Three Die From Fumes in a Sealed Room, a Deported Warlord Leaves Victims Afraid, and a Malaria Breakthrough That Won’t Come to Liberia Anytime Soon
Three young men die while sleeping in a sealed room. Experts warn they were likely killed by fumes from fresh paint. The deportation of a former rebel commander to liberia from the united states sparks safety fears among war crimes witnesses
As more people go online, fraud is surging —authorities say stopping it isn’t easy and everyone is at risk. Theres a new drug promising a breakthrough malaria treatment for infants but Liberians might wait years.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Three dead from paint fumes, a deported warlord, rising fraud, and a malaria drug out of reach
Three young men die while sleeping in a sealed room. Experts warn they were likely killed by fumes from fresh paint.
The deportation of a former rebel commander to Liberia from the united states sparks safety fears among war crimes witnesses
As more people go online, fraud is surging —authorities say stopping it isn’t easy and everyone is at risk
Theres a new drug promising a breakthrough malaria treatment for infants but Liberians might wait years.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program. I’m Tetee Gebro.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Superbugs, Gender Violence, and the Fight for Justice in Liberia
Coming up in this episode.
Doctors warn that the rampant misuse of medications like antibiotics is fueling the rise of deadly superbugs —that are killing thousands and leaving patients defenseless.
As Liberia marks sixteen days of activism against gender violence, a mother of six is killed by her husband. Experts say it exposes deep gaps in protection for rural women.
And as justice advocates push to defeat a surprise bill that would block war crimes from being tried in Liberia’s proposed court, we speak with former international criminal court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on why hybrid courts matter.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
COP30 Tensions, Liberia’s Stress Crisis, the Latest War Crimes Court Tensions, and the Fight for Clear Vision
Coming up in this episode.
At this year’s cop climate change summit, global powers move forward with green energy expansion despite U.S. withdrawal. But vulnerable nations like our own rage as adaptation funds fall short. A survey finds Liberians are among the world’s biggest worriers as experts link rising stress to chronic diseases, especially in women. Justice advocates lobby to kill a surprise bill that would stop war crimes from being tried in Liberia’s war crimes court. And cost and lack of awareness leave millions in Liberia with poor vision, limiting children’s education and putting lives at risk
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Abortion Pills Are Saving Lives; Women Struggle With Postpartum Depression; Farmers Without Market Prices Shortchanged by Middlemen and War Crimes Court Advocates Criticize Decision to Prioritize Anti-Corruption Court
COMING UP IN THIS EPISODE.
AS LIBERIA’S DRUG CRISIS WORSENS, UNLICENSED REHABILITATION CENTERS ARE PROFITING FROM FAMILIES’ MISERY. EXPERTS WANT THEM CLOSED.
AS A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE ABORTION IS AGAIN DEBATED IN THE SENATE, MEDICINES THAT END PREGNANCIES ARE QUIETLY SAVING LIVES.
WITH NO INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET PRICES, RURAL FARMERS SAY MIDDLEMEN ARE EXPLOITING THEM AND PAYING TOO LITTLE FOR THEIR PRODUCE.
AND LEADING LIBERIAN JUSTICE ADVOCATES CONDEMN THE DECISION TO PRIORITIZE THE ANTI-CORRUPTION COURT OVER THE WAR CRIMES COURT.
WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM LOOKING AT THE STATE OF LIBERIAN DEMOCRACY.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Protestors Demand Action on Drug Crisis, AID Cuts Hit Entire Economy, Seawall For West Point Set to Begin, and Expert Warns War Crimes Court Security Must Start Now
Coming up in this episode.
The country’s drug crisis takes center stage. Citizens march on the capitol demanding action as vigilantes destroy drug dens.
The massive cuts to us aid being felt across economy. From street sellers to medium sized businesses the loss of business is hurting.
After years of delay a seawall meant to save thousands of homes from being swallowed by the sea in West Point is finally set to begin.
As the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court begins an outreach campaign one expert says security needs to be taken seriously.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with FrontPage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Government Suspends Chaotic ID Rollout and Liberia’s Forests Face New Threats as Charcoal Production Soars and EcoGuards Resume Hunting
Coming up in this episode.
Following a chaotic rollout process, the government indefinitely suspends its compulsory national ID registration program.
