The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies highlights news of the National Elections Commission’s citation to political parties and independent candidates for the verification of the ensuing October 10 presidential and legislative elections ballot paper.

The summary also includes news of President Sirleaf’s Congratulatory message to Republic of Ukraine on its 26th Independence Anniversary and the visit of a UK Parliamentary delegation to the country, among others.

DOMINANT STORY  

Candidates Cited To Verify Ballot Papers 

The Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Cllr. Jerome Korkoya, on Wednesday said it has completed the layout of ballots for the ensuing elections and has called on all political parties to send one representative each independent candidate to the Commission for the verification of the layout. Addressing journalists at the weekly elections update press briefing held at the Commission’s headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, NEC chairman Jerome G. Korkoya said: “The verification exercise will focus on the names of candidates and the emblems of the qualified political parties and independent candidates that were submitted to the Commission at the nomination center,” adding that the exercise began on Wednesday (August 23) and will end tomorrow, Saturday, August 26, according to the New DEMOCRAT newspaper.

Related Captions: NEC Verifies ‘Sample Ballots’…Calls For Representation Of Political Parties, Candidates(INSIGHT), NEC Calls Parties to Verify Ballot Layout before Print(Daily Observer). In another development, the National Elections Commission (NEC) has threatened to dismiss cases pending before it if complainants and respondents fail to appear for hearing. NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya sounded the warning during a press conference held at the commission’s headquarters, reports the Heritage newspaper under the caption “NEC Threatens To Dismiss Cases Before It If…”. The INQUIRER newspaper also reports that during briefing the NEC says it has begun the recruitment of some 28, 347 competent poll staffs for the ensuring Presidential and Legislative Elections. Reporting under the caption “NEC To Recruit 28,367 Poll Staffs”, NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya disclosed that the 28,367 poll staffs include, presiding Officers (PO), Voter Identification Officers (VIO), Ballot Paper Issuers (BPI), Ballot Box Controllers (BBC), Inkers and Queue Controllers (QC) are expected to recruited.

OTHER STORIES  

Liberia Congratulates Ukraine On 26th Independence Anniversary 

The Heritage newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to her colleague, the President of the Republic of Ukraine, His Excellency Mr. Petro Poroshenko, on that country’s 26th Independence Anniversary on August 24, 2017. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in her own name, extended best wishes to His Excellency Mr. Petro Poroshenko, and through him, to the Government and people of the Republic of Ukraine, on his country’s 26^thIndependence Anniversary.  She also wished them continued happiness and prosperity as they celebrate their country’s Declaration of Independence on August 24, 2017. “We note with admiration the determination and fortitude of the people of Ukraine in building a strong and productive country especially following years of independence,” President Sirleaf said, adding that in the context of both countries bilateral engagements, her government is encouraged by the healthy relationship subsisting between the two countries and peoples to which they have committed to intensifying for mutual benefits.

Related Caption: Liberia Congratulates Ukraine On 26^th Independence Anniversary(INSIGHT)  

President Sirleaf Receives UK Parliamentary Delegation; Expresses Appreciation of Visit 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received in audience a UK Parliamentary delegation and expressed appreciation over the visit to Liberia by cross-party four-member team; three of whom are members of the International Development Committee of the House of Commons. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian Chief Executive made the remarks when she received in audience on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 four UK Parliamentarians; three of whom are members of the International Development Committee of the House of Commons - headed by Stephen Twigg, Member of Parliament and Head of delegation at her Foreign Ministry Office. The New Democrat newspaper quoting the release said the delegation is in the country to explore opportunities aimed at understanding the country’s efforts to re-build its health system through the delivery of key interventions such as immunizations and tackling infectious diseases; which include visits to national and community-based health programs, service users and health care providers, as well as hold meetings with representatives, among others. President Sirleaf welcomed the delegation to Liberia and held bilateral discussions at different levels aimed at strengthening the health sector.

