TheNewsGuru

Tag: liberia

  • COVID-19: Churches, mosques reopen in Liberia May

    COVID-19: Churches, mosques reopen in Liberia May

    Liberian President George Weah has said he will partially lift restrictions on praying in mosques and churches aimed at curbing coronavirus while extending a lockdown in the capital Monrovia.

    In a statement on Friday, the former footballer star said emergency measures announced in April would be extended for two weeks in the West African nation.

    These include a ban on all movement between the country’s 15 counties, the closure of non-essential businesses, and stay-at-home orders for Monrovia’s roughly one million inhabitants.

    But Weah said he would allow churches to resume services from May 17, and mosques from May 15, provided that they run at 25-percent capacity to allow for social distancing.

    Liberian authorities have recorded 199 cases of the coronavirus to date, with 20 fatalities.

    As with other poor countries in the region, there are fears that Liberia is ill prepared to handle a large outbreak.

    The nation of some 4.8 million people was badly hit during West Africa’s 2014-16 Ebola crisis, which killed more than 4,800 people in the country.

     

  • COVID-19: Liberia Govt. extends lockdown, allows places of worship to reopen

    COVID-19: Liberia Govt. extends lockdown, allows places of worship to reopen

    The government of Liberia has extended the lockdown to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country for another 14 days, but following calls from religious leaders, has allowed places of worship to reopen.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the President of Liberia, Dr George Weah announced the additional extension of the measures on Friday, renewing the order for people to stay at home and observe the protocols that were originally instituted on April 10, 2020 by an additional two weeks.

    Health authorities have advised that in the wake of the unresolved crisis, the need for the measures to remain in place still is pertinent. However, because of the government’s decision to provide food aid during the period, corridors will be opened to enable food products move from one county to the next, while observing social distancing, face covering and other measures.

    Last month President Weah announced a State of Emergency to be observed throughout the Country. During this period, the joint security command and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia were ordered to enforce the different protocols that were pronounced.

    Amongst the measures were orders to quarantine the 15 counties; ensure that everyone in those counties stay at home for two weeks – with exceptions granted to designated essential persons and businesses; require all to be indoors by 3pm, and a directive to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to engage market leaders in order to make “satisfactory arrangements” for the operations of markets during the period.

    But following calls from religious leaders, President Weah has proposed that Churches, Mosques and worship centers consider the commencement of their operations beginning Sunday, May 17, 2020, with 25 percent of the regular worship-hour occupancy for each service, which will allow for social distancing and other protocols such as the use of face coverings, handwashing, etc.

    According to the President, Muslims can begin on the Friday before that with the observation of similar 25 percent of its normal occupancy and the observance of health regulations.

    “The security forces will be required to monitor these guidelines to make sure there is no violation,” President Weah said.

    The Government of Liberia also called on Liberians, led by religious leaders, to use the upcoming Unification Day celebration to pray for the Country to be healed from the virus.

  • Coronavirus-free Sierra Leone shuts borders after Guinea, Liberia announce closures

    Coronavirus-free Sierra Leone shuts borders after Guinea, Liberia announce closures

    Virus-free Sierra Leone on Friday announced closure of its borders for a 30-day period barely days after President Julius Maada Bio announced a state of public health emergency.

    According to reports, the measure was to keep out the coronavirus which has engulfed all of West Africa except for Sierra Leone. The country tested two cases which turned out to be negative.

    The border closures come in the wake of same action taken by neighbours Guinea and Liberia. Guinea president Alpha Conde declared a state of emergency on Friday also for 30-days over the virus.

    The closure will last for a renewable period of 30 days excepting cargo vehicles which will be limited to two apprentices and a driver. They’ll be subjected to a 14-day surveillance by both countries on entry and exit.

    All learning institutions and entertainment centers have been closed for 14 days, as have churches and mosques. All cultural events have been prohibited.

    Liberia is currently in a lockdown over the pandemic. The three countries were at the heart of the Ebola epidemic that killed thousands years ago.

    Despite being among 11 African countries that have not recorded any cases of the coronavirus, Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio on March, 24 imposed a twelve-month state of public health emergency.

    The brave move signifies that the country is not taken any chances with the pandemic which has affected all its neighbours in the region.

    Meanwhile, the Freetown International Airport, Sierra Leone’s main entry point via air witnessed a coronavirus related scuffle after passengers aboard a Kenya Airways flight refused necessary health protocols two weeks ago.

