The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2017

Topping today’s headlines of the local dailies include the Supreme Court’s ruling into the case involving the Liberty Party and the National Elections Commission today; the dedication of Waterfield Primary Healthcare Center Lab by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as the commissioning by President Sirleaf of Ambassador Lois Brutus  as Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States of America. 

Decision Day

The presidential election in Liberia is now in turmoil and as the Liberty Party seeks from the Supreme Court of Liberia a writ of prohibition on the runoff until the National Elections Commission (NEC) can investigate its compliant into alleged electoral fraud and irregularities. The Temple of Justice – ground of the Supreme Court – was tension packed as many Liberians anticipated a supreme opinion on the matter; the full bench of the Supreme Court reserved their ruling till today, Monday, November 5, 2017.  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s legacy of being the first Liberian President to peacefully transfer political power from one democratically elected government to another in 73 years now hinges on the decision the Supreme Court of Liberia will make on the runoff election today, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: S/Court Rules In LP’s Case Today (The INQUIRER)

Pres. Sirleaf Dedicates Waterfield Primary Healthcare Center Lab in Kakata

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dedicated Waterfield Primary Healthcare Center Laboratory, Ultrasound and Telemedicine Departments in Kakata, Margibi County over the weekend. The Liberian leader commended the Proprietress & Founder, Dr. Christiana Hena for giving back to the community. “We are here to recognize a Liberian for her courage, dedication and passion to come back and give to her people; Just think of all Liberians who have achieved that will decide to come back and give like what she has done,” President Sirleaf noted.  According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement on Friday, November 3, 2017 when she dedicated and cut the ribbon to a newly constructed modern Waterfield Primary Healthcare Center Laboratory, Ultrasound and Telemedicine Departments under the behest of Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia in Kakata City, Margibi County, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper. 

Related Caption: Ellen Dedicates Waterfield Primary Healthcare Center Lab In Kakata (Heritage)

President Sirleaf Commissions Cllr. Lois Brutus As Ambassador to U.S.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commissioned Her Excellency Cllr. Lois Brutus as Liberia's Ambassador to the United States of America. Cllr. Brutus replaces Ambassador Jeremiah Sulonteh who recently stepped down to foster his political career. She commended Cllr. Brutus for demonstrating commitment and efficiency at previous assignments, "I am most pleased first of all to welcome the Ambassador and her family and as well commend you for demonstrating commitment and efficiency in all that you've done; I look forward to seeing you demonstrate same as you demonstrated over the years," President Sirleaf said. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking on Friday, November 3rd 2017 in the Cabinet Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when she commissioned Cllr. Lois C. Brutus, Ambassador Designate Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to the United States of America. She used the occasion to state the importance of the United States mission - citing many years of firm diplomatic relations between Liberia, the US, among others, pens the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Society Pays When Media Targeted-Says UN Secretary General

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said when journalists are targeted; societies as a whole also pay the price. “The kind of news that gets silenced-corruption, conflicts of interest, illegal trafficking-is exactly the kind of information the public needs to know,” the UN official noted. The FOCUS newspaper says the UN Secretary General’s statement was contained in a message on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists observed on November 2. He observed that the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council and Human Rights Council have all condemned attacks against journalists and called for ensuring their safety. 

Related Caption: UN Secretary General Says Society Pays When Media Targeted (Heritage)

Liberia’s Commercial Motorcyclists Union Honors President Sirleaf

The Commercial Motor Cyclists Union of Liberia (CMYUL) has honored President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her exemplary leadership role as Liberia and Africa’s first democratically elected female President that has led the maintenance of peace in the country.  At a rare and well-organized program at the Monrovia City Hall on Sunday, October 5, the president of the CMTUL, John F. Kenyor said President Sirleaf has created an enabling environment for them to thrive and improve their lives. He noted that since the inception of the CMTUL’s leadership in 2015, there have been  significant transformation in the conduct of the motorcyclists’ activities, something he attributed to the cooperation and astute leadership role exhibited by the Deputy Police Commissioner for operation, Abraham Kromah and the support of other prominent citizens including Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh, the Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC), writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Health Ministry Commemorate 2nd International Health Day in Monrovia

The Ministry of Health (MOH) in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Food and Agricultural organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners over the weekend observed the second International Day of One Health under the theme: “Preventing the next epidemics through one health coordination and collaboration in Liberia”. The program took place in the auditorium of the University of Liberia, Capitol Hill on Friday November 3, 2017. Speaking at the occasion, the National Coordinator for One health program, Sonpu Blama Sieh said the initiative is intended to create awareness for those institutions working in the area of disease surveillance for better coordination and collaboration to ease the many challenges confronting the health sector of the country. “pens the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Liberia Observes One Health Day (Heritage)

BWI, MVTC Get Innovation Housing Design Awards

The National Housing Authority (NHA) and two of its partners have ditched out prizes to the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) and the Monrovia Vocational Training Institute (MVTC) as winners of this year’s Innovative Housing Design competition. Working in concert with Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) and Cities Alliance (CA), the NHA presented cash awards of L$100,000 to the BWI and L$50,000.00 to the (MVTC) recently on the campuses of the two technical institutions. Both institutions emerged as winner and runners-up respectively of the Innovative Housing Design at the official launch of the Slum Upgrading Unit of the NHA. In addition to the cash prizes, BWI also received L$40,000 while MVTC received L$30,000 to cover preparation cost for their participation. During the presentation, Mr. Es-Samir Bropleh, Coordinator of the newly- established Slum Upgrading Unit of the NHA thanked the students for bringing pride to their respective institutions and encouraged them also to always take their lessons seriously. Mr. Bropleh explained that the Slum Upgrading Unit of the NHA was established as a specialized unit to work with slum dwellers and other partners in addressing the housing needs of slum dwellers, especially around Monrovia, according to the Heritage newspaper.