Best Cecil West Podcasts (2025)

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COP30 Tensions, Liberia’s Stress Crisis, the Latest War Crimes Court Tensions, and the Fight for Clear Vision 28:30

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3h ago28:30

28:30

Coming up in this episode. At this year’s cop climate change summit, global powers move forward with green energy expansion despite U.S. withdrawal. But vulnerable nations like our own rage as adaptation funds fall short. A survey finds Liberians are among the world’s biggest worriers as experts link rising stress to chronic diseases, especially in…

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Illinois AFL-CIO President speaks on Miners' Day 2025 8:49

4d ago8:49

8:49

President Drea spoke from the grave of the legendary Irish firebrand, Mother Jones. She is buried in Union Miners' Cemetery in Mt. Olive, Illinois. It is the only union-owned cemetery in our country.By James Goltz

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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Fatou Bensouda, former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court 23:38

1M ago23:38

23:38

As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court and national anti-corruption court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts will work. In this interview, Anthony Stephens speaks with Fatou Bom Bensouda, a former prosecutor of the International Crimi…

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Abortion Pills Are Saving Lives; Women Struggle With Postpartum Depression; Farmers Without Market Prices Shortchanged by Middlemen and War Crimes Court Advocates Criticize Decision to Prioritize Anti ... 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

COMING UP IN THIS EPISODE. AS LIBERIA’S DRUG CRISIS WORSENS, UNLICENSED REHABILITATION CENTERS ARE PROFITING FROM FAMILIES’ MISERY. EXPERTS WANT THEM CLOSED. AS A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE ABORTION IS AGAIN DEBATED IN THE SENATE, MEDICINES THAT END PREGNANCIES ARE QUIETLY SAVING LIVES. WITH NO INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET PRICES, RURAL FARMERS SAY MIDDL…

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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Lofa County Senator Joseph Jallah on Why He Has Introduced a War Crimes Court Bill to the Legislature Now 23:26

1M ago23:26

23:26

In this interview, I speak with Lofa County Senator Joseph Jallah — who along with Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence - has introduced two bills to establish Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts. The bills have surprised the court’s proponents because they have seemingly come out of nowhere and they have some controversial elements that contr…

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Protestors Demand Action on Drug Crisis, AID Cuts Hit Entire Economy, Seawall For West Point Set to Begin, and Expert Warns War Crimes Court Security Must Start Now 28:30

3M ago28:30

28:30

Coming up in this episode. The country’s drug crisis takes center stage. Citizens march on the capitol demanding action as vigilantes destroy drug dens. The massive cuts to us aid being felt across economy. From street sellers to medium sized businesses the loss of business is hurting. After years of delay a seawall meant to save thousands of homes…

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SPECIAL: Cecil Griffiths, security expert, on the challenges of protecting witnesses and national security during a war crimes court 24:04

4M ago24:04

24:04

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…

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Government Suspends Chaotic ID Rollout and Liberia's Forests Face New Threats as Charcoal Production Soars and EcoGuards Resume Hunting 28:30

5M ago28:30

28:30

Coming up in this episode. Following a chaotic rollout process, the government indefinitely suspends its compulsory national ID registration program. As climate change causes more and more farms to fail, rural dwellers turn to charcoal production to survive in a renewed threat to Liberia’s forests At the same time, the end of international funding …

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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Marvin Tarawally, founder of LiberiaGivingMonth, the new online nonprofit donation platform 28:08

5M ago28:08

28:08

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. It’s not news to anyone that Liberia has been one of the countries most impacted by US President Donald Trump’s cuts to aid. Hundreds of Liberian NGO jobs have been lost. But a new online donation platform calle…

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SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Retiring U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner 1:03:36

5M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

In this special bonus episode of Democracy in Focus, Anthony Stephens has an exclusive interview with Ambassador Mark Toner on his decision to retire just one year into his two year post. Ambassador Toner's announcement came a day before Liberian President Joseph Boakai had a coveted meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Tone…

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"Leaders Need to Love People More Than Their Foreign Bank Accounts" - A SPECIAL INTERVIEW With Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Laureate 38:41

6M ago38:41

38:41

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…

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Liberia Wins Seat on UN Security Council; an Interview with Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, Experts Call for Mental Health Support as War Time Justice Begins, and Pregnant Women Fear the Worst After USAid ... 28:30

