The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies including President Sirleaf being joined by her Ghanaian counterpart, President Addo to cut ribbon to the new Liberian Chancery in Accra, Ghana; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the observation of Liberia’s 2017 Presidential and Representatives’ elections by Foreign Minister, Madam Marjon Kamara and the head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, Ms. Tiina Intelmann.

President Sirleaf and Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Cut Ribbon to New Liberian Chancery in Accra, Ghana

The Inquirer news quotes an Executive Mansion release as saying that President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf joined by her Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday, August 25, 2017 dedicated and cut ribbon to a new Liberian Chancery complex in Accra, Ghana. According to a dispatch from Accra, Ghana, President Sirleaf applauded the Chargé d Affairs and Head of the Liberian Mission in Accra, Musu Ruhle for being farsighted and innovative in bringing transformation and development to the Accra Mission. The facilities of the Chancery, which have been in ruins for years was completely rebuilt by Madam Musu Ruhle with funding not only from the Government of Liberia but through other initiatives undertaken by the Accra Mission and its head. The rebuilt structures include an Executive Presidential style suite, other lodging quarters, several large-size halls, and annexes, amongst others and will host the official residence of the country’s Ambassador accredited near Accra. President Sirleaf described the project as monumental, adding that it has given visibility and new stature to the Liberian Mission in Accra. She also called on others Missions abroad to copy the fine innovative intervention of Madam Ruhle and her hardworking team in building oversea image of Liberia.

As GOL, EU Sign MOU: EU Election Observation Mission Expected Soon

Foreign Minister, Madam Marjon Kamara and the head of the European Union (EU)  Delegation to Liberia, Ms. Tiina Intelmann, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning observation of the 2017 Presidential and Representatives’ elections one final act as head of the EU Delegation to Liberia. Ms. Intelmann leaves the country shortly after a successful two and half year stint as head of the EU Delegation to Liberia. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the MoU signed between the Government of Liberia and the EU at the Foreign Ministry, August 28, 2017 is based on an invitation extended to the EU on February 1^st 2017 by the Government to observe the 2017 presidential and representatives’ elections, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Related Caption: As GOL, EU Sign MOU:…EU Election Observation Mission Expected Soon (The INQUIRER)

Foreign Minister Consoles Family of Late Saye Goyo

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the late Mr. Saye S. Goyo who passed away on the premises of the Ministry early Monday, August 28, 2017.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, Mr. Saye S. Goyo (52), of the Paynesville Community, came to the Bureau of Passports and Visas to obtain a new Liberian Biometric e-Passport. As is usually the procedure, he secured the passport form number 52 which is issued by staff of the Bureau of Passports and Visas and was given a seat to wait his turn to be called to do his biometrics. Unfortunately, at about 08:56 a.m., he fell off and other passport applicants sitting around him came to his aid and tried to revive him, while the Foreign Ministry security made contact for an ambulance to immediately take him to John F. Kennedy Medical Center. Before the ambulance arrived, he again went into convulsion foaming, vomiting and jerking. However, the ambulance did come and take him to the J.F.K Medical Center at about 09:12 a.m. Mr. Goyo was pronounced dead by Dr. Kolu Beyan Davies at about 09:20 a.m. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made frantic efforts and was able to make contact with the victim’s wife, Mrs. Martha Goyo, as well as other relatives, Miss Anita Wondea and Junior Gaye. They all confirmed that he suffered from high blood pressure and, over the last week he had problems with his pressure which had been fluctuating, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Liberia Peace Building Office, Partners Complete Refresher Training

The Liberia Peace Building Office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in collaboration with partners, has completed a day-long refresher training on early warning and early response elections violence prevention. The refresher training, which was held on 23 August 2017, took place at the regional peace and security hob in Gbarnga, Bong County. It brought together about eighty participants mainly youth from ten counties including Maryland, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Nimba, Lofa, Gbarpolu, Bong, among others. Giving an overview of the training, the Senior Program Manager of the Peace Building Office, Christopher Fayiah, recalled that in 2009 with the support of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the Liberia Peace Building Office recruited, trained and established the county peace committees, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Ghanaian President Describes Ellen as a Historic Figure

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as a truly historic figure with whom he was glad to share a platform. “I believe that no Harvard graduate is bigger than the person and personality in Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” the Ghanaian leader said. He noted that the last decade has been years of great expectation by the people of Africa and acknowledged the spread of democratic governments across the continent. According to a dispatch, President Akufo-Addo made the statement on Friday, August 25, 2017 when he addressed the first ever Harvard Africa Action Forum in Accra, Ghana. The Forum was held at the prestigious Movepick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, the Heritage newspaper reads.

ECOWAS Commits To Strengthening Defense Cooperation

Ahead of the Chiefs of Defense Staff Conference scheduled to take place in Liberia next month, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Edward David Singhatey, who is currently visiting the country says that the regional body is keen on further strengthening its cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense. Mr. Singhatey said long and short term observers will be sent by ECOWAS for the pending Presidential and Legislative Elections and ECOWAS will also be engaged with government at the regional level for a peaceful and fair election, as he reaffirms ECOWAS’ support to Liberia’s peace process, the Inquirer reads.

AFFEED, ADB On Project to Empower Youth

In an effort to create entrepreneurs and job creators, the African Foundation for Development (AFFEED) and the African Development Bank (ADB) in collaboration with their partners are implementing a pilot project on Empowering Liberian youths in starting their own businesses. Speaking at the opening of the workshop at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, the Liberian Youth and Sports Minister, Saah N’Torh said joblessness is a serious problem in Liberia and mentioned that if Liberia had become a middle income country, Agriculture would have been a good starting point to improve Liberia’s economy, the Inquirer newspaper asserts.

ACDI/VOCA Program to Boost Livelihoods of Oil Palm Farmers

An inside story of the Inquirer newspaper reads that as the global demand for palm oil shows no signs of slowing, Liberian farmers need more ways of boosting their productivity and income. Because of deforestation and other risks linked to palm oil production, they also need sustainable, environmentally-friendly ways of doing so. Since 2011 the economic development organization ACDI/VOCA has supported smallholder oil palm tree farmers in Liberia through programs funded by the United States Government. The $3.2 million, three-year Smallholder Oil Palm Support II (SHOPS II) program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA and its partner Winrock. International builds on the success of SHOPS I, an earlier program that ended in 2014, the Inquirer newspaper asserts.