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Catholic Archbishop Michael Francis Dies

Catholic Archbishop Michael Francis Dies
Many Liberians, especially Catholics, were shocked Sunday May 19, 2013) when they were told that Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis was dead, nine years after he fell to illness.

UL Graduates Two Informer Staff

UL Graduates Two Informer Staff
Two reporters of the authoritative Informer newspaper Mr. Marcus Zoleh hailing from Nimba County and Roland Perry from Grand Cape Mount County yesterday walked through the walls of the University of Liberia after successfully completing the four-year

Liberia Observes Day To End Fistula

Liberia Observes Day To End Fistula
Liberia joins countries around the world to mark the first-ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, 23 May, with a variety of events to raise awareness of this neglected health and human rights challenge.

CSOs Engage Lawmaker On Low Budgetary Allotment

CSOs Engage Lawmaker On Low Budgetary Allotment
The leadership of some Civil Society groups and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector have expressed disappointment with the present budgetary allotment for  Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the 2013/2014 draft National Budget.

PUL Lifts Ban On Ellen: Urges Unity, Courage Among Journalists

PUL Lifts Ban On Ellen: Urges Unity, Courage Among Journalists
The Press Union of Liberia yesterday (May 21) officially lifted its blackout against the Liberian Presidency, with a call on journalists to remain united and fearless in their duties—exposing evil in public places and holding the government account

Aqualife 'Dirty Water' Probe Sleeps At MOJ: Envelope Reportedly Changes Hand

Aqualife 'Dirty Water' Probe Sleeps At MOJ: Envelope Reportedly Changes Hand
Investigation into reports of Aqualife's sale of contaminated (dirty) water to the public has been reportedly compromised at the Ministry of Justice, leaving the fate and interest of the public to hang in the balance, this paper has gathered.

Three-Years-Old Child Drowns In Weala

Three-Years-Old Child Drowns In Weala
Barely months after a four year old boy identified as Joe Gbakie got drowned in a pit in Weala, Margibi County, another three years old girl identify only as little Princess has been found in similar situation.

Open Budget Initiative Ensures Transparency -Says OBI Budget Consultant

Open Budget Initiative Ensures Transparency -Says OBI Budget Consultant
The Budget Consultant at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Mr. Moses Wreh has emphasized the need for Liberians to understand the Open Budget Initiative (OBI) recently introduced by Government, adding that it is a catalyst for transparency and financial

Sime Darby, Citizens Perform Ritual For Company's Expansion

Sime Darby, Citizens Perform Ritual For Company's Expansion
Driving through sideway forest bushes and towns into a distance of approximately 75 km from Monrovia, no one could anticipate or predict the untold story of a ceremony witnessed between Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL) and citizens of Bomi County

NPA Boss A Big 'Liar’...LACC Report Reveals

NPA Boss A Big 'Liar’...LACC Report Reveals
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has verified assets declared by some 63 government officials, with the Managing Director of the National Port Authority Matilda Parker leading those who lied under oath or gave falsified information.

As World Leaders Converge On Monrovia

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Liberia's growing prominence in international affairs is once again illustrated by the country hosting the High Level Panel (HLP) Meeting on the Post Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that will take place in Monrovia from January 30th to February 1, 2013. The Liberian leader President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has already began receiving eminent guests on behalf of government.



The head of Liberia's HLP Secretariat, Dr. Abdulai Dukule has told journalists that the theme of the meeting is National Building Blocks for Sustained Prosperity, and discussions will also focus on how economic growth can improve livelihood and well-being.

The HLP meeting in Monrovia is part of the ongoing discussions between members of the high level panel of eminent persons appointed by the United Nations Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon to make recommendations on what global development framework should succeed the Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015. The Three appointed eminent world leaders to co-chair the HLP during the UN General Assembly meeting last July are: President Ellen John Sirleaf of Liberia, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and Prime Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia. These eminent persons will lead the charge to develop an achievable development framework to continue the poverty reduction process after 2015.

Indeed like the MDGs, the projected replacement document would address the issue of poverty reduction especially in developing countries most of whom in Africa South of the Sahara in the Southern hemisphere. Many economists view that the MDGs which centered around the achievement of eight key areas, namely agriculture and food security, universal primary education, gender equality and female empowerment, the reduction of infant and maternal mortality, eradication of deadly diseases such as  malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/Aids pandemic, environmental sustainability, global partnership for development are all targeted towards poverty reduction with a view to bridge the wide poverty gap between developed and industrialized nation in the Northern hemisphere and developing countries in the Southern hemisphere.

What is interesting also is that discussions are already well underway on what will constitute the best framework in the interest of sustainable development. There are those who argue that the way forward will be to strengthen mechanisms for accountability and social equality. There are others who state that an effective way to reduce poverty and improve the quality of living standards that was not part of the MDGs is to develop the electricity and pipe-borne water potentials of a country, focus on road construction, to attract more foreign investment as well as to prioritize the development of communications.

The Monrovia HLP meeting is therefore very important as it puts this country in the spotlight as a successful post conflict fragile nation. Liberia gained several accolades last year for the positive pace of development, to the extent that this country improved its position on the indexes of Transparency International, MO Ibrahim Good Governance Index, strides made in the MDGs and accomplishments obtained from the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) Process especially improvements in the security and judiciary sector etc.

We hope that the positive development trend on which government has set this country will continue to yield fruits in the years ahead. Indeed billions of U.S dollars have been invested into the country especially in the mining and agricultural sectors since 2003.  Liberia has equally benefitted from debts cancellations especially from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and some friendly western donor countries to the tune of nearly four billion dollars and the discovery of oil and gas is apt to accelerate economic growth. But such can only occur in an atmosphere of democracy, good governance and financial accountability.

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