The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, MAY 29, 2017

Today’s edition of our Summary of the local dailies highlights news of the end of the two-day visit of Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to Liberia with the reaffirmation of his country’s solidarity and commitment to the Government and people of Liberia and President Sirleaf’s call on the Muslim community to pray for the nation as they go through the month of Ramadan.

DOMINANT STORIES

Liberia/Ghana Strengthen Ties

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his visit to Liberia is meant to reaffirm his country’s solidarity and commitment to the Government and people of Liberia. The Ghanaian leader arrived in Liberia on Friday, May 27, 2017 for a two-day official visit. An Executive Mansion release says, President Akufo-Addo made the statement during both a Working Lunch and a joint press stake-out with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday. President Nana Akufo-Addo noted that since his election in 2016, Ghana remains proud of its relations with the Government and people of Liberia. He expressed delights over the leadership quality of President Sirleaf as she ably leads Liberia and the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government. President Akufo-Addo pledged Ghana’s commitment to the fight against terrorism in the West African sub-region. He expressed the hope that the 2017 elections will be successful based on the democratic consolidation brought to bear by the Government of Liberia under the leadership of President Sirleaf and also because Liberians are tired and weary of conflict. President Sirleaf for her part expressed confidence that the 2017 elections will be free, fair transparent and peaceful. “This will be the first time in over 40 years for a sitting President to democratically transfer power to an elected President. Yes, it will be historical and Liberians will cooperate to make such history possible”, President Sirleaf indicated. She thanked Ghana for its role in bringing peace to Liberia and for providing refuge for thousands of Liberians who sought protection in Ghana during the civil war. She assured President Akufo-Addothat her administration and the people of Liberia will continue to build on the already strong diplomatic relations with Ghana and explore new opportunities to enhance and strengthen the partnership and friendship, reads the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: Ghana Recommits to Liberia (Daily Observer), Ghana Reaffirms Solidarity, Commitment To Liberia (FrontPage Africa), Ghanaian President Ends Visit To Liberia (The INQUIRER), As Ellen Holds Talks With Akufo-Addo: Ghana Reaffirms Solidarity, Commitment To Liberia (Heritage)

Muslims Begin Ramadan

Liberian Muslims have joined their colleagues across the world in commencing the month-long Holy Ramadan in the country. Making the disclosure to journalists at his Gurley Street Central Mosque in Monrovia, Liberia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abubakar Sumaworo, said Ramadan got started on May 27, 2017 in keeping with Islamic Jurisprudence since, in fact, the new crescent was sighted or the number of Shaban has been completed (30 days), thus making it the first day of Ramadan. Meanwhile, Grand Mufti Sumaworo is extending congratulations to all Muslims in Liberia for beginning the Ramadan, as it is being required by them by the Holy Quran, the INQUIRER reports. The New Dawn, under the caption “Pres. Sirleaf Identifies With Muslims” reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has identified with the Islamic Community in Liberia as Liberian Muslims begin Holy month of fast and prayer. An Executive Mansion release says, President Sirleaf called on all those of the Islamic faith to pray for the nation as they go through their month of fast and prayer. President Sirleaf called on Muslim leaders to uphold the ideals of peace and respect as dictated by Islam. The Ramadan began Saturday and all Muslims are expected to fast and pray from sunrise to sunset. The President said the whole nation identifies with the Islamic Community as they embark on this journey.

Related Captions: Muslims Begin Ramadan (INSIGHT), Muslims Urged To Pray For Nation (Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

Sub-region’s Confronted With Serious Security Challenges-Requires Collective Responsibility; Urges ECOWAS Member States To Ensure Wellbeing of Citizens

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr.  Marcel Alain de Souza, has pointed out that there are still serious security challenges confronting the sub-region. According to Mr. de Souza, the meeting once again represents an opportunity to meet and interact with representatives of the rapidly changing community, noting that wo far this year has witnessed two successful changes of government through the ballot box in Ghana and The Gambia. The third statutory meeting, the Madiation and Security Council Committee takes place on Wednesday, may 31, to be followed by the 78th meeting of the Council of Ministers that runs from Thursday, June 1, to Friday, June 2, the FOCUS newspaper reports.

