The French Version Inside AdvertizeAdvertize ew Here For N TRULDYa INDEPENDENTwn VOL. 8 NO. 217 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2018 PRICE LD$40.00 LowLow RateRate

a g Nimba Lawmakers P11e

open Pandora box Representative Jeremiah Koung -On missing 16 billion Liberian Banknotes

a g P11e They’re paid

Dr. Laurence K. Bropleh for stealing -Dr Bropleh on gov’t workers WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 2 Continental News Police still investigating Bobi Wine over stoning Museveni’s car he Gulu Magistrate Kilama however said the investigations.Mr Kilama also E a r l i e r i n O c t o b e r, ruling concurred with the Court has again accused persons are incurring asked court to issue fresh Magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana defence team and tasked Ta d j o u r n e d t h e a lot of expenses in travelling summon against officers in who had been handling the prosecution team to speed up treason case against Kyadondo to attend the court sessions c h a r g e o f C r i m i n a l treason case had ordered the their investigation. East MP Robert Kyagulanyi since most of them stay in Investigation Departments CIDs to appear before the “I therefore urge the alias Bobi Wine and 34 other Kampala and Arua District. [CIDs] in Arua and Gulu court to explain why they are prosecution team to speed up suspects due to unfinished He asked court to compel Districts to appear in court still holding the said property inquiries. I also observed that police investigations. the state to expedite and explain about his clients’ which were allegedly being most of the accused persons Mr Kyagulanyi, Arua investigation adding that a (suspects’) property which used by SFC soldiers to track come from outside of this Municipality Member of l e n g t h y p e r i o d o f include vehicles, IPads, a n d c o n m o n e y f r o m jurisdiction and in fact none of Parliament Kasiano Wadri, and adjournment be given to them phones, laptops and money unsuspecting persons. them comes from within the 26 others on Monday appeared [state] to wind up with their still in police custody. Magistrate Kintu, who locality of this jurisdiction,” before Grade One Magistrate presided over the case in his he said.Reuters Isaac Imoran Kintu for mention of their case. The state contends that the 11 S.African peacekeepers accused and others still at large pelted stones at one of President Museveni’s car, convicted of abusing boy in DRC smashing its hind windscreen on August 13 during Arua leven South African said the statement.South Municipality by election soldiers have been Africa is one of the leading campaigns.Prosecution led by Ec o n v i c t e d o f contributors to the United Mr Paul Weponde on Monday mistreating a teenage boy N a t i o n s O r g a n i z a t i o n told court that they were not during a UN peacekeeping Stabilization Mission in the ready to proceed with the d e p l o y m e n t t o t h e Democratic Republic of the case because police are still Democratic Republic of C o n g o ( M O N U S C O ) , gathering evidence against Congo, the military said in a according to a UN briefing the suspects. statement. note. “My lord as usual, the The men, who were The conflict-torn former police is not yet done with the convicted of common law Belgian colony is heading for investigation, we pray for assault by a military court, long-delayed presidential adjournment,” Mr Weponde Ugandan pop star-turned-lawmaker Kyagulanyi dragged the 17-year-old into and parliamentary elections told Court.One of the defence Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine on December 23. lawyers, Mr Henry Komakech their base in southern Kasai province after he was caught The government, which allegedly stealing buckets in has a thorny relationship January, the military said with the UN, has rejected all Gabon president Monday. forms of international appears in video IBREVILLE (Reuters) - Arabia on Oct. 24, sources told however, has shared specific Gabon President Ali Reuters. details on Bongo's condition. LBongo on Monday The presidency initially said With his exact condition and made his first appearance he was struggling with severe w h e r e a b o u t s u n k n o w n , since falling ill nearly six fatigue and later said he had unsubstantiated rumors have weeks ago, in a video shared some "bleeding" that required s w i r l e d t h a t h e w a s by the presidency from his medical attention. incapacitated or dead. medical leave in Morocco. Bongo's wife last week said Gabon's top court ruled last Bongo suffered a stroke he was traveling to Morocco to month that the vice president while at a conference in Saudi continue his recovery.No one, would chair the cabinet in Bongo's absence. In the short video clip shared with journalists, Bongo appears sitting down in a blue and white robe alongside his S i x t e e n m e n w e r e financial or logistical old friend, Moroccan King originally charged under assistance for the election in Mohammed VI. The two men anti-torture legislation over a country nearly five times are seen chatting briefly, the incident but five were the size of France. though the video has no sound. subsequently cleared of all MONUSCO had suggested At one point, Bongo, who is charges, and the other 11 using its helicopters and seated at a right angle to the were not convicted of planes to ferry imported camera, the right side of his torture. voting machines to polling face obscured, sips on what "The chief of the South stations nationwide. appears to be a glass of milk.The Bongo family has African National Defence But Kinshasa wants to see ruled the oil-producing West Force (SANDF), General Solly MONUSCO gone by 2020, African country for nearly half Shoke, welcomed the speedy ending a 20-year presence a century. Bongo has been trial and the successful that has seen 16,000 troops president since succeeding his conviction of those guilty of deployed at an annual cost of father, Omar, who died in 2009. assault and tarnishing the m o r e t h a n a b i l l i o n PHOTO: Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba addresses a His re-election in 2016 was good name of the SANDF dollars.AFP meeting on climate change at the 30th Ordinary Session marred by violent protests peacekeepers in the DRC," amid claims of fraud.Reuters WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 3

Editorial Commentary arBy Marianay Mazzucato The LEC against itself Putting the Public

SERVICES PROVIDED BY the Liberia Electricity Corporation Back in Public Health (LEC) to the public leave much to be desired despite huge investment in that entity. Current situation at that entity is As pharmaceutical companies continue to ratchet up drug prices, the burden on characterized by managerial in-fighting at the detriment of public health agencies like the UK's National Health Service is becoming customers. As the LEC continues to raise fist against itself, unsustainable. Rather than looking on as public investments are channeled into business entities, residential homes, ordinary Liberians and private profits, governments need to step in to guide innovation toward the general public are left alone with little or no services at all. collective goals.

