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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-president-boakai-sacks-nphil-boss-dougbeh-nyan-following-boards-recommendation-citing-gross-inefficiency/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:25:07 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126127Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai Wednesday dismissed Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan from his post as Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) following a formal recommendation from the Board of Directors of the institution. By Selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com, Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com The President’s decision is based on a detailed resolution submitted by the […]
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Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai Wednesday dismissed Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan from his post as Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) following a formal recommendation from the Board of Directors of the institution.
By Selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com, Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com
The President’s decision is based on a detailed resolution submitted by the Board, which cited what it described as gross inefficiency, undesirable actions against the public interest, and violations of the NPHIL Act of 2016. The Board’s decision, made during an Ad-Hoc meeting on September 10, 2025, was supported by nine of the ten Board members, with one member abstaining.
The Board emphasized that its decisions were guided by the need to restore efficiency, accountability, and good governance within the NPHIL.
According to the resolution, Dr. Nyan’s tenure as head of the country’s lead public health institution was marked by a litany of administrative and managerial failures. The Board accused the Director General of persistently bypassing statutory oversight, operating without transparency, and making unilateral decisions that undermined the governance structure of the Institute.
Specifically, the Board stated that Dr. Nyan repeatedly failed to involve the Board in critical decision-making processes concerning NPHIL’s operations. There was an ongoing lack of coordination and collaboration between NPHIL and the Ministry of Health.
The Board also cited non-adherence to its statutory role as the governing authority of the Institute and noted that Dr. Nyan made numerous foreign trips without informing either the Board or any acting Director General during his absence.
The resolution further indicated that Dr. Nyan sent official communications to both the President of Liberia and the National Legislature without the knowledge or input of the Board. Partners also raised concerns about his leadership and conduct. The Board noted that the institutional budget was submitted without their approval and institutional affairs were often discussed in the media without their authorization. These issues, the Board said, represent serious governance failures.
In February 2025, the Board had previously suspended Dr. Nyan and requested a written apology due to a separate set of concerns involving media engagements that were deemed inappropriate. However, the same behaviors persisted throughout his suspension and afterward, leading the Board to call for his removal, according to the Board.
In the official resolution, the Board stated that “the Director General is hereby recommended for removal effective immediately for violating Section 4.4 sub c (i), ‘found to be grossly inefficient’, and (vi), ‘engages in acts that are undesirable to public interest and undermine principles of good governance’, of the NPHIL Act 2016.” The Board’s resolution also called for Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, the Co-Chair of the Board, to serve as Interim Director General in order to stabilize the institution and lead operations in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, other government agencies, and international partners until a new Director General is recruited and appointed by the President.
Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan is a well-known Liberian medical doctor, biomedical research scientist, social activist, and inventor. He holds a medical degree from the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, affiliated with the Humboldt University of Berlin in Germany.
He has worked at the US National Institutes of Health and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, specializing in infectious diseases and public health diagnostics. During the 2014 Ebola epidemic, Dr. Nyan testified before the United States Congress, offering a public health roadmap and advocating for the establishment of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and the strengthening of national public health systems across the continent.
He is best known for inventing a US-patented diagnostic device known as the “Nyan-Test”, a rapid multiplex diagnostic tool capable of detecting and identifying multiple pathogens such as Malaria, HIV, COVID-19, Ebola, and Hepatitis in under an hour. His innovation earned him the 2017 African Innovation Special Prize for Social Impact.
Notable achievements
Dr. Nyan – a renowned biomedical scientist, inventor, and public health expert – was appointed in August 2024 upon the recommendation of NPHIL’s Board of Directors. His appointment was widely praised by the Liberian public for his proven expertise and achievements in medical science.
Under his leadership, NPHIL received commendations for its robust response to the Mpox outbreak and its renewed focus on disease surveillance and laboratory capacity.
As head of NPHIL, Dr. Nyan oversaw the detection and genetic characterization of a new Monkeypox virus strain in Liberia, known as Mpox Clade IIa. This strain, identified at the National Reference Laboratory in Charlesville in 2024, was the first such detection in Liberia in over 50 years and was published in the scientific journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Nyan also holds memberships in the International Society for Infectious Diseases, the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Regarding the Deputy Director General for Administration, the Board recommended, Dr. Adams K. Lincoln’s redeployment following persistent unauthorized sharing of sensitive institutional communications with external partners, despite being cleared by the Liberia National Police of earlier allegations of vehicle theft. The resolution Seven approvals, two abstentions, and one recusal.
