THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

President Johnson Sirleaf’s meetings with American investors in the United States is the lone storydominating our summary of today’s local dailies.

DOMINANT STORY

Ellen Meets Top American Investors

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been meeting with Pam Darwin and Walter Kansteiner, Vice President and Senior Director of ExxonMobil Corporation. The President will press for more exploratory activities from ExxonMobil as well as downstream support for Liberian business as part of the post-Ebola recovery efforts. Immediately thereafter, the President and delegation will hold talks with Elizabeth Littlefield, President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), according to a dispatch from Information Minister Lewis Brown in the U.S.  The meeting with OPIC presents an opportunity to discuss the relationship with OPIC and explore specific areas of support to Liberia. OPIC is crucial in the implementation of the U.S. Administration’s Power Africa Program and supports private sector-led development and recovery, according to the In Profile Daily.

Related Captions: Ellen Top American Investors Meet(FOCUS), Pres. Sirleaf Meets American Investors(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Consoles Bangladesh

The Heritage newspaper quotes a release from the Foreign Ministry as saying that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to the Government and People of the People's Republic of Bangladesh following the unfortunate news of a ferry that was hit by a cargo vessel in the Padma River 25 miles Northwest of Dhaka leaving seventy persons dead, on February 23, 2015. In her message to her Bangladeshi counterpart, Mr. Abdul Hamid, President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, President Sirleaf extended to the Government and People of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, especially the bereaved families, heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name. The Liberian leader then prayed that Allah will grant His Excellency and the People of Bangladesh strength, courage and fortitude as they go through this period of national mourning.

Governments Should Embrace Transparency

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged governments around the world to embrace transparency as the cornerstone of their crisis communication initiatives. Speaking at the International Government Communication Forum 2015 (IGCF 2015) she recounted the recent Liberian example of fighting the Ebola epidemic, as well as the stigmatization and banning of the country’s products globally. She said that recognizing that community and social mobilization remain key to influencing people and changing mindsets to bring about behavioral change, attention was shifted from a central government-led process to the communities and local structures that assumed responsibility for the dissemination of the required response. She said: “An aggressive chain of volunteers structured and mobilized from the grassroots and supported by NGOs, together with traditional and religious institutions, continue to undertake door-to-door visits to provide relevant information, education and communication tools to the citizens”. She gave credit to transparency and proper communication which helped Liberia to change its image significantly on the international media landscape - from one of fear to hope, and currently to an unqualified assurance of collective and determined progress. Earlier, Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre (SMC), said the forum aims to come up with recommendations and outcomes that reflect the current times and seeks to address challenges that threaten the cultural and social fabric today, reports the West Africa INFO POST newspaper.

Liberia, MCC Sign US$ 2m Grant

The Liberian Government Wednesday signed a US$2 million grant with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for staff support toward the development of Liberia’s Compact later in the year. The signing ceremony took place at the U.S. Department of State and was witnessed by Heather Higginbottom, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Linda Thomas –Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States and Canada, Jeremiah Sulunteh, writes the INSIGHT newspaper.

Legislature Passes Axle Load Law, Keep Tabs On Vehicle Load

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 during its regular plenary session passed the Draft Axle Load Law sent to that body in December 2014. The Bill would shortly be sent to the Senate for its concurrence after which it will be forwarded to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for executive Approval and subsequent printing into Handbill. The FrontPage Africa newspaper quotes a Transport Ministry release as saying that the new law is intended to enact certain measures that would control the usage of Liberia’s streets and highways to avoid the fast destruction of country’s road infrastructure. It will control certain kind of vehicles from using certain roads, and will restrict the amount of load a vehicle can carry based on the number of axels the vehicle has.

CBL Microfinance Targets New Loan Associations

The Newsnewspaper writes that several newly established microfinance and loan institutions are expected to benefit from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) microfinance program this year. The disclosure was made at the weekend by the Executive Governor of the CBL, Dr. J. Mills Jones during an honoring program by the National Apex of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). Governor Jones said if the future of Liberia should rest in the hands of Liberians, then concrete steps, such as economic empowerment for all Liberians must be taken. He indicated that additional funds will be made available to groups that previously benefitted from the CBL microfinance program to restart their businesses. He assured the bank's preparedness to work with a cross section of village saving and loan associations across the country.

Hotline Service For Police Misconduct Launched In Liberia

The Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Security Sector Reform Working Group (SSRWG) have launched an SMS hotline to enhance public trust and strengthen citizens-Police relations. The Professional Standards Division (PSD) of the Liberia National Police (LNP) will track complaints, investigate and provide adequate response from the public against professional misconducts by Police officers. The project, in consonance with cell phone companies, is an internet platform called Police Accountability Mechanism. SFCG Executive Director Oscar Bloh said the project is aimed at giving the people a stronger voice in ensuring accountability and professionalism in the LNP. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the project will last for six months. 

Related Caption: Police Capacity Enhances(West Africa INFO Post)

Liberians, Friends In Germany Donate To Ebola Fight

The Heritage newspaper writes that concerned Liberians and their friends in Germany, organized under the umbrella of the Liberian-German Association (ROOTS), have prepared a container of medical supplies to be shipped to Liberia. The Association says the project is its quota in the fight against the Ebola virus that has ravished Liberia. According to the daily, the US$31,000 raised enabled ROOTS to purchase diverse medical supplies and load them into a 20-foot container.  

Related Caption: From Germany With Love Ebola Relief Shipment From Liberians On The Way(FrontPage Africa)

MCC Identifies With Kids At JFK

The Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) has presented a consignment of assorted toys and other materials to kids at the John F. Kennedy Hospital pediatric ward. Presenting the items Wednesday, Monrovia City Mayor Clara Doe-Mvogo said the donation is MCC way of identifying with the kids on their sick beds. She said the materials were provided through a fund that MCC puts aside at the end of every year to identify with people in need as the entity's way of giving back to the society, reports the News newspaper.