As climate change causes more and more farms to fail, rural dwellers turn to charcoal production to survive in a renewed threat to Liberia’s forests
At the same time, the end of international funding for ecoguards, has forced many back to the forests to hunt renewing threats to biodiversity.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Marvin Tarawally, founder of LiberiaGivingMonth, the new online nonprofit donation platform
Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens.
It’s not news to anyone that Liberia has been one of the countries most impacted by US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid. Hundreds of Liberian NGO jobs have been lost.
But a new online donation platform called Liberia giving Month hopes to bring donor money directly to Liberian organizations through a few clicks on a phone.
I speak with the founder of the platform Marvin Tarawally about his ambitious goals of raising millions of dollars a year for local nonprofits.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Retiring U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner
In this special bonus episode of Democracy in Focus, Anthony Stephens has an exclusive interview with Ambassador Mark Toner on his decision to retire just one year into his two year post.
Ambassador Toner’s announcement came a day before Liberian President Joseph Boakai had a coveted meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Toner denied his decision had anything to do with a special request that the Wall Street Journal alleged was sent to President Boakai before the White House meeting, that he take third country nationals as part of President Trump’s mission to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the U.S.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Liberia Wins Seat on UN Security Council; an Interview with Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Pregnant Women Fear the Worst After USAid Cuts
Coming up in this episode.
Liberia wins a seat on the un security council. Ambassadors and President Boakai applaud the historic moment.
Nobel laureate, Leymah Gbowee urges government to seize the win to drive war time justice beginning with economic crimes.
As US aid cuts end a more than $US100 million maternal and infant mortality program, experts and pregnant women fear the worst.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
President Quiets Doubters With Big War Crimes Court Budget and A Critical Report Says EPA Failures Cost Liberians a Crucial Weather Warnng System
President Boakai quiets doubters with a renewed mandate for the war crimes court office and a big increase in budget to two million dollars
As Rwanda commemorates thirty-one years since its genocide, its ambassador says the world can learn from its path to reconciliation and justice.
And… a report says a lack of competence and inflated salary claims by the Weah administration stopped the country getting a weather hazard warning system
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program. I’m Anthony Stephens.
And I’m Tetee Gebro.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Heart Disease, Stroke and Diabetes Reaches a Crisis; 3500 USAID teaching scholarships cut and poverty rises in rural Liberia
In this episode..A silent killer is stalking Liberians. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other so called non communicable diseases are reaching crisis levels. Experts say awareness campaigns are needed.
Thousands of teachers pursuing degrees in education are ejected from us aid- funded scholarships. Experts say Liberia’s school children will lose out again.
And.. as the World Bank reports that poverty in rural Liberia has risen to 4 in every 5 people, experts warn the same inequality that led to war risks playing out again.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Liberia Reels from US Aid Cuts
Coming up in this episode.
As Liberia comes to terms with us aid cuts, economists warn of lost jobs and public services with more aid cuts looming. Local NGO heads worry about the ripple effects as staff are laid off, scholarships end and drugs run out.
And…..the aid cuts situation also throws into jeopardy, Liberia’s much-heralded campaign to establish a war and economic crimes court.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with FrontPage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL Interview: Dr. Clement Peter, outgoing WHO Representative on the growing crisis of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other preventable diseases
Coming up in this episode.
As Liberia comes to terms with us aid cuts, economists warn of lost jobs and public services with more aid cuts looming. Local NGO heads worry about the ripple effects as staff are laid off, scholarships end and drugs run out.
And…..the aid cuts situation also throws into jeopardy, Liberia’s much-heralded campaign to establish a war and economic crimes court.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with FrontPage Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Heart disease, cancer, mental illness and diabetes are some of a group of diseases that are growing at an alarming rate in Liberia, killing far more people than better known killers like malaria and typhoid.
More than one in three deaths are now caused by so-called lifestyle diseases – preventable diseases that are primarily caused by diet, stress, a lack of exercise and sleep, and environmental pollutants. But doctors say they are silent killers because, so few Liberians know about them.
Senior New Narratives reporter Tetee Gebro talks with Dr. Clement Peter, outgoing WHO Representative for Liberia
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
The New Head of War Crimes Court Office, K1 Goes on Trial, Forest Communities Nervous About Carbon Trading and, As Flooding Devastates Liberia, Experts Say Worse is to Come
COMING UP IN THIS EPISODE.
WE SPEAK WITH THE NEW HEAD OF LIBERIA’S WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT DR JALLAH BARBU.