In a formal letter to the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (Designate), Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah, dated September 18, 2025, the Board provided background information on its decision and clarified its previous actions.
The letter outlined a series of steps taken by the Board following investigations into other management-related issues, including allegations of vehicle theft involving the Deputy Director General for Administration (DDGA). A preliminary investigation was conducted by a committee composed of statutory and non-statutory Board members, and a report was generated on February 3, 2025. The investigation concluded with a recommendation for the indefinite suspension of the DDGA while the Liberia National Police and the General Services Agency (GSA) carried out further inquiries.
The DDGA was eventually cleared of the theft allegation by the Liberia National Police due to a lack of documentary evidence. However, the Board noted that while that specific case was resolved, the DDGA continued to share large volumes of unauthorized and sensitive institutional communications with both internal and external parties through platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and radio talk shows.
The Board viewed this as a breach of institutional confidentiality and a violation of governance procedures. As a result, during the September 10 Board meeting, members deliberated on whether to remove the DDGA for acts deemed undesirable to public interest under Section 4.4 sub c (vi) of the NPHIL Act.
Although the motion to remove the DDGA failed to secure a two-thirds majority, the Board recommended his redeployment to another government institution, pending the President’s decision. However, the President chose to dismiss him.
As of press time, the two dismissed officials had not yet issued a formal response to the Board’s recommendations or the President’s decision.
With the temporary appointment of Dr. Sia Wata Camanor as Interim Director General, the NPHIL Board has committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health, other governmental agencies, and international partners to maintain operational continuity. The Board will also initiate the recruitment process for a new Director General to be nominated to the President for appointment.
As Liberia continues to rebuild and strengthen its health sector in the aftermath of major public health crises including Ebola, COVID-19, and the recent Mpox outbreak, all attention now turns to how NPHIL will recover from its leadership transition and whether institutional reforms will be implemented to prevent recurrence of the administrative lapses highlighted in the Board’s report.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-stranded-migrants-in-niger-plead-for-help-after-deportation-from-algeria/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:22:21 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126121Monrovia-Over 30 Liberian migrants deported from Algeria are crying out for urgent intervention from the Liberian government as they remain stranded in dire conditions at a transit camp in northern Niger. By Willie N. Tokpah, willien.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com The group, currently housed under the care of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in the desert town of […]
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Monrovia-Over 30 Liberian migrants deported from Algeria are crying out for urgent intervention from the Liberian government as they remain stranded in dire conditions at a transit camp in northern Niger.
By Willie N. Tokpah, willien.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com
The group, currently housed under the care of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in the desert town of Assamaka, say they have been abandoned and left to suffer in silence.
One of the migrants, George Dolo, shared their harrowing ordeal in a letter to FrontPage Africa, appealing for national attention and a swift repatriation process.
“We are not criminals. We are Liberians, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, who simply wanted a better life. Now, all we ask is to be brought back home,” Dolo wrote.
The migrants, mostly young men and women, say they endured racism, abuse, and inhumane treatment in Algeria before being forcibly deported.
According to Dolo, the group was rounded up by Algerian authorities, detained without charges, and later abandoned in the desert at the Algeria-Niger border, a stretch notorious for its scorching heat and harsh terrain.
“We were beaten, locked up, and treated like animals. Then we were loaded into trucks and dumped in the desert,” Dolo said.
“Some of us thought we were going to die.”
Their rescue came only through the intervention of the IOM, which now hosts them at an overcrowded and under-resourced transit facility in Agadez.
Despite the organization’s efforts, Dolo says the living conditions are grim, with limited food, inadequate shelter, and growing health concerns among the migrants.
“Some of us are sick, traumatized, and mentally broken. We sleep in tents under the desert heat and rely on handouts to survive,” he added.
The most painful part, according to the migrants, is the lack of response from Liberian authorities.
Despite repeated attempts to contact the Liberian Embassy in Senegal, accredited to Niger, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other government officials, Dolo says there has been no concrete response.
“We feel forgotten by the very country we call home,” the letter reads.
“Our families are waiting for us. Our children are waiting. We just want to go home.”
However, Assistant Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saywah N. Gbaa, lamented that the stranded migrants should not portray the Ministry as being aware of their situation but unwilling to act.
