Liberians Are Talking, Are You Listening? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“Liberia's national image has been defined by parachute foreign correspondents for nearly its entire history, since it was first founded as an independent republic by freed Black slaves from the United States in 1847. Today, Liberians are able to tell their own stories to an international audience by taking advantage of participatory media tools like blogs and photo-sharing sites,” writes David Sasaki following a blogging workshop he ran last year at the American Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia.
After emerging from civil war, Liberians are now adding their voices to the growing African blogosphere.
I should also point out that Liberia is the home of the blackboard blogger:
Alfred Sirleaf is an analog blogger. He take runs the “Daily News”, a news hut by the side of a major road in the middle of Monrovia. He started it a number of years ago, stating that he wanted to get news into the hands of those who couldn’t afford newspapers, in the language that they could understand.
Meet the Bloggers
Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm blogs for peace at Peaceful Liberia.  After living in the United States for 10 years, Mainlehwon decided to return to Liberia to help with post-conflict reconstruction. He introduces himself:
My name is Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm and I was born and raised in Liberia. I fled Liberia during the height of the civil war, lived as a refugee in several West African countries, and eventually, with the help of some American educators, was granted an opportunity to pursue my education in the USA. For the past 10 years, I have lived in the US, studying and learning about how peace education can serve as a pathway to peaceful civility and coexistence. Now I have decided to return home to help in the post-conflict reconstruction efforts. My goal is to build a comprehensive peace education program for Liberia and teach mediation as a means of achieving harmony and a better life for future generations. Quite simply, I'd rather plant seeds of peace.
In his latest post, he writes about his orientation to his new office, the Center for Peace Education:
I went to office on Monday dress up and ready to hit the ground running (picture is attached). Currently, the Center for Peace Education is functioning as a division under Aid for the Needy Development Program (ANDP) – a local non-governmental organization with its head office located at VOA Camp (1), Brewerville, on the outskirts of Monrovia. ANDP provides nutritional supplement for malnourish children and their parents.
Natyln writes about a mini ship wreck in Buchanan, Liberia:
A mini-fishing ship in the port city of Buchanan accidently appeared on-shore that left one person dead, one missing and another tragic motor accident occurring subsequently as the corpse was being taken to the hospital which left a commercial motorcyclist dead instantly upon collision of the ambulance and a motorcycle. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
D Kaihenneh Sengbeh analyses electoral politics:
Though the country’s second post war elections linger 30 months away with already a dark cloud hanging over the prospect, political parties and politicians have begun active preparations and are dreaming big of winning the looming challenging democratic duel.
Secret meetings and phone calls, active negotiations and crossing of carpets have intensified in recent months with the ruling Unity Party (UP), Liberia Action Party (LAP) and the Liberia Unification Party (LUP) – all old political allies 30 years ago – signing the first meager.
The UP-LAP-LUP has now cut down the number of political parties in the country from 18 to 15 after the National Election Commission had earlier on March 6, 2009 deregistered 10 other political parties for constitutional violations.
With a further expected reduction in the number of political parties, the Secretary General of LUP (one of the recent merging parties), Cletus Sieh, has hinted that the 2011 elections will be competitive, but may not have a second round as witnessed in the 2005’s.
Denna Gibson appeals to fellow bloggers to assist her with a laptop so she can blog continously:
IT IS NICE TO BLOG CONTINOUSLY BUT U CAN NOT DO SO IF U DO NOT HAVE A LAPTOP TO YOURSELF. I AM APPEALING TO MY FELLOW BLOGGERS TO PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH A MINI LAPTOP.THIS IS MY CONTACT NUMBER 06514919
Learn about the the Liberian “Queen of Bassa Gospel Music” from Nat Nyuan-Bayja:
Since Liberian Gospel music began to be deeply rooted in the nation, there has been a representation of the major Liberian vernaculars (dialects) which has firmly established itself among Liberians both at home and abroad. Given this, each of these vernaculars has its own ‘king’ or ‘queen’ as far as the level of talents possessed by said musician is concerned. That is why they are usually referred to “King/Queen of Gola, Mano, Kru (or whatever tribe) Gospel Music”.
Well, Mrs. Choko Wlehyou Barchue is one unique species hailing from one of the most popular (and probably most talented & social-able) Liberian vernaculars that takes center-stage in the ‘world of Liberian entertainment’; whether Gospel or secular. Choko’s incredible singing talent is coupled with her splendid dances that go along with her sharp nightingale voice to compliment it. That is why she is called “THE QUEEN OF BASSA GOSPEL MUSIC”.
What is life in Liberia without blogs?, wonders Titus Christ:
In  Liberia, life is a link that calls for adquate perfection. One is incomplete until he or she is linked with others.  If and only if life should exist, there must be existance of BLOG in Liberia…where every body will live in the village of information, message,image and picture.
Blogger Emmanuel Tobey is a photojournalist for the United Nations in Liberia. He blogs about the 5th person in Liberia to take home US$10,000:
Like many Liberians, making ends meet daily is like moon walking with out the popper equipment, but for some, the GSM Company (cellcom) has made moon walking look like drinking coco-cola, and now the 5th person Williams Blamo had taken the us$10.000 dollar walk, all you have to do is just call and talk and use two dollars and you will received an electronic ticket for the draw at each week end…………
Konti Amon writes about bitter tribal differences in legislative politics in the country:
Monrovia, Liberia- For long time now the political life of the country has been tied to tribal,sectional, and religious divide.
The recent leadership crises at the liberia senate is bring the bitter tribal differecies to the flood again.
“If those who put you in power don’t want you any more, you have to leave. I am resigning as president pro-tempore of the Liberian senate,” Sen. Nyanibo announced during a senate session.
