BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA

NEWS SUMMARY, MONDAY, JULY 22, 2019

Today’s edition of our daily News Summary highlights stories about President George Manneh Weah dedicating new health facilities at the John F. Kennedy Medical center; Government of Liberia and World Bank signing of a 77 million United States dollars Financing agreement as well as several persons receiving the 2019 Edition of the Golden Image Award held in Monrovia.

Other news include stories about GOL and FAO Introducing Biosecurity, Biosafety Measures for Poultry Farmers as well as  First Lady Madam Clar Weah commending the Passage of the Domestic Violence Act with Calls to Address Issues of FGM among others.

Dominant stories

GOL, World Bank Sign…US$77M Agreement

The News newspaper is reporting that the Government of Liberia and the World Bank (WB) have signed two separate grant agreements aimed at improving secondary education and support to urban water supply project in Liberia.The US$77 million financing agreement will help the government to improve the country’s education system and boast urban water supply. Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Samuel Tweah signed on behalf of the government, while the Country Director of the World Bank (WB) Pierre Laporte signed for the Bank. During the signing ceremony over the weekend in Monrovia, Minster Tweah thanked the Bank for the grant, noting that it will go a long way to improve the education and water sectors of Liberia. Minister Tweah described the two sectors as key areas of the George Weah’s Administration and assured the bank of government’s sincere commitment to transform the sectors. Speaking earlier, the Country Director of the Bank Pierre Laporte said the signing of the agreements will help strengthen the educational sector and improve the supply of pipe bond water in Monrovia and its environs.

Related Caption: GOL, World Bank Sign US$77M Financing Agreement (Daily Observer)

Pres. Weah Dedicates New Health Facilities at JFKMC

To meet the health needs of the country, and even make it better than many of the countries in the sub-region, the John F. Kennedy Medical Center (JFKMC) over the weekend dedicated new health facilities to address the medical needs of patients across the country. Those facilities include a mobile type of the CT Scan, movable Operating Theaters, Pathology Laboratory, and a Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases. CT Scan is an X-ray image made using a form of computed tomography in which a computer controls the motion of the X-ray source and detectors, processes the data, and produces the image for doctors to read and diagnose a patient ailing condition. Dr. Jerry F. Brown, JFKMC Chief Executive Officer, said the dedicatory ceremony is the implementation of Pillar 44 of the government’s Pro-poor agenda to ensure that the country’s major referral hospitals become equipped to provide quality and affordable healthcare services to all people. President George Weah called on authorities of the JFKMC to maintain those felicities given to the hospital, because it will encourage them to do more. The President thanked the partners for the donation, saying that, with the new facilities, the center can now be considered as a “hospital of choice” for Liberians and other nationals, Daily Observer asserts.

RELATED CAPTION:JFK Dedicates New Health Equipment, Facilities( the INQUIRER)

Several Receive Golden Image Award

According to theINQUIRER newspaper, United States Ambassador to Liberia, Christine Elder is calling on Liberians to uphold the rule of Law and human dignity which continue to be violated. Speaking as guest of the 2019 Edition of the Golden Image Award event which was a prelude to the Independence Day celebrations, at the Monrovia City Hall on Thursday, July 18, Ambassador Elder called on Liberians to uphold the rights of persons, irrespective of culture, tribe and ethnic diversities. Some recipients of the Golden Image awards included but not limited to his Excellency President George Manneh, Weah, Former President Ellen Johnson Sirelaf, Minister of State Mr. Nathanial Mccgill, Gender Minister Williametta Saydee-Tarr, Madam Finda Bundo, Chief of Protocol to the President of the Republic of Liberia and Madam Issatu Bah Kenneth among other awardees.

Related Caption: Pres. Weah Kick Off Independence Celebration at Golden Image Awards (Daily Observer)

World Bank Gives LWSC US$5.26M Grant

The World Bank has given Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation 5.26 million grants to upgrade Monrovia Water Supply System for additional 52,000 users. Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance and development Planning, World Bank Country Director Larisa Leshchenko said the Bank Executive Directors has approved an additional financing of $24.74 million International Development Association (IDA). According to the World Bank Manager, the 5.26 million IDA grants is to increase access to piped water supply services in Monrovia and its surrounding areas, and improve the operational efficiency of Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation. She further said it will also increase access and enhance the quality and quantity of the water supply service to existing customers; this is expected to lead to at least 10,000 new household connections and 50 standpipes, thus serving an estimated additional 52,000 Monrovians. World Bank manager said the Liberia Urban Water Supply Project (UWSP) will be used to scale-up the rehabilitation and extension of Monrovia’s piped water distribution system, as well as to reinforce LWSC’s operational efficiency, The News newspaper says.

