
Many more could be moving
freely in the three countries
battling the virus, Guinea,
Liberia and Sierra Leone, but
fear of the illness and mistrust
of Western medicine means they
refuse to come forward to speak
to doctors.
The current outbreak is the worst
ever. So far 467 people have died
and health staff have identifed
at least 292 other suspected or
confrmed cases.
Ebola is transmitted by coming
into contact with bodily fuids
of an infected person. It has
no cure and as many as 90 per
cent of its victims die, often
from uncontrollable internal and
external bleeding.
Health authorities in Glasgow and
organisers of the Commonwealth
Games, which start in the city
on July 23, said they were
"monitoring the situation on a
daily basis" because a team from
Sierra Leone was coming to
compete.
"Based on current advice from
the World Health Organisation,
we estimate the risk to the
delegates from Sierra Leone is
extremely low," the statement
said.
The outbreak was now "out of
control" in the three affected
countries and could quickly
spread across West Africa,
according to MSF, which is
leading efforts to deal with cases.
The virus's spread appeared to
have been cut off in late April,
when 74 people had died and
Alpha Conde, Guinea's president,
said the situation was "well in
hand" and "touch wood there
won't be any new cases".
But a rare mix of highly
mobile populations, mistrust
of outsiders, a fear of being
diagnosed and treated, traditional
burial practices, and a lack of
funding all mean Ebola fared
again.
The number of cases jumped by
129, or 38 per cent, in the week
from June 25 to July 2, the WHO
said.
Health staff have even been
attacked. The Red Cross in
Guinea said it had been forced
to temporarily suspend some
THE GREATEST DANGER TO OUR HOSPITAL STAFF
1,500 POSSIBLE VICTIMS
operations in the country's
southeast after staff working
on Ebola were threatened on
Wednesday.
"Locals wielding knives
surrounded a marked Red Cross
vehicle," a Red Cross offcial
said, asking not to be named. An
MSF centre elsewhere in Guinea
was attacked in April by youths
saying the charity brought Ebola
into their country.
"I have covered six previous
Ebola outbreaks and this is
unprecedented," said Michel Van
Herp, an epidemiologist with
MSF in Belgium, who spent two
months in the region in March
and April and is returning again
shortly.
"It is unique in terms of the
number of cases, where they
are and how they are spread,
the diffculty of putting enough
treatment centres where they are
needed, and the fact that these
people move about so much."
MSF and other organisations
including the British Red
Cross are focused on treating
those cases that come to their
specialised isolation wards, but
more needed to be done to reach
out to the rest of the population,
Mr Van Herp said.
West African health ministers
on Wednesday began a two-day
emergency summit in Accra, the
Ghanaian capital, to improve co-
ordination of their responses to
Ebola.
Money was needed urgently
for drugs, basic protective gear
and staff pay, said Abubakarr
Fofanah, Sierra Leone's deputy
health minister.
"In Liberia, our biggest challenge
is denial, fear and panic. Our
people are very much afraid
of the disease," Bernice Dahn,
Liberia's deputy health minister,
told Reuters on the sidelines of
the Accra meeting.
"People are afraid but do not
believe that the disease exists and
because of that people get sick
and the community members
hide them and bury them, against
all the norms we have put in
place," she said.
The virus remains contagious
even if the person it infected dies.
ITS running rampant across
west Africa and has already
claimed nearly 500 lives. As
the UN struggles to contain the
deadliest ever outbreak of Ebola,
the question on everyones lips
is: Are we next?
A sense of panic is beginning to
pervade Guinea, the epicentre of
the outbreak, and neighbouring
Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The death toll from the deadly
haemorrhagic virus now stands at
467. There been a 38 per cent rise
in the number of deaths in just a
week.
And now, there are growing fears
Ebola could spread further than
the small corner of west Africa
reeling from the current outbreak.
So, is it possible cases of Ebola
could begin turning up in
Australia soon? Is there a chance
it will spread through Europe
before making its way to our
shores?
If it does spread to the West
its likely Paris will be the frst
city to see the virus according
to infectious disease specialist
Kamran Khan.
We look at many outbreaks and
decide what paths theyre going
take, he told NPR.
The big question is whether sick
people are going to get on a plane
and spread the disease.
In Guineas capital Conakry
the international airport is not a
central hub but there are some
fights direct to the French
capital.
The volume of travel in the
Conakry airport is low, Dr Khan
said.
Most of the fights are local. But
10 per cent of the traffc goes to
Paris.
There is a chance someone
could board the plane while
unknowingly carrying the virus,
which has an incubation period
of up to three weeks and a fatality
rate of 90 per cent.
But unlike other deadly
outbreaks, such as the SARS
virus and avian fu, transmission
of Ebola involves exposure to
bodily fuids including blood and
other secretions.
World Health Organisation
Regional Director for Africa Dr
Luis Gomes Sambo said critical
action was needed to stop the
spread of the epidemic.
The current trend of this
epidemic and the potential of
cross-border and international
spread constitute a public health
matter of grave concern, he told
an emergency summit in Ghana.
The current Ebola outbreak has
the potential to spread outside the
affected countries and beyond
the region if urgent and relevant
containing measures are not put
in place.
He urged authorities to leave
no stone unturned in the fght to
contain the virus.
Pulmonary diseases and critical
care specialist Dr William
Fischer, who was working
to contain the epidemic in
Gueckedou, told News Corp it
was tough to pick a worse spot
for the outbreak to have occurred.
One of the reasons is the
location. Gueckedou is right on
the border of Sierra Leone and
Guinea. Its tough to pick a worse
place, virus and illness crosses
borders easily, he said.
The resources and collaboration
dont follow as easily.
He said MSF and the WHO
were working together with
offcials from all three countries
to improve treatment and
prevention.
It is absolutely controllable it is
not diffcult to break the chain of
transmission if you have the right
resources and people are buying
in and participating.
He said there was a great deal of
fear around the disease, but that
he didnt expect it would spread
to the west.
Its not as scary as we think it
is, he said.
The United Nations today
moved to reassure west Africa
that the deadly epidemic could
be stopped, telling the regions
health ministers: We can handle
this.
These kinds of outbreaks,
these diseases, can be stopped,
Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-
general for health security at
the WHO, told AFP, as 11 west
African health ministers gathered
for a two-day conference in
Accra.
This is not a unique situation
we have faced it many times
so Im quite confdent that we
can handle this.
This is, however, the most
complicated Ebola outbreak ever
because it is spreading so fast in
both urban and rural areas.
Page 14 |
Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014
IN BRIEF
AUSTRALIAN
SURGEONS REMOVE
HUGE GROWTH FROM
FILIPINO BOY'S FACE
ROBERT MUGABE SAYS NO WHITES
MAY OWN LAND IN ZIMBABWE
PROSECUTOR SAYS PISTORIUS
ACTED METHODICALLY

