By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh Monrovia, Liberia – February 6, 2026 – As part of activities marking the 2026 Global Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Medical Center (JFK) has successfully conducted a two-day free cervical cancer screening outreach in major market communities in Monrovia, aimed at eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat among women and girls in Liberia. The outreach took place at Rally Town Market on Wednesday, February 4, and at Omega Market on Thursday, February 5, drawing a cross-section of women who voluntarily came to benefit from the free services. A total of 262 women were screened, 114 at Rally Town and 148 at Omega Market. This year’s observance is under the national theme, “Vaccinate, Screen, and Treat, End Cervical Cancer Now.” Screening was conducted using high-performance testing methods by professional medical practitioners from JFK Medical Center. The exercise facilitated streamlined cervical cancer...

By Bridgett Milton (Monrovia Capitol Hill, February 5, 2026) The House of Representatives has invited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education to appear before the plenary to address the alleged inhumane treatment of Liberian students studying in foreign countries. The House took the decision on Thursday, February 5, 2026, during its regular session, following a communication from Margibi County District #2 Representative Ivar K. Jones. According to him, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, a family contacted him in tears over the alleged drugging and sodomizing of Richardson Queminee, a Liberian student attending Kalinga University in Naya Raipur, India, by an Indian citizen, an incident he said has left the student traumatized. He said the situation underscores the urgent need for stronger preventive and redress mechanisms by the Liberian government to safeguard citizens abroad, particularly students. Rep. Jones referenced Article 6 of the 1986 Constitution, which states...

By Bridgett Milton Capitol Hill, Monrovia, February 5, 2026 – Rep. Bernard Blue Benson (District #17, Montserrado County) has formally written the House of Representatives, seeking clarification on the procedures and oversight mechanisms for salary tax withholding affecting lawmakers and their staff. In his communication, Benson raised concerns about transparency, consistency, and accountability in the administration of salary tax deductions by the relevant payroll and revenue offices. He emphasized that this inquiry reflects a broader commitment to compliance with national tax laws, while also safeguarding the rights and obligations of public officials and legislative employees. Benson requested detailed information on the legal framework governing tax withholding for elected representatives and staff. He specifically seeks clarification on how withholding rates are determined, which institutions handle deductions and remittances, and what internal controls are in place to ensure taxes are accurately sent to the Government of Liberia. The Montserrado lawmaker also stressed...

By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh Capitol Hill, 6th February 2026 – The Speaker of the 55th National Legislature, Richard Nagbe Koon, has accepted a petition from a group of aggrieved residents of the 72nd Community seeking redress against the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) eviction order to vacate the military premises as part of efforts to reclaim government property. Speaker Koon’s acceptance comes less than 48 hours after the House of Representatives (HOR) denied a motion from Montserrado County District #5 Representative Presicilla Abram Cooper, which called the House’s attention to intervene in the ongoing land dispute between the AFL and residents of the 72nd Community and adjoining properties. Speaker Koon also set the stage for possible dialogue and redress in the 72nd-AFL land saga. Speaking on Thursday, 5th February 2026, during a peaceful assembly to petition the Legislature, Frances Morsay, CEO of Help Yourself, commended Speaker Koon for his initial...

By Kruah Thompson Monrovia, Liberia, February 5, 2025 – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Information, has assured the public that it is actively addressing recent nationwide electricity fluctuations, promising that the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) will soon achieve full stability. The government explained that these interruptions are due to ongoing maintenance work impacting the country’s power supply, which relies heavily on imports from Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire. Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah recently emphasized that maintenance is temporary and essential to strengthening the system. He assured citizens that LEC technicians are actively working to resolve the issues and restore electricity supply to full capacity. At the same time, he acknowledged public frustration over the recent power shortages, emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the situation, and reaffirmed that stable electricity service will soon be fully restored and maintained. He added that, in the meantime, LEC continues...

