BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 13 2019

Stories dominating today’s edition of our regular media summary include news about VP Taylor’s Keynote Address at the SDGS Conference in Kigali; the World Bank’s decision to debar the China-based Dongfang Electronics in connection with fraudulent practices in Liberia; AMEU Commencement Speaker’s inspiring pronouncement to recent Graduates of that institution for them to‘Never Give Up in life” as well as the arrival of the International Monetary Fund’s delegation to Liberia, amongst other important news headlines.

Dominant Stories

IMF MISSION ARRIVES TO Jump Start Liberia’s Economy

It is clear by the day that Government appears determined to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the revival of the country’s economy which it inherited already slipping into crisis. In a recent nationwide statement, President George Weah announced his government was entering into a special program of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) credited for its salvaging crisis ridden economies. Now, it is said that a Mission of the IMF is in town to seemingly explore ground works for its special program of the Liberia sunk in chronic inflation. Following the just ended Spring Meeting in Washington DC this year, the IMF has dispatched a mission to Liberia to work on serval critical macroeconomic indicators that are essential to spurring economic growth in the country, the Analyst reports.

Related captions: IMF Wants rational Spending and realistic budgets In Liberia (New Dawn)

VP@ Major SDGS Conference Set to Deliver Keynote Address in Kigali

Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor continues to shuttle between the country and its partners to keep the Liberian flag higher and to raise the country’s voice on the world stage. An assembly of esteemed international actors are meeting this week in the Rwandan capital Kigali to discuss the famous Sustainable Development Goals, and the Liberian Vice President is tipped to be major speaker---the keynote speaker---a “why Africa Needs New Financing Vehicles for Health, Education and Rainfed Agriculture, the Analyst reads.

Related Caption: VP Howard-Taylor to Deliver Keynote Address (The Heritage) 

World Bank debars Chinese Coy for fraud in Liberia

The World Bank on Wednesday June 12 announced a 15-month debarment of China-based Dongfang Electronics Co. Ltd. (Dongfang) in connection with fraudulent practices while bidding on a power project in Liberia. The debarment makes Dongfang, which provides electrical engineering, manufacturing, and research and development services, ineligible to participate in World Bank-financed projects. It is part of a settlement agreement under which the company acknowledges responsibility for the underlying sanction able practices and agrees to meet specified corporate compliance conditions as a condition for release from debarment. The project, Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion Project Additional Financing, was designed to increase access to electricity and strengthen institutional capacity in Liberia’s electricity sector. According to the facts of the case, during the bidding process, Dongfang falsified two letters asserting that the manufacturer of a type of equipment had authorized Dongfang to supply and install that equipment, which is a fraudulent practice. Dongfang did not ultimately win the contract, writes The NewDawn.

Related caption: World Bank Group Debars Dongfang Electronics (The Inquirer)

 AMEU Commencement Speaker Inspires Graduates To ‘Never Give Up’

The 19th Commencement Speaker of the African Methodist Episcopal University has inspired graduates of the institution to remain focus in their quest to explore opportunities ahead of them. International motivational speaker Patricia Russell McCloud told the 353 graduates that they must not only talk about their vision to create a change in society but work toward it. Speaking Wednesday at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville where the program was held, Mrs. McCloud noted that exploring future opportunities requires preparedness, adding that university education as a key factor. “It’s better to have a degree than to need it, and it’s better not to need it but to have it; because, you are the one we have been waiting for to make the difference and ‘Never Give Up,” she said, encouraging the graduates to use their education to positively demonstrate leadership roles. “Leadership is not personality but performance, leadership is not effort, it is results. A leader has to stand up to address a lot of thing, but if you sit you will not fix it.” She enlightened them that they are cardinal to Liberia at this time when the need for “courageous, curious, innovative and creative leaders” is of concern. She said: “We need courageous leaders, we need curious leaders with innovation and creativity and commitment. We need those who will help and empower others without just sitting or working towards it.” FrontPage Africa pens.