A
ustralian surgeons
have successfully
carried out a
complex and rare
procedure to remove a huge
growth from the face of a
young Filipino boy, who had to
lift it up to eat and drink.
Jhonny Lameon, 7, suffered
from a severe fronto-nasal
encephalocele -- a neural
tube defect that resulted in
membranous sacs expanding
through his eyes and covering
his face.
He was noticed by a volunteer
at NGO Interplast during a
visit to the Philippines, who
sent photos of the child to
Monash Children's Hospital
plastic surgeon James Leong in
Melbourne.
"As soon as I saw his case I
immediately sent emails to get
approval so we could help this
young boy," Leong told AFP.
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP)

O
scar Pistorius armed
himself and took
other methodical
steps before he
killed his girlfriend, the chief
prosecutor said Thursday,
trying to cast doubt on the
athlete's account that he reacted
instinctively to a perceived
intruder.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel made
the argument while cross-
examining sports physician
Wayne Derman, who testifed
that the Paralympian acted on
a "fght or fight" impulse in
which he chose to confront
what he thought was an attacker
because his disability prevented
him from feeing. Derman has
treated Pistorius for years.
Pistorius, 27, says he killed
Steenkamp by mistake, thinking
there was a dangerous intruder
in his home. He shot her through
a closed toilet door while on his
stumps.
Z
imbabwe president
Robert Mugabe has
ordered the nations
remaining white farmers
to be booted off their farms in order
that the land be given to black
Zimbabweans.
In the harshest offcial policy on
race and land reform in a country
that has been close to bankruptcy,
the 90-year old autocrat said
Wednesday that whites may no
longer own any land in Zimbabwe.
Whites would still be allowed
to own businesses and urban
apartments.
Speaking to farmers in Mhangura,
a small mining town about 120
miles north of the capital Harare,
Mr. Mugabe, said all remaining
white farmers should leave and
closed the door even on white
families renting farms from black
owners, as some several hundred
have been doing since most were
violently chased away a decade
ago.
DUBAI (Reuters) -
S
audi Arabia deployed
30,000 soldiers to
its border with Iraq
after Iraqi soldiers
abandoned the area, Saudi-
owned al-Arabiya television
said on Thursday, but Baghdad
denied this and said the frontier
remained under its full control.
The world's top oil exporter,
Saudi Arabia shares an 800-
km (500-mile) border with
Iraq, where Islamic State
insurgents and other Sunni
Muslim militant groups seized
towns and cities in a lightning
advance last month.
King Abdullah has ordered all
necessary measures to protect
the kingdom against potential
"terrorist threats", state news
agency SPA reported on
Thursday.
The U.S.-allied kingdom
overcame its own al Qaeda
insurgency almost a decade ago
and is wary of any encroaching
new threat from radical Sunni
Islamists.
The Dubai-based al-Arabiya
said on its website that Saudi
troops fanned into the border
region after Iraqi government
forces withdrew from positions,
leaving the Saudi and Syrian
frontiers unprotected.
The Iraqi prime minister's
military spokesman denied the
forces had withdrawn. "This is
false news aimed at affecting
the morale of our people
and the morale of our heroic
fghters," Lieutenant General
Qassim Atta told reporters in
Baghdad. He said the frontier,
which runs through largely
empty desert, was "fully in the
grip" of Iraqi border troops.
The satellite channel said it
had obtained a video showing
some 2,500 Iraqi soldiers in the
desert region east of the Iraqi
city of Karbala after pulling
back from the border.
An offcer in the video aired by
al-Arabiya said that the soldiers
had been ordered to quit their
posts without justifcation. The
authenticity of the recording
could not immediately be
verifed.
GUNMEN KILL SOMALI LAWMAKER AND HIS BODYGUARD
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP)

