Persevere!

Friday, August 23, 2003, marked the official conclusion of my secondary school days in the coastal city of Cape Coast, Ghana. This came after 9 years of intense struggle for educational enlightenment. It all kicked off in 1994 when two men showed up at our Kéïbli home in Bloléquin, western Côte d’Ivoire. The night was cool and dark. After they had exchanged greetings, the men asked my mom if she would be interested in enrolling any of her children into a refugee school system that would be launched in the town. She nodded. Few months later, School “B” was opened. I was among the first batch of students. My class was “KG” ~~~ Kindergarten ~~~ and my nickname was “ABC Grandma”. Yes! That was exactly what I was among those young kids: the oldest, the tallest. That was my first time to ever step foot into a classroom.  All along, I served as breadwinner for my family. I sold fish balls day-in and day-out to feed my family.

Thankfully, I had a relentless mom (Teyah) who stood strong and supported me in everything I wanted to do and pampered me. I learned to spell name at age 9, before having a full grasp on the entire alphabet. The length of my name was a bit of a problem for me, though ~ nine letters. So my mom put it into a song and I was able to remember it within a few days. I recited my name at least trice each night before going to bed. I started kindergarten at age nine, with the support of only my mother. She threw a party for me each time I topped my school. From the first grade, I received double promotions four years in a row. My grade point average hardly went below 96%. My mom was so proud! However, by the fourth double promotion, she began to believe that the school was not challenging enough for me.

5 Days to Côte d’Ivoire

It was such a bitter journey

I left London and arrived in Freetown on August 14, 2007. It was a cool and windy Tuesday night. The British airliner Astraeus Airlines, touched down at about 8pm at the Lungi International Airport. There was impenetrable darkness everywhere, covering the lights that lined the main entrance from the runway. It was obvious; the clouds were pregnant and soon began emptying their bellies.

Brother Momoh, a family friend, was on the standby to pick me up. After successfully concluding security formalities, we drove to the ferry station, waited there for roughly an hour before boarding to cross the Sierra Leone River separating the Airport and Freetown. Waiting that long for the return of a ferry was worth it because the ferries were the cheapest option – costing less than $2; unlike the $40 fare charged by the Sea Coach Express and Eco-Water taxi or the hovercraft which charged $50 for adults and $25 for kids.  Unfortunately, the ferries were certainly not the quickest option neither the most convenient.

More Deaths Before Ebola is Beaten

Liberian President Ellen Johnson predicts more ebola deaths before the deadly outbreak can be contained. In an op-ed published in the Washington Post, the Liberian leader said "as the Ebola nightmare continues in Liberia and as we battle to contain the epidemic, it is important to look beyond the immediate crisis. Many more lives will be lost before this dreadful outbreak is beaten, but to properly honor the memory of the victims we need to ask how it happened in the first place and, more pressingly, how we can prevent it from happening again."

According to her, ebola has already claimed the lives of more than 2000 Liberians, bringing the country to "a standstill".

Liberia: Another Woman 'Breaks Up' With Ellen

Liberia’s Justice Minister Christiana Tah has broken up with her longtime ally, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, for blocking her investigation into fraud allegations against the Liberian National Security Agency (NSA), which is headed by the president's step-son, Fumba Sirleaf.

This marked the second time a top, influential female lieutenant has decided to split paths with the Sirleaf-Administration. The October 6, ’14 resignation of Minister Tah reminded me of the October 2012 Nobel smackdown when peace activist Leymah Gbowee sharply criticized President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, her fellow Nobel laureate, and resigned from a government post. Gbowee blamed the President for not doing enough to combat government corruption, citing nepotism symbolized perfectly by the high positions occupied by three of the President’s sons. By then, Robert Sirleaf headed the country’s oil company, while serving as senior economic advisor to the President. Fumba Sirleaf heads the National Security Agency and Charles Sirleaf is deputy governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (although he had been serving in that capacity long before his mother became President). "I've been through a process of really thinking and reflecting and saying to myself 'you're as bad as being an accomplice for things that are happening in the country if you don't speak up,'" she told the BBC in an interview. "And when tomorrow history is judging us all let it be known that we spoke up and we didn't just sit down.”

