THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

News of Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s call for holistic youth preparation in Africa forthe West African Examinations Council Exams, the return of three Liberia medical specialists from studies in Cuba,  President Johnson Sirleaf’s dismissal of  her Deputy Commerce Minister, Alpha Ahmed Bah and the Government of Liberia’s donation to the University of Liberia are stories dominating the summary of today’s local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ngafuan Calls For Preparation Of Youth At WAEC Meeting

The FrontPage Africa newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release: Liberia's Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan has stressed the need for the holistic preparation of students in order to make them to effectively cope with the complex challenges of the real world. While noting that academic excellence is a positive quality that should be encouraged in students, Minister Ngafuan said that academic excellence alone is not sufficient if African societies are to produce youths capable of performing excellently not only in the classroom, but also on the job market and in the larger society. The Liberian Foreign Minister identified teamwork, research, creative and ethical leadership skills as well as a deeper appreciation of the culture of peace and tolerance, self-discipline, self-esteem, and the ability to cope with failure and setbacks as important qualities that must be inculcated into the youth. He therefore called on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and school authorities to incorporate, in the curriculum and the testing system, subjects that promote the cultivation of these skills and values in students.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, Minister Ngafuan made these remarks in Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, March 23, 2015 when he served as the Guest Speaker at the 20th Annual Lecture of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Speaking on the theme: “What Else, Are We Writing on the Slate? A Call for a Holistic Preparation of the Youth”, Foreign Minister Ngafuan observed that the WAEC exams are administered to students in their early or late teens, which coincides with the formative period in their lives when they are “impressionable” and “malleable” and depending on whether they are exposed to positive or negative influences, may turn out to be good or bad adults.  The Liberian Foreign Minister compared the life of a young person to a slate which is largely empty that beckons for scripts. He said there are numerous stakeholders, including the family, peer groups, religious or faith-based leaders and teachers who impact the life of students in varying degrees, which could be positive or negative, good or evil. He, however, emphasized that the impact of the teacher and the entire learning environment is overly significant during the formative years of young person. Minister Ngafuan, who in 1989 earned a WAEC Award for Academic Excellence for being the third best performers on the WAEC exams administered in Liberia, said stronger measures needed to be taken by all stakeholders to stem out examination malpractice, stressing that “exam results should mirror actual performance”. He said the most effective way to buttress the integrity of the educational system is for governments, the private sector, donors, and ordinary citizens to provide increased financial support to education, which will go a long way in improving the entire system as well as the working conditions of teachers and educational workers. “We must change the situation were to pursue a career as an educator is to sign a perpetual contract with poverty”, Minister Ngafuan stated. He concluded by congratulating Dr. Evelyne S. Kandakai and Hon. Hawa Goll-Kotchie for the elections as Chair and Vice Chair respectively of WAEC. “Dr. Kandakai’s assumption of the position of Chair of the Council is historic in that this is the first time in the 63-year history of WAEC that a female has been elected to chair the Council. Therefore, on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president, and the government and people of Liberia, I salute Dr. Kandakai and Hon. Goll-Kotchie for bringing honor and pride to our dear motherland, Liberia.” Minister Ngafuan said. The 63rd Annual Council Meeting of WAEC, which should have been held in Liberia in line with WAEC’s principle of rotation, shifted to Lagos, Nigeria as a result of the Ebola crisis. WAEC is the premier public examinations body of English Speaking West African countries. Its 63rd Council Meeting convening in Lagos is bringing together Heads of WAEC National Offices (HNO’s) and Chief Government Nominees of the five WAEC as well as renowned academics and intellectuals from West Africa. Also attending the Council meeting are Education Minister Etmonia David Tarpeh, incoming Chair WAEC, Dr. Evelyne S. Kandakai, Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Alhassan Conteh, incoming Vice Chair of WAEC & Deputy Minister of Education for Instructions Hawa Goll-Kotchie and the Head of the Liberia National Office, Mr. John Gayvolor, Sr.

Related Captions: Foreign Minister Ngafuan Calls For Holistic Preparation Of The Youth(Heritage), Min. Ngafuan Calls For Holistic Preparation Of Youth(INSIGHT), Ngafuan Tells Students To Go Beyond Academic Excellence(The New Republic), Ngafuan Wants Holistic Approach For Youth(New Democrat), Ngafuan Seeks Holistic Youth Preparation(In Profile Daily), Foreign Minister Ngafuan Wants Holistic Youth Preparation In Africa(FOCUS), Foreign Minister Ngafuan Addresses WAEC’s Annual Meeting(The New Dawn)

