THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015

The signing of the Book of Condolence for Former Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis, the African Union announcement of Post-Ebola reconstruction conference, Government's investigation into Liberia Agriculture Company explosion and the distribution of Anti-Ebola materials to schools are the dominant articles in today's dailies.

Other articles include, Turkish Government's donation to Liberia, the closure of Ebola centers in Lofa County and the administering of Ebola vaccines in Monrovia.

Gov’t Opens Book Of Condolence For Chief Justice Johnnie Lewis

The government yesterday opened a book of condolence at the Temple of Justice for the late former Chief Justice Johnnie N. Lewis. Immediately after signing the book of condolence for his deceased former boss, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor told journalists that the signing ceremony signals that official mourning has begun for the Judiciary. Chief Justice Korkpor who described Justice Lewis as “a brilliant educator,” urged fellow Justices to emulate Justice Lewis. He asked all of them to use the occasion to hold together more than ever. Chief Justice Korkpor said it was his predecessor’s hard work that brought total reform to the Judiciary Branch of government.

Earlier, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led an array of government officials to the Temple of Justice to sign the book of condolence. Later in the afternoon, the Speaker of the House of Representatives J. Alex Tyler, at the head of a delegation of the Legislature, also signed the book of condolence on the first floor of the Temple of Justice. The lawmakers were followed by the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia. At yesterday’s ceremony, former heads of government and their deputies along with the Doyen and members of the Diplomatic Corps, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), international non-governmental organizations, the Clergy and others also signed the book. The ceremony continues today with heads of political parties, civil society organizations and the general public signing the book of condolence. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Korkpor has instructed that on the day of the conveyance of the remains of the late Chief Justice Lewis to the Temple of Justice and the day of his funeral, judges of courts and members of the Liberia National Bar Association should be fully attired in their official robes, reports Daily Observer.

Related Captions:President Sirleaf Signs Book of Condolence For Chief Justice Lewis (In Profile Daily),Supreme Opens Book Of Condolence (The Inquirer),Pres. Sirleaf Signs Book of Condolence For Chief Justice Lewis (Insight),Pres. Sirleaf Signs Book of Condolence For Former Chief Justice (FOCUS), VP Boakai Sighs Book Of Condolence For Fallen Former Chief Justice (Heritage)and Pres. Sirleaf Sign Book Of Condolence For Chief Justice Lewis (West Africa Info Post)

AU Announces Solidarity Confab

In Profile Daily quotes an Foreign Ministry's release: The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, convening at the level of Heads of State and Government, has mandated the African Union Commission to work in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission of Africa (UNECA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB)   to convene an African Solidarity Conference (ASC) to mobilize support for post-epidemic reconstruction and cancellation of external debt of Liberia and other countries affected by the Ebola Virus Disease. In a communiqué issued on the Ebola Virus Outbreak at the end of its 484^th Meeting held on Thursday, January 29, 2015, where President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was represented by Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, the Council noted with satisfaction the improvement of the situation in the Ebola-affected countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, as well as the declaration of the Republic of Mali as Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 19 January 2015. The Council however noted that, in spite of this progress, a number of challenges remain that require continued mobilization and therefore stressed the need for renewed commitment in the fight against the epidemic and mobilization of additional resources, in order to among other things, effectively support the health workers on the ground and the efforts of the region, as well as those countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic. Meanwhile, the AU Peace and Security Council has also stressed the need to avoid any stigmatization, discrimination and isolation of both the people and the countries most affected by Ebola.  Accordingly, the Council has called on AU Member States that have not done so, to immediately lift all travel bans and restrictions and to respect the principle of free movement, as well as to take the required steps for the resumption of flights to those countries, consistent with decision of the AU Executive Council Decision of September 8, 2014), scientific advice by the WHO and the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Council also appealed to AU partners to assist in the fight against stigmatization and discrimination of people from the countries most affected by the epidemic. The Council has mandated the AU Commission to take all the necessary steps for the rapid establishment of an African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP), pursuant to a June Assembly Decision of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. Council encourages Member States to establish, where necessary, national centers for disease control and prevention and to enhance such centers where they do exist. The AU PSC also expressed its appreciation to the “brave” ASEOWA volunteers and health professionals, deployed in the affected countries in West Africa, who are putting their lives at great risk, for their invaluable contribution to the fight against Ebola, and offers condolences to the families of all those who lost their relatives due to the Ebola epidemic. In this connection, the PSC in an earlier meeting convened on January 15, 2015 unanimously agreed to extend the mandate of ASEOWA for another six-month beginning February 18, 2015. The Meeting of the Peace and Security Council was chaired by President Alpha Conde, (Guinea chairs the Council for the month of January 2015).  Also in attendance was the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Nkozosana Dlamini Zuma, ECOWAS Chairman John Dramani Mahama, South African President Jacob Zuma, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and a number of Heads of State. 

Related Captions: Post -Ebola Reconstruction Confab Underway (The New Republic),AU Announces Solidarity Conference For Debt Waiver (New Democrat), AU Announces Solidarity Conference For Ebola (FOCUS),AU Announces Solidarity Conference For Ebola Affected Countries (FrontPage Africa),  African Union Announcement Solidarity Conference To Mobilize Support For Post-Ebola Reconstruction ( Heritage) andAU Announces Solidarity Conference For Ebola Affected Countries (The New Dawn)

Gov’t Consoles LAC Employees, Promises Investigation Into Factory Tragedy

According to the Heritage newspaper, Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly has assured workers of the Liberian Agricultural Company (LAC) operation in Grand Bassa County and their families that government will ensure full investigation into a factory explosion in which 17 workers were injured. Six of the injured employees have reportedly died.  Minister Dukuly said government is working with LAC through the relevant institutions to conduct investigation into the explosion and other concerns raised employees. According to the daily, Minister Dukuly made spoke when he visited the accident scene in District # 3, Grand Bassa County.

Related Captions:Gov't Committed To Impartial Probe Of LAC Explosion (In Profile Daily), LAC Disaster Probe Begins (New Democrat), GoL Consoles LAC Employees For Tragedy (FOCUS), Foreign Experts To Aid LAC Investigation (INSIGHT), and Gov't Committed To Impartial Probe Of LAC Explosion (West Africa Info Post)

LAC Gives US$4,500

According to the New Dawn newspaper, The Liberia Agriculture Company or LAC  in Grand Bassa County has provided US$45,000 for funeral arrangements of six of its employees killed as a result of the January 19 explosion at the company. 9 other victims are currently under critical conditions at the S.D. Cooper hospital in Monrovia. Speaking Monday at the Ministry of Information’s daily press briefing, Labour Minister Neto Z. Lighe described the January 19 explosion in which six lives were lost at LAC as unfortunate. According to Mr. Lighe, efforts by the management of the Liberia Agriculture Company to relocate some the victims in a foreign country for medication failed because the Ivorian and Ghanaian authorities rejected them due to the deadly Ebola virus confronting the country. He said ministry remains engaged with the company to utilize the best option necessary to ensure that no further losses are experienced. He indicated that currently, medical briefings suggest that the rest of the victims are stable and responding to treatments in the country, noting that the ministry has ordered a preliminary investigation into the recent explosion initially considered as an “industrial accident”. He said the ministry was saddened by the troubling development and will do all it can to establish the facts, disclosing that a three-man team from the manufacturer will arrived in the country to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion. He said they will work alongside government institutions, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia National Police and the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. He added that the US$45,000 is not part of whatever benefits each family is expected to be received as insurance coverage from the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation or NASSCORP, emphasizing that the policy of the management of LAC and Liberian Labor Law will ensure that the families of the victims receive the required benefits based on the Law.

MOE Distributes Ebola Protective Materials

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced the start of distribution of Ebola preventive materials to public and private schools in Monrovia Districts One and Two. Deputy Education Minister for Administration Ramses Kumbuyah disclosed that the ministry received the materials through a commitment from the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), West Africa Post writes.

Related Captions:UNICEF, MoE Procure Anti-Ebola Materials For School (In Profile Daily), and UNICEF, MOE Procure Materials For School Reopening (New Democrat)

