THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2016

Today’s dailies highlight stories on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s new appointments in Government, the presentation of Letters of Credence by the new India Ambassador accredited new Monrovia and the dedication of St. Paul Bridge Community Hall by President Sirleaf.

ELLEN MAKES SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made several appointments in government, affecting the Ministries of State for Presidential Affairs, Transport, Education, Information, Defense, Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs. Others affected are the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, Executive Protection Service and National Security Agency. A National Steering Committee on Climate Change has also been constituted. These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable. State for Presidential Affairs State without Portfolio Minister Sylvester Grigsby is now the new Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, while the Rev. Sando E. Townsend becomes the new Religious Advisor to the President; reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: More Appointments in Gov’t(Inquirer) President Sirleaf Makes Several Appointments in Government (FrontpageAfrica) Grigsby Succeeds McClain as Minister of State (Daily Observer)

NEW INDIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS LETTERS

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has received the Letters of Credence of the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India, Shri R. Ravindra. President Sirleaf recounted the longstanding Liberia-India relationship culminating in India’s support in the areas education, provision of scholarships to deserving Liberian students at the levels of vocational education, energy and Liberia’s fight against Ebola, of which India was also a part. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia for the vital support the Government of the Republic of India has, over the years, provided to the people of Liberia. President Sirleaf, however, informed the Indian Envoy that despite the many support to Liberia, more assistance was particularly needed in the area of agriculture aimed at helping Liberia in its strive for food security in the agricultural sector; states the New Dawn newspaper.

PRES. SIRLEAF DEDICATES ST. PAUL BRIDGE COMMUNITY HALL

The New Dawn newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has officially dedicated the newly constructed St. Paul Bridge Community Hall and commended the coming together of people to complete their community development as an act of the spirit of cooperation. An Executive Mansion release said, the Liberian leader made the remarks when she officially dedicated the newly constructed St. Paul Bridge Community Hall last Friday, November 11, 2016, on Bushrod Island during a colorful program marking the official ceremony in District No. 16 of Montserrado County. “It is a great honor for me because you have come together in the spirit of cooperation, she said, indicating that the coming together of community people, local authorities, lawmakers and others is a good thing to do, because when everyone is working together in the spirit of cooperation, good things happen. The Liberian leader noted that already she has started discussing something meaningful about bringing development to the people that will make them happy, to encourage other people to bring developments in their communities.

Related Caption: Ellen Dedicates St. Paul Bridge Community Hall(In Profile Daily) and President Sirleaf dedicates St. Paul Bridge Community Hall Commends Citizens for Cooperation(Focus) Prez Sirleaf Dedicates St. Paul Bridge Community Hall (Daily Observer)

ANC HOLDS TARRY FOR 2017

According to the New Dawnnewspaper, political parties are resorting to holding fast and prayers ahead of the 2017 polls to invoke divine intervention in ensuring victory at the ballot box as the breakaway Alternative National Congress or ANC,a splinter of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has embarked on in Monrovia. The holding of fast and prayers and all nights ahead of presidential polls is not new to the Liberian political landscape. In 2005 for example, many pastors where hired by politicians to conduct special daily prayers for them. The ANC is leaving no stone unturned as partisans, stalwarts, officials, including political leader Alexander Cummings spent Friday night at the party’s headquarters situated along the Airfield Shortcut route in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor, seeking God’s favor and intervention in its quest for the presidency. The ANC believes engaging Liberian electorate thru political speeches and promises is not enough, and has adapted a strategy of seeking the face of God to win the impending elections. National Chairman Orishall Gould, who is ex-chairman of Senator George Weah’s CDC, told this paper the all-night tarry is meant to invite God’s presence at the party grounds and his protection throughout the impending electoral process.

MCSS TEACHERS GO TO ELECTION

The Monrovia Consolidated School System Teachers Association or MCSST says the association is in full readiness to go to the poll to elect its new officers to lead the association. Addressing a news conference Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the CDB King School on Benson and Warren Streets in Monrovia, the President of the MCSSTA, A. Henry G. Woyea, said it was about time that the association changes the mind-set by going to the poll to elect the best candidates. “This election that we are going to have is in keeping with the MCSSTA’s Revised constitution which says the association must go to election every second Friday in November, and it is against this backdrop that the MCSSTA is conducting its election,” he said, adding that the essence of engaging the press is to inform the public about the situation at the MCSS, wherein the authorities set up a council to put halt to the election, writes New Dawn newspaper.

MRU Donates US$66K to Women Groups

The Mano River Union (MRU) Secretariat on Thursday presented US$66,000 checks to three Africa Women Entrepreneur Association (AWEAs) organizations in Liberia. Presenting the checks on behave of the Liberian government, Gender and Children Social Protection, Minister, Julia Duncan Cassell said, the amount is part of a blend of grants totaling five hundred thousand United State Dollars ($500,000) provided by the African Development Bank toward the cost of support of AWEAs in the MRU sub-region, according to the Focus newspaper.  

Sweden Empowers Liberian Girls with Skills Training Graduates 518 Adolescent Girls and Boys 

The head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden accredited to Monrovia, Madam Elizabeth Harleman, said Sweden is committed to the development agenda of Liberia. She said Sweden’s five years development cooperation strategy targets Liberia’s peace and state building. Madam Harleman made the assertion during the Greater Monrovia EPAG Round four graduation ceremonies under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection held last Friday at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center on 9^th Street, Sinkor in Monrovia, the reports Focus newspaper.  

Liberia is Ready to Host Wafu Tourney says SG Jammeh EK Borjan 

The Secretary General of West African Football Union (WAFU), Jammel E.K. Borjan, has expressed satisfaction with the level of program presented to him by the Liberia Football Association (LFA). Mr. Borjan made the assertion Thursday when he addressed local media on his mission to Liberia. He is here to begin formalities for the hosting of the Wafu’s   Nation Cup that is expected to be held in honor of the Liberian Leader, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The Wafu SG praised the local football house for the bold steps taken ahead of preparing for the hosting right of the Wafu’s sixteen nations tournament. Borjan said the quality of hotels and infrastructures couple with the political wills displayed by the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the local FA show that Liberia is ready to host the tournament, the Focus newspaper reports.  

Storm Causes Havoc in Tappita 

According to Inquirer newspaper, storm has destroyed several homes, institutions with thousands of residents displaced in the city of Tippita, lower Nimba County. According to our reporter, more than 50 homes were damaged in several communities such as Sugar Hill, central Tappita and the Christian community. The storm took us by surprise on November 1, 2016 and this is the first in history here for storm to destroy more than 50 dwelling houses and schools,” an elderly citizen Betty Wehyee lamented.  

GT Bank Launches “Student Account” 

With the financial inclusion strategy of the Central Bank of Liberia, Guaranty Trust Bank (Liberia) Limited, has launched its banking product known as “GTCrea8 Student Account” to help remedy some of the difficulties students are facing in paying their fees at various universities in the country. Speaking during the launching ceremony, the Managing Director/CEO of GT Bank Liberia, Mr. Ayodeji Bejide said the Account is a trend, card-based interest bearing account designed especially for university students across the country, the Inquirer newspaper reports.