    One of the country’s experienced journalists Umaru Fofana reported the said flight had a that passengers aboard the flight had a suspected COVID-19 case leading to the decision to quarantine all the passengers. It is not known how authorities detected the case in question.

    “At least three passengers refused to be isolated saying they’d rather return to where they’d come from…,” Fofana said in a tweet.

    “Meanwhile passengers who’ve just arrived on an Air Peace flight from Nigeria have also been asked to be quarantined. They’ve refused, citing the (Sierra Leone) government policy which says only passengers from countries with up to 50 confirmed cases of coronavirus should be automatically quarantined,” he said in a follow up tweet.

    Sierra Leone remains one of a handful African countries yet to record a coronavirus case. But like all governments are doing, the presidency released a detailed statement that outlined directives crucially banning overseas travel for all government officials and urged members of the public to heed same.

    An initial statement had directed thus: “Public gatherings should not be attended by more than One Hundred (100) persons,” the second directive read. But a Ministerial team that visited the airport on Monday had urged passengers to adhere to health protocols.

    A statement from the president on the pandemic read: “I have directed the military to immediately deploy to our international airport and land crossing points in order to enhance security and support compliance with all public health directives advisories.”

  • Liberia suspends top official for violating COVID-19 protocols

    Liberia suspends top official for violating COVID-19 protocols

    The head of the Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday was suspended for purposefully violating COVID-19 protocols and endangering public health, on orders from President George Weah.

    EPA executive director Nathaniel Blama was the first person to test positive for the coronavirus in Liberia, three days after his return from a business trip to Switzerland.

    “Blama had refused to undergo health screening upon his arrival at Roberts International Airport in the capital, Monrovia, on Friday, in spite of showing signs of illness,’’ the presidency said in a statement.

    According to the statement, Health officials at the airport tried to usher Blama into an ambulance to be tested for the virus in a nearby hospital.

    “He instead boarded his private car and went home, where he had contact with various family members and personnel.

    “A domestic worker for Blama tested positive for the coronavirus, Liberia’s second case,’’ the acting head of the National Public Health Institute, Masoka Fallah, said.

    Health authorities were in the process of tracing and testing all primary and secondary contacts of Blama.

    Since reporting its first case on Monday, Liberia has imposed a temporary ban on non-citizens arriving from countries that have recorded 200 or more cases of the pandemic.

  • Buhari receives Liberia’s highest national honour

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been conferred with “The Grand Cordon of the Knighthood of Venerable Order of the Pioneers”, Republic of Liberia’s highest national honour.
    The president is the Special Guest of Honour at the country’s 172nd Independence Anniversary.
    “The award is presented by the government for outstanding and distinguished service in international affairs, government, religion, art, science and commerce.
    “It is also for singular acts of philanthropy and deeds of heroism and valour,” the president’s media aide Garba Shehu stated.
    Buhari was accompanied by Governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.
    Others on the president’s entourage were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Mustapha Sulaiman and other top government officials.

  • FIFA bans Liberia’s Bility for 10 years

    FIFA has given Liberian official, Musa Bility, a 10-year ban from football for financial offences, the sport’s world governing body said on Wednesday.
    Bility, a member of the African Confederation (CAF) executive committee and former president of the Liberian federation (LFA), was found guilty of misappropriating FIFA’s funds, according to the organisation.
    An investigation opened after an audit of LFA accounts revealed various payments made and received from entities owned by Bility or his family, said FIFA.
    Bility was also fined 500,000 Swiss francs (507,300 dollars).
    Earlier this week Bility had said he would contest FIFA’s decision to take oversight of the operational management of CAF from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31, 2020.

  • 40 trapped in collapsed Liberia gold mine

    More than 60 miners, some armed, have been arrested at an illegal gold mine in north-eastern Liberia where around 40 people remain trapped in a collapsed pit, officials have told newsmen.

    They “resisted” a team sent to restore order at the site, said Archievego Doe of the disaster management agency.

    Another official described the situation as “lawless”.

    Rescuers have so far retrieved seven bodies after the walls of the pit caved in on 10 February.

    Liberian authorities deployed a team comprising the army, police, immigration and drug enforcement agency officials to the gold field in Nimba county, a major centre for illicit mining.

    The immigration services were involved in the operation because some of the illegal miners are foreigners, Mr Doe said.

    Thousands of people are believed to work in the mine, near the town of Tapeta.

    Aubrey Wehye, the district superintendent of the Tapeta region, said the situation was “lawless”, adding that some of the illegal miners were in possession of “Guinean-made shotguns that they fire all night”.