G
unmen killed a
Somali lawmaker
and his bodyguard
in a drive-by
shooting in the capital on
Thursday, police said, the
latest attack by suspected
Islamic militants who have
vowed to step up violence
during the Muslim holy month
of Ramadan.
Mohamed Mohamud Heyd,
his bodyguard, a parliamentary
aide and another lawmaker
were on their way to attend
a parliamentary meeting in

Mogadishu when their car
was sprayed with bullets, said
Capt. Mohamed Hussein of
the Somali police. The attack
happened near the fortifed
presidential palace, considered
one of the safest places in
Mogadishu, he said. Heyd and
the bodyguard were killed, and
the other two were injured, he
said.
The Islamic extremist group
al-Shabab, which frequently
carries out deadly assaults
in Mogadishu, claimed
responsibility for the attack.
Al-Shabab is increasingly
targeting lawmakers at a time
when the country's parliament
is emerging as a pillar of
democracy in the Horn of
Africa nation.
Heyd is the third lawmaker
killed in attacks this year.
Somali Prime Minister
Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
condemned the attack, saying
in a statement that such a
"criminal act only promotes
violence, distress and grief in
our community."
Al-Shabab militants have
previously carried out attacks
against United Nations staff,
government offcials, African
Union peacekeepers and
last year on an upscale mall
in Nairobi, the capital of
neighboring Kenya which has
sent troops into Somalia to
battle al-Shabab.
CONTROL CONFLICT
SAUDI ARABIA DEPLOYS 30,000 SOLDIERS TO BORDER WITH IRAQ BUT BAGHDAD DENIES CLAIM


Frontpage
Friday, July 4, 2014 Page 15
WORLD CUP 2014: GERMANY FACING FLU
SCARE BEFORE FRANCE QUARTER-FINAL
BRAZIL WORLD CUP 2014
Sports
SPORTS
DONOVAN COMES
OFF BITTER IN
KLINSMANN SLAM
TIM HOWARD: I WAS
DRUG TESTED FOLLOWING
U.S.-BELGIUM MATCH
DREAM COMES TRUE FOR
NOAH VONLEH
SALVADOR, Brazil --
J
urgen Klinsmann has
come under his share of
criticism following the
U.S. national teams exit
from the 2014 World Cup after
Tuesdays loss to Belgium, but
perhaps none of the criticism
was quite as scathing as what
came from none other than
U.S. all-time leading scorer
and World Cup snub Landon
Donovan.
Speaking to media after LA
Galaxy practice on Wednesday,
Donovan unleashed a barrage
of pointed comments about
Klinsmanns blame in the U.S.
teams exit from the World
Cup, and the teams struggles
in Brazil.
I think were all disappointed
in what happened yesterday,
Donovan told MLS Soccer
on Wednesday. I think the
most disappointing is we
didnt seem like we gave it
a real effort, from a tactical
standpoint. I thought the guys
did everything they could,
they did everything that was
asked of them, but I dont think
we were set up to succeed
T
im Howard says he was
drug tested immediately
after the U.S.-Belgium
World Cup match.
The U.S. lost, but the U.S.
goalkeeper made an record-
breaking 16 saves.
On Wednesday, radio host Dan
Patrick asked Howard what he did
after the big match.
"Went and did drug testing," he
said, laughing.
The NBA dream came true for
American-Liberian Noah Vonleh
who was selected ninth overall
pick by the Charlotte Hornets in
Thursday's 2014 NBA draft.
The eighteen-year-old spent a
season at Indiana University (IU),
and after a family deliberation,
the 6-foot-10 forward with a great
defense game, believed the NBA
dream was not too far.
Vonleh, whose mother, Renell is
married to an American, had been
linked to numerous teams like
Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Boston
Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Renell Vonleh moved to Salem,
Mass. from Liberia in 1994,
after spending some time in the
neighboring Ivory Coast when Civil
War broke out in the late 80's and
early 90's. Today, she fnds herself
raising Noah and his sisters Samnell
(14) and Aaronette (7) as a single
mother working nearly 80 hours
a week as a registered nurse, split


