UN FOCUS June - August 2011

Vol. 7, No. 04 UN FOCUS June - August 2011

Liberia Goes to the Polls Women Demand More Participation Code of Conduct to Reduce Political Wrangling Message from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General

s Liberia stands ready the future direction of the country; to go back to the polls and it is heartening to note that 49% to elect its second post- of all registered voters are women, conflict democratic gov- showing great interest from Liberian ernment, the country women to make their voices heard. Awill hopefully once again proudly The 2011 national elections are declare that democracy, and peace, wholly run by Liberians, unlike in are here to stay. 2005. The United Nations has been A national referendum was suc- engaged with the NEC, but only to cessfully held on 23 August, dem- help coordinate international assist- onstrating the National Elections ance, fill logistic gaps, and to ensure Commission’s increasing capabil- dialogue between the NEC and po- ity to conduct a national event of litical parties to foment agreement grand magnitude, but also that the on the process. Liberian people respect the demo- Elections are always a challenging cratic process. Referendum Day was exercise in any country, but by up- peaceful, and although not all politi- holding the nation’s interest above cal parties were in agreement with personal ambitions and adhering to the holding of the referendum, the the rule of law, political parties and people expressed their will through candidates play a major part in en- the vote, or even through the deci- suring a peaceful process. sion not to vote. The next issue of UN FOCUS will As Liberia approaches the gen- be after the elections have taken eral elections, the over 1.7 million place, so I would like to urge all Libe- Liberians, who registered to vote in rians who are registered to vote to January and February, will consider exercise their democratic right and their options for a new Government. to cast their ballots to peacefully It is vital that the campaign period elect a new government in October. and the vote itself are exemplary This is the opportunity for the peo- of the peace that Liberians have ple of Liberia to conclusively move worked so hard to achieve and con- away from the country’s violent tinue to work hard to consolidate. past, from bullets to ballots, and to The large numbers of registered entrench democratic governance, voters unmistakably shows the ea- setting a shining example in the gerness of Liberians to have a say in West African region.

Ellen Margrethe Løj Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of United Nations Operations in Liberia

2 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 IN THIS ISSUE 4. Liberia goes to the polls 6. Over 1.79 m Voters registered 8. Code of Conduct to Reduce Political Wrangling 10. Women Demand More Participation 12. Female Aspirants Get Training Boost 14. Empowering Women through Radio 16. Stepping up the fight against AIDS 4. Liberia Goes to the Polls 18. Battling HIV Stigma Liberia gets ready for national elections, the second since the end of the civil war. 22. Emergency agriculture project in Many observers consider it a litmus test for the country’s progress towards con- host communities solidation of peace and participatory democracy with significant impact in the 24. New Tool to Fight Corruption volatile West African region. 26. “We’ll make a better day, just you and me…” 30. Liberians Speak

Chief of Public Information Isabelle Abric

Editor and Head of Publications 8. Code of Conduct to Reduce Political Wrangling Mathew Elavanalthoduka Ahead of the elections, political parties and independent candidates sign a Code Staff Writers of Conduct that will reduce conflict and govern settlement of disputes. Ruby Ofori Ataul Osmani James S. King

Design and Graphics Paddy Defoxy Ilos, II Thomas S. Blidi

Photos Staton Winter Emmanuel Tobey

Published by the Public Information Office, United Nations Mission in Liberia

14. Women Demand More Participation [email protected] Liberian women battle discrimination in the political arena and demand opportu- www.unmil.org nities for greater participation in the national elections Printed by Buck Press Ltd., Accra, Ghana

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 3 Liberia goes to the polls By Ataul Osmani tensify, I urge all political parties to use the democratic space to canvass iberia will go to the polls to support for their political positions elect a new parliament and while refraining from inflammatory president on 11 October. remarks and provocative actions. It The national elections, is important to adhere to the election the second round of demo- timeline.” The Secretary-General said craticL elections since a peace agree- that the UN family in Liberia will con- ment was signed in August 2003 that tinue to provide technical and logisti- ended the 14-year civil war, will be a cal support, as required, to ensure the litmus test for Liberia’s peace consoli- “The success of these elec- operational success of the elections. dation and fledgling democracy. “The preparation for the elections “The success of these elections, and tions, and the peaceful is on course…going on in full swing,” the peaceful inauguration of a new ad- inauguration of a new ad- said James Fromayan, Chairman of ministration, will be critical to the con- the National Elections Commission solidation of the tremendous progress ministration, will be criti- (NEC), which is leading the nation- the country has made over the past cal to the consolidation of wide exercise. The last elections were eight years,” said UN Secretary-Gen- held in October 2005 and were largely eral Ban Ki-moon, in his latest report the tremendous progress overseen by the United Nations Mis- on Liberia. the country has made sion in Liberia and other international Urging Liberians to do everything partners. possible to ensure free, fair and peace- over the past eight years.” NEC has already successfully com- ful elections, he said, “As the elections - Ban Ki-moon pleted the voters’ registration. Over draw near and campaign activities in- 1.79 million voters have registered, al-

Proposed Constitutional Changes Not Ratified

iberians went to polling cen- cessful,” said NEC Chair, James Fro- A total of 1,798,930 registered vot- tres on 23 August to vote in mayan, at a press conference at SKD ers were eligible to vote and 615,703 a referendum on four key Complex in Monrovia, a few hours af- did cast their ballots, a turnout rate constitutional changes, with ter the voting came to an end. of 34.2 percent. None of the proposi- threeL of them having a direct bearing In the constitutional referendum, tions won the electorate’s approval as on the national elections scheduled for voters were asked to make a decision the ‘yes’ vote fell short of the necessary later in the year. The voters rejected all on four proposed amendments -- to threshold of two-thirds of votes cast. four of the proposed changes, accord- change the electoral system from an “On the basis of the turnout rate, ing to the results announced by the absolute to simple majority for all elec- to be validated each proposal would National Elections Commission (NEC) tions except those for president and have to reach the barrier of 410,469 on 31 August. vice-president, to move election date votes”, said national electoral com- The National Elections Commis- from October to November, and to mission vice-president Elizabeth J. sion (NEC) termed the referendum, revise the residency clause for presi- Nelson, announcing the results. “This which was seen as a test of the coun- dential and vice –presidential candi- therefore means that all the four prop- try’s democratic progress and its vot- dates from 10 to five consecutive years ositions were not ratified. The Liberian ing mechanism ahead of the legislative immediately prior to an election. The people have spoken and their decision and presidential polls, a success. fourth provision sought to increase the and wishes must be respected,” said “The referendum was held in a mandatory retirement age for justices Nelson. very peaceful manner and it was suc- to 75 or retain the current limit of 70.

4 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 Liberia goes to the polls most half of them women. The number line with international standards and of the voters in the 2005 elections was ensuring awareness of gender equity 1.35 million. and conflict prevention. UNDP is also Candidates for the presidential supporting the NEC to engage politi- and legislative elections have already cal parties in discussions and dialogue submitted their nominations and the over electoral procedures, timelines NEC will publish the final list in early and legalities and to find consensus September. and compromises. The European Un- UNMIL is coordinating interna- ion, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Den- tional assistance for the polls, provid- mark, and Spain have funded the ing logistical support, particularly to project. facilitate access to remote areas, and Special Representative of Secre- supporting the Liberian institutions tary-General Ellen Margrethe Løj has and political parties to create an at- and“The professional success capacity of the of the elec- NEC called on all Liberians to ensure suc- mosphere conducive for peaceful elec- for voter registration, voter education, cessful, free, fair and peaceful elections tions. domestictions will observation demonstrate and women’s to noting that the 2011 elections will be a The UN Development Programme participation.the entire world that Li- “milestone” towards strengthening (UNDP), under its US$ 27 million Some 1,780 polling precincts have peace in Liberia. Election Basket Fund, is providing beenberia set is up ready nationwide to pave under the the “The success of the elections will technical assistance to NEC and is projectway to that a isbright also strengthening and demo- in- demonstrate to the entire world that implementing a sustainable capacity- stitutions, bringing electoral law into Liberia had turned the page of its dif- building programme for 2010-2012 Li- cratic future.” ficult past and is ready to pave the way beria Electoral Cycle. The project aims -Ellen Margrethe Løj to a bright and democratic future,” to support building the operational notes the UN Envoy.