    The illegal miners fear that the government wants to shut down their operations, says the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh, who is in the capital, Monrovia.

    Poverty and a weak economy mean there is no shortage of Liberians willing to risk death in illegal gold mines, our reporter says.

    Miners have been searching for the dead and any survivors using their bare hands. Authorities now plan to use an earthmoving machine to widen the path to the mining pit so that an excavator can reach the site, Mr Doe told the BBC.

    He said the number of fatalities was likely to rise.

  • [Leaked letter] Liberia’s football chief, Musa Bility resigns from CAF, accuses Ahmad of dictatorship, shady deals

    Confusion has rocked the hierarchy of the confederation of African Football (CAF) as a former President of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) and member of the Emergency committee Musa Hassan Bility has resigned stating several breaches of the statutes of CAF by the President Dr Ahmad Ahmad.

    In a leaked letter sent to the executive committee of CAF, Bility who also doubles as head of the CHAN Committee said: “I can no Longer summon the courage to work in these post at the whims and caprices of the president who I believe is leading this noble organisation in the wrong direction”.

    In his detailed resignation letter, Bility also brought up the confusion surrounding the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which has now been given to Cameroon to stage after the country was stripped of hosting rights for the 2019 edition.

    Ivory Coast had initially been awarded the 2021 Nations Cup and in December 2018, CAF president Ahmad said in a television interview that “in 2023, we will organise the tournament in Ivory Coast.”

    The Ivorian federation (FIF) promptly issued a statement insisting neither they nor the Ivorian government had been informed by CAF of a possible delay.

    In a response, CAF then said that “no decision was taken by the executive committee.We are waiting first for the host for 2019 and then we will see.”

    Just four days later, Caf confirmed that Cameroon had accepted to host the 2021 Nations Cup.

    “When I was asked by a journalist as to whether we have awarded Afcon 2021 to Cameroon, I said no we have not. As you all know, this Executive Committee has not made any such decision. So, I saw nothing wrong with my statement. In fact, I was referencing the official position of Caf which was issued in a press release after the Accra Ex-co meeting,” said Bility.

    Bility stated he believes the African football body is “worse than we were two years ago.”

    He was appearing to refer to the Caf administration under long-standing former president Issa Hayatou whom Ahmad replaced in March 2017.

    Bility said he hopes his resignations “will serve as a wake-up call for us to stand firm and ensure that Caf is managed properly in accordance with the statutes in order to bring real change to African football.”

    Read his full resignation letter below:

    February 1, 2019
    TO: The President of CAF
    The members of the CAF Executive Committee
    Cairo, Egypt
    Subject: My formal resignation as member of the Emergency Committee and President of CHAN Standing Committees.