Related Caption:World Bank Gives LWSC $5.26million(Hot Pepper)

Other stories

First Lady Hails Passage of Domestic Violence Act with Calls to Address Issues of FGM

The First Lady of Liberia, Mrs. Clar Marie Weah, has described as historic and landmark the passage of the Domestic Violence Act of 2014 which had been dusting on the shelf of the National Legislature for years. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, she hailed members of the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives for their collective actions that made the passage of the crucial Act possible, thus advancing to new levels the protection of women, girls and children who are mostly victims of such domestic violence and other crimes in Liberia. Mrs. Weah’s assertions are response to the Liberian Senate’s concurrence with the House of Representatives on Thursday, July 19, 2019, marking a full legislative action of the bill. The Liberian First Lady said she was confident that when the bill comes into full legal force following its signing by the President of the Republic, it will serve as a major tool in curbing the already alarming incidents of sexual gender-based violence, especially rape, across Liberia.

Madam Weah has meanwhile cautioned perpetrators of domestic violence and predators against the rights of women, girls and children to begin to rethink their actions as they are prone to face the full weight of the law without compromise. The bill defines Domestic Violence as an act of violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, men, or children, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life between parties in an existing or former domestic relationship.

President Weah Calls For Nat’l Unity, Peace

Ahead of Liberia’s 172nd Independence Day celebrations, President Dr. George Manneh Weah has been drumming up national support for reconciliation, peace and unity. At programs marking the 9th edition of the Golden Image Award, President Weah called on Liberians to stand together and undertake responsibilities that ensure a prosperous future for the country. He said no nation’s future is assured without peace and harmony. The Golden Image Award tended by a Liberian organization, the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), to recognize, adore and encourage the incomparable works of extraordinary people towards national renewal and peace. The 9th edition was held Thursday, July 18, 2019 as a precursor to this year’s July 26 Independence observance and it was held at the Monrovia City Hall. During the program, President Weah said in a statement: “We will be celebrating the 172nd Anniversary of the Independence of our beloved country under the theme, ‘Together we are Stronger.’ I want to encourage all of us to renew our commitment and our patriotic duty; we must continue to undertake those responsibilities that will ensure a prosperous future for our country.” He said broadening the national vision is to build a strong and peaceful nation where the citizens continue to dialogue and treat each other as one people, The News newspaper writes.

GOL, FAO Introduce Biosecurity, Biosafety Measures for Poultry Farmer

Implementing biosecurity and biosafety measures on poultry farms and live bird markets play an important role in preventing or minimizing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases pathogens that affect food security. In commercial, free-range poultry farms and live bird markets, the risk for disease outbreaks is high, and can result in significant economic loses for the farmers and their integration. When major zoonotic disease outbreaks occur in a region, this may also result in economic losses such as employment and market scarcity, while affecting public health. A Newcastle or Influenza outbreak in an area involving numerous farms in close proximity can be catastrophic. Therefore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Liberia early April, 2019, embarked on a biosecurity and biosafety assessment mission in Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties, to highlight the strengths and weaknesses in biosecurity, and identify possible training needs for poultry farmers to create awareness and improve their response mechanism for potential zoonosis (disease that affects the poultry sector), Daily Observer reports.

Commerce Disposes Rotten Frozen Food in Ganta

The local authority of the Ministry of Commerce and industry in Nimba, on July 16, 2019 disposed several quantities of frozen chicken products from the cold storage of Fresh Frozen Food (FFF) in Ganta City, in Nimba County. The contaminated chicken products were taken to a dumpsite, some kilometers from Ganta, where they were set ablaze and completely destroyed. The local head of Ministry of Commerce, Inspector Nelson Korquio, told reporters that the management of the entity, where the frozen food got contaminated informed his office that some of their products had expired and needed to be disposed of immediately from the cold storage. He explained that, upon receiving the invitation, his office immediately dispatched team to the cold storage to ascertain the quantity of the damaged products and have them separated, Daily Observer explains.

“Cocoa Regulations Remain”

Dr. John S. Flomo, Director-General of the Liberia Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Agency (LACRA), has said that the regulations governing the sector shall remain in place pending dialogue with all actors. Mr. Flomo’s statement came against the backdrop of concerns from cocoa exporters, producers, farmers and development partners to reform some provisions of the cocoa and coffee regulations of Liberia for the growth of the agriculture sector. He made the statement on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at a cocoa conference held in Monrovia attended by local cocoa farmers, exporters and development partners. Dr. Flomo delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the policies governing the sector, where cocoa exporters and producers strongly argued that the regulations are essential for the sector, but it must be done in consultation to create a level playing field for all farmers and stakeholders, says Daily Observer.  

Liberian Diplomats, MoFA Staff Undergo 2-Week Training in Brussels 

Few emerging Liberian diplomats, including staffers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), have undergone a two-week ‘intensive’ training in diplomatic practices in Belgium, Brussels, a release has said. The training, which was requested by the Liberian Embassy in Belgium, was held from June 24-July 5, 2019, under the sponsorship of the Government of Belgium, and administered by Belgium’s prestigious Egmont Royal Institute of International Studies. According to the release, the training is part of efforts to strengthen and deepen subsisting diplomatic relationships between Liberia and Belgium. It is expected to also allow for exchanges of expertise between the African delegations and their European counterparts. The Liberian delegation nominated by MoFA and subsequently vetted and selected by the Government of Belgium, included Pawala Janyan, Administrative Officer, Office of the Chief of Protocol, MoFA and Johnnie F. Fallah, First Secretary and Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Brussels, Daily Observer reports.

