Liberia: VP Howard-Taylor addresses the Ruler of Ras

Liberia: VP Howard-Taylor addresses the Ruler of Ras al Kaiman at Uae

The Vice President of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, had the opportunity as a guest of the Ruler of Ras Al Kaiman of the United Arab Emirate to express her concern over the blame game on the spread of Covid pandemic. She was there as a Special Guest of Honor of the Global Citizens Forum. Dr. Howard-Taylor, being the only female of Government on the opening, had the opportunity to speak about Africa Post COVID and recovery plans to this global audience. During her deliberations, she spoke that Africa was not the originator of the pandemic, yet most African Nations continue to keep their doors open. She also said that the incident numbers have, thankfully, remained very low in many African countries against the projections of the Western countries. She was concerned that though this was so, the new variant had caused Western nations to begin to put African Nations on lockout while allowing their citizens to travel. She said this was unfair treatment. But Vice President Howard-Taylor was quick to point out that humans may have to learn to live with this virus and so must look at means for survival; such as putting funds together to purchase what was needed, partnering with Pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing plants on the Continent and rigorously following COVID protocols. The Vice President also had an opportunity during the twoday Summit to meet with the Ruler to speak about Liberia. The Ruler expressed his gratitude that Dr. Taylor accepted the invitation to attend the Summit and looked forward to working with her shortly.

Dangote, richest african man’s wealth surges to highest in seven years

Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa closed last year at the richest level he has ever been since 2014 buoyed by the second straight year of gains at his cement unit. The rising share price of his Dangote Cement PLC and higher oil and fertilizer prices helped boost the 64-year-old Nigerian businessman’s wealth by as much as $2.3 billion last year to $20.1 billion as of December 3rd 2021, the richest he has been since 2014 according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The highest his wealth has touched on the index was $26.7 billion in June 2014. Robust cement demand and rising prices of the construction material in Africa’s biggest economy have helped boost revenue at Dangote Cement, the tycoon’s main asset. Dangote is also poised to complete a $19 billion refinery that has the capacity to more than meet Nigeria’s fuel demand, which is currently met by imports. Dangote, last year, also started exporting fertilizer to the United States of America and Brazil after the completion of a plant with a capacity to produce 3 million tons of urea and ammonia annually. Born into a wealthy Muslim family of traders in the north, Dangote incorporated his own business selling cement at 21. He shifted to manufacturing the building material in the 1990s, helped by government policies that encouraged ways to reduce the need for imports. Critics accuse him of taking advantage of his closeness to the government to gain unfair market advantage, a claim he has repeatedly dismissed. Nigeria’s state oil firm in June announced plans to acquire a 20% stake in the Dangote refinery. Despite the loss of his younger brother in 2021, Dangote remains positive as he looks forward to recording more business successes in 2022.

Dutch royals apologise after Princess Amalia invites 21 guests to her 18th birthday in palace grounds

Crown Princess Amalia held a party at the Huis Ten Bosch palace in The Hague on December 7th 2021 when the Dutch government has just put in place a new lock down restrictions including social-distancing restrictions, including the early closing of some venues and shops. With open criticism of the royal family, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte informed the parliament of the party. This is the latest in a string of scandals involving the Dutch royal family during the pandemic that has led to a drop off in their popularity In a new development, the Dutch royal family has apologised after Crown Princess Amalia invited 21 guests to her 18th birthday party, despite the government telling citizens to restrict their gatherings to four in the face of surging Covid-19 cases. The heir to the Dutch throne, who had cancelled indoor festivities because of the pandemic, held a last-minute gathering in the palace gardens. The eldest daughter of King Willem-Alexander had been expected to quietly celebrate her birthday last month but it was revealed that it was larger than expected. Although no rules appear to have been broken, the event

