BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 2019

Today’s summary highlights stories about President Weah Issuing a Proclamation for the 54th Legislature to Extend Session its second regular session; Pres. Weah’s visit  to Japan for TICAD Summit as well as VP Taylor’s assertion that Civics should be Reintroduced In Schools in Liberia.

Pres. Weah off to Japan for TICAD Summit                                                                                                            President George Weah on Saturday, August 24, 2019 departed the country for the Asian Republic of Japan, where he is expected to be for about a week. The President, according an Executive Mansion release, has been invited by the Japanese Government to attend the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).The conference takes place from August 28-30, 2019 in Pacifico, Yokohama. It is not clear as to the number of his delegation, but the Daily Observer on Saturday gathered that the President is traveling with a 67-member delegation on special chartered flights that would take them to Tokyo within (about) 12 hours.TICAD is an international conference led by Japan and co-sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC) the Daily Observer writes. 

Related Caption:PRESIDENT WEAH OFF TO JAPEN FOR TICAD SUMMIT (The Analyst)

Pres. Weah Issues Proclamation for Legislature to Extend Session                                                               President George Weah has issued a proclamation for members of the 54th Legislature to extend the Second regular session for two weeks beginning September 1-14, 2019. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation is in concurrence with Article 32 (b) of the Liberian Constitution, which provides that the President shall, on his/her own initiative or upon receipt of a certificate signed by at least one-fourth of the total membership of each House, and by proclamation extend a regular session of the Legislature beyond the date of adjournment or call a special or extraordinary session of that body to discuss or act upon matters of national emergency and concern, pens the Daily Observernewspaper.                                                                                                     

VP Taylor Wants Civics Reintroduced In Schools-Calls for Adjustment in School of National Exams

The Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, has been speaking on the importance of Civics in the Liberian school system. VP Howard-Taylor according to a release from the Office of the Vice President said the teaching of Civics in the Liberian school system would enable citizens to be aware of their cultural heritage helping them become an enlightened and loyal citizenry. Deputizing for His Excellency, President George M. Weah at the 172^nd National Flag Day celebration, hosted on Saturday, August 24,2019, the Liberian Vice President stressed that with Civics included in the educational curriculum; students will now be educated on moral values, civil rights and responsibilities as well as patriotism. The Vice President’s come in the wake of announcement by the Ministry through its Deputy Minister for Instruction, According to the Analyst report, Mr. Alexander Duopu, who informed the audience at 172^nd National Flag Day Celebration about the move by Government to reintroduce in its school curriculum the teaching of Civics beginning this academic year.  Said VP Howard-Taylor, “We need civics to come back and it should be highlighted deeply so that citizens can have a love for country,” adding that to make the needed impact, Civics should be taught in a more amplified way for citizens to understand the values of culture.

UNDP, INCHR HOLD TRAINING…For Commissioners, Others

The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP has ended a two-day spotlight initiative training workshop for Commissioners, Regional Coordinators and headquarters staff of the INCH. The workshop, held under Theme: “Strengthening, the Capacity of Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) and reporting on allegation of human rights violation related to SRHRS, SGBV and HPs’ took place in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County from August 22-23, 2019. Speaking at the opening of the training, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union (EU) Theo Kaspers said Liberia is one of the eight countries chosen in Africa for the spotlights project because the situation in Liberia remains bad for women, girls and vulnerable people. He expressed optimism that Liberia may not be considered for the second round of the spotlights projects if the country demonstrates improvement in the situation involving women, girls and vulnerable people. Kaspers said his presence at the training indicates the importance of the spotlights project to the EU and it will require to the collective effort in making it a success in Liberia, pens the News.  

Nobel Appreciates Monrovia Football Academy After Winning Games In USA Cup Tournament 

Nobel Liberia, a key sponsor of the Monrovia Football Academy on Friday, August 23, 2019 held an elaborate program to welcome the youthful players of the Academy who recently returned home from the United States after winning six of all their games played in the USA Cup football tournament. This colorful program, including a delicious lunch with the players, many of whom are of the ages between twelfth and fifteen years, expressed gratitude to their Executive Director William Smith, and their Coach, Mr. Sekou Dgeorges Manubah who guided them during their soccer games with the United States encounters. Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Nobel Liberia, Jallah Kesselly whose institution has always been on the forefront given out to the needy as its social responsibility, said he was overwhelmed for the level of talents being exhibited by these young Liberian girls while in the United States, noting, “We are proud of you and hope you continue in this endeavor, pens the News newspaper.”                                                                                                                                                                                 

More Liberians off to India for post graduate studies In the role of forensic in combating terrorism                                              

 At least about 14 Liberians are off to India for studies in various disciplines including the role of forensic in combating terrorism at Indian Universities under the Indian Government Scholarship programs,the Honorary Consulate General of India in Liberia has announced. Of the fourteen, seven (7) of the students will undergo Post Graduate Studies under India Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship scene, while seven (7) are enlisted for Short- Term Professional studies in Forensic Science. The ICCR Master’s Scholarship Students (in various fields)who left included Mr. Dean L. Williams–Civil Engineering at West Bengal University; Mr. Emmanuel Sherman- Computer Engineering at Delhi Technological University; Mr.Anthony NimleyChea, Jr., PG in Environmental Engineering at Delhi Technological University; and Mr. Tobby Achilles Quah- MBA at Punjab University, Patiala the New Dawn newspaper                                                                                

LNP Devises Strategy to Reduce Road Accident

Since the restoration of Liberia’s peace in 2003, the issue of road safety has always been a major problem, especially with the emergence of motorcycles (pem-pem) and tricycles (keh-keh) in the transport sector. For this year, and with support from the German Deutsche Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which is an international non-governmental organization (NGO), the Public Safety Division of the Liberia National Police (LNP) has intensified its strategies to reduce the increasing number of road accidents the Daily Observer newspaper relates.                                                                                                                                                       

Labour Ministry Launches New Website  

In order to keep the public informed about labour matters across the country, authorities at the ministry, with support from the Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) on Thursday, August 22, 2019, launched a website, (http://www.labour.gov.lr/), and an online application for “effective and efficient service delivery,” a release has said. According to the release, the launch of MoL’s website brought together scores of top government officials. Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management, Augustus J. Flomo, who launched the website, said that the setting up of the exercise is part of government’s plans to re-engine processes that support “efficiency and productivity in all its activities, pens the Daily Observer newspaper”