THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Today’s edition of the media summary highlights the Mano River Union Heads of State and Government commitment of “Zero Ebola Infection” within the next 60 days and the National Elections Commission certification  of Cllrs. Varney Sherman and Morris Saytumah, Senators elect of Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties respectively.  

DOMINANT STORIES

MRU Heads On ‘Zero Ebola’ In 60 Days

The New Democrat newspaper reports that Mano River Union (MRU) Heads of State and Government have committed themselves to achieving “Zero Ebola Infection” within the next 60 days beginning Sunday, February 15, 2015. However, they appealed to the International Community to provide all necessary support to achieve this objective. According to a Dispatch from Conakry, Guinea, the commitment was contained in a Declaration of MRU Heads of State and Government on the Eradication of Ebola and Post-Ebola Socio-Economic Recovery, during an Extraordinary Session to adopt common strategies to end the Ebola virus disease epidemic in the sub-region, and address the post-Ebola socio-economic development recovery needs. The Extraordinary Summit brought together host President Alpha Condé of Guinea, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Representative of President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Charles Koffi Diby.  They approved the strategy for reaching and sustaining “Zero Ebola Infection” in the sub-region with special emphasis on infection prevention control, social mobilization, community engagement, surveillance, cross border collaboration, instituting robust and sustainable social protection programmes, providing mental and psychosocial support and ensuring coordination. The MRU Heads of State and Government  attending an Extraordinary Summit  have appointed President Sirleaf as Spokesperson for the MRU at the March 3^rd, 2015 European Union Ebola Conference in Brussels. At the Summit, the MRU Heads of State and Government welcomed planned meetings by bilateral and multilateral partners and urged them to adopt the MRU and country specific strategies. They called upon them to go beyond ties and relationships in supporting the affected countries. They also welcomed the World Bank’s proposal to establish a Post-Ebola Recovery Marshall Plan with dedicated resources and agreed that this is the best way forward and urged development partners to utilize country systems for disbursements and implementation of Post-Ebola Recovery activities.

Related Captions: MRU Heads Of State Target ‘Zero Ebola Infection’ In 60 Days(INSIGHT),Ellen Named MRU Spokesperson For EU Ebola Confab(In Profile Daily), ‘Zero Ebola Infection’ In 60 Days… MRU Leaders Vow(The News), ‘Zero Ebola Infection’ In 60 Days… MRU Leaders (The New Dawn)

NEC Certificates Sherman, Saytumah

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has certificated the senators elect of Bomi and Grand Cape Mount Counties. The certification of Cllr. Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County and Cllr. Morris Saytumah of Bomi County took place Monday at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission in Monrovia. Speaking at the Certification ceremony in Monrovia, the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Cllr. Sarah M. Toe said after conducting hearing into complaints filed against the elected senators, the Board of Commissioners of the NEC reaffirmed the election of these individuals because the complainants could not prove the allegations of electoral fraud filed against the candidates, the Inquirer writes.

Related Captions:  Sherman, Saytumah Finally In The Clear(FrontPage Africa), NEC Certificates Sherman, Saytumah(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

UNDP Administrator Salutes Liberia’s Progress

The United Nations Development Program Administrator, Helen Clark during a one-day solidarity visit to Liberia has applauded the Liberian government. The visit to Liberia includes stops in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where there have been almost 23,000 reported Ebola cases with almost 9,000 reported deaths. The UNDP Administrator was tasked by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to lead the Organization’ system-wide Ebola-related recovery plan, also aims at affirming the continued commitment of the UN to addressing the ongoing crisis, and support for the recovery process. Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia Monday, madam Clark said as part of the overall response, UNDP’s recovery initiatives are focused on four pillars: economic opportunities and jobs; recovery of the health system; resilient governance for recovery, peace and stability; and risk management to deal with any future outbreaks. Also speaking, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan thanked Madam Clark and her encourage for the visit, saying she is passionate about Liberia’s sustainable development programs through her commitment in working with the country. “We say thank you for the solidarity visit to the country as well as our regional partners in the wake of the Ebola epidemic”, the New Republic reports.

U.S. To Invest U$33b In Africa

The Daily Observer quotes United States Secretary of State, John Kerry as saying that President Barack Obama is committed to the outcome of the 2014 US-Africa Leaders’ Summit to invest US$33 billion in Africa. In a recent statement highlighting national security strategy for advancing U.S. interest, Mr. Kerry said the government seriously keeps and is prepared to act positively to the plan of investing in the economic, health, agriculture, governance and security sectors of the African continent. It may be recalled that in early August of 2014 President Obama held a summit with African leaders in Washington, D.C. disclosing America’s interest in investing in the economy of Africa, cooperating with leaders to restore security, helping to power Africa, improve  agriculture and promote  good governance.