NEWS THAT ESB International, the private company ONDON – The United Kingdom’s National With health-care systems often failing to provide Health Service marked its 70th birthday patients with the treatment they need at a price contracted by the Government of Liberia to manage the LEC this year, so this is a good time to reflect they can afford, and with health innovation not is alleging the existence of a rogue element within the L on the NHS’s past and consider its future. The addressing public health needs, the status quo is corporation that is deliberately, and in many cases, NHS has long been a source of inspiration in not sustainable. But to restore public purpose to bypassing control procedures and necessary organizational health-care debates around the world. But if it health-care provision and innovation will require changes is a stab in the back of the corporation. is not put on a more sustainable footing, it the kind of transformation that the NHS’s could become a cautionary tale. founders ushered in 70 years ago. IN CLEAR TERMS, ESB International has reportedly written an official complaint to the Board of Director against Deputy When the NHS was founded in 1948, its mission, To that end, the first step is to acknowledge Managing Director, Joseph Howe for thwarting initiatives to provide universal high-quality health care, governments’ vital role in the development of aimed at bringing major breakthroughs to LEC. was daringly radical. In time, though, it came new treatments and drugs. Rather than simply to represent a fundamental pillar of the funding innovation, governments need to start ESB INTERNATIONAL IS a private company hired by the modern welfare state, alongside education and directing it with the same level of involvement Government of Liberia under the Millennium Challenge public provision for old age. that they bring to defense spending. That means Compact Agreement to manage the LEC. In accordance with aligning upstream research funding with the agreement, the former is to create an operationally Today, however, the NHS faces mounting downstream applications and public objectives. efficient and profitable utility that is financially viable. But challenges, owing to the years of “austerity” nine months into the management of the LEC, ESB after the 2008 financial crisis, as well as to The pharmaceutical industry will no doubt argue International complains the appointment of Mr. Howe as larger changes in the pharmaceutical industry’s that government engagement stifles innovation. Deputy Managing Director, poses hindrances to the efficient business model. With corporate governance But it was a state-led, mission-oriented approach execution of its duties and meeting objectives planned. increasingly oriented around narrow financial that put a man on the moon, created the indicators such as quarterly earnings, drug Internet, and paved the way for self-driving cars. FROM THE ONSET, the LEC has had serious problem with companies have hiked up medicine prices, and Governments and the societies they serve should the NHS is bearing the costs. Making matters be ambitious, while always asking themselves a power distribution to communities across Montserrado worse, many drugs would not even exist if not practical question: What are we trying to County and the rest of Liberia, denying thousands of for public investment. Last year, the NHS in achieve? residents and businesses access to electricity. Meanwhile, England spent £1 billion ($1.28 billion) elements within the corporation are often in cohort with purchasing medicines that have received Once we know that, legislation and regulatory some unscrupulous members of the public to carry on theft investments from the UK Medical Research measures can be brought to bear to advance our or steal from the entity. Council and other public bodies. In the United collective goals, and to encourage bottom-up States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) experimentation. For example, prizes might be POWER THEFT HAS robbed the corporation of badly needed spends more than $37 billion on biomedical better than prices for stimulating private funds, and denied services to the rest of the public. But few research every year, particularly in areas that investment. And government procurement individuals at various levels continue to line their pockets are too risky for the private sector. And, processes could surely be better aligned to steer with cash that could help in boosting the financial base of worldwide, the public pays for an estimated the direction of innovation. the entity to enable it distributes power proportionally. two-thirds of all upfront costs for pharmaceutical research and development. Even more to the point, policymakers need to “THE FUNDAMENTAL REASON for the delay in address the financialization of the breakthrough is the undermining of those change initiatives High drug prices can have ripple effects beyond pharmaceutical industry, which is focused solely that are essential to improve the culture of non-payment public health around the whole world. It on shareholder value, rather than on all for electricity supplied by LEC in Liberia,” ESB International creates a huge barrier to access to medicines stakeholders. Between 2007 and 2016, the 19 further notes in its complaint. for two billion people and pushes 100 million pharmaceutical companies in the S&P 500 as of people into extreme poverty every year. January 2017 spent $297 billion repurchasing WHEN A PUBLIC corporation such as LEC cries wolf, while Beyond the human suffering, this imposes high their own shares to boost their stock price, and self-destroying or stealing from itself, it is nothing but a economic costs. The lost human capital thus the value of their executives’ stock options. includes not only those who are forced out of That is 61% of their combined R&D expenditures disservice to the State and its people. We recommend a the taxable workforce by personal illness, but over the same period. major shakeup in that public entity to get things right. also those who must drop out to care for them. As long as this business model prevails, price FORMER PRESIDENT was constrained Most crucially, it is increasingly difficult to gouging will continue. As happened recently with to change the entire LEC management team in 2016 after balance the goals of ensuring patient access to one antibiotic, CEOs will say that they are serving she inaugurated the entity due to the lack of accountability. effective medicines, managing rising health- shareholders by letting prices rise to whatever care expenditure, and incentivizing the market will bear and abusing intellectual- IT IS NOT only a disgrace, but complete disappointment innovation. Even if access to health care were property rights to extract monopoly rents. that after partners had spent several millions of their assured, and pricing well managed, there Patents have become too difficult to license, and taxpayers' moneys to help restore electricity to Liberia, we would still be a problem with the current they are too often acquired for strategic reasons Liberians are undermining ourselves. It is too bad. direction of health innovation. Diseases that do than for novelty, as was originally intended. not create potential growth markets are largely ignored. Between 2000 and 2011, only To bring health care back into line with the public 4% of newly approved drugs were for neglected interest, we can still find inspiration in the NHS. diseases that affect predominantly lower- and Its founders’ mission was to create a system that middle-income countries. Meanwhile, in the serves everyone, is free at the point of delivery, US, 78% of new medicine patents between 2005 and caters to patients’ needs, not their ability to and 2015 were related to drugs that are already pay. Today’s policymakers should reaffirm that on the market. And in Europe between 2000 basic mission. Only by aligning innovation with and 2014, 51% of newly approved drugs were the priorities of a civilized society can we finally modified versions of existing medicines, and take health care to the next frontier. Published by the Searchlight Communications Inc., Crown Hill-Broad Street, thus offered no additional health benefits. Adjacent Afriland Bank Monrovia-Liberia. Tel: +231-0886484201, +231-0777007529, +231-0886551057 E-mail: [email protected]; www.thenewdawnliberia.com Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. www.project-syndicate.org WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 4

By John A. Mathews O-ped By Daoud Kuttab Opinion & Mark Selden A World of Khashoggis The Rise of the “Petroyuan” YDNEY/ITHACA – It is now just ten months since China launched its oil MMAN – For two months, the brutal murder of the US-based Saudi futures contract, denominated in yuan (renminbi), on the Shanghai journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, SInternational Energy Exchange. In spite of forebodings and shrill Aand its geopolitical repercussions, has dominated headlines alarms, the oil markets continue to function, and China’s futures worldwide. But his case is far from an anomaly. In fact, according to the contracts have established themselves and overtaken in volume terms the International Press Institute, violence against journalists and impunity for dollar-denominated oil futures traded in Singapore and Dubai. the perpetrators are “two of the biggest threats to media freedom in our world today.” Of course the volume of trades on the Shanghai INE still lags behind that of the Brent oil contracts traded in London and the West Texas Intermediate Governments often use both carrots and sticks to keep journalists in line. oil futures traded in New York. The Chinese oil futures contract is, They might reward journalists for toeing the official line, using financial however, being taken seriously by multinational commodity traders (like or other kinds of bribes. Those who refuse to be bought, however, may Glencore) and is priced in a manner that is comparable to the Brent and suffer the loss of basic rights (such as passport renewal), or have their WTI indices. As we argue in The Asia-Pacific Journal, these results suggest reputations destroyed. that China’s oil futures could bring the renminbi to the core of global commodity markets. To this end, some autocratic regimes emulate US President Donald Trump, calling journalists “enemies” who disseminate “fake news.” This is a The launch of the oil futures contract can be anticipated to widen the bleak reversal for the United States, a country that has historically set a scope for renminbi-denominated commodity trading. As more of China’s powerful positive example with its formal and informal mechanisms for oil imports come to be priced in its domestic currency, foreign suppliers protecting freedom of the press and its robust culture of investigative will have more renminbi-denominated accounts with which they can journalism. purchase not only Chinese goods and services, but also Chinese government securities and bonds. This can be anticipated to strengthen Imprisonment is another favorite way for autocratic regimes to silence Chinese capital markets and promote the renminbi’s internationalization journalists who dare to speak truth to power. In Egypt, Al Jazeera’s – or at least the progressive de-dollarization of the oil market. Mahmoud Hussein has been detained for two years without trial. In the United Arab Emirates, the Jordanian journalist Tayseer al-Najjar is serving For the past decade, China’s strategy for internationalizing the renminbi a three-year sentence, which will be prolonged if his family is unable to has involved greater reliance on the International Monetary Fund’s Special pay the massive $136,000 fine imposed on him for a post he made on social Drawing Rights as an alternative international reserve currency. The media. In Turkey, more than 150 journalists have been imprisoned since People’s Bank of China’s then-governor, Zhou Xiaochuan, spelled out the the failed coup in July 2016, making the country the world’s biggest jailer strategy in an essay in 2009. With new allocations of SDRs to emerging of journalists. industrial powers like China, the SDR, based on a basket of currencies including the renminbi, could serve not only as a development tool, but And then, of course, there are the journalists who are forced to make the also as a means of international payment to rival the US dollar. In the wake ultimate sacrifice in service of the truth. By one count, 73 journalists have of the 2008 global financial crisis, an SDR-centered international financial been killed so far this year, and in, 12 countries five or more murders of system became an enticing prospect for other countries as well. journalists went unresolved in 2017. This includes not only violence- plagued countries like Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, but also democracies (and Zhou’s 2009 essay galvanized these efforts, as he pointed to the evident quasi-democracies) like Brazil, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia. inadequacies of the dollar-centered system (such as the impact of chronic US deficits) and outlined the SDR’s advantages as an alternative means of Such countries – many of which are allies of the US and other Western international financial settlement. countries – have often faced no political or diplomatic price for their actions. In this sense, Khashoggi’s murder sends a powerful message. The establishment of renminbi-based oil trading at a time when China and many other economies confront aggressive US tariffs, and possible further Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is widely believed to have development of renminbi-based trade in other commodity markets, ordered the killing. Yet journalists and human-rights activists in suggests that the US dollar could face an unprecedented challenge to its developing countries that benefit from or depend on financial support hegemony. It may in the near future no longer be seen as the anchor of the from Saudi Arabia are being politely (or not so politely) requested to keep international monetary system, bringing to an end to what Valéry Giscard quiet as MBS tours the region in order to restore his image. d’Estaing famously called the “exorbitant privilege” enjoyed by the US as a result of the dollar’s centrality in international trade. In many Arab countries, for example, it is a crime to carry out any action or publish anything that could hurt the reputation of “a brotherly or friendly If China’s ultimate goals include internationalizing the renminbi, its more country.” So, while Tunisian human-rights activists protested MBS’s recent immediate objective, prompted in part by US tariffs or sanctions on China visit, many Arab activists had to refrain, despite strongly opposing the and other countries, is de-dollarization of the international system. This is Saudi leader’s actions, in order to avoid imprisonment. reflected in the shift to promoting an oil futures contract traded in Shanghai, which represents a decisive break with China’s SDR-focused Even some Western countries have failed to take a stand. Trump, for strategy. example, has declared that he “stands with” Saudi Arabia, a close US ally, largely in order to protect large arms deals with the Kingdom. It is also a way for China to capitalize on the US trade sanctions imposed against it – exposing liabilities in these sanctions. Both Russia and Iran, for Among the few who have been courageous enough to speak out are example, are selling oil to China and accepting payment in renminbi, in Palestinian journalists living under Israeli occupation. More than 150 response to actual or potential sanctions imposed on them by the US. They independent Palestinian journalists have signed an Avaaz petition stating also have extensive imports from China, as well as other reasons for that his murder sets “a dangerous precedent that threatens the lives of seeking strengthened ties. journalists, their right to free expression, the freedom of journalistic work, and the right of the public to know.” China no doubt views the emergence of renminbi-denominated oil Please note that this post is a National Post and is opened to applicants of either sex. Preference will contractsbe given to as equally a means qualified for women Chinese candidat companieses. to buy oil and gas in their own The petition also looks beyond Khashoggi’s case, calling for the enactment currency, thereby avoiding exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and of “binding laws that protect journalists, guarantee their right to work in firing a shot across the bow of US dollar supremacy. The fact that China is freedom, and punish those who violate this right.” now the world’s largest oil importer, as well as its leading trading and manufacturing economy, lends weight to its “petroyuan” and other Given how widespread crimes against journalists are – and how vital their initiatives to internationalize the renminbi. If China can withstand US work is to our societies – the petition’s demands deserve the support of all counterattacks, its efforts will lay the financial groundwork for the citizens where press freedom is restricted or under threat. emergence of a multipolar world.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.org Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2017. www.project-syndicate.org

WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 5 More headline news More headline news Local journalists attend training on Land Reporting By George Kimbah/ Nimba to remain focus on land issues two-day regional something, he notes, has the training for local propensity to shift the destiny of Aj o u r n a l i s t s i n land dispute positively. southeastern Liberia on Reporter Aletha H. Weah of reporting land issues ends in TOP FM, a local radio station in Ganta City, Nimba County Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh under the auspices of the County says her knowledge in United Nstates Agency for reporting the land sector of International Development or Liberia has become more USAID. vibrant as a result of the The training was organized training, and calls on her by the Land Governance colleagues to put in practice Support Activity or LGSA in knowledge acquired through collaboration with the Liberia radio programs that will talk Land Authority LLA with about land related issues. funding from USAID. “I think our role is very It brought together over 55 critical to the land sector; that is the reason we were trained on local journalists representing reporting skills in the region. the sector. issues because it has the how to report on the land sector. various media institutions The participants were H e a l s o c o m m e n d e d propensity to spark conflict It is the local stations we are from Maryland, Sinoe, Grand drilled on several topics; President for that could lead to problems working with that the locals Kru, River Gee, and Grand including, media in the Liberia signing into law the Land Right ranging from family, region, listen to as such, it is prudent for Gedeh Counties, respectively. land reform process, reporting Act on 19 September 2018, and sectional disputes. our capacity to be built in order Speaking recently at the land reform in Liberia, ways in adding that the law will now Meanwhile, the chairman to report positively on the land opening ceremony, the writing an empowered land make locals take ownership of of the South Eastern Journalist sector” she points out. communications and outreach stories, and accessing land their Lands. Association of Liberia or SEJAL The local journalists were specialist at LGSA, Richlue O. information, among others. Arthur Tucker said LLA lauds the LLA and partners for sent into communities of Ganta Burphy lauds the participants The training also focused on relies solely and wholly on the the training, noting the to put in practice what they for the long distances they the critical role of the media in local media to push the refresher training has provided were taught, including the roles covered amid challenges good land governance and agenda, noting that they have them vast knowledge on o f s u r v e y o r s , c r i m i n a l especially, bad roads condition impacts of the media role been pushing for the passage reporting on the land sector. conveyance of land, the role of faced by people in the whether performed well or not of the act into law through Mr. Lloyd Farley pledges the Civil Society Organizations, southeastern region. and its reflection on national their reportage. local media commitment in Land Rights law, Land dispute Mr. Burphy notes that development. He also promises the LLA working with the LLA and LGSA resolution, steps to acquisition journalists play very important The LLA Public Relations fullest support to the local including its partners in of land, among others. role in promoting the land Officer urges journalists to media in covering the land highlighting land issues in the Wilfred Weah Duosi of Cape sector of Liberia, so it is acquaint themselves with the sector of the country, but media positively. Rock radio in Maryland, Prince important to continuously Land Right Act in order to cautions local journalists to be “We will continue to air the Copland of Radio Gee in River provide training which will report and write properly on careful in how they report land land related programs on our Gee County are among local help refresh their minds and local radio stations in the journalists who attended the southeastern region whether it t w o d a y s t r a i n i n g a n d is paid for or not, because the appreciated the organizers, but issues of land is very serious in Red Cross applauds volunteers sacrifices challenged them to do more in our country. For the people to building the skills of local he Liberian National the LNRCS says it is present in The Red Cross recognizes understand these issues, it journalists in the country. - Red Cross (LNRCS) every district of Liberia’s 15 that some of its volunteers takes the work of the local Editing by Jonathan Browne Tsays it is pleased to counties through its network have died while on duty, and media”, he says. join the rest of the world in of over 3,500 community- many more have suffered He urges media colleagues recognizing the celebrating based volunteers often on the physical and emotional the bravery and achievements frontline of humanitarian injuries while helping affected of its community - based emergencies. communities. volunteers whose selfless “Their tireless efforts in the From social mobilization to efforts are reassuring the toughest times of emergency building capacity for resilient institution’s commitment to a n d l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g communities, providing first #Stop prioritizing prioritizing foreign foreign humanity. circumstances, and hours of aid and health care services, In a statement released work in the rain and sun to improving access to sanitation Tuesday, 4 December ahead of bring relief to the dying have and safe water, among others, businesses over the International Volunteer not gone unnoticed,” the Red the LNRCS says its community- Day (IVD) which is 5 December, Cross says. based volunteers are always businesses over passionate, motivated and Liberian businesses!# committed to serve and restore hope and dignity for the most affected. According to the LNRCS, Liberian businesses!# this international volunteer day is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the roles of its community - based solidarity it takes to put one’s these contexts become more volunteers are playing in own suffering aside and take challenging and dangerous, enabling their society to action to help others is quite adding that volunteers in these become the largest local remarkable. Time and again, c o n t e x t s o f t e n m a k e a humanitarian service provider it’s the volunteers who roll up significant and meaningful in Liberia. their sleeves, wrap reassuring difference and yet they come The Red Cross reaffirms arms over the shoulders of from some of the poorest that its commitment is to work distressed neighbors and put communities and are often w i t h g o v e r n m e n t s a n d their hearts into meaning facing their own significant partners to better protect, things better,” the Red Cross challenges and trauma. promote and recognize the continues. “ T h e y a r e o f t e n a s critical role its volunteers play, I t n o t e s t h a t a s vulnerable as the people they often in the face of great humanitarian environments support. This is why we need to personal sacrifice. around the world become protect them,” the Red Cross “The courage and sense of more complex, volunteering in concludes. WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 6 More headline news More headline news Weah suggests tax cuts from officials’ salaries r e s i d e n t G e o r g e meager domestic revenues. the lives of the people of acknowledges the significance projects. He also inspected Manneh Weah says An Executive Mansion Liberia. of the Doe Community and the New Kru Town Coastal P“another reasonable release says President Weah President Weah pleads with Clara Town road to the Defense project. way to ensure tax compliance” wants officials of government Liberians not to relent in residents, describing it as He says he is convinced that of his officials and government to lead by example by paying paying their taxes because milestone achievement. government can do more when workers is to effectuate the their taxes. without paying their taxes, “I am glad that these two citizens pay their taxes, and deduction of taxes owed from He believes that it will government cannot carry on communities are being when officials of government the salaries of delinquent encourage ordinary citizens to development. connected today with a paved lead by example by meeting individuals. a l s o h o n o r t h e i r t a x Meanwhile, he expresses road,” he says. their tax obligations. “While the government is o b l i g a t i o n s , r e m i n d i n g appreciation with the progress “The residents of these two He says all over the world, reaching out to multilateral government officials about contractors are making to slum communities will no more “tax payment is a legally and bilateral partners for their tax commitments and meet deadline for the walk through the mud and binding obligation for all, both support, we as citizens and how it is significant to completion of projects. swamp again as we were used in private and public life.” particularly officials of transforming the nation and The President particularly to doing several years ago,” he He notes that delinquent or government [must] contribute continues. deviant elements do go to jail to the domestic revenue Monday’s daylong tour, a for failure to pay their taxes. envelop by paying our taxes. continuation of his vigorous President Weah warns That’s the only way we can road inspection promise, took officials of government to f u n d t h e s e c o m m u n i t y him to the Chucky road and always be on the side of the projects,” he said Monday, 3 Pipeline-Johnsonville road law by paying their taxes December during inspection of projects; the Patience Shop- regularly or he would be projects in Montserrado Barnersville road, Doe compelled to take the County. Community-Clara Town and appropriate action.