The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILYNEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAYOCTOBER 29, 2018

News about the Launching of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Development Policy by President George Manneh Weah , additional Appointments to Government by President Weah as well as , UN Women, KAICT END Woman (Cohort2) are among stories captured in today’s edition of our summary.

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Weah Launches Pro-poor Agenda 

The Coalition for Democratic Change Government (CDC) has launched it much publicized Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). Critics of the CDC-led government has repeatedly said the government is not ready to lead the people because it came to power with no defined document how to govern the country. Speaking over the weekend in Ganta, Nimba County, President Weah assured Liberians that his government will deliver on all the promises it made. The Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, a year development policy paper, is crafted on four thematic areas including power to the people, economic and jobs creation, sustaining the peace and governance and transparency. President Weah said the ushering in of his administration through the popular votes of Liberians brings the generational change in the country’s national leadership, and that he will do everything possible to make visible promises made by him. The Liberian said the CDC government is resolved in creating a middle income country, asserts The NEWS newspaper.

 Related Caption: Gov’t Launches Pro-Poor Agenda Security, Health, Roads& education Remain Key (Hot pepper)

Weah Makes More Appointment

President George MannehWeah has made additional appointments in government, affecting the Judiciary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Governance Commission, Small Arms Commission, Liberia Civil Aviation Authority and the Liberia Revenue Authority.The appointments also affect the Boards of several Agencies of Government including the National Port Authority, Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation, National Social Security & Welfare Corporation, Forestry Development Authority, the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment, among others. Those appointed in the Judiciary include Cllr. Roland F. Dahn, Resident Judge 8^th  Judicial Circuit Court Nimba County; Cllr. Ousman F. Feikal, Resident Judge 5^thJudicial Circuit Court, Grand Cape Mount; Cllr. OnesimusBarwon, Resident Judge 14^thJudicialCircuit Court Rivercess; Cllr. Joe S. Barkon, Resident Judge 2^nd Judicial Circuit Court; Atty. Patrick Wesseh Williams, Judge   Debt Court Bong County. At the governance commission, Cllr. A. NdubuisiNwabudiki, was named Chairman Governance Commission, while at National Port Authority (NPA), those appointed as board members include Priscilla Weah, Board Member, Zadye Shelton Gonkerwon Board Member, Charlotte H. Davies Board Member, Mary Quita Johnson Board Member and Emily Abiose Marsh-Askie Board Member. At National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), Elizabeth Seah and MornjayPratwere named Board Members while at Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Mather Weah and Joyce Marsh were also name as Board Members. At Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE),Joyce Konah and HajaMawatta S. Toure were named Board Members while Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC)NaratuHawah, Mariah Y.Bonkuo, KabehCollions and MamiataJ. Sheriff were named Board Members. At Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC),P. Teplah Reeves becomes Board Chairman, while Bodger Scott Johnson goes as Co Chairman, Roosevelt Woods, Bendu E. Clarke, HawaBropleh, MardiaJallah named as Members of PPCC. The President also named BenduDuwoe Board Member of National Housing Authority (NHA), while Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), Esther Paegar and Musa H. Shannon were named Board Members respectively, while Sandra Williams Glay goes as Deputy Managing Director/Operations and Captain Moses KronyanhWeefur becomes Deputy Director General. At the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms Marvin M. Sarkor becomes Chairman while at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, becomes Peter D. Somah Assistant Minister of Commerce & Industry. At Liberia Revenue Authority, Aaron B. Kollienot the journalist, becomes Deputy Commissioner General Administrative Affairs. These appointments according to an Executive Mansion release, are subject to confirmation by the Honorable Liberian Senate where applicable, The NEWS newspaper.

  Related Caption:  President Weah makes Additional Appointments in Government (Insight)

UN Women, KAICT END Woman (Cohort2) in the country

The UN Women Liberia Office, with support from the United Nations Peace Building Fund and in collaboration with its implementing partner, the Security Sector Reform Think Tank at the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation(KAITC), University of Liberia and alongside the Gender and Security Sector National Task Force on October 26, 2018, has ended a three-month advanced specialized training course on Women Peace and Security Level 1B (Cohot2) in the Country. According to the Hot pepper newspaper 53 participants who received certificates of a achievement at the completion of the training course, as sponsored by the UN Women Liberia Office and KAICT, the implement partner, were drawn from Liberia Security sector institutions government ministries and civil society, stated Professor T. Debey S the Sayndee, Director of the KAICT, as he gave the overview of the program at the closing ceremony, held at the University Of Liberia auditorium on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.