3 Liberian Medical Specialists Return Home

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that: Three Cuban-trained Liberian medical specialists have returned home after successfully completing studies in various medical fields, including Clinical Engineering, Clinical Bio-analysis, and Radiology & X-Ray respectively in Cuba. According to the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia, the three young Liberian medical professionals left here in 2008 under a Cuba-Liberia Bilateral Scholarship Program to pursue advanced medical studies in that part of the world, after they were recruited and vetted by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and the Inter-Ministerial Scholarship Committee of the Ministry of Education. the three medical specialists include Mr. William Wesseh, B.Sc  in Clinical Engineering;  Mr. Michael Mator,  B.Sc in Clinical  Bio-analysis,  and  Varnjah  Quincy  Quiah,  BSc  in  Radiology & X-Ray respectively. The release indicated that the three specialists with requisite skills and knowledge are back to join their professional colleagues, who are impacting the country’s health sector, which is facing serious post Ebola technical and human resource challenges. Speaking on behalf of his fellow colleagues, the spokesman and head of the Liberian Foreign Students studying in Cuba, William Wesseh, lauded the Cuban Government for the opportunity and the hospitality accorded them while undergoing their studies in Cuba. Mr. Wesseh, who acquired B.Sc in Clinical Engineering, said despite the huge challenges faced while undergoing studies in Cuba, they were three out of 12 candidates from Liberia, who successfully completed the studies, while one female Liberian candidate is left behind with one semester to complete her studies. He thanked the Liberian government through the CSA and the Ministry of  Education for the  moral, technical and financial assistance rendered them,  which he noted, was significant  in making the realization of their dreams and aspiration, adding, “We have come back to contribute our quota to the Liberian society”. The Liberian medical specialists also hailed authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its concern and support as well as intervention which he said impacted their learning processes while in that foreign land. The students’ spokesperson paid special tribute to Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and the Assistant Minister for American Affairs, Hon. Sie-Teba Neufville whom he emphasized, had been very supportive and instrumental in ensuring their return home. The release added that the field of Clinical Engineering basically deals with the purchase, installation, maintenance and repair of medical equipment or generally the regulation of medical equipment. Clinical Bio-analysis is concerned with laboratory diagnosis of different types of diseases within the human body; while Radiology and X-Ray (medical Radiography and medical radio-physics) deals with the use of ionizing radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases using CT-scan, M R I, ultra-sound, Mammogram and Radio-therapy.

Related Captions: 3 Cuban Trained Liberian Medical Specialists Return Home(Heritage), Three Cuban Trained Liberian Medical Specialists Return Home(INSIGHT), Liberian Medical Specialists Return From Cuba(The News), Cuban Trained Liberia Medics Return(New Democrat)

President Dismisses Dep. Commerce Minister Alpha Bah

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dismissed with immediate effect, Mr. Alpha Ahmed Bah, Deputy Minister for Industry at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. According to an Executive Mansion release, Mr. Bah was dismissed for ascribing unto himself unauthorized functions and actions at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry contrary to his functions and mandate as Deputy Minister for Industry. 

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Dismisses Deputy Commerce Minister Alpha Ahmed Bah(Microscope), Ellen Dismisses Deputy Commerce Minister(Heritage), President Sirleaf Dismisses Deputy Commerce Minister Alpha Ahmed Bah(INSIGHT), Ellen Dismisses Deputy Commerce Minister(The News), Deputy Minister Dismissed(New Democrat), President Sirleaf Sacks Deputy Commerce Minister(In Profile Daily)

UL Receives Ambulance

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the University of Liberia has received an ambulance and other items from the Government of Liberia. Vice President Joseph Boakai, Sr. made the formal presentation Tuesday, 24 March on the UL Main Campus on Capitol Hill. The ambulance is said to have been donated last year to government by the Guaranty Trust Bank on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s 76th Birthday, as part of efforts to fight the Ebola Virus. Classes at the university resumed last week after the institution was shutdown in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak. Mr. Boakai said the donation of the ambulance, tunnel-fish, among others was necessary because the campus was packed with students. Though he acknowledged that the items were meant to augment the strength of the UL Administration in responding to any situation on campus, he however expressed hope that there will be no Ebola incident on the campus. Receiving the keys to the ambulance from the Vice President, UL President, Dr. Emmett Dennis, thanked Mr. Boakai and expressed pleasure over the donated items, describing the donation as “a Christmas in March”.

Related Captions: Big Boost For UL…As Institution Gets New Ambulance(Heritage), UL Gets Ambulance(The Inquirer), V.P. Donates Ambulance To UL(The News), VP Donates Ambulance To UL(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Congratulates Hellenic Republic On National Day

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of the Hellenic Republic on the occasion commemorating the National Day of Greece. In her message to H.E. Prokopis Pavlopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, President Johnson Sirleaf said that as the people of Liberia join in the celebration of Greece’s National Day, Liberia reflects with very fond memories the historic and friendly interactions deeply rooted in the maritime affairs that characterized the relationship between the two countries. President Sirleaf further noted that the bond the two countries have enjoyed over the years has resulted to mutually rewarding benefits for their respective people. The release says, the Liberian leader hoped that both countries build on their friendly ties for the purpose of exploring new and rewarding areas of cooperation for the enhancement of their bilateral relations while together striving for the promotion of global peace and prosperity. The Liberian President wished for the Government and People of The Hellenic Republic continued peace and renewed economic growth.