Related caption: AMEU Graduates 353 (The Inquirer)

Other stories  

House Summons Internal Affairs, Others 

The Inquirer newspaper is reporting that the Plenary of the House of Representative has invited the Ministry of Internal Affairs to appear on next Tuesday, June 18, to explain growing concerns of traditional healers and individual perambulating every sector of the country, offering solutions; and giving good luck, and blessings to churches in the country. The agenda item which was part of the general discussion yesterday took the center stage, as several members in the plenary wanted an urgent response to what they referred to as very critical and needed an urgent response. Elaborating further on the sensitive nature of the discussion, House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers, said most of the concerns had been that these individuals are seen claiming to give solutions to even medical conditions that had been proven not to be solve. Meanwhile, Representative Ivar K. Jones of Electoral District 2, Margibi County in making a motion wants the Plenary invite the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Health, and the Traditional Council of Liberia to address themselves to the growing concerns of purported individuals claiming to provide solutions in the country.

 US, UK, Others Pledge Support React to June 7 Protest With Praises For All Actors

The peace and order that prevailed during the June 7 protest has shocked Liberians, including the major actors---protesters, non-protesters, the Government of Liberia and foreign   partners---since the bellicose discourse that preceded it gave everyone the impression there would have chaos. The planners of the protest were unsure what would happen, evidenced by their continued demand for “adequate security” and their suspicion infiltrators could cause trouble. Despite its own plans the Government was also apparently unsure what would happen, which is why they repeatedly urged the protesters to be doubly careful, and which is why they inundate Monrovia with adequate security personnel during the protest. At the end, both the protester and Government have been heartedly commending one another for acting appropriately. Now, the international community in Liberia that followed the planning and execution of the protest from a somewhat neural angel is also upbeat and delighted, issuing a joint reiterating its commitments to continuing to support Liberia’s development process. The Analyst reports.

Criminal Activities Increase in Paynesville

Amidst mounting criminal activities in Paynesville, residents are calling on the Liberian National Police to at least get to their rescue by increasing its presence in the area. The residents said that since the beginning of this year, some unknown men equip with deadly weapons have been seen at midnight bursting their homes to steal from them. The said that the criminal sometimes physically attack their victims in the presence of process of stealing when they do not find any valuable items to take away. The residents, mainly from ELWA Junction via Thinker’s Village, and GSA Road and its environs complained that whenever they approach the ELWA Depots to inform the police about the situation, there could be no redress, The Inquirer writes.

Regional Anti-Trafficking Strategy Under Review

The Commissioner of the Economic Community of West Africans States (ECOWAS) commenced its 3-day Annual Review meeting of member States’ implementation of the ECOWAS plan of action on Trafficking in persons of (TIPS) in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting which comprises of delegates from ECOWAS Member States and partners such as the Free Movement and migration in West Africa (FMM), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), will contribute to strengthening the network of TIPs National Focal Points and strengthening between Members States in Cases of Cross border human trafficking, The Inquirer says.

Gov’t. To Enforce Local Currency For All Transaction

Government is expected to enforce the usage of the Liberian Dollar banknotes in the payment of goods and Services beginning Monday, June 1, this year. The Minister of Commerce and Industry, William K. Tarpeh, made the disclosure on Wednesday, when he appeared on Okay FM stating that all goods and services must be transacted or priced in the local currency; however, one can purchase same in the United States Dollars as well if one wishes. Amongst many things, Minister Tarpeh stated that these are some of the measures that have being worked on the past weeks in an effort to revamp the economy which has been gloomy or in recession for some time now, The Inquirer reports.

House to Investigate LTA

According to The NewDawn newspaper, the House of Representatives instructs its Committee on posts and Telecommunications to investigate the Liberia Telecommunications Authority or LTA on the rationale behind shutting down of the internet and all social media networks in the country during the June 07 protest. The Plenary of the House mandates the committee to have authorities of the LTA explain why they took the action, which reported caused the Government of Liberia loss about US$100K in revenue. The body took the decision here Tuesday, following the submission of a communication by Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative Thomas Goshua. In his communication to Plenary, Rep. Goshua raises concerns as to what would have happened during the course of the protest as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram were shut down. He argues that it was unfair to the Liberian people for the internet to be shut down on that day. The committee is expected to report in two weeks.