Related Caption: ECOWAS Craves Robust Integration Agenda-Youth Empowerment, Gender Development Also Highlighted At Opening Ceremony (Daily Observer)

133 LNP Officers Graduate From Management Course

The Liberia National Police or LNP says 133 of its senior officers, ranging from Superintendents to Deputy Commissioners of Police have completed a senior level management training course offered by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center based in Accra, Ghana. The LNP says in a release issued that the management training given the officers is part of a capacity building program initiated by the leadership of the Liberia National Police in the wake of UNMIL drawdown. The program sponsored by the Japanese Government was implemented by the United Nations Development Program through the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center at the cost of US$700,000, the LNP says. Serving as Keynote Speaker, Justice Minister Frederick Cherue called on the graduates to exercise the knowledge obtained from the course for the good of the country and people of Liberia. Minister Cherue cautioned officers to be professional and patient-minded when executing their duty, adding that such virtues are important for peace officers serving their country. For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Kaoru Yoshimura, says the training sponsored by his government is part of activities under the project “Strengthening Policing and Arms Control Capacities of the Government of Liberia Post UNMIL Drawdown”. He says the program is done in collaboration with the UNDP, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre and the Government of Liberia, aimed at aiding the development of the technical and operational capacity of the LNP for effective law enforcement in view of the drawdown of UNMIL, reads the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: Kofi Annan Int’l Peacekeeping Training Centre Graduates 133 LNP Officers In Senior Officers Course (In Profile Daily)

AU Special Rep. Recounts Achievements on Continent

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) of the African Union (AU) has recounted the continental body to the maintenance of peace and security and the fight against diseases on the continent. Ambassador Ibrahim Mbaba Kamara said the Union has over the years played its role in line with new challenges that have confronted the continent. The AU envoy was speaking Thursday, May 25, 2017 at ceremony marking the celebration of the 54th anniversary of the AU, Heritage newspaper reports.

All Candidates Will Run

According to the New Dawn newspaper, President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf says all “political candidates” will participate in the October 2017 presidential and legislative elections, though she did not make any further clarity whether or not those battling against a Code of Conduct here are inclusive. “... And that all Liberians will participate and will exercise their choice. And I believe that our leaders, our political candidates will all be a part of it and will ensure that the process is successfully [conducted], allowing Liberians for the first time in 48 years to make a transition from one elected president to another elected president”, Mrs. Sirleaf said Friday, 26 May at a Press Stakeout with visiting Ghanaian President Nana Akufo - Addo in Monrovia. Mrs. Sirleaf said she believes that every Liberian wants to see a peaceful transition coming out of the October elections, on grounds that “no Liberian wants to go back to those dark days when we all suffered”.

Sime Darby To Introduce Largest Oil Palm Processing Mill In Liberia

Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL) is set to introduce/launch the country’s largest palm oil mill this month, creating new employment opportunities and the development of skilled labour.  The company is expected to give priority of employment at the mill to existing employees. SDPL signed a 63-year agreement with the Government of Liberia to develop 220,000 hectares of land in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Gbarpolu and Bong into oil palm and rubber plantations, the Heritage newspaper reports.

UN Staff Assoc. Donates Several Items

The UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS/UNWOMEN Staff Association in Liberia on Friday, 26 of May 2017 donated 90 pieces of solar craked radios, 15 pieces of solar lamps and 330 pieces of disease control spray cans to two local NGOs – Mineke Foundation and Christian Home in Liberating Destitute (CHILD).  The items were handed over to the NGOs at the head office of CHILD in Doe Community, Bushrod Island, Monrovia.  The First Vice President of the UN Staff Association Mr. Michael B. Weah made the presentation on behalf of the Association’s President, Mr. Eutychinus Kaman Weah who was concomitantly making presentation of similar items to some schools in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, the INQUIRER writes.

Miss Liberia Ends Uganda Charitable Tour-Arrives In Ghana Today

The FOCUS newspaper asserts that after a week-long charitable tour in Uganda with her Uganda beauty queen counterpart, Iryn Nakitende, affectionately call Rising Woman of Uganda, miss Liberia, Wokie Dolo has concluded her tour in that part of Africa, and is expected to arrive in Accra, Ghana on Monday, May 29, 2017 to meet  with her Ghanaian counterpart. Speaking to reporters before her departure, the Liberia beauty queen said, “The essence of the tour is to break the stereotype among African Queens, noting that the act of being a beauty queen is to help fix each other’s crown not to discriminate because of religious beliefs, country of origin, economic background or race but we should embrace our black girls magic beyond boundaries. I love my Africa”, she stressed.

9th Graders Sit Exams Today

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Junior High School Certificate examination begins today. According to the head of WAEC Liberia, John Gayvolor, said that the postponement of the exam was due to financial constraints, the INQUIRER reports.