Referendum Results

Source: NEC

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 5 NATIONAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION Voter registration (2011) Statistics

O ver 1.79 m Voters registered

By Ataul Osmani appeals from a cross-section of the Li- group at 15 per cent. berian society. The Exhibition period Montserrado county accounts for ore than 1.79 mil- of the Provisional Registration Roll 35 per cent of the total registrants lion Liberians have (PRR) ran from 7 to 11 April. (630, 367), followed by Nimba (13 per registered to vote The final roll counts 1,798,930 vot- cent or 230,146), Bong (9 per cent or for the upcoming ers, of which 920,448 (51 per cent) are 171,595), Lofa (9 per cent or 156, 929), national elections, men and 878, 482 (49 per cent) are Grand Bassa (7 per cent or 124,280), almostM half of them women, accord- women. The number of the voters in Margibi (7 per cent or 121,904). Four ing to the final voters’ roll released by the 2005 elections was 1.35 million. counties -- Grand Cape Mount (56, the National Elections Commission According to the NEC data, the av- 472), Grand Gedeh (49,680), Maryland (NEC). erage age of registered voters this time (47,900), and Bomi (47,586) -- account The voter registration exercise was is 35 years, with 66 per cent of poten- for 3 per cent each. The remaining five originally scheduled to run from 10 tial voters less than 37 years. The 18- counties account for less than 2 per January to 6 February 2011, but was 22 age group constitute 22 per cent of cent each of the total votes with River subsequently extended to 12 Febru- the total voters while 23-27 age group Cess and Grand Kru counties register- ary, 2011 in response to numerous stands at 18 per cent and 28-32 age ing the smallest numbers, 28,569 and

6 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 Age of Registrants by County

Age of Registrants Over 1.79 m Voters registered 28, 394 respectively. radio, newspaper articles, television country’s civil conflict in 2003. The The NEC was supported by the programmes, billboards and flyers. United Nations was actively involved United Nations during the voter regis- UN Mission in Liberia along with in the 2005 elections but in this year’s tration process. The UN Development UNDP and other partners have sup- elections, it only plays a supportive Programme (UNDP) supported train- ported the Liberian authorities, par- role as the national authorities and in- ing of some 50 Electoral Commission ticularly the NEC, especially in the stitutions take the lead. staff, and helped purchase and distrib- area of logistics for this year’s consti- Some 1,780 registration centres ute more than 2,000 registration kits tutional referendum and presidential have been set up nationwide under a including materials such as indelible and legislative elections. US$27 million election support project ink, camera equipment and solar pan- Funds managed by UNDP and that is also strengthening institutions els to reduce energy costs. The Elec- contributed so far by Denmark, the such as the Elections Commission, tions Commission worked with more European Union, Germany, Japan, bringing electoral law into line with than 30 civil society organizations to Spain and Sweden have been used international standards and ensuring disseminate voter and civic educa- to support the smooth running of the awareness of gender equity and con- tion messages across the country in first election wholly organized by na- flict prevention. English and local languages through tional authorities since the end of the

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 7 Representatives of political parties come together to sign the code of conduct Code of Conduct to Reduce Political Wrangling

By Ruby Ofori its entirety, to this Revised Code and the election will also be asked to sign by so doing commit to contribute to onto those codes and abide by them. he National Elections free, fair, transparent and credible Asked why the code of conduct Commission (NEC), in elections..” was so important to the peaceful con- partnership with all the Garbie said the code of conduct duct of the elections, Garbie explained registered political par- served Liberia well in 2005 when the that it was important because there ties and independent can- first post-war multiparty elections are certain places and issues in which Tdidates, has revised and updated the were held. “We did that successfully the NEC would not always be present 2005 Code of Conduct governing the in 2005 and to some extent it helped or be in the know of. For example, if settlement of disputes among political to regulate the activities of the parties there is conflict on the question of ven- parties and contestants to ensure that as well as the independent candidates ue for a rally, the code of conduct says conflicts which might arise among because they also signed to abide by that at least the parties involved must them are resolved peacefully in the the code.” first meet at their own level to try and lead up to legislative and presiden- The NEC made sure to obtain the resolve the issue amicably, if needed tial elections later this year as well as views of the political parties and in- along with the local leaders. And if during the referendum scheduled for dependent candidates in the process they cannot then they can take the August. of revising the 2005 code of conduct. first step by complaining to the Inter “The importance of the code of “When the revisions were being made, Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) conduct is to make sure that political we had several consultations with the which is the collaborating committee parties among themselves regulate political parties,” said Garbie. He said for all political parties. their own activities to avoid election it was as a result of that inclusive proc- “If there is a party that is still ag- related violence,” said Nathan P. Gar- ess that all but one of the registered grieved even after consulting with the bie, NEC’s Deputy Director of Exter- political parties signed the document IPCC , the matter can be taken to the nal Affairs, in an interview with UN pledging to abide by its rules. “That NEC where we can take a final deci- Focus. was a successful process. That is what sion that can afford the injured party Indeed the Code of Conduct stipu- became the Revised Code of Conduct to go to court if they so desire. So the lates that, “All parties hereby agree for Political Parties,” he said. Inde- code of conduct is very important as unequivoclly to adopt and adhere, in pendent candidates wishing to contest far as it relates to the activities and

8 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 NEC staff at work Code of Conduct to Reduce Political Wrangling

conduct of political institutions in the setting where we discuss all of these those concerns.” country,” said Garbie. issues. More than that we have had a “But that determination is not the The IPCC forum itself serves as a lot of seminars educating the parties end of the matter” said Garbie. If that very important catalyst for dealing telling them what it takes , what are complaint was taken to a magistrate with many of the issues of conten- the provisions in the law you need to court and the magistrate takes a deci- tion between the political parties. The take advantage of when they are in- sion the matter doesn’t necessarily end IPCC is made up of all the registered jured by any actions or aggrieved by there. The parties still have a right to political parties in the country meet- the conduct of the Commission. And take their formal complaint from the ing under the auspices of the NEC and it is inclusive of how even election re- magistrate to the NEC itself. “Now it is the NEC that presides over their meetings. According to Garbie, only the NEC is legally empowered Asked if the Code of Conduct deals with issues related to disputes over to declare election results. He said, “if a party feels in- election results, Garbie said: “The jured by that result they first have to formally complain election results are in the purview of the National Elections Commission to the Commission and the Commission will investigate -- the parties on the one side and the and make a determination about those concerns.” Commission on the other side. So that cannot be a provision within the code of conduct. It is actually the issue that sults are handled. The laws are clear two things happen there. When it gets is strictly restricted to the Commis- on that,” said Garbie. to the NEC, it may appoint a hearing sion.” According to Garbie, only the NEC officer who will hear the case and de- The NEC has worked hard to en- is legally empowered to declare elec- termine on the merits and demerits on sure that all parties know their rights tion results. He said, “if a party feels that. Again the party has the right to and they can resort to legal methods in injured by that result they first have make an appeal to the Board of Com- cases where a political party disputes to formally complain to the Commis- missioners as a next step or decide to the results announced by the NEC. sion and the Commission will investi- go strictly to the Supreme Court for “The IPCC has served as a very good gate and make a determination about redress,” says Garbie.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 9 Liberian women are battling discrimination in the political arena Women Demand More Participation

By Ataul Osmani parties offer them more opportunities Election Commission (NEC), in asso- for greater participation in the upcom- ciation with UNDP and International emoaning the current low- ing national elections. IDEA and UNMIL, organized the er representation of wom- They made the demand at a “Po- conference under the theme “Gender en in politics, female politi- litical Parties’ Gender Media Confer- Equality in Liberian Politics”. cal aspirants in Liberia are ence” held in Monrovia in early Au- The main purpose of the confer- Bdemanding that political gust. The Gender Office of National ence was to shed light on political 10 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 against the men -- those who are not participation in the elections. But we active but enjoys power in most of the have to keep in mind that women’s political parties.” participation in the politics is not an “I am capable to represent my dis- act of kindness, it’s a right.” She urged trict, my people. I have the confidence the women to involve themselves in to beat any opponent,” she said, add- more political activities. “Women are ing, “Now time has come to change action-oriented. So now this is the time the stereo-type mindset.” to take action. Participate more in po- “Don’t be deterred. Nothing can litical process.” stop you,” she told her fellow female Terming the women’s participa- aspirants amid huge claps from the tion in political process very ‘criti- audience. cal’ for flourishing Liberia’s nascent Echoing the same sentiment, an- democracy, NEC chairman James M. other independent female aspirant Fromayan said: “We encouraged the said, “Recently many of the political political parties to involve more wom- parties held their primaries. And this en in the electoral process. Women are was really frustrating to see that most just as competent as men and some- of the political parties had no female times they are more competent than candidates in most of the counties. their male counterparts.” Most of the top posts in the counties “Only the political will of the par- are filled up by the male politicians.” ties is enough to get more women on She urged the political parties to elect board,” he said, adding, “Women are and support more women into parlia- a powerful voice for peace and an in-

