The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies includes news of President Sirleaf’s proclamation declaring Wednesday, September 27, as “World Tourism Day” and her condolence message to the Government and People of the United Mexican States following the death of at least 300 persons as a result of a deadly earthquake which occurred on Tuesday, Septembe19, 2017.

Liberia Celebrates World Tourism Day

The INSIGHT newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Wednesday, September 27, as “World Tourism Day” to be observed throughout the country as a Working Holiday. Member States of the United Nations declared September 27 of each year as World Tourism Day to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value. According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s celebration is being held under the theme: “Sustainable Tourism - A Tool for Development.” Official activities of this year’s celebration in Liberia take place in Ganta City, Nimba County's commercial capital. President Sirleaf hopes that all Liberians will celebrate the value of tourism for all, promoting universal accessibility, and work together in making tourism a great market potential and great business opportunity.  

On Tragic Earthquake: President Sirleaf Consoles United Mexican States

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Condolence Message to the Government and People of the United Mexican States following the death of at least 300 persons as a result of a deadly earthquake which occurred on Tuesday, Septembe19, 2017. The INSIGHT newspaper quoting a Foreign Ministry release, reads that the incidence occurred in East-Northwest at San Juan Raboso and South-Southwest of the city of Pueblas, in Puebla State, Central Mexico. In the message to her Mexican counterpart, H.E. Mr. Enrique Pena Nieto, President Johnson Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, extended heartfelt condolences to the Mexican leader, and through him, to the Government and people of Mexico, especially the bereaved families for the irreparable loss sustained.

“Make Political Speeches, but Don’t Play with Our Peace” -WIPNET

Women In Peace Building Network (WIPNET) Tuesday called on authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to conduct free, fair and transparent elections on October 10 to maintain the country’s peace.  The women made the call when the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) donated several food items and 100 pieces of head ties at their fish market headquarters through the party’s Youth Link chairman Jefferson Koijee.  According to WIPNET Program Coordinator for Advocacy in Liberia, Bernice Freeman, peace cannot be maintained without the support of all the political parties that are part of the process. Madam Freeman said WIPNET has visited 16 communities telling the youth to say “No to Violence” for the betterment of the country. She emphasized that without peace the country cannot move forward with its development agenda, adding that the women of WIPNET “are on our feet” because the youth are the future lawyers, doctors and presidents, “and they need a secure future,” according to the Daily Observer.

Congressional Black Caucus Extolled-For Supporting Liberia’s Peace, Progress

The  FOCUS newspapers reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded the United States Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for being at the forefront in advocating for Liberia from years of conflict to the present era of peace and development. According to a dispatch from Washington, President Sirleaf made the commendation on Friday, September 22, when she spoke at the 2017 Africa Braintrust hosted by the CBC; a prominent organization made of mostly African-American members of the United States Congress. Held under the theme: “Renewing our Commitment and Engagement with Africa” - the 2017 Africa Braintrust took place during the Congressional Caucus 47th Annual Legislative Conference. The Liberian leader recalled that the progress achieved throughout her tenure by the government and the Liberian people would not have been possible without the generous support of the CBC and many friends of Liberia on Capitol Hill in Washington and beyond. She paid tribute to the late Congressman Donald M. Payne, Sr., former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, who she described as “a champion of peace for the then war-torn Liberia.” She added that the late Congressman Payne fought to improve human dignity and impacted the lives of millions across the globe. President Sirleaf also paid homage to Congresswoman Karen Bass, host of The Africa Braintrust, who she described as “a true leader in the U.S. Congress; a great friend of Africa; and a dedicated supporter of Liberia.”

NEC Continues Tactile Ballot Guide Training In Kakata

According to the INSIGHT newspaper, the National Elections Commission, through its gender section, continues the training and awareness on the tactile ballot guide, which will be used by the visually impaired during the October elections. The training continued on September 25, 2017, in Kakata Margibi County, where participants from Lofa, Bong, , Rivercess, Sinoe and host Margibi counties gathered. The daily quotes the NEC as saying that the participants are selected from a cross-section of people including visually impaired and rural journalists. The daily says the participants are being trained on the usage of the tactile guide.

NSCS Trains Regional Officers

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and United Nations Development Project (UNDP) supported the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to launch a three-day training session on early warning and information sharing for its new regional officer s at the MINISTRY of Internal Affairs (MIA). Representative of MIA, Liberia National Police (LNP), United States-funded project Mitigating Local Disputes in Liberia program (MLDL), UNMIL and civil society groups, including the Liberia Law Enforcement Association, attended the event, UNMIL said. September 20, 2017, the National Security Sector Reform Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Dakana, thanked UN for all its support, reports the INSIGHT newspaper.

IAA Ends 5-Day Confab In Monrovia

The Liberian Internal Audit Agency (IAA) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Development (MFDP) has ended a five-day intensive discussion with focus on the role of the internal audit, internal control, risk management and structure as well as mandate of the internal audit institution. The workshop, which started on September 18, brought together local and international staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), representatives of internal audit agencies from Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Cabo Verde and other financial and audit institutions. Established in 2013, the IAA is an autonomous government body responsible for internal audit functions within the public sector. It was mandate aims to minimize corruption, abuse of public trust and to ensure fiscal probity at public institutions in Liberia. The conference brought together over 25 persons from the above-mentioned countries. Amongst the many anti-graft agencies in the public sector, the IAA offers the first line of defense in the fight against corruption, reports the Daily Observer.