6M ago28:30

28:30

Coming up in this episode. Liberia wins a seat on the un security council. Ambassadors and President Boakai applaud the historic moment. Nobel laureate, Leymah Gbowee urges government to seize the win to drive war time justice beginning with economic crimes. As US aid cuts end a more than $US100 million maternal and infant mortality program, expert…

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Special Interview: Rosemary Mbabazi, Rwanda's Ambassador to Liberia, On What the World Can Learn from Rwanda's Journey from Genocide 18:46

7M ago18:46

18:46

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes court get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this i…

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President Quiets Doubters With Big War Crimes Court Budget and A Critical Report Says EPA Failures Cost Liberians a Crucial Weather Warning System 28:30

7M ago28:30

28:30

President Boakai quiets doubters with a renewed mandate for the war crimes court office and a big increase in budget to two million dollars As Rwanda commemorates thirty-one years since its genocide, its ambassador says the world can learn from its path to reconciliation and justice. And… a report says a lack of competence and inflated salary claim…

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Heart Disease, Stroke and Diabetes Reach Crisis Levels; 3500 USAID teaching scholarships cut and poverty rises in rural Liberia 28:30

8M ago28:30

28:30

In this episode..A silent killer is stalking Liberians. Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other so called non communicable diseases are reaching crisis levels. Experts say awareness campaigns are needed. Thousands of teachers pursuing degrees in education are ejected from us aid- funded scholarships. Experts say Liberia’s school children will los…

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SPECIAL Interview: Dr. Clement Peter, outgoing WHO Representative on the growing crisis of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other preventable diseases 22:49

10M ago22:49

22:49

Heart disease, cancer, mental illness and diabetes are some of a group of diseases that are growing at an alarming rate in Liberia, killing far more people than better known killers like malaria and typhoid. More than one in three deaths are now caused by so-called lifestyle diseases – preventable diseases that are primarily caused by diet, stress,…

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Liberia Reels from US Aid Cuts 28:01

10M ago28:01

28:01

Coming up in this episode. As Liberia comes to terms with us aid cuts, economists warn of lost jobs and public services with more aid cuts looming. Local NGO heads worry about the ripple effects as staff are laid off, scholarships end and drugs run out. And…..the aid cuts situation also throws into jeopardy, Liberia’s much-heralded campaign to esta…

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David Hatfield describes hillbillies. 1:01

11M ago1:01

1:01

West Virginia David Hatfield explains what he sees as a hillbilly. Please like, share, and subscribe.By James Goltz

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Evil Came to West Virginia 0:52

11M ago0:52

0:52

David Hatfield tells of the damage done to West Virgina by greedy investors and the damage they did still remains.By James Goltz

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A call to action by UMWA President Cecil Roberts 2:08

12M ago2:08

2:08

During the October 13, 2024, 125th year celebration of the creation of Union Miners' Cemetery in Mt. Olive, IL, UMWA President Cecil Roberts made the crowd aware that no plaque for the legendary, Irish firebrand, Mother Jones, exists in the AFL-CIO building.By James Goltz

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Matewan West Virginia shoot out 1:31

12M ago1:31

1:31

This is Lloyd Tomlinson, PhD, speaking from the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum in West Virginia. The men died in the shoot-out at the OK Corral. Most have heard about it. Ten men died in a shoot-out in Matawan and few know about it by design. The Redneck Historian finishes describing the final moments.…

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An Exclusive Interview with the New Head of War Crimes Court Office, K1 Goes on Trial in the US, Forest Communities Nervous About Carbon Trading and, Following Liberia's Most Devastating Rainy Season in ... 28:03

12M ago28:03

28:03

COMING UP IN THIS EPISODE. WE SPEAK WITH THE NEW HEAD OF LIBERIA’S WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT DR JALLAH BARBU. VICTIMS DEMAND TOUGH PUNISHMENT AS FORMER LURD REBEL COMMANDER “K1 GOES ON TRIAL IN THE US GOVERNMENT CELEBRATES AS CARBON TRADING WINS APPROVAL AT THE UN COP 20 CLIMATE SUMMIT. BUT FOREST COMMUNITIES SAY THEY’RE BEING LEFT OUT. AND…..T…

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West Virginia Mine Wars and the Itialian coal miner. 0:48

12M ago0:48

0:48

A short explanation of the Italian coal miner's' background.By James Goltz

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Murder by Sheriff 1:25

12M ago1:25

1:25

Lloyd Tomlinson, PhD., tells of the murderous legacy of West Virginia Sheriff Don Chafin.By James Goltz

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EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Jallah Barbu, newly appointed Executive Director of the Office of War and Economics Crimes Court 43:27

