The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017

News of the new head of the African Union Liaison office in Liberia H.E Mr. Ibrahim M. Kamara’s presentation of his Letters of Accreditation to Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara, the Proclamation declaring Thursday, May 25, 2017 as “Africa Day”, the planned visit of Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to Liberia are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Foreign Minister Kamara Receives Letters Of Accreditation From New AU Ambassador

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara has received letters of Accreditation from the new head of the African Union Liaison office in Liberia H.E Mr. Ibrahim M. Kamara. Ambassador Kamara takes over from H.E. Ambassador Harrison Oluwantoyin Solaja, who served a four-year tenure very well especially during the 2014 deadly Ebola epidemic that mainly engulfed states in the Mano River Union. According to a Foreign Ministry release, presenting his Letters of Accreditation to Foreign Minister Kamara earlier this week, Ambassador Kamara, who is also the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (SRCAU), said being a Sierra Leonean, one of Liberia’s closest neighbors, he feels at home since his arrival in the country. ‘The food is like what we have back home in Sierra Leone,’’ he added. Ambassador Kamara, who prior to his assignment here was in the Republic of the Sudan, stated that he is happy to take up the new assignment in Liberia to represent the continental group. He informed Foreign Minister Kamara that the AU’s mandate with its member’s states has not changed. It’s always about the engagement with the relevant authorities, he said, adding: “AU is also here to monitor the upcoming elections.”

Related Captions: Min. Kamara Receives Letters Of Accreditation…From New AU Ambassador (In Profile Daily), AU Envoy Presents Accreditation to FM Kamara (Heritage)

Today Is ‘Africa Day’

Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Thursday, May 25, 2017 as “Africa Day”, to be observed throughout the country as a “Working Holiday”. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Africa Day, formerly known as Africa Liberation Day, has been celebrated annually on May 25, to mark the determination of the people of Africa to liberate the continent from foreign domination and exploitation as well as the signing of the Charter establishing the Organization of African Unity (OAU). As a founding Member of the OAU, now the AU, the Government of Liberia joins other Member States of the Organization to celebrate Africa Day under the theme: “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in Youth.”

Related Captions: Today ‘Africa Day’ – To Be Observed As Working Holiday (FOCUS), May 25, Declared “Africa Day’…To Be Observed As A Working Holiday (In Profile Daily)

Ghana’s Akufo-Addo Arrives Friday

According to the New Dawn newspaper, Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo arrives in the country on Friday, May 26, for a two-day Official Visit. A Foreign Ministry release said, while in Liberia, President Akufo-Addo will hold discussions with his host, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, aimed at cementing the already cordial bilateral relations subsisting between Liberia and Ghana. Following the tête-a-tête with President Sirleaf, among other things, they both will engage in a working lunch with government officials from both sides primarily to discuss issues concerning the Liberia-Ghana Joint Commission which focuses on key bilateral agreements reached between the two countries aimed at strengthening technical and bilateral cooperation.

Related Captions: Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo to Pay Two-Day Visit To Liberia (FrontPage Africa), Ghana’s Presidet Akufo-Addo Arrives Friday (Daily Observer), Ghana’s President Arrives In Liberia Tomorrow, For Two –Day Official Visit (INSIGHT), Ghanaian Leader Akufo-Addo Arrives In Liberia Tomorrow (Heritage)

‘Liberia-Cameroon Ties at A New Height,’ Says Deputy Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin says, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Liberia and Cameroon in 1960s, ties between both countries have today seen new heights.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, addressing Cameroonians, Liberians and foreign diplomats, who had gathered to celebrate the 45^th National Day of Cameroon in Monrovia, Mr. Shoniyin said that traction that propelled both countries together in early period has kept relations between both countries buoyant through geopolitical spheres and that both countries perspectives on global and regional affairs continue to converge. He assured Cameroonians that the Government and people of Liberia stand in absolute solidarity with their Government in the battle to defeat the forces of militant jihadism, including the Boko Haram militants, who have staged cross border raids in parts of that country. Speaking earlier, Cameroon Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Mr. Beng’Yela Augustine Gang said that Liberia stands at an historic first, truly democratic transition election, which is being driven by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female president. He mentioned the late Liberian Ambassador Carlton Karpeh, who served the nation very well in that sisterly republic. Ambassador Gang assured Mr. Shoniyin and other Liberians in the hall of his availability as both nations build back their relations to the highs of the pre-1990s, reads the In Profile Daily,