came as hospitals struggled to find beds for a surge in COVID-19 patients and concerns about the new Omicron variant. Social-distancing restrictions were in place nationwide, including the early closing of restaurants and non-essential shops. Professional sporting events were closed to the public and households had been asked not to have more than four guests. ‘The family strived to treat the coronavirus rules responsibly with this outdoor gathering and by taking precautions’ Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a letter to lawmakers, in reference to the party. ‘Guests were asked to take a test. All were vaccinated. The assumption was that they would The King of The Netherlands, King Alexander and Queen Maxima keep an acceptable distance.’ But King Willem-Alexander ‘informed me that in hindsight, it was not such a good idea. I think that’s a sensible reaction,’ Rutte wrote. According to De Telegraaf, the party was hosted in the Huis Ten Bosch royal palace in The Hague - one of the three official residents of the Dutch monarch. The newspaper reported that two open canopies were placed against the house in the palace gardens, which were used to protect guests against the rain. Sources told the newspaper that about 100 people attended, although the Dutch government maintained 21 people were invited, saying not everyone turned up. The Netherlands has extended the lock down and close primary schools early for the Christmas holidays as concern grows over the Omicron Covid-19 variant. The new rules would be reviewed again by 14th January 2022. The party is the latest in a string of faux pas committed by the Dutch royal household during the pandemic that have dented its popularity. In October 2020, the royals were forced to cut short a holiday in Greece following an outcry when details were published and the Netherlands had just gone into a partial lockdown. The general population had been advised

against going abroad. The Royal family also took delivery of a capital racing boat, De Telegraaf reported, which caused upset as the country was going through the struggles of the pandemic. A photograph during last summer’s UEFA European Football Championship also saw the King - Willem-Alexander - greeting football fans in the street without a mask. The incidents have resulted in the country’s royals lose popularity, polls show. Amalia, the heir to the throne, made headlines in June when she gave up her right to a 1.6 million euros (£1.36 million) annual income. She celebrated her 18th birthday on December 7, and was elevated to the Dutch Council of State, the government’s highest advisory body, by virtue of reaching the age of majority. On the same day, The Netherlands reported 17,981 new Covid-19 cases, and 69 deaths. The country has seen a spike in cases in recent weeks, which appeared to peak in mid-November, averaging over 20,000 new infections per-day. Numbers have been going down in the run-up to Christmas, the country is in suspense as of what to expect in the New Year 2022. For now the lock down continues….

President George Manneh weah showcases customized slingshot luxury sport ride ahead of festive season

As the joyous celebration of the festive season by occupants of thousands of households in Liberia remain uncertain as a result of severe hardship and economic constraints, President George Manneh Weah continues to flagrantly showcase his wealth to his critics and others, bothering less of the aftermath of his action in a nation where bulk of its citizens live below less than US$1. In 1995, President Weah won the World Best Player of the year award. He came to the Liberian Presidency in 2018 after defeating his archrivals in the 2017 general and presidential elections after failure in its first attempt. Since then, the Liberian leader has been amassing wealth one after the other with some of his supporters and government officials pointing to his earnings during his footballing days as one of the main sources of his wealth. However, recently several photographs of President Weah showcasing a customized slingshot popped on the social media during the early mid-way of December 15, 2021. A slingshot is a three-wheeled sensation that reignites ones love for driving. It is classified as an Autocycle. The price of the slingshot is about US$26,000. But President Weah may have spent additionally to have it customized with his middle name “Manneh”. The Liberian Chief Executive was seen inspecting and taking a ride in the slingshot at his condominiums in Thinker’s Village, outside Monrovia. Reactions The photos of the President’s new slingshot went viral on the