Related Caption: UN Women, KAICT End Women, Peace and Security Training Course (Insight)

Liberia, United Arab Emirates Sign MOU…for Visa Waiver

According to The NEWS newspaper, the Government of the Republic of Liberia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow Diplomatic Passports holders of both countries to enjoy Visa free privilege between the two states.The ceremony took place in the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.According to a Foreign Ministry Release, Acting Foreign Minister Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin signed on behalf of the Liberian Government while the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE Hon, ShababAlhosoni signed for his government.According to the MOU, Diplomats of both countries will have a Visa Free entry into either of the two countries, while Liberian Service Passports holders traveling to the UAE on official duties maybe accorded Visa Free privilege as well.Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Hon. ShababAlhosoni described the ceremony as unique platform where the two sides can meet face to face to dialogue and strengthen their relationship.He added that the signing of the MOU by the two countries serves as a foundation for Liberia and United Arab Emirates relationship, adding “we look forward to do more in our future engagements.”Commenting further on Liberia-UAE relations, Assistant Minister ShababAlhosoni reaffirmed his country’s fullest commitment to deepen cooperation in several areas of engagement very soon. Hon. Shabab Alhosoni also disclosed plan by his government to finalize all documentations aimed at implementing the commitments made to Liberia.In response, Acting Foreign Minister Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin thanked the Government and People of the UAE for its efforts leading to the finalization of the Visa waiver agreement for diplomats of the two states. He termed the MOU as a critical instrument between Liberia and the United Arab Emirates,which he said has developed a framework for the two countries to engage and deepen cooperation in other fields.Acting Minister Shoniyin also recounted that the signing of the MOU between Liberia and the UAE has removed critical and important barriers including the movement of diplomatic officials in both countries to allow them engage and deepen ties in new and rewarding areas of corporation. The Acting Foreign Minister also used the occasion to reaffirm Liberia’s determination to expand bilateral engagements with the United Arab Emirates in critical areas such as manpower development and partnership.

Abuja’s Diplomatic Community… Hails UN For Returning To Headquarters

The NEWS newspaper is reporting thattheDiplomatic community in Abuja has congratulated the United Nations System in Nigeria for its return to the UN House seven years after the insurgent Group, Boko Haram, and wreaked havoc on it. The Diplomats’ commendation was contained in a good will message delivered during the 73^rd Anniversary of United Nations Day, a released from the Liberian Embassy in Abouja said. According to the release, Liberia Ambassador to Nigeria, Al Hassan Conteh read the goodwill message on behalf of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria, and the High commissioner of Cameroon, Abbas IbrahimaSalaheddine. This year UN Day was held at the Forecourt of the UN House in Abuja on the October 24, 2018. The Abuja-based Diplomats also congratulated the United Nations System in Nigeria, and the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on this year celebration, themed, “Strengthening Partnerships, Accelerating Progress for Development and Growth.”

President Weah Chairs Cabinet Meeting in Gbarnga

President George Manneh Weah over the weekend chaired a Special Cabinet Meeting I the city of Gbarnga, Bong County. The first special cabinet meeting to be held outside of Monrovia was intended to appraise various governance issues toward endorsing the Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PADP). The special cabinet meeting was a precursor to the official launch of the much-heralded PADP which was done on Saturday in Ganta, Nimba County. The Agenda is a National policy document that encapsulates and articulates Government’s overall development action plans for the next five years. At the end of the Gbarnga meeting, President Weah led Ministers and other officials of the government on a city-wide tour in Gbarnga with an inspection of some incomplete development projects in the County, the Insight newspaper reads.

Liberia’s Oldest Practicing Journalist, Kenneth Y. Best, Clocks 80

Mr. Kenneth Yarkpawolo Best, Liberia’s oldest practicing Journalist, Sunday, October 28, hit his octogenarian mark — he turned 80! Mr. Best is the second oldest surviving Liberian journalist. The oldest now is Mr. James C. Dennis, who, by God’s grace may clock 90 in November 2018. Mr. Best, who is affectionately called ‘KY,’ has been in the Journalism profession for more than 50 years and was called into it ever since he was in high school, by the “good Lord himself,” he said. During the early morning service on Sunday at the Saint Stephen Episcopal Church, where the Bests are members, on 10th Street in Sinkor, KY told the audience of fellow Episcopalians and others, “Today, I want to thank Almighty God for bringing me and my family this far. I could never have achieved what my family has today without Him. He has been there for me and my family throughout, beginning from the 1980 when we arrived back to Liberia from Kenya. Today, I turn 80, it’s because of His grace and mercy.” KY, who, as he testified the goodness of God upon his life broke down in tears, further stated, “This has got nothing to do with me, but I give thanks to Almighty God. I thank Him for everything,” Frontpage Africa writes.

Liberia, African Development Bank to Sign Multi-Donor Funded Road Project Agreement

The Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday, 27 September will be signing a multi-donor road project agreement amounting to US$87.87 million. Specific focus of the multi-donor funded road project under the title  “Liberia/Cote D’Ivoire Mano River Union (MRU) Road Development and Transportation Facilitation Program- Phase II” are: the asphalt pavement of the 47.1km stretch of road between Sanniquellie and Loguatuo in Nimba County, the asphalt pavement of the 20km road between Fish Town and Kelipo in River Gee County, as well as the construction of a bridge at Loguatuo over the Nuor  River and the construction of a Joint Border Post Weigh Station at Loguatuo. The Project is a continuation of the African Development Bank’s support to the regional integration of the Mano River Union member states (Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Guinea) and also in support of Liberia’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development and is expected to start in January 2019 and end in December 2022.