UNDP, Gender Ministry sign US$2M Deal

The United Nations Development programme (UNDP) and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender & Social protection on Sunday signed a US$2 million agreement. Speaking at the ceremony, Gender & Social Protection Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell lauded UNDP for the support to the social safety net and cash transfer program. Also speaking, Bomi County Superintendent Samuel Brown praised UNDP for being a true partner in the country’s recovery plans. For her part, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark expressed the need for decentralization that will enable the locals form part of national decision making, the News newspaper writes.

Related Caption: UNDP Administrator Visits Bomi County(The News) at the same time, under the caption “UNDP Empowers Female Motorcyclists”, the New Dawn newspaper writes that the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP-Liberia has embarked on a process of empowering female motorcyclists in the country. UNDP says female motorcyclists need to be empowered to be able to compete with their male counterparts. The UN agency said the idea of empowering female motorcyclists is to buttress women’s initiative in responding to some of the problems they face in the society.  The UNDP in collaboration with the Angie Brooks International Centre on Sunday, February 15, 2015 distributed jackets and helmets amongst 10 female motorcyclists in Monrovia. Speaking at the program, the head for the Angie Brooks International Centre, Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wreh, cautioned the young women to make use of the opportunity provided them by the UNDP.

'We Must Turn Our Economy Around'

The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Dr. J. Mills Jones is calling on Liberians and partners to collaborate efforts aimed at ensuring the recovery of the country's economy. Dr. Jones made the statement over the weekend at Ecobank farewell dinner in honor of its outgoing Managing Director Kola Adeleke. Dr. Jones said the recovery of Liberia's economy will be difficult without the intervention of banking institutions in the country, noting that this is the time to turn the economy around. The CBL Executive Governor said he does not believe in 1% growth rate, because he wants to see higher growth rate by meeting the impossible. He said CBL wants to build a more inclusive economy, an economy where the country can lift itself from out of poverty, instead of reporting growth only, reports the News newspaper.

Related Caption: “Economic Recovery Will Be Difficult” If…(Daily Observer)

UNICEF Provides 7,000 Ebola Prevention Kits To Aid Safe Schools

As schools begin reopening in Liberia today, thousands of kits containing basic hygiene items and thermometers are helping parents, staff and other community members keep children safe from infection from Ebola. In partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), UNICEF has provided over 7,000 kits, which partners have been distributing to over 4,000 schools in all 98 school districts. School normally resume academic activities in September, but had remained closed because of Ebola, writes FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Min. Moore Assures Citizens Of Accelerated Infrastructure Works

Public Works Minister Gyude Moore has reassured citizens of Margibi, Bong and Nimba Counties that on-going infrastructure work affecting their counties will be accelerated to ensure timely completion without compromising quality. Minister Moore made the comments when he inspected road works in these counties and dedicated two fully rehabilitated roads in Bong and Nimba Counties respectively. The roads were rehabilitated by the Liberian-Swedish Feeder Road Project (LSRP) with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) through the Ministry of Public Works, according to the INSIGHT newspaper.

50 Kids Receive School Supplies Worth US$2,500

At least 50 school children yesterday received an assortment of school supplies, valued at US$2,500 from Street Child of Liberia. The funds were provided by the Rotary Club of Monrovia. Each child received a book bag, uniforms, copybooks, pens and pencils. The presentation was made at the Timose Academy’s compound in Paco Community, near the Freeport of Monrovia. Before the presentations, which were made in the presence of the beneficiaries’ parents, Street Child’s Ebola Response Coordinator, Kaba Y. Moore, explained the need for both children and parents to observe Ebola preventive measures outlined by the Ministry of Health (MOH), writes the Daily Observer.

Ellen Launches Deconcentration Platform Tomorrow

Activities leading to the official launch of the Deconcentration Platform have commenced in Gbarnga, Bong County. The government Deconcentration Platform brought together superintendents, Assistant Superintendents and other local government officials from Liberia’s fifteen political subdivisions. The activities, which began yesterday, will be launched on Wednesday by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. President Sirleaf will also use the occasion to honor five chiefs who have diligently served government, as well as induct the new leadership of the Superintendent Council of Liberia. Speaking to our Bong County correspondent, the Media Consultant at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Emmanuel Wenyou said the de-concentration exercise is being put together by twelve government ministries and two agencies to start the process of decentralization, saying the de-concentration process is an out-flow of the decentralization policy launched in Bong County in 2012, New Dawn reports.

 JFK Gets New Triage Center

In an effort to eradicate Ebola from Liberia and the sub-region, the German Red Cross has donated a newly renovated palava hut triage to the John F. Kennedy memorial Hospital. The triage, according to the German is intended to properly screen and diagnosed patients with possible, suspected and probable and contact tracing of Ebola cases. Speaking at the turning over ceremony, the General Administrator of the JFK, Dr. Wvannie Scott-McDonald thanked the German for their effort to ensure that the virus is kicked out of Liberia. For his part, the German delegation through its assistant, Professor Joseph Njoh, thanked JFK authority an assured that such effort in the fight against the killer virus would continue, the Reporter writes.