social media minutes after being posted. It has been greeted with mixed reactions, with scores of Liberians criticizing the decision taken by those around the presidency to allow those photos to be taken and posted on the social media during these difficult times. In some comments to react to the photos of President Weah and his new slingshot, Liberians reacted with sad or crying emojis to show their displeasure. Emmanuel Kumeh Wreh Farr: “He’s living the life he didn’t live when he was a football millionaire. Liberian people will learn the hard way”. Youjay Debah: “Liberians Christmas will be no fun fair as we can see from the cost of things and with the challenges of the Covid pandemic President George weah testing out his new car in the country good”. “He went broke, came back to become President and rescue himself from poverty. He became President Bang! New mansion; reason why he shamelessly refuse to publish his assets”, Drew Wallis noted. William Kollie stated: “Mr. President, there are certain lifestyle you deprived yourself of especially when the ordinary people are going to bed without a fitting meal. This advice is important for you because, it will be seen like you are putting yourself ahead of them particularly in this struggling economy”. “89 million from soccer he couldn’t live this kind of life style, but can live life to the fullest at the expense of the suffering President Weah examines his new racing car masses. This too is Liberia, a country where nothing called accountability matters. State resources and taxpayers dollars

can be used any how”, Chrisco Baimba Massaley stated. “I see why the 4M cannot come outside since last month. Chey..”, Varlington Karpennoh states. On the other hand, few citizens believed that President Weah did nothing wrong for satisfying his pleasure during this festive season. Esiaka Sekou Jabateh: “His name on the tires, check there too. Who na like better thing? Ur allow the man to be great mehn..” Fannie Abasi writes: “Wow! This is so beautiful. Merry Christmas my black president. Ur Christmas gift is giving them heart attack. Congratulations on the gift again”. Report of the slingshot being gifted to President Weah by his son Timothy Tarpeh Weah is scanty as Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Smith Toby promised to provide the details upon hearing from the Liberian leader. Tim is an American professional soccer player who plays as

don’t have a bus; how will we buy a $30 million plane? Where do they get this kind of news from? It is not possible for us to buy a plane for $30 million; we are just coming to office”. He continued: “The airplane they are talking about is for my friend, who is the manager of a big company in Burkina Faso. He told me to use it anytime I want to travel because he has seen me use planes owned by Ivory Coast and others. He wants me use a plane that is not labeled to boost my moral, too”. Following the claims made by the President, investigation established the mystery wealthy Burkinabè businessman, who President Weah did not name, was one Mahamadou Bonkoungou, CEO of EBOMAF, a construction company in Burkina Faso. The government signed a US$420M agreement with the Burkinabe company for the construction, and supervision of road corridors in Monrovia (Somalia Drive-Kesselly Boulevard to Sinkor) and northeastern Liberia – Tappita-Zwedru Raod, including Toe Town to La Cote D’Ivoire and ZwedruGreenville. But since the agreement was ratified by the National Legislature, nothing has been substantively heard about the projects. President Weah came under strong criticism again as civil society actors, critics and others began to question the rationale behind his decision taken to accept a jet from his friend, barely few months before the EBOMAF deal appeared before the National Legislature. Though it remain unclear President George Weah pose for the media in his new whether or not George Manneh collection despite critics on his spending Weah purchased the plane from his ‘wealthy Burkinabe friend’ or not, he continues to use the jet to fly out of Liberia.

a forward for French Ligue 1 club Lille and the United States national team. This is not the first time for President Weah to come in the public glare flaunting his wealth, or some of his supporters or government officials releasing his multiple properties to the public. He has been accused by his political opponents of amassing illgotten wealth, but the presidency has denied it all. Plane saga Few weeks after his ascendancy to the presidency, the Liberian leader was accused by his critics of using tax payers’ monies to purchase a private jet. But the President at the time clarified that the jet was given to him by his ‘wealthy Burkinabe friend’ to boost his morale after he had won the elections. President Weah said: “The airplane issue is causing problem. We Construction of duplexes Also barely a month after he was sworn into office, President Weah commenced the construction of a multi-million-dollar complex in the Baptist Seminary community, off the Robertsfield Highway. It comprises of 41 duplexes. The project, which has been completed, raised eyebrows with many Liberians still wondering how it was funded. Though his supporters and some government officials justified that the duplexes were constructed to accommodate struggling or less fortunate Liberian citizens with the President’s own money, there is no record to show that those duplexes have been occupied by these people. Demolished US$150,000 residence for a palace In early 2020, the President ordered the demolition of his US$150,000 9th Street beachside property for the construction

