THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014

News of ECOWAS and the United Nations officials’ visit to Liberia, the World Bank's approval of a US$285 million grant to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and President Johnson Sirleaf’s caution to Liberians as they go through the campaign period for the December 16 Special Senatorial Election are among stories dominating our summary for today.

DOMINANT STORIES

ECOWAS Commission President, Ouédraogo And Special Representative Of The UN Secretary General To ECOWAS, Dr. Chambas Pay Solidarity Visit To Liberia

The President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and Head of the UN Office of ECOWAS, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas have expressed solidarity to the Government and people of Liberia, on behalf of the sub-regional organization, as the country combats the further spread of the deadly Ebola virus disease. TheFrontPage Africa newspaper quotes an Executive Mansion release as saying that the two high-level officials made the comments when they met with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her Foreign Ministry office during a one-day solidarity visit to Liberia late Tuesday, November 18, 2014. On behalf of the Commission, President Ouédraogo expressed sympathy and condolence to the victims and their families and stressed that all institutions of the sub-regional organization were fully behind the affected countries battling the disease. “ECOWAS will do its best to help address the current Ebola crisis,” H.E. Ouédraogo promised.  He said ECOWAS stands ready to collaborate with the Liberian Government, the UN System and all partners for an effective and efficient response to the Ebola outbreak. For his part, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas expressed joy at visiting Liberia when the country needs all of the attention and support.  Dr. Chambas welcomed the regional collaboration initiated by ECOWAS and noted that the Ebola crisis is a regional and global threat. In response, President Sirleaf thanked Mr. Ouédraogo and Dr. Chambas for the solidarity visit and reflected on how ECOWAS has always been there for and with Liberia. She recalled an earlier visit of the Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ghana, Dr. John Mahama, to Liberia to show support and solidarity as well as the financial, logistical and moral support of ECOWAS to Liberia.  “ECOWAS’ messages sent to the UN System were helpful in generating the overall global response to the crisis. You have done well in standing by us and our people are grateful,” the Liberian President told the two officials.

Related Captions: ECOWAS Stands With Liberia(The New Republic), ECOWAS, UN Officials Visit Liberia(Heritage), UN, ECOWAS Officials Pay Solidarity Visit(In Profile Daily), ECOWAS Shares Arm With Liberia(New Democrat), Top Officials Pay Solidarity Visit To Liberia(FOCUS), ECOWAS Commission Expresses Solidarity To Liberia(INSIGHT)

At the same time the New Dawn newspaper writes under the caption “ECOWAS Approves Electoral Observers”that on request of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS has consented to send observers to Liberia to monitor the Special Senatorial Election scheduled for December 16th. Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan, told reporters that “ECOWAS has given in approbation” to the President’s request, and the details will be worked out through diplomatic channels. Mr. Ngafuan made the disclosure during a press stake-out at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening, November 18, 2014 alongside ECOWAS President Kadre Desire Ouedraogo and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UN office for West Africa, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

World Bank Approves US$285M Grant To Fight Ebola-Liberia to Receive US$115M, Guinea US$72M and Sierra Leone US$98M

The World Bank Group's (WBG) Board of Executive Directors on November 18, 2014 approved a US$285 million grant to finance Ebola-containment efforts underway in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The money will also be used to help communities in the three countries cope with the socioeconomic impact of the crisis and rebuild and strengthen essential health services. The grant is part of the nearly US$1 billion previously announced by the World Bank Group for the countries hardest hit by the Ebola crisis. The grant provides additional financing to the Ebola Emergency Response Project (EERP) approved by the WBG's Board on September 16, 2014, including US$72 million for Guinea, US$115 million for Liberia and US$98 million for Sierra Leone, the three countries most-affected by Ebola. According to the Daily Observer, Tuesday's announcement brings the total financing approved so far from the World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Response Window (CRW) for the Ebola response to US$390 million.

Related Captions: World Bank Approves US$285m In Aid For Liberia, Other To Fight Ebola(The Reporter), World Bank Group Approves US$285M Grant For Ongoing For Ongoing Ebola Crisis Response(Heritage), World Bank Approves US$285m Grant For Ongoing Ebola Crisis Response(INSIGHT)  

Ellen Cautions Safety, Tolerance As Campaign for Senatorial Election Begins Today 

The Daily Observer reports that as the campaign for the ensuing Special Senatorial Election begins today across the country, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on Liberians to be peaceful in the process, while at the same time abiding by the preventive measures that have helped to reduce the rate of Ebola infection in the country. The President told the nation in her address Wednesday evening that after a thorough consultative process, the National Elections Commission (NEC), announced December 16, as the date set for the conduct of the election throughout the 15 counties. This date has been endorsed by the National Legislature and the President. The NEC also set November 20th as the date for the beginning of campaign activities, which are expected to end 24 hours before polls open in three weeks. She further stated that her government, through its requisite institutions, is putting into place stringent measures that will guide the campaign process and ensure that Liberians keep safe during this period.

