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Benita Urey, the daughter of rich Liberian politician Benoni Urey, is channeling her energy towards a cause in Careysburg, which she is proud to call home. “I remember being in Careysburg after the war with my father, playing with kids in my community and having the time of my life. I hold Careysburg close to my heart," she said.  Benita has used sport to build trust within communities on the outskirts of Monrovia, Liberia's capital. She has organized team building football games to bring young people together. "Now I have a bigger dream," she says. Beach erosion has become a severe problem in Liberia, and poor people are suffering the most. "The sea is eating away at our country and leaving hundreds of people homeless," Benita says. We must come together as a country to not only draw attention to the ongoing threat but also help the victims of erosion." Benita is building an awareness campaign and helping provide shelter for tho

Tuzee Mariama Toure is passionate about sustainable peace and a better Liberia for all. Recently, this amazing young woman and her friends came together to set up a new program at a children's park. The Chevron Monrovia Central Park, situated at Vai Town, was officially opened by Liberia's former president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in 2014. During the opening ceremony , Sirleaf said the park will go a long way in allowing the Liberian child to play once again.  Every Saturday, Tuzee and her friends read to children and help them with their homework.--Written By Kamal Anisiobi.

Two days back I was home in bed, and a friend called me, (she was heading to work), and she said, “Kamal if you don’t have anything important to do in town today just stay indoors because the flood at your junction is terrible!" It’s been quite some rainfall we’ve experienced in Monrovia these past few days. Everyone enjoys cool weather no doubt, but unfortunately, not everyone will be pleased about the rains, most especially me who is a resident of the old road community in Sinkor, as well as the residents who live around the Freeport town area in Monrovia. There's massive flooding on major junctions and roads in our areas. Cars can’t pass because the water has risen to the point of even entering the cars. Pedestrians must walk through the water just to cross the roads. Its been catastrophic, and all this is largely due to the lack of drainage systems that we have in Liberia. -- Story by Kamal Anisiobi

Ten years ago, when Ernest Bai Koroma, President Julius Maada Bio's predecessor, launched his plan to meet a 2015 Millennium Development Goal, a grant agreement for US$13.9 million had been reached with the International Monetary Fund. With just under $14 million, Koroma hoped to get a lot done. The nation needed to keep more than 300,000 school-age children in school; have enough money to pay more than 20,000 teachers working in 3,430 primary schools, and employ another five thousand teachers, despite the staff ‘ceilings’ agreed with the International Monetary Fund. During the 2018 general elections, Julius Maada Bio, presidential candidate for the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP)  said it costs about nine dollars per child per year to attend a government or government-funded primary school. That translates into $22 million for all school-aged children in the country, one commentator said. A t the state opening of Parliament, President Maada Bio announced

Gone are the days when you could go to market with 500 Liberian dollars and buy enough to feed three or more people. Imagine trying to buy 4 pieces of chicken thighs for 100 Liberian dollars, only to find out that 100 LRD can get you only 2 pieces. Everything you touch in the market has gone up three times the former price. The dollar exchange rate in Liberia is now US$ 1 to 163 Liberian dollars. It was half that amount about three to five years ago. Liberian President George M. Weah said recently he is taking measures to tackle inflation and poverty.  “I am fully aware of the negative impact of the declining exchange rate on the economic well-being of the Liberian people, and the serious hardship that this is beginning to cause,” Weah said in an address to the nation. -- story by Kamal Anisiobi

Patricia Jabbeh Wesley, Ophelia Lewis, and the legendary Bai T. Moore, founder of Liberia's National Cultural Center, are just a few Liberians who have captured the country's best-known artistic expressions.  Recently, the Liberian Poetry Society was started by a group of college students who want to give people an alternative to partying at clubs all night. It's the It thing trending now. An old form of art offering a youthful night of spoken words. A beautiful evening where one gets to read out poems, listen to rhyming and verse. It also serves as a medium to showcase Liberian culture, folklore, literature, and fun.  Kamal Anisiobi, reporting from Monrovia, Liberia

Liberia’s first online magazine,  Edana , launched a few weeks ago. It was a dream come true for celebrity photographer Edmond Lloyd. The debut edition of Edana captures images of everyday Liberians, major tourist sites, and Edana Models. According to Mr. Lloyd, the creation of the magazine was something he had been working on for a while. He has a passion for the arts and entertainment and that was the main reason he wanted to start the magazine. He said that the efforts of many Liberians have made it possible for him to achieve this great feat. He also called upon local charities and the government to support Edana . Lloyd said the online magazine will feature Liberia’s tourist industry and showcase the arts,  local businesses, and community programs. The magazine's launch was attended by friends, family, well-wishers, and fans who turned out for the historic event. Click here to see more of Edana . Kamal Anisiobi, reporting from Monrovia Liberia