Return of the '90s

Though I am a strong fan of the "go natural" movement, I still think we can alternate between rocking our bountiful afro loose and locking it into back or butt-length box braids! I tell you what? It is just enough style for any event, practically inexpensive and a wonderful  hassle-free option for that chic, edgy look. These super-long, rope-thick style of braids and twists offer a break from the ordinary, and can lead to hair growth!! Considered a throwback to the ‘90s, box braids  are BACK to give you that sexy, sleek, and totally exotic look. They are incredibly stylish and create a fabulous look.

Check out Sira African Hair Braiding today [at 1256 Springfield Ave. Irvington, NJ, 07111] for a wonderful, flawless  service ever.  You can always call +1 973 371 1 355. Call Now!!

In Liberia: Ten Fired, Three Suspended, Others Forfeit Benefits

Sirleaf said those fired were "insensitivity" to the Ebola crisis

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered the dismissal of eight junior level cabinet ministers and two other government officials, who, in the wake of the deadly Ebola outbreak left the country and have yet to return.

According to President Sirleaf, those dismissed officials showed "insensitivity to our national tragedy and disregard for authority."

Liberia Prays Ebola Out

President believes that God is the
ultimate solution of the
Ebola crisis 

Liberians from all walks of life have been asked to observe three days of National Fast and Prayer beginning Wednesday, August 6, through Friday, August 8, 2014, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, the Executive Mansion announced yesterday in Monrovia.  The three-day fast and prayer is Liberia's way of soliciting God's intervention in its ongoing war against the deadly Ebola outbreak.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in a brief statement released by the Liberian presidential palace said: “Acknowledging our devout gratitude to God for our existence as a Free, Sovereign and Independent State, and relying on His Divine Guidance for our survival as a Nation, I call on all Liberians to observe three days of National Fast and Prayer to seek God’s face to have mercy on us and forgive our sins and heal our land, Liberia, as we continue the fight against the deadly Ebola virus.”

According to the Liberian leader, God is the ultimate solution to this crisis and source of Liberia’s deliverance as a nation.

MRU Gangs Up Against Ebola

(l-r) Ivorian Health Minister, Dr. Ramonde representing President Ouattara, Presidents Koroma of Sierra Leone, Conde of Guinea and Sirleaf of Liberia 

Leaders of the Mano River Union, a sub-regional grouping, have agreed to take important and extraordinary actions at their inter-country level to focus on cross-border regions that have more than 70 percent of the deadly Ebola epidemic. These areas will be isolated by police and the military. The people in these areas being isolated will be provided with material support. The health care service in these zones will be strengthened for treatment, testing and contact tracing to be done effectively. Burials will be done in accordance with national health regulations.

Liberia Institutes Measures to Kick Ebola OUT

Special Statement 

By President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

On the Ebola Crisis  

(As Delivered Wednesday, July 30, 2014)

My fellow citizens:

Today, in continuation of our efforts to combat the deadly Ebola virus, I am pleased to launch the National Action Plan presented by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the World Health Organization. Given the multi-dimensional efforts, including local, regional and international which we must bring to this fight against this scourge, the National Action Plan as presented is by no means exhaustive. However, it establishes a useful framework by which we can continue our work, as well as seek international support and assistance, as we invite the inclusions of other important aspects to the plan.

Amara Konneh: Liberia’s Dual Minister

Min. Konneh

Liberian legislators are now left with no other option but to rest their case against Amara Konneh and stop branding him as “impersonator”.  

Konneh became the country’s super minister Tuesday night, when President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf announced the long-anticipated merger of the ministries of Finance and Economic Planning, with Amara Konneh maintaining his position as Minister.

