afrol News, 4 January - "Why was the image of the late President William Tubman not uprooted as well? We should learn to respect talents. George Weah is the first Liberian and perhaps the first African to win the 'World Best', 'Europe Best' and 'Africa Best' accolades in his career, and as such, we should honour him for putting Liberia on the world soccer map," a former lawmaker of Liberia, Joseph Kornomia, protested today.
For the purpose of beautifying the streets of the capital Monrovia, the Liberian government planned to uproot the statue of the country's soccer legend and 2005 presidential contester George Weah. Authorities had demolished everything including buildings in Broad Street except Mr Weah's statue. The beautification, which is aimed at changing the face of the capital, costs over US$ 200,000.
As part of the project, trees and grasses would be planted on the streets. The idea was among the numerous reform plans by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first woman President of Liberia and Africa.
But political analysts described the move as a mere political vendetta aimed at discrediting Mr Weah, who stood against Ms Johnson-Sirleaf in the war-ravaged country's bitter second round presidential elections in 2005.
The second polling round between the two contesters became a bitter and narrow fight, with militants of the two political blocs issuing threats of violence. Mr Weah, after being presented with his challenger's win, claimed to be a victim of election fraud but bowed into massive international pressure not to jeopardise the fragile peace in Liberia.
Despite the political affairs one year ago, Mr Weah remains a very popular and respected man in Liberia. Former lawmaker Kornomia thus argued that Liberian authorities lacked justification to uproot Mr Weah's effigy. "The authorities should have thought twice before taking the action," Mr Kornomia concluded.
George Weah could be remembered for raising the name of Liberia to the highest zenith through football. Until getting into trouble with Liberia's former dictator Charles Taylor, Mr Weah sponsored and captained his country's national team in several international competitions in Africa.
Mr Weah also has used his fame as one of the world's best-ever football players to do much charity work, fighting poverty and promoting education. He was appointed goodwill ambassador for the UN's Children Fund UNICEF, travelling to Liberia several times to urge parents to send their children to school.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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