The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

The appointment of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as members of the AU Panel of the Wise by the 29th African Union Assembly, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin’s commendation to Nigeria for contribution towards Liberia’s peace and stability and the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union’s invite to President Sirleaf to participate in the Albert Einstein Legacy Project scheduled to take place in September in the United States are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies. DOMINANT STORIES

Pres. Sirleaf Appointed Member of AU Panel of The Wise At 29th Summit

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has delivered her final address at the 29th African Union Assembly as Liberia heads for democratic elections in October.  President Sirleaf described the upcoming polls in Liberia as the first in decades in an environment that has witnessed eleven years of uninterrupted peace. She, on behalf of the people of Liberia expressed profound appreciation for the regional and sub-regional support that brought Liberia to where it is today. “Much is owed to ECOWAS, to our African Union brothers and sisters and the United Nations Mission in Liberia for contributing to peace-building and consolidation with our economy largely restored; our debt sustainable and our nation full of hope and promise,” she noted. According to a dispatch from Addis Ababa, the Liberian Leader made the statement at the closing ceremony of the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on Tuesday, July 04, 2017 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Her closing remarks were characterized by standing ovation from African leaders and host of international guests. The African Union Assembly accordingly appointed - for the Western Africa Region, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and 2011 Noble Peace Prize Winner as well as Dr. Speciosa W. Kazibwe of Uganda, Mr. Armah Moussa of Egypt, responsible for Eastern and Northern Africa Regions and others.

Related Captions: Ellen prepares for special assignment (New Dawn), and Pres. Sirleaf Final Address At 29^th AU Summit – Appointed Member AU Panel of the Wise (FOCUS)Acting Minister Shoniyin Lauds Nigeria For Its Contribution To Liberia’s Peace

The INSIGHT newspaper reads that the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin, has expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s contribution to the peace and stability that Liberia now enjoys. “Knowing that you all are from Nigeria, a country that is so close to the hearts of so many Liberians not just at the governmental level but also the people to people interaction and exchanges. More importantly, Liberians remain grateful for Nigeria’s contribution during Liberia’s civil war in the 1990s. We remember the blood of Nigerians that was spilled on this soil to enjoy the peace we now enjoy and we recognize that,” Acting Minister Shoniyin said amidst rapturous applauds. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Mr. Shoniyin made the assertion at the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, when he welcomed 13 participants from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Abuja, currently undertaking an Executive Intelligence Management Course in the country. The one-week tour is intended to study the relationship between the Executive and the Legislative branches of the Liberian Government under the theme: “Executive - Legislative Relations:  Gap, Challenges and Prospects.” They will also look at security, governance and development issues of bilateral importance to both countries.

Related Captions: Actg. Min. Shoniyine Lauds Nigeria for Its Contribution to Liberia’s Peace (FOCUS), Acting Minister Shoniyin Lauds Nigeria For Its Contribution To Liberia’s Peace (The INQUIRER)

Ellen Invited To Attend Albert Einstein Legacy Project

According to the New Dawn newspaper, on the margins of the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU), President Sirleaf has been invited among one hundred persons at the Albert Einstein Legacy Project scheduled to take place in September in the United States. An Executive Mansion release dated 5 July says the Albert Einstein Legacy Project is an incredible event that brings together inspirational leaders from science, the arts, technology and education to celebrate the legacy of Albert Einstein and inspire a new generation of creative and brilliant minds. The invitation was presented on Tuesday, 4 July at the Sheraton Hotel when she received in audience with Ambassador Haim Divon, International Executive Committee of the Albert Einstein Legacy Project, a dispatch from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia says. Presenting the invitation, Ambassador Divon said President Sirleaf’s presence will mean a lot and will be an inspiration for many young people around the globe. He applauded President Sirleaf for her outstanding leadership skills exhibited over the years. Ambassador Divon commended the Liberian leader for the audience accorded him to present the invitation, which he said he felt thrilled about.  He said the Einstein Legacy Project is embarking on a publishing milestone aimed at collecting the visions of the 100 greatest innovators, artists, scientists and visionaries of “our” time in the world’s first 3D-printed book.

Related Captions: Ellen To Attend Albert Einstein Legacy Project (Daily Observer), and Pres. Sirleaf Invited To Attend Albert Einstein Legacy Project – Holds Bilateral, Consultative Meetings (FOCUS)

Liberian Nurses Partake In WACN Biennial General Meeting

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the Liberian Chapter of the West African College of Nursing (WACN) has joined other West African counterparts for the organization’s 14th Biennial General Meeting. The WACN, a specialized agency of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 began its week-long event which is being held at the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja. It runs from the 1st to the 7th of July, 2017.  A release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja says the Liberian Chapter, comprising of over 20 professional Liberian nurses otherwise called Fellows, is led by its head, Mr. Joseph Gono and also includes Mrs. Elizabeth Sele-Mulbah, a Past President, Council Member and Presenter of WACN. This year’s theme is “Emerging Health Emergencies: Community and Health Workforce Responsibilities in the Sub-Region”. The biennial event is also the 23rd Scientific Session and 37th Council Meeting of the WACN.

