News & Analysis: Liberia
“The Statutory Superintendent of the Saclapea Statutory District, Mr. Arthur Gonkartee Sahn, confirmed the surge on the local radio station in Saclapea, adding that the local authority is concerned and they are organizing stakeholder coordination meeting for immediate action to stop the spread.”
“The coronavirus pandemic has tightened its grip on much of Africa, where reported cases have more than tripled over the last month, jeopardizing overstretched medical teams as the need for care soars.”
“For weeks now, many have been quietly concerned that Liberia had been under-reporting the number of COVID-19 cases. However, over the past few days, the rapid rise in the number of positive tests have triggered a wave of reactions with many laying the blame squarely on emerging differences between the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Public Health Institute.”
“While the macroeconomic situation is set to affect prosperity at all levels of society, poor urban households participating in the informal economy are likely to be hit the hardest, with immediate concerns surrounding their ability to provide for themselves.”
“The IMF owns about 90 million ounces of gold that at market value today is worth about $150 billion. The gold can be called ‘functionless’ for the IMF. It does not generate interest or investment income and it does not constitute collateral against which the IMF could borrow. Its only apparent purpose is to add to the reassurance of the Central Bankers of member countries that their funds are safe with the IMF.”
“Phebe Hospital in Suakoko, Bong County has temporarily closed after three nurses tested positive for COVID-19. This is a drastic protective measure and is likely to continue, Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Medical Director of the hospital told FrontPageAfrica.”
“The President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has said that the state of emergency which is due to expire on June 9, 2020 will not be renewed. According to a release from the Executive Mansion, President Weah said given the country’s level of experience with the Coronavirus and its mode of transmission, the strides being made in its containment and in view of developments in other countries, the need for further extension of the constitutional measure is not required.”
“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund, today, approved the disbursement of SDR36.17 million (US$50 million; 1.7 percent of GDP) to be drawn under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF). This, together with debt relief approved in April 13, will help meet Liberia’s urgent balance of payment needs, mostly stemming from fiscal needs necessary to respond to the pandemic.”
“For new producers in the pandemic era, some licensing rounds are likely to be cancelled, and production is being pushed back once more. Debt is becoming an even greater issue. Yet some investors—like Total in Uganda—still show signs of interest.”
“Commerce Minister, Wilson Tarpeh has disclosed that the distribution of food to households in a bid to mitigate the impact on the population, of lockdown measures intended to contain the further spread of the deadly Coronavirus, will not take place on Saturday, May 23 due to what he refers to as logistical challenges.”
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