“If they can reach out to the Ministry directly or the Embassy directly, then the Ministry can make a position on it,” Gbaa told FrontPage Africa on Wednesday, October 15, adding that the Ministry has not received any communication through its Embassy regarding such matters.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Ambassador to Senegal, Ali Sylla, also stated that the Embassy in Dakar is unaware of the current case involving the stranded migrants in Niger.
“Nobody reached out to the Embassy in Dakar. The Embassy is not aware of the matter. And Niger is not under the jurisdiction of Senegal,” Ambassador Sylla clarified.
He noted that the Embassy has been actively working with IOM since April 2025 and has already facilitated the repatriation of 34 Liberians in phases, to include 13 in May, another 21 in August, with 13 more cases approved for possible repatriation this October.
Ambassador Sylla further clarified that most of the stranded Liberian migrants who had contacted the Dakar mission recently were deported from Mauritania, not Algeria or Niger.
The migrants are pleading with the government of Liberia to arrange immediate repatriation, emphasizing that they pose no security threat and are simply citizens in distress, deserving of national protection and dignity.
The plight of Liberians stranded abroad, especially in North Africa and Middle Eastern countries, has long been a growing concern, with human rights groups warning of increasing cases of abuse and illegal deportations.
This latest appeal underscores the urgent need for clear migration policies and stronger diplomatic support for vulnerable Liberians overseas.
The Liberian public is now being urged to raise its voice in solidarity.
Civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, and concerned citizens are being called upon to demand government action.
“We believe that if the Liberian people hear our cry, they will not turn their backs on us,” Dolo said.
For now, the desert sun rises and sets over a group of forgotten Liberians, still clinging to hope, still waiting for a way home.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-ex-president-sirleaf-says-corruption-remains-a-serious-problem-cites-disregard-for-anti-graft-laws/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:19:02 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126118Monrovia – Liberia’s former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed deep concern over the persistent wave of corruption within the country’s public sector, saying the problem remains one of the most serious challenges confronting national development. By: Yawah Y. Jaivey Speaking on the program “Changing Minds, Changing Attitudes” aired on the Liberia National Television (LNTV) and the […]
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Monrovia – Liberia’s former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has expressed deep concern over the persistent wave of corruption within the country’s public sector, saying the problem remains one of the most serious challenges confronting national development.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
Speaking on the program “Changing Minds, Changing Attitudes” aired on the Liberia National Television (LNTV) and the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Madam Sirleaf lamented that despite the existence of several anti-corruption laws enacted during her administration, many of them are not being respected or implemented.
“The laws are not being respected,” Madam Sirleaf asserted. “For instance, the law that established the County Development Funds was intended to decentralize financial support, but that law has not been fully implemented.”
The former president noted that the persistent failure to enforce anti-graft laws has allowed corruption to flourish across various sectors. “The overall management of public resources—it’s true we have a lot to do to reach the levels achieved by other countries. Corruption is recorded; there’s no doubt about it. Everyone is saying that,” she added.
Despite her concerns, Madam Sirleaf acknowledged that some public officials are making genuine efforts to combat corruption. She specifically commended the current Minister of Finance and the Director General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for their ongoing initiatives aimed at improving transparency and accountability.
However, she observed that “certain discretionary powers” granted to top officials often undermine their effectiveness. “In the presidency, we get some discretions, and also we get discretions in our Legislature,” she said. “The Legislature has to rethink the resources that they command and how those resources should not mean they deny the greater good of the population.”
Madam Sirleaf also addressed critics who accuse her of hypocrisy when speaking out against corruption. “Someone may say, ‘Those people have been making that money ever since; don’t mind her talk because she and her government were making the same money.’ Yes, that may be true,” she admitted. “But our challenge to them has been the same—they have to change it. You are there to make it better. That’s why I say things were not all good in my government, and I admit to that. I stand on my record.”
