Monrovia – At long last, over 2,000 volunteers, who have worked as active case finders and risk communicators, have begun receiving compensation for work done during the start of the coronavirus pandemic in Liberia.

The volunteers, most of whom are young people, on several occasions staged peaceful protests in demand of their just compensation, calling on the Liberia Crusaders for Peace and the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) to pay for their services.

On Wednesday, the volunteers trooped to the head offices of the Crusaders for Peace to in Monrovia to collect their compensation which they claimed have been long overdue, but they were happy to receive same.

Speaking at the start of the payment exercise, the Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders Madam Judi Endee appreciated the workers for volunteering their service to the nation.

Madam Endi added: “We are glad that you were able to volunteer. We also apologize for the difficulty we encountered in terms of paying you on time.”

According to the Liberia Crusader for Peace Executive Director, after series of consultative meetings, the Ministry of Health through the City Corporation has agreed to pay volunteers two months out of the three months they worked for.

“We want you to take it in good faith. This is your country and you did a good job and so, we congratulate you,” Madam Endee said.

Taking into consideration the health protocol, 300 volunteers will be pay per day. Also, for the two months, volunteers will receive US$120 in its Liberian dollar equivalent, according to Madam Endee, who added that the remaining one-month payment will be made to volunteers at a different date.

“At least you got two months, when the one-month pay is ready you will come and get it. But I want to be on record, the government gave us only two months,” she said.

Madam Endee also praised Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson Koijee, adding that the Mayor was of “great help” in making the funds available for the volunteers.

Some volunteers, who spoke with FrontPageAfrica, praised the government for living up to its promise despite the long delays.

Grace Toe, a resident of Montserrado District #9, said: “I want to say a big thank you to the government for paying us. The money came at the right time and I am going to use it wisely.”

MONROVIA – The Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP) has commenced a nationwide preventive awareness campaign aimed at curtailing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the country.

Report by Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson@frontpageafricaonline.com

According to the group’s Executive Director, Madam Julie Endee, the move is intended to encourage citizens to continue to follow protocols set aside by health authorities to help eradicate the spread of Covid-19.

Madam Endee made these assertions in an exclusive interview with FrontPage Africa via telephone shortly after the campaign kicked off  to south-eastern Liberia.

She added that persuasive and consistent means are being implored by the LCP to encourage citizens to continue to prioritize social distancing, the wearing of face masks, among others to prevent the spread of the virus.

She disclosed that mobilizers and campaigners of the LCP will work with various groups including the county health teams, youth, students, women, disabled, traditionalists, members of the girls guard and boys scout associations, among others to spread anti-Coronavirus messages to citizens and others across the country.

Madam Endee pointed out that these mobilizers and campaigners will serve both morning and evening shifts to ensure that preventive and awareness messages on the prevention of Covid-19 reach everyone including farmers, who most often return from their respective farms during the late evening hours.

“The Liberia Crusaders for Peace will be doing a nationwide Covid-19 awareness activities in the various counties. We are going to be talking about social distancing, mask wearing-we are going to share the jingles that were produced; we are going to give out promotional materials like flyers, posters, and banners. Most people are not even wearing the face masks”.

She added that series of community engagements would be held with the locals and others, beginning with Montserrado County.

“We also have some distributions to make outside of the project from the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to the Ministry of Health. We are going to be implementing it”.

She indicated that Monitors from Montserrado County will be deployed in the counties, while comunicators of the awareness and preventive messages will be recruited from the various counties.

Ambassador Endee pointed out that the campaign will also be used to underscore the need for the vaccination of babies and children under five years during this Coronavirus pandemic.

Disregard for health protocols

Speaking further, Ambassador observed that many citizens continue to roam around street corners and other areas in total disregard for protocols set aside by health experts, including social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks in public places or gatherings.

She attributed the situation to the doubting of the existence of the virus in Liberia by some citizens.

“It is going to take a lot of awareness to discourage our people from living in a state of denial. When citizens are in denial-that’s the problem-when people are not use to good health practices, it’s also a contributing factor. So what suppose to be done now is to look at the hotspots and intensify awareness in those areas”.

“Those who have survived need to tell their stories-those who are in the communities, banks or market places need strategies. We need people to encourage people in those areas to adhere to health protocols”.

Ambassador Endee maintained that mobilizers and campaigners of the LCP will change the strategies and remain consistent to ensure that Covid-19 preventive awareness messages are provided to citizens.