Concurrently, he served as Liberia's Acting Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, in addition to his role as the country’s finance minister; something that aggravated legislators in August 2012. Their (legislators) point was that the position of “Minister of Finance and Planning” was non-existent in the Liberian government. They argued that it was inaccurate for Konneh to ascribe (assign, credit) such a title to himself, describing such reference by him as “not only deceptive, but an impersonation.” According to them, this was an affront and disrespect to them.

At one point, they wondered why Konneh was still signing documents as acting minister of planning when in fact they had raised the matter with the President and she had assured them that she would address it. He had been summoned numerous times by the House of Senate over his dual-ministerial role at Finance and Planning. In fact, lawmakers had recently called for his resignation.

Well, the President’s Tuesday announcement puts Konneh [officially] in charge of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. Members of the national legislature had better start concentrating their energies on more pressing national issues. At least now, Konneh is off their plate.   

Finance and Development Planning Minister Konneh has been a core member of President Sirleaf's Economic Management Team and is also the National Coordinator of the Liberia Development Alliance that coordinates Liberia’s development agenda (Agenda for Transformation - 2012 - 2017), among other positions of influence. He was named Finance Minister of the Year 2014 by The Banker magazine for his efforts to reform and grow the Liberian economy. 

Choose Service Over Self Interest

Trawally believes servant leadership
is the way forward

Members of the Liberian Mandingo community, both at home and abroad—especially those residing in the United States, have been urged to take a break from back-biting that a crab mentality fosters:  ‘if it is not me, it can’t be anyone else’---forging, instead, a united front by striving to foster the growth and development of their community, as opposed to pushing individual agendas.

The president of the Federation of Liberian Mandingo Associations in the USA (FELMAUSA), expects that his kinsmen will shelf their differences and consolidate their strengths “by working together without distractions and [remaining] focused” on doing those things that would best serve the common good of the community as a whole.

Mr. Bangalee Trawally believes the crab mentality of “if I can’t have it, neither can you” will eventually prevent any potential success of the Mandingo community; ensuring a rather collective demise. However, he is also of the strongest conviction that by subscribing to being a servant, rendering selfless services in the interest of the community, “rather than fighting for [individual] positions and titles”, will help to a greater extent in moving the community forward.

Sirleaf Suspends 3 for Financial Impropriety

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has with immediate effect suspended three senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Executive Mansion has announced.

Those suspended by the Liberian leader include the Deputy Minister for Administration, Una Kumba Thompson; Consul-General, Consulate of the Republic of Liberia in New York, Williams G. Greaves, Jr.; and Comptroller of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, James G. Quiqui.

In a brief statement released to the public on Friday, June 6, 2014, the Executive Mansion said the three officials are suspended on reports of their involvement in financial impropriety. 

They will be turned over to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for further investigation, it added.

Meanwhile, President Sirleaf has dismissed the Deputy Director-General for Administration of the General Services Agency (GSA), Mr. Galakpai Kortimai. His dismissal takes immediate effect.

More Than Just Victims

Irene Santiago, a world-renowned expert on conflict negotiation and the crucial role women can play in that field, will next Thursday, June 12, 2014, join her peers in London to launch a global campaign on Women, Peace and Security. The event, according to Irene, coincides with the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom, in cooperation with international representatives from around the world. 

Farming Never Left My Blood

A golden field of swamp rice in Duport Road, Monrovia 

I was born on a family farm in Grand Gedeh County, southeastern Liberia. Our farm was situated within a timber plantation—Prime Timber Product (PTP)—near Zwedru city. This is where my dad, Amadou Fofana, spent most of his days; cultivating a mixed farm consisting of up and lowland rice, veggies, corn, and cassava, and fishing in nearby narrow rivers---all done by hand. And as a baby, this is where I spent my first few days, following my arrival into this world. Though I didn’t live there along with my dad, whenever I had the chance to visit the farm along with my mom, I took it. Dad came home at the end of each month for at least a week or two. But mom visited him at least every weekend.