A
fter Belgium missed
countless chances during
the 90 minutes of regulation
time in the second-round
match against the United States on
Tuesday, the powerful striker came off
the bench and soon set up the opening
goal for Kevin De Bruyne.
As the U.S. pressed for an equalizer,
De Bruyne swiftly returned the favor to
Lukaku, who made it 2-0.
Despite scoring key goals in World Cup
qualifying, Lukaku had a disappointing
start in the group matches and was
dropped from the starting lineup.
"The media tried to take Romelu down
after the frst round, but I was convinced
that he would still be able to make the
difference at this World Cup," Belgian
coach Marc Wilmots said after his team
secured a spot in the quarterfnals.
Wilmots was the one who went looking
for an alternative to Lukaku.
He brought in the 19-year-old Divock
Origi, who scored the winner against
Russia and provided the shot which
allowed Jan Vertonghen to tap in the
winner against South Korea.
Origi started against the United States,
but missed several scoring chances
before he was replaced by Lukaku.
"I realized I should not put too
much pressure on myself and just do
everything needed to make the team
win," Lukaku said. "And it makes me
so happy that this is the way it went
today."
"When the other teams tire, we switch
into a higher gear," he added. "It is
looking good for the future."
Lukaku, 21, has had to deal with
disappoint before and it hardened him
for his World Cup experience.
He was a teenage standout at Anderlecht
with his speed and bulk and was quickly
spotted by foreign scouts.
At 18, he joined the team of his boyhood
dreams, Chelsea, but things quickly
turned sour in London. He failed to get
much playing time and was quickly sent
on to West Bromwich Albion.
At frst, he proved he could rally from
disappointment and thrived in the
industrial midlands, scoring 17 goals.
He briefy returned to Chelsea early last
season, long enough to miss the decisive
penalty in the UEFA Super Cup against
Bayern Munich, now run by coach Jose
Mourinho's nemesis Pep Guardiola.
But soon Lukaku was on his way for
another loan spell, this time at Everton,
where again he rebounded to start
scoring freely.
G
ermany are dealing
with concerns over
illness ahead of
their World Cup
quarter-fnal. Photograph:
Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters
Joachim Lw has confrmed
that seven of his Germany
players are showing symptoms
of illness in the buildup to
Fridays World Cup quarter-
fnal against France.
Days after Mats Hummels
was ruled out of the game
against Algeria due to sickness,
the Germany manager said
the problem seemed to have
spread, without naming
specifc players.
Seven players are slightly
ill with fu symptoms, said
Lw. It is not that bad at the
moment and it could be partly
about air conditioning, the
travel, temperature differences.
I do not want to make a drama
of it. We hope the situation will
ease.
The coach Andreas Kpke
said the midfelder Christoph
Kramer was among those
struggling with slight chills.
Hummels, though, tweeted
that he was recovering from
his infection, writing he felt
almost back at 100%, while
Lukas Podolski is also likely
to be available to face France
after recovering from a thigh
strain.
Lw, meanwhile, has defended
Mesut zil after criticism in
Germany of his performances
so far.
Mesut is extremely
important to us, he said.
The criticism of him is just
as incomprehensible as that
for Philipp Lahm. Sometimes
things get published a little
too hastily and I dont feel the
right weight is given to certain
things.


TAMING
MESSI
Chelsea star Eden Hazard determined to avoid a repeat of Mexico '86
when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to victory over Belgium
www.frontpageafricaonline.com
Sports
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PRICE L$40 VOL 8 NO.629 FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014
WORLD CUP


All the action in Brazil



TAMING MESSI
Chelsea star Eden Hazard determined to avoid a repeat
of Mexico '86 when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina
to victory over Belgium