VICTIMS DEMAND TOUGH PUNISHMENT AS FORMER LURD REBEL COMMANDER “K1 GOES ON TRIAL IN THE US
GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES AS CARBON TRADING WINS APPROVAL AT THE UN COP 20 CLIMATE SUMMIT. BUT FOREST COMMUNITIES SAY THEY’RE BEING LEFT OUT.
AND…..THE RAINS SUBSIDE AFTER THE WORST RAINY SEASON FLOODING IN MEMORY. BUT EXPERTS WARN WORSE IS TO COME AND LIBERIA IS NOT READY.
WELCOME TO OUR PROGRAM LOOKING AT THE STATE OF LIBERIAN DEMOCRACY. IT’S A COLLABORATION WITH FRONTPAGE AFRICA WITH REPORTING FROM JOURNALISTS IN THE NEW NARRATIVES PROGRAM. I’M ANTHONY STEPHENS.
AND I’M EVELYN KPADEH SEAGBEH.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
High Schoolers’ Dreams Die in Rural Liberia, the Country Prepares for Mpox and the EPA Cleans Up Our Air
In this episode:
The dreams of young rural Liberians die early because of a lack of high schools.
Half of all stroke and heart disease deaths in Liberia are caused by air pollution. Liberia’s environmental protection agency takes its first steps to clean up our air.
Liberia’s mpox cases rise as the national public health institute confirms the deadly strain that has killed one thousand people in the DRC has not arrived.
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with frontpage Africa with reporting from journalists in the new narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox?
Coming up in this episode ..
As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider.
Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear – funding will be limited. And some worry the courts are already losing momentum.
And… as mpox is declared a global health emergency, is Liberia ready?
Welcome to our program looking at the state of Liberian democracy. It’s a collaboration with Front Page Africa with reporting from journalists in the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL: Stephen Rapp, Fmr. Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Crimes
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Liberian English Version: Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia’s Streets – Many Involved in Drugs and Sex Work, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World and Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate
DEH NEWS WE COMIN TUHK TODAY………
TWO BEE GROUP DAH WEHKIN ON CHAYREN MATTERS IN LIBERIA DEH CALL MINISTRY OF GENDER AND UNICEF SAY, LIBERIA GEH ALMOST 370 THOUSAND CHAYREN ON DEH STREETS. DEH SAY SUMMAH DEH CHAYREN DEM DOIN HO-PO-JOE WEHK WHILE SUM CAN BE TAKIN DRUGS.
PLENTAY PEEPOH IN DEH INTEERUH STAY GEH BEE PROBLEM WITH TOILET HUS BAYNAY… DEH CAN STAY BE PUPUING OUTSIDE AND IT CAUSING PLENTAY SICKNESSES AND MAKING PEEPOH DIE
THE JOSEPH BOAKAI GOHMEN NAH OPEN CASE ON FIVE BEE PEOPLE WHO USE TO BE IN DEH GOHMEN FOR KRO-KRO-GEE – STEALIN’ PLENTAY MONEY FROM DEH COUNTRAY BEE BANK,
AND SOME BEE…BEE GOD PEEPOH IN LIBERIA JOIN DEH FRIEND DEM FROM ALL OVER AFRICA IN ONE BIG MEETING TO TALK ABOUT HOW DEG WEATHER NAH CORRECK AGAIN AND WHAT AFRICA MON TO DO TO FIX THIS OLLOR PROBLEM
THE PROGRAM YOUR LISTENIN TO REH NAH WE CALL IT A DEMOCRACY IN FOCUS
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia’s Streets – Many Involved in Drugs and Sex Work, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World and Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate
Coming up in this episode …
New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs.
Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens.
The Boakai administration charges five former government officials after independent audits found they had engaged corruption. Political payback? Or is it finally the end of impunity for corrupt officials?
And Liberia’s religious leaders join a continent-wide movement to call on Africans to address the climate crisis
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Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL: We Talk to Taiwan Gongloe, Veteran Human Rights Lawyer, About the Rocky Start to Liberia’s War Crimes Courts and What He Wants to See Next
Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens.
In June President Joseph Boakai, appointed Liberian lawyer Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the newly established Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Ever since, a chorus of key stakeholders including leading human rights advocates, and the umbrella body of lawyers in the country – the Bar Association – has condemned the appointment and the lack of transparency around it.
Massaquoi has represented accused perpetrators from convicted warlord Charles Taylor’s rebel faction in legal cases against human rights actors and advocates say that will undermine public trust in the courts. Massaquoi has yet to recuse himself from those cases.
