The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017

Today’s Summary includes stories on the West African Monetary Zone’s (WAMZ) status conference to be held here in Liberia, the passage of the free and compulsory childhood education by the House of Representatives, the dedication of Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the passage of the National budget

Liberia to host WAMZ’s statutory conference

A high-level statutory conference of the Committees of the Ministers of Finance, Governors of Central Banks and the College of Supervisors of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is slated to take pace in Monrovia from July 27-August 4, 2017. A Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) release says, the statutory meeting will provide member countries the opportunity to review their activities under the (WAMZ) program, share member country experiences and decide on the way forward and the transition of the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) into the WAMZ Commission. Participants at the statutory meetings will make several presentations focusing on convergence reports, policy issues with highlights on reports of experts committee meeting on the WAMZ commission, vulnerability of WAMZ economies and the impact on the convergence process, managing commodity price shocks in the WAMZ and the roles of monetary and fiscal policies, according to New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption:Liberia to Hosts WAMZ’s Statutory Conference Soon(Insight)

House Passes Free & Compulsory Childhood Education Bill

According to the Insight newspaper, the House of Representatives has passed into law a bill for Free and Compulsory Early Childhood Education in the country. The bill was passed at the Thursday’s sitting of the House Plenary following a report by its Joint Committee on Education, Ways, Means and Finance, and Judiciary. The Joint Committee, in its report, recommended the immediate passage of the draft bill. The bill is entitled: “An Act to amend the amended act of the education reform act of 2011”. It was introduced on April 6, 2017, by Grand Kru County District #2 Representative, Numene T.H. Bartekwa.

Related Caption:Free, Compulsory Education Law Sails Through House – Forwarded to Senate for Concurrence (Daily Observer)  

SKD Finally Dedicated 

The 35,000-sitting capacity Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex has finally been dedicated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with a call to Liberians to use the facility to host events that promote unity and reconciliation, especially among the young people. Making a brief remark at the dedication ceremony on Saturday, President Sirleaf said the young people once again now have the opportunity to troop in and cheer their teams at a better SKD that was closed due to its deplorable condition. She thanked the government and the people of China for their continuous support to the peace and infrastructural development of Liberia over the years. The renovation of the SKD is among several infrastructural development projects being undertaken by the Chinese government in Liberia. Also making a brief remark at the dedication ceremony, the Charge d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy, Li Zhuang, thanked the Government of Liberia for its support and contribution to the China-Liberia relations that have been developing with a sound momentum and have yielded fruitful achievements in various sectors of Liberia, writes Daily Observer.  

Pres. Sirleaf Hosts Students’ Delegation Against Corruption 

According to Focus newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday, July 20, 2017 held talks with a delegation of a youth-based anti-corruption organization named "Students Against Corruption" at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader and the students’ group brainstormed on consolidating, enhancing and sustaining the national fight against corruption with the full involvement and participation of young people, particularly student going children. She praised members of SAC for voluntarily engaging themselves with finding useful ways to contribute to the nation’s fight against a menace that could destroy the fabric of the country if not confronted by every Liberians. President pledged to work with and support SAC in its effort aimed at contributing to Liberia’s corruption fight. For his part, student Daniel Dennis, president of SAC briefed President Sirleaf on the objectives of SAC and efforts being made to aid the fight against corruption. He pointed out that the group is bringing together youths from across the Liberia to raise awareness about corruption-related issues, expose the practice of corruption, developing ideas of fighting it among others.  

Senate Concurs With Lower House On US$563.6M National Budget 

The Senate with a vote of nine for, three against and no abstention, concurred with the House of Representatives to pass the National Budget for the fiscal year in the tune of US$563,563,432 million. The Senate received the budget from the House of Representatives on Thursday, but voted to send it to its Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget for review and recommendation to plenary at its agreed extraordinary session on Friday. It can be recalled that the government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning recently submitted as Core Revenue Envelop as per FY2017/2018 Draft Budget to the tune of US$523,560,312; with Contingent Revenue Envelope per FY2017/2018 Draft Budget of US$2,987,688, totaling US$526,548,000. According to the Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, during the hearings, adjustments were made in three areas including: tax revenue, US$692,261.00; adjustment in non-tax revenue, US$18,891,797; and adjustment to World Bank Loan/Grant US$5,000,000, reports the Daily Observer.  

Julie Endee Lauded ‘For Inspiring Young People’ 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended Liberia’s Cultural Ambassador, Julie Endee, for inspiring many young people like little Semah G. Weifur for being at their best. She called on the young people to see themselves as part of the body politics of Liberia and such should engage in positive activities that will enable them contribute meaningfully and significantly to the development of the country. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement at the honoring ceremony of the 7^th Annual Celebration of the Golden Image Award Ceremony organized by Liberia’s Crusaders for Peace on Thursday, July 20, 2017, at the Monrovia City Hall under the theme: “Let’s maintain the Peace”, reports the Insight newspaper.