“Women are a powerful voice for peace and an instru- ment of development when given the opportunity. No country can get ahead if it can’t ensure representation of half of its population.” -NEC Chairman James M. Fromayan Liberian women are battling discrimination in the political arena

ment and also offer them other key strument of development when given parties’ initiatives in mitigating the political positions to enhance their the opportunity. No country can get existing gender-based inequalities participation in the democratic dis- ahead if it can’t ensure representation that limit the participation of women pensation. of half of its population.” in intra-party decision-making proc- Lamenting the low representation Security Council Resolution 1325 esses, which translates into their un- of Liberian women in political proc- (2000) recognizes that achieving sus- derrepresentation in the political and ess, Margaret V Korto, a representa- tainable and durable peace requires decision-making spheres at local and tive from a civil society organization the full involvement and equal partici- national levels. said, “I want to tell the political parties pation of women in conflict resolution “Women in Liberia were always that those days are gone. Now this is and subsequent peace-building. The limited in participating in political the time to create more opportunities Beijing Declaration and Platform for process despite their ability to lead for women.” Action, adopted by the Fourth World the country, to be a president, a par- “Despite promises made by the Conference on Women in 1995, ex- liamentarian, to change the country’s political parties, the political will and presses the conviction that peace is in- fate,” said an independent political as- the commitment towards the agenda extricably linked with the equality of pirant from Montserrado County. is yet to be seen,” Korto, also the coor- women and men. Taking a swipe at the political dinator of Nimba United Women As- parties for their indifferent attitude sociation, added. towards women, she said, “I am still Co-chair of NEC, Elizabeth Nel- fighting to get my space…but I will son said: “The political parties are not be deterred…I will be fighting still very far from equalizing women’s

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 11 A series of training sessions have been conducted for female political aspirants Female Aspirants Get Training Boost

By Ataul Osmani might rebuke her for dabbling in poli- But the challenges could not damp- tics. en her determination. And a leader- or a female political as- Beyond the stereotypes, she faced ship training for female political aspir- pirant from Grand Cape many more hurdles. Proving herself in ants she recently attended invigorated Mount County, it was not the party forum that she is the best can- her to wage an all-out effort to secure a an easy decision to contest didate to make the party win, drawing party ticket to contest the election. the upcoming general elec- a strong campaign strategy to outwit “I was lacking in confidence…I tions.F As women in Liberia still face the opponents and raising funds for was at my lowest ebb. Even I could an uphill struggle for equal rights, she the campaigns are among a long list of not chart out a plan, figure out where was concerned that her male partner obstacles she had to confront. to start. But after attending the train-

12 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 management and preparations for the majority. Although Liberia’s National polling day and after. At the group Elections Commission (NEC) guide- discussions, they assessed their skills lines call on political parties to reserve and indentified the positive aspects 30 per cent of nomination slots for and their weak areas. women, none of the political parties “We tried to give them the confi- has done so. dence to aspire for political position “Liberia, like many other democra- so that they can break the barriers cies, faces the problem of identifying that have prevented them from car- and implementing appropriate strate- rying out their roles over the years,” gies for bringing women at par with said Rebecca N Boakai, lead facilitator men in terms of national governance at a session held in S.T. Nagbe United and decision-making at all levels of Methodist Church, Monrovia in June. society. As such, the female aspirants’ “You know, a majority of the men be- empowerment workshop is seen as lieve that they are the only ones creat- pivotal for mainstreaming gender in ed to be in control. Let me assure you political decision-making,” a Repre- today we are able to encourage other sentative who is going to vie for sec- women out there, with the level of ond term from Montserrado County. knowledge acquired from the work- She also demanded that political par- shop,” she added. ties implement 30 per cent representa- The training involved techniques tion for women among the candidates.

A total of 440 female aspirants from all 15 counties of Liberia took part in the series of trainings to refine their leadership skills. Throughout the three-day extensive training, the female aspirants went through a gamut of issues ranging from gender, understanding the leadership, self-analysis and capacity building to campaign ing, now I know very well what to do. management and preparations for the polling day and Now I become able to draw my plan more meticulously,” she said. “It gave after. me confidence in myself. I don’t feel now that I have anything holding me back any more.” to deal with people, face opponents UNDP Elections and Gender Spe- The National Election Commission from rival political parties and remove cialist Juana B. Bhonopha said the (NEC), in collaboration with the Inter- negatives from people’s mind. It also UNDP was happy to be part of the national Alert, an independent NGO dealt with how to mobilize funds and process of empowering female aspir- and with support from the UNDP conduct a successful campaign. “The ants. UNDP is collaborating with a Elections Project, organized the train- most important thing is that it inject- number of groups to ensure that wom- ing titled “Empowering Female Aspir- ed in us the trust and confidence that en are fully integrated into the political ants for A Competitive Bid in the 2011 YES, WE CAN,” said Hill, full of elec- decision-making process in the coun- General and Presidential Elections” tion zeal. try. across the Liberia. Despite having the first ever elected UNDP, under its US$ 27 million A total of 453 female aspirants female president in Africa, women’s Election Cycle Basket Fund, has been from all 15 counties of Liberia took representation in the Liberian Parlia- working with the Ministry of Gender, part in the series of trainings to refine ment is less than a paltry 14 per cent in political parties and other partners to their leadership skills. Throughout the both houses, behind many nations on boost women’s participation in poli- three-day extensive training, the fe- the continent, including Angola, Bu- tics. Contributions for the Basket Fund male aspirants went through a gamut rundi, Mozambique and Uganda, all have so far come from Denmark, the of issues ranging from gender, under- with more than 30 percent of elected European Union, Germany, Japan, standing the leadership, self-analysis positions. Rwanda’s parliament is the Spain and Sweden. and capacity building to campaign world’s first and only to boast a female

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 13 A radio producer in action Empowering Women through Radio

By James S. King Radio (LWDR) was launched last year Liberia Women Media Action Com- with financial support from the Unit- mittee (LIWOMAC). y setting the continental ed Nations Democracy Fund (UNDF). According to YWCA General Sec- record of electing Africa’s LWDR has developed programmes retary Roseline Toweh, the survey was first female president, Li- geared towards educating women conducted in five of Liberia’s fifteen beria has taken women’s and girls about gender-related issues counties: Bomi, Margibi, Grand Bassa, empowerment a notch up such as rights to equal opportunity, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount. Band the country’s women and their employment, and political decision- She said the result of the survey indi- supporters have become more vo- making, among others. A survey con- cated women in those counties want- cal on issues that affect women’s ad- ducted in July 2008 to determine the ed a radio station through which they vancement. Today Liberia boasts of best way to enlighten Liberian women could access information about gen- a women’s radio station, the first of about their rights led to the establish- der issues. its kind, which serves as a forum for ment of the radio station. The Young “Radio broadcast forms the best women and girls to voice common Women’s Christian Association means of education and information concerns and issues. (YWCA) led the survey in partnership dissemination amongst Liberia’s illit- The Liberia Women Democracy with UNIFEM (now UN Women) and erate populations,” says Estella Nel-

14 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 CAYWIDMA is an outreach tional Research and Exchanges (IREX). project which conducts live radio field According to Nelson the project is a debates amongst women and girls on component of Civil Society and Media gender issues. LWDR’s best trained fe- Leadership (CSML) in collaboration male radio journalists take the lead in with Women Media Initiative. the CAYWIDMA project. “The wom- Despite gains made by the govern- en were trained in radio journalism, ment and its development partners in specifically in adobe edit, production, the realm of women’s advancement, news script writing, interview tech- Liberia is still faced with major socio- niques and continuity announcing,” economic challenges, notably an unac- says Nelson. ceptably high illiteracy rates among LWDR in partnership with UNDP women and high rates of rape and carried out live radio broadcast cover- gender-based violence. Nelson said ing the recently concluded voter reg- “social and political development of istration. Nelson said a message of women remains a concern” for Liberia peace broadcast by LWDR diffused Women Democracy Radio. a potential conflict amongst voter Liberian women played signifi- registrars in Todee District over “un- cant peace roles in ending long years fair” remuneration package. She said of armed hostilities in the country.

