THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

Today’s edition of the summary highlights the news of President Johnson Sirleaf’s decision to back the reduction in the tenure of the Presidency, President Johnson Sirleaf and VP Boakai’s commendations to the Liberia National Police for its involvement in agriculture activitities and the reported death news of the President of the Liberian community in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Reduction In Liberia Presidential Term: EJS Backs 4-Year Presidency

President Ellen Johnson has announced her commitment to work with the National Legislature in reducing the tenure of the presidency from six to four years. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Liberian leader made the disclosure on a local radio talk show the Prime Morning Drive on Prime FM when she was invited to speak on issues affecting the economy. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said she agree with Liberians that are calling for the reduction in the tenure of the presidency of Liberia. Under the original 1847 constitution, the president of Liberia was elected to a two-year term in office, but after the amendment to the constitution on May 7, 1907 the tenure of the Liberian Presidency was increased to four years in office. Currently, the president is elected by popular vote to a six-year term and is limited to two terms. Since the constitution was amended for the president of Liberia to serve six years term in office and restricted to only two terms, Liberia has been enjoying the six years term of office. President Sirleaf setup a constitutional review committee to review the constitution of Liberia, a review intended for Liberians to make some changes in the constitution. The President recently received the final Report on the National Constitution Conference (NCC). The report was presented to the Liberian Leader by the Chair person on the Constitutional Review Committee, Cllr. Gloria Scott. The NCC Report contains recommendations to amend the Constitution of Liberia following series of local consultations and that of the Diaspora. 

Police Harvest 75-Acre Rice Project

The Liberia National Police says it has harvested a 75-acre rice-farming project in Foya, Lofa County. According to Director C. Clarence Massaquoi, the LNP has for a couple of years now been engaged in running the rice farm project, located in Kpang Banin Town in Foya District, Lofa County. "When you took office you instructed us (Liberians) to go back to the soil. So in adherence to your instruction we decided to engage in this project," Director Massaquoi said. He said the project is intended to ensure institutional self-sufficiency in terms of food security. Director Massaquoi said produce from the farm will feed police recruits at the National Police Training Academy, the police elite forces - the Emergency Response Unit (ERU)\ and the Police Support Unit (PSU), among others. Receiving five bags of the rice harvested from the LNP farm, delivered last Friday by Police Director Chris Massaquoi and his principal deputies, as her gift for the New Year, President Sirleaf praised the LNP for its venture into agricultural activities while ensuring law and order in the country. President Sirleaf said in realization of this fact, she has urged citizens to go back to the soil, and that government is also shifting more attention to agriculture production. She also praised the LNP for its strides in maintaining law and order across the country. The harvest, According to Sam Collins, public affairs officer for the LNP, amounts to 400 bags of rice. This planting season, the LNP aims to expand the rice to 150 acres - twice the size of the existing farm - with land given by the locals in the area. For his part Vice President Joseph Boakai lauded the LNP for its involvement in food production, stressing that it will go a long way in helping the police to feed officers in training and other staffers in the employ of the police. VP Boakai said he was happy to see the police getting involved in extra activities apart from its statutory responsibility, and called on other institutions in and out of government to see food production as a priority in moving the country from dependency on imported food, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Caption: Ellen, Boakai Hail Police On Agro Initiative (The INQUIRER)

Govt Takes Over Bangladeshi Training Center

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) run Bangladesh-Liberia Friendship Center (BLFC) in Ganta, Nimba County, was on January 2 turned over to the government through the Ministry of Education (MOE). The handing over of the facility is part of UNMIL's drawdown in the country, an official at the ceremony told the Daily Observer. The center was established in 2007 by the UNMIL Bangladeshi Contingent #10 under the command of Lieutenant/Colonel Mