THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s meeting with the United Nations Ebola Assessment delegation, Government’s report of tremendous progress in its fight against the Ebola virus and the signing of a US$3.3 million grant agreement between the Governments of Liberia and the People's Republic of China are among stories dominating today’s summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Post Ebola Interventions President Sirleaf Receives Special United Nations Ebola Assessment Team To Liberia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has held talks with the United Nations Ebola Assessment  delegation, which include representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the European Commission (EC). According to an Executive Mansion release, at the meeting, the Liberian leader welcomed the UN Assessment Team to Liberia and requested a full understanding of its work reference. She provided updates on the current state of the Ebola fight and indicated that steps towards transitioning from Ebola treatment and prevention to restoring basic health care services are well on course. President Sirleaf admitted that the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease exposed the weakness of the country’s health care system and spoke of the need to ensure that the Ebola disease leaves the country with a strengthened health care system. She stressed that improvement in the country’s health care system is linked to economic recovery and noted that it is important that the role of the private sector in national plans is key and critical both in terms of their needs and potentials. Speaking earlier, the head of delegation of the UN Ebola Assessment Team, Stan Nkwain, informed the Liberian President that the assessment mission was requested by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon to begin planning with the government on actions, plans, interventions and programs to be undertaken during the post-Ebola period. “We have not come to determine for the government what must be done post-Ebola, but to listen and know what the government and the country intend to undertake after the Ebola crisis. We cannot wait to reach zero case level before beginning the process,” he pointed out. Mr. Nkwain clarified that the mission’s interventions and work is not an independent assessment, but an exercise intended to liaise with the government and help build upon what the government is already planning and doing, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Holds Talks With Special United Nations Ebola Assessment Team To Liberia(Heritage), Pres. Sireleaf Receives Special Un Ebola Assessment Team(Focus), President Sirleaf Holds Talks With Special United Nations Ebola Assessment Team To Liberia(In Profile Daily), Pres. Sirleaf Briefs Un Ebola Assessment Team(The New Dawn), Ellen Receives Special Un Ebola Team  (INSIGHT), Pres. Sirleaf Meets Special UN Ebola Assessment Team(The Analyst)

Govt. Reports Tremendous Progress-In Ebola Fight

The head for the Government’s Incidence Management System on the Ebola Virus Disease, Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyensuah, says Liberia continues to make tremendous progress in its ongoing fight against the virus. Addressing reporters Wednesday, 14 January 2015 in a daily briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Minister Nyensuah said 13 of the countries’ 15 political subdivisions have reported zero cases, while two counties have had Ebola suspected cases. He named counties being affected as Grand Cape Mount and Montserrado, detailing that Grand Cape Mount had reported two cases recently in Dewein District, which is a current hot spot that needs serious focus. The Assistant Minister also said here, in Montserrado County, four centers have reported new cases in the last 21 days. According to the Minister, the entire Liberia has had only ten (10) Ebola cases reported in various ETUs since the New Year, according to the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: 12 Counties Reporting Zero Ebola Cases…Nyenswah Discloses(Heritage), 12 Counties Reporting Zero, Nyenswah Discloses(In Profile Daily), No New Cases For 7 Days-Anti Ebola Progress Made Across Liberia(The Analyst), No New Ebola Cases In 7 Days: Liberia Progresses In Quest To “Zero”(FrontPage Africa), No New Ebola Cases in 12 Counties(The Inquirer), 12 Counties Declared Ebola Free…But Liberians Must Remain Vigilant(The Informer). At the same time, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai  has called on Liberians to adhere to the Ebola preventive measures put into place by the government of Liberia and her international partners. According to him, despite the reduction in cases, it is important for Liberians keep adhering to the preventive measures. Speaking Monday at the 4th opening session of members of the 53rd National Legislature at the Capitol Building, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia stated that it is important for the citizens to be on the safe side rather than to be complacent that the virus has left the country, according to the FOCUS newspaper under the caption “VP Boakai Wants Ebola Measures Adhered To”.

Government Confirms 3,231 Ebola Orphans

Amidst the rapid decrease in the number of Ebola cases reported daily, the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has announced an alarming 3,231 Ebola affected children nationwide. Appearing at the Ministry of Information daily press briefing Wednesday, January 14, 2015, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection Madam Lydia Sherman noted that the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus has left many children without parents or guardians. She named Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi and Lofa counties as areas where many family heads died, leaving their children and other relatives alone in the homes. According to Madam Sherman, they are still receiving new number of orphans daily due to the continuous presence of the deadly disease in the country. She said as long as the Ebola virus is present in the country, there will still be possibilities of having new orphans across the country, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Related Captions: Over Three Thousand Orphans To Be Sponsored In School(Heritage), Over Three Thousand Orphans To Be Sponsored In Schools(In Profile Daily), Liberia Records 3,231 Ebola Orphans—Gender Ministry Reveals(The New Republic), Ebola Affects 3,231 Liberian Children-Gender Ministry (The New Dawn)

Thousands Of Ebola Workers Paid ...In Liberia

According to the News newspaper, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has helped the Liberian government pay thousands of Ebola workers. Over US$1 million in cash payments were distributed across the country in January alone. The workers were hired at the height of the crisis to help run treatment centres, help communities prevent transmission and track people that have had contact with victims. Many worked tirelessly without pay for months as the country struggled to cope with the epidemic. The project was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Mission for Emergency Ebola Response (UNMEER).