--Press President Weah calls on the Sawmill Community road release members of his cabinet and other officials of government to honor their tax obligations as to financially equip Government execute its mandate consistent with the #To empowerempower Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development. P r e s i d e n t W e a h ’ s Liberians, enforceenforce administration has initiated dozens of community projects, principally the construction of paved roads which are largely thethe exclusiveexclusive funded from government’s Lawmakers urged to invest more in Education Liberians business business member of the 54th challenges faced by Liberia are of the Williams V.S. Tubman National Legislature, numerous and enormous, but Teachers College, University of act. # AMontserrado County not insurmountable. Liberia. act. # E l e c t o r a l D i s t r i c t # 1 “While there is not much The college graduated 221 Representative, Lawrence that you can do to affect the teachers with females making Morris, has implored his economy, you can be tough- up the majority. colleagues of that august body minded and vocal about what Rep. Morris said teachers encourage young Liberians to the government, the efforts of to increase budgetary support it means to teach, because it play a central role in the take to teaching as an the Teacher’s College at the for the education sector. emulates from you, how the d e v e l o p m e n t o f y o u n g intellectual journey that will University of Liberia need to Speaking at the ongoing minds of the young people will people’s lives, adding that the transform the country for the be buttressed with funding and 9 9 t h C o m m e n c e m e n t be developed in curving and graduates are entering the better. requisite logistics. Convocation of the University shaping development and how profession at a time when He noted that teaching is a “Our students need to have of Liberia in Fendall on the things will improve or educational authorities are profoundly intellectual hands-on training to practice “Importance of Teachers’ deteriorate.” Rep Morris said striving to balance their a c t i v i t y t h a t s h a p e s the pedagogical skills we are E d u c a t i o n t o N a t i o n a l when he served as a keynote budgets through cuts. development in all walks of impacting in them, so a fully Development,” Rep. Morris s p e a k e r a t t h e 9 9 t h “Teachers are universally life, and as such, the need to equipped and well functional s a i d t h e p r o f e s s i o n a l Commencement Convocation praised for finding solutions to support teaching in every demonstration school is educational problems; they society including Liberia needed to sustain the effort are also condemned as the root cannot be overemphasized. we are making,” said Dean causes for all of the problems “The good primary teacher Cassell, who is presiding over with schools in Liberia,” he k n o w s a b o u t c h i l d her first commencement as said. development and how to Dean of the college. He acknowledged that engage young people across a She stressed, “it is through there is an ideological battle range of subjects; he or she Teachers education that to give befitting definition to listens to see who needs help; t e a c h e r s a c q u i r e t h e teaching, contending that this thinks on his or her feet; knows knowledge and skills needed to rests with those who go h o w t o a n s w e r w r o n g help transform the lives of through the pedagogical questions and provide an art citizens for the better of any training to teach. example or comparison to nation,” mentioning that The guest speaker then g u i d e t o w a r d s c l e a r e r teachers who in training need called on the graduates to thinking,” said Rep. Morris to to know how theory and cherish their calling as much applause from the practice are interwoven. teachers, saying, “Teachers graduates. Also marking special are knowledge delivery In her opening statements, remarks was Dr. Ophelia Inez m e c h a n i s m w h o s e the Dean of the William V. S. Weeks, President of the e f f e c t i v e n e s s w i l l b e Tubman Teacher’s College, Dr. University of Liberia, who determined primarily by how Cecelia Cassell, pointed out urged the graduates to see literate and civilized a society that Liberia needs to invest in themselves as ambassadors is.” education. charged with the responsibility Some Graduates Of The Williams V.S. Tubman Teacher’s College A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , Dr. Cassell said inrder to of molding young children into educational authorities should achieve the Pro-Poor Agenda of proud citizens. WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 7 More headline news More headline news Man held for son’s murder Liberian engineers By Winston W. Parley son before reporting himself to return, Mr. Musa says he asked olice here are looking the police. the victim where he came into claims that But he denies killing his son, from. yearn for contracts Psuspect Marfee G. narrating that he did not also In response, he says the Musa allegedly murdered his beat on the boy. victim replied that he was By Emmanuel Mondaye 16 year - old son Marfee G. Suspect Musa on 20 beaten by a criminal gang he president-elect of Musa, Jr., and subsequently November, he left Marfee at known as “spirit” with whom engineers, equally so, his t h e E n g i n e e r i n g buried the deceased without the house with children and the deceased was also a administration will only work Society of Liberia informing the police. gave the deceased a phone for friend. T with recognized and licensed (ESL), Mr. Thomas Gonkawon The incident allegedly communication because of Suspect Musa explains that engineering films in butressing the late Marfee cried that vows to seek the interest of government’s re-construction “spirit beat on him,” adding professional engineers of the drive. that when day broke, he saw society. Mr. Gonkawon defeated his his son dead. He said for too long Liberian opponent Mr. Victor Smith 28 He also denies claim that he e n g i n e e r s h a v e b e e n to 11 votes, while his vice escaped after the incident. downplayed in terms of president Joseph Nyum won In another development, obtaining contracts from Madam Ruth Collins 23 to 16 police say they are making relevant institutions and votes. Mr. David Wounuah and progress in the investigation companies in Liberia. Madam Cecilia Davies were involving the alleged secret Speaking recently after his elected as Secretary General burial of three bodies by election, Mr. Gonkawon and Assistant Secretary, officials of the Abraham disclosed there are trained, Roberts Funeral Home located in Gardnersville. Suspect Abraham Wenyu, an executive of the Abraham Roberts Funeral Home is being investigated at the LNP headquarters, according to police. Police say they have made contacts with family of the Suspect Marfee G. Musa deceased female and they have identified the deceased occurred on 20 November in the. as Sasanna Kawroteh. the 72nd Community of “So I came back I never saw According to police, the Paynesville at the suspect’s him. He locked the children other two bodies are skeletons residence. up, he went,” Mr. Musa and they have been deposited In an interview with the explains. at the John F. Kennedy Hospital suspect at the Liberia National According to him, it did not in Sinkor. Police (LNP) headquarters take long when Marfee Monday, 3 December, he told returned home. Upon Marfee’s journalists that he buried his Mr. Joseph S. Nyuma, Vice President Elect, Engineering Society of Liberia