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of a palace, while at the same time renovating the Jamaica Beach property and building the RIA Highway complex simultaneously. Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Smith Toby justified that the property was transferred and it’s now owned by the President’s son Timothy Weah who plays professional football abroad. “I think to convince you further, we’ll get the transfer documents transferring that property that was demolished – remember that building was demolished and remolded by the current head of the property, so we need now to give you further clarity on it by giving you those transfer documents because that property is no longer in the name of the President.” Less than 24 hours, Mr. Smith was compelled to backpedal over his previous comments following barrage of public outcries and insinuations suggesting that the Liberian leader was allegedly transferring his alleged illgotten wealth to his children and other family members. Toby stated: “If our information weren’t correct around that particular claim, now he’s [Pres. Weah] come back to tell us the information you put out isn’t correct, you need to correct the information and let the people know that, it’s my property, it has no attachment with my son. Toby further stressed: “I’m doing an erratum that the previous information on that property wasn’t the factual information; the fact of the matter currently confirmed by the President is that property belongs to him and not his son.” But sources closed to the presidency confided in the press that the clarification was made by Toby following a demand from First Lady Clar Weah after her son, Timothy, complained that his link to his father’s properties in Liberia could lead him into trouble with the United States government. Article 22 of the Constitution of Liberia forbids non-Liberians from acquiring real properties. It states: “Every person shall have the right to own property alone as well as in association with others; provided that only Liberian citizens shall have the right to own real property within the Republic.” There are reports that the 9th street palace worth about US$3M. President Weah also constructed the state-of-theart Forky Klon Jlaleh Family Fellowship church, along with a theatre, and recording studio. Declaration of assets President Weah is yet to openly declare his assets and have it published since he was sworn into office. Opposition politicians, civil society actors and others have pressurized him to openly declare his assets to promote accountability and transparency, but he has failed to do so. The Liberian leader has persistently justified that his assets remain his privacy and there is no law on the book that mandates him to do so. “I have kids and families to protect. So, I gave them access to all my banks, so they have to protect me. Information about my assets cannot be made public. For those government officials

who have not yet declared their assets, I have told them to do so because they have to abide by the law,” he told the BBC in February 2019. In his 2014 asset declaration forms filed with the National Elections Commission (NEC), President Weah declared his 9th Street property, worth US$150,000, the Rehab structure valued US$100,000. The Miami, Florida property – US$1.4 million while the other property in Florida was put at

US$900,000.00. He further declared at the time that he earned US$200,000 over a period of 12 months (July, 2013 to June 2014) from his real estate in the United States. In a 2016-17 child support case brought by Mannete A. Gono against Weah in the United States, Weah, then Senator of Montserrado County told the U.S. Court that he earned only US$1,090 as Senator. He, therefore, insisted that he could only afford US$160 as monthly child support fee. He added that he had two other minors born in 2000 and 2012. The only savings mentioned in that declaration was US$50,000 in Chase Bank in the U.S. The sticky issues There has been mounting public concerns over the sources of funding of the President’s projects and his properties. His critics and political opponents have accused him of lavish spending and amassing wealth to the detriment of the citizenry. But his officials, particularly Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Weah, are on record for defending the President’s wealth. Citizens have raised multiple questions on why the Liberian leader claimed to have play for millions of United States dollars during his footballing days didn’t muster the courage to acquire decent properties, but had to wait to excel to the Liberian presidency before purchasing or taking steps to either build duplexes or demolish his previous properties owned in the past to construct better ones. Some believed that the consistent show of wealth, including “swags” by President Weah, who has been nicknamed “the swag killer” by many of his supporters for matching his wearing-is intended to mock his critics and the struggling masses. They feel that the move by the Liberian leader to only concentrate on his wellbeing and happiness shows that he is allegedly insensitive to their plights. Others believed that the Liberia leader owes no one apology for acquiring properties and showcasing in the public. The unrestrictive manner and form in which photographs of the President merrymaking or engaging into extra activities, including swimming in the ocean during his leisure take to the social media remains an issue of concern for many citizens.