Most worrying for backers of the court, diplomats from major international donor countries that would be called upon to foot the multi-million dollar cost of the court, have also told New Narratives they are concerned about the process for the appointment.
To learn more about advocates’ concerns I spoke with veteran Liberian human rights lawyer Taiwan Gongloe. Gongloe has long been a champion of human rights in Liberia, representing many human rights activists. He’s a former head of the Bar Association and helped draft the bills that have gone to the Legislature to establish the court. He also ran for president in last year’s election.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL: Liberia Drops Ranks on the US Trafficking in Person Report. Two US Experts Explain What That Means for Aid
Welcome to this special bonus edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens.
In recent years, Liberia has made big gains in tackling human trafficking, convicting several traffickers including an agent of the National Security Agency and bringing hundreds of victims home from the Middle East.
Those wins saw the county move up on the U.S. government’s Trafficking In Persons ranking. But things took a turn for the worse in 2023 when the Weah administration slashed the budget for anti-trafficking efforts by ninety per cent. Prosecutions stalled. Victims remain stranded overseas. This year Liberia was downgraded to the tier two watchlist.
In this special interview, I speak with two antihuman trafficking experts in the U.S. embassy – Juan Martinez and Drew Engel – to find out what that means for Liberia.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
The War Crimes Court Off to a Rough Start, Liberia Risks US Aid After Cutting Funding to Anti-Trafficking Efforts and We Hear More Impacts from Climate Change
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
“Our Lives are on the Line” – a BONUS Interview with Norwu Harris, Liberian climate activist
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Liberians React to News a War Crimes Court is Coming, We Ask House Speaker Koffa What Comes Next and We Hear from a Court Advocate
Coming up in this episode … President Joseph Boakai makes history, taking the first step towards war and economic crimes courts for liberia. The move ends two decades of impunity for crimes that devastated the country and left two hundred and fifty thousand dead.
We get citizen reactions from around the country. We ask what comes next with house speak Fonati Koffa. And we get reactions from the advocates who have spent the last twenty years campaigning for justice.
And One long legacy of the civil wars was drug addiction. We look at one effort in bong county to help addicts break free.
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Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
A Major Investigation Finds Climate Change is Driving Nine out of Every Ten Liberian Farmers to Want to Migrate
Coming up in this episode …
In the second of our two-part series on climate change, a major New Narratives investigation has found Liberia’s farming emergency is fueling a migration crisis. A survey of Liberian farmers finds years of crop failure has nine in every ten wanting to leave the country.
As the number of migrants rises so do the number of traffickers and other scammers preying on them.
We ask whether solar energy can solve our ongoing electricity crisis.
And, as the momentous news breaks that a war crimes court is coming to Liberia, we get reactions from Lofa county to the recent French court guilty verdict for Ulimo commander Kunti Kamara.
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
In Part One of a Two Part Series: Climate Change is Here. Farmers and Coastal Communities Struggle to Adapt
As our new government takes shape we look at a looming problem that threatens to upend life as we know it.
We’re talking, about climate change. From Liberia’s coast to its forests people are feeling the impact of changing weather. In the first of two programs devoted to climate change we explore a new problem plaguing farmers: pests.
We find the Weah government’s failure to fund the massive coastal defense project has led to delays. In Nimba, we learn about smart farming practices that are helping farmers adjust.
And.. we ask Liberia’s representative on climate change what the new global loss and damage fund will mean for the country.
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Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
SPECIAL: Democracy in Focus Goes to South Africa to Explore Reconciliation and See What Liberia Can Learn
This week… a special program
Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission said justice, reconciliation and commemoration of the country’s troubled history was key to moving forward. That has not happened. We visit a country that is dealing with is past … post-apartheid South Africa.
Thirty years since the system of racial segregation was ended we look at reconciliation efforts in South Africa and ask what Liberia has to learn.
This week.. Democracy in Focus comes to you from Johannesburg, South Africa with reporting from New Narratives reporters Anthony Stephens, Fatu Kamara, of Okay FM/Front Page Africa, and senior NN reporters Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon of Spoon FM and Front Page Africa and Joyclyn Wea of the New Republic.
Boakai Wins the Presidency as Women’s Representation Goes Backwards
After two failed attempts, 78-year-old Joseph Boakai is finally elected president. We look at what lies ahead after a bitterly contested poll. The presidential runoff poll was marred by low voter turnout….we ask citizens why they did or didn’t vote.