Bong Superintendent settles dispute qualified and professional respectively. engineers in the country, who The Engineeering Society of must be given first preference L i b e r i a e l e c t i o n w a s between MNG Gold and citizens in road and infastratural conducted by a five-member By Joseph Titus Yekeryan in Bong contracts by the Government committee headed by Mr. of Liberia. Moses Abu, who declared the o n g C o u n t y The ESL president says he process free, fair, and S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s t r o n g l y b e l i e v e s t h e transpirent. Esther Walker has B government will closely work The election exercise held initiated a daylong peace with the society in having at the premises of the Ministry conference between Kokoyah L i b e r i a n s m e a n i n g f u l l y of Public Works (MPW) was Statutory District citizens of conribute to the social closely monitored by several Bong County and the MNG - infastrature development of obsevers, including the Advisor G o l d c o m p a n y r e c e n t the country. at the German International following tension. He notes that while he does Corporation (GIZ) Madam The peaceful initiative was n o t h a t e s u b s t a n d a r d Wanda Moeining. -Editing by as a result of serious tension contruction entities and Jonathan Browne that erupted between the citizens and the MNG company after the death of four citizens who were accidentally killed #Revoke rock and by the company’s hired vehicle. sand mining licenseslicenses The victims were riding on a m o t o r b i k e w h e n t h e from ChineseChinese and and Lebanese# Lebanese# company’s hired vehicle and the bike collided, instantly killing the bike operator and together peacefully in Dolo Eugene Kollie pledged the the three passengers on 5 Town. company’s commitment to November. Several police officers institutions of the county have Citizens who attended the better the conditions of the The incident prompted a rushed on the scene to been calling on the leadership forum and spoke in separate people of Kokoyah. retaliatory action of angry maintain peace, but it further of the county to quickly r e m a r k s , j o i n e d Kollie thanked the citizens citizens who then stormed the escalated the violence. intervene. Superintendent Walker to for honoring the call by the compound of the company in The incident has resulted to O v e r t h e w e e k e n d , appeal to the company to superintendent to re-unite David Dean Town and looted the interruption of normal Superintendent Walker invited pardon them and live together them for a progressive several of the company’s activities including closure of officials of MNG Gold, CGGC to improve their lives. Liberia.--Edited by Winston materials and burned the some learning institutions. and the citizens of Kokoyah to Also making remarks, the W. Parley pickup. Several citizens and forgo the disunity and work government liaison officer WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 8 Français Des manifestants affrontent localité et entraîne la fermeture de nombreuses la police à Caldwell entreprises. « Nous sommes dans ls habitent à quelques l'obscurité la plus totale mètres du barrage depuis plus de deux ans Ihydroélectrique d’où maintenant et la LEC refuse est produit le courant de résoudre notre problème électrique du pays qui est », a dit Arthur F. T. Teah, un distribué dans les autres habitant du quartier qui s’est localités par le biais des exprimé au micro de ce lignes de transmission qui quotidien. passent au-dessus de leurs « Les habitants des autres maisons, sans qu’eux-mêmes communautés comme celles en bénéficient. d e s t o w n s h i p s d e Il y a près d’un an, la Johnsonville, de New Kru société « Liberia Electricity Town et de Saint-Paul Bridge, Corporation » a installé des profitent de l’électricité, poteaux électriques à travers mais pour nous à Caldwell, la tout le township pour, dit-on, situation est totalement connecter les foyers au différente. Nous implorons réseau électrique. Mais donc la LEC de nous jusqu’à présent, ils n’ont pas connecter », a-t-il ajouté. de courant. La route traversant le Cette situation, les township est l’un des axes habitants du township de économiques en croissance Caldwell en ont marre. C’est Citizens of Caldwell », ont pris la société d’électricité du accusant les manifestants de d’assaut la principale route Liberia Electricity. Il s’en est s’être livrés des actes de du pays, car elle relie la pourquoi pour la deuxième société Liberia Water and fois de suite en moins d'un an de leur localité, érigeant des suivi un affrontement entre vandalisme. b a r r a g e s e t b l o q u a n t habitants et agents des forces Moses a révélé qu'une Sewer Corporation (LWSC) et ils descendent dans la rue le barrage hydroélectrique pour exprimer leur ras-le-bol totalement la circulation. de l’ordre. La scène était femme enceinte souffrant de La police a dû faire recours c h a o t i q u e c e l u n d i 3 douleur se rendait dans un Mount Coffee à la capitale et réclamer ce qui leur Monrovia. revient de droit. à l ’ u s a g e d e s g a z décembre 2018. centre de santé pour lacrymogènes pour disperser Le porte-parole de la accoucher. Mais elle a dû Les habitants ont dit avoir Réveillés très tôt à 4 du mal à comprendre que, heures du matin, les les manifestants en colère, police, Moses Carter, a accoucher dans le véhicule qui étaient allés réclamer de confirmé l'utilisation du gaz qui la transportait, et bien que le township abrite le manifestants, sous la barrage hydroélectrique et bannière de « Concern l'électricité à la direction de lacrymogène par la police, malheureusement le bébé n'a pas survécu, ce, à cause des d’autres services essentiels barrages routiers qui ont été qui génèrent des recettes érigés par les manifestants. pour le gouvernement, il n’a L'Allemagne fait un don de 15 millions Les habitants, eux, accusent pas accès au courant. la société d’électricité du I l s o n t m e n a c é d e Libéria d'être insensible à manifester leur colère, cette d'euros au secteur de la santé du Libéria leurs souffrances, car le fois-ci, devant le bureau du président Weah dès son es gouvernements du la région du sud-est du pays. l'accord de subvention sera m a n q u e d e c o u r a n t retour dans le pays, si l’Etat Libéria et de la Selon les informations finalement conclu entre les électrique a eu un impact LRépublique fédérale recueillies lors d'une réunion deux gouvernements. négatif sur les activités de se penche pas sur leur d’Allemagne vont bientôt tenue récemment au ministère KFW est une banque commerciales dans cette problème. signer un accord de subvention d e s F i n a n c e s e t d e l a gouvernementale allemande d’une valeur de 15 millions Planification du développement pour le développement. Elle est d’euros pour renforcer le dans le cadre de la coopération basée à Francfort. Elle finance secteur de la santé du Libéria. germano-libérienne pour le et soutient des programmes et Le projet intitulé « Projet de développement, les Allemands, p r o j e t s i m p l i q u a n t renforcement du système de via la banque KFW, fourniront principalement des acteurs du santé » sera mis en œuvre par une subvention (contributions secteur public des pays en Deutsche Welthungerhilfe dans financières) au Libéria lorsque d é v e l o p p e m e n t e t d e s économies émergentes. entre le gouvernement du l'exercice 2017/2018 et 32,2 Le gouvernement allemand Libéria et le gouvernement de millions USD pour l'exercice a, grâce à un soutien financier la République fédérale 2018/2019. Les décaissements antérieur, déjà réalisé neuf (9) d’Allemagne. t o t a u x p o u r l ' e x e r c i c e établissements de santé dans le L’Allemagne est l’un des 2016/2017 se sont élevés à 46,5 sud-est du Libéria. principaux donateurs dans les m i l l i o n s U S D e t l e s L’objectif de la récente secteurs de l’énergie et de décaissements du dernier réunion était d’améliorer la l’environnement du Libéria et a e x e r c i c e ( 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 ) compréhension mutuelle des apporté son soutien au projet s'élevaient à 18,3 millions USD. processus et structures de construction du barrage La subvention de 15 millions régissant la coopération pour le hydroélectrique de Mount d'euros constituera un soutien développement entre les deux Coffee ainsi qu’au projet de s u p p l é m e n t a i r e d u pays.Selon les informations conservation de la biodiversité gouvernement de la République recueillies lors de la réunion, de six millions d’euros dans le fédérale d'Allemagne au les deux pays estiment que sud-est du pays. L i b é r i a . I l r é a f f i r m e r a cette réunion contribuera à On peut rappeler que la l'engagement significatif des améliorer l'efficacité et à R é p u b l i q u e f é d é r a l e Allemands à soutenir les accélérer les processus de d’Allemagne a prévu un aspirations du gouvernement planification et de mise en montant total de 105,5 dollars a c t u e l e n m a t i è r e d e œ u v r e d e l ' a i d e a u américains à titre de soutien au développement, notamment développement fournie par Libéria. Sur ce montant, 33,5 d a n s l e d o m a i n e d e l'Allemagne au Libéria, ce qui millions USD étaient prévus l'amélioration du secteur de la permet ainsi un meilleur pour l'exercice 2016/2017, santé. mécanisme de coordination 39,8 millions USD pour WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 9 Français

