Author: Chester Smith
IPNEWS: Sierra Leone’s declaration that its security authorities are actively searching for internationally wanted Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers raises a difficult question: Is the government genuinely hunting a fugitive who allegedly lived openly within elite circles, or has the public now been asked to believe that a man who appeared remarkably comfortable around powerful people somehow became invisible to the state? The question follows comments by Abdul Karim Will, Director of Strategic Communications at Sierra Leone’s Office of National Security (ONS), who told AYV’s State of the Nation programme that Sierra Leone is “officially looking for Umarr Sheriff” and…
–As U.S. Agreed to Pay Liberia $5 Million in Connection with Deportees, Documents Say IPNEWS: Contrary to statement by Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, that the Government of Liberia agreed to 1,200 asylum seekers and migrants over the next year who are being removed or transferred by U.S. immigration authorities, under a humanitarian initiative, citing the country’s historic tradition of providing refuge and hospitality to those fleeing conflict or political instability. Now, the Independent Probe Newspaper, can confirmed that the Trump administration has approved a $5 million payment to Liberia in connection with a deal to send migrants there from…
IPNEWS: An investigative report by NPR’s Minnesota affiliate (MPR News) and its national investigative unit, APM Reports, uncovered severe gaps in oversight, rampant neglect, and potential fraud within Minnesota’s booming group home industry. The report says at least 50 group home residents died under circumstances that triggered state maltreatment investigations. State investigators officially determined that the group home or its staff neglected the resident in 19 of those cases. Many of these deaths were drug-related or due to a lack of basic emergency staff training, such as CPR. The report highlights that even when severe neglect leading to death was…
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), today announced that Moody’s Ratings has upgraded its long-term issuer rating to B1 from B2, with a stable outlook, a powerful endorsement of the Bank’s strengthening financial position, resilience, and rising stature as a pivotal development finance institution in West Africa. This upgrade, published by Moodys on August 14, 2026, marks a decisive step in EBID’s steady climb toward investment grade, signaling to global investors and development partners that the Bank is on a credible trajectory to access international capital markets on increasingly competitive terms. Moody’s cited EBID’s sound solvency, moderate capitalization,…
Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, Keynote Speakers The Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a weeklong series of intellectual debates and lecture series designed to highlight Liberia’s up-coming presidency of the United Nations Security Council, and strengthen critical thinking, research, public speaking, and analytical skills among students of the Foreign Service Institute. Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, will deliver a lecture on the theme, Liberia’s Presidency of the UN Security Council: Challenges, Prospects and Benefits, on Friday, august 21, 2026 during the bi-annual George W.…
To Boost Tax Administrations In West Africa IPNEWS: The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) on Tuesday, August 18, launched the Strengthening Tax Administration Capacity Project in West Africa (STACP-WA), a landmark African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed initiative aimed at strengthening tax administration, improving domestic revenue mobilization and supporting more resilient revenue systems across the region. The project, financed through a UA 4 million African Development Fund/Transition Support Facility Pillar III grant, equivalent to approximately US$5.3 million, will be implemented by WATAF over a four-year period. It will benefit six countries: Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone.…
IPNEWS: – The Ministry of Local Government (MLG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening decentralization, local governance, and service delivery across Liberia through a renewed strategic partnership aimed at improving the lives of citizens at the local and sub-local levels. During a high-level courtesy meeting held in Monrovia, UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Aliou Mamadu Dia and the Minister of Local Government, Hon. F. Sakila Nyumalin, held productive discussions on advancing Liberia’s decentralization agenda, enhancing local governance systems, improving public service delivery, and promoting sustainable community development. Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Dia commended…
IPNEWS: Liberia’s opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has launched protests and emergency meetings following the detention and indictment of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor. It may be recalled, on August 19, 2026, Liberia’s Justice Ministry intercepted former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor (who served from 2018 to 2024) at Roberts International Airport as she attempted to leave the country. She was taken to the Liberia National Police (LNP) headquarters and charged under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act, the Penal Law, and Anti-Money Laundering laws. The charges stem from a high-profile $317 million transnational narcotics investigation. The CDC Leadership officially…
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr. IPNEWS: Executive Protection Service Director Sam Gaye has responded to recent calls by Liberian U.S.-based security expert Alfred Jah Johnson for the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police IGP. Gregory O W Coleman to recuse himself from the ongoing drug cartel investigation. In KMTV Liberia comments section, EPS Director Gaye said the legal basis cited by Johnson — the Giglio doctrine does not apply in this case. Johnson, a current law enforcement officer in the united states, had argued that the IG should step aside to protect the integrity of the investigation, citing Giglio…
IPNEWS: Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Johnny S. Tarkpah, is in Beijing participating in the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation, taking place from August 19–21, 2025. The forum, organized under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, brings together media and audiovisual professionals from China and Africa to strengthen cooperation and exchange. This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Share Development Opportunities, Shape the Audio-Visual Future.” As part of his engagement in China, Deputy Minister Tarkpah is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese authorities, where…