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Tag: Global Witness

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Is Johnson-Sirleaf’s presidential task-force a dishonest scheme?

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Is Johnson-Sirleaf’s presidential task-force a dishonest scheme? A critical look at the Liberian leader’s stance on official corruption. The presidential task-force set up by President Sirleaf to investigate an allegation of bribery in the Sable Mining case may be a diversionary tactic and a public relation stunt. Madam Sirleaf has a cunning way of deceiving international donors, whenever there is a scandalous report of corruption in her government. When one closely follows the manner in which President Sirleaf had dealt with prior corruption cases, one would realize that this president…

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Politics Public Policy 

Liberia: Dissolve Taskforce, Let LACC Lead GW Probe -CWG

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The Concessions Working Group’s (CSG) attention has been drawn to the startling and unfortunate allegations of corruption and bribe-taking involving very senior members of the Liberian government as detailed in the Global Witness latest report titled, ‘The Deceivers.’ CWG is a network of local and international non-governmental organizations working on the Liberian extractives sector that seeks to influence pro-poor national policies so that the natural resources is assured for the most vulnerable segments of the population. In a press release CWG says while it recognizes the right of the President…

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News 

GW Liberia We must investigate the NOCAL as well

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One of Liberia’s renowned human rights lawyers Cllr.. Taiwan S. Gongloe has said the fight against corruption being fought by president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf must not be the end, but rather encouraged her administration to go further. Speaking to this paper at the Temple of Justice on Wednesday after Cllr. Varney Sherman and house speaker Alex Tyler were released on bill, said it was time for her to show her true color. “I think this should not stop here. The fight against corruption must go beyond this point. Let her…

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Politics 

The Fall of Varney Sherman

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By Tewroh-Wehtoe Sungbeh Senator H. Varney G. Sherman, Chairman of the ruling Unity Party has been an influential party insider, a heavyweight in the Liberian political sphere, a top-notched lawyer for nearly his entire adult life and a presidential confidant. Sherman’s role as a presidential confidant won him the coveted slot in 2013 to be the national orator during the nation’s 166th Independence Day ceremonies held in Monrovia. So cunning and effective in his dealings with all sides of the political spectrum including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf whom he often…

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Politics 

Let the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission be responsible

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By: Clarence R. Pearson I must begin with an apology to my many readers that the gravity of the matter necessitated the length of this article. Notwithstanding, I trust as always, you will find this article worth the read. MOMENT OF REGRET It is indeed sad to see Liberia become an object of international ridicule over such cancerous economic malpractice. NEW BEAT, BUT SAME OLD LYRICS I was neither shocked nor surprised on hearing the obvious – corruption in high places in Liberia – as presented by Global Witness investigative…

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Society Arts & Leisure 

Liberia GW: ANC says Unity Party Betray Public Trust

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The Alternative National Congress of Liberia (ANC Liberia) says it is extremely troubled by allegations in the Global Witness Report that very senior government officials received bribes in connection with the negotiation of a mining concession. In a press release issued over the weekend, the ANC, however, said the accused are certainly entitled to a presumption of innocence. “However, if the allegations are true, they have betrayed the trust reposed in them to negotiate concession agreements that truly serve the interest of all Liberians, and should thus face the full…

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Politics 

Liberia Global Witness Report: 11 Takeaways

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My reading about this global witness report on key Government Officials and top notch Unity Party Officials #1. Varney Sherman: This well-learned lawyer on two different Radio Stations, both ELBC & Prime fms admitted to doing business with Sable Mining. There’s no way I can doubt that Cllr. Sherman is out of this report, owing to the many financial immoral controversies linking him to the Bong Mines worker’s money, Firestone retire staffs back payments, etc etc. So what the #HELL, will someone vouch for ‘Cllr. Sherman’. #2. Speaker Alex J.…

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News 

CDC threatened to sue Liberian govt over Global Witness Report

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Global Witness which is an acclaimed international NGO established in 1993, works to break the link between natural exploitation, conflict, poverty corruption and human rights abuses worldwide. In its report, Global Witness alleged that it uncovered over US$950,000 in bribes and other suspicious payments by a UK mining firm, Sable Mining, through its Liberian lawyer, Cllr. Varney Sherman to past and current officials of the Liberian government to have the company get hold of the concession for Mount Wologizi in Lofa County. Amongst other things, the Global Witness Report accused…

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Society Arts & Leisure 

Logging company flouts Liberian President’s timber export ban and drives breakdown in rule of law

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      21st December 2012 Press Release By: Global Witness The logging company Atlantic Resources has shipped millions of dollars worth of illegal timber from Liberia in breach of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s August order to halt timber exports, Global Witness revealed today. These are the most significant illegal log exports since the timber-fuelled civil wars of the Charles Taylor era, and threaten to undermine the progress the President has made in bringing order to the forest sector. Two ships have recently left Liberia with cargoes that include logs…

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