Related Caption: Ellen Receives UK Parliament Delegation(The New Dawn)

Change Minds And Attitudes

According to Liberia’s 170 National Flag Day Orator, Madam Christine Tolbert-Norman, says the minds and attitude of Liberians must be changed rather than proposing that the nation symbols of the country should be changed. Speaking yesterday at ceremony marking Liberia’s 170^th National Flag Day yesterday at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia, Madam Tolbert-Norman disagreed with the changing if the country’s national symbols something many Independence Day Orators have been pushing for before. The Liberia Educator said as Liberia moves forward in this critical period of the nation’s history toward the transitional period, what the country needs now is patriotic and self-disciplined citizens to move the country to the next level, reports the INQUIRER newspaper. The daily also reports under the caption “Rich, But Struggling Nation”…Pres. Sirleaf Describes Liberia”that in brief remarks at the celebrations of Liberia’s 170^th Flag Day, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said Liberia is rich in resources but the country continues to struggle for survival.  She said what is needed from citizens is their attitudes and discipline.

Related Caption: Ellen’s Final Flag Well-Attended by Official(Daily Observer)

Grebo National Forest Now Grebo-Krahn National Park

The House of Representative has voted to concur with the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, August 22, to pass into law the establishment of the Grebo-Krahn National Park. The Grebo-National Park was formerly the Grebo National Forest. The concurred following a report from the Joint Committee on Agriculture, chaired by River Cess Representative Byron Zehwea, recommending approval to support the action of the Liberian Senate on Engrossed Bill No. 10 entitled “An Act to establish the Grebo National forest as Grebo-Krahn National.” Rep. Zehwea said his committee on Agricultural and Forest worked closely with his counterpart, Senator Morris Saytumah (Bomi County) during stakeholder meetings. According to the River Cess lawmaker, part of the committee’s findings call for the management of the park which is largely natural or near natural areas set aside for the protection of large scale ecological processes, reports the Daily Observer.

FES VP Visits NEC, As Chairman Gives Update on 2017 Elections

The vice president for programs of the Washington D.C.-based American Elections charity group, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) today, August 23 2017 paid a courtesy call on the Chairman of the National Elections Commission, Cllr. Jerome Korkoya.  Doing their discussions, at NEC Headquarters, Michael Svetur said the visit was intended to get on the spot information on the 2017 Presidential and Representative Elections and to take stock of the support of IFES to the Liberian Election Management Body, EMB. Briefing the IFES Vice President, Cllr. Korkoya described IFES as an un-doubtable dependable elections partner to the Commission, mainly during this critical time of electioneer period in Liberia. However, Chairman Korkoya said he was greatly concerned about many other challenges including the Data Center, Legal hearing and the capacity of elections staff in the 19 magisterial areas outside of Headquarters, and Effective Communications and Logistical problems.  Commissioner Korkoya, JD, told the visiting IFES Vice President that the Commission was seriously considering the services of helicopters to airlift sensitive elections materials mainly in the South-Eastern parts of the Country in the wake of very bad or inaccessible road conditions. At the press conference today, August 23, 2017, the Chairman said the Commission has already recruited and deployed 436 civic educators and 219 gender mobilizers across the country for a period of two months to carry out door to door outreach as well as face to face interactions with community dwellers, asserts  the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: IFES Vice President Gets Update On 2017 Elections(New DEMOCRAT)

House Reviews New Election Law from Senate

A joint committee of the House of Representatives, comprising Elections & Inauguration and the Judiciary is reviewing a new election law to amend certain provisions of the elections law to clarify the powers and authority of the National Elections Commission with respect to the qualification of political parties and organizations for elections, determining election results and election disputes.’ The Joint Committee is expected to report and advise the House’s Plenary next Tuesday, August 29, as to whether the august body should concur with the Liberian Senate. The House mandated its Joint Committee last Tuesday following the forwarding of the approved bill from the Liberian Senate, subtitled Engrossed Bill No. 12. According to the act, when approved by the House of Representatives, the National Elections Commission (NEC) will be the sole determinant of the qualification of political parties and political organizations and independent candidates for elections and the sole determinant of election results and election disputes, “except that the right of appeal is reserved to an interested party aggrieved by a decision of the National Elections Commission to appeal to the Supreme Court for review,” asserts the Daily Observer.  