Two Liberians Qualified For Confucius Institute World Competition

Two Liberian students: Boakai K. Wilson and Andrew Bonnah, of the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia (UL) have qualified to participate in the pending Confucius Institute Chinese Proficiency World Competition for Foreign College Students in China. Wilson and Bonnah were qualified when they won first and second places respectively in the final of the 16th Chinese Bridge Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Liberia, held Saturday, May 27, 2017, on 9th Street in Monrovia. The competition was hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of Liberia (UL), In Profile Daily reports

Gender Ministry Official Raps On Social Protection

The National Coordinator of the Social protection Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Mr. Gabriel Fernandez, says social protection is a major component of the social contact of the state to its people. He said successful implementation of the components of social protection by the state shows that it cares for its people. Mr. Fernandez made the statement on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the close of the First National Dialogue on Social protection Floor in Liberia held at the Belle Cassa hotel in Monrovia from Tuesday, May 23-Thursday, May 25, 2017, Heritage newspaper reports

AFC Pledges Support To ECOWAS Commission

The Chairman of the Twenty-first Meeting of the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) of ECOWAS, Mr. Benedict Roberts, has pledged the Committee’s unflinching support to the commission. He stated that the first line of examiners are charged with the responsibility to critically review and thereafter determine whether or not the expenditures of the programs, projects and activities of ECOWAS are in line with the Community’s Strategic Framework (CSF) goals and objective. Chair Roberts made the pledge recently at the opening ceremony of the Twenty-First Meeting of the AFC held at the Monrovia City Hall, the FOCUS newspaper says.

Carter Center Trains Bong Chiefs Conflict Resolution

A non-governmental organization (NGO), Carter Center, which has conflict management as its cornerstone is organizing a week-long workshop for town chiefs, youths and women from the 12 administrative districts of Bong County at the Women Center in Gbarnga. A total of eighty participants are being selected from a group of town chiefs, youths and women groups for the training. The organization’s National Dispute Resolution Monitor, Johnny Ndebe, said a multi-faceted approach through inter-sectoral collaborations is necessary to build strong mechanisms that would boost early warning signals and identification of conflict situations, so that they could be prevented. According to Mr. Ndebe, the objective of the workshop is to provide the participants with a clear understanding of conflict and internal crisis management to make their performance more effective, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper. The Carter Center also congratulates Liberia on the passage of its first law to improve health care for people with mental illnesses and prevent discrimination against them. The bill passed by the Liberia House of Representatives on May 24 protects people living with mental health disorders from discrimination and will give access to quality mental health care in all 15 counties. "The impact of this Mental Health Act to improve the health and lives of Liberians cannot be overstated,” said former U.S. First Lady and Carter Center Co-founder Rosalynn Carter. “We have been honored to work closely with the Ministry of Health and our partners since 2010 to bolster the capacity of the health care professionals to address mental health issues.” Since 2010, The Carter Center has worked with partners to train mental health clinicians to establish new services in communities. Two classes of graduates specialized in child and adolescent mental health for Liberian youth, and seven schools now have clinicians in their clinics or have regular visits by mental health clinicians, the FrontPage Africa newspaper reads under the caption “Carter Center Congratulates Liberians on Passage of Landmark Mental Health Act”.

Tackling Drug Addiction In Liberia;

Drugs Enforcement Agency Conducts Thematic Session for Agents

The FrontPage Africa newspaper says the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has embarked on strategies in combating drug addictions in Liberia that have taken over the young people. As part of its strategy to battle drugs and drug addictions, the Agency has ended a two-day training session for its agents in the areas of handling drug addicts and thematic counseling training. The Chief of Prevention at the LDEA, Robert B. Kutu Akoi said Liberia has been lagging behind, especially in the area of rehabilitation and prevention. He explained that the training was intended to prepare agents of the DEA for future challenges even as the agency is being faced with budgetary challenges. The facilitator at the training, Varfee Sherif addressing the issues of drug addiction, counseling and rehabilitation described drug addiction in Liberia as frustrating.  He wants authorities to be supportive of the prevention of drug addiction, saying, if the young people are free from drugs the society will be free. He calls for the establishment of a rehabilitation center that will enable the DEA to be effective.

Australian High Commissioner And Delegation Visit FPA

 The Australian High Commissioner for Ghana, Mr. Andrew Barnes, and a delegation Thursday paid a courtesy visit to FrontPage Africa, where they had a meeting on latest developments in the country. High Commissioner Andrew Barnes and his team comprising the Special Envoy for Human Rights Philip Ruddock, and Second Secretary Iona Roy, were received by FrontPage Africa’s Managing Editor Rodney D. Sieh, along with reporters Mae Azango and Lennart Dodoo and James Harding Giahyue, all of whom are also New Narratives fellows.  According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Australian government has been supportive of New Narratives, a Non-Governmental media development organization partnering with FrontPage Africa and other Liberian media institutions in training and supporting local reporters to investigative and report on specialized areas including oil and gas, forestry and mining sectors. High Commissioner Barnes recently took up the post of Australian representative in the West African region.