The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Today’s summary of local dailies highlights news of the commissioning of Amb. Musu Jatu Ruhle as Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Sierra Leone; President Sirleaf’s assertion that the pending October 2017 elections is  a defining moment for Liberia as well as the Brazilian Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Mr. Andrè Santos’s recent pronouncement that  Liberians should recognize the progress made in the country among other stories.

Ellen Commissions Ambassador Musu Jatu Ruhle

The Heritage newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commissioned Her Excellency, Musu Jatu Ruhle, as Liberia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Sierra Leone. She commended the Liberian diplomat for the level of work done while serving as Ambassador in the Republic of Ghana. “Musu, you have done so well and you truly deserve this promotion,” President Sirleaf said. Performing the commissioning ceremony on Monday, September 11, 2017 in the Cabinet Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, President Sirleaf congratulated Ambassador Ruhle and entreated her to continue to improve the relationship in the Mano River Basin as she ably did while in Republic of Ghana. She cautioned Ambassador Ruhle that there will be challenges but those challenges should be turned into opportunities.  In remarks, Ambassador Ruhle, commended President Sirleaf for her preferment and promised to work and not to disappoint the Liberian leader and the Liberian people in general with a determination to strengthen the ties between Liberia and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Related Caption: Ellen Commissions Ambassador, Musu Jatu Ruhle(Heritage)

“A Defining Moment” President Sirleaf Describes 2017 Elections

The FrontPage Africa newspaper says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the October 2017 elections as a defining moment for Liberia. “I just want to say to all of you - whether you who are leaders, advisors, employees and consultants; that these elections will be a defining moment for our country,” she stressed. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission on 9th Street, Sinkor when she commissioned the Executive Director of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Mr. Larmin Lighe.  President Sirleaf said the elections will determine whether Liberia goes forward and continues to rebuild, reconstruct and promote democracy; or whether we opt to see things going back. She emphasized the importance of the elections particularly for those who have responsibilities at the level of the NEC.

Related Captions: Pres. Sirleaf Challenges NEC Commissions Exec. Dir. Lighe(The INQUIRER), Ellen Describes 2017 Elections As A Defining Moment…Commissions NEC Executive Director(The INQUIRER)

Brazilian Ambassador Urges Liberians To Recognize Progress

Brazilian Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Andrè Santos, says Liberia together with its international friends has made significant progress in rebuilding the country following years of war and a health disaster. He said Liberians need to recognize the progress, and maintain it. According to the Daily Observer, Ambassador Santos made the assertions in Monrovia when Brazilian citizens joined by other diplomats and government officials celebrated the 195th anniversary of Brazil’s National Day. Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs and Acting Minister Deweh E. Gray, who spoke on behalf of the Liberian government, recalled that in May 2009 relations between Brazil and Liberia took a “Momentous” turn when the basic framework agreement on technical cooperation was signed and subsequently ratified by the Liberian Legislature in 2012. She said the framework presents opportunities in the areas of agriculture and food security, education, health, sports, and capacity building. Gray acknowledged Brazil’s role in the peacekeeping mission in Liberia and extended the government’s gratitude to the Government and people of Brazil.

To Make HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria: High Level Global Fund Team Holds Meeting With Minister Dahn

In support of Liberia’s health sector to tackle major diseases, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) Country Team for Liberia on Monday, September 11, 2017 held a high level meeting with Liberia’s Health Minister, Dr. Bernice Dahn. The high-level meeting, which was held at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, the outskirt of Monrovia, gave further boost to Liberia in the fight against the three diseases. The TGF Team was led by Fund Portfolio Manager (FPM) for Liberia, Madam Seble Abebe, with the Regional Manager for the Western Africa Team, Mr. Nicolas Cantau and the Head of Africa and Middle East Department, Madam Cynthia Mwase in attendance. Speaking at the meeting, Madam Abebe said the visit of the high-level team to the country is in the right direction for the reduction of the three diseases, the Heritage newspaper writes.

UN Women, Partners Sign Agreement

United States Women Country Representative, Madam Marie Goreth Nizigama said despite considerable investments in Liberia is not the area of women’s political participation, the number of women in political leadership and the governance system is still far below global benchmark. She made the statement on Thursday at the signing ceremony of the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) on women’s political participation and elections between UN Women, the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), New Narratives and the Liberia Women National Political Forum. “Women remain underrepresented across Liberia’s governance structure because theymake up just 11.65 percent of a total of 103 members of the National Legislature. At the local level, women make up six percent of the government, which includes Superintendents down to general town chiefs,” she note, the INQUIRER newspaper reads.

Lonestar Cell, LRA Agree On Mobile Tax Payment Services

The Daily Observer quoting a press release says Lonestar Cell MTN has signed a proof of concept agreement for mobile payment with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for the acceptance of tax payments via Mobile Money. The mobile tax payment platform is meant to ease the process of making payment of government taxes and fees. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Deputy CEO of Lonestar Cell MTN, Louis Brah Roberts, said “the agreement with the LRA is part of Lonestar Cell MTN’s efforts to offer convenience to our cherished customers.” The LRA Commissioner General, Elfrieda Stewart Tamba said, “This is the first Private to Government payment system in Liberia. All tax payments and selected non-tax payments will be included in this pilot stage. This includes corporate taxes, personal taxes, 4% business tax, GST, and Excise tax.”

UL Inducts New President Tomorrow Ellen, Others To Grace Occasion

Authorities at the University of Liberia are poised to convene a special convocation for the induction of a new president for the institution. According to a release, the new president will formally replace Dr. Emmett A. Dennis. The occasion is slated for Wednesday, September 13, 2017 on the Fendall Campus beginning at 2:00 PM. According to the Acting spokesperson of the University of Liberia Rev. Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson, Jr. Dr. Weeks was endorsed by the Board of Trustees following months of vigorous search by the Search Committee, the INQUIRER newspaper reads.

BSC Lunches Entrepreneurship Competition For Young Liberians

The Business Startup Center (BSC) – Monrovia has launched an entrepreneurship idol business competition in Monrovia. The competition was lunched over the weekend at the UL Auditorium on Capitol Hill. The program brought together partners representing the German Embassy near Monrovia, representatives from the Liberia Chambers of Commerce and many young Liberians who want to be entrepreneurs following the successful completion of the requirements of the competition. BSC-Monrovia is a local business development service provider with support from the German Embassy near Monrovia and the Liberia Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the official lunch of the competition, the Director of the BSC program, Mr. William R. Dennis, II, told the audience that BSC’s major focus is to see small to medium size enterprises in Liberia become stronger. He stressed further that for the Liberian economy to be successful and strong, there is a need to focus on small businesses in the country, the Daily Observer asserts.

ILO Calls For Extension Of Coverage To Professional Injury

A back page story of the INQUIRER newspaper states that in an effort to expand the coverage of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), the International Labor Organization (ILO) at the weekend conducted a one-day Tripatite Civil Service Consultative workshop intended to provide for the inclusive coverage for all professionals sustaining injury on the job. According to ILO, NASSCORP is not to limit coverage only pensioners but also provide for all employees including those sustaining injury on the job. The workshop brought together nearly fifty participants comprising representatives of several public institutions including those of the workers union, Civil Society Organizations, operators of insurance companies and NASSCORP.