And women’s representation in the legislature drops even further ….sparking anger and frustration among women’s rights advocates.
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Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Election Fallout: Who’s in? Who’s Out? And What Does it Mean for Liberia?
Coming up in this episode ..
Liberia heads to a presidential runoff election in a rematch between incumbent president George Weah and former-vice president, Joseph Boakai. Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Massa Washington says the election of accused warlords to the legislature, and their allies to the executive mansion, is bad for the country.
And… Liberians elect an almost entirely new senate…we ask what new faces in the legislature mean for Liberia
You’re listing to Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between Front Page Africa and New Narratives with reporters from the New Narratives program.
Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.org
Elections are here. We look at candidates’ policies on key issues and hear from one of two women candidates for president
Just days before the election we look at candidates plans on a range of issues. First up: agriculture. Also, as drug addiction takes more Liberian lives we look at candidates’ plans to stem the crisis and ask users what they need.
One of two women running for president, Sara Beysolow Nyanti shares her plans to build Liberia. And we hear from two visually impaired people who have defied their condition to find means to support their survival.
First Time Voters Want a War Crimes Court As Liberia Commemorates 20 Years Peace; Abortion Roils the Legislature and an Interview with Presidential Candidate Alexander Cummings
First-time voters overwhelmingly back a war crimes court in a survey…calling it “very important” in deciding their vote. One of two presidential candidates to back a war crimes court is Alexander Cummings. We talk with him about his plans for Liberia.
A new law meant to curb Liberia’s high rate of unsafe abortions has outraged opponents. But the government is standing firm.
And… 20 years since the signing of Accra peace agreement, Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee challenges Liberians to vote for justice.
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This podcast was funded by the Swedish Embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. The funders had no say in its content.
PodcastExtra: Interview with presidential candidate Alexander Cummings
No Liberian has had the global business success of Alexander Cummings. The 67 year-old candidate for the presidency went from humble beginnings in Monrovia to the heights of global business as a top executive at Coca-Cola. He says that makes him well equipped to fix Liberia’s broken economy. But will Liberian voters be convinced?
Front Page Africa’s Gerald Koinyeneh and New Narratives’ Anthony Stephens interview the candidate in this bonus episode.
Govt. Kills Concession Meant To Curb Liberia’s Worst in the World Road Traffic Deaths, Political Parties Reneg on 30% Women Agreement and Two Candidates Commit to a War Crimes Court
Coming up in this episode .. More people die on Liberia’s roads as a percentage of population than almost anywhere else in the world according to the World Bank. Why then did the Weah government kill a $US50m agency meant to make roads safer? Critics point to an allegedly illegal contract to a Weah ally.
Political parties ignore their own commitment to field women in 30 percent of seats. Liberia’s low representation by women looks set to fall further.
Presidential candidates Alexander Cummings and Taiwan Gongloe commit to hold a war crimes court if elected, but President Weah and ex-vice president Joseph Boakai refuse to comment.
And a New Narratives survey finds a third of voters do not trust the newly introduced Biometric Voter Registration system ahead of October’s elections. You’re listing to Democracy in Focus
A $3m EU-funded aid project fails, the War Crimes Court gets a boost and rural Liberians struggle with dysfunctional service centers
A six-month investigation looks at the failure of a three-million-dollar EU-funded project meant to solve Liberia’s trash crisis.
War crimes court campaigner Adama Dempster has returned from meetings in the us with key officials in the American government. We get the latest. We check in with victims’ advocate Hassan Billity on the latest developments in war crimes trials in the us and Europe.
And citizens of rural Liberia struggle to get basic services at dysfunctional county service centers.
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Funding for this podcast came from the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia. The funders had no say in the content.
Whistleblowers in Fear, Economic Turmoil Hits the Region and Philanthropists Plug Healthcare Gaps
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Coming up in this episode… as corruption plagues the Weah government we talk to whistleblowers who say they’re paying a heavy price.
We look at the economic turmoil threatening political instability across the region. At the same time the government back tracks on claims it’s reduced poverty. World bank data shows things are getting worse.
The government loses its first case in the trafficking ring to Oman.
And, with Liberia’s health care system in crisis, some wealthy Liberians are plugging the gap one patient at a time.
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Funding for this podcast was provided by the US and Swedish embassies in Liberia. The funders had no say in the reporting.