Related Caption: Nurses Attend WACN’s Biennial Meeting (The New Dawn),  Liberian Nurses Partake In WACN’s Biennial General Meeting (The INQUIRER),Liberian Nurses Attend WACN’s Biennial General Meeting (Daily Observer), and Liberian Nurses Participate In WACN’s Biennial General Meeting (FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

House Considers 17-year Tax Cut Deal For Cement, Steel Factory

In an endeavor to develop a sustainable economic environment and boost the country’s steel and cement industries, the House of Representatives is investigating a 17-year tax cut proposal from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The tax cut deal is part of an Investment Incentive Agreement with a 17-year agreement term valued at US$200,000. The draft law is entitled: “The Investment Incentive Agreement between the Republic of Liberia and the TIDFORE Investment Company and Liberia Steel and Cement Mining (LICEMCO).” According to the bill, LICEMCO will develop and operate steel and cement factory (plant) in accordance with the International Mining Standards & Laws and prudent business practices, writes Daily Observer.

US$2.6B Funding Gap For Modernization Of Liberia’s Road Network

Public Works Minister William Gyude Moore hosted a stakeholders’ meeting last Friday, June 30, where he briefed partners on a US$2.6 billion funding gap for road reconstruction network in Monrovia. The well-attended meeting was held at the ministry’s conference hall, where the minister made a power-point presentation. Minister Moore told the gathering that after a study spanning many years, the Liberian government has finally decided to shift from asphalt road construction to concrete cement pavement for primary and secondary roads in the country. He explained that the Road Fund Act was created to institutionalize a culture of maintenance so that Liberia’s investments in roads are maintained, reports the Daily Observer.

Ministry of Agriculture, FAO Launch Vegetable And Poultry Project

As part of its effort to revamp the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has officially commenced support to sustainable production and marketing of vegetable and poultry for urban women development. The official launch of the project took place on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at the PMU Building, MOA Annex, Fendell Montserrado County. Giving an overview of the project, its national project coordinator, Mai Quipu Yuan said the venture is aimed at empowering women and making them sustainable producers in the vegetables and poultry chain to improve their livelihood and nutritional status in the country.  She used the occasion to call on the beneficiaries of the project to take ownership of the development, assuring the MOA and its partners that farmers will work tirelessly to ensure that the goal and objectives of the initiative are accomplished, reportsFrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: MOA, FAO Launch Vegetable, Poultry Project (Daily Observer)

200 Church, Organization Workers Trained in Transformational Leadership

It will take the combined efforts of the government, church and international partners to provide the necessary training that will bridge the leadership gaps facing the nation and its people, according to a US-based EQUIP Associate trainer, Pastor Scott Erickson, who was addressing a leadership conference for two hundred church and organization workers in Monrovia. He said the lack of leadership is the single common problem faced by several countries around the world and that he and his team are grateful to be in Liberia to help tackle  it, adding, that leadership is the answer to becoming a prosperous nation and great people. The two-day leadership conference under the auspices of Dr. John C. Maxwell Equip Team based in the United States in partnership with Link Aid International was held at the God’s Glory Free Pentecostal Church in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, asserts the Daily Observer.

MIA, ACCORD End Election Dispute Management Training In Bong

The Peace Building Office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) based in South Africa has concluded a three-day election dispute management training in Gbarnga, Bong County. The training was aimed at empowering youth of various political parties and civil society organizations on how to manage election disputes ahead of the October 10, 2017 Presidential and Representative elections. The participants in a resolution promised to remain peaceful during and after the electoral process. They also committed themselves to refrain from all derogatory acts such as hate messages, inflammatory and divisive speeches that have the propensity of undermining peace and democracy in Liberia. According to the civil society and political party youths, they resolved and agreed to say “Yes to Peace” and “No to Violence”, as well as serve as ambassadors of peace in their various institutions, communities, and counties, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

River Gee To Have Technical Training Institute Soon…As House Passes Bill

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has passed a bill into law to establish a vocational and technical training institute in Fish Town, River Gee County to assist in the process of transforming unskillful technicians. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the act was introduced Tuesday, May 9 by River Gee County District #2 Representative Christian S, Chea Sr. to the Plenary to create a vocational and technical institute in the county’s capital, Fist Town.  The Act was turned over to the committee on Education and Public Administration before it was passed into law recently by plenary of the House of Representative.