ECOWAS Provides US$126K To Fight Fistula

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has provided US$126,919 worth of assistance for the rehabilitation of the treatment unit for fistula patients (US$80,000) and (US$46,919) to support victims, including education. Marcel Alain de Souza, President of the ECOWAS Commission, presented the check Wednesday during the celebration of International Day to end Obstetric Fistula at the Monrovia City Hall, under the theme, “ECOWAS Restoring Hope and Dignity for Fistula Survivors.” President Souza said the 2017 celebration provides the opportunity to take stock of the problem of fistula in the West Africa region and also engage the community, particularly ECOWAS member states, to accelerate the implementation of solutions to eradicate it. Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, who received the check, lauded the ECOWAS Commission, and the ECOWAS Gender Development Center for the support in the fight against fistula. To enforce this fight, he said, Liberia has six doctors and more than seventy nurses, midwives and physician assistants who have been trained and have treated 875 fistula patients. Dr. Fatimata Dia Sow, ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, who gave the keynote address, extended her solidarity to all women suffering from fistula on this International Day, which is set aside to convey sympathy, but also commitment to stamp out the disease in West Africa, reads the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: ECOWAS Calls For End To Obstetric Fistula (The New Dawn)

UN Boss, Israeli PM, Others Poise To Attend ECOWAS Summit In Monrovia As Mid-Year Statutory Meetings Kick Off Today

The INSIGHT newspaper reads that Liberia will host four mid-year statutory meetings of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) beginning today, Thursday, May 25^th to Sunday, May 28^th. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the first in the series of statutory meetings, the 21^st Meeting of the ECOWAS Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) takes place at the Monrovia City Hall in Monrovia. The Statutory Committee reviews all the administrative activities, work programs and the budget of the ECOWAS Commission and its Specialized Institutions and makes recommendations to the Council of Ministers. Approximately 200 participants are expected to attend the four-day meeting. The second statutory meeting, the Ministerial AdHoc on institutional reform takes place at the Farmington Hotel in Robertfield from Monday may 29^th Tuesday, may 30^th 2017. This committee created nearly two years ago, looks at issues arising out of the institutional reform reforms of ECOWAS, specifically statutory reallocation or institutional reform of the commission.

Related Caption: Hosting ECOWAS 51^st Summit Victory For Liberia…Says ECOWAS Chairperson (In Profile Daily)

Ellen Implores Babson College Graduates

The In Profile Daily says President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has implored graduates of Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, the United States of America - who represent the future to embrace higher education, build upon it to innovate with it and never settled for the ordinary when the extraordinary is in their line of sight. According to a dispatch, President Sirleaf was speaking when she delivered the commencement address at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts – U.S.A. She described commencement as a time to look ahead, to embark on the next chapter in your life, adding - your personal story is set to unfold. President Sirleaf noted that: “Today, for a young Africa, where over 65% of the population is under the age of 35, creating jobs is not only an economic development priority, but a matter of national security and a humanitarian imperative. President Sirleaf acknowledged many Babson graduates who have positively impacted the landscape in Liberia; notable amongst is Liberian-born Richelieu Dennis, who is transforming the natural hair industry with the Shea Moisture brand, and, through his work, is impacting the lives of young people both in Africa and in the inner cities of America. 

Related Caption: Pres. Sir Implores Babson College Graduates To Represent Future (FrontPage Africa) 

Ministry of Gender And Partners Hold All-Men Conference in Monrovia

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reads that Gender Minister Julia Duncan Cassell said the purpose of the All Men Conference is to elevate the advocacy of gender equality and women empowerment that would encourage men to join the “HeForShe Champions”. The “All Men Conference”, the first of its kind in Liberia for men to discuss gender equality and women empowerment at a seminar being held under the theme “Liberian men: Stepping it up for gender equality.” She added that men will engage other men to solicit and increase the support of men’s involvement to promote and encourage gender equality and women’s empowerment. She continued: “Gender equality should not be a woman’s concern but the responsibility of all individuals and that of the society, and requires the active contribution and input from women and men.” Cassell states: “In order to improve the status of women and promote gender equality, more attention should be paid to how men are involved in the achievement of gender equality.”