1y ago43:27

43:27

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. In this exclusive interview, I speak with Jallah Barbu, newly appointed executive director of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Dr. Barbu will lead Liberia’s long overdue effort to hold those who upe…

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SPECIAL: Interview with Seidu Swaray, of Liberian Association of Psychosocial Services On Liberians' Mental Heath Post War and Self Care as a Court Gets Underway 21:37

1y ago21:37

21:37

In this interview, Anthony Stephens speaks with Seidu Swaray, a leading mental health counsellor and executive director of the Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services. Swaray’s group provides psychosocial services to Liberians, including victims of the civil wars. He describes the profound mental health challenges facing the country after the …

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SPECIAL: Interview with Peterson Sonyah, Head of Liberia Largest Survivors Group 21:09

1y ago21:09

21:09

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. In this …

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High Schoolers' Dreams Die in Rural Liberia, the Country Prepares for Mpox and the EPA Cleans Up Our Air 28:11

1y ago28:11

28:11

In this episode: The dreams of young rural Liberians die early because of a lack of high schools. Half of all stroke and heart disease deaths in Liberia are caused by air pollution. Liberia’s environmental protection agency takes its first steps to clean up our air. Liberia's mpox cases rise as the government confirms the deadly strain that has kil…

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KPELLE EDITION: Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox? 27:30

1y ago27:30

27:30

Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…

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LIBERIAN ENGLISH EDITION: Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox? 28:14

1y ago28:14

28:14

Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…

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LORMA Language Edition: Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia's Streets, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World 29:25

1y ago29:25

29:25

Thanks to host: Korpo Kollie of Radio Kintoma in Lofa County Coming up in this episode … New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs. Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens. The Boakai admi…

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Special: Taiwan Gongloe, Veteran Liberian Human Rights Lawyer, Shares His Thoughts on Liberia's Upcoming War and Economics Crimes Courts 10:56

1y ago10:56

10:56

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…

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Special: Hassan Bility, Long Time Justice Advocate and Head of Global Justice and Research Project Shares His Thoughts on Liberia's War and Economics Crimes Courts 31:53

1y ago31:53

31:53

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we’re running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work. …

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UMWA President speaks on hardship and black lung 4:46

1y ago4:46

4:46

This is part of a series featuring Roberts telling the story of mine work.By James Goltz

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UMWA President Cecil Roberts speaks on tragedy, leadership, and solidarity. 8:15

1y ago8:15

8:15

President Roberts speaks on different aspects of mineworker history in a series of interviews. In this podcast, a section of this interview tells of the tragic events in Ludlow Colorado. He also has some advice for union members.By James Goltz

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Experts Weigh in on Models for War and Economics Crimes Courts and, is Liberia Ready for Mpox? 28:08

1y ago28:08

28:08

Coming up in this episode .. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts’ get underway, we speak to experts on the major issues court designers will have to consider. Who will be tried? How much international involvement is needed? And what are the security challenges? One thing is already clear - funding will be limited. And some worry t…

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SPECIAL: Reed Brody, Leading Human Rights Lawyer and Victims' Lawyer in Habre Trial 24:15

1y ago24:15

24:15

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…

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SPECIAL: Alain Werner, Director of Justice Activists Civitas Maxima, on Liberia's War and Economics Crimes Courts 19:40

1y ago19:40

19:40

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international transitional justice experts and stakeholders about how the court…

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SPECIAL: Tennen Tehoungue, Liberian Transitional Justice Expert, on the War and Economics Crimes Court 25:29

1y ago25:29

25:29

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. As plans for Liberia’s war and economic crimes courts get underway, we are running a series of special interviews with Liberian and international justice experts and stakeholders about how the courts could work.…

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Liberian English Version: Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia's Streets - Many Involved in Drugs and Sex Work, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World and Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate 28:44

1+ y ago28:44

28:44

DEH NEWS WE COMIN TUHK TODAY……… TWO BEE GROUP DAH WEHKIN ON CHAYREN MATTERS IN LIBERIA DEH CALL MINISTRY OF GENDER AND UNICEF SAY, LIBERIA GEH ALMOST 370 THOUSAND CHAYREN ON DEH STREETS. DEH SAY SUMMAH DEH CHAYREN DEM DOIN HO-PO-JOE WEHK WHILE SUM CAN BE TAKIN DRUGS. PLENTAY PEEPOH IN DEH INTEERUH STAY GEH BEE PROBLEM WITH TOILET HUS BAYNAY… DEH CA…

