The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2017

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies includes President Sirleaf’s Congratulatory Message to H.E. Emmanuel Macron on his victory as President-elect of the Republic of France, her message of congratulations to the European Union (EU) on the 67^th Anniversary of the historic “Schuman Declaration”, the Ministry of Health’s attribution of the deaths in Sinoe County to an outbreak of meningitis and the Central Bank of Liberia’s  decision to release its 2017 Policy Statement projecting an improvement in the economy.

EJS Applauds France’s President –Elect

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has, on behalf of the Liberian Government and people, and in her own name, sent a Congratulatory Message to H.E. Emmanuel Macron on his victory a President-elect of the Republic of France. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, a centrist candidate, decisively won the French Presidential elections, defeating far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in a run-off on Sunday, May 7, 2017, the INSIGHT newspaper says.

President Sirleaf Congratulates EU On 67^th Anniversary Of The ‘Schuman Declaration’

According to the Heritage newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the European Union (EU) on the 67^th Anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman Declaration.’ The Schumans Declaration is the inspirational statement laid forward by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman on May 9, 1950. Inspired and for the most part drafted by Jean Monnet, this was a proposal to place Franco-German production of coal and steel under one common High Authority. The declaration is to be the founding text of European integration. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian leader, in her message to the President of the European Council, His Excellency Mr. Donald Franciszek Tusk, extended heartfelt congratulations and through him to the Governments and citizens of the European Union. President Sirleaf recognized that the “Schuman Declaration” has not only endeavored to create a new system of political cooperation in Europe, and make war between European nations implausible, but has also contributed to the increased solidarity and determination among EU members over the years

Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Hails EU On 67^th Anniversary Of Schuman Declaration’ (FOCUS)

Identified Finally - MoH Says Recent Deaths In Sinoe Caused By Meningitis

Liberia’s Ministry of Health has attributed the recent deaths in Sinoe County to an outbreak of meningitis. Addressing a news conference in Monrovia Monday, Health Minister Bernice Dahn said based on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) initial report on the cluster of deaths in Sinoe, which later spread to Montserrado and Grand Bassa counties; the Ministry believes that it is dealing with a probable outbreak of Meningitis. According to Minister Dahn, the CDC tested specimens from four patients for 29 different diseases, noting that the tests for 28 of the diseases proved negative, while the Meningitis test proved positive. “As a public health measure, we are taking it as that and we are working on it so that we do not have further spread.” Minister Dahn said. She noted that the MOH will continue to conduct the previous investigation that is currently on the table so that it can clear all doubts. Meningitis is an acute inflammation of the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meningitis, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Related Caption: Health Ministry Rules Out Possible Food Poisoning In Mysterious Deaths-Deaths Linked To Meningitis (FrontPage Africa)

CBL Predicts Growth Of Economy

The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has released its 2017 Policy Statement in which an improvement in the economy has been projected for 2017. In a press statement on Monday, May 8, 2017, announcing the release of the document, CBL Executive Governor, Mr. Milton A. Weeks said growth in the Liberian economy is expected to rebound to 3.2 percent in 2017, up from negative 1.2 percent which was recorded in 2016. The level of growth, the Central Bank Governor indicated in the policy document, is expected to be driven by almost all the sectors of the economy when compared with 2016. Annual average inflation, Governor Weeks disclosed, is expected to take an upward trend in 2017 to around 11.0 percent, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

Related Captions: Liberia’s Economy Rebound With 3.2% Growth (The New Dawn), CBL Releases 2017 Policy Statement (Heritage)

EC Vows To Strength Partnership With Africa

The European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President have vowed to strengthen strategic partnership with the African Continent in the areas of peace and security, migration, job creation and energy. According to a dispatch from Brussels, the decision by the EC was contained in a number of proposals in presented aimed at building a stronger strategic partnership between Europe and Africa for more prosperity and stability between both continents. The decision comes ahead of the Africa-EU Summit expected to take place in November this year, which will place specific emphasis on youth, writes the FOCUS newspaper.

NEC Issues Elections’ Writ Today

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the National Elections Commission (NEC) is expected to issue the writ of elections today, 9 May to mark the commencement of electoral period here ahead of the October 10th polls. NEC Chairman Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya, will read the writ of elections and state the golden rules that will guide the electoral process. Already, there are about 22 registered political parties in the country gearing up to participate in the elections, with hundreds of representative aspirants and several presidential aspirants. The Commission announced that about two million Liberians registered during the voter’s registration exercises between February and March.  

NIC Boss Opens NCCF-AABF Bomi Chapter – Seeks Investors For Agriculture Sector

The Chairperson of the National Investment Commission (NIC), Etmonia David Tarpeh has disclosed Government’s commitment in seeking for investors who are interested in the agriculture sector value chain. Madam Tarpeh made the assertion Saturday, in Tubmanburg, when she represented President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at a program that marked the official opening ceremony of the New Creation of Christian Fellowship (NCCF) Incorporated Bomi County chapter. She extended the President’s warmest felicitation and best wishes to officers and members of the NCCF and partners of the African-American Business Foundation for this important initial step, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Liberian Red Cross Vows To Maintain Integrity As The World Observes Red Cross And Red Crescent Day

The President of the Liberian National Red Cross Society Jerome J.N. Clark, said the National Society will fight to maintain its integrity as the biggest humanitarian organization in the Country after the image of the organization was damaged by stinging corruption saga last year. Mr. Clark also called for the support of partners and the Liberian government in implementing the recommendations of the audit report conducted last year concerning the organization, theINSIGHT newspaper says.