Health Workers Build Ferry to Reach Stranded Communities

Yarr River, a geographical barrier splitting Gbehyi Clan into halves in Nimba County, has been a serious nightmare for sick people and pregnant women in that clan over the years. The only clinic built years back at the headquarters of the clan in Duayee is expected to serve the nine surrounding towns, but residents from the other five towns across the river mostly find it difficult, especially during the rainy season, to get treatment at the clinic when the river overflows its bank. To address this impediment, Ms. Kerbeh Kessellee, Community Health Services Supervisor of Duayee Clinic, could not wait to advocate for the building of a ferry that would safely convey people from across the river to gain access to the health center.On June 1, 2019 in Gbeanpa during the turnover ceremony of the newly built ferry, Madam Kessellee said she conceived the idea following a workshop held among health workers of three clinics including Banla, Duayee and Duo Clinics last year in Duo Town, Saclepea Mah District, Nimba County. The workshop was geared at exploring ideas to tackle community health issues and to plan what projects these clinics can undertake in line with mandate of the Nimba County Health Supervisor, according to the Daily Observer

Amb. Ajisomo Underscores Importance of School Feeding Program— Says it makes child education attractive, desirable

Ambassador Babatunde Olanrewaju Ajisomo, Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, has stressed the need for government to reintroduce the Home-Grown School Feeding Program, which he said has a critical role to play in making education of the child attractive and desirable.“It is important that government, the World Food Program, and all stakeholders do everything possible to ensure the success of the Home-Grown School Feeding Program, because it strengthens the education capacity of the children through nutrition, and development of children’s mental capacity for learning,” Ajisomo said. He said it is therefore important that citizens themselves take ownership of the program to drive it successfully, and derive maximum benefits in the overall interest of the country. Amb. Ajisomo made these remarks on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at celebrations marking the observance of World Day against Child Labor held in the courtyard of the Ministry of Labor in Monrovia. The Global theme for this year’s celebration is “Children Should Not Work in Field, But on Dreams,” while the national theme is, “Prioritize Children Dreams through Quality Education.”

Civil Society Groups Laud President Weah’s Call for Dialogue Over ‘Failing Economy’

Several civil society organizations in Liberia have lauded President Weah’s proposal for a national dialogue aimed at mitigating the economic and social challenges confronting the country. In a communique issued in Monrovia on Tuesday, June 11, the 10 CSOs noted that the President’s desire to solicit the perspectives of stakeholders of the country on addressing the economic challenges demonstrates the government’s commitment to democratic governance. According to them, the dialogue will offer the opportunity for all Liberians to contribute to a national search for the real solutions of the country’s economic and social challenges. President George Weah in a brief nationwide address on Tuesday invited leaders of political parties, civil society groups, elders, and religious leaders to a roundtable discussion to afford them the opportunity to present their alternative views or suggestions on the economy. Based on the President’s invitation, the CSOs revealed they will immediately commence wider civil society consultation with professional and legally registered groups to derive a common civil society position to be delivered at the proposed dialogue. The group has planned to document a “comprehensive list of legitimate but professional civil society organizations” and submit to the President for his consideration as participants to the proposed dialogue., according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Elections Coordinating Commission launches Project on Electoral Reform

The Election Coordinating Committee (ECC) and the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) have launched a project aimed at reforming the electoral laws of Liberia. Giving an overview of the project, through a power point presentation, Harold Aidoo, the head of IREDD and the ECC steering committee stated that there was a need for a project on Electoral Reform because, Liberia’s electoral processes, systems and laws needed to be improved to guarantee voters’ confidence. According to Aidoo, the reform project will help ensure electoral credibility (free, fair and transparent democratic elections in Liberia) and the need for harmonization of Liberia’s electoral legal framework. He said improving Liberia’s electoral laws will ensure a consistent and responsive legal framework for future elections in the country. FrontPage reports that the project seeks to refine and publicize the National Elections Commissions (NEC) and the ECC reform agenda to include several amendments to the New Elections Law, amendment of the Code of Conduct of Public Officials, and amendment of the Constitution to change the election date. Aidoo said the reform process will “Actively engage the Legislature of Liberia and national government stakeholders to advocate for electoral reform agenda and to design and implement a robust advocacy campaign to publicize NEC/Electoral reform agenda and engender grassroots support for reform to spur legislative action on electoral reform among others.”