    My esteemed colleagues,
    It is with sadness and a huge sense of disappointment that I tender in my resignation from the above respective designations. However, I thought it would be appropriate and respectful of me to state a few reasons why I have come to such an unfortunate conclusion.
    After almost two years in this Administration, I can no longer summon the courage to work in
    these posts at the whims and caprices of the President who I believe is heading this Noble Organization in the wrong direction. As an Executive Committee Member, duly elected by my peers across the Continent, I find it totally unacceptable that if I disagree with the President or any of his “close associates” on certain issues, he would take that against me and decide whether or not I function in my official capacities. Of course, my dear colleagues, I would never accept to work under such conditions. This is not what I stand for. You know me better.
    As President of CHAN, the President scheduled a meeting of CHAN Committee without any
    prior discussion with me regarding the purpose of the meeting or its agenda. And as President of this Committee I’m expected to preside over such meeting without first appreciating what it is about or seeks to achieve; of course not. I would have thought that the President will realize that I will never take such disrespectful atitude from anyone. But obviously, this is how the President has been running the affairs of CAF in every aspect since he took over the mantle of leadership. As he loudly proclaimed in our last meeting that “I am the President of CAF, I am the President of every committee”. Of course not, Mr. President you are the President of CAF but not the President of all Committees. These are Statutory Committees and must function
    independently and report to the Executive Committee in accordance with their statutory mandates. Assuming their responsibilities, as you are doing now, makes it impossible for you to play your role as the Head of CAF. Obviously, performing these tasks deprives you of the roles you ought to play such as to supervise or counter check or review the performances of others.
    This is precisely why the framers of our Statues enshrined the appropriate administrative layers in it for the smooth and transparent function of our noble Institution. It is important that we all understand that the CAF Statues does not provide for an Executive Presidency. The Executive authority of CAF is vested in the EXECUTIVE OMMITTEE. In other words, you cannot assume authorities you do not have. Every decision of the President of CAF must be approved by the Executive Committee. Clearly, this is not the case today. VISA, AFCON, are recent examples of your overreach. The irony is, this is exactly what we fought to change. Sorry sir, we don’t want a replay of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. We owe so much to our comrades who entrusted us to lead this change. We cannot let them down. I will certainly not be a party to such betrayal of their trust in us.
    Clearly, my dear colleagues, I have two options here: to remain as a figurehead President of CHAN/Emergency Committee member while the President runs them as he wishes to, or take the moral high ground of stepping down and let the President carry on as he is doing now with every Committee. Another option would be to stay on and fight every day ad be branded as a “Rebel”. I have been unfairly suspended before. I have suffered irreparable reputational damage. I have struggled enough and suffered numerous bashing and character assignation in my quest for fairness in Football. It has cost me more than I can bear any longer. I have been accused of being without “integrity” by those who brought football to it kneels at both FIFA and CAF. It may still cost me even more today or tomorrow or the day after as the vestiges of yester years remain imbedded into the global system of football waiting to strike anyone who played any meaningful role in tearing down their walls of power, money, and glory. But I get that. I understand very well that those who bring about change normally don’t stick around to see or bask in its light. That’s the price we pay. That’s the price I’ve always prepared myself to ultimately pay.
    But if I can leave football today knowing that I played a pivotal role in that famous second round victory for Gianni Infantino who, along with his incredible team, has brought so much change and dynamism to FIFA, my battle would never have been in vain. FIFA has regained its reputation and is on course to higher heights under the able Leadership of the Infantino and his Team. I repeat: TEAM. Sadly, I cannot say that of CAF today. In fact, I believe we are worse than we were two years ago. Our situation is such that today the President has demonstrated brazen disregard for the Executive Committee but chooses to run CAF with close associates he feels comfortable around and carries a certain degree of respect for. Unfortunately, he has simply forgotten that it took men and women of courage who toiled days and nights, throwing everything into the rings to ensure that he emerges as President. I know that members of this august body are keeping quiet not out of fear and cowardice, but to keep the sanctity of this Noble Institution that means so much to all and sundry. I just cannot hold back any longer as this may lead to bigger problems in the near future.
    Another case in point is my recent public disagreement with the 2nd Vice President on the issue of awarding AFCON 2021. When I was asked by a journalist as to whether we have awarded AFCON 2021 to Cameroon, I said no we have not. As you all know, this Executive Committee has not made any such decision. So, I saw nothing wrong with my statement. In fact, I was referencing the official position of CAF which was issued in a Press Release after the Accra Exco Meeting. That release was very clear: we decided to strip Cameroon of AFCON 2019 and was considering all other options on how to deal with the issues of 2019/2021/2023.
    As far as I was concerned, the issue surrounding the media blaze about AFCON 2021 was resolved amongst ourselves thanks to the positive intervention of most members of the Exco.
    But surprisingly, I was astonished to know that the President still carries this issue against me.
    In reaction to my statement, the President decided not to Invite me to the last Emergency Committee meeting held in Cairo. I sent him a message asking why I have not been invited, he read it and refused to response to me. I thought this was totally condescending to a member of an Executive Committee that he presides over. Of course, I can understand why the President wouldn’t want me to attend such meeting at this time. Obviously, he knows that I have questions that will require answers at this meeting. He knows that I would have objected to the appointment of a “General Coordinator of CAF”. A position that is not statutory and is totally uncalled for. Worst still, I do not see the need for an Emergency Committee decision on establishing such a position of relevance that clearly seeks to fundamentally change the way in which the CAF Secretariat functions, redefine the role of the General Secretary, and creates an unnecessary expense line in our already overblown Budget. I urge you to reverse this decision
    in our next Exco meeting otherwise we will become a subject of ridicule around the world. Let’s not be a rubber stamp Exco. Let’s agree to respectfully disagree.
    The current composition of the CAF Standing Committees clearly begs question of good governance and transparency. We have 54 members and there’s absolutely no reason why any Standing Committee (especially the keys ones) should have more than one person from a member Association/Country. I have discussed this with the President and he has responded in the usual manner: “I’m the President and I do as I want”.
    Lastly, and very sadly, the President’s approach to issues concerning his colleagues is rather sad and divisive. A case in point has to do with a $200,000 that was wired by CAF to an unknown account in Europe. This money was designated for the Liberian FA while I was serving as its President. But interestingly CAF sent it to the account of a firm in Poland that deals in artefacts.
    CAF claims it received the instruction from the Liberia FA to send the funds to this firm. Of
    course, this is false and misleading. This begs two very important questions: Can CAF send funds intended for MA to a third-party beneficiary? In the wake of tight International restrictions on financial transactions aimed at combatting terrorism and money laundering, were requirements such as Invoice and contract that would clearly state the purpose for which the funds were sent presented to the CAF before it authorized these transactions? And if any, where these instruments in conformity with CAF Financial regulations? Why would CAF authorize a payment intended for football development in a member Association’s Country to a firm that deals in artefacts two years in a row without any red flag? Why CAF didn’t request for the first utilization report before sending the second payment to the same dubious recipients?
    Instead of the President viewing this as a serious and material breach of the CAF Financial systems, he is employing his usual divide and rule tactics to spread rumours around that I’m implicated in this matter. And even more disturbing is the fact that he has refused to take any action even though I have written CAF two emails raising concerns over this matter and asking for investigation. Nothing has been done. I was constrained to copy FIFA in my last email on this matter dated January 30, 2019. And I can assure you that a credible investigation into this matter will prove that there are serious flaws in CAF Financial Management system and the fact that money can leave our accounts without proper check and balance is a serious matter and needs to be investigated by the Executive Committee. We must not take this matter lightly. This is a sign that we are sitting on a financial time bomb. We need to pay attention.
    My dear colleagues, these issues and many more have left me with no option but to resign
    these two posts simply because the President has decided that either I agree with him without questioning anything or don’t function. It is my hope that my resignations will serve as a wake up call for us to stand firm and ensure that CAF is managed properly in accordance with the Statues in order to bring real change to African Football. These were our guiding principles during our quest for change. Don’t let our mission and vision be hijacked mid-air. Thanks.
    Kind regards.
    Musa Hassan Bility
    CAF Executive Committee Member (Liberia)