GHaNa

The white gaze: Ghana’s troubling skin bleaching habit

In Ghana, skin whitening or lightening is as widespread as it is in parts of Africa due to unfettered access to various brands of bleaching creams, often blamed on the continent’s lax regulations. Beauty standards, often promoted by the media and advertising companies, have reinforced the bias that lighter skin tone is more desirable, forcing men and women of colour to bleach. “Here, light skin is equated with beauty and most of our women and even the men do it because they believe it’s prestigious,” Naa Dei, a resident of Chorkor-Chemuenaa, a coastal community in Ghana’s capital, told the press. Among certain Ghanaian ethnic groups - such as the Ga - skin whitening is seen by both sexes, including the old and young, as a symbol of beauty, attractiveness and self-esteem. Women from Dei’s neighborhood bleach more, especially during festive seasons like naming ceremonies and Christmas celebrations. “When our women give birth, they bleach to look more beautiful and be admired during the naming ceremony of their new born babies. It’s community thing,’’ she says, holding a cream she bought from a pharmacy to treat a skin rash but ended up altering her skin colour. What drives the decision to alter the skin varies for each individual. Men and women engaged in the act do so because of factors such as insecurities, family influences or the desire to move upward in their social circles. Newer forms of bleaching In many other African countries, the practice of skin bleaching is a lucrative business, raking in billions of dollars annually. Skinbleaching products are reported to contain ingredients that prevent the production of Melanin, the body chemical that darkens skin. One such ingredient is hydroquinone, a depigmenting agent used to lighten the skin. Even though the practice has been associated with a number of adverse health effects including skin cancer, kidney, liver or nerve damage, there appears to be no end in sight.

Pills and injectables containing bleaching ingredients like glutathione have now become the new frontiers for those seeking a lighter complexion. Such infusions, mostly patronized by the affluent cost a minimum of €175 apiece. In Ghana, the sale of glutathione injections are mostly done online with some marketers claiming it corrects uneven skin tone. “Now the fastest way to bleach is to do the intravenous which quickly changes their complexion because it goes directly through the veins and it is very dangerous,’’ warns Professor Edmund Delle, a dermatologist with Accra based Rabito Clinic. “What is sad is that the users don’t even know the chemical composition of what they are spending so much of their money to buy. These newer forms pose greater risks to health as they expose users to irreversible skin conditions, can damage the liver and lead to all manner of life-threatening diseases like cancer and even lead to deformation of unborn babies,’’ he explains. In October, Ghana’s regulatory Food and Drugs Authority warned citizens against the use of glutathione for skin bleaching. It follows a similar move in 2017, when it banned all creams containing hydroquinone due to its damage to the skin. This however, has not stopped importers from bringing the products into the country by either using illegal routes of entry or concealing them from being seized by authorities. Despite regulatory bans and warnings, the use of skin bleaching products is still on the rise, often attributed to the country’s lax regulations and failure on the part of authorities to sanction those who break the law. Looking forward In Accra, many skin care advocates including female skin care specialist, Nikki Boa-Amponsem, are campaigning against skin bleaching. ‘Now everyone is bleaching and it is even the educated and wealthy ones who are deeply involved- even more alarming is the fact that mothers are bleaching their newborns,’ says Boa-Amponsem who is deeply concerned about the rising trend. “I decided to educate people against the dangers associated with it because anything that affects the skin is something I am interested in,’’ she adds. Currently, there is no documented data in Ghana on how many of these skin bleaching products are imported into the country and those who are actively using them, making it difficult for researchers to know the extent of use. Even though several warnings and campaigns against skin whitening and its consequences have been publicly communicated, many believe that the quest for a lighter complexion will not stop as long as the act is seen as a pinnacle of beauty.

