BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY, Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Today’s edition of our daily summary highlights stories about  Foreign Ministry embarking on  “No turning back” Reform Agenda, says Foreign Affairs Minister Kemayah; the Liberian Government launching of a new fiscal Calendar Policy to affect Legislature and Judiciary; the training of 150 Lawyers by the NEC; the MIA, Partners working to build the capacities of  Local Government Officials; the Cautioning of  Liberians to Protect wildlife in Liberia and the coming of More flights to Liberia, Says LAA Boss, among other  stories.

DOMINANT STORIES:

Gov’t Moves to Change Budget Calendar

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) in concept with government’s line ministries and agencies, and public corporations, has begun a process changing the country’s fiscal year with the Special National Budget Fiscal Year 2021. As part of the many reform processes of the Public Financial Management Law (PFM) of 2009, the Liberian government has endeavored to change the country’s fiscal year from July 31 to June 30, to January 1 to December 31. Official launch of the Special National Budget Fiscal Year 2021 was held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town on the outskirt of Monrovia. Speaking at the launch of the special budget, Financial and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah, Jr, said the concept to change the fiscal year is in execution of Section 4.9 of the PFM Law. Minister Tweah said the change would bring Liberia in line with ECOWAS countries, especial as the sub-regional body moves towards one-currency system. He asserted that switch in the fiscal year will be in line with the Center Bank of Liberia (CBL) fiscal calendar. ”I want to thank the Excellency; President George Manneh Weah for his splendid leadership role. And also want to thank the leadership of both Houses of the Liberian Legislature as well for the process, The Heritage newspaper writes. Related Caption: Gov’t Launches New Budget Calendar (The New newspaper), New Fiscal Policy Introduced For President’s Reporting(In Profile), Gov’t Prepares For Full Calendar Budget Year Transition (The INQUIRER)

“We Have Embarked On A No Turing Back Reform Agenda” Foreign Affairs Minister

Over hundred staffers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday October 23, 2020 ended a four day national retreat at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. The retreat among other things focused on the rebranding as well as reforming the Foreign Service sector of the Country. We have embarked on a no turning back reform agenda at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” said Dee Maxwell Saah Kemayah Sr. Foreign Minister of Liberia. Speaking at the close of the retreat Minister Kemayah said the reform agenda at the Ministry is key as such they embarked on a stimulus critical reform process to ensure that they collectively work together in moving the Country forward, pens the In Profile newspaper.

Related Caption: “We Have Embarked On A No Turning Back Reform Agenda’-Says Minister Kemayah As Foreign Ministry Ends-Four-D Retreat(Heritage)

MIA, Partners Build Nat’L, Local Government Officials’ Capacities

As part of broader capacity building strategy for the National Urban Policy Development Process (Diagnosis Phase11), a group of urban stakeholders, National Government representatives from various ministries and agencies, Mayors and Commissioners from across the country gathered at Paynesville City Corporation for a one-day Capacity Building workshop. The workshop was attended by over 80 delegates from different National and Local Government Institutions, the In Profile newspaper says.

Related Caption: MIA, UN-Habitat Cities Alliance Build Capacities of Government Officials (Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

NEC trains 150 Lawyers 

The first in a series of legal awareness Forum organized by the legal section of the National Elections Commission ended over the weekend in Gbarnga city, bong county with the NEC acknowledging  that providing legal and sustained information to Liberians remains its major priority. NEC Chairperson Madam Dividetta Browne Lansanah said engagement with legal practitioners and voters is paramount and an effective mechanism to building an informed democratic society in Liberia, pens the New Dawn newspaper.

Maritime Commissioner Eugene Nagbe Says Minister Legerhood Rennie’s Appointment By President Weah “No Mistake”

Now head of the Liberia Maritime Authority, Eugene Lenn Nagbe, who is also former Minister of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), has said the appointment of his successor Ledgerhood Julius Rennie by President George Manneh Weah “is not a mistake,” as he (RENNIE) embodies professionalism and integrity. Having been reappointed to another government portfolio, Nagbe said his departure from MICAT is not in any way an abandonment of the Ministry, noting : “I am leaving with mixed feelings, but I am just a block away and I am not leaving for good, asserts The New Republic newspaper. .

Liberians Urged To Protect Wildlife

The Sanctuary Director at the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary Julie Vanassche is encouraging Liberians to protect its animals or wildlife for the benefit of the country and its people. According to Vanassche, protecting animals in Liberia especially those that are protected under the laws will help boost and add value to Liberia’s tourism sector and attract investors for economic growth. According toThe News newspaper, she indicated that Liberia has great ecotourism potential and calls on the government to protect and promote its wildlife and natural resources.

Minister Rennie Cautioned To Stand Firm Against Unethical Journalism In Liberia

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) President, Charles Coffey, has cautioned the new Minister of Information, Ledgerhood Julius Rennie, to act against media practitioners who are in constant violation or breach of the ethical principle in disseminating their message, an act that has the propensity of derailing the peace and stability of the country. The new Minister of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) was appointed by President George Manneh Weah on September 27 and subsequently confirmed  by the Liberian Senate to replace Lenn Eugene Nagbe who goes to the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) as Commissioner General, The News newspaper disclosed.

“More Flights In Coming Days Says LAA Boss

The Managing Director at the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) Bishop John Allan Klayee has disclosed the resumption of more flights to the country in the coming days. The LAA’s boss made the disclosure on Sunday, October 25, 2020, when he paid a weekend visit to his local church branch in Nimba County where he was honored. As you may know, several airports around the world closed due to thecovid-19 but Liberia is the only country that didn’t shut down altogether, The News newspaper writes.

Gov’t Prepares For Full Calendar Budget Year Transition.  

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development planning has launched the special National Budget Fiscal Year for a period of Six months from July 1, 2021 to December 3 1, 2021. According to The INQUIRER daily, the revised PFM LAW mandates that the Government of Liberia transition to a full calendar years (January 1, to December 31) with the intent in the medium to long term plan. The new strategy shall endeavor to mainstream the budget planning process to the development planning process. 

IAA Completes First Phase Transition

The Internal Audit Agency has undertaken a major phase of the transitioning of all resident Internal Auditors from various Government entities by successfully concluding the first acquaintance interaction at the headquarters of the IAA. The interaction with resident auditors from various institution of government is part of activities earmarked to bring all Resident Auditors under the direct employ of the IAA Consistent with part 6 sub-section 6.1 a(!) of the 2013 Act establishing the Internal Auditor Agency,The INQUIRER daily, reveals. 

In Addressing Issues Of Climate Change in Liberia EPA New Boss Renewed Cooperation to Build Stronger Frontiers

Liberia’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA) says it is committed more than ever before in its strides against the impacts of climate change “which remains visible across the country”, but there must be shared determination to mitigate the threats on the environment, said Executive Director, Prof. Wilson K. Tarpeh. Liberia is “highly” reliant on climate sensitive sectors such as energy, agriculture, waste, and forestry, he says, thus establishing the potential for “devastating impacts and consequences of climate change.” Prof. Tarpeh was speaking recently at the beginning of a one-day ‘working group’ consultative meeting in Monrovia on the subject: “Building and Strengthening Liberia’s Capacity to Implement the Paris Agreement,The Heritage newspaper writes.