  • Wenger arrives Liberia to receive country’s highest honour [Photos]

    Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has arrived in Liberia, where he will be presented with the country’s highest honour by president and former footballer George Weah.

    Weah, who was signed for AS Monaco by Wenger 1988, became Liberian President in January this year after winning a landslide election victory.

    He has often spoken of the impact Wenger had in bringing him to Europe, where he went on to play for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, and became Fifa World Player of the Year in 1995.

    Wenger will be given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption in recognition of his “contribution to sports in Africa” and work in giving “many Africans opportunities”.

    During his time as Arsenal manager, Wenger helped to develop the careers of some of the most famous African footballers of the past 30 years, including Nwankwo Kanu, Lauren, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

    Weah invited Wenger to his inauguration at the start of the year, with Wenger joking that he would only be able to attend if given a touchline ban by the FA for ranting at match officials.

    Speaking in January, Wenger said: “”I remember when I saw [Weah] the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country.

    “The life of this guy is a real film. It is unbelievable. It can make a fantastic film.”

  • George Weah to award Wenger with Liberia’s highest honour

    Liberian President George Weah is to award his former football coach, Arsène Wenger, his country’s highest honour.

    President Weah, the only African to have been named World Player of the Year, was signed by Wenger in 1988 when he coached Monaco.

    Wenger, who stepped down as Arsenal manager in May after 22 years, nurtured several African stars.

    The president retired from football in 2003 and went into politics. He won last year’s election by a landslide.

    Wenger is expected to be in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, for the award ceremony on Friday, Liberia’s Information Minister Eugene Nagbe told the BBC.

    He will be inducted into the country’s Order of Distinction and be given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption – the highest rank possible.

    The news has generated controversy in Liberia, with some saying that the honour should not be given to an individual for what they have done for the president personally, BBC reports.

    But the award is not only about the personal connection between the president and Wenger, the information minister said – it also recognises that he “has contributed to sports in Africa and has given many Africans opportunities”.

    At Arsenal, Wenger coached 16 African players, including Ivory Coast’s Kolo Toure, Cameroon defender Lauren and Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu.

    President Weah has said that Wenger “took care of me like his son” when he went to Monaco, adding that “besides God, I think that without Arsène, there was no way I would have made it in Europe”.

    Wenger has returned the compliment, calling the president’s life story “a miracle”.

    “I remember when I saw him the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country,” he told journalists in January.