By Lincoln G. Peters Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Liberia — February 5, 2026: Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, is under intense scrutiny from the Liberian Senate following allegations that he reversed the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)’s Salary Harmonization Policy without the consent or approval of the National Legislature. The matter was brought to the Senate’s attention by Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe, head of Liberia’s delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), during Thursday’s plenary session. Senator Snowe informed his colleagues that Minister Ngafuan had reportedly announced the reversal of harmonized remuneration at several key government institutions—including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Judiciary Branch—without legislative authorization. Snowe recalled that the National Legislature enacted the Harmonization Act in 2019 to standardize government salaries, making it law. He emphasized that under the leadership of Pro-Tempore Karnga-Lawrence, the Senate...

By Emmanuel Wise Jipoh Schiefflin, Margibi County – February 6, 2026 – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has publicly defended the Armed Forces of Liberia’s (AFL) decision to evict residents from the 72nd Military Barracks, despite growing controversy and appeals from affected communities. Addressing the ongoing land dispute between the AFL and residents of the 72nd Barracks Front View, President Boakai made it clear that the military would proceed with reclaiming its property and would not reverse its decision. According to the Liberian leader and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia, the army will not reverse the decision to reclaim its properties. “The Army is going to take their land, because that is their land, and they are entitled to decent livelihoods. God is not making new land—that is their place, and they are going to take it,” President Boakai stated. Boakai emphasized that the AFL’s actions would not infringe...

China Union concession area By Edwin N Khakie Bong County – Bong County Electoral District #7 Representative Foday Fahnbulleh has reiterated his firm stance on accountability and transparency in dealings with China Union Concession and its contracting firms. Speaking following a brief meeting held minutes ago with the management of China Union, alongside contractors Bamlii and HMR, Rep. Fahnbulleh said he made it clear from the outset that any meaningful engagement must begin with the presentation of a comprehensive performance report on the sixty-day commitments agreed to in December. According to the lawmaker, the report is critical to objectively determine the level of compliance with undertakings made to both the Government of Liberia and the people of Bong County. “I emphasized that my position remains firm and consistent,” Rep. Fahnbulleh stated. “My responsibility is to ensure full compliance with these commitments.” He further warned that nothing short of full compliance...

Monrovia, February 5, 2026: The Government of Liberia notes recent online publications in TradeWinds and Oracle News Daily, suggesting that Liberia plans to impose a carbon levy on international shipping as of March 1, 2026. Accordingly, the Government of Liberia wishes to clarify that it does not, and will not, impose a carbon levy on international ships calling at Liberian seaports. Liberia reaffirms its support to the established international legal frameworks governing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships through the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Government of Liberia recognizes that international shipping operates globally, beyond national boundaries, hence its complex nature. Consequently, regulating international shipping greenhouse gas emissions has, by longstanding international consensus, been entrusted exclusively to the IMO. Therefore, unilateral national measures to regulate or impose market-based mechanisms on international shipping emissions outside the IMO framework risk undermining regulatory certainty, fragmenting global maritime governance, and disrupting international trade.  Furthermore,...

By Emmanuel Wise Jipoh Thursday, February 5, 2026, Paynesville — The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) have initiated the eviction and demolition of the well-known “Help Yourself Entertainment Center,” along with an adjoining property valued at US$500,000, escalating an ongoing land dispute. This move by the AFL comes just 24 hours after the Supreme Court issued a writ of prohibition, ordering the military to halt all demolition and eviction activities pending a review of competing claims from aggrieved occupants—particularly those affiliated with the Help Yourself Entertainment Center and the 72nd Front View community, both of whom assert legitimate ownership and are seeking redress. Despite the court’s intervention, the AFL proceeded with a 14-day ultimatum that led to the forced eviction of residents from the military premises on Tuesday, February 3. In response, occupants and employees of the Help Yourself Entertainment Center at 72nd Junction staged a protest at the Capitol...