Liberia Deposits Submission For Extension Of Continental Shelf at United Nations

The Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) is a body of twenty-one (21) experts, recruited on the basis of equitable geographical representation; to facilitate the implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to a dispatch from Liberia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Liberia’s submission was made within the deadline prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and comes after nearly ten (10) years of work. The Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cllr. Deweh Gray and the Principal Director for Administration and Legal Affairs at the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) Attorney Nya Gbaintor deposited the submission on behalf of the Republic of Liberia, Frontpage news daily writes.

NaFAA  BOSS Gets Prestigious Seamen Union Award

In recognition of the significant progress made in the fishery sector of Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, through its Director General, has received another prestigious award from the United Seamen,  Ports and General Workers Union of Liberia. The National Seafarers’ Patron Award signifies the Union’s appreciation for the tremendous progress made toward empowering the Union through capacity building of seafarers, as well as continued support to its headquartered office. Presenting the Award at the Seamen Union’s office on the Bushrod Island, the Union’s President, Samuel K. Siaffa, described NaFAA boss as a result-oriented leader who delivers on her promises at all times. Receiving the honor, NaFAA’s Director General Emma Metieh-Glassco expressed gratitude to the Seamen Union, and at the same time dedicated the honor to H.E President George Manneh Weah whom, she said, is driving the overall vision to transform the country toward sustainable development through the fishery sector, the Hot pepper newspaper.  

CCT (Liberia) Ltd. Appeals To Gov’t

 Several recommendations having been forwarded to the George Weah government from development partners to draw the attention of his Excellency to several issues of national concern that are impediment to the smooth operation of business in the country, the management of the CCT(Liberia) Limited, Sayon Town, Bushrod Island, is calling on the Weah –led government to ensure the high taxes/tariff on the importation of fishing materials and other items brought into the country are reasonably reduced to enable the importation of more fishing materials into Liberia pens the Hot pepper newspaper.

Ellen Turns 80 Today, Bags More Accolades

Formal president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf today celebrates her eightieth (80^th) birth anniversary, nine months after she transferred power to President George Weah, himself an October born. The celebration of this year’s birthday accolade, this times   Mrs. Sirleaf was inducted in to the International Women’s (IWF) Hall of Fame. At the ceremony which took place in the U.S. States of Florida, Mrs. Sirleaf was inducted alongside Alice Walton, joining iconic leaders like Coretta Scott King, Rosa Park, Wangari Maathai and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This is the second International highest honor Mrs. Sirleaf has received so far since she stepped down as president in January this year at the end of her second term. In February this year, she became the first woman to win the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, in recognition of her efforts to rebuild Liberia following years of civil wars. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Mrs.  Sirleaf became president in 2006, three years after the second civil war had ended elected for a second term in 2011, the New Dawn Newspaper writes.

16 Women Get Empowerment…In Vocational Training

A non-Governmental and non-profitable organization, women of Glory Vocational Training Institute, has graduated 16 Liberian women in various skills training disciplines, Catering and Interior Decoration. Serving as Keynote speaker over the weekend at word of the Power Ministries in Chocolate City, Gardnersville, John K. Langley, former National Elections Commission Executive Director challenged the women to prepare for the job market. Mr. Langley said this would enhance the provision of resources through partnership in order to help the school achieving its goals. He cautioned the graduates to take advantage of small and medium term enterprise that will afford them the opportunity to explore their potentials as graduates in their various areas. The ex- NEC Executive Director cautioned the women not to get involved into any other business that is not of their profession, but rather engage in business that relates to what they have acquired from the training, says The NEWS newspaper.

Lawmakers Warns Citizens… Against Violence

Montserrado County district 1 Representative Lawrence Morris is calling on Liberians especially resident of his district not to use violence as a means of solving problems. Speaking over the weekend during a meeting with local leadership of the district in Monrovia, Rep. Morris told the citizens that no matter the gravity of situation, there is a need for dialogue in finding solution, saying any attempt for citizens to put on a noncompliance posture will drive investors from Liberia. Recently there has been ongoing tension between some citizens and concession companies operating in the district on land ownership. The citizens are said to be resisting due to some of the companies refusal to adhere to their corporate social responsibilities to communities. He told the citizens that with unity the district stands a chance to benefit immensely from development and urged them to resist violence, The NEWS newspaper reports.

New Kru Town Elders Extols Gov’t …On Sea Erosion Costal Project

The elders of the Borough of New Kru Town have commended the government of Liberia for sea erosion costal project in the area intended to prevent further destruction of lives and properties. New Kru Town, like other communities in and around Monrovia, has endured and continue to endure the bitter experience of sea erosion, leaving several propoerities damaged and many other homeless. Several inhabitants from ‘Corner West’ and Funday in the Borough of New Kru Town have been affected by sea erosion in spite of the ongoing construction of the costal defense wall at the D. Tweh High School. Speaking over the weekend to this paper, the chairman of one of the communities, Mr. Johnson Teah praised the government for helping them stop the sea erosion within their community especially the D. Tweh High School.Tweh said the elders have decided to express their appreciation to President George M. Weah for the project that will bring total relief to the citizens, The NEWS newspaper writes