Learn about photographers in Liberia from Sayon Emerson:
In Liberia there ara lots of photographers. Some of these photographers are selfemployed, while some work with different news media.
For those that are selfemployed, and only do photographing on commercial level, are mostly found on the street, or moving around in the community.
Out of the total number of photographers in Liberia about about 10%(ten) are owners of photo studio,while 5% work with news media.
Most of these Commercialphotographers are not members of the Press Union
Hello world, I am Ammens from Liberian,” writes Ammens Sarplah:
I am Ammens from Liberia, I am highly interested in entertainment and sports.I spend my leisure time listening to good music.The fine arts is more of a culture for me.
Celebrating World Consumer Day in Liberia, writes Keith on his blog Keith4Liberia:
Liberians joined many around the world to celebrate world consumer day for the first time in Liberia since this day was decleared in 1983 to be celebrated world wild.
During the program which took place at the  Monrovia City Hall, an association of  journalist for the promotion of consumer rights was organized and its leadership was inducted into office.
Woiworgoepogui writes about homicide cases in Liberia:
on the 26 of march 2009 an alleged homicide  case reported at my officer which took place at congo town monrovia liberia.victim sumo ,age 24, sex male,add sinkor monrovia liberia.during the observetion we observet that the victim was lying on the side of the road at congo town….
Kpannah blogs about gender-based violence in Liberia:
There  are  many  cases  of  gender  base  violance  in  liberia   The  last  week there  was a  girl  that  was  rape  by  her  borther  and  die from  the  effect  The  borther   is 21  years  of  age  and  she  was   11  years  when   it  happend.  The  boy  is  now  in  monrovia   leatral    prison   compound  .    The  mother  of  the  girl  is  crying  every  day.
Prince Tokpah thinks that the introduction of death penalty in Liberia has not reduced the number of armed robberies:
The government of Liberia last year enacted into law a bill that enforced the death panelty which the said would protect the citize of crime like arm robbery amoung others. This seem to be a myth as the level of arm robbery had in fact increase to a higher level. talking to some  citizen yesterday sa they said that the government is not looking to the cause of the problem but rather finding political aternative to real and difficult crime prevension and the protection of citizens and other that are residing in around monrovia.
Blogger Daniel Kokoi works for Amnesty International in Liberia:
I  started  working  for  amnesty  international  liberia in  november  2008  as  a  voluntary  worker.  in  january  of   this  year  i   received  tranining in human   right  advocay.
Varney Karneh writes about communication devices donated to the University of Liberia:
A team from the Universities of Massachusetts and Syracuse have donated an assortment of communication devices to the Mass Communication Department of the University of Liberia (UL). The items include four digital cameras, seven lenses, two dell laptop computers and accessories.
Liberia's former council chairman finally laid to rest, writes Moses Btogbah:
Liberia’s former state council chairman Professor Wilton Sakanwolo remains have finally been laid to rest. prof Sakanwolo appointed as head of the council in 1995 to lead one of Liberia’s many agreements during the the just ended civil conflict in the country.
the late Prof, wrote many books in Liberia including the famous “WHY NOWBODY KNOW WHEN HE WILL DIE? and thougth english and literature at many unversities in Liberia famous among them the Unversity of Liberia . he received state funiral.
Zoe identifies causes of underdevelopment in Liberia:
Liberia which is the oldest country in Africa,is the youngest on the line of Development based on some causes below:
Illiteracy:Because of the high illiteracy in Liberia,the minds of people are not developed as to how get involved into issues that will move Liberia forward.
Laurina blogs at Supreme Lady. She works at Sky FM radio in Monrovia. She writes about the joy of learning about blogging and photo-journalism:
THIS IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME 2DAY, TO BE A PART OF THIS ALL IMPORTANT WORKSHOP HERE AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY. I HAVE GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO LEARN A LIL BIT MORE ABOUT PHOTO JOUNALISM AND NOW I HAVE JOINED A BLOG. I WISH MY LIL DAUGTHER GORETTI WAS HERE RIGHT NOW, BUT SHE’S IN SCHOOL. ANYWAY MY SIL GRACE IS HERE WITH ME, AND IT’S KOOL TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE WITH GRACE.
Liberian stories is one of the oldest Liberian blogs. However, the blog has not been updated since November last year. Elma Shaw is the owner of Liberian stories:
Elma Shaw writes about the ups and downs of living in post-war Liberia, and of being a Liberian in the diaspora. Writing with a sense of history, a bit of humor, and a sprinkle of irreverence, Shaw presents profiles & photos of people, places and current events. She is the author of Redemption Road: The Quest for Peace and Justice in Liberia (A Novel)
The Liberian Times is a blog dedicated to Liberian and world news:
TheLiberianTimes.com provides the latest Liberian, African, and World News from the most trusted name in Liberian news, now ranked as the #1 most read Liberian news website by Ranking.com. TheLiberianTimes.com features news on a wide variety of topics from staff based out of Liberia and the United States.
Saturdayhseke attended a literacy workshop for teachers:
A One-Day Adults Literacy Teachers TRAINING WorkShop ended on Thursday, March 12, with about fifty teachers participating.
The workshop which was organized by a local NGO ALFALIT INTERN
TIONAL, LIBERIA INCORPORATED based in Monrovia, was intended to train teachers who will teach illiterate people how to read and write.
Below is a list of other blogs by Liberian journalists compiled by David Sasaki in his post, Liberian Journalists Become Bloggers:
* First News Liberia
* Moussomag
* Bens Liberia
* JS Kpenneh
* Sengbeh
* Judicial Reporter Network
* The Forum News
* Azango Liberia
* Gudsdjaeploe