The Inquirer Newspaper

51% Female Candidates Participate in WASSCE in Maryland

By Moses J. Dawoe

Education authorities in Maryland County have reported a historic milestone as female students account for 51 percent of candidates sitting this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Maryland County Education Officer Larry Nimely disclosed that 955 female students and 914 male students are participating in the examination, bringing the total number of candidates to 1,864.

The county has established 16 examination centers, including two new centers aimed at allowing students to write the exams closer to their communities. Nimely attributed the increase in female participation to the Ministry of Education’s efforts to promote girls’ education and improve enrollment, retention, and completion rates.

He also highlighted ongoing challenges facing the county’s education sector, including deteriorating school infrastructure and insufficient government support for renovations.

https://www.newerainquirer.com/

Audit Bombshell Hits Nimba
— Over Financial Irregularities

By Bill W. Cooper

A General Auditing Commission (GAC) report has uncovered significant financial irregularities involving more than US$12 million and over L$55 million within the administration of Nimba County.

The audit, covering the period from July 2018 to December 2023, revealed unsupported expenditures, abandoned projects, procurement discrepancies, unexplained budget variances, and weak financial controls involving county funds, including the County Development Fund and Social Development Fund.

Among the findings were more than US$2.5 million in payments lacking supporting documentation, US$335,000 in unaccounted spare parts procurement, over US$735,000 in abandoned development projects, and a US$5 million discrepancy between financial and fiscal reports. The report also questioned the management of US$1.49 million in Social Development Fund contributions from ArcelorMittal Liberia.

The findings place several current and former county officials under scrutiny and are expected to intensify calls for investigations, recoveries, and possible prosecutions.

https://www.newerainquirer.com/

Liberia Scores Major Maritime Victory in Greece
— 150 New Vessels Eye Registry, Seafarer Jobs Expand

Liberia has secured a major boost to its maritime sector following successful engagements at Posidonia 2026 in Athens, Greece, with more than 150 new vessels expected to join the country’s ship registry. The development emerged from high-level meetings led by Liberia Maritime Authority CEO Neto Zarzar Lighe with global shipping stakeholders, including shipowners, investors, and vessel managers.

According to the Liberia Maritime Authority, the anticipated fleet expansion reflects growing international confidence in Liberia’s registry, one of the world’s largest maritime flag administrations. In addition to vessel registrations, several international shipping companies have expressed interest in employing more Liberian seafarers, creating new job opportunities and supporting national development goals.

Lighe described Liberia’s participation at Posidonia 2026 as a strategic success that strengthens the country’s reputation as a trusted maritime nation while generating increased revenue and employment prospects.

https://www.newerainquirer.com/

June 2, 2026 edition of the Inquirer Newspaper 🗞️

https://www.newerainquirer.com/