Lott Authority Gets More Power…As Ellen Signs Law 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has signed into law an Act repealing the 1993 Act of the Liberia National Lotteries Corporation thus creating the National Lottery Authority. According to a release, the new Act gives the agency the exclusive power to conduct, manage, regulate, and supervise Lotto and all other games of chance within the entire country. The Act identifies games of chance as raffles, casinos, numbers games, raffle draws, casino slot machines, schemes, arrangements, systems, plans and promotional competition or device for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance. The new National Lotto Authority will also monitor, supervise and regulate any exercise of skill and chance or betting based on the outcome of an event, including but not limited to sports, or any other game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan, competition or device which shall be operated pursuant to the issuance of a license under this Act. The Act which was signed on December 22, 2014 by the President compels companies operating casinos, slot machines, sports betting and others hosting raffle draws, promotional competitions or devices for the distribution of prizes by lots or chance to acquire a permit or license from the Authority, according to the Heritage newspaper.

House Ratifies Re-Stated Agency Agreement

The House of Representatives has ratified a revised amendment to the “Extended Re-stated Agency Agreement” concluded between the Government of Liberia and Liberia International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR). The amended Re-stated Agency Agreement seeks to construct US$2 million Maritime headquarters and a Training facility in Marshall, Margibi County as well as the provision of US$50,000 annually for social development. It can be recalled that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in February this year informed the Legislature through Speaker J. Alex Tyler that following a performance review conducted on the agency work, the government identified several areas where further improvements are required to enhance the viability and profitability of LMA. The revised amended agreement also seeks to develop new flag administration businesses, ship and corporate registries as well as accounting audit services, the News newspaper writes.

Related Caption: House Passes Maritime Amendment (New Democrat)

Albino Group Lauds Govt. – For US$50,500 Allotment; Craves For More Support

The Liberia Albino Society has lauded the Government of President Ellen Johnson for the level of support it has provided to the group over the years especially allotting US$50,500 in its national budget for the operation of LAS. The Executive Director Patricia C.N. Logan said the health needs of Albinos in the country are critical and it should draw the urgent attention of national government, well-meaning Liberians living both in the country and outside including the international community. Madam Logan further disclosed that with approximately 50,000 albinos in the country, the organization is presently taking care of over five thousand albinos in three counties namely Montserrado, Margibi and Grand Bassa, the New Republic newspaper reports.

MRU Youth Parliament Holds Nat’l Youth Confab – Seeks To Adopt Post Ebola Recovery Strategies

The leadership of the Mano River Union Youth Parliament (MRUYP) Liberia Chapter has begun plans and preparations for the holding of what it calls a National Youth Conference on Post Ebola Recovery in the country. The conference is expected to convene in Zorzor District, Lofa County from Thursday – Saturday, March 26-28, 2015. According to the parliament’s leadership, departure date for delegates to the Conference is Wednesday, March 25, 2015, indicating that the Parliament is assuming full responsibility of the transportation cost, lodging and feeding of all delegates attending the Conference, the New Republic newspaper writes.

U.S. Deploys 48th Chemical Brigade To Liberia

The U.S.’s 48th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade has uncased its colors and assumed command of the Operation United Assistance (TAC-OUA) mission to Liberia, taking over from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), according to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia. Col. Sven C. Erichsen, Commander of the 48th Brigade said: “Today’s uncasing ceremony is a milestone in the history of the 48th Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade since its activation at Fort Hood a little over seven years ago”. The release quotes Commander Erichsen as saying the exercise marks its first operational deployment to Liberia, in support of Operation United Assistance, the U.S. effort to help Liberia rid itself of the Ebola epidemic. The 48th CBRN Brigade will, in the Colonel’s words, “ensure that the work 101st started is brought to completion, and the goodwill they’ve built with our U.S. and international partners is preserved”, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

Save The Children Promises More Support To Liberia

The Area Manager of Save the Children has pledged the organization’s continual support to Liberia’s development. Mr. Birhanu Waka said with the support of other partners and donors, Save the Children will continue to provide support to schools, homes and communities with growing needs across the country. Mr. Waka meanwhile, extended gratitude to the partners of save the children for working in collaboration with the organization in making sure that works of Save the Children is achieved in the Country. The Save the Children Area Manager made the statement on March 23, 2015 at program marking this year’s International World Water Day celebration held on the campus of the George V. Gibson United Methodist High School in Kakata, Margibi County, the New Republic newspaper reports.

House Ratifies US$78.11M Loan Agreements

The House of Representatives has ratified two loans agreements submitted to that body by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The ratification followed a report from the joint committee on Ways, means, Finance & Development Planning and Judiciary. The loan agreements are between the Republic of Liberia and the African Development Fund (ADF). The agreement is in the amount of US$39, 67,000. It is intended to finance the construction of phase II of the Mano River Road Development and Transport facilitation program. The other loan agreement is between the Republic of Liberia and the African Development Bank (ADB) as well as African Development Fund (ADF). President Sirleaf, in her submission of the two bills to the Legislature, explained that the loan agreement between the Republic of Liberia and ADF will boost post conflict economic recovery of the Mano River Union (MRU) area, the News newspaper reports.