BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY, THURSDAY , OCTOBER 29, 2020

The Bureau of Press and Public Affairs on Thursday,, October 29, 2020 subscribed to the Inquirer, Heritage, The New Dawn, The Analyst, The News and In-Profile Dailies, and highlighted headlines/ stories from the front, back and inside pages of these local dallies.

Today’s summary captures stories about President Weah breaking ground for the construction of major roads in Liberia; the NEC commencement of provisional registration exhibition as it welcomes ECOWAS and UNDP technical team to Liberia; the release of official academic calendar for 2020/2021 by the Government of Liberia, through its Education Ministry, amongst others.

DOMINANT STORIES   

Over 130 Students Benefit From Chinese Ambassador Scholarship 

The Ambassador of China accreted to Liberia, Ren Yisheng, has formally awarded the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship to three Liberian universities, namely: the University of Liberia (UL), Cutting University (CU) and Tubman University (TU). Making remarks at the 2019/2020 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, which was held on line, the Chines Ambassador said: ”This is indeed an impressive moment for me that we are still able to achieve this in spite of the global challenges the world is currently faced with. The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected every major sector of all countries around the world. The educational sector is just one of badly affected. In the face of these challenges, we have been working collaboratively with relevant institutions of Liberia.” “Today, more than 130 students from Liberian universities, the University of Liberia, Cuttington University and Tubman University will be benefiting from the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship. This is the outcome of their hard work and I want to use this medium to especially congratulate all of them and their families,” the Chinese envoy stated. Accounting to the Heritage newspaper, he also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Liberia Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government agencies as well as the three Liberian universities for their long-term support and assistance In the selection of qualified winners for the respective scholarships.

Related Caption: Over 130 Liberians Get Chinese Ambassador Scholarships

(InProfile Daily newspaper)

Wonegizi Poised for Gazzettementas national multi stakeholders consultation signals green light

It appears quite certain that the Wonegizi proposed protected area located in Lofa may be legally enthroned ass Multiple Use Reserve sooner or later given the momentous national multi-stakeholders’ consultation held in Monrovia on October 27, 2020 with measurable indications pointing to its possible gazettement by the  government of Liberia. Through sustained collaboration the Forestry Development Authority along with the Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and stake the Skill and Agriculture Development had been working assiduously to set the stage for national consultation following clans, districts and county level consultations thereby graduating the deliberations to the nation level which spawed massive attendance. The national component of the deliberation was graced by high level government representative from the Ministries of Justice, Internal Affairs, Mines and Energy, Agriculture, the Environment Protection Agency. Also in attendance were representatives from the Lofa County Caucus, the chairman of FDA Board of Directors, International non-governmental organization, the Man River Union and traditional chiefs and elders from Lofa County. Welcoming the participants earlier, FDA Managing Director C. Mike Doryern lauded the efforts of the collaborating partners which have and continue to generate Liberia’s compliance with the global doctrine of conservation, says the Inquirer

Related Caption: Wonegizi Poised for Gazzettement As national multi-stakeholder consultation signals, green light InProfile daily newspaper).

PPCC Boss Wants Gov’t Entities Prioritized

...Procurement Requirements

The Executive Director of the Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC) has emphasized the need for government ministries and agencies to prioritize Procurement requirements as a framework to obtain goods and services. Director Jordbe Roseline Kowo said procurement requirements prescribed to obtain goods and services by government entities are by law and the PPCC is required to implement the regulations through a competitive bidding process. Director Kowo made the statement on Monday, at the official launch of the Special National Budget preparation calendar or fiscal year. 2021, reports the News Newspaper

Related Caption: PPCC Boss Wants Gov’t Entities Prioritize Procurement Requirements ( In Profile Daily newspaper )  

Gov’t Releases Official Academic Calendar For 2020/2021 

The News Newspaper Reads: The Ministry of Education has officially released the calendar for the entire school year which runs from December 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, a release from the MOE has disclosed.  This, the MOE said is intended to stabilize and regulate the Liberian educational system for academic 2020/2021. The release says registration for both old and new students begins November 1, to November 27, 2020. The release also indicated that Parents, Teachers Association, (PTA) meetings should be held before reopening of schools on November 1, to November 30, 2020.  According to the paper, Teachers Professional Development Workshop is November 18, to November 21, 2020 while orientation is November 26, to November 27, 2020 and all parents are encouraged to fully participate in school activities, the paper stressed.    