Syrenius Cephus Faces Senate Tomorrow To Justify Nomination for Solicitor General

Confirmation hearings of the newly designated Solicitor General, Cllr. Syrenius Cephus, and another designated official at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Aaron Kpakillen designated for the post of Assistant Minister for Taxation are scheduled by the Senate Judicial Committee, according to the Committee’s Chairman and Grand Cape Mount County Senator H. Varney Gboto-Nambi Sherman. According to information available to The Analyst, Senator Chairman said the Confirmation Hearing of Cllr. Cephus, the Solicitor General Designate will take place at 12 noon on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the Senate Chambers in the main Capital Building.

Liberia & ILO Observe World Day against Child Labor

According the Analyst reports, Liberia, on Wednesday, June 12, 2019, joined the International Labor Organization (ILO) in its celebration of the World Day against Child Labor, after 100 years of advancing social justice and promoting decent work. The occasion was hosted at the Ministry of Labor in Monrovia. The day is observed on the 12^th of each year as a manifestation of the commitment member governments of the International Labor Organization demonstrates to the two conventions concerning Children; Convention 138 and Convention 182.

85% Of Pregnant Women Not Regularly Visiting Health Centers In Sinoe

The focal person for health promotion of Sinoe County Health Team (CHT) has alarmed that there is an increase in the percentage of pregnant women in country who are reluctant to attend health centers for routine checkups, even in the later months of their pregnancies. Mr. Hosea Smith said constant visits to health facilities by pregnant women can be a key tool in battling maternal and neonatal complications and deaths; adding that it was very important that women cooperate to avoid complications at the time of delivery. He told a local Obroadcaster that, ‘85% pregnant women in the county are not regularly visiting the hospital and clinics. They rather buy medicines from the roadside and we’re urging them to desist for their safely and of their infants”.

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WHO Presents 10 Vehicles TO MOH

According to the Heritage, the Liberia’s health sector on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 received a significant boost, after the World Bank presented 10 vehicles to the Minister of Health. The vehicles, which include: Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol, are valued over four hundred thousand United States Dollars. A MOH statement signed by it Communication Consultant, Mr. Sorbor George, quotes World Bank Senior Health Specialist, Dr. Munirat Ogunlayi, as saying it was a joyous day for the bank with the presentation of such vehicles. Dr. Ogunlayi appealed that the vehicles be properly maintained and used for the purpose intended.

IMO Official Sees Maritime Transport Essential To Economy

The Regional Coordinator of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for West and Central Affairs, Dallas Laryea has indicated that maritime transport is essential to the world’s economy because it is the most effective way to move goods, raw materials as well as classified ‘dangerous goods’ worldwide. Laryea made the remarks Monday at the Monrovia City Hall at the state of a four-day National seminar on the implementation of the International Maritime Dangerous goods Code (IMDG) and the International Maritime Soild Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) organized by the Liberian Maritime Authority in collaboration with the IMO. Pens the Heritage.

USAID/FIFES Conclude Agroforestry-Based Market Linkages Roundtable

The Heritage reports that Forest Incomes for Environment Sustainability (FIFES), a five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded activity, and the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) Hub in northern Nimba County recently concluded a roundtable for value chain actors   around the local community forest. In support of USAID/Liberia’s Country Development Corporation Strategy, FIFES’s Country Development Corporation Strategy, FIFES’s overall goal is to help rural farmers and forest-dependent communities develop forest-base enterprises in ways that reduce threats to biodiversity loss.