In conclusion, the former president called on the current leadership to live up to their promises of reform and accountability. “Please, change it and take a stance,” she urged.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-court-convicts-waec-official-in-2024-wassce-math-leak-scandal/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:16:15 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126115Monrovia – Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice has found Augustine S. Saysay, a former Examination Officer with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), guilty of aiding the leak of the 2024 WASSCE Mathematics exam, along with multiple related charges, a ruling that sends a message on the protection of academic integrity in Liberia. […]
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Monrovia – Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice has found Augustine S. Saysay, a former Examination Officer with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), guilty of aiding the leak of the 2024 WASSCE Mathematics exam, along with multiple related charges, a ruling that sends a message on the protection of academic integrity in Liberia.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The Court, presided over by a trial judge, ruled on Wednesday, October 15, after months of testimony, forensic analysis, and witness examination.
Saysay was convicted on counts of Aiding the Consummation of a Crime, Theft of Property, Misapplication of Entrusted Property, and Criminal Conspiracy, in violation of Sections 12.5, 15.56, 15.51, and 10.4 of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
The case stems from the widely reported leakage of the WASSCE Mathematics paper, which was to be administered nationwide on May 30, 2024.
The breach occurred in Tappita, Nimba County, where the defendant had been assigned as a WAEC depot officer.
The “Mess” Continues, Education System on Trial
The Court referenced former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s infamous description of Liberia’s educational system as a “mess”, asserting that examination malpractice is among the key drivers of that dysfunction.
“This matter highlights one of the persistent threats to the integrity of Liberia’s education system,” the Court stated in its final ruling. “To tamper with public examination materials is not just a breach of trust, it is an attack on national development.”
Evidence Unsealed, Bags, Phones, and Money Transfers
The prosecution, led by Solicitor Alfred F. Bandiyo and supported by WAEC as a private prosecutor, presented a compelling case built on forensic digital evidence, financial transactions, and testimony from both WAEC and police officials.
Saysay’s WAEC-issued security examination bag was found unsealed, with two entire packages, 10 essay and 10 objective booklets for the Mathematics paper, missing upon his return to Monrovia.
Mobile money transactions totalling LRD 100,000 were traced to the defendant from co-defendants Amos Bowah and Hamid Alhassan Bangura.
Incriminating text messages were uncovered in Saysay’s phone, including one stating: “When will you send the Chemistry?”
Co-defendant Bowah, in a voluntary statement, admitted sending LRD 50,000 to Saysay “to aid with WAEC test information which he did.”
WAEC’s Head of Testing, Wynna George-Soper, testified that Saysay violated protocol by opening exam bags outside supervision and admitted to tampering with the bag before being turned over to the Liberia National Police.
Defence Cries Foul, Claims of Coercion, Brutality Rejected
Saysay, represented by Atty. Emmanuel Bleh, pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was framed, coerced, and physically abused during police interrogation.
He testified that he was denied access to his reading glasses, slapped, and forced to sign a false confession.
Two relatives, Francis F. Sesay and Samuel M. Saysay, also testified that they saw signs of physical abuse and were denied access to the defendant during his time in custody.
However, the Court dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated, citing a lack of independent medical records and the consistent rebuttal by LNP investigator Dennis N. Weah, who maintained that a lawyer was present, though declined to sign the statement.
Though four individuals were charged in the original indictment, Saysay, Bowah, Bangura, and Lewis A.A. Leeco, the defendant successfully petitioned for severance, and the Court proceeded only with his trial.
The other three are still pending adjudication.
Public Funds, Private Gain
WAEC’s Finance Director, Samuel W. David, testified that Saysay received LRD 331,200 for his official duties in Tapita.
Yet, the Court concluded that he violated the public trust by trading exam materials for private gain. With the verdict now on record, the Court is expected to deliver sentencing in the coming days.
Legal analysts suggest a possible custodial sentence, given the seriousness of the offence and its implications for Liberia’s fragile education system.
WAEC has not yet issued an official statement following the ruling, but education stakeholders and civil society groups are expected to weigh in.
The ruling is likely to renew national debate on education reform, examination security, and public sector accountability.
As Liberia continues to rebuild its academic institutions, the Court’s strong stance may be a deterrent for others seeking to profit at the expense of the nation’s future.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-pres-boakai-vetoes-bills-for-establishment-of-nine-townships-two-new-districts/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:13:06 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126112CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has dealt the Legislature a major setback by rejecting 11 bills seeking his approval for the creation of new townships and districts across Nimba and Lofa Counties. By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway In a communication to the House of Representatives, President Boakai cited “administrative and statutory deficiencies” as the basis […]
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CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has dealt the Legislature a major setback by rejecting 11 bills seeking his approval for the creation of new townships and districts across Nimba and Lofa Counties.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
In a communication to the House of Representatives, President Boakai cited “administrative and statutory deficiencies” as the basis for his veto, saying the bills fail to meet the legal standards outlined in the Local Government Act of 2018.
