The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

Weah Breaks Ground For Military Hospital Today

According to the New Dawn newspaper, President George Mannah Weah will today March 26, break ground for the construction of the military hospital at the Edward B. Keselley Military Barracks off the Roberts International Highway. On February 11, this year, during the observance of the Armed forces Day here, President Weah promised to construct a military hospital equipped with state of the art technology that will cater to the men and women in arms here as well as the public in general. Speaking to this paper Saturday at private residence, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel McGill said President Weah, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, along with the Defense authorities will break ground for the first ever military hospital to be constructed here.  

Liberian Group Wants End To Discrimination Against Down Syndrome Patients 

My Heart’s Appeal, a community-based program of the Down Syndrome Association of Liberia, is confidant people with the condition can contribute to the society if given the opportunity. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that delays the development of a person, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.  It is caused by abnormal cell division during birth that results in additional unnecessary genetic material arising from chromosome 21. Those afflicted generally have a distinct facial appearance, health concerns, and intellectual or developmental deficits. In Liberia, there are many stereotypes affecting children with Down syndrome. They are considered witchcraft and are denied education. At the program, FrontPageAfrica observed only the Director of the Division of Special and Inclusive Education at the Ministry of Education Mohamed Konneh was in attendance.   

Liberian Women Group Donates Laundry Equipment to Medical Students 

The Liberian United Women in Progress, a humanitarian women group based in the United States of America, has donated two turbo washer and dryer machines to students of the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine in Monrovia. The donation was done in the presence of the dean of the medical school, Dr. Z’ Sherman Adams Jr., his wife Kate Adams, and Weade Kobbah-Wureh, Vice President of the University of Liberia amongst others. Speaking Friday March 23 during the presentation, a founder of the organization, Edith Walters-Wilson, said after helping many Liberian girls and women in the United States of America, they have decided to contribute to other Liberians back home by providing scholarships to medical students. Speaking on behalf of the University of Liberia, Prof. Wreh praised the organization for the “timely donation,” adding it has urged the UL’s Administration to do more for the medical school, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper. 

Gruesome Murder in Paynesville2 Men in custody, Including Victim’s Son

Scores of onlookers last Saturday witnessed in a panic the remains of Mrs. Joyce Otu-Jawheh in her self-contained fenced house in the Zoewloh neighborhood of ELWA after allegedly being murdered by someone said to be familiar to her. Mrs. Otu-Jawheh celebrated her 53rd natal day on Friday, March 23, 2018. According to police preliminary investigation, the victim’s assailant(s) allegedly split her head and sliced her throat in her bedroom after she fought fruitlessly for her life. Daily Observer

Related Caption:Liberia: Tragedy Hits Returnee From America; Deportee Son, 2 Others in Custody(FrontPage Africa)  

UNMIL’s Last Gift to GOL: DNA Machine 

A DNA machine to settle the arguments over penetration of penis during sexual intercourse not permitted by a girl or woman is expected at the end of March, 2018, an official of the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection (MGCSP) said at a one-day workshop organized by the Ministry on March 21, 2018. “This machine will test the specimen of semen of the person who actually carried out the act,” Mr. Emmett Kaye, Special Technical Assistant to the Minister of Gender, said. The cost of the DNA machine will is “around US$300,000,” Mr. Kaye revealed in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer. According to him, the DNA machine will be purchased by the United Nations Missions In Liberia (UNMIL) on a “tripartite agreement.”

Liberians Appeal for 18 months DED Extension for Liberians in America

The National Council of Churches of the United States of America (NCCUSA) under the signature of its President, Jim Winkler has written the US Government through President Donald J. Trump to extend the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberian immigrants residing in the United States by at least additional 18 months. NCCUSA’s appeal came in the wake of a letter from the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) three months ago through its President Bishop Kortu K. Brown, urging the National Council of Churches of the United States to join efforts to persuade US authorities to reconsider the stance on Liberians whose residence in the USA has expired. The religious group at a press conference held in Monrovia said since the 1950s, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) has served as a leading voice of witness to the living Christ; as such it is important to get them involved, according to Daily Observer.