The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the All People's Congress (APC)  have been the most famous political parties in the history of Sierra Leone. But then came Coalition for Change(C4C), National Grand Coalition (NGC), and fourteen others, all racing to win the 2018 elections. The NGC attracted many young people as they preached about empowerment. In the 2018 elections, young people selected parties based on their own discretion. Many hoped that one of the new parties would emerge the winner of the 2018 presidential election. But in the end, the SLPP outnumbered its competitors and took the winning place. Since retired army general Julius Maada Bio was elected as President of Sierra Leone, he has put  a lot of new measures in place. Workers are now obliged to be in government offices no later than 8:30 in the morning; a mass street cleaning drive has been implemented to be carried out every first Saturday in the month, and free education is promised (again) f

Amelia Dagoseh has big dreams. She recently graduated with a degree in biology and chemistry from Stella Maris Polytechnic's Mother Patern College of Health Sciences in Liberia. Last August, Amelia started Adesan Collections with one-of-a-kind African print book designs. When speaking to Amelia about how she came about the idea, here’s what she had to say  “I love drawing and I've wanted a drawing pad since I was a kid. So, last year I decided to live my childhood dream and get one. But the drawing pad I bought was for kids. I felt the need to spice it up and upgrade it to my level. Then the idea popped into my head ‘Why not cover it with something chic, fashionable, and modish?’All these things describe the ‘Africa lappa’ as it’s called in Liberia. So, the next day I bought everything I need to design my book and put my thoughts and ideas into reality. It wasn't perfect, but it was beautiful. I posted the pictures of before and after on Instagram and it

Joy Odell Nagbe is an environmental science student at the Cuttington University in Liberia. She is also a photographer, fashion designer, and founder of J-West Clothing and Image. When asked why she chose to set up these businesses, Joy stresses the importance of girl and youth development. She also aims to put Liberia on the map. Last December, I was fortunate to attend the Tees and Me Christmas Festival in Monrovia, where  J -West Clothing gave us an insight into what they had planned for the year. The 5 models above are all wearing J-West designs and the photograph was taken by Joy. J-West Clothing engages in the production of customized T-shirts that are mostly Liberian themed. “Creativity is not just a skill but an attitude – a rebellious desire to be different," Joy said quoting Chaipranin Visudhipol. From Monrovia, Liberia, reporting, I’m Kamal Anisiobi.

Few events in the 2018 election campaign can compare to a broadcast held earlier this week. All day Thursday, radio and television sets blared across the city.  Nothing could be more important.   The top six presidential candidates approached Bintumani Conference Center at Aberdeen, Freetown in grand style. Each of them entered the hall with beaming faces, igniting the political ambiance. Hassan Arouni, a Sierra Leonean journalist working for the British Broadcasting Cooperation, was the moderator. There were other radio and television presenters plus local and international journalists, covering the event around the globe. Streaming services for small screens were made available by Africa Young Voices, one of the most popular television stations. No sooner had the introductions been made, than the contenders kicked off their political wrestling. They all stepped up to the pedestal, as they articulated their policies, visions, dreams, and plans they have in store for

For generations,  rice husk has been left to rot or burn in Sierra Leone. A great source of biomass wasted, while young men cut their way into forests. Now, the Fomel Industry And National Industrialization Center, or Finic, has found a new way of getting charcoal without the cutting down of trees.  Over a two-year period, the management and staff of Finic tested a machine that converts rice husks into biochar. "One of the attributes of the equipment is that the heat it produces in the carbonization process can also be used as a heat source," said Mr. Foday Melvin Kamara, the company founder and managing director of Finic.  "It can be used to carbonize agricultural waste such as palm kernel shells from which gases can be derived to generate electricity," he said. FINIC , which is short for Fomel (Foday + Melvin) Industry and National Industrialization Center, is a leading agribusiness in Sierra Leone. The company specializes in grating machines, coffee

23-year-old Millicent loves fashion. She first started designing her own clothes. Then a friend inspired her to show the world her remarkable talent. So Millicent began designing clothes for family and friends. Boosted by their kind words, she opened a small business. For three years now her arts and crafts have been a growing attraction. She designs beach sandals and flip flops, purses, necklaces, earrings, and clothes for clients in Freetown. "It's a gift," Millicent said. "I couldn't believe it at first but I finally excelled. I admire other people's arts and that has inspired me more often than I expected,” she said. Millicent has become so popular she is now signing contracts with boutique owners. She also does talk shows and television programs, inspiring other young people. "We all have special gifts but we will never find them if we fail to try our hand at every little thing that surrounds us." For Young Life in Freetown,

No one knows how chickens got to Sierra Leone. But a lot of people in Freetown today think breeds from European countries are superior to local fowls. Unlike Ndama cows, which were domesticated in Fuuta-Jaloo more than 8,000 years ago, and are still loved for their meat all over West Africa, chicken born and bred in Sierra Leone don't do well at all in social comparisons. But backyard farmers want local breeds and they are spreading knowledge of raising them to others for inspiration. "People say that the eggs of local fowl do not have the same nutrients as the English fowls and that the local fowls have thick skins," Cecilia Conteh said. Cecilia thinks it's all down to the feed. She is raising two backyard hens hatched from fowls that she got as a gift from her grandmother who lives in a faraway village. Isata Kanu's free-range hens are thriving with added grains of rice in the morning and evening. Tigidankay Koi says her chickens keep her fa