The 11 bills in question include nine proposing the establishment of townships in Nimba County and two seeking to create new districts—one in Nimba and another in Lofa County.
According to the President, a detailed review revealed that the proposed townships did not satisfy Section 2.16(e) of the Local Government Act of 2018, which sets out the minimum requirements for the creation of townships and boroughs.
The Act mandates that any area seeking township status must have a population of at least 5,000 residents, functional waste disposal systems, access to education and healthcare, and sports and recreational facilities. It also requires cemetery grounds, reliable transportation and communication systems, and the presence of business services such as restaurants and retail shops.
Given Liberia’s existing infrastructure gaps — including limited access to basic services, high unemployment, and poor road networks — the President emphasized the need to ensure that any proposed township fully meets these benchmarks.
He further noted that the bills lacked clearly defined geographical boundaries, an essential requirement for the legal establishment of political subdivisions.
Regarding the two proposed districts, President Boakai said they also failed to meet the statutory criteria outlined in Section 2.15 of the same Act, which governs the establishment of Sub-County Local Governments, including Administrative Districts.
Section 2.15(a) stipulates that all statutory districts remain in effect for seven years following the Act’s passage, during which the Ministry of Internal Affairs must retire all district employees — after which such districts are to be dissolved.
Additionally, Section 2.15(b) states that administrative districts must be managed by a District Advisory Council, District Commissioner, Administrative Officer, Finance Officer, and Development Officer.
President Boakai said the two bills under review failed to clarify whether the proposed districts were statutory or administrative in nature, thereby making their approval legally untenable.
In a related development, President Boakai has submitted to the Legislature a new bill titled “An Act to Establish the Civil Service Commission,” in fulfillment of Article 89 of the 1986 Constitution, which calls for the creation of autonomous public commissions.
The proposed law seeks to repeal the pre-1986 Civil Service Agency Act and replace it with an independent and autonomous Civil Service Commission. The body will be empowered to regulate, supervise, and promote merit-based standards within the Liberian Civil Service and the broader public sector.
According to the President, the new Commission will “guarantee fair access to employment, advancement, and decent working conditions for civil servants,” while institutionalizing accountability and professionalism across government.
He said the legislation represents a major step in his administration’s ongoing efforts to modernize the civil service under the ARREST Agenda, emphasizing administrative reform, transparency, and improved service delivery.
The proposed Act has been forwarded to the relevant committee for review and is expected to be reported back to plenary within two weeks.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/education/ul-appoints-dr-niveda-cindy-ricks-onuoha-as-law-school-dean/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:10:31 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126108Monrovia – The University of Liberia has named Cllr. Dr Niveda Cindy Ricks-Onuoha as Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law. The announcement, made by UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan, was met with widespread praise from advocates of gender equality, education reform, and the legal community. The appointment marks a historic shift in Liberia’s male-dominated […]
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Monrovia – The University of Liberia has named Cllr. Dr Niveda Cindy Ricks-Onuoha as Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
The announcement, made by UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan, was met with widespread praise from advocates of gender equality, education reform, and the legal community.
The appointment marks a historic shift in Liberia’s male-dominated legal education system and aligns with broader efforts to elevate women into leadership across key national institutions.
“I feel an extra bit of pride because, for me, I want to serve as a symbol that women can become anything they desire to become,” said Dr. Ricks-Onuoha in her acceptance remarks.
A Trailblazer in the Making
With more than 22 years of service at the Law School, Dr Ricks-Onuoha brings deep institutional knowledge and legal expertise to the role. She holds a doctorate in international law from Ukraine and has worked extensively in academia and legal practice, including serving as a lawyer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL.
“I am following in the footsteps of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” the new Dean stated. “She was the first female President. I’m also the first Liberian female with a PhD in law.”
Her appointment, she emphasized, is the result of hard work, discipline, and service.
“I served under several Deans, David Jallah, Negbalee Warner, Jallah Barbu. I worked. I served. Today, I have become Dean not through lobbying but by merit,” she said.
President Maparyan praised the Dean’s pragmatism, intellect, and commitment to gender equity.
