THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2016

Today’s summary of the local dailies includes the joint statement issued by Liberia and Israel for more efforts to forge world peace, security and development and news of the Liberian Muslims joining other muslims the world over in the start of the month of Holy Ramadan.

Dominant Stories

Commit to World Peace- Liberian, Israeli Presidents Urged During Talks in Jerusalem

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and Reuven Rivlin of Israel have called for more efforts on the part of the international community to forge world peace, security and development. The two leaders spoke during talks on Monday when President Sirleaf paid a visit to President Rivlin at his residence in Jerusalem.  President Rivlin said it remains the desire of the Israeli people to see a resolution of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. In response, President Sirleaf called on both sides to build bridges of peace and seek harmony through mutual respect. The Liberian leader, who had earlier toured a high-tech farm at Kfar Shmuel outside Tel Aviv, expressed Liberia's interest in seeking cooperation with Israel in the areas of Agriculture, Security and Information & Communications Technology (ICT).

Related Caption: Ellen Strengthens Ties With Israel(Daily Observer), Israel Welcomes President Sirleaf(New DEMOCRAT)

‘Essential Part Of Workforce’ CBL Governor Opens Training For Executive Assistants, Secretaries

The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) has started the training of Executive Assistants and Personal Secretaries of Chief Executive Officers in a regional course on productivity enhancement. Central Bank of Liberia Executive Governor, Milton Weeks at the opening of the course commended the WAIFEM for bringing such an “invaluable course to Liberia” and urged the trainees to utilize the skills gain from the training for maximum productivity at their various organizations, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: WAIFEM Commences Regional Productivity Course(The INQUIRER), WAIFEM Holds Regional Training Course For Executive Assistants(Daily Observer)

Justice, Defense Sign MOU

The Ministry of Justice and National Defense in Monrovia Has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at ensuring oversight and accountability within the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and all justice and security institutions. According to the In Profile Daily, the MOU seeks to guide procedures for the arrest, investigation and trial of members of the AFL accused of certain criminal offences in discharge of duties. Reading the MOU on behalf of both ministries held at the Ministry of Defense, Acting Defense Minister Joseph Fayiah Johnson said the arrangement is without prejudice to all disciplinary procedures to which all members of the AFL are subjected.

High Level Meeting In New York To End Aids In Africa And The World

Heads of State and Government, youth, and representatives of Civil Society and people living with HIV and the UNAIDS Executive  Director, Michel Sidibe  are meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from June 8-10, 2016 to discuss ending AIDS in Africa. The Heritage reports that during the meeting, the heads of state and Government will reaffirm their commitment and intensify their efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Muslims Begins Ramadan

The INQUIRERnewspaper reports that Muslims in the country on Monday begun the observance of the month of Holy Ramadan after receiving a message from neighboring Ivory Coast that the month of Ramadan has begun. Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo, Grand Mufti of Liberia said Muslims in Liberia coordinated with Muslims in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Guinea and other nearby countries to observer the start of the month. According to the daily, the Holy Ramadan is intended to honor the time when Allah, via the angel Gabriel revealed the first verses of the Quran, the Holy Book of Islam to a Caravan trader named Muhammed.

Related Caption: Muslims Must Pray For Liberia-Chief Imam(The New Dawn)

OTHER STORIES

Taskforce Releases ‘Persons of Interest’ for GAC Report Compliance screening Exercise

The Special Presidential Taskforce has released an initial list of ‘persons of interest’ for a compliance screening exercise on all General Auditing Commission (GAC) reports that are not currently being investigated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) or prosecuted by the Ministry of Justice in the Country, the Daily Observer writes.

Related Caption: Taskforce Issues List Of Persons For GAC Report Compliance(The INQUIRER), Taskforce Issues List Of Persons For GAC Report Compliance(Heritage)

Public Works, USAID Launch Road Program

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works, says the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), yesterday, launched a four year-Feeder Road Alternative and Maintenance Program (FRAMP) in Liberia. According to the New Dawnnewspaper, FRAMP will support the Government of Liberia to develop, operationalize and implement a sustainable feeder road routine maintenance system, while piloting construction of alternative roads through research and development type interventions. The program will be implemented in four counties - Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa and Nimba Counties. CARDNO Emerging Markets USA has been contracted by USAID to implement the program.

MCSS Wants Feeding Program In Public Schools

The General Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated Schools System (MCSS), Mr. Benjamin Adolphus Jacob, has called for the reintroduction of feeding program at public schools across the country. Mr. Jacobs says, “If our children will have the opportunity to eat something before entering in their various classes, such will help to release some burdens from the heads of families.” The MCSS boss told state radio ELBC on Monday, 5 June the essence of the feeding program is to create an environment where students can have their minds steady while in class, saying “No one can learn on empty stomach, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

Roberts International Airport Highway Rehabilitation Starts September

Public Works Minister, Gyude Moore says the government is sure of completing the feeder roads connected to the main Robert International Airport highway. In 2013, the Japanese gave a US$5.2 Million grant to the Liberian government for the rehabilitation of feeder roads connecting the RIA highway. Addressing reporters Monday following a guided tour, Mr. Moore clarified that the work was stalled as a result of the Ebola crisis. He assured the Japanese government of utilizing the money given the Liberian government for the feeder roads project. He said full implementation will be carried out under his watch as minister, disclosing that it begins in September this year, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.  

US Envoy Wants Liberian Women To Contest In 2017 

An inside story of the Daily Observer reads that the Charge d’Affairs at the United States Embassy, Sheila Paskman, has urged Liberian women to rise to the occasion and challenge their male counterparts by winning more top positions, especially elective positions in 2017 general and presidential elections. “I want to urge Liberian women to take both steps and participate in the upcoming 2017 elections to secure seats in the legislature”, she said.

West African Leaders Discuss Creation of Anti-Extremist Force

West African Leaders Discussed setting up a force to combat extremists in the region and will send an observation mission to The Gambia before elections, the regional economic body said on Saturday. According to the Voice of America (VOA), the decisions were announced after about a dozen heads of state, including presidents from Ivory Coast, Niger, and Mali, met in Dakar, Senegal, for his 49h session of The Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), the Daily Observer newspaper reports.

Over 1,000 Nimba Residents Get Free Medical Treatment

According to the New DEMOCRAT newspaper, about 1,000 residents of Gbehlay Geh statutory District in Nimba County have received free medical treatment from the County Health Team (CHT), through its “Free Medical Outreach Program.” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Collins Boah said the program was organized by the (CHT) to help citizens residing in remote areas to access free treatment opportunities. Dr. Boah said the CHT medical Program earlier visited seven communities including Gbi, Duru and Yarwin Mehnsonnoh.