Related Caption:Amb. Julie Endee Commended For Inspiring Young People(FOCUS)

Muslims acknowledge religious tolerance

Islamic preacher Sheikh Mohammed Komara says the dual nature of observing Liberia’s Independence Day intercessory services both in the Church and the Mosque is a clear testament of promoting religious tolerance by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and her government.  “The dual nature of this occasion is a testament to the willingness and the desire of the President and the Government of Liberia to promote religious tolerance and coexistence in [the] Liberian society”, Sheikh Komara says at an Intercessory Service held at the 72nd Central Mosque on Friday, 21 July as part of events leading to the 170th Independence celebration on 26 July. During the Friday Prayer, President Sirleaf expressed happiness for Liberians coming together on the Independence Day of the nation to show that there is unity, peace, solidarity and security throughout the nation. At the Prayer were Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and other senior officials including Internal Affairs Minister Dr. Henrique Tokpah, Montserrado County Superintendent Florence Brandy, and Deputy Police Inspector for Operations Abraham Kromah, among others. The President’s Office has also distributed holiday gifts with physically challenged people in Monrovia at the Coconut Plantation. The items included bags of rice and cartoons of fish, reports New Dawnnewspaper.

Dr. Dougbeh Nyan Wins 2017 African Innovation Special Prize Award

According to the Daily Observer, Liberian scientist and medical doctor Dougbeh Chris Nyan has won the prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa Award for Social Impact, according to a press release. Dr. Nyan won the award for his invention of a medical test that can detect and identify many infections in less than one hour using one test. According to experts, ‘the Nyan-test’ is easy to use and less expensive. It will cut down the long waiting time for test results and will serve remote communities in Africa and the world. In many African countries, most healthcare facilities in cities and remote areas have limited access to high-tech diagnostic tools, thereby making it difficult to provide services that detect and differentiate infections that show the same symptoms when for example a patient has malaria, typhus, yellow fever, or Ebola. However, Dr. Nyan’s single-test is able to pinpoint the infections or rule out others in less than an hour, making it faster and easier for doctors to give specific treatments at affordable costs. Accepting the African Innovation Price Special Award for Social Impact, Dr. Nyan thanked the African Innovation Foundation for recognizing and supporting innovators on the African continent and asked African governments to commit enough financial resources to support African innovators.

GLS Unveils 25-Year JV Partnership Deal with NAS of Kuwait for RIA Cargo Operations

Global Logistics Services (GLS) has announced the selection of National Aviation Services (NAS) of Kuwait as its joint venture (JV) partner to manage the 25-year air cargo operations concession at the Roberts International Airport (RIA). The joint undertaking deal, which also includes strategic and technical partnership, was disclosed by GLS, the Liberian company that was awarded the cargo operations concession through a concession agreement with the Executive — National Investment Commission (NIC), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) and the RIA management — ratified by the Legislature. The JV was formally disclosed on Saturday, July 22, at a resort in Monrovia. According to the joint venture, NAS will contribute international cargo handling expertise while GLS will maintain local logistics and support. The JV will support human and operating capacity development in the aviation service sector to boost Liberia’s air cargo supply chain capabilities, according to the Daily Observer

RIA’s New Terminal, Runway Project ‘On Course,’ Says Management

Construction work on the new terminal and upgrading of the runway at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) is gradually taking shape as contractors working around the clock to give the airline an international outlook. The new terminal is expected to ease the pressure on the existing terminals and improve infrastructure on-ground that is in line with the growing international travel demand, and position the country as an attractive aviation hub in the sub-region. Once completed and handed over to the government, the terminal will be capable of processing hundreds of passengers given that the airport officials will be able to monitor the level of the work done at the airport terminal. Mr. Reeves, who spoke to a team of journalists on Friday, July 20, at the RIA, said the ongoing construction and upgrading of the runway is to ensure that the airport meets global standard, asserts Daily Observer.

Lawmakers Vow To Pass Land Rights Acts Soon

According to the Focus newspaper, a group of lawmakers from both houses of the Legislature over the weekend concluded a two-day review session on the land rights bill in Buchanan and vowed to pass same before the end of the current sitting of the National Legislature. According to the acting Chairman of the joint committee, Rep. Clarence Massaquoi, the review session is intended to look at some critical clauses within the draft bill to allow for its speedy passage. The meeting was held at Kekontee Village near Buchanan with support from the United Nations Development Program.  

Muslims Extolled For Sustenance of Peace – As Pres. Sirleaf Distributes Assorted Food Items 

 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded members of the Islamic faith and Liberians in general for sustaining the peace that we are enjoying today. According to an Executive mansion released, President Sirleaf made the statement on Friday, July 21, 2017, when she led an array of government officials at the 72nd Central Mosque in Paynesville City, Montserrado County to participate in the Thanksgiving and Intercessory Service marking Liberia’s 170th Independence Day celebration. President Sirleaf told Liberia Muslims that every gain made during the 12 years of her stewardship is an achievement of every Liberian - including every Muslim, Christian and non-religious members of the society. She praised the Muslim and Christian Communities as well as all and sundry for their individual and collective roles in working for peace. Speaking earlier, the Guest Speaker at the Thanksgiving & Intercessory Service, Sheikh, Mohammed Kamara, commended President Sirleaf for the level of infrastructural developmental executed under her leadership, especially at a time when the country was returning from a devastating civil war. Sheikh Kamara called on President Sirleaf to prioritize the inclusion and teaching of peace messages into our educational curriculum to dissuade anti-peace elements who are often in the habit of abusing the kindness and receptiveness of the Liberian people, reports the Focus newspaper.