THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016

Today’s summary of the local dailies highlights news of the Government of the People’s Republic of China’s donation of office equipment worth US$1.2 million to the Government of Liberia and President Sirleaf’s caution for the young people of Liberia to be role models.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Chinese Embassy Pumps US$1.2M ForGoL Office Equipment 

The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) through its embassy near Monrovia has donated office equipment to the Government of Liberia worth approximately eight million Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) or US$1.2M. The donation, which included 900 pieces of desktop computers, 450 pieces of laptop computers, 100 sets of monochrome laser printers and 50 pieces of monochrome copiers, were presented to the Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a brief ceremony on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Related Captions: Chinese Embassy Presents US$1.2 Million Worth Of Office Equipment To GOL (FrontPage Africa), Chinese Embassy Presents US$1.2M Worth Of Office Equipment To GoL…Other Ministries, Agencies To Benefit (Heritage)  

‘Be Mindful of Your Role in Liberia’s Development,’ President Sirleaf Urges Young People 

An inside story of the Daily Observer newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged the young people of Liberia, who constitute about 60 percent of the nation’s 4.5 million population to be mindful and use their role in helping to develop Liberia as a means of setting an example for those coming after them to emulate. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, in the Ball Room of the Monrovia City Hall when she made closing remarks at a program marking the close of a two-day “National Demography Dividend Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting” aimed at finding out how the young people of Liberia can rationalize their priorities in achieving what they want to be in life, the paper says.

Related Captions: “Be Mindful of Your Role In Liberia’s Development”…President Sirleaf Urges Young People(FOCUS), “Be Mindful of Your Role In Liberia’s Development”…President Sirleaf Urges Young People (Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

Ellen Hails Bishop Benda, Acknowledges Religious Community’s Continual Prayers 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has praised Bishop Stephen T.Y. Benda and members of the United Pentecostal Church of Liberia for their continual prayers for peace and stability in the country. Speaking on Sunday November 6, 2016, during her visit to the Sinkor branch, President Sirleaf said she was grateful to Bishop Benda and the UPCL Family in Liberia and abroad for all of their prayers for the nation over the years. She commended Bishop Benda for this effort in joining other Pastors recently in the USA to pray for the peaceful turning over of power to another elected President in 2017. President Sirleaf admitted that there have been some challenges faced by her government, but was quick to point out that the UPCL Prelate and the religious community in the country have been so helpful in praying for the sustainability of the 13 years peace Liberians continue to enjoy, the In Profile Daily reads.

‘Liberians Must Take Cue from US Elections’ To Ensure Peaceful Elections In 2017, Says US Ambassador Elder

United States Ambassador Christine Elder says Liberians must take cue from the US elections to ensure a peaceful transition in 2017 in the presidential and legislative elections in the country. Moments after the closing of the polls in the United States yesterday, she told journalists that despite campaign talks and heated debate of the US Presidential election in recent memory-Americans would go behind the winning candidate in support of the United States. Ambassador Elder called on every political player in Liberia to show commitment to maintain positive rhetoric for the coming elections and be willing to learn and improve on the political process, the Daily Observer newspaper reads.  

“Liberia Security Sector In Readiness To Maintaining Peace, Stability”… Deputy Justice Minister 

According to the FOCUS newspaper, the Deputy Minister of Justice for Administration says, following the transfer of security responsibility to the Government as of June 30, 2016, the security apparatus is on course and fully prepared and capable to shifting the development agenda of Liberia to a more positive front. Speaking at the graduation exercises of class 44 (LNP) and class 2 (LDEA), Cllr. Wheatonia Dixon Barnes indicated that there no need to panic or doubt because, the UNMIL transition plan is well coordinated by the Government and its international partners. Deputy Minister Barnes noted that the graduation exercises are taking place at a very important moment when the general UNMIL transition, as well as its draw-down process has been officially completed; the security sector continues to be in readiness and has demonstrated professionalism in the maintenance of peace and stability.

Rotary Int’l District 9101 Ends Seminar for Members; Urged Rotarians to Promote Image of Organization

Rotary International District 9101 in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs in Liberia has ended a one-day seminar for its members in Monrovia, with a call encouraging humanitarians to join the club. The seminar helped Rotarians share their experiences and provided understanding as well as enhanced their interests to become more familiar with its activities around the world. Augustus J. Flomo, Rotary District Trainer Representative for Liberia, said the training also addressed two things about the organization, including membership and the foundation, which is the flagship of Rotary International, the Daily Observer reads.  

“I’m Impressed,” Canadian Ambassador Says Of SCNL Work 

The Canadian Ambassador accredited to Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire has commended the environmental group, Society for the Conservation of Nature (SCNL) for its resolve to promote sustainable forest management in Liberia. Ambassador Patricia McCullagh said SCNL’s commitment to protect Liberia’s forests will help in the fight against climate change. The Canadian Ambassador made the statement recently when she paid a courtesy call on the management of SCNL in Congo Town, near Monrovia. Amb. McCullagh expressed her government’s happiness to support SCNL’s work through the Canadian Ambassador Grant of US$18,000 to work with forest communities in Liberia, the Daily Observer newspaper writes.  

IPPFFAR Delegation Arrives in Liberia 

A six-man delegation of the Association of Chief Executives of the Member Associations of the International Planned Parenthood Federation of Africa Region (IPPFFAR) based in Nairobi, Kenya and Central Office based in London, the United Kingdom is expected in the country today as guest of the Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia (PPAL). According to a release, the delegation of the six individuals representing six countries will arrive in the country today, November 8, 2016 to join the Executive Director of PPAL for a three-day meeting. The delegation upon arrival, according to the release will hold discussions with relevant stake holders, government ministries and agencies in the country including the UNFPA Liberia, the In Profile Daily reads.

Liberian Architects Hold Convention 56^th AUA Meeting Here

According to Heritagenewspaper, the 56^th Council Meeting of the Africa Union of Architects (AUA) and the First Annual Convention of the Liberia Institute of Architects (LIA) are expected to jointly commence in Monrovia, with a call for the training of more architects in the country. The AUA is a continental body that seeks the welfare and wellbeing of architects from countries in Africa, while the LIA, formerly, the Liberia Chambers of Architects (LCA) is the umbrella organization that regulates and monitors the works of architects in the country. According to the President of LIA, Mr. Adolphus G. Mcritty, the convention of his group and the Union’s meeting, which kicks off today, November 9, 2016 and will run through the November 12, 2016, will primarily focus on the challenges confronting Liberian architects in the country.

Related Caption: Liberian Architects Hold Convention, 56^th AUA Meeting Here(FrontPage Africa)