Economy Deeply Hit by Aid Cuts as Jobs Are Lost and Local Businesses See Huge Drop in Income

By Anthony Stephens and Allison Hunter with New Narratives Summary: Caroline Armah is exactly the sort of person the development world has tried to champion. The 33-year-old entrepreneur is building a business solving one of the most fundamental problems Liberia faces: affordable, childhood nutrition. Armah’s business Calaw Foodssells a nutritional supplement made of finely ground…

Liberia’s New Tourism Authority Wants a Piece of West Africa’s Multi-Billion Dollar Tourism Sector But Challenges Abound 

By Aria Deemie and Jake Duffy with New Narratives Summary: PAYNESVILLE, Montserrado – On a warm Saturday afternoon, Chris Onanuga, Liberia’s newly appointed presidential envoy for tourism, mingles with young people at a recreation day in Voka Mission. Some kick a football; others seek shade beneath sprawling trees. To Onanuga, the scene is something more…

Citizens’ Fury Boils Over as Monrovia Residents Torch Drug Den

By Nemenlah Cyrus Harmon and Anthony Stephens with New Narratives Summary: ·  Residents of Saye Town in Monrovia have destroyed a notorious drug den, accusing authorities of years of inaction against crime and addiction in their community. ·  The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency welcomed the raid, but locals remain distrustful, citing alleged collusion between some…

Lonestar Cell Sues EPA Over Noise Fine, Agency Confirms

By Aria Deemie, Environment Reporter New Narratives Summary: Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency said it is facing a legal challenge after telecom company Lonestar Cell filed a lawsuit contesting a $US15,000 fine for noise pollution at its Congo Town facility. The case, filed on May 27, is currently before the Civil Law Court in Monrovia. According…

Experts Say Liberia’s New Environment Lab Could Slash Pollution if the Government Matches it With Enforcement

By Aria Deemie, climate change reporter New Narratives Summary: Experts say Liberia’s new fully equipped environmental laboratory is a breakthrough that could transform how the country tackles pollution. The laboratory, launched last month by the Environmental Protection Agency, will allow EPA technicians to conduct forensic testing on air, water, and soil samples, allowing them to…

After Years of Delay, Sea Wall Funded by Global Climate Financing Set to Begin Construction as 1000 Community Members Await Relocation

By Joyclyn Wea, senior correspondent with New Narratives with photography by Allison Hunter WEST POINT, Monrovia — As heavy rains batter the coast, fear thickens in West Point. Five years ago a storm surge took the home Sarah Gary’s father built when she was a child. Now Gary lives in a house just feet from the Atlantic’s…

Experts Say Liberia’s Security Council Seat Could Strengthen Push for Climate Security, as U.N. High Court Issues Landmark Ruling

Summary: By Aria Deemie, climate change reporter with New Narratives In a historic ruling, the United Nations’ highest court has declared that countries have a legal duty to act on climate change, a decision advocates say could reshape global climate diplomacy. The ruling comes as Liberia regains a seat on the U.N. Security Council for…

No Christmas Cheer For Growing Number of Liberians in Poverty 

By Fatu Kamara with New Narratives TODEE DISTRICT, Montserrado County – For Christian Liberians Christmas is normally a period of smiles, joy and exchange of gifts with friends and loved ones. But as more Liberians fall below the poverty line, for many, that is not their experience this year. This year’s Christmas has brought more…