She described her as a pragmatist, a visionary, and a womanist with a strong voice and determination.
She now gains a seat at the high table of university decision-making.
In her new role, Dr. Ricks-Onuoha has been tasked with restoring the Law School to its pre-war status as one of Africa’s most respected legal institutions.
“I want the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law to be mentioned among world universities. When people talk about reputable African law schools, I want to hear our name on that list,” she said.
As part of her mandate, Dean Ricks-Onuoha will also oversee efforts to improve faculty development, encourage research, and promote continuing legal education for staff members. UL President Maparyan has emphasized the importance of institutional rigor, accountability, and innovation under the new leadership.
The appointment comes amid a renewed push for gender inclusion in higher education, an issue President Maparyan has placed at the center of her administration’s agenda.
In a country where women’s representation in senior legal, academic, and political roles remains limited, Ricks-Onuoha’s appointment stands as a powerful symbol of possibility. Her message to aspiring women and to the men who must now make room was clear: “Men, look out for us. We are coming.”
As Liberia’s premier legal education institution turns a new page, many within the legal and academic community are watching to see how the Law School under Ricks-Onuoha’s leadership will shape the next generation of jurists, judges, and legal thinkers.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/county-news/liberia-body-of-14-year-old-girl-found-in-river-in-margibi-second-child-still-missing/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:08:05 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126105Margibi County — The body of a 14-year-old girl, identified as Unit Mulbah, has been discovered in the Wea Creek in Weala, Margibi County, several days after she and another girl, 9-year-old Liamah Mulbah, went missing. By: Yawah Y. Jaivey According to police and eyewitness accounts, the two girls were last seen on Saturday, October […]
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Margibi County — The body of a 14-year-old girl, identified as Unit Mulbah, has been discovered in the Wea Creek in Weala, Margibi County, several days after she and another girl, 9-year-old Liamah Mulbah, went missing.
By: Yawah Y. Jaivey
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the two girls were last seen on Saturday, October 11, 2025, after leaving their homes in the Coal Base Community of Weala.
In a voluntary statement to police, Felecia Mulbah, mother of the deceased, recounted that around 10:00 a.m. on the day of their disappearance, Unit entered her room complaining of hunger. Felecia said she instructed her daughter to make a fire and heat water for her bath but later noticed that the child had not returned.
When she asked her 8-year-old son, Dualu Mulbah, about Unit’s whereabouts, he told her that his sister had walked toward the Bueluqulleh Community road. Felecia said she then sent Dualu to call Unit back, but when he returned alone, she decided to search for her daughter herself.
She walked toward the Peace Island Community, located along the Bueluqulleh highway leading to their family farm. There, a girl identified as Fefe Williams told her that she had seen Unit and Liamah heading in the direction of the farm.
Felecia said she continued to the crossing point leading to the farm but could not cross the Wea Creek due to high water levels and a flooded single-log bridge. She returned home and did not immediately report the disappearance. The following morning, October 12, she, along with her sister Patience Mulbah and a community member, Abraham F. Tambah, filed a missing persons report at the Weala Police Depot.
Meanwhile, Annie Sumo, mother of the other missing girl, told investigators that she had left her daughters, Liamah and Unit, at home while she went to fetch water from a nearby pump. When she returned, both girls were gone.
Annie said she was told by another young girl that the two children had gone to the farm to dig cassava. After multiple unsuccessful searches, she encountered Felecia Mulbah, who was also looking for her daughter.
Following the report, the Liberia National Police, in collaboration with local residents, launched a search along the banks of the Wea Creek. During the search, an empty 25kg rice bag was found floating near the shore. Inside were two pairs of slippers—one blue and one pink—believed to belong to the missing girls.
Felecia identified the blue slippers and the charcoal bag as her daughter’s, while Annie recognized the pink slippers and a kitchen knife inside the bag as belonging to her daughter, Liamah.
The discovery of these items prompted an intensified search effort, which led to the recovery of Unit Mulbah’s partially decomposed body from the creek. Authorities said the girl appeared to have drowned.
A 15-member jury panel was later constituted to examine the remains, and their preliminary findings indicated no foul play.
