The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies among other stories highlights news of the pre-dedication of the ongoing construction of the Somalia Drive project by President Sirleaf, the Lebanese Embassy in Liberia celebration of that country’s 74^th Independence Anniversary in Liberia including President Sirleaf’s Proclamation on the observance November 29^th, the 122^nd birth anniversary of Liberia’s 18^th President, William V.S. Tubman as a National Holiday and the President’s Proclamation on the observance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, a global campaign dedicated to end Gender-Based Violence.

Ellen Celebrates ‘Japan’s Love, Road Legacy’ – Pre-Dedicates Somalia Drive Bridges

The Daily Observer newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has celebrated the Government and people of Japan for the ongoing reconstruction of the four-lane quality road, including drainages and bridges on the Somalia drive. The President said the road infrastructure is a result of building global partnerships and an evidence of the love the Japanese have for Liberia. The mood of the President on Friday, November 24, at the pre-dedication of the ongoing construction of the Somalia Drive project, repeated her boast of being the only President to build more roads than the country’s past 23 presidents. The road including a bridge is valued at US$50.6 million. Phase two is the rehabilitation of the existing road and bridge, valued at US$46 million – bringing the entire project to US$96.6 million. Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Kaoru Yoshimura, and the JICA Representative in Ghana, Masachi Yamamato, in separate remarks, assured Liberians that the road and the bridges are durable at least to remain intact for about 100 years.

Related Caption: Ellen Dedicates Stockton Creek Bridge, Others (The INQUIRER)

Lebanon, Liberia’s Relationship Extolled

The Ambassador of Lebanon to Liberia, Fadi Zein, has extolled the long standing relationship that is existing between the two countries. The In Profile Daily says the Lebanese diplomat made the remarks over the weekend at the official program commemorating the 74^th Independence Day at the Lebanese Embassy in Monrovia. Amb. Zein said the bilateral relationship between both countries over the years have been characterized by mutual friendship and respect, indicating that Liberians are gentle people. For her part Foreign Affairs Minister, Marjon V. Kamara extended warmest congratulations through Ambassador Zein to the Government and people of Lebanon as they observer what she described as a milestone in the history of Lebanon, pointing out that both countries had enjoyed cultural relationship for decades. Minister Kamara assured Ambassador Zein that Liberia will continue to nurture this relationship during the years ahead.

Related Caption: Ambassador Zein Extols Lebanon, Liberia Relationship…As Lebanon Commemorates 74the Independence Day (The INQUIRER)

Wednesday Is National Holiday

According to the INSIGHT newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Wednesday, November 29, 2017, the 122^nd birth anniversary of William V.S. Tubman, to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, at the 3^rd Session of the 42^nd Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, an Act was passed commemorating November 29, the birth anniversary of William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman, 18^th President of the Republic of Liberia, each year, in keeping with the will of the Liberian people. This Act of Legislature is in recognition of his productive, meaningful service and policies, including the Integration Policy, the Granting of Suffrage to Women, as well as national policies and many other socio-economic developments, and his contributions to the emancipation of African colonial territories to statehood. The Proclamation further directs that all government offices, business houses, and market places be closed on that day from six o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridian.

President Sirleaf Declares November 25, December 10, ‘Working Holidays’

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Saturday, November 25, 2017, as “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,” and Sunday, December 10, “International Human Rights Day,” to be observed throughout the country as a Working Holidays. The INSIGHT newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the 2017 Campaign will be celebrated under the global theme: “Together We Can End Gender-Based Violence in Education,” and the national theme: “Let’s Embrace Our Diversities for Safe Education and A Violence Free Society.”   The Proclamation states that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, being cognizant of the dates of International Day of Violence Against Women, International Human Rights Day, International Human Rights Defenders Day, World AIDS Day, International Day of Disable Persons and the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, agrees to jointly observe these occasions, through specially planned programs to further raise and strengthen the concepts being expressed for public consumption and participation. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is a global campaign dedicated to end Gender-Based Violence and will highlight other significant dates such as: November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day; December 1, World AIDS Day; December 3, International Day of Disabled Persons; December 6, Anniversary of Montreal Massacre and December 10, International Human Rights Day. The Liberian leader has requested the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Government Agencies, Civil Society Organizations and NGOs concern to execute appropriate programs befitting both occasions.

ECOWAS Parliament Opens With Focus On Liberian Elections, Other

The fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament commenced its second Ordinary Session in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament drawing the attention of the august body to the burning issues of the moment in the region.  Quoting a release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, the INSIGHT newspaper says that those burning regional issues, according to Speaker Moustapha Cisse Lo, included the current Liberian elections situation. The daily reads that Speaker Lo in his welcome remarks also named the political situation in Togo, the reported issue of modern day slavery in Libya and the humanitarian situation of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, among others. The Second Session which began on November 21, 2017 will end on December 9 during which time the regional body will also consider the budget of the ECOWAS institutions and agencies, among others.

Related Caption: ECOWAS Parliament Opens With Focus On Liberian Elections, Others (Heritage)

WARFP Dedicates Two Modern Facilities

The INQUIRER newspaper says the West African Regional Fisheries Program WARFP over the weekend dedicated two modern facilities in an effort to return and improve the agriculture sector of Liberia to its pre-war status. The daily reads that President Ellen Sirleaf on Friday, November 24, 2017 dedicated the Mesurado Institute Fisheries Terminal   and the Robertsport Fish Landing Cluster in Grand Cape Mount County.