Presidential election postponement favours Saif Gadhafi

By The Nigerian Voice

Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, the second son of late leader Moammar Gadhafi and once heir has changed the face of politics in Libya since he announced his interest to contest and govern the nation again. The election, which should have taken place by December 24th, 2021 until the High National Election Commission (HNEC) objected, announced the postponement of the election indefinitely. Saif Gadhafi was among 25 other candidates who were disqualified, most of whom have now been readmitted into the crowded race for the presidency. HNEC’s Resolution 79 cited missing documents and noncompliance with the presidential election law of the country for overturning the earlier decision to disqualify him from participating. Gadhafi has been out of public view since 2017 till now but remains very popular and in demand by his people for the wonderful and kind works he did, supporting and helping to build the country which was nearly destroyed through violence masterminded from outside of the country after the death of his father. Meanwhile, he has been active behind the scenes, meeting supporters and mediating tribal conflicts, particularly in southern Libya to ensure that the country returns to a fully democratic state that would allow development, reconstruction and restructuring to take place. A political observer in Libya who does not want his identity published says that Saif Gadhafi has “played a very successful role in reconciling two of Sabah’s biggest tribes in the past year”. He also kept in contact with his representative in Europe, Mohammed Abu Ajeila al-Ghadi, who went on to represent him in the UN-led dialogue that elected Libya’s Unity Government Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, whose government gained a vote of confidence on March 10. In a surprised move, Gadhafi gave his first interview in over a decade to The New York Times magazine in which he said my guards “are now my friends,” referring to the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Brigade, an armed group based in the western city of Zintan, which first captured him in November 2011 as he tried to flee the country after the fall of his father’s government a month earlier. The same group secured his trip across more than 700 kilometers (434 miles) to Sabha where he registered as a Presidential candidate in November 2021. Now that he is officially in the race despite the HNEC’s attempts to disqualify him, his close supporters are keeping a watchful eye over what might transpire. We gathered there that are still efforts from some forces to stop him from participating, particularly from outside of Libya but according to his supporters, they would fail because we are going to vote and not them. “We know many countries do not like him and afraid of him but he is not interested in the outside world but

Saif al-Islam Gadhafi Libyan Presidential Candidate

Libya, his dear country that has been badly damaged by years of wars”, says Yusuf, a supporter of Saif Gadhafi. When asked whether Gadhafi stands a chance in winning the elections, Yusuf said, “ am 100% sure that Saif will win.” Libya has neither official nor professional opinion polls, but

Yusuf pointed to social media as an indicator. “All over Facebook, [Saif] is the favorite contestant” In the absence of any official polls, relying on social media becomes the obvious choice to get a read on the mood of the general public. Suleiman Hussein shares the same opinion, a social sciences professor at Tripoli University, who thinks Gadhafi is “popular and lucky at the same time.” His popularity was reflected in people taking to the streets in many Libyan towns in celebration when he first announced his candidacy. “The continued failure of all governments” that came to power since 2011 is “the most effective campaigner in support of Saif. This is what makes him lucky too,” he added. Gadhafi’s close advisers believe Libya’s future is at stake and their man is in the best position to return security and stability. They point to the fact that he has not been involved in any violence in the country since 2011, which, according to Yusuf, makes him “favored by the majority of Libyans.” Since the polls are suspended, it gives Saif room to build more bridges at reuniting the tribal chiefs are divided and still have conflicts among themselves. After the announcement, the following statement was issued by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres: The Secretary-General takes note of the announcement on 22 December by the Libyan High National Elections Commission that a new date needs to be set by the House of Representatives for the first round of presidential elections. The Secretary-General commends the 2.8 million Libyans who have registered to vote. It is imperative that the will of the people is respected. Presidential and parliamentary elections must take place in Libya in the appropriate conditions to peacefully end the political transition and transfer power to democratically elected institutions. In this regard, the Secretary-General takes note of the Libyan High National Elections Commission’s recommendation to the House of Representatives and welcomes its continued commitment to the ongoing presidential and parliamentary electoral process. The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Libya, Stephanie Williams, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya will continue to support a Libyanled and Libyan-owned process to address outstanding challenges and ensure the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.