Related Captions: Thousands Of Ebola Workers Paid In Liberia(Heritage), Health Workers Get US$1M Benefit(INSIGHT), Thousands Of Ebola Workers Paid In Liberia(FOCUS), Over 1000 Ebola Workers Get Pay(The Informer)

China, Liberia Sign US$ 3.3m Agreement

The Governments of Liberia and the People's Republic of China Wednesday signed a grant agreement under which the Chinese People's Liberation Army will provide US$3 million to the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Under the agreement, the AFL will use the US$3 million exclusively for the acquisition of military equipment and logistics. According to a release, Deputy Defense Minister for Administration Joseph F. Johnson signed on behalf the Liberian government, while Ambassador Zhang Yue signed for his country. At the ceremony, the Liberian Government conferred the “Distinguished Service Order” upon the outgoing Defense Attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Monrovia, Senior Colonel Zhao Xizang, writes the News newspaper.

Related Captions: China Gives AFL US3.3 Million Grant(In Profile Daily), More Chinese Goodwill China Eases Liberian Army Logistical Constraints With $3.3m Grant(FrontPage Africa), China To Train AFL Soldiers(FOCUS)  

Legislature Induct 12 New Senators

Twelve new senators-elect were inducted as full members of the Liberian Senate at the Capitol Building on Wednesday, January 14, in consonance with chapter 2, section 1 of the Senate standing rules. The rule calls for the administration of the oath of office to each senator duly declared elected and certificated by the National Elections Commission in the Senate's Chambers by the Secretary of Senate upon the orders of the Presiding officer. The decision was taken Tuesday following recommendations for the initiation ceremony from the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration (ROA) and a subsequent motion by Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee. The 12 senators inducted Wednesday shall serve a term of nine years consistent with Article 46 of the constitution which calls for such term upon the expiration of senators of the first category seats at the senate. According to the FOCUS newspaper, the President of the Senate, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has cautioned all those whose victories are being challenged to follow all legal proceedings, adding, "Inducting them does not mean there is no legal case against them”.

Related Captions: Sherman, Saytumah Out: Liberian Senate Inducts New Senators(FrontPage Africa), 12 Senators Seated (The Analyst), 'Real work begins'-New Senators Take Seat(INSIGHT), New Senators Takes Seats(The Inquirer)

WAEC Fees Payments Deferred

The Deputy Minister of Education for Instruction, Madam Somah, has disclosed that there will be no immediate payment of fees, for students that will be taking the West African Exams Council (WAEC) Examinations this year. Presently WAEC fees for 9th graders stand at LD2,500 and LD3,200 for 12^th graders. Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing at the Ministry yesterday, Madam Somah said when schools shall re-open while students from kindergarten to 8th grade will pay no school fees. Those students from 9th-12th grade are to pay LD700 in 3 installments. “Uniforms or WAEC fees should not be an excuse to stop a child from going to school. The Informer newspaper quotes Madam Somah as saying that the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and school administrators have been given the task to decide on when to pay WAEC school fees. She said there will be training for 3 teachers from each private or public school in the country in psycho-therapy while motorbikes will be supplied to  District County Education officers (DEO’s and CEOs).

Related Captions: No Payment Of WAEC Fees During Registration, MOE Declares(INSIGHT), No Payment Of WAEC Fees During Registration…MOE Declares(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

Ambassador Allen Joins Other Diplomats In Paris To Sign Book Of Condolence

Liberia’s Ambassador France, Dr. C. William Allen, Tuesday joined an array of diplomats at the Foreign Ministry in Paris to signed the Book of Condolence following the terrorist attack in Paris that claimed 17 lives. In remarks, Dr. Allen extended sympathy to the Government and people of France on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Government and People of Liberia for the loss sustained as a result of the attack on the offices of the Magazine, Charlie Hebdo, a Jewish Supermarket  and the  killing of a police offices in Paris last week, according to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Paris, Ambassador Allen assured the French Government that Liberia stands by France in this period of grief, but consoled the people of France that the positive forces of Democracy, freedom and Peace would always prevail over the forces of evil and darkness, reports Heritage newspaper.

Related Caption: Dr. Allen Joins Other Diplomats In Paris To Sign Book Of Condolence(In Profile Daily)

Govt. Halts Cremation Of Ebola Bodies

According to the FOCUS newspaper, the Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyenswah has disclosed that government has reached a decision to stop the cremation of Ebola bodies across the country. Making the disclosure on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 in Monrovia, Assistant Minister Nyenswah said government reached the decision following several close door meetings held with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the necessity of providing safe burials for Ebola dead. He said the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with its dead body management team has instituted safer measures to bury the Ebola dead. He wants Liberians to always consult relevant authorities before burying their family members.

Related Caption: Liberia Halts Ebola Cremations (WEST AFRICA INFO POST)