The Latest on the Seized Container of Weapons; Progress on Sanitation Stalls and An Arrest Warrant is Issued for Trafficking Mastermind
In this episode: two months since police seized a container of weapons imported into the county we have the latest on the investigation.
The government claims it has reduced the number of people without access to toilets. World bank data says otherwise.
An international arrest warrant is in the works for the man who masterminded the trafficking of 350 Liberian women to Oman. His online history shows he started looking for Middle East partners to exploit Liberian women in 2018.
And we have the latest on war crimes cases in Europe and the United States.
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Reporting in this podcast is funded by the Swedish and US embassies in Liberia.
Teachers and Parents Demand Bridge School Leave Liberia, Government Concedes it’s Impossible to Keep Out Tainted Drugs and the Latest on Human Trafficking and War Crimes Trials
In this episode .. Seven years since us-based bridge international arrived in Liberia to overhaul schools. Experts, teachers and parents say it’s time to end the experiment.
After scores of children were killed by tainted imported medicines in The Gambia, what is being done to protect Liberians?
A Liberian security agent becomes the first government official convicted of human trafficking. He’s serving 25 years in prison as authorities close in on others. But what’s happening to the women who returned home?
And Finnish prosecutors are appealing last year’s acquittal of former revolutionary united front commander Gibril Massaquoi on charges he committed war crimes in Liberia. The appeal is hearing testimony in Liberia. We get the latest.
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In a Remarkable Tale of Resilience Liberian Trafficking Victims Fight Their Way to Freedom
In this episode, as many as 200 Liberian women were trafficked to the Middle East with promises of jobs and a chance to study. Instead they found themselves in hell.
But the women broke free from the trap that had caught millions before them. A year on more than half are home. The government has launched a major new push to crack down on traffickers.
Two years since the mysterious deaths of four government auditors a legislative committee that was supposed to look into the deaths has yet to report. We ask why.
And journalists are facing an increase in threats and physical attacks. Newsrooms tell us they are self-censoring out of fear. What will that mean for our democracy as Liberia goes to the polls?
COP27 A Mixed Bag for Liberia, and the Race is Own to Build Sustainable Food Sources
In this episode… Another gathering of global leaders fails to make commitments experts say will head off climate catastrophe. We report from COP27 in Egypt.
But while there was no new agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions there was one win for poor countries like our own.
As climate change hits food production we look at efforts to secure Liberia’s food sources.
A Liberian Rebel Faces Justice in Paris and the Anti-Corruption Watchdog is Silenced
The latest warlord to face justice for crimes in Liberia’s civil wars goes on trial. We report from the court in Paris. In Lofa County where he is alleged to have committed most of his crimes people say they are grateful to see justice at last. And the US Ambassador for War Crimes visits Liberia promising funding for a war crimes court. Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner John Stewart tells us he is hopeful a court will happen soon.
And three months since the government’s controversial act overhauling the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission insiders tell us the corruption watchdog is barely functioning. What does that mean for our democracy one year from elections.
You’re listening to Democracy in Focus.
A Bill Banning Female Genital Cutting Looks Set for Defeat; Ulimo Commander Goes on Trial in Paris and a Logging Company is Exposed
ANOTHER BILL TO BAN FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING REACHES THE LEGISLATURE BUT DOES IT HAVE ANY CHANCE OF PASSING?
THE LATEST WARLORD TO FACE JUSTICE, KUNTI KAMARA OF ULIMO, GOES ON TRIAL IN PARIS THIS MONTH. WE HEAR FROM VICTIMS OF ULIMO IN LOFA.
IN RIVER CESS OUR INVESTIGATION FINDS ONE LOGGING COMPANY HAS SHIPPED THREE MILLION DOLLARS OF TIMBER WHILE TELLING THE COMMUNITY THEY HAVE SHIPPED NOTHING AND CAN’T MEET THEIR COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS.
The Silent War on Liberia’s Children
Nearly two decades since the end of the civil wars Liberia’s children are still suffering. 2022 is on track to see one of the highest numbers of reported rape cases in the last five years. The vast majority of victims are under 18. Reporter Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh looks at why rape continues.
In River Cess County, reporter Eric Opa Doue finds children struggling to get an education. He visits five schools that have been shut down and finds others barely functioning. The crisis in Liberia’s rural schools continues.
And we hear from two internationally acclaimed investigative journalists Ruona Meyer of the Solutions Journalism Network and Idris Akinbajo of Nigerian newsroom Premium Times.