Pro-Tempore Chie and Delegation in China Hold Fruitful Discussion with chairman of the CPPCC

The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Mr. Albert Chie has thanked the Government and people of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for its continuous assistance to Liberia’s recovery and development efforts.“On behalf of our President, H.E. George Manneh Weah, the Government and people of Liberia and in my own name, I want to extend through you to H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping and the people of this country our deepest appreciation for the friendship,” Mr Chie said; adding that China has made itself a beacon of hope not only for Liberia but most African countries as they have immensely contributed to education, health and infrastructural development across Africa. According to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy near Beijing, the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberia Senate made the statement during a meeting his delegation held with the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Wang Yang, at the Great Hall of the People recently.  He used the opportunity to enumerate China’s numerous assistance to Liberia beginning with the deadly Ebola Virus Disease that ravaged countries in the sub-region, including  Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in 2014 and 2015,  pens the Analyst newspaper.

Liberia Gov’t Issues Call For Expression of Interest In Iconic Hotel

Lina-The Government of Liberia through the National Investment Commission (NIC) has made a call for Expression of Interest (EoI) to Build, own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT), refurbish or rebuild and manage the iconic Ducor inter-Continental Hotel(DCH) in Monrovia, the nation’s capital. According, Prospective Developers are expected to respond to the Eol by close of business day on or before Wednesday, August 29 2019 at 5:00 p.m., local Liberian time.  The request states that proposals must include a cover letter indicating interest to participate in the BOOT; profile of the company making the bid and other partners, if applicable, pens the Analyst newspaper.

 ’Girls’ EDUCATION IS A MUST VP Tells Jewel Starfish Foundation Beneficiaries

Liberia’s Vice President and Founder of the Jewel Starfish Foundation, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, has been identifying with beneficiaries of the Foundation in Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties. According to the Analyst newspaper, establishing the Foundation, the avowed advocate for the empowerment of women and girls saw it to be about belief and opportunity, an undertaking that is now unleashing the potential of over 1000-thousand adolescent girls living in poverty across the country, so that they can lift themselves and those around them out of poverty. The Foundation seeks to keep girls in school, helping them develop career paths providing mentorship program and implementing training programs (with a training-of-trainer component) for women leaders with the objective of creating diverse networks and building the needed technical and professional skills. Speaking Saturday, July 20, 2019, when she separately engaged gatherings of the beneficiaries, VP Howard who is Liberia’s first female Vice President and a strong advocate for women causes, opined that many families in Liberia still do not recognize the importance of “girl child education,” especially in low-income areas where school fees are difficult to afford.

GOL Expresses Support For Access To Information

According to the Hot Pepper, the Republic of Liberia, though the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations, is poised to submit to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for adoption, a draft resolution on the Proclamation of September 28 as the International Day for the Universal Access to Information. The proposed resolution will complement a 2015 UNESCO resolution, proclaiming September 28 as International Day for Universal Access to Information. On Tuesday June 16, 2019, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations in collaboration with partners---United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the African Platform on Access to Information (APAI), convened a Coordination Meeting with United Nations Member States to build support for the proposed resolution. Chairing the Coordination Meeting, His Excellency Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah , Sr., Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations  said setting aside of such commemorative day was necessary as “access to information is not only essential for the democratic functioning of a society, but also pivotal and vital for the sustainable Development of countries”.

“Be Our Foot Soldiers For Cyber Crime”

--Acting Minister Yealu Urges ParticipantsThe Acting Minister of Post & Telecommunications, Melvin L. Yealu, has urged participants of a four-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Post &Telecommunications and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to become foot soldiers against cyber threat in the country. Minister Yealu is the Assistant Minister for Administration, Ministry of Post & Telecommunication, but is currently acting as Minister-proper, according to official protocol on the absent Minister-proper and Deputy Ministers, who are all out on official duties. He made the remark at the end of a four-day workshop o Friday, July 19, 2019 organized by the ministry and thee ITU, which brought over 45 ICT participants from several government ministers and agencies. The Hot Pepper assert that,  Minister Yealu told the participants that such initiative will help to boost the “pro-poor” agenda and create a National Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), which will provide a capability identify, respond and manage cyber threat and, at the same time, enhance the cyber security posture of Liberia.

CSO Group Describes Petro Trade’s Operation As Laudable

The civil society group, Democratic Watch Forum (DWF), has extolled the management of Petro Trade, Incorporated (PT) for standing out as a company pursuing a business path with huge consideration of national interest. In a release issued Wednesday July 17, 2019 in Monrovia, a week after the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) honored Pero Trade as the second highest taxpayer within petroleum industry, DWF said the company has distinguished itself amount others in showing commitment and dedication to consistent and quality serviced over the years. The civil society group notes that, despite difficult periods that have marked the Liberian economy in the last couple of years, Petro Trade continues to expand its operation and position itself as a true partner to government’s effort, aimed at revitalizing the economy by ensuring strength and viability in the private sector, which is the engine of growth and development, Pens the Hot Pepper.