Rwanda Invites Liberian Medical Scientist to Speak at Global Science Confab

According to the Daily Observer, the award-winning Liberian medical doctor and inventor, Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyanhas been invited to Rwanda to speak at the global gathering of African and world scientists scheduled to take place in Kigali, a dispatch has said. The event dubbed, “The Next Einstein Forum 2018,” is a biennial global event where the world of science, medicine, and technology meet on the African soil. The Next Einstein Forum 2018 is hosted by Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda and officially runs from March 26 -28, 2018. Over the next several days, the Forum will be unveiling the numerous scientific breakthroughs in Africa, respond to existing challenges and look to the future for promoting innovation and its marketing.  

Tarpeh Vows to Enforce Liberianization Policy 

Commerce and Industry Minister Wilson Tarpeh has vowed that under the pro-poor government of President George Weah will spare no effort in building the capacity of Liberian-owned businesses and enforcing the Liberianization policy. Minister Tarpeh spoke at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism’s (MICAT’s) regular press briefing on Friday in Monrovia and noted that he will ensure that those businesses that are set aside for Liberians remain with them and foreigners that are involved will be removed, to protect the Small Business Enterprises (SMEs), reports the Daily Observer.

‘Liberia Has Great Potentials’ -Deputy Secretary-General Amina

Despite the precarious economic condition that the country currently faces as a result of a poor economy, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Madam Amina Mohammed has said that Liberia is brimming with potentials that would help put away its ugly past and make it emerge as a success story in the sub-region. Amina Mohammed made the statement on Thursday in Monrovia at a press stakeout with President George Manneh Weah at his Foreign Ministry office. She said although United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) is leaving behind a country that has a great potential to achieve lasting stability, the country has deepened its democracy and improved the livelihood of its people, writes the Daily Observer.

Gov’t to Borrow U$500M From Japan – For Coastal Road

Several Government official including Minister of State Nathaniel F. McGill, Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean, Public Works Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan and Finance, Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah are expected to depart the country on Tuesday March 27, 2018 for Japan and other countries to lobby for a US$500 million loan to fund a coastal road project here. Liberia’s Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, McGill, who heads the delegation, told this paper over the weekend that the high power delegation to Japan, and other unnamed friendly nations and international organizations will lobby to seek means of borrowing US$ million for the commencement of the coastal road project during the next fiscal period, reports the New Dawn newspaper.  

We Have To Change…President Weah Urges Liberians 

President George Manneh Weah has urged Liberians to “change” their attitude and behavior to bring development to the country, stating that Liberians have to change the modus operandi and encourage each other for the better of the country.  He said those who have ideas should place them on the table rather than engaging in unnecessary criticisms. He noted that Liberia is the same over the years because of the way people treat issues, pointing out that he tries to do it differently, people still have problems. The President was speaking yesterday at the Trinity United Methodist Church in New Kru Town when “Body of Christ” Organization held a Thanksgiving and Intercessory service at the church in his honor, writes the Inquirer newspaper.

CEMEMCO, Cow Factory Accused On Pollution

The House Committees on Environment, Lands, Mines, Energy, Public Works, Health and Social Welfare have been mandated to conduct investigations into serious environmental and air pollution caused by the Liberia Cement Corporation (CEMEMCO), Stockton Creek Waste Terminal and popular Cow Factory or Slaughter House on the Jamaica Road. The decision to relocate CEMEMCO, Cow Factory and the Stockton Creek waste terminal followed a communication from River Gee County District #1 Representative Alexander Poure alleging that dust particles or emission from CEMEMCO’s compound during production is causing health hazard and must be scrutinized. On another environmental concern, Representative Poure said the Slaughter House commonly known as the Cow factory on the Jamaica Road has now become a place where cattle are raised to graze instead of serving the purpose for which it was constructed, reports the Inquirer newspaper.