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SPECIAL: Stephen Rapp, Fmr. Prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone and US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Crimes 25:47

1+ y ago25:47

25:47

Support the show Funding for this podcast comes from the Swedish embassy in Liberia and the American Jewish World Service. See more of our collaborations with media in West Africa at www.newnarratives.orgBy New Narratives/Front Page Africa

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Nearly 400,000 Children Live on Liberia's Streets - Many Involved in Drugs and Sex Work, Access to Toilets Among Worst in World and Religious Leaders Urge Action on Climate 28:47

1+ y ago28:47

28:47

Coming up in this episode … New data shows nearly 370,000 Liberian children are living on the streets. Many live a hellish existence of sex work and drugs. Access to toilets is still a big problem for rural Liberians. Leading to sickness and death of thousands of citizens. The Boakai administration charges five former government officials after ind…

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SPECIAL: We Talk to Taiwan Gongloe, Veteran Human Rights Lawyer, About the Rocky Start to Liberia's War Crimes Courts and What He Wants to See Next 22:30

1+ y ago22:30

22:30

Welcome to this special edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. In June President Joseph Boakai, appointed Liberian lawyer Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the newly established Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts. Ever since, a chorus of key stakeholders inc…

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SPECIAL: Liberia Drops on the Trafficking in Person Rankings. Two US Experts Explain What That Means for Aid 21:23

1+ y ago21:23

21:23

Welcome to this special bonus edition of Democracy in Focus, a collaboration between New Narratives and Front Page Africa. I’m Anthony Stephens. In recent years, Liberia has made big gains in tackling human trafficking, convicting several traffickers including an agent of the National Security Agency and bringing hundreds of victims home from the M…

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Liberia's War Crimes Court Off to a Rocky Start; Liberia Risks US Aid After Cutting Funding to Anti-Trafficking Efforts and More Liberians Suffer from Climate Change 28:54

1+ y ago28:54

28:54

Liberia's War Crimes Court Office is off to a rocky start as outcries from key stakeholders continue over President Boakai’s appointment of Jonathan Massaquoi to head the office. A 90 percent cut in funding to anti-trafficking actions has seen Liberia returned to the US government’s trafficking Tier 2 Watchlist. There are repercussions, and the imp…

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SPECIAL: "Our Lives are on the Line" - a BONUS Interview with Norwu Harris, Liberian climate activist 17:47

1+ y ago17:47

17:47

Hello listeners and welcome. This is Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh with an extended interview with Norwu Harris. Norwu is a climate justice activist with the civil society organization the Liberia Feminist Forum. We will explore a wide range of issues to do with the climate crisis and the devastation it is causing farmers across our 15 counties. Our interv…

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Liberians React to News a War Crimes Court is Coming, We Ask House Speaker Koffa What Comes Next and We Hear from a Court Advocate 27:34

1+ y ago27:34

27:34

Coming up in this episode … President Joseph Boakai makes history, taking the first step towards war and economic crimes courts for liberia. The move ends two decades of impunity for crimes that devastated the country and left two hundred and fifty thousand dead. We get citizen reactions from around the country. We ask what comes next with house sp…

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Where Childbirth Can Mean Death, Activists Say Land Rights Need a Reset, the Malaria Vaccine Arrives and Trash Services are Non-existent in Rural Areas 27:48

1+ y ago27:48

27:48

Looking at Liberia’s newsmedia, one might think that no one lives outside the capital, Monrovia. But rural Liberians face a range of hardships that don’t get any coverage. We devote this episode to bringing those issues to light. We visit a maternity clinic where giving birth means risking death. Six years since the Land Rights Act was passed just …

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Part Two of our Series: A Major Investigation Finds Climate Change is Driving Nine out of Every Ten Liberian Farmers to Want to Migrate 28:22

1+ y ago28:22

28:22

Coming up in this episode … In the second of our two-part series on climate change, a major New Narratives investigation has found Liberia’s farming emergency is fueling a migration crisis. A survey of Liberian farmers finds years of crop failure has nine in every ten wanting to leave the country. As the number of migrants rises so do the number of…

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Part One of a Two Part Series: Climate Change is Here. Farmers and Coastal Communities Struggle to Adapt 28:09

2y ago28:09

28:09

As our new government takes shape we look at a looming problem that threatens to upend life as we know it. We’re talking, about climate change. From Liberia’s coast to its forests people are feeling the impact of changing weather. In the first of two programs devoted to climate change we explore a new problem plaguing farmers: pests. We find the We…