Éditorial Commentaire Par Mariana Mazzucato Il faut une restructuration au Rendre au public sein de la société d’électricité la santé publique

es prestations de services de la société d’électricité du ONDRES – Le service national de santé Liberia (LEC) laissent beaucoup à désirer, malgré les britannique, le National Health Service (NHS) Dès lors que les systèmes de soins de santé ne Linvestissements colossaux injectés dans cette Lfêtait cette année son soixante-dixième parviennent plus ou pas assez à fournir aux malades les compagnie. anniversaire ; le moment est donc opportun de traitements dont ils ont besoin à des prix pour eux réfléchir à son passé et de considérer son avenir. Le abordables, dès lors que l’innovation ne répond plus NHS a été pris en exemple, à travers le monde, dans aux besoins de la santé publique, le statu quo n’est Pire, il y règne actuellement des conflits internes au de nombreux débats sur les soins de santé. Mais si plus tenable. Pour réorienter vers les besoins publics détriment des clients. Pendant que la LEC continue de se l’équilibre n’en est pas plus durablement rétabli, il l’offre de soins de santé et l’innovation thérapeutique, battre contre elle-même, les entreprises commerciales pourrait ne plus servir que de contre-exemple. il nous faut opérer le genre de transformation que les privées et les populations libériennes ordinaires sont privées fondateurs du NSH surent mener à bien voici soixante- d’un service minimum. Lorsque fut fondé le NHS, en 1948, sa mission – dix ans. fournir une couverture universelle de soins de santé ESB International, la société privée engagée par le de haute qualité – était aussi audacieuse que Pour ce faire, le premier pas est de reconnaître le rôle radicale. Le temps passant, il en est cependant venu crucial de la puissance publique dans la mise au point gouvernement du Libéria pour gérer la société d’électricité, à représenter l’un des trois piliers de l’État- de nouveaux traitements et médicaments. Plutôt que a fait état de l'existence d'un « élément indésirable » au sein providence, avec l’éducation et les prestations de se contenter de financer l’innovation, les États de la société, qui, dans de nombreux cas, a délibérément publiques pour les personnes âgées. doivent commencer à la conduire, en s’y impliquant contourné les procédures de contrôle et les changements avec autant d’énergie qu’ils en consacrent à leur organisationnels nécessaires. Aujourd’hui, le NHS doit pourtant faire face à des budget de défense. Ce qui signifie mettre en phase les difficultés croissantes, dues aux années d’« découvertes de la recherche, en amont, avec les En termes clairs, ESB International aurait adressé une plainte austérité », après la crise financière de 2008, ainsi applications, en aval, et les objectifs de santé qu’aux évolutions considérables du modèle publique. officielle au conseil d’administration contre le directeur économique de l’industrie pharmaceutique. La général adjoint, Joseph Howe, qui est soupçonné de saper les gouvernance d’entreprise étant de plus en plus L’industrie pharmaceutique prétendra sans aucun initiatives visant à apporter des avancées majeures dans la dépendante d’indicateurs financiers à court terme, doute que l’intrusion des pouvoirs publics étouffe société. comme le bénéfice trimestriel, les compagnies l’innovation. C’est cependant grâce à des politiques pharmaceutiques ont augmenté les prix des publiques et à des méthodes dictées par un but ESB International est une société privée recrutée par le médicaments, et c’est le NHS qui en supporte les préalablement défini que l’homme est allé sur la lune, gouvernement du Libéria en vertu de l'accord du Millenium coûts. Nombre de médicaments n’auraient pas qu’Internet a été créé et que s’ouvre aujourd’hui la même vu le jour sans investissements publics – ce qui voie de l’automobile autonome. Les gouvernements et Challenge Compact pour gérer la LEC. Conformément à complique encore le tableau. Le NHS a dépensé l’an les sociétés qu’ils gouvernent doivent faire preuve l’accord, la société est chargée de créer un service public dernier en Angleterre un milliard de livres sterling d’ambition et se poser toujours cette question financièrement viable et performant sur le plan (1,28 milliard de dollars) en achats de traitements pratique : à quoi voulons-nous parvenir ? opérationnel. Mais après neuf mois de gestion, ESB ayant perçu des fonds du Conseil médical de la International se plaint que la nomination de M. Howe au recherche du Royaume-Uni (Medical Research Dès lors que la réponse est donnée, la loi et les mesures poste de directeur général adjoint entrave le bon Council) et d’autres organismes publics. Aux États- de régulation peuvent porter et faire avancer nos buts Unis, les Instituts de santé nationaux (National collectifs, mais aussi encourager les expérimentations fonctionnement de l’entreprise et la réalisation des objectifs institutes of Health – NIH) dépensent plus de 37 partant de la base. Ainsi les récompenses et la fixés. milliards de dollars par an pour la recherche reconnaissance peuvent-elles s’avérer plus efficaces biomédicale, dans des domaines, notamment, que que les prix pour stimuler l’investissement privé. Et Depuis le début, la LEC avait de graves problèmes de le secteur privé considère comme trop risqués. Et des procédures publiques d’achat parviendraient distribution du courant électrique dans le comté de l’on estime que les budgets publics financent certainement mieux à fixer le cap de l’innovation. Montserrado et dans le reste du Libéria, empêchant des globalement les deux tiers des coûts initiaux de milliers de foyers et d’entreprises d’avoir accès à recherche et de développement du secteur Les responsables politiques doivent aussi, et c’est pharmaceutique. encore plus important, s’attaquer à la financiarisation l’électricité. Au même moment, des éléments de la société de l’industrie pharmaceutique, qui ne se préoccupe complotent avec des personnes sans scrupules pour voler la Le prix élevé des médicaments a des effets, qui se que de valeur actionnariale en négligeant les parties société. propagent au-delà de la santé publique, dans le prenantes. Entre 2007 et 2016, les 19 compagnies monde entier. Pour deux milliards d’êtres humains, pharmaceutiques prises en compte en janvier 2017 par Le vol de courant électrique a privé la société des fonds dont il se traduit par d’énormes difficultés d’accès à la l’indice S&P 500 ont dépensé 97 milliards de dollars elle avait cruellement besoin et empêché le reste de la médecine, et il précipite chaque année dans dans le rachat de leurs propres titres afin de valoriser population d’avoir accès au courant, pendant qu’un certain l’extrême pauvreté 100 millions de personnes. les options d’achat de leurs cadres, ce qui représente Outre toutes ces souffrances, les coûts économiques 61 % de leurs dépenses combinées de R&D sur la même nombre d'individus qui occupent des postes de responsabilité sont considérables. Le capital humain perdu période. continuent de se remplir les poches avec l’argent qui aurait concerne non seulement celles et ceux qui se pu contribuer à renforcer le pouvoir financier de la société et trouvent exclus par leur maladie de la main-d’œuvre Aussi longtemps que prévaudra ce modèle lui permettre de distribuer du courant. imposable, mais aussi tous ceux qui doivent quitter économique, les prix continueront d’être fixés à des leur travail pour prendre soin des premiers. niveaux exorbitants. Comme ce fut récemment le cas Selon ESB International, le retard est dû à la tentative de la pour un antibiotique, les dirigeants des compagnies part de certains cadres de miner les initiatives qui visent à Une chose est plus grave encore : il devient de plus prétendront qu’ils servent les intérêts de leurs en plus difficile d’arbitrer entre l’accès pour les actionnaires en laissant les prix monter, quel que soit encourager les usagers à payer l’électricité qu’ils patients à une médecine efficace, la maîtrise des le niveau atteint par le marché, et en abusant des consomment. dépenses croissantes de soins de santé et l’incitation droits de propriété intellectuelle pour en tirer des à l’innovation. Même si l’accès aux soins était assuré rentes de monopole. Les brevets sont devenus trop Lorsqu'une société publique comme la LEC crie au loup et et les prix correctement contrôlés, le cap actuel de difficiles à accorder et sont trop souvent acquis pour s’autodétruit, c’est l'État et les citoyens qui en pâtissent. l’innovation sanitaire continuerait de poser des raisons stratégiques plutôt que pour les Nous recommandons donc qu’il ait un remaniement majeur problème. Les maladies qui ne créent pas de découvertes qu’ils sont censés protéger. au sein de cette entreprise publique pour que les choses se marchés à fort potentiel de croissance sont largement ignorées. Entre 2000 et 2011, 4 % Afin de remettre les soins de santé en phase avec passent bien. seulement des médicaments nouvellement autorisés l’intérêt public, nous pouvons nous inspirer du NHS. étaient destinés au traitement de ces maladies Ses fondateurs avaient reçu pour mission de créer un L'ancienne présidente Ellen Johnson Sirleaf a été contrainte négligées, qui affectent majoritairement les pays à système utile à tous, gratuit sur les lieux où sont de changer toute la direction de la LEC en 2016. bas et moyens revenus, alors qu’entre 2005 et 2015, délivrés les soins, et tourné vers les besoins des 78 % des nouveaux traitements brevetés aux États- patients, indépendamment de leur capacité à payer. C’est non seulement une honte, mais aussi une déception Unis concernaient des médicaments déjà présents Les responsables politiques d’aujourd’hui devraient totale, car après que nos partenaires ont dépensé plusieurs sur le marché et qu’en Europe, entre 2000 et 2014, reprendre à leur compte cette mission essentielle. Ce 51 % des nouveaux médicaments autorisés n’étaient n’est qu’en harmonisant l’innovation aux priorités millions de l’argent de leurs contribuables pour aider à que des versions modifiées de produits existants, d’une société civilisée que nous parviendront à porter rétablir l’électricité au Libéria, nous, Libériens, minons ces n’apportant donc aucun avantage sanitaire les soins de santé vers de nouveaux horizons. efforts. C'est dommage. supplémentaire.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2018. www.project-syndicate.org WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 10