Non Partisan, Pro-democracy Movement Launched 

The National Reformation Alliance Movement, Inc. (NARAMO), whose primary aim is to promote good governance in Liberia, was launched last Friday in Monrovia. In his remarks, Kenneth Y. Best, publisher of the Daily Observer newspaper reflected that bad governance was the primary reason that the 170-year-old Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent republic, remains one of the continent’s poorest and most backward nations. Mr. Best lauded the leaders of NARAMO for including among its objectives the promotion of human rights, good governance and the rule of law, adding that the absence of these great concepts in many of the republic’s administrations, led to the Liberian civil conflict, during which this nation became a failed state. He quickly cautioned the guests, and the people of Liberia, that we must all wisely and very carefully chose a competent leader for Liberia in the October 10 elections. If we do not, and instead allow ourselves to be mesmerized (hypnotized, captivated) by bags of rice, money or false promises, Best said we run the risk of choosing the wrong leader who will lead us further down the drain again. He pleaded with the audience, which included many Christians and Muslims, and all citizens of the country to unite and pray for God’s will guidance in choosing the right person to lead Liberia over the next six years, reports the Daily Observer.

LRA Installs Baggage Scanning Machines At RIA

Customs Officers of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) assigned at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) are undergoing an intensive training to fully prepare them to operate two electronic baggage scanners donated to the LRA by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The equipment will facilitate clearance of arriving passengers at the country’s only international airport. The five-day training exercise is also sponsored by the UNDP. The modern electronic scanning machines are expected to be ready for use by travelers entering the country by early September. Speaking during the commencement of the training, taking place at the RIA in Margibi County, LRA’s Commissioner for General Services Andrew W. Satiah described the initiative as a “great step forward” for the LRA in enhancing customs operations. The Commissioner also expressed the LRA’s gratitude to the UNDP for the numerous support given the LRA since its inception in 2014. He urged the trainees to focus on the training to enable them to properly operate and manage the LRA electronic scanning machines, according to the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Caption: LRA Installs Modern Baggage Scanning Machines At RIA…As Customs Officers Undergo Training(INSIGHT)  

Liberia’s AME Church Donates To S/Leone 

The Eliza Turner African Methodist Episcopal Church on Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia has donated US$3,000 cash to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia for survivors of the recent flood and mudslides in Freetown that left about 500 residents dead and thousands others dead.  The head Pastor of the Eliza Turner AME Church, Alvin E. Attah, says the gesture is aimed at identifying with the people of neighboring Sierra Leone, where there are many AME Churches that are part of the 14 Episcopal Districts in seven West African countries. Presenting the money formally at the Sierra Leone Embassy here, he says the 14th Episcopal Districts had already identified with the AME Church in Sierra Leone, so Eliza Turner AME Church in Monrovia decided to go a step further, noting that victims of the incident include people from other denominations and religions so this is the church own way of identifying with the Government of Sierra Leone “to let them know that when they are crying, we are also crying, when they are in need, we are also in need.” Rev. Attah notes that the mission of the Church is not only to minister to the spiritual needs of people, but also to seen human kind as one big family therefore, we have come with the love of Jesus to our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers”, he says. In the early hours of Monday, August 14, 2017, Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone located in the 14th Episcopal District where E. Earl McCloud, Jr. presides as Bishop, was hit by heavy rain, followed by an unprecedented mudslides and massive flooding, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Liberian Man Donates To LNP

A Liberian man residing in London, Maxson S. Kpakio of Wales Liberia Connect, has donated reflective security jackets and other materials to the Liberia National Police (LNP). Mr. Kpakio made the presentation to Inspector General Col. Gregory Coleman on Wednesday, 23 August at the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia.  Mr. Kpakio says the donation is a little appreciation and his way of making contribution to the work of the police force here. During the brief interaction, Mr. Kpakio also presented to Col. Coleman a copy of a book he has written for children, aimed at informing kids of the work of police and teaching the public that police are to be seen as friends. In response, Col. Coleman thanked Mr. Kpakio for the donation, and assured him that it will be utilized for the intended purpose. He says the little donation means more than what the LNP normally receives from donor countries, noting that just the thought by Mr. Kpakio means a whole lot for the police. He appreciates Mr. Kpakio for putting in his time to getting people, especially the future leaders, to understand the work of the police. He notes that information is power, warning that that the less informed people have the tendency of resulting to violence than any other, writes the New Dawn newspaper.