More Funding for School Feeding; To Include Refugee Kids

Passionate about the right of every child to education and having observed that a line of demarcation has been drawn between children of Liberian descent and their Ivorian counterparts, who fled their country, neighboring Cote d’Ivoire [with or without] their parents to escape soaring post-electoral violence in their homeland, Lord Paddy Ashdown has pledged his unwavering resolve to lobby with the British Government to ensure more and effective funding to UNICEF-Liberia for the education of these refugee kids.

Liberia: Law Protects the Rich & Powerful

Mada had been glued to her king-size bed for the last 24 hours; painfully rolling from end-to-end, after being knocked down by a terrible headache, accompanied by intense ear, eye and tooth aches, the previous day. Visibly paralyzed by this condition, the 29-year-old remained in bed until 7 a.m. the next morning when she was rudely awakened by brutal hits on her door. A gang of scruffy-bearded men had assembled there; ready to mercilessly kick her out of her flat.

Liberia: A Story of Women Told through Fashion

Korto Momolu

She is firmly grounded in her African roots, yet effortlessly designing to suit an international taste. She is a young, versatile and dynamic fashion, accessories and eco-friendly jewelry designer. Her designs have a diverse appeal to her wide range of clientele between ages 16 - 80.

International fashion stylist Korto Momolu visited Liberia in May 2011, after 23 years of being away from home. She was home to showcase a 27-piece of her breathtaking handmade collection, specifically designed for the Sankofa Fashion Show organized and hosted by Amani-Liberia. Amani-Liberia is a nonprofit organization that teaches Liberian women how to create, market and manage businesses through textile and sewing. An enterprising fashion designer and stylist, Korto was set to rock fashion enthusiasts from all walks of life with her thrilling and carefully selected designs at the Monrovia City Hall on May 7, 2011. Among outfits displayed were those made of Liberia’s signature fabric: the Country Cloth.

‘No Return to Men’s Club’; Says President Sirleaf of African Presidency

President Sirleaf: "For me, I earned it. In those days, earning it was a challenge"

What’s the next step for African women, looking beyond the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf presidency? This was the question I posed to many shakers and movers of the women’s world during the 4th African Gender Award ceremony held in Dakar, Senegal, in June 2011. 

Fostering Nat'l Dialogue Through Journalism

 

I am Fatoumata Nabie Fofana, a practicing Liberian journalist and a 2009 alumnus of the Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, situated within the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. My country, Liberia – situated along the West coast of Africa –  is recovering from 14 years of devastating civil war during which some 250,000 people lost their lives with millions being internally and externally displaced.

The opportunity afforded me by the Rotary Foundation inspired me to more deliberately work to promote peace in my war-torn country, and especially to recognize my skills as a journalist as critical tools in peace building. I have made it a point, through my work, to meticulously weigh the impact of the stories I choose to report, and the angle at which I choose to write, specifically within the context of the fragile peace that Liberians enjoy today.

EmPOWER Her

Empowering women is key to building the future that we all want to see

The struggle to affirm women’s identities while at the same time doing all they can to transform societal, cultural or traditional notions or perceptions of their gender role has been at the crux of the feminist revolution worldwide. Well, there are visible signs of immense progress being made in this light. However, empowering women to stand up for their own rights has remained a challenge in most African societies.

But this question arises: How much has been achieved in facilitating increased women’s access to legal, social and economic justice? Numerous issues still exist in these aspects of life, despite many successes achieved in empowering women. For instance, as we all know, considering their continuing commitment to hard work in the area of agriculture, one may safely conclude that women often work more than men. Yet, they are less paid.

Liberia: A Rich Nation With HUNGRY People

An partial view of West Point in Monrovia

Liberia turned 166 on July 26, 2013. This transition reminded Liberians that this oldest republic on the African continent had for 166 years, remained a low-income country, in spite of being so rich with natural resources including iron ore, gold, diamonds, natural rubber, vast forests for logging and timber harvesting, and abundant agriculture land for tilling.