Other Stories

Turkey Donates Cargo Of Post - Ebola Materials Work Over 360k

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry's release: A huge consignment of medical equipment and pharmaceutical products valued over three hundred-six thousand United States Dollars (US$361,555, 27) to aid Liberia in its fight against Ebola and post Ebola recovery has arrived in the country. The consignment, which landed at the Roberts International Airport, RIA late Saturday on a special flight, was donated by the Government of Turkey through the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and the Ministry of Health of Turkey. Turkish Honorary Council to Liberia Luseeni Kamara   on behalf of the Government and People of Turkey and its Ambassador based in Accra, Ghana presented the consignment to the Liberian government describing Turkey as a friend that will continue to stand by Liberia in good and bad times. “This donation is for both Ebola and post Ebola and it is the second donation made by Turkey in less than two months”, the Turkish Honorary Council remarked. Mr. Kamara indicated that the People and Government of Turkey will continually be supportive to Liberia in its effort to strength its bilateral relationship. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the donated items include Plash Thermometer, Plastic Tap Gurney, sterile injectors, sterile pinpoint, cholera beds, surgical bones, Oral SUS, Lactatli Ringers, Flotic, Sedoral Bulb, Serum Sets, Hidazol amongst others. Liberia’s Chief of Protocol Rufus Neuville on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Government and People of Liberia lifted praises to the Government and People of Turkey for the huge donation. Ambassador Neuville hailed the gesture of the Turkish Government, saying “a Friend in need is a friend indeed.” He said the post-Ebola materials are timely, owing to the rapid declination of effects of the virus in the country and the fight continuous aggressively until zero case is achieved. The Assistant Health Minister for Administration, John M. Linga expressed his thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Minister and medical practitioners for the medical equipment and medicine, terming it as a “worthy donation.” For his part the Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dehpue Y. Zuo, said the donation marks a milestone for the growing relationship between Liberia and Turkey. "We are happy for the anti-Ebola materials, which will be used to save lives and improve the health sector. We believe this will further enhance the bilateral relationship between our nations," Assistant Minister Zuo said.

Related Caption:Turkey Donates Cargo of Post-Ebola Material (FOCUS)

Ebola vaccine goes on trial in Monrovia

According to the Insight newspaper, the United States and Liberia on Sunday launched a vaccine study in Monrovia that investigators say is also targeted at developing the West African nation’s capacity in combating future outbreak of the disease as well as other infectious diseases. There are two vaccines that will be tested in this study: the cAd3EBO-Z vaccine that is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and rVSV-ZEBOV, manufactured by NewLink/Merck. The Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines in Liberia (Prevail) program comprises the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and, among others, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Liberian component of the program includes the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Liberian Institute of Biomedical Research, the Liberian Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Authority and the National Research Institute Board. The Clinical Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Health, Clifford Lane is one of the investigators of the study alongside two Liberians—Dr. Stephen B. Kennedy and Dr. Fatorma Bolay. The first 600 trials of the vaccines will be held at the Redemption Hospital in the Monrovia neighborhood of New Kru Town, and other sites will be added in and out of the capital to meet the target of 27,000 volunteers. Volunteers are to be recruited following a period of community awareness and mobilization. Only healthy people, 18 years old or above who are not pregnant and are not survivors of the disease themselves are eligible to take the trial vaccines.

Related Captions:Ebola Vaccine Trial Begins In Liberia(The News), and Ebola Vaccine Trial For Future Outbreak (The New Dawn)

Ebola Centers Close In Lofa

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recently announced the closure of an Ebola treatment facility which lay at the epicenter of the virus' worst outbreak in history, as the disease’s spread has slowed in the country. President Johnson Sirleaf warned Liberians that while they could not yet afford to relax, the country had made significant progress in the fight against Ebola, and thanked states who helped Monrovia combat the virus “Lofa, the epicenter of the virus, has had no new cases for over 70 days,” she said in the speech at the national parliament, West  Africa Info Post reports.

UNHCR And Government Of Liberia Host Workshop On Statelessness

UNHCR and the Government of Liberia through the LRRRC will host a two-day training workshop on statelessness 3-4 February as part of a global push to end the problem worldwide within 10 years. UN high Commissioner for Refugees Antnio Guterres, UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie and more than 20 celebrities world opinion-leaders kicked off the global campaign with an open letter on November 4 saying that 60 years after the United Nations first agreed to protect  stateless people, “now it’s time to end statelessness itself”. According to the Informernewspaper, the Monrovia workshop is being organized by UNHCR and the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) to review the extent of the problem in Liberia and to map out a strategy leading to a National Action Plan on Statelessness.

Etweda Cooper Heads Superintendents Council

The Heritage newspaper reports that the Superintendent Council of Liberia has elected Grand Bassa County Superintendent Etweda A. Cooper to head the body for the next two years. According to the daily, Superintendent Cooper won on white ballot in an election that took place behind closed door in the conference hall of the Administration Building in Buchanan at the weekend. Also elected were Lofa County Superintendent George Dunor as Vice Chairman for Administration, Cape Mount County Assistant Superintendent for Development, Tenneh Kpardeh as Chair for Operation and Bomi County Development Superintendent, Ernest Davis as Secretary-General among others.

Related Captions:Etweda Cooper Heads Superintendents Council (In Profile Daily), and Etweda Cooper Heads Superintendents Council (West Africa Info Post)