The New Republic Liberia

Focus on Liberia

With Tom Peter Gorgla: email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Is Liberia Adrift?

In this maiden Colum, I will be starting with a simple question:  is LIBERIA ADRIFT?   The Sincere and honest answer is YES; Liberia is very much adrift particularly at the national governance level.

Few weeks ago, the country was gripped with fear of a much publicized impending demonstration by what administration insiders call “disgruntled elements of the society”. Other misguided officials of this troubled Sirleaf administration dismissed the call for the administration to pay heed to those calling for the President to step down, as “EMPTY NOICE”.

Since then, there seems to be increasing exposes on the poor governance credibility of this administration.

By Al Gblor Toweh

It beats my imagination to some level, and even beyond some level to have listened to a statement from Africa’s first female president-Ellen Johnson down- playing statement made by her chief
bodyguard, Othello Warrick.

Quite frankly and with no ounce of surprise, she is entitled to her opinion like any Liberian citizen on anything she wants to comment on, and how she chooses to comment. But what is more disturbingly of concern is her latest utterances regarding the media blackout imposed on her by the Press Union of
Liberia in the wake of Warrick’s bullying statement: “If they like, they can go on with the black out for the rest of the year.”

What a statement, Ma Ellen! What a tongue-tied way to respond to such national issue that hinges on the security of another group of Liberians who are doing a piece of job as their conscience depicts!
I am afraid to say that it is too soon for you, Ma Ellen, to ignore the strength and contribution of the media of Liberia to the glory you are parading. Have you forgotten, in less than a decade that it is the
very media that created the platform for you to sit at the helm of power, after years of struggling, smartly smashing the heads of others in the name of fighting societal ills?

By Alloycious David, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 231-886581076

I am compelled by my conscience to comment on the statement of threats made against Liberian journalists on World Press Freedom Day, by Othello Warrick, head of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s elite force, the Executive Protective Service (EPS).

By  Kamusu  Passawe
Teani, Grand Cape Mount County

Advocacy, originating from Latin meaning ‘to add a voice’, refers to strategic communication directed at creating the needed political accountability and social pressure to move resources, shape policies and remove socio-cultural barriers to achieve a desired outcome. Its primary purpose is to secure the rights or needs of a person, a group of people or people-driven institutions/organizations in terms of recognition.