As of press time, the whereabouts of 9-year-old Liamah Mulbah remain unknown. Police and community members have continued the search along the Wea River while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the girls’ disappearance are ongoing.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/government-news/mfdp-commences-budget-disaggregation-training-in-buchanan/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:05:38 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126102Buchanan – The Liberian Government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has begun a thorough training on Budget Disaggregation for local government officials, key financial officers meanly in health and education sectors. The training will last from October 12-17, 2025 and is being held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County. The week-long training […]
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Buchanan – The Liberian Government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has begun a thorough training on Budget Disaggregation for local government officials, key financial officers meanly in health and education sectors. The training will last from October 12-17, 2025 and is being held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.
The week-long training on Budget Disaggregation, run by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) from October 12-17, 2025, in Buchanan, was presented by Finance Minister Anthony G. Myers as the start of a fundamental transfer of authority to local leadership across the country.
“This is the beginning of the end of the realization of decentralization,” Minister Myers declared to an audience of CEOs, County Superintendents, and treasury officers. “You’re giving them power. You’re giving them responsibility. Why is the authority? The resources! They need the resources to execute that responsibility.”
Unprecedented Budget Transparency and Treasury Expansion
A cornerstone of the new strategy is an unprecedented level of budget transparency. Minister Myers promised that county officials will soon be able to “look through the budget of each ministry and agency and know how they are spending their resources… across the country.” This would allow, for example, a superintendent in Grand Bassa to see exactly how much the Ministry of Education is spending within the county.
To facilitate this, the government is expanding its County Treasury system. Myers announced that starting next year, six new county treasuries will be added to the existing four, bringing the total to ten. While not all fifteen counties will have a dedicated treasury immediately, he assured that “all fifteen counties will have access to county treasurer services,” with some sharing resources until the next expansion phase.
Local Economies to Get Boost from County-Level Procurement
Perhaps the most immediate impact for local businesses will be the decentralization of government procurement. Minister Myers criticized the current system where all procurement is centralized in Monrovia, even for events held in other counties.
“You have a restaurant, or a hotel, or a catering service in Buchanan, and then the procurement has to be done in Monrovia,” he said. “One of the things that this strategy will do for the local economies… will be, business people will know how much ministries and agencies are spending in their counties. And so, they can compete for contracts in those counties.”
his shift is designed to empower local entrepreneurs, create jobs, and keep spending within county economies. “What we want to see is, the county administration doing procurement here, the education authorities doing procurement here,” Myers emphasized.
Stern Warnings on Accountability and Professionalism
The drive for decentralization was paired with strong calls for professionalism and stern warnings about accountability.
Internal Affairs Minister, Hon. Francis Saah Nymalin stressed “the need to professionalize local government,” signaling an end to political appointments for key financial positions.
For his part, Comptroller and Accountant General J. Elwood Nettey delivered a blunt message on the responsibility that comes with the new financial authority. He warned that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) would scrutinize county finances with the same rigor as the national government and that excuses about a lack of capacity would not be tolerated.
“Sooner or later, you will be on the front page… that you will be taking money that probably you will never see in your life just because… probably [of a] documentation issue,” he cautioned, adding that officials must be prepared to “take the bullet” for their financial decisions.
The high-level training in Buchanan marks the most concrete step yet by the administration to implement financial decentralization, a policy introduced since 2012. If successfully executed, it promises to reshape governance and economic activity across Liberia by moving power and resources closer to the people.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/legal-issues/liberia-heirs-of-late-prince-y-johnson-seek-courts-protection-over-contested-estate/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:03:46 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126099Monrovia – As controversy intensifies around the estate of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, his heirs, Amy Johnson and Blessing Johnson, have formally petitioned the Montserrado County Monthly and Probate Court to issue a caveat on all properties belonging to the late statesman. By Willie N. Tokpah The caveat filing is intended to block any […]
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Monrovia – As controversy intensifies around the estate of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, his heirs, Amy Johnson and Blessing Johnson, have formally petitioned the Montserrado County Monthly and Probate Court to issue a caveat on all properties belonging to the late statesman.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The caveat filing is intended to block any conveyances or transfers of estate assets without the written consent of the heirs or their legal counsel.
Filed on October 15, before Judge Neucular Y. Edwards, the legal notice urges the court to refuse approval of deeds, conveyances, or documents moving any real or personal property tied to Johnson’s estate until proper probate procedure is observed and heirs’ rights protected.
The petitioners argued that without such safeguards, the estate could be subject to fraudulent or unauthorized transactions.