CNDRA Boss Wants US $5m for Modernization of Achieves 

The Center for National Documents and Records Agency Director General Mr. Emmanuel A. Lomex says a little over five million United States Dollars is needed for the implementation of the agency’s five year strategic plan. Speaking in Monrovia on Monday, October 26, 2020, at the dedication of the newly refurbished marriage section and the department of program and project, DG Lomax said part of the ambition will lead to the digitization of the Liberian Archives and the construction of a National Public Library.   

ON Independence Day Observance, President Weah Applauds the Czech Republic 

President George Manneh Weah has sent a Congratulatory Message to the Government and people of the Czech Republic on the occasion marking the observance of that country Independence Anniversary. The Czech Republic celebrates its independence anniversary on October 28, 2020. In his message to Milos Zeman, President of the Republic, President Weah, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of the Czech Republic, as they Commemorate this historic milestone, pens the Inquirer newspaper.

Liberia’s  VP Returns After Surviving COVID-19

Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor on Wednesday, returned to the country after several months away in Accra, Ghana, undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Vice President Howard-Taylor touched Down the Robert International Airport on Wednesday. At about 2pm it can be recalled that health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah said in a statement that the Vice President  was tested positive for the virus on August 10,2020 and was granted permission to travel abroad for treatment. But earlier, the office of Vice President Howard-Taylor through its communication Department said Madam Taylor was suffering from respiratory illness, but could not confirm whether or not she was tested positive for Coronavirus, pens the In profile daily newspaper.

Related Caption:  “I AM BACK AND STRONG” Jewel returns after defeating COVID19 (Analystnewspaper)

OTHER STORIES

President Weah to Break Ground For Construction Of Major Roads

The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathanie McGill, has disclosed the President Dr. George Manneh Weah will on December 2, 2020 break ground for the construction of the road from Ganta to Tappita to Zwedru. Ganta and Tappita are situated in Nimba County, while Zwedru is located in Grand Gedeh County; in fact it is the capital city of that county. Speaking to Executive Mansion Reporters on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at his official residence outside the nation’s Capital, Monrovia, and Minister McGill said the procurement process is already in progress. “It comes in two phases. The first is from Ganta to Saclepea, which is 395km of road. And the second phase we are told the procurement process, which is directly from World Bank, should be completed by next year March. So we expect phase two from Ganta to Tappita to start March next year. “Discussion for the funding of the Tappita to Zwedru road project is ongoing. I can safely say US$%%m has been mobilized to begin the process. We are working with our partners, the World Bank and the Liberia Trust Fund to make sure that the funding be available by 2021. We want to make sure that the southeastern corrido opens for our people to drive on a paved road,” Minister McGill added, says the Heritage newspaper.

Today is EJS Natal Day. Ex-President still strong, Kicking Impactful at Home &Abroad

While it is true that rip age, which is a blessing might be a barrier for others in unleashing their full potential on mankind and that ex-leaders of many countries often find themselves in the durgeon of social relegation at latter moment on Plant Earth, Liberia’s 23^rd president remains a sensation on the world stage even at an octogenarian phase. According to the Analyst newspaper, the world clambers for her wisdom in resolving complicated social, economic and political challenges, and on the home front continues to inspire citizens and affect their lives positively.

