The ratification of the Economic Community of West African States Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, their ammunition and related materials has begun in Monrovia.

The ratification exercise, which is expected to be discharged by the National Legislature, was launched on Friday, April 4, 2008 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Monrovia. The ceremony brought together lawmakers, government officials, civil society leaders, rights activists and the public.

Speaking during the ceremony the chairperson of the Liberian Action Network on Small Arms (LANSA), Rev. Fr. Anthony Borwah said LANSA, is a  consortium of over 25 civil society organizations collaborating and cooperation to eradicate the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Liberia.

Fr. Borwah said the objectives of the convention include the consolidation of the gains of the declaration of moratorium on the importation, exportation and manufacture of small arms and its code of conduct and the continuation of efforts for the control of small arms and light weapons within the ECOWAS countries. 

Fr. Borwah further listed as objectives of the convention, the promotion of trust between member states through concerted and the transparent action on the control of small arms and light weapons within ECOWAS members and the promotion of the exchange of information and cooperation among member states amongst others.

According to him, almost all houses of parliament within the sub-region have ratified the convention, noting that Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a signatory to the convention.

“This day in Liberia, we have emphatically launched a process that will to accelerate  the ratification of the ECOWAS convention by the National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia”, the Catholic priest said.

The deadline of the submission of the ratified document to ECOWAS secretariat on Small Arms control is may of this year.  He expressed thanks and appreciation to partners of LANSA for their continuous support for the fight against small arms.

Kwaplah Int’l Country Manager Chops US$175, 000
By J. Nathaniel Daygbor

Reports from the Liberian National Police headquarters in Monrovia say the Country Manager of a Liberian owned company, Kwapalah International, Adbenego Bah, has allegedly stolen an unspecified number of checks valued at US$175, 000.

According to a source, who begged anonymity for fear of the loss of his job, Mr. Bah   allegedly in cashed and converted to personal use an unspecified number of checks valued at US$175, 000 issued the company by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Liberian government for services.

Mr. Bah who worked for the Kwapalah International for the period of one year had his services with the Company terminated for delinquency on the job. Our source stopped short of saying how Mr. Bah got in contact with the checks.

He disclosed to The Analyst that agents of the National Security Agency (NSA) arrested the former Country Manager and placed him behind bars about a week ago. Investigation in to the allegation continues and the case, the source says will be forwarded to the court later this week for proper adjudication.

Kwapalah International is a Liberian owned company doing procurement for governments and organizations with branches in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and the United States.  

When contacted, the offices of Kwapalah International confirmed the report, but promised to provide more information on the alleged theft later this week.

Kwapalah International is a Liberian owned entity which  a recently won a bid to supply the United Nations headquarters and offices in Liberia and other countries with office supplies, air conditioners and cameras, amongst other things for the period of two years. 

Sources put the cost contract at over US$2 million. Recently Kwapalah International donated US$30,000 to Liberia for education during the visit of President Johnson-Sirleaf to the United States.