Pres, Sirleaf Submits Gov’t, Musons Group Accord To Legislature

According to the FOCUS newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted to the National Legislature for ratification, an Investment Inventive Agreement worth over US$70 million, signed between the Government of Liberia and Musons Group Incorporated. The agreement, which has a 15-year term, according to the Liberia leader, was entered into on March 29, with the Government of Liberia being represented by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, National Investment Commission, and the Ministry of Justice and Musons Group Incorporated.

LWSC Gets AfDB’s US$8.3m To Rehabilitate Water Plant

The Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), N. Hun-Bu Tulay, has hailed the African Development Bank (AfDB) for making available US$8.3 million to rehabilitate the White Plans Water Treatment Plant. He said rehabilitation works on the plant is on course to meet the June 10 completion deadline. He also said contrary to public perception that nothing being done at the corporation; engineers have already installed three Perkins Generators, with two producing 1,700 KVA and the other producing 1500 KVA to ensure continuous supply of water to Monrovia and its environs, reports FOCUS newspaper.

Related Caption: LWSC Boss Hails AfDB for US$8.3M To Rehabilitate Water Plant (Heritage)

House Passes Law to Protect Persons with ‘Mental Disorders’

The Daily Observer says members of the 53rd Legislature Wednesday passed a law to protect persons with mental disorders and/or persons with mental disabilities from discrimination, stigmatization, and marginalization on the basis of their mental or intellectual disability. Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate amended the Public Health Law, Title 33, and Liberian Code of Laws Revised, which added Part VIII, Health and Related Rights, Chapter 2, Mental Health. Accordingly, the Law gives equal access and right to healthcare for all persons, and persons with mental disorders and/or mental disabilities (crazy person/s) to also have a right to treatment of the same quality and standard as all other persons. This act is intended to “provide for and protect the civil, social and health rights of all persons with mental disorders and/or mental disabilities including persons with intellectual disabilities; promotes and regulates equitable and effective access to timely, appropriate and quality mental healthcare, treatment, rehabilitation and rehabilitation for all persons in the 15 counties, including those with mental disorders and/or mental disabilities; establish and enforce the responsibilities and obligations of the government in carrying out the duties set forth.”

2 Wounded Peacekeepers Arrive Home from Bamako

According to the Daily Observer, two of the three Liberian soldiers recently wounded in a rocket attack in Timbuktu, Mali have arrived in the country. The two soldiers are Corporal Titus Lahai and Private First Class (Pfc) Beyan Gboloson. The daily says shortly after touching down, the two soldiers were transported aboard an AFL Ambulance to the Edward Beyan Kesselly (EBK) Health Post, near former Camp Schieffelin on the ELWA/RIA Highway for observation. It may be recalled that three of the nine soldiers from a platoon of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) assigned under the Nigerian contingent in a peacekeeping mission were wounded in a rocket attack.

New Agriculture Minister To Focus On Improving Extension Services

The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture Seklau Wiles says improvement on extension delivery services to farmers will be her main focus. According to the Daily Observer, Madam Wiles made the disclosure in Sackie Town, Bomi County, where she visited farmers in that region. “Our visit to farmers in Bomi was to assess their needs in order to provide necessary assistance. We will continue to make extension delivery a priority because agricultural development begins with extension. It is important that we continue to work directly with farmers,” she said. The new MOA minister added that farmers, who are registered by the MOA in the fifteen counties are to shortly receive inputs, such as fertilizers, seeds and cassava cuttings.

LNP To Assign Police Officers To Each Political Party

Police Director Col. Gregory Coleman, has disclosed plan to assign three police officers to each political party for the impending campaign period. Speaking recently during a town hall meeting with citizens of Nimba in Ganta City, Col. Coleman notes that the decision is intended to avoid conflict that may occur during the exercise. He urged motorcyclists across the country to reject violence throughout the electoral period. Meanwhile, citizens at the well-attended meeting have called on the LNP boss to assign more police officers to the county to strengthen security, reports the New Dawn newspaper.