Related Captions: 'Under Difficult Circumstances’, EJS Urges Smooth Campaigning(FrontPage Africa), Campaigning Begins Today…Ellen Urges Citizens; New Measures For Election Today(Inquirer)

Gov’t Bans All Beach Activities…

The Government of Liberia (GOL) has banned the operation of beaches on November 29, 2014 as means of discouraging congestion as the country continues the fight against the deadly Ebola virus. The GOL said the Liberia National Police (LNP) will be deployed on the various beaches on that day in a bid to prevent beach goers from going in their thousands to merry make on the various beaches. Making the disclosure yesterday at the Ministry of Information’s daily Ebola Press Conference held in Monrovia, Deputy Information Minister for Public Affairs, Attorney Isaac W. Jackson Jr. said all efforts will be applied to ensure that the beaches are empty  on that day. He said GOL’s action is in line with the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and especially preventive measures as announced by the Ministry of Health to stop the spread of the disease, Inquirer writes.

Related Captions: Gov’t Orders Beaches Closed For November 29(The Reporter), Gov’t Orders All Beaches Closed On November 29(Heritage), Beaches Banned For Nov. 29(In Profile Daily), Beach Party Banned(New Democrat), Beaches To Be Closed November 29(FOCUS)

Turkey Donates 156 Boxes Of Anti-Ebola Materials, 600 Kg Of Antiseptic Expected Friday

The People and Government of Turkey, through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) have donated 156 boxes of medical and hygiene supplies to the Liberian government in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The items are valued at US$60,000.  The donation is in addition to the ambulances costing US$100,000 donated to the government in January 2014. The medical and hygiene supplies were presented yesterday at the Ministry of Health, with the Turkish Government’s wish that their donation will help the Liberian government tackle the Ebola virus. The donated items include 50 boxes of surgical masks, 12 boxes of sterile surgery gloves, 10 boxes face masks and washable stretchers and five boxes of body bags.  The items also include six boxes of protective clothing, four boxes of medical waste bags, two boxes each of protective eyes glasses and sodium hypochlorite tablets, amongst others. Turkey’s Consul General in Liberia, Mr. Lusinee F. Kamara, Sr., stated that it is Turkey’s hope that Liberia will soon be declared Ebola-free. Mr. Kamara further stated that the 156 boxes were an initial contribution and disclosed that an additional supply of 600 kg of hand anodyne materials are expected in the country this weekend, while a “bigger consignment” is expected later this month.  For his part the Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dehpue Y. Zuo, said the donation marks a milestone for the growing relationship between Liberia and Turkey. “We are happy for the anti-Ebola materials, which will be used to save lives and improve the health sector. We believe this will further enhance the bilateral relationship between our nations,” Assistant Minister Zuo said, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Turkish Agency Donates(Inquirer), Turkey Donates 156 Boxes Of Anti-Ebola Materials(Daily Observer)

GVL Vice President Receives Letter Of Exequatur Here

The Vice President for Government Affairs of Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL), Mr. Henri Oliver Harmon, has received a letter of Exequatur from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia in Liberia. As Honorary Consul, Mr. Harmon is expected to strengthen the bilateral relations in all areas of cooperation between Indonesia and Liberia. Mr. Harmon is expected to specifically strengthen bilateral relations in areas of trade and socio-cultural relationship with the Governments of Liberia and Indonesia. He was recently appointed as a member of the Multi-Stakeholders Steering Group (GSG) of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to represent the agricultural sector. He has for over 20 years been a successful entrepreneur who runs his own marketing and insurance company, Heritage reports.

Related Captions: Heri Oliver Harmon Named Honorary Consul of Indonesia(In Profile Daily), Honorary Consul To Indonesia Named(FOCUS)

Gender Ministry Observes Rights Of The Child Day

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection will today join the rest of the world in commemoration of the 25^th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The 20^th Day of November, each yeart, is being observed worldwide as a moment ensuring that children have their own specific set of rights that can enable them to live, learn and participate in society in a safe, decent and meaningful way. This widely recognized and accepted child rights’ instrument was adopted by the United Nation General Assembly on 20^th of November 1989; and was signed by 61 countries. This year UNCRC’s anniversary will be observed globally under the theme “CHILDREN RIGHT” and it is expected to highlight the need to ensure that the fundamental rights of the child are guaranteed under the convention of which Liberia is a signatory, Inquirer reports.

