It is a sunny day in West Point, one of the many slum communities in central Monrovia. This community is not only noted for crimes and violent acts by some former ex-combattants who have now turned into drug addicts, but is also noted for it’s filthiness. Many residents here are living in a deplorable state, something they say will create a health disaster if urgent measures are not taken to combat the growing wave of illness and disease in the area.

The Star of the Sea medical clinic is the only referal health center in West Point. A woman only identified as Mrs Bryant is one of the chief medical officers at this clinic. She says that the cases most commonly reported are malaria and diarrhea, which are caused by mosquitoe bites and contaminated drinking water.

“The huge pile of garbage and the pollution of the air as a result of some detroyed latrines are the major factors contributing to the increase.”

Mrs Bryant also noted that access to clean drinking water, which is important for every living being, is one of the problems facing the residents here. As a result of lack of safe drinking water, both children and adults are constantly diagnosed with diarrhea.

“Some of these illnesses are sometimes referred to bigger hospitals because of the lack of proper drugs to treat patients here,” she explained.

Mamie Gbarto is a patient at the clinic, who recently gave birth prematurely. She has been here for nearly three days. She says the health conditions in West Point are deplorable, and she is calling on government and humanitarian organizations to come to their aid.

David Mulbah works at a nearby drug store.

“Since the inception of the government of President Johnson-Sirleaf,” he says, “no concrete steps have been taken to address the many health issues confronting this community.”

Mulbah believes that the health conditions in the area will not improve if Government continues to abandon the plight of the people.

Most of the housing facilities in West Point are make-shift – something the residents say is further contributing to the health disaster looming over the community.

“My daughter is always sick because our house is leaking very badly,” says Monica Lee, a marketeer. She says mosquitoes, cockroaches, and flies have infested the area, spreading germs which contribute to high fevers in residents.

“The unfortunate thing is children are always the victims.”

Photo credit: David Vaucher (http://www.panoramio.com/user/166000?with_photo_id=3869193)

No matter what time of year, Monrovians are faced with difficult traffic conditions. Even though the capital is a relatively small city in size, commuters are often stuck behind long lines of cars – especially on the major streets. And this month, the condition is getting even worse.

“When Christmas is happening, the time is always tense,” says Simon, who works for the Federation of Road Transport Union of Liberia (FRTUL). Starting as early as late November, hundreds of Liberians from the rural areas travel to Monrovia in order to get their Christmas wares. As a result, the city’s population increases – as does its traffic troubles.

Benetta Karneh (far right), lives in the Monrovia suburb of New Georgia. Like many residents of this area, Benetta relies on public transport to reach downtown Monrovia. Some days, she says she waits up to an hour just to secure a place in one of the minibuses.

In response to such long waits, the government recently acquired ten large city buses, each with 31 seats. Although overcrowding remains an issue, it is hoped that these buses will ease some of the strain on the city’s main transportation routes – particularly now with Christmas fast approaching.

The fever of the season is particularly felt in commercial areas such as Waterside. Clothes and electronics from China and the UAE, cosmetics from the US, sportswear from Europe – the streets overflow with imported gift items. Roads which are normally open for vehicles are now almost impassable, even on foot.

But that doesn’t mean business is necessarily any easier. As street vendor Aggray Gbosen tells Renaissance reporter Sahata Sambulleh, major competition between vendors selling Christmas decorations, combined with daily tax levies and transportation difficulties puts a lot of pressure on the individual sellers. As do the city police.

Even so, some things seem to remain uncontrollable. Taking advantage of the holiday demand, money changers in Monrovia have stated that exchange rates for ‘Liberty’ (Liberian Dollars) typically drop during the final weeks of Christmas shopping by as much as 5 Liberian to the US dollar – sliding from the regular high of 62 or 63 Liberty to the dollar, down to 58. It is a difference which greatly affects December shopping costs, and one which adds a whole new meaning to the Liberian-termed ‘Gold Month’.

With the early December breakout of more than 100 inmates from Monrovia’s Central Prison, fears of a spike in crime – particularly cases of armed robbery – have prompted local police to take an even firmer stance during this busy season.

Photo Credits (from top to bottom):

Long Traffic Line [Credit: Arwen Kidd]
Minibus Money Hand-over: [Credit: Jerome Carngbe]
Woman in Bus Line [Credit: Arwen Kidd]
Gov’t Bus [Credit: Arwen Kidd]
Waterside imported Christmas goods [Credit: Arwen Kidd]
Christmas Trees [Credit: Jerome Carngbe]
Police Stop [Credit: Jerome Carngbe]
Liberian Dollars [Credit: Arwen Kidd]

Zenu Miller, News Director, RCI

“The Liberian media is aggressive, but it is still bedeviled with challenges, including training and self-sustainability.”

On sensationalism: “There are isolated cases of sensationalism that ought to be proven, naturally. The point is that with a lot of these stories, people don’t challenge them in court – and they need to.”

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Alexander Gee, Police Officer

“The media is trying. There are still limited cases of “cheque-book journalism” [paying for stories]. It used to happen more, but it is now limited.”

“Yeah, I trust the media. They are informing me in the day-to-day activities. It is the truth.”

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Amos M Kanneh, Accounting and Economics student at the University of Liberia

“Yes, of course I trust the media. When it comes to reporting, we respect the Liberian press. But sometimes there are cases where they carry stories that are untrue. The press union should set a criteria for qualified journalists. Press should be focused to gain public confidence. We are Liberian, we should trust our own people and the media to represent us.”

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Kezoe Gayflor, Money Changer

“I only really read Tidings and Champion sports papers. I love sports…. Once I hear of a big issue, I’ll read [the other papers]. They are all fine, reliable information.”

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Ahmed Jackson, Mechanic

“I trust the media, because they give me factual information. But we got so many press here. Each gives information about different stuff. They need to come together and bring the information correct. Make it coherent. If one paper reports one story, it should be the same story [with the same facts] in the other newspapers and radio.”

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Komoyou Teah, Newspaper Vendor

“I am a female vendor…. We especially encourage more females to be working [in the press]. Now it is time in Liberia for the women to stand up and be educated too.”

“To be frank, the press is working hard. We Liberians, we know how hard the press is working….. In all organizations, some are good, some are bad. The majority [of our press] I think is good. So let’s look on the good side.”

“The only thing I want to add is I want to tell the media to keep it up, but watch out. Not everybody likes you. They want to spoil your job. They will say bad about you.”

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Dr Levi Zee Zangai, Former Liberian Minister of Education & Current World Bank Consultant

“One, I think it is very good that we have all these publications. But with few exceptions, we need more training – specifically in ethics…. And two, I think there should be adequate pay so journalists don’t fall prey to the people who can pay [for stories].”

“I can’t put it in black & white, good or bad. Some are good, some are not so good. What I can say is that we need training, and adequate pay, so that one apple cannot spoil the whole barrel. These rotten apples need to be checked.”

“Also, as an educator, I would like to see more news on education. Liberian people told government they want to prioritize the following issues: education, health, and infrastructure – specifically the roads. These issues should be in the press more. They should be just as big [topics] as corruption because they are national development issues the nation has prioritized. I want to see the press focus on them.”

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Winston Daryoue, Journalism Intern, RCI

“On the performance of the Liberian press, I think the media has the courage to provide balance and credible reportage. But additionally, there is need for more capacity building and standardized media equipment to further enhance the work of the press.”

“The role of the media is cardinal to the growth of any nation and there must be honest and competent individuals to serve in this role. I chose this profession to tell the world stories and serve as a bridge between what should be known and those who should know it.”