“It is very improtant to mask yourself. for the safety of you and your family. We need to now start reaching out to our people”.

LCP was not handpicked

At the same time, the Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace has denied reports that the group was unilaterally selected to initiate the nationwide awareness campaign.

According to her, the LCP participated in a competitive bidding process at the Ministry of Health and came out victorious based upon its numerous years of experience in communicating awareness messages across the country.

She disclosed that five organizations, including the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) participated in the process.

“For people to say we were singlehandedly picked, I think this is an understatement. For more than 25 years of experience into community engagement and communication. Our track record has been followed. This is an emergency period and we have the track record of single sourcing. We were not handpicked, we earned it”.

The preventive awareness campaign against Covid-19 being spearheaded by the LCP across the country, will also coincide with the distribution of facemasks, soap, rice and anti Covid-19 buckets to citizens across the country.

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Julie Endee for inspiring many young people like little Semah G. Weifur for being at their best.

She called on the young people to see themselves as part of the body politics of Liberia and such should engage in positive activities that will enable them to contribute meaningfully and significantly to the development efforts of the country.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement at the honoring ceremony of the7th Annual Celebration of the Golden Image Award Ceremony organized by Liberia’s Crusaders for Peace on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Monrovia City Hall under the theme: “Let’s Maintain the Peace.”

The Liberian leader also applauded the Liberian Cultural Ambassador and the Crusaders for Peace for what she called:

“You are always doing surprising things that continue to make the nation and its people proud.”

She, however challenged the Crusaders for Peace to continue to follow and preach peace and always endeavor to articulate the positives that radiate our diversity. She noted that our culture reflects the nation’s diverse backgrounds and long history. 

President Sirleaf, who was thrilled by a newly released song, which was sung by a visually impaired young Liberian lad, Semah G. Weifur along with Nigerian Star, Flavor, informed the gathering that while she shared the life of little Semah, she was glad to inform him and his parents that by Tuesday, July 25th, 2017, a high power delegation of professional Indian doctors are expected to arrive in the country for the purpose of the dedication of a major Eye Center at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center in Sinkor.

She impressed on little Semah Weifur’s parents to take him at the facility, in order for doctors to check the condition of his eyes.

She expressed appreciation to the Crusaders for Peace and all who continue to be of service to the Liberian people in maintaining the peace.

“We like to say to them how much we owe it to them for keeping and continuing to stay on the path of peace,” she noted.

President Sirleaf was honored and gowned by Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai along with several personalities, including ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Babatunde Olanrewaju Ajisomo, Bishop Jensen Seyenkulo, former CBL Governor – Dr. J. Mills Jones, for Foreign Minister, Augustine K. Ngafuan, UNMIL SRSG, Farid Zarif, U.S. Ambassador Christine Elder, among others.

Also speaking, Vice President Boakai praised the Crusader for Peace for the honor bestowed on President Sirleaf. He noted that President Sirleaf deserves the award because she has done well for Liberia, the sub-region and beyond.

Delivering the keynote address, Prince Adetokundo Kayode, former Minister of National Defense of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Deputy President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce acknowledged the role of Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Julie Endee and expressed gratitude to the Crusaders for Peace for dedicating this year’s Award to President Sirleaf for the level of work she has done in the country over the last 11 years which contributed to the transformation of Liberia from the ashes of war to prosperity.

“She established the Liberia Crusaders for Peace for the enhancement of peace,” the former Nigerian Defense Minister, told the gathering, amid applause.

Prince Kayode noted that “peace is a precious phenomenon that is not cheap.” He therefore, called on Liberians to nurture, sustain and maintain the peace.

Earlier, Ambassador Julie Endee welcomed participants from far and near for coming to grace the occasion in honor of President Sirleaf for “Sustaining of the Peace” in the last 11 years under her leadership. 

She noted President Sirleaf is a Legendary Leader whose leadership role resonated across the Mano River Union (MRU). ECOWAS, among others and was worth honoring and celebrating.

The Liberian leader also received gifts of honor from Traditional Chiefs and the Crusaders for Peace for her exemplary leadership in Liberia cum the sub-region and by lifting Liberia’s profile in the international community and for defeating the spread of Ebola in Liberia.

The Golden Image Award was founded in September 2010 and maiden award was held July 2011.

The GIA serves as a unique platform for Liberia to recognize and appreciate individuals, organizations and countries who put in their time and resources to contribute to humanity, sustainable peace, development and social justice for all.