Related Captions: Gender Ministry Frowns On Rejection Of Non-Ebola Cases At Health Facilities-As Ministry Join Others To Observe Right Of The Child(The Reporter), Liberia Commemorates UNCRC(Daily Observer)

Reforms In Educational Sector Imminent

The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) superintendent has announced reconfiguration in the Liberian education system prior the reopening of schools after a force closure due to the Ebola crisis. Mr. Benjamin A. Jacob expressed that several of the alteration that was about to be made were already planned but the occurrence of the Ebola which distracted the education in the country has set a good pace for the introduction of planned reform. Some of the reforms Mr. Jacob talked about while addressing a Ministry of Information press briefing yesterday included the introduction of a three shift a day, increased class time, increased school days, age appropriation of students as well as an alteration in the school year calendar. According to Mr. Jacob, discussions were still ongoing with stakeholders in the educational sectors to best fit the alterations into the school system so as to resume schools for the development of the country’s human capital. He announced that because of the health crisis in the country, the size of classes must be reduced to avoid the overcrowdings that had existed during pre-Ebola time. Mr. Jacob also pointed out that with school reopening; there would be hand pumps and hand-washing station at every school so as to have people continuously adhering to safety measures against Ebola, reportsINSIGHT newspaper.

Related Caption: MCSS Unveils New Regulations(New Democrat), MCSS To Observe Preventive Measures(FOCUS), School To Reopen(In Profile Daily),

OTHER STORIES

Liberian Ambassador To Egypt Ships Medical Supplies To Combat Ebola

The Ambassador of the Republic of Liberia accredited to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Alexander H.N. Wallace III, has sent a consignment of medical supplies worth EGP 59,000 (Fifty-nine thousand Egyptian Pounds) or $8250 (Eight Thousand Two Hundred Fifty United States Dollars) to the Government of the Republic of Liberia, in his tireless effort to assist with the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Ambassador Wallace met with and solicited assistance from couples of medical entities that later responded positively to providing medical supplies to combat the EVD. Packaged in 22 boxes, the supplies include Face Masks, Ear Loops, Surgeon Caps with Ties, Disposable Syringe, Sterilium, Normal Saline (Sodium Chloride), ringer’s Solutions, and miscellaneous. The Ambassador then lauded President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her continuous and vigorous effort to contain the virus.  Ambassador Wallace also recognized the diligent strive of Mr. Moursi El Saied, Consultant, and Mr. Muhammad A. Kromah II, Protocol Officer of the Embassy, for their invaluable support in making the task a successful undertaking, In Profile Daily writes.

Liberia, Clinton Initiative Drafting 10-Year health Sector Plan

The Liberian government in partnership with the Clinton Health Initiative is developing a 10-year plan to upgrade the health sector and system with strong infection control mechanisms for future disease outbreaks and health crisis. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made the disclosure at a meeting with a Catholic delegation headed by Archbishop Lewis Zeigler. Earlier, the Catholic Prelate thanked President Sirleaf and her government for finally containing the further spread of the Ebola disease with the support of the Liberian people and partners, Heritage newspaper reports.

UNFPA Report Highlights 1.8 Billion – Youth Socio-economic Development Push

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has indicated that developing countries with large youth populations could see their economies soar, provided they invest heavily in young people’s education and health and also protect their rights. This statement is attributed to the State of World Population 2014 publication. The UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin said: “Today’s record 1.8 billion young people present an enormous opportunity to transform the future”. He continued: “Young people are the innovators, builders and leaders of the future. But they can transform the future only if they have skills, health, decision making and real choices in life”, In Profile Daily reports.

Ebola Causes NEC Extra US$1M…Chairman Claims

The National Elections Commission has announced that the extra expenses caused by the Ebola outbreak for the conduct of the pending December 16, 2014 mid-term Senatorial election is US$1 million. The Director of Communications at the NEC Joey Kennedy has disclosed. The Commission had earlier budgeted US$15.3 million for the conduct of the senatorial election in October which was canceled due to the Ebola virus in the country. If the new budget is approved by the Legislature, the NEC’s total budget for the election will be US$16.3 million. Appearing on a local radio talk show in Monrovia, Mr. Kennedy said the US$1 million is intended to be used for the purchase of preventive materials to ensure safety during the election, the News reports.

Brewereville Residents Received Medical Treatment

Over the weekend residents of Bible College Community in the Brewereville area received free medical treatment from Charity Liberia a non-governmental organization. The executive Director of the group Gideeon Wolova told this paper that the gesture is intended to reach out old people who can’t afford to settle their medical bill, most especially during the Ebola out in the country. The medical officer of the group, Abenego Allison also said, they see it as a compelling responsibility to buttress government effort to assist old people in the country as government fight the Ebola virus. Mr. Allison emphasized that they are treating common sickness like fever, diarrhea and other sicknesses that many cause death, West Africa Info Post reports.