And yet, throughout these 166 years, the most popular description of Liberia has been “one of the poorest and underdeveloped countries of the world.” Of course, Liberia will continue to be described this way because the pockets of the economic, political and social heavyweights continue to get deeper and deeper, while the poor are left to live and die in abject poverty, they say.

Doe’s Dream Mansion Lies in Ruins

Many of Africa's leaders have continued to use their countries' meager resources to build some outrageous buildings that very much suited their egos.  For instance, Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Ivory Coast in the 80s used at least $300 million to construct Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix in his hometown, Yamoussokro. 

Though it is modeled on the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, it is much larger, making it the biggest church in the world. As pictured below, here is Liberia's late President Samuel Doe’s dream mansion erected in the city of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh, his hometown. Unlike the Basilica of Yamoussokro, Doe’s dream mansion was never completed.

In Liberia: Rape Still a Weapon

President Sirleaf (attired in gray & black) flanked by women at this year's celebration of Int'l Women's Day in Liberia

Rape, especially child rape, is disgustingly becoming a way of life for some selfish, irresponsible men within the Liberian society. I mean, babies as young as three months are often preyed upon by these thugs, with impunity. Granted that rape became endemic as a weapon of fear during Liberia’s decade-long civil war. But why is it still rampant, going unpunished more often than not?

My Newfound Friend Clocks TWO

The birthday boy (Sekou) looked cheerful throughout the party

It all began with a weeklong planning of little Sekou Bility’s two-year birthday party by his parents. Whether they were planning an intimate gathering of friends and family or an all-out bash, one thing was certain—they knew their little man's second birthday celebration was bound to be special! Oh yes, Mr. Abraham A.S. Bility, the Vice President for Operations (VPO) of FELMAUSA, and his darling wife, Isatu Bility, also knew their little cutie-pie deserved to have some fun, even though he might or might not remember this party, and may even be overwhelmed by it. Yet, every effort was made to ensure a flawless hosting of Sekou’s day.

And when the day finally arrived—March 9, 2014—little Sekou, who happens to be my newfound best friend due to his breathtaking smartness that knows no bounds, was taken to a colorful outdoor birthday party at the Chuck E. Cheese located on Federick Avenue in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Is the Use of Technology Making Us That Lazy?

Ok folks, here's what's really being on my mind lately, and I figure I'm in need of your invaluable inputs on. In fact, to admit, this is something that has been on my mind for a while now.  Here's it:

1. Is the ability of humans to think for themselves seriously deteriorating, because we are increasingly reliant on technology to solve problems?  

2. OR, to what extent is technology undermining our use of mental abilities that are essential or necessary for thinking for ourselves?

Kindly share your thoughts.

Why Kill Over Land When We Can Dwell on Water?

In  our corner of the world, land ownership issues continue to remain a very sticky affair. Take for instance the case of Liberia. That country continues to grapple with many of the legacies of its protracted civil conflict, as it seeks to move forward with its recovery efforts: reforming governance, establishing the rule of law, etc. One of the most visible legacies of the Liberian civil war is this issue of informal settlements throughout the country.

The nation's capital, Monrovia, is currently teeming with over 1.4 million inhabitants, nearly three times its intended capacity of 500,000. It may be recalled that at the height of the conflict, Monrovia became a place of refuge; nearly tripling its population as waves of internally displaced persons (IDPs) arrived from rural combat zones in search of safety. 

Consolidating Processes of Transformation: Sirleaf's 2014 State of the Nation Address

In her 9th Annual Message, the President said the country (Liberia) is stronger, safer, steadier

Annual Message to the 3rd Session of the 53rd National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia By President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia,

Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Monday, 27 January 2014

Observing MLK Day

What do you think would have been the focus of Dr. Martin Luther King's activism today, if he were alive?

Would the issue of same-sex marriage had made it to Dr. King's advocacy agenda? And what can you predict would have been his stance on this matter?

State, in clear terms, your views here:

Join  the debate today.