The role played by women calling on regional leaders and the international community including UN to bear pressure on conflicting parties was one of many moves that brought about the Accra Peace Accord that led to the end of the civil war in 2003. Women continue to advocate for greater representation at all levels of de-

Photo Courtesy/LWRD Photo cision-making. A radio producer in action

The role played by women calling on regional leaders and the international community including UN to bear pressure on conflicting parties was one of Empowering Women through Radio many moves that brought about the Accra Peace Accord that led to the end son, Executive Director of the station, women’s participation in the ensuing of the civil war in 2003. Women con- citing the high illiteracy rates among national elections is very crucial as it tinue to advocate for greater represen- Liberian women and girls. While ra- would provide them with an opportu- tation at all levels of decision-making. dio is the cheapest means to access nity to have their voices heard. A bill seeking 30 per cent women rep- information, most women and girls The fund provided by UNDF was resentation was recently submitted are less privileged in terms of radio meant to operate the radio station for to the national legislature for passage ownership, Nelson said. To over- a period of two years which expired into law. come this challenge, the Campaign- in March this year. LIWOMAC now Programmes that are broadcast ers for Young Women’s Involvement runs series of women development by Liberia Women Democracy Radio in Decision Making (CAYWIDMA) programmes aimed at enhancing the serve as women and girls’ forums to organized listeners clubs for women role of LWDR in gender mainstream- access information on human rights, and girls and provided transistor ra- ing. Twelve female senior high school health, gender and policies. “Liberi- dios to 20 of the clubs in Montserrado students will be trained under a spe- ans in the diaspora and those at home County to enable them access radio cial project called “Girls Making Ra- exchange views on national issues programmes broadcast by the Liberia dio” to be carried out in partnership through specially designed radio pro- Women Democracy Radio. with Plan International and Interna- grammes” says Nelson.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 15 A boy reading a comic telling him that Aids is real Stepping up the fight against AIDS

By Ataul Osmani on AIDS Chair and UNICEF Country come together to fund and implement Representative, Isabel Crowley, was the initiative. The total budget of the n a significant step forward in also present. programme is US$ 2 million, of which the fight against HIV/AIDS, the The joint programme, a collective 75 per cent has been funded. UN system in Liberia recently UN support to national AIDS response “This programme is fundamental launched the “UN Joint Pro- in Liberia, aims to provide appropri- to Liberia’s efforts to dramatically turn gramme of Support on AIDS” ate, adequate and timely technical and the tide of HIV epidemic and provide toI help the government halt the spread financial support to the government treatment, care and support to those of the deadly disease in the country. and other national partners to enhance living with HIV and their family mem- The Executive Director of the Na- organizational capacities to improve bers,” Soumaré said while launching tional AIDS Commission, Dr. Ivan access to HIV and AIDS prevention, the programme. Camanor, and Deputy Special Rep- treatment, care and support as well as Terming the joint programme resentative of the Secretary-General to address stigma and discrimination. as “strategic, focused on what can and UN Resident Coordinator Mous- The two-year programme is based be done collectively by the UN”, he tapha Soumaré on 28 April signed a on the National AIDS Strategic Frame- stressed the UN’s commitment to con- landmark agreement on behalf of the work (2010-2015). A total of 11 UN tinue supporting the government in respective parties. UN Theme Group agencies, funds and programmes have the fight against HIV and AIDS and

16 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 also to build the capacity of the Na- tional AIDS Commission. “I am confident that with leadership of the government and support of the UN and other partners, Liberia can attain the 3 zeros: Zero New Infection, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths,” he added. “Both the government and UN have identified four priority areas to fight the HIV and AIDS. The areas are prevention of sexual transmission of HIV, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and pediatric care, mitigation of stigma and discrimination related to HIV and HIV treatment, care and support,” said Dr. Camanor. Reiterating the government’s commitment to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS, he also thanked the UN for providing technical and financial support to fight the deadly disease. Some of the initiatives that will be undertaken under the Joint Pro- gramme include data collection, monitoring and information management; a study on modes of transmission and generation of strategic data and information for HIV prevention; provision of youth and adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services; as- A boy reading a comic telling him that Aids is real sistance in formulating an appropriate legal and policy environment that will address stigma and discrimination issues; and support to Government for the treatment and care for persons living with HIV. Stepping up the fight against AIDS “Despite a low HIV prevalence country with a current rate of 1.5 per cent, Liberia has the potential risk in increasing the vulnerability of HIV/ AIDS due to widespread inequality and poverty, gender-based violence, The two-year programme is based on the National AIDS and rapidly evolving reconstruction and recovery efforts,” said Crowley, Strategic Framework (2010-2015). A total of 11 UN agen- Chair of the UN Theme Group on cies, funds and programmes have come together to fund AIDS. Highlighting the different aspects and implement the initiative. The total budget of the of the UN Joint Programme, she said, programme is US$ 2 million, of which 75 per cent has “As a post-conflict country in a dy- namic recovery phase, Liberia requires been funded. appropriately tailored and flexible HIV initiatives to address the vulnerability and risks associated with insecurity, instability, recovery and economic growth.”

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 17 Stigma is caused by silence, rejection and isolation, said Soumaré Battling HIV stigma

Ataul Osmani And the discrimination is the arbitrary free of stigma and discrimination of distinction, exclusion or restriction any kind and that cannot happen if ith the slogan “Stig- affecting a person,” he said, add- we ourselves do not want to happen. ma Fuels HIV”, ing, “People living with HIV/AIDS Only we can make it happen, mak- UN Cares, a UN have been stigmatized, discriminated ing our environment stigma-free.” He system-wide work- against in a number of ways and the reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to place programme negative effects have been felt in our zero tolerance on AIDS related stigma Won HIV/AIDS in Liberia, launched a workplaces.” and discrimination. national anti-stigma campaign in late Terming that stigma “unnecessar- Deputy Minister for Labour John July aimed at creating awareness on ily burdens the people and constrains Josiah praised the UN for its fight the effects of HIV related stigma and them from working toward achieving against the HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the UN workplace, full potential”, Soumaré said, it nega- discrimination and expressed his gov- reaffirming zero tolerance to HIV/ tively affects HIV prevention. “Where ernment’s commitment to wipe it out AIDS related stigma and discrimina- the perception is strong against HIV/ from the country. He observed that re- tion. AIDS, a person with HIV/AIDS is less jection is a serious situation that needs Launching the campaign at Mon- likely to actively seek out knowledge to be pushed out of every system in rovia City Hall, Deputy Special Rep- and access to treatment.” Liberia. Discrimination on account of resentative of the Secretary-General “Stigma and its resultant discrimi- HIV/AIDS, he said, is a breach of the for Recovery and Governance and nation are strongly entrenched and sufferers’ fundamental rights. UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, present very real obstacles to achiev- UN AIDS Country Coordinator Moustapha Soumaré, said that stigma ing universal access to HIV preven- David Chipanta, who is HIV positive is a negative perception not based on tion, treatment, care and support and for the past 20 years, said, “20 years fact or action and leads a person to dis- the Millennium Development Goals,” ago, I was afraid that I would not live crimination to exclude him or her from he said, making a fervent appeal to all for a long time, but now I am afraid social, political and economic partici- to wage a war to wipe out the stigma that I will live for a long time because pation. of HIV. the things were not possible 20 years “Stigma is caused by silence, rejec- Quoting UN Secretary-General Ban ago, are now possible today [due to tion and isolation. When stigma is act- Ki-moon, the DSRSG said, “UN work- modern medical treatment]. ed upon, the result is discrimination. place should be a model workplace “I am afraid that our communities,

18 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 UNMIL Destroys Arms Recovered from River Gee