JanuaryWith 8, 2018 Bai M. Gbala, Sr. P E R S P E C T I V E S November 28, 2018

Public Policy . Economics . Democratic Politics . Political/Economic Decentralization . Public Dishonesty . Dual Citizenship SOURCES OF LIBERIA’S MAJOR POLITICAL CALAMITIES: ETHNIC TRIBAL BIGOTRY AND DUAL CITIZENSHIP CONT’D FROM LAST EDITION Liberian citizens. Thus, the reason that “politicians” were, and are, in support of the illegal appointment of Cllr. Jerome Korkoya as Chairman of the NEC. To protect and secure Observations and Comments the self-interests of the very few!! The most, profound impacts of (1), Ethnic Tribal Bigotry and (2), Dual Citizenship are felt in Liberia in the following areas of Liberian society: Dual Citizenship versus the Masonic Craft In the Liberia of today, Dual Citizenship has replaced the Masonic Craft as the symbol of 1) Ethnic Tribal Bigotry. preferred social standing, economic and political success within the socio-political Class for the rising, ambitious politicians. Anyone who is somebody in the Liberian socio-economic a) Administration of Social, Economic Entitlements. This is found mostly in and political system is a dual citizen with Liberian and foreign passports; and anyone, who the administration of lawful entitlements such as training, education, wants to be somebody in the Liberian socio-economic and political system, strives to be employment, housing, choice of location, etc. dual citizen. b) The right to stand for election to some state offices are denied by But, the on-going, heated national debate and arguments for adoption of dual citizenship in unwritten but effectively-enforced rules of exclusion. our country are logically-fallacious in general terms, at least, up to the present. Almost all leading proponents are, already, citizens of foreign countries who left Liberia for Dual Citizenship. 2) greener pastures and others who took up naturalized citizenship willingly, upon their own choice (the old “been-to” social class hopefuls) or applicants for naturalizations a) National Security. Regarding National Security, the word "allegiance" with advocacy/arguments based on “what's in it for me”, not for the nation and people. means that we promise Loyalty, exclusive and unrestrained, with lawful, binding obligation. Because citizenship carries with it, also, the Indeed, no one, none of the leaders/advocates has yet presented a relevant, thought- responsibility and obligation to be exclusively loyal to one country at a provoking, micro/macroeconomic and political argument/analysis in support of dual time, the concept of Dual citizenship raises questions about which of the citizenship. These advocates/proponents failed, miserably, to dislodge the age-old Truth dual citizenships have priority. This is extremely important when and that “no one can serve two masters at the same time”, nor the proven natural Science where the two countries have opposing interests. In the case of a declared Theory (Physics) that “no object can occupy two spaces at the same time”, other than war or real threat of a conflict, for example, our loyalty, allegiance and the usual, worn-out clichés of “western union remittances, political persecutions due patriotism to the Republic preclude, should and must preclude any to our unfortunate tragedy of the civil war and that there is a pool of highly other interest, be it another country or political ideology. trained/experienced, former Liberian citizens-professionals in the Diaspora who can be utilized in the nation's reconstruction/development effort”. It can be a deadly problem when and where a dual citizen occupies a high position in our Liberian Government. Can one imagine a dual citizen of But those issues have been effectively debunked as “deceitful ploys for government (of an opposing foreign country serving in the Ministry of National Defense Liberia) positions and corrupt practices”. Recall the Liberia-rush by the Philadelphia job- during a conflict with that country? Today's conflicts are at Liberia's seekers; they are back in the USA (mostly in Philadelphia) in new homes and flashy SUVs, with door-steps. Liberia is surrounded by nations with governments some indicted for stealing public resources. dominated by militant Muslim-Islamist BOKO Haran, with “weapons of Mass Destruction” which Liberia does not possess. But Liberia is sinking All-Inclusive National Menace in the Cesspool of Ethnic Tribal Bigotry & Dual Citizenship. This analysis drags us to the politicians and journalists decked out in Ethnic Tribal and Dual Citizenship Robes and newly-adopted African attire (Lappa suits, etc.), particularly, the b) Political/Economic. Historically, Dual Citizens dominated and journalists who should, must improve and continue the awesome responsibility of controlled Liberia's Political Economy and political decision-making Institutional Investigative Reporting to inform, educate and entertain the nation's un- power through absolute control/domination of Liberia's Politics and informed, un-educated and poor citizens, the pre-condition to a functioning democracy. Economics during the 171 years of Country's political independence and continuing. Fabulous salaries and related incomes generated in Liberia We note, particularly, the self-anointed “leading newspapers of Liberia” Journalists who by Dual Citizens have been and, are being transferred, regularly, out of are unreasonably arrogant and find pleasure in badmouthing and accusing persistently, Liberia and purchased homes, maintain families and educate children viciously and falsely the late President Samuel Doe and the Krahn People, although the in foreign countries, the simultaneous, second home-countries of these President has been dead for about 30 years and not around for response to the vicious Liberian, dual citizens. They travel, very often, to and from these charges. countries to which they owe exclusive loyalty, allegiance and patriotism, and in which they hold and maintain fabulous bank accounts. While we admit that the late President was not above the shenanigans, maneuvers and manipulations of the law and was, in fact, in violations of law, a characteristic “learned” Cllr. Korkoya as NEC Chairman from the Liberian system and African heads of state, but we argue, based upon validated The most recent case, in point, of dual citizenship is the example of Cllr. Jerome evidence, that as “compared to former President Charles Taylor (the leader of Mrs. Korkoya who was appointed Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) by Sirleaf's ACDL-Civil war now serving the 50-year prison term for Crimes against Humanity) former President Sirleaf, although she (President Sirleaf) knew, very well, that Cllr. and retired former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (the senior ACDL warlord and leading Korkoya was, and is, ineligible to hold the position because he (Cllr. Korkoya) is citizen war & economic crimes suspects), Samuel Doe is a saint”, in the words of a US Diplomat of a foreign country, a violation of Liberian statutory and constitutional law. But she involved in the “Peace Process” with us, in the search for peace out of the deadly war. did so, apparently, because of her desire and plan to control and manipulate the functions of the NEC through malleable Cllr. Korkoya. We argue, moreover, that the late President and the Krahn People did not cross the Cestos River to wage tribal war against historical, ageless, tribal brothers and sisters of Moreover all, almost, registered, recognized Political Parties, Leaders and friendly people of Nimba County, including, particularly, the Gio or Dan, tribal, family practicing politicians and attorneys, including the Nation's Supreme Court, relatives (the Towehs, prominent family of the late Paramount Chief Gblorzuo Toweh). The supported and continue to support the illegal appointment of Cllr. Korkoya as name or term “Toweh” is Krahn, “tohe weh-yee”, in the Krahn dialect and translates to Chairman of the NEC, for obvious reasons. “tribal war is finished or over”.

In fact, our recent research information of the declared/approved candidates for But the problem of the “Field Marshall, General” Prince Yormie Johnson's civil war and the sitting, retiring President showed the following, for excesses were the result of and due to the unfortunate exploitation/manipulations of obvious reasons: Liberia's (also unfortunate) traditional Ethinic Tribal bigotry by the warmongers with the now senior Senator of Nimba County still running lose as a threat to some Nimba citizens, peace Retiring President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, UNITY Party (?), Doubtful and security of the nation. 1) Vice President Joseph Boakai, UNITY Party, Liberian Citizen 2) Cllr. Charles Brumskine, LIBERTY Party, Doubtful Finally, we pray the Journalists to leave the dead President Doe and the Krahn People 3) Senator George Weah, CDC COALITION, US Citizen alone and focus attention on the nation's economy already in the great beyond, while the 4) Mr. Benoni Urey, ALP Party, Doubtful exchange rate has been, and is, in hot pursuit. 5) Dr. Mills Jones, MOVEE Party, US Citizen 6) Mr. Alexander Cummings, ANC Party, US Citizen Meanwhile, there is stealing, stealing and stealing from the Citizens, and the-now 7) Dr. Henry Fahnbulleh, Jr., LPP Party, Doubtful thriving Liberian Government monopoly of the universal vice of corruption (public 8) Senator Prince Johnson, MDR Party, Liberian Citizen dishonesty) with lawyers, law-makers and top Executive Branch officials as the most- 9) Ms. Macdella Cooper, LRP Party, US Citizen often, major law-breakers with impunity and moral decadence in Liberia. 10) Jeremiah Whapoe, VOLT Party, US Citizen 11) McDonald Wento, UPP Party, US Citizen Where will this end with no one listening but arrogant? Recall the Biblical history of Sodom and Gomarrah? Of the 11 politicians seeking the presidency of Liberia and the retiring, sitting President, 6 or 50% are US citizens, 4 or 33% are in doubt, while 2 or 17% are WEDNESDA Y DECEMBER 05 2018 www .thenewdawnliberia.com NEW DA WN 11 Nimba Lawmakers open Pandora box By Thomas Domah/Nimba and at the T-Five Academy making sure those involved are imba County District c a m p u s i n N e e - Z o e brought to justice. One Representative Community, Paynesville Lawmakers on Capitol Hill NJ e r e m i a h K p a i n respectively. and the entire government Koung openly accuses several He vows that if documents have been giving conflicting of his colleague lawmakers showed that he was seen in the accounts about the printing of here of receiving bribe from compound of the Central Bank the new banknotes and the the Central Bank officials prior and at Representative Thomas missing 16 billion with the to the printing of the new Fallah’s school as has been Minister of Finance Planning Liberia Banknotes of which 16 reported, he would resign. and Development Samuel billion reportedly went For his part, Representative Tweah and the Central Bank of mission in the country. Larry P. Younquoi told the same Liberia Executive Governor A l t h o u g h t h e N i m b a radio state when he was Nathaniel Patray denying lawmaker was unable to detail contacted for response that money went missing. h o w m u c h m o n e y w a s the allegation by the District House Speaker Bhofal allegedly received as bribe, One Lawmaker is false. Chambers has vowed that they but speaking on Radio A c c o r d i n g t o would not be subjected to Kergheamahn [94.5FM] in Representative Youngquoi, he probe despite a Presidential Ganta, Nimba County, he represented the county on the Investigative Team set up to accuses Representative Larry budget committee under the probe the issue. P. Younquoi and others whose leadership of criminally They recently ended their names were not mentioned on Representative Jeremiah Koung indicted former Speaker Alex own investigation and turned the radio that during their Tyler. over some of the key players in tenure as chairman and co- He confirms they wrote the the saga, including former Central Bank of Liberia to print executive governor Milton chair on Ways and Means in the approval for the printing of the lawmakers that Journalist the new banknotes, but those Weeks, Deputy Executive H ou se u n d e r th e 5 3 rd new banknotes. Philipbert Browne accused of who replaced him on the Ways Governor Charles Sirleaf and Legislature, they demanded S p e a k i n g f u r t h e r , dividing money at the back of and Means Committee were current Executive Governor huge amount of money from Representative Koung claims the Central Bank of Liberia’s the ones that received the Nathaniel Patray to the the Central Bank before giving he is not part of those compound in central Monrovia alleged bribe. E x e c u t i v e B r a n c h o f He vows to closely follow Government for further the investigation of the missing action. -Editing by Jonathan They’re paid for stealing 16 billion Liberian Banknotes in Browne Winston W. Parley corruption in our country. If we at 9:30 or even 11:00 O’clock ormer Information can correct that, there will be which “is very wrong.” Minister Rev. Dr. more proficiency,” he advises. “I said to people that the FLawrence Bropleh According to Dr. Bropleh, biggest avenue of corruption in says the biggest avenue of employees in government our country is the corruption of corruption here is the circle here actually work, for wasted time,” Dr. Bropleh corruption of wasted time, about two and a half hours says. alarming that government daily, even though he did not The former Minister recalls employees, including officials provide any scientific evidence how during former President are being paid for stealing to support this claim. Sirleaf’s regime, she shun her [time]. “The rest of the time we’re officials for leaving their The former Information doing foolishness, but at the offices to welcome her at the Minister who worked in the end of the month, the Liberian airport when they should have administration of ex-President people don’t cut that from us,” been at offices working. He admits that in spite of former President Sirleaf’s warning, there were still occasions when her officials had to welcome her. But he argues that those welcomes were done for instance, when she returned from Paris and the World Bank and Liberia’s over four billion debt was promised to be waived, among others. With the exception of key persons that are needed including the official left in charge to chair cabinet, Dr. Bropleh recommends to President George Manneh Weah to order his cabinet ministers not to leave their offices to go and stand at the airport to welcome him. According to him, when these officials leave their offices, they shut down the entire government. President Ellen Johnson - he explains. Due to this situation, Dr. Sirleaf told OK FM in Monrovia Out of eight working hours, Bropleh wants government to Tuesday, 4 December that he says about an hour is start clocking workers in and w h e n p e o p l e a r e n o t allotted for lunch, but others out. committing their time to work, would take two hours or even Meanwhile, Dr. Bropleh is a particular project that an fail to return to work after also cautioning the Weah entity is working on will not be lunch. administration to see the need finished on time. B e s i d e s , D r. B r o p l e h to have a synchronized “They’re stealing from the observes that workers are communication strategy so government. chaos.-Edited by Othello B. Liberian people; they’re being required to get to work at 8:00 that government messages are He says the danger in having Garblah paid for stealing. That’s one of AM as the starting time in not distorted when too many officials misinforming the the biggest avenues of Liberia, but many get to work people tend to speak for the people is that it creates eThew French Version Inside N TRULDYa INDEPENDENTwn VOL. 8 NO. 217 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2018 PRICE LD$40.00 With Emmanuel B. Juduh U.S. Embassy closes to public -To mourn former President George Bush for December 5 have now been moved to the same time on Friday, December 7. The Embassy however notes that applicants who are unable to appear on Friday will be able t o r e s c h e d u l e t h e i r appointments themselves using their existing receipts at www.ustraveldocs.com/lr. Former President Bush passed off peacefully at aged 94 on Friday, 30 November at his home in a gated Houston community, surrounded by several friends, members of his family, doctors and a minister, according to The New York Times. As the end neared on s America mourns the website Tuesday, 4 December Friday night, his son George W. passing of former says members of the public are Bush, the former president, APresident George invited Thursday, December 6 who was at his home in Dallas, H.W. Bush, Sr., the U.S. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sign was put on the speaker phone Embassy in Monrovia is the Book of Condolence at a to say goodbye. He told him shutting its doors to the public specially installed tent at the that he had been a “wonderful today, Wednesday, December U.S. Embassy main entrance dad” and that he loved him, 5, as a mark of last respect to on Benson Street, in Monrovia. the Times reports. the passing President. Meanwhile, the release says “I love you, too,” Mr. Bush A press release posted on consular appointments that told his son, and those were the U.S. Embassy’s official had previously been scheduled his last words. -Press Release Public Service Announcement The New Dawn will take its usual annual break beginning December 24, 2018 to return on the newsstand immediately January 4, 2019. We thank our many loyal The readers and subscribers for standing by us in 2018 despite a ew N TRULDYa INDEPENDENTwn rather tough business climate. We look forward to a very peaceful and prosperous New Year. Merry Christmas.

The Management

#Revoke rock and sand mining licenses We Offer The Following Printing Services: The NewDawn Press from Chinese and Lebanese# - Newspapers, Magazines #To empower Liberians, enforce the exclusive Liberians business act. # 2 colors Heidelberg printing machines - Flyers, Posters, Calendars #It’s shame that only in Liberia foreigners are - Brochures, Letterhead siphoning billions thru sand and rock mining.# - Receipts, Invoices #For the Pro-Poor Agenda to succeed undo the errors by your predecessors. # - Souvenirs, Gifts #Stop prioritizing foreign businesses over - Designs, etc... Liberian businesses!#

Published by the Searchlight Communications Inc., Crown Hill-Broad Street, Adjacent Afriland Bank, Monrovia-Liberia. Tel: +231-06484201, +231-77007529, +231-886978282 +231-775407211 Editor: Othello B. Garblah; Deputy Editor & Administrator: Jonathan K. Browne www.thenewdawnliberia.com; Email: [email protected]