Dynamic Context and Legacy Disputes
Prince Yormie Johnson, who died on November 28, 2024, left behind a complex legacy as both a politically powerful and deeply polarizing figure.
His role in Liberia’s civil war, his influence in national politics, and concerns over accountability have long been the subject of public debate.
The caveat motion comes amid ongoing tensions over control of Johnson’s assets, including alleged attempts by third parties to initiate transfers.
Legal practitioners for the heirs aim to forestall any behindthescenes deals and ensure transparency and judicial oversight in the estate administration.
Heirs Demand Oversight, Prosecuting Fraud Risk
In the formal request, counsel asserts that any transfer or conveyance done “in violation of this Caveat shall be deemed null, void, and of no legal effect,” holding the involved parties legally responsible under the law.
The filing indicates a strong resolve by Amy and Blessing Johnson to vigilantly guard their rights against misuse or misappropriation. This petition also points to the broader need for probate courts in Liberia to be vigilant against manipulations in highvalue estates, especially where prominent public figures are involved.
Public Interest, Reputation, and Legal Precedents
Because Senator Johnson was a public figure whose life evoked deep passions across regions and political lines, the matter carries national implications beyond family property.
Some observers warn that the estate battle could reignite old debates about Johnson’s political alliances, his role in the wars, and unresolved claims over assets acquired during his lifetime.
Moreover, the outcome of this case may set a precedent for how high-profile estates are managed in Liberia, particularly when heirs, political actors, and claims of undue influence intersect.
The court is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks.
During that session, opposing parties may appear to contest the caveat or seek to lift it.
If approved, the caveat will stand until Johnson’s estate is fully probated and all lawful claims resolved.
As Liberia continues to grapple with transparency, rule of law, and equitable justice, many will be watching closely to see whether Liberia’s courts can uphold the rights of heirs against the powerful or politically connected.
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https://frontpageafricaonline.com/water-sanitation/liberia-ul-lwsc-launch-partnership-to-renovate-university-bathrooms/#respondThu, 16 Oct 2025 06:01:34 +0000https://frontpageafricaonline.com/?p=126096Capitol Hill Campus — The University of Liberia (UL) and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) have launched a major collaboration to renovate all bathroom facilities across UL’s Capitol Hill, Fendall, and Health Sciences campuses. According to a UL press release, on Wednesday, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan met with Honorable Mo Ali, Managing […]
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Capitol Hill Campus — The University of Liberia (UL) and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) have launched a major collaboration to renovate all bathroom facilities across UL’s Capitol Hill, Fendall, and Health Sciences campuses.
According to a UL press release, on Wednesday, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan met with Honorable Mo Ali, Managing Director of LWSC, to finalize the details of the initiative. Hon. Ali, accompanied by Mr. Patrick Sandikie, LWSC Deputy Director for Technical Services, presented the final report of a water and sanitation assessment conducted on the Capitol Hill and Fendall campuses, noting that the Health Sciences campus assessment is ongoing.
“LWSC is well-positioned to collaborate with UL to improve both water and sanitation conditions on its campuses,” Hon. Ali said. “We can work together, and we will.”
Under the government-to-government arrangement:
LWSC will rehabilitate existing wells, dig new boreholes where needed, build new water storage facilities, repair pipes and plumbing, and install upgraded bathroom facilities, including toilets and sinks.
UL, using funds recently allocated by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, will purchase renovation supplies. LWSC will cover costs related to improving Capitol Hill campus’s connection to Monrovia’s water and sewer grid and digging new wells at Fendall.
Labor will be a joint effort between LWSC professionals, UL’s Plant Operations Department (POD), and UL’s newly appointed cross-functional technical team.
Work is expected to commence this week.
Also attending the meeting was UL’s new Interim Vice President for Administration, Mr. Sehmah R. Jallah, who directed UL’s POD, led by Mr. Jefferson Walker, to clean all campus bathrooms this week in preparation for the renovation.
“The renovation workers deserve a clean and clutter-free space to start their work,” Jallah said.
President Maparyan expressed her gratitude to Hon. Ali and LWSC for the joint effort, emphasizing the initiative’s significance for the UL community.
“This is the collaboration we have been waiting for,” she said. “We can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. UL’s students, faculty, staff, and guests will, at long last, have dignified facilities worthy of the nation’s flagship university.”
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