GOL Suspends Indefinitely All Cultural Activities, Local Authorities – In Sapo National Park

As a result of the gruesome murder of Law Enforcement Ranger, Friday Pyne, of the Forestry Development Authority, (FDA) on Thursday April 27, 2017 in Chebiorh Town, the Minister of Internal Affairs has suspended all local government officials and indefinitely placed a ban on cultural practices in communities where the incident occurred. Those suspended include Township Commissioner, Paramount Chief, General Town Chief of Kabadea Chiefdom, Jauzon District. Other local officials were also suspended for what is considered as failure to bring the crisis situation under control until it resulted to one fatality of an FDA Forest Ranger. The Minister of Internal Affairs ordered the suspension of the local officials and banned all cultural practices at a town Hall meeting in Cherioh Town on Saturday, May 6, 2017 and mandated that the Superintended of Sinoe County, Prosper Brown, to appoint acting to proxy while investigation of the accused officials continue, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Liberia Launches First Wildlife Sanctuary

Liberia’s Governance Commission (GC) Chairman, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer on Saturday, 6 May 2017 officially launched the Country’s first ever Wildlife Sanctuary. The facility which is located at Libassa Ecolodge, Marshall in Lower Margibi County is intended to preserve the country’s wildlife species locally eaten as bush meat and taken for pets. Performing the launch, Dr. Sawyer lauded the Management of Libassa Ecolodge for such wonderful innovation that grew out of its passion to protect wildlife. He challenged Liberian Government officials and especially those in the extractive industry to “think more innovatively.” The New Dawnnewspaper says the Sanctuary will provide care and give support to confiscated wild animals kept as pets or destined to bush meat, release confiscated wild animals back into the wild-whenever possible, encourage volunteer participation in nature work, train students and communities on wildlife protection and introduce behavioral study among others.

Related Caption: Liberia’s First Wildlife Sanctuary Launched (FOCUS)

Several Visually Impaired Get White Cane Donation

The Heritage newspaper reports that a humanitarian organization under the banner of Hope for Liberia has made a donation of 120 white canes to several members of the blind community across Monrovia. A white cane is used by many people who are blind or visually impaired. Its primary uses as a mobility tool and as a courtesy to others, but there are at least five varieties, each serving a slightly different need. Making the donation on Monday, May 8, 2017, the Founder and President of Hope for Liberia, Mr. Eli Gbayee, said the donation was in fulfillment of a request he received from some members of the blind community during his visit to Liberia in 2016.

LACC’s Investigators Complete Training

According to Heritage newspaper, a four-week training program for Investigators of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) ended on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at the National Police Training Academy (NPTA) in Paynesville. Speaking at the graduation exercise of the Investigators, the Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. said the exercise was indeed laudable and extended thanks to the leadership and trainers of the LNPTA for a job well done with class four which happens to be the first under his administration. He admonished investigators to avoid being contaminated and challenged them to see investigation as important aspect of the LACC’s work, noting it is a huge responsibility.

WHH Liberia Ends Workshop

The New Dawn newspaper says an international non-governmental organization Welt HungerHilfer Liberia (WHH) has ended a two-day workshop with stakeholders in Maryland County. The workshop, which brought together youth and women representatives, among other citizens as well as representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the county, was intended to provide information on phase five of the reintegration and recovery program of the organization.Lyndon Gibson, Program Coordinator, says phase five of the program is meant to solicit views from partners, local county authorities, citizens and residents about basic needs in the county. He says the WHH Liberia has been operating in the country since 2014 in several thematic areas, including agriculture, health and road rehabilitation, among other infrastructural development.

EPA Gets Five Toyota Pick-Ups, Motorbikes

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA), through the Liberia Forest Sector Project has donated five Toyota twin cabin pickups and four Honda motorbikes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to ensure the sustainable management of the forest sector. The Liberia Forest Sector Project is part of the Liberia forest program supported by the partnership established between the Government of Liberia and the Government of Norway with respect to the proposed forest sector investment and technical assistance project, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

Related Caption: Forestry Development Authority Donates Vehicles Environmental Protection Agency (FrontPage Africa)

WINROCK Donated To Labor Ministry

An inside story of the INSIGHT news daily reads that WINROCK/ARCH with support from the United States Department of Labor has presented a consignment of supplies to the Ministry of Labor for use by the National Commission on Child Labor (NACOMA). The items included one vehicle, two motorbikes, one projector, two laptops, two printers, twelve cabinets, among others. WINROCK/ARCH is an international project that seeks to reduce child labor in rubber producing areas of Liberia and enhances monitoring and enforcement of child labor issues in implementing areas, the paper says.

‘Provide Respectful Maternity Care’

The Chief of Party of the Maternal+Child Survivor Program, Jhpiego, Marion Zubah, has cautioned midwives to provide respectful maternity care to pregnant women and their babies, especially during delivery. Madam Zubah made the call Friday at the close of the celebration marking the International Day of Midwives; held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on May 5, 2017, the In Profile Daily reads.

Female Law Enforcers End Retreat In Gbarnga

A back page story of the In Profile Daily reads that the Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA), in collaboration with UN Women, has ended a two-day national retreat for sixty female security officers in Gbarnga Bong County under the theme “Enhancing a Vibrant Female Security Network”. The retreat was conducted on May 5-6, 2017, at the Development Education Network Liberia (DEN-L) Compound on the Dementa Road in Gbarnga, the In Profile newspaper reads.