New EU Envoy Assures Continued Support To Liberia

The newly accredited European Union (EU) Ambassador to Liberia, Helene Cave, has assured the Senate Pro Tempore that the EU will continue to work with the country and its citizens in several areas to mitigate some of its economic, social and infrastructural challenges. Ambassador Cave sought word on the prospects for holding the eagerly awaited runoff election between the ruling Unity Party (UP) contender, Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and Senator George Weah of the opposition coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Pro Temp Jallah informed the EU Ambassador that the government is exerting constructive efforts to timely expedite the judicial process and hold the runoff to avoid a constitutional crisis, the Daily Observer reports.

China Is Committed To Doing More For You…Chinese Envoy Tells LNP

Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Zhang Yue, has pledged his government’s commitment to providing more assistance to the Liberia National Police (LNP0 in enhancing peace and security in the country. Amb. Yue stated that China, as a sincere friend to Liberia and Africa, is not only a development partner but a peace and security contributor. The Chinese envoy made these remarks recently at ceremony marking the turning over of assorted consignments of police supply to the LNP by the Chinese Police Aid to Liberia. Also speaking, Police Inspector General, Col. Gregory O.W. Coleman, thanked the Chinese for the donation, stating that the gesture will go a long way in strengthening the relationship between the two countries, the Heritage newspaper writes

PUL Releases Media Alert Report

The Press Union of Liberia PUL has disclosed it will on today, Monday November 27, 2017 release its first Media Alert Report. In a statement, PUL says the Media Alert Report Program gathers information relating to threats and attacks on journalists and other actors on account of speech or related journalistic activities. The In Profile Daily reads that the Media Alert Report, according to the PUL will contain sections covering two quarters of attacks tracking on journalists, media institutions and the general free press climate in the country.

Related Captions: PUL Releases Media Alert Report Today (INSIGHT), PUL Releases Its First Media Alert Report Today (Heritage)

Regional Media Meeting Ends In Burkina Faso

A two-day regional media meeting has ended in the Burkina Faso Capital, Ouagadougou. The meeting, attended by 50 Health Communication Specialists, was convened by the West African health organization (WAHO), an annual event intended to share its activities and strategic plans with the Specialists. In his closing remarks, the Director General of WAHO, Dr. Xavier Crespin, encouraged the media specialists to invest more of their time into reporting health issues concerning their respective countries. A release from the Communication Director of the Ministry of Health, Sorbor George, who also attended the meeting, quotes Dr. Crespin as reminding them about the important role they have to play in informing their populations about the need for quality health care, the Heritage newspaper reports.

UN Women, Orange Liberia Launch Partnership To Empower Women

UN Women and the telecommunications company Orange Liberia have launched a partnership to provide ICT and Mobile Banking Services to women and girls from UN Women-supported networks such as the Association of Women in Cross Border Trade, the National Rural Women Structure and the Peace Hut Women of Liberia. According to the In Profile Daily, through the partnership, the women will be trained to utilize various ICT platforms to facilitate financial transactions between rural market women and their suppliers; facilitate purchase of goods and payment to vendors, as well as become Mobile Money Agents in their communities through the Village and Saving Loans Associations. UN Women Liberia Country Representative Madam Marie Goreth said the partnership with Orange Liberia demonstrates UN Women’s commitment to working with the private sector in ways that promote gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and girls. She said the partnership will contribute towards achieving results of the Government of Liberia and United Nations Joint Program on Accelerating Progress toward the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women which is led by UN Women.

Coca Cola-Liberia Launches Events Booking Service

The Liberia Coca Cola Bottling Company (LCCBC) over the weekend launched its event booking services under the banner “Mysmartcoke” aimed at reducing stress during event planning. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, mysmartcoke online packages which includes Bronze, Gold and Platinum packages ranging from US$250, US$400 to US$600 and above during the official launch of the mysmartcoke promotion, the Commercial Manager, Mr. Kwadwo Appiah said this promotion is part of the business unit that will help customers, consumers and event organizers to be served conveniently.

Related Caption: LCCBC Launches Smartcoke Products Online (Daily Observer)

Kailondo Donates Petroleum Products To Defense Ministry

The INSIGHT newspaper reads that the authority at the Ministry of National Defense has lauded businessman, Attorney George B. Kailondo for donating 2,500 gallons of petroleum product to the Ministry. Quoting a release from the Defense Ministry, the daily reads that the product is valued over eight thousand United States Dollars. Making the presentation on behalf of his company, Atty. Kailondo said the donation was his way of contributing to the Liberian defense sector for the enhancement of its operation; Defense Minister Brownie Samukai described the donation as strategic at this time.

Related Caption: Kailondo Donates To Defense Ministry (Heritage)

AFL Soldiers To Train Lifeguards

The Deputy Defense Minister for Operations, St. Jerome Lablalee, has assured authorities of Lifesaving-Liberia, Incorporated of his ministry’s willingness to assign soldiers from the Coast Guard company of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to train its lifeguards or civilian divers that would be designated at every beach in Monrovia and its immediate environs.  Minister Lablalee, who served as proxy for Minister of National Defense brownie J. Samukai at a program marking this year’s National Beach Safety Week, told his audience that the lifesaving project is one of the most patriotic duties ever established in Liberia, because it saves lives in danger, mostly at sea, the Daily Observer asserts.