NEC Begins Provisional Registration Exhibition Welcomes ECOWAS, UNDP Technical Team

According to the Inquirer newspaper, the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) Davidetta Browne Lansanah has officially announced that the exhibition exercise of the 2020 Provisional Registration Roll began on yesterday, Wednesday October 28 and will closed on October 31, 2020. At a news conference on Tuesday and in keeping with the key dates released by the NEC for the conduct of the 8 December 2020, 2020 Special Senatorial Election and Constitutional Referendum, the NEC Boss is challenging Liberians to attend the 2020 voting precincts across the country to verify their details of the 2017 registration and 2020 update to make sure their names, ages sexes, photographs. She said the exhibition will also give Liberians the opportunity to make claims for omitted date, amend incorrect name, age, sex, unclear photos and to object to the inclusion of names of unqualified persons. Making the announcement on the eve to the stat of the Exhibition Exercise for the 2020 Provisional Registration Roll, Commissioners of the Lansanah disclosed that the Board of Commissioners of the NEC has also welcomed the arrival and subsequent deployment of the two separate Technical Support Teams from the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Development Program (NUDP). Madam Lansanah said the four-person separate data Technical Support Teams will be assigned to the Data Center of the Commission in a quest by the Commission to maintain and further strengthen the integrity of the Voter Roll.

ECOWAS Ministers of Trade on Regional and Continental Trade Developments

The ECOWAS Ministers of Trade (ECOMOT) have met virtually 2020 and discuss the recent regional and continental trade developments and make recommendations to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
Declaring the meeting open, the ECOWAS’ Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Mr. Tei Konzi, highlighted the continuous steps taken by the Commission to assist Member States on regional trade initiatives and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) negotiations, and reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to coordinate Member States’ positions in the negotiations in line with the ECOWAS Summit decisions. According to the Inquirer newspaper, in his opening remarks, the Chair of the Ministerial Meeting and the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, recalled the importance of the 11th ECOMOT Meeting in discussing key regional and continental trade issues, and called on Member States to adhere to the timelines given by the African Ministers of Trade (AMOT) and the African Union Summit.

NEC , USAID Hold Interactive Dialogue

A one-day interactive dialogue Zooming forum between the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission, (NEC) and the United States Aid for through its partners in preparation for the special senatorial Election and Constitutional Referendum slated for 8 December 2020. A communiqué from Mary Zell, the Elections and Political Interviews discussed largely focused on collaboration with the NEC on voter Education, Mainly on the Referendum and on COVID-19 Health Protocols While NDI discussed International Development USAID aimed at enhancing collaboration ended today in the James M. Fromayan Conference Hall, Asserts the New Dawn newspaper.

Experts Validate ECOWAS Regional Action Plan On Child Labour

The ECOWAS Commission has validated the report of the evaluation of the Regional Action Plan (RAP) for the elimination of child Labour, especially the worst forms in West Africa. Cognisant of the challenges of child labour in the region, ECOWAS Minister in charge of labour especially the worst forms (2012-2015). The goal of the Regional Action Plan was to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in West Africa by 2015, while working towards its complete eradication in the longterm. Following the expiration of the plan in 2015, the ECOWAS commission launched an assessment to evaluate the measures and actions taken by the Member states as part of the implementation of the plan, pens the inquirer newspaper.

EU Spotlight Initiative Validates Curriculum

Two-day validation worship has been concluded under the EU Spotlight Initiative Projects in Monrovia. The validation worship focused on gaps curricula and other tools of justice and Security Agencies including the Bureau of Corrections (BCR); the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA); the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS); and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). The gaps identified related to the topics of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Harmful Practice (HP) such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The workshop facilitated by a Consultant, Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, Allison & Associates, Inc. which was another step aimed at preventing gender-based violence against women and girls, a core value of the partners was attended by approximately 25 participants from the said agencies. This validation process formed part of the European Union in Liberia funded global spotlight Initiative as the joint project is being implemented by the One UN in Liberia, through agencies like UN Women Liberia, UNFPA Liberia, and UNDP Liberia, the Inquirer writes.