By Ataul Osmani

he United Nations Mission in Liberia in early July destroyed a huge cache of arms and ammunition recovered byT the Liberia National Police (LNP) in River Gee County in June. The haul included a heavy machine gun, rocket- propelled grenades, assault rifles and several thousand rounds of ammunition. The Deputy Police Director for Ad- ministration of LNP, Rose E. Stryker, said that weapons were destroyed Stigma is caused by silence, rejection and isolation, said Soumaré so that they cannot go back to the August seized several quantities of streets. “The weapons were destroyed arms and ammunition from the jun- countries may not be ready to live with through a very open and transparent gles of the Southeastern region of Li- people like me as we begin to invest process. We destroyed the weapons so beria. in lives, as we go to school, start hav- that it can’t return to the streets or be “The Bureau of Immigration with ing family, including having children, re-circulated into the society to kill or maximum support from the Ministry changing career, getting into politics, harm anybody,” she said, assuring all of Justice was successful in retriev- because of HIV related stigma and dis- that the government remained vigilant ing a cache of arms and ammunition crimination,” he said, adding, “I am in ensuring safety and security of all through the cooperation of some ex- afraid that international community citizens of Liberia. combatants,” BIN Commissioner Col. may not provide forever life-saving Regarding forensic investigation Christopher Massaquoi told journal- critical HIV services, prompting the into the arms, Stryker said, “Well, arms ists at a press conference in Monrovia needs of broad national government did go through the forensic investiga- on 9 August. investment and ownership and leader- tion and once finalized, the report will The weapons were found in the ship of AID responses.” be published through the press.” counties of River Gee, Maryland, Urging all not to discriminate or Replying to a question from a jour- Grand Gedeh and Nimba. The weap- criminalise HIV, he said, “Every per- nalist about the prosecution of crimi- ons included rockets, machine guns son living with HIV has potential and nals involved in the arms case, the and assault rifles and a large amount skill. Let not the potential and skills Deputy Police Director said, “Suspects of ammunition. go to waste because of stigma and dis- are currently in Grand Gedeh and they “The arms and ammunition were crimination.” are being brought down in small num- collected by Immigration Special Bor- “You have to keep in mind that bers…the investigation is still going on der Patrol Officers following intensive HIV positives are not just commercial and we, obviously, will seek to pros- intelligence gathering in certain towns sex-workers…they are the profession- ecute those involved according to the along the Liberian-Ivorian border,” als…they are the head of agencies, law of the country.” the immigration commissioner said. they can be the people sitting next She also thanked the UNPOL and The BIN Commisioner has also you,” he added. He also reaffirmed the UNMIL for exercising the destruc- warned that the joint security of the UN’s commitment to provide effective tion of the arms and ammunition. state will drastically deal with anyone HIV/AIDS prevention treatment and The weapons were believed to have who will try to disrupt the peace and services. originated from neighbouring Côte stability of the country, especially as Under the programme, the UN d’Ivoire which was embroiled in post- the nation goes through crucial elec- Cares will conduct an extensive cam- electoral violence in which thousands tions this year. paign against the HIV-related stigma died. Alleged Liberian mercenaries He added that BIN is set and ready and discrimination in UN workplace were believed to have taken part in the to work with the Liberia National Po- including disseminating information, Ivorian conflict. lice (LNP) and other security appara- advocacy programme, and increasing Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immi- tus in ensuring that the security of Li- access to HIV related services to UN gration and Naturalisation (BIN) in beria is protected. staff and their families.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 19 Survey on Sexual and Gender Based Violence

By Ruby Ofori persist. These include the inadequate is an acknowledgment of a fundamen- provision of services to survivors of tal challenge to increased public ac- new survey of public GBV especially in rural communities ceptance of rape as a basic violation of opinion about the re- where clinical management facilities at rights. The report suggests this could vised Rape Law, which medical institutions are woefully low be a result of entrenched traditional was introduced in 2005, in quality. attitudes, customs, laws and practices. suggests that the ex- The report also noted the low rate The report says that even though Apected level of awareness of the law of retention of qualified health pro- the capacity of several national and is not as high among ordinary Liberi- fessionals as a major hindrance in the country level judicial institutions has ans as the authorities had envisioned provision of quality care to survivors been enhanced as a result of interven- it would be by now. The survey was of rape. It further noted that the fight tions by the Joint UN Government conducted by the Kofi Annan Institute against SGBV is hampered overall by SGBV Programme, the “successful ad- for Conflict Transformation and com- “inadequate and weak infrastructure judication of cases continue[s] to be a missioned by the UN/Government in counties.” challenge,” because of “the culture of Sexual and Gender Based Violence The survey, funded by the Swed- impunity, settling of cases ‘the family (SGBV) Joint Program. ish Development Agency (Sida), noted way’, inadequate logistics and infra- “We found that there are a lot of that the successes of the Government structure, low quality of investigation information gaps,” said Madhumita and limited capacity of the members of Sarkar, Programme Advisor to the Jury Boards.” UN-Government SGBV Joint Program. The survey also found that the The survey report titled Rape views held by some traditional and re- and the Revised Rape Law: Percep- ligious leaders, community members tion, Knowledge and Realities on the and youth who ascribed the causes of Ground includes interviews with 94 rape to the “loose dress code of wom- people made up of professionals, en” indirectly blame the victim for be- market women, religious and tradi- ing raped. The report adds that those tional leaders, community members, who hold these views “also advocate youths and school children in areas highly for a regulation of the dress of the capital Monrovia such as Red code by the government.” Light, Watanga, Clara Town, Chug- These commonly held views are bor, Banjor , Duala and Popoe Beach. wrong says Sarkar. “There is no justifi- Sarkar says the report was devel- cation for attributing the cause of rape oped as a result of training sessions to dress code because when you have held by the Joint Programme on SGBV children as young as 2 to 5 years of age for border security sector personnel being raped how can you blame the and prison inmates. Out of those train- dress code?,” she said. ing sessions a set of Frequently Asked of Liberia and its international part- The majority of youths surveyed Questions (FAQs) were generated ners in combating GBV include the saw the need for programmes and which became the basis of the ques- establishment of an SGBV Crimes Unit projects targeted at their age group tions posed to those surveyed. at the Temple of Justice and the setting and suggested the government set up The FAQs are included in the re- up of Criminal Court E in Monrovia youth clubs to provide them with the port and are meant for use by SGBV which is dedicated to hearing rape physical space to allow them to dis- trainers to enable them to answer ba- cases only. Another success has been cuss topics such as SGBV in safe, se- sic questions which often crop up in the availability of a document known cure environments. workshops. These questions and an- as the ‘Rule of Procedure’ for use by The report noted that even though swers are meant to help fill the infor- the Criminal Court E, and copies of the legal age of consent was raised to mation gap which the report has iden- the Bench Book which have improved 18 years, most of the respondents re- tified. the institutional response to GBV inci- gard the age of consent as being 16. While noting that much has been dents, particularly rape. Knowledge and understanding of the achieved in meeting the multifaceted The report argues that the consist- legal age at which a person is consid- challenges of combating Gender Based ent monitoring and tracking of GBV ered a minor has to be improved in Violence (GBV), the report acknowl- cases has increased the number of cas- forthcoming sensitization work, the edged that a number of challenges es that come to court. However, there report recommended.

20 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 Peacebuilding Commission Reviews Progress, Challenges

By Ataul Osmani

he UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Libe- rian Configuration, has praised Liberia for its recent progress in three main Tareas -- national reconciliation, security sector reform, and rule of law. “I am delighted to say that since my first visit here, I have witnessed some significant development in terms of three areas,” said Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein, Chair of the PBC, Liberian Configuration. He would be completed by September tion observed that several challenges was addressing a press conference at this year, Prince Zeid said, “The hub remain, first among them the current Pan African Plaza in Monrovia on 17 will service the justice needs of the limited capability of Liberia’s security June as the PBC delegation led by him people of Nimba, Lofa and Bong coun- service. “The capacity of the nation’s wrapped up a five-day visit to Liberia. ties, house regional offices, barracks security forces must be enhanced to The delegation also cited some and training centres of the police, im- deal with the internal and regional of the key challenges facing national migration and prison, as well as courts challenges such as transitional crime, reconciliation --oversight of security and offices of the Ministry of Justice.” the circulation of arms, and mob vio- forces, access to justice and reshap- “After all this work and in the lence.” ing a peaceful Liberian identity. The years ahead, Liberia will firmly be on “It is clear that UNMIL will not high-powered group visited Liberia to the path of peace. We think this is the be in Liberia forever and there must take stock of the progress the country noble way of doing things. If success- be planning and integration of efforts is making eight years into its post-con- ful in Liberia, this could be replicated accomplished to ensure that when the flict political transformation. in other countries that have emerged mission leaves, Liberia has the capac- The delegation also recommended from conflict and need to have their ity to fulfill some of the key functions the development and implementation infrastructure rebuilt and services ex- that UNMIL would have been fulfill- of a national reconciliation strategy tended. We are very excited about it,” ing,” Prince Zeid told the media. aimed at reaching a common Liberian Prince Zeid added. Replying to a question from a jour- identity addressing the root causes of In Gbarnga, the delegation also nalist about specific timeline of UN- marginalization within social and po- visited Cuttington University, where MIL’s departure, the PBC chair said he litical structures. it considered the study of Liberian did not envisage a sudden departure In developing the national recon- history as a tool for national reconcili- of UNMIL after the election. “What is ciliation strategy, members of the del- ation. The delegation also met with a clear though is that there are many cri- egation identified the “Palava Hut” local branch of a women’s organiza- ses around the world begging for UN model as a valuable forum for discuss- tion to discuss grassroots activities attention so I do not think we need ing injustices at the community level and challenges facing recovery and to be relaxed about this thinking that and finding a common historical nar- reconciliation in Bong County. they are here for a number of years rative, useful for constructing a shared The delegation also met with mem- and we should take our time. As Libe- Liberian identity. bers of the donor community and at- ria grows from strength to strength, it On, the first day of the trip, the tended a security sector reform (SSR) only makes sense that the scale of the delegation visited Gbarnga, the capi- roundtable and discussed remaining UN presence is revised.” tal of Bong County, where members security needs and key SSR challenges The delegation also visited the oversaw progress on the construction in Liberia in the light of anticipated National Police Training Academy in of the first Security and Justice Hub. drawdown of the UN peacekeeping Paynesville, local police station and Expressing his satisfaction over the mission in the country. magistrate courts in West Point and pace of work in building the hubs that On the security sector, the delega- the Central Prison in Monrovia.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 21 Agencies such as UNHCR report that the refugee influx has exacerbated food insecurity in host communities Emergency agriculture project in host communities

By Ataul Osmani into Liberia. generation needs of Ivorian refugees The project titled “Emergency and to complement the food aid of n collaboration with the govern- Food Production for Ivorian Refugees WFP through the production and ment of Liberia, the Food and and Liberian Host Families”, a US$ consumption of nutritious vegeta- Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 500,000 emergency effort, will help bles and short cycle food crops,” said has launched a new emergency the Ivorian refugees and Liberian host FAO Country Representative George agriculture project aimed at as- families to grow rice, tuber, and veg- Mburathi, after signing the project sistingI food-insecure Ivorian refugees etable crops to enhance food security. agreement with the government of Li- and Liberian host families in Nimba, It also aims to improve the capacity of beria on 29 June. “This is a very critical Grand Gedeh and Maryland coun- food security cluster to better coordi- intervention to save human lives, im- ties, all bordering neighbouring Côte nate food security and agriculture re- prove food security, enhance nutrition d’Ivoire. The residents of these coun- lated interventions. status and promote income generation ties are threatened with food insecuri- “The project seeks to address the opportunities to reduce vulnerabilities ty due to the influx of Ivorian refugees immediate food security and income of host communities affected by the

22 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 international NGOs.” the initial food distribution in Febru- Expressing his high hope over the ary rely on donations from their host project, FAO’s Mburathi said, “We are families. As a result, host families are expecting that the kind of training and running very low or have already de- expertise the farmers and communi- pleted their stocks. ties are getting from the project will “Given the food shortages, many obviously help them in ensuring food families have begun to eat their rice security in coming days.” seed, risking a seed insecurity ahead of The Government of Liberia has ex- the planting season in May and June,” pressed a strong commitment to sup- D’Amelio said, adding, “Therefore, an port the humanitarian needs of Ivo- emergency intervention became cru- rian refugees while also stressing the cial to quickly stimulate agriculture need to reduce vulnerabilities of host production in host areas.” communities affected by the refugee He, however, cited poor road con- influx. The government has allocated ditions, non-availability of quality arable land to address the food pro- planting materials from the local mar- duction needs of the Ivorian refugees, kets, and beneficiaries’ lack of access FAO sources said. to land as major impediments to suc- The recent post-election violence cessfully implementing the project. caused large scale population dis- Meanwhile, at a “Food Security placements both within the country Assessment” workshop held in Mon- and into neighbouring Liberia. To rovia on 21 July, the food security ac-

The Government of Liberia has expressed a strong commitment to support the humanitarian needs of Ivorian refugees while also stressing the need to reduce vulnerabilities of host communities affected by the refugee influx. The government has allocated arable land to ad- Emergency agriculture project dress the food production needs of the Ivorian refugees. date, more than 145,000 Ivorians have tors also expressed their apprehension refugee influx,” he added. sought refuge in Liberia, majority of that land availability and tenure for Agriculture Minister Dr Florence them in the three bordering counties. emergency agriculture interventions Chenoweth signed the agreement on Food security has been severely jeop- could be potential sources of problem in host communities behalf of the government. ardized by the influx and particularly in implementing the project if not care- “Though at first the project aimed in areas of Grand Gedeh where food fully handled. at only two counties -Nimba and provisions are already low. It is antici- They stressed the need to get a bet- Grand Gedeh -targeting 2,500 families, pated that many refugees will contin- ter consensus with the Government of later we expanded it to one more coun- ue to stay in Liberia at least for several Liberia on a food security roadmap for ty –Maryland—considering the move months, if not more. the country and how emergency food of 8,000 refugees from Nimba to Bahn Justifying the project, D’Amelio security interventions could be shifted refugee camp,” said FAO Food Secu- said, “Refugees arriving in Liberia more toward development, including rity Coordinator Jacopo D’Amelio. find an already precarious food se- the provision of more technical sup- “And the coverage of the families has curity situation with host families ex- port in both lowland and upland farm- also been increased to 4,300 families to pected to experience a four-six months ing ecologies. get maximum families to ensure their hunger gap later in the year.” Citing Among others, representatives food security,” he said, adding, “We a joint rapid assessment carried out in from German Agro Action, Catholic are now trying to reach out to the fam- February 2011 by the Ministry of Ag- Relief Services, OXFAM, Norwegian ilies that were left out earlier by the riculture and FAO, he said many of Refugees Council, attended the work- other stakeholders, mainly local and the refugees who have arrived after shop.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 23 New Tool to Fight Corruption

By Ruby Ofori

new, multimillion dol- lar, integrated com- puter software and IT infrastructure, which will potentially mini- Amize corruption in the management of government finances and speed up the issuance of vouchers and audit reports, was launched in July for use by government ministries and agencies. Known as the Integrated Finan- cial Management Information System (IFMIS), the US$ 9.19 million software and infrastructure is funded by the World Bank, the Swedish Internation- al Development Agency (Sida) and the Government of Liberia. IFMIS elimi- nates the possibility of ghost workers on the government payroll, improves the timely payment of monthly sala- ries and integrates a number of key functions of government ministries and agencies. The software, developed by Cana- dian company FreeBalance, is already in use in Uganda, Sierra Leone, South- ern Sudan, and Namibia. At the IFMIS inauguration on 12 July, President Sirleaf was shown the huge difference the new technology can make to the efficiency of government operations. At the demonstra- tion conducted by the Comptroller and Accountant General and his staff, a transaction which would normally take seven days to process was carried out in just one and a half hours. Minister of Finance Augustine Ngafuan said: “With IFMIS, internal controls and financial management oversight will be strengthened. With IFMIS, reports will be issued on a timely basis in compliance with the PFM [Public Finance Management] Law and Regulations. With IFMIS, au- dits of Government institutions by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) will be enhanced as the GAC will be

24 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 New Tool to Fight Corruption

connected to the system, thereby ena- by the Ministry of Finance. process, we have secured a total of US$ bling the Commission to use Com- Beatrice Targa of UNMIL Civil 9.19 million for the project – with the puter Assisted Auditing Techniques Affairs Section says follow on IFMIS World Bank donating US$3.7m, the (CAATs). The IFMIS system has inher- Project is a major part of a broader Swedish International Development ent audit trails, user activity logs, and reform project known as the Public Agency donating US$ 4.99m and the user access restrictions.” Finance Management (PFM) Reforms Government of Liberia, US$ 0.5m. On UNMIL Civil Affairs Team Leader Strategy (2011-15), which is key to Li- behalf of the Government of Liberia, Tesfu Tadesse says the basic objective beria’s economic development. “The let me express bountiful thanks to the of IFMIS is to improve the “effective- IFMIS is one of the major reforms World Bank and Sida for their gener- ness and efficiency” in the budgeting within the Public Financial Manage- ous support thus far. We have begun and accounting of the Liberian public ment Reforms launched by the gov- on a good track and the challenge is finance and accounting system. “In the long term, it will have a lot of impact in minimizing corruption and illicit In order for IFMIS to integrate the government payroll practices in the financial sector within the Liberian system,” he says. through the civil service agency, the biometric data of IFMIS went online at the Ministry all government employees are being gathered including of Finance from 1 July and will fully integrate all civil servants biometric finger prints, dates of birth, and photographic identifica- data with the Civil Service Agency by tion. All government employees will need to have a bank December this year, says Bernard Jap- pah, Coordinator of the Finance Min- account to receive payment through their accounts. istry’s Public Finance Management (PFM) Reforms CoordinationUnit, which coordinates the implementation of a range of PFM reforms, includ- ernment in 2009 to completely reform to stay the course until we run the full ing IFMIS. Jappah says phase two of the use of public resources so as to en- distance on the IFMIS track. The initial IFMIS will involve the roll out of the sure effectiveness, transparency and estimate for the roll out of phase two new software system and infrastruc- accountability,” says Targa. of IFMIS is between US$ 8-10m. The ture to additional ministries and agen- The Liberian government acknowl- Liberian government is definitely go- cies, in line with the PFM Reforms edges that funding continues to be a ing to step up its support to the project, Strategy. major challenge to sustain the IFMIS but we call on our partners in progress In order for IFMIS to integrate the project. Finance Minister Ngafuan ap- to join us with their generous dona- government payroll through the civil pealed to donors to continue to sup- tions as we transform these objectives service agency, the biometric data of port the project. into reality,” said Ngafuan. all government employees are being “Since the start of the entire IFMIS gathered including finger prints, dates Servers running the IFMIS software of birth, and photographic identifica- tion. All government employees will need to have a bank account to receive payment through their accounts. IFMIS Project Manager James Onyoin says the move to include other government ministries and county authorities over the next four years is part of a fiscal decentralization plan to give autonomy to the ministries and local authorities in the overall financial management system without com- promising on supervision and control

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 25 “We’ll make a better day, just you and me…”

By Ataul Osmani rians and others, joined the chorus. will, positive energy, determination “There are people dying and it’s the and contribution of individuals and t a gathering of hun- time to lend a hand to life...” Voices groups who, through volunteerism, dreds of excited UN choked, eyes wet, they sang: “We have turned around hapless situations Volunteers, university are the world, we are the children… and put smiles back on the faces of students and teachers we are the ones who make a brighter people.” and civil society repre- day...So let’s start giving.” And they The Ministry of Youth and Sports, Asentatives celebrating IYV+10 in Mon- took the vow, anew. “We’ll make a in collaboration with the Ministry of rovia, UNMIL Radio presenter Eva better day…Just you and me.” Planning and Economic Affairs, the Flomo announced a musical interlude Breaking the minute-long silence United Nations Volunteers (UNV) between speeches. that ensued, Moustapha Soumaré, and National Youth Organizations, or- A female national volunter wear- Deputy Special Representative of the ganized the programme on 5 August. ing a white T-shirt inscribed with slo- Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Recov- The Liberian Volunteer Coordination gans and messages of IYV+10 began ery and Governance, took the podium, Committee for Development (LVC- to walk slowly to the stage and started and said, “I salute those who are vol- C4D), a platform of all national volun- singing.“There comes a time when we unteering for peace and development teer organizations, also introduced on heed a certain call…when the world around the world and especially for the very day. must come together as one….” The Liberia.” “You are the inspiration and role chattering in the audience stopped, Launching the tenth anniversary model for your peers, you are the type suddenly leading to pin-drop silence of the International Year of Volunteers of young people the country needs if engulfing the auditorium of Univer- (IYV+10) in Liberia, he said, “The it is going to succeed,” said Soumaré, sity of Liberia. anniversary affords us the opportu- also the UN Resident Coordinator in One by one, the UNVs, both Libe- nity to recognize and celebrate the Liberia, remembering the power of

26 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 “We’ll make a better day, just you and me…”

giving. Listing the UNVs’ contribu- bly called for the marking of IYV+10 ceive your flowers. I say thank you for tion worldwide in establishing peace in 2011. The overall goal of marking your commitment, for your hard work and recovery, including rebuilding Li- the IYV+10 is to focus on promoting and thank for what you are doing for beria, he said, “UNVs contribute a lot greater global recognition of the con- Mama Liberia.” to national development and global tribution of volunteerism to society “Those thousands of volunteers, economy at large. Annually, volun- and to achieving peace and develop- each one has a reason why they are teers contribute US$ 400 billion to the ment. volunteering. They not only save lives, global economy.” Speaking on the occasion, Siasa but they change minds,” said Sando In 1997, the UN General Assembly, Kpowor Hage, Special Assistant for Wanye of Public Policy Administra- convinced that the need for volun- Policy and Aid Coordination, Plan- tion. President of the University of teer effort was greater than ever and ning Ministry, said, “Volunteering is Liberia, Dr. Emmet A. Dennis, recom- that a year designed to enhance the the ultimate exercise in the democra- mended institutionalizing volunteer- recognition, facilitation, networking cy…you vote in election once a year… ism in Liberia. and promotion of volunteer service but when you volunteer, you vote eve- Earlier, the UNVs brought out a could make a significant contribution ryday about the kind of community in colourful rally from Broad Street that to generating increased awareness of which you want to live.” ended at University of Liberia, parad- the achievements and further poten- He praised the UNVs in Liberia ing through different city thorough- fares. tial of volunteerism, proclaimed 2001 for their critical role in rebuilding About 272 volunteers, both nation- as the International Year of Volunteers the country and said, “You are mak- als and internationals, are currently (IYV). ing the world a better place. May be working in Liberia in UNMIL and To consolidate successes attained you are not getting enough credit for different UN agencies playing critical and build on the momentum cre- your services you are doing, but today roles in restoring peace and security ated by the IYV, the General Assem- makes a special day and you shall re- and rebuilding the war-torn country.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 27 Police Support Unit Grows in Strength

as noted by Napoleon Abdulai, UNDP Security Sector Reform Programme Manager, is to assure that when UN- POL is no longer present in Liberia, that the police academy has sufficient trainers to assure that “there will be no vacuum.”As UNMIL transitions security responsibilities, the demands on the PSU will be substantial, as they will be engaged in many of the functions currently undertaken or supported by the mission, including VIP protection and protection of vital installations. Though the PSU training is progressing, challenges remain in “opera- tionalizing” the unit. Mobility limi- tations hinder PSU operations. “You need about 18 vehicles for each company and you find out that you have only four vehicles per company and that is a major challenge right now” Abdulai said; adding that once the PSU are trained they need to be able to move at a moment’s notice to any PSU members under training part of the country. “When you train them you need to deploy them. For By Ruby Ofori develop the PSU has been bolstered example, if something should happen by funding support from the USA, in Grand Gedeh right now we need to fforts by the Government Germany, and Ireland; with funding move them from Monrovia to Grand of Liberia and UNMIL to from the latter two administered by Gedeh and for that you need troop train and deploy 1000 Po- the United Nations Development Pro- carriers and you need pickups. In ad- lice Support Unit (PSU) gramme (UNDP); enabling training dition to that you need camps where members by December of and some equipping of the unit. they can sleep because outside Mon- Ethis year are progressing, according Currently over 600 PSU offic- rovia there are not always barracks for to the Deputy UNPOL Commissioner ers have been trained and deployed. them. So you need tents, you need all John Nielsen. The PSU provide the Crowd control, protection of VIPs and those things that would enable them LNP added operational capabilities, safe guarding vital national sites and to do their work. So mobility is the in particular in response to incidents installations are among the topics cov- number one challenge to national se- of civil disorder incidents. The PSU ered in training and these represent curity now,” said Abdulai. is not separate from the LNP. They the core areas of duty to which the Though faced with a difficult are in fact an operational component PSU are responsible. UNPOL advisors challenge, the PSU also have spe- within the LNP, just as the LNP Emer- were instrumental in developing the cific strengths says Abdulai. “Their gency Response Unit is part of LNP. PSU training program and they train strength right now is that they have Officers recruited into the PSU are and assist LNP instructors in deliver- been trained in all weather, they have drawn from the existing ranks of the ing the PSU training at the National been trained to handle public demon- LNP which currently stands at about Police Training Academy. UNPOL strations, crowd control, safe guarding 4,000 strong. The candidates under- have trained a number of LNP officers of vital national sites and installations. go a vetting process, and testing, in- who are now serving as instructors at Their strength is that they have been cluding examinations that determine the academy; including some from the well trained by UNPOL’s internation- their professional knowledge and PSU ranks. al police officers.” their physical abilities. The project to The aim of the instructor training,

28 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 Mensa-Bonsu addresses the new magistrates New Magistrates Head to Rural Liberia

By James S. King face of the Liberian judiciary. “Whatever the Chief Justice and uates presented a “wonderful image he Professional Magis- Associate Justices of the Supreme of what the future holds for Liberia” trate Training Programme Court Bench do in Monrovia could and described the 61 graduates as em- (PMTP) of the James A. A. only be felt by people in remote Libe- bodiments of the success behind the Pierre Judicial Institute in ria through you. Remember that you programme. She congratulated the Monrovia in June gradu- are the custodians of the reputation of graduates, their family members, and Tated 61 newly qualified magistrates, the judiciary, your integrity bears faith the trainers for supporting the pro- giving further boost to Liberia’s justice in party litigants,” said Mensa-Bonsu. gramme. sector. The Deputy UN Envoy thanked the German Ambassador Bodo Schaff The PMTP is designed to assist the Chief Justice of Liberia, Johnnie N. said the PMTP is a “ground breaking government of Liberia build a profes- Lewis, and the Associate Justices for initiative.” He said the graduates have sional justice system in the country their support to the programme. the potential for a “collective transfor- by training a new generation of mag- Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis re- mation” of Liberia’s rural magisterial istrates. The newly graduated magis- minded the graduates of their core courts. trates have pledged to work for four values, including distinguished lead- Speaking on behalf of his fellow years in rural communities where ac- ership, staying above reproach and graduates, J. Vincent Kollie assured cess to justice has been limited. commitment to service. He said all Liberians and the international devel- Liberia’s Vice President Joseph judges and lawyers must exhibit those opment partners that the graduates Boakai said rule of law was cardinal to values to ensure public trust in the were fully prepared to deliver trans- Liberia’s reconstruction process and judiciary. “Even though you are not parent and committed legal services therefore programmes that promote yet lawyers, the training you have as expected of them. Kollie said the rule of law were welcomed by the received distinguishes you as worthy graduates are aware that magistrates government of Liberia. Vice President of those values thus making you ac- are the first contacts for litigants and Boakai described the PMTP as “one countable to them.” that ordinary people rely on magis- of the best programmes” for improv- United States Ambassador to Libe- trates to conduct judicial proceedings ing the justice system in post-conflict ria Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the in a transparent manner. “We are de- Liberia. PMTP has created “pragmatic solu- termined to change the perceptions The Deputy Special Representative tions” to address one of Liberia’s most widely held by members of the public of the Secretary-General for Rule of complex rule of law challenges. “It that the judiciary is corrupt,” the new- Law, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, remind- provided and supported the need for ly graduated magistrate proclaimed. ed the graduates, among them three skilled magistrates,” she said. females, to consider themselves as the The US Ambassador said the grad-

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 29 Liberians Speak What should each Liberian do to ensure peaceful elections?

Khalifa V. Sheriff: University of Liberia Law Student; I see tensions mounting everywhere as we approach elections. People are becoming high tempered and this is not good for the elections. What I want Liberians to do is to put our differences aside, stop the accusations and allegations and put Liberia first. I hear people issuing verbal attacks against the other, this is also not good. Let Liberians realize that this is the only Daniel Lake: Resident, Pipeline Commu- country we have. Let us organize our- nity, Paynesville; What I want to advise selves peacefully to vote into offices Liberians to do is to remain peaceful who ever we want to be our leaders. on elections day. No pushing around Liberians should work to maintain the (scuffle) in the line (queue). Let them be peace we now have in the country. patient. You can’t force anyone to vote your candidate. Everyone has his or her Alfred Massalay: A tailor, Monrovia; The own candidate they like. I want to ad- first thing here is that Liberians should vise my fellow youths to stop violence become one during the elections pe- because violence is what destroyed our riod to avoid anything that causes vio- country and we should learn from our lence. Let Liberians go to the polls and past. Whatever election result is an- elect the candidates of their choice, but nounced, let us accept it. Not everyone we can only do this when the campaign we support may win election. process is free of violence and intimida- tion. People always blame young people for violence, but older ones should stop doing things that anger young people. I ask National Elections Commission to Saye E.L. Mussah: Employee LBDI; Let plan the elections carefully to prevent Liberians consider the elections as their future problems that people may blame own just as parents would do for their them for. I also appeal to the interna- children. If you love your child you can tional community particularly the Carter do anything to prevent any harm to Center to come and help us conduct our them. Elections campaign is all about elections for transparency. Because in being peaceful and constructive; mean- 1997, Carter Center was here and the ing it takes patience for one to win peo- “election” was fair no body complained Bendu Sumo: Adult Literacy Student, ple over. The major thing here is not to about cheating. NEC (National Elections Global Learning Academy; I want us to harm or insult one another but to con- Commissions) should play a transparent be peaceful, love each other all the time. duct ourselves very peacefully on that role to prove to the world that we are Let us do the campaign peacefully. If day. Attacking personalities can cause ready to keep the peace UN has given us. someone (a candidate) is campaigning anger within those whose candidates’ After 17 years of war we chose not to run somewhere, the other people (another personalities one may attack. If Liberi- from one another as Liberians. I appeal candidate) should not go there. If they ans stop attacking the personalities of to all Liberians for peace in Liberia. go there, confusion would break out and others I am sure we could have a very it would not be good for us as Liberians. peaceful campaign process for the elec- We should not get vex at each other be- tions to be free of violence. Let NEC (Na- cause we are the same people. The only tional Elections Commission) try its best different thing is all of us have our own also to make the elections credible so candidates to vote for. We should not that we can continue to have peace in make palaver for election business. (for Liberia after the elections. election’s sake)

30 • UN FOCUS • June - August 2011 Liberians Speak What should each Liberian do to ensure peaceful elections?

Matthew A. Pearce: Employee of land Commission; First of all we have to go by the rule and respect each others’ views. We can’t go about violating the rights of other people and expect others to respect our rights. No two or more political parties should have rallies the same day and time at the same venue. We can’t do that. Politicians should engage the Ellis G. Smith: Resident, Monrovia; The microphones to inform their supporters entire civil society movement through- to conduct violence free campaigns, not out Liberia should convene all political to discuss personalities but the issues af- parties and stake holders to a confer- fecting Liberia, with this done we could ence and inform them that politics is have healthy elections. The elections are not about creating enemies or violence. indeed crucial, in the past we have al- Betty D. Harris: Seamstress; We as citi- I also call on all political parties to ad- ways depended on others to conduct our zens should do away with violence and vise their members to stay away from all elections, this time around it’s going to anything that would cause disturbances forms of violence. Let them go through be ourselves spearheading the exercise. for the elections. At the same time I urge the judicial process to settle any griev- This is a chance the NEC (National Elec- National Elections Commission to con- ance that may arise as result of “alleged” tion Commission) has to prove its critics duct the elections in a way that would electoral fraud. We fought wars in this wrong that it is capable of conducting discourage fraud or anything that may country that took us to nowhere only be- free and transparent elections as it did in ignite violence. Even though I don’t cause of electoral fraud that happened past by elections when both oppositions foresee fraud, but there is a saying “in far back. Liberians should refrain from and governing parties won. NEC’s cred- time of peace prepare for war”, this is repeating such again. For the elections ibility is at stake in the coming elections. why I want National Elections Commis- commission, let me advise them to con- sion to put into place all mechanisms duct themselves like a mother of twins to prevent such things from happen- who listens to the cries of her twins. ing. Let every Liberian do away with violence. Let us go to the poll peacefully and leave peacefully. Let us do away with anything that will cause disturbances for the election process. Election campaigning is about convincing people who differ with you. Let us be focus on those we think can better lead us and not to dignify every criticism that may come from critics. Keach Ivy: A business man, Monrovia; We should all pray to Almighty God to grant Karnay Sabey: Resident, Lower Johnson- us peaceful elections. I want all support- ville, Montserrado County; I want Libe- ers of various political parties to know rians to behave good on election’s day that elections are about electing good not to fight so that we can have peaceful people for leadership. If you go to cam- election. If they go out to campaign, let paign do it with love for one another, this them do it peacefully. We must respect is the only way we can have a peaceful each other’s views and choices. Don’t and free elections in Liberia. If someone make anyone your enemy because that does not like your candidate that should person does not support your candidate. not cause you to hate him or her. We are No, everyone has right to support who all one people. The politicians we sup- they want to be their president. port have their own plans different from ours.

June - August 2011 • UN FOCUS • 31 UN FOCUS, Vol. 7, No. 04 A publication of the United Nations Mission in Liberia Public Information Office www.unmil.org