State of the Liberian Economy: Full Text by Finance Minister Amara Konneh

Min. Konneh

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Fellow Liberians

Let me begin by first extending sincere apologies for the abrupt cancellation of our October Press briefing with the media on the state of the Liberian economy. It was due to pressing and intervening national emergencies. My apologies again!

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, today, we continue the exercise of keeping the country and the public informed about the opportunities, challenges, difficulties we are experiencing and gains we have seen so far, in the quest to transform our economy and put Liberians to back work again. We believe it is important for Liberian citizens to know what Government is doing for them, and to hold us accountable. 

Liberia: CDC Lawmaker Wants Officials Tested for Drug

Gray believes a national drug test for officials is the way forward

Opposition parliamentarian Acarous Gray has challenged President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to subject her officials --- heads of ministries and agencies, especially those tasked with the responsibility to fight substance abuse, as well as personnel of the various security apparatus ---  to a national drug test. 

'I Control HIV': A Positive Liberian Mother Puts It

___The Burden of Care on An HIV+ Mother___

A mother breast-feeding her little one

Scores of HIV+ women who are in care at various health facilities in Liberia have called for a need to create an avenue for them to be self-employed. These women – predominantly single moms – have blamed stigma and discrimination for their limited or no access to livelihoods. “In the end, we turned into beggars because of our status,” they have said. Economic empowerment is all these women are hoping for.

Liberia’s President Seeks Gurus’ Intervention

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is once more soliciting the intervention of religious leaders in Liberia’s ongoing search for lasting peace and stability. The country is recovering from a brutal civil war that lasted 14 consecutive years. An estimated 250,000 lives were destroyed. Thousands of Liberians were also displaced internally or dispersed across the various sub-regional [West African] countries as refugees.

Earlier this week, the President issued a Proclamation in which she called on religious leaders (priests, imams, bishops, etc.) to gather in their various places of worship across the country to give thanks and praises to Almighty God. She would also appreciate it were these religious gurus to pray for God’s blessings and mercies to continually rest upon Liberia and Liberians.

Are Media Owners a Threat to Ethical Journalism?

Media owners have been blamed and described as “a big threat to ethical journalism” as demonstrated by their one-sided approach to the running of their entities. But come to think of it though, there are some managing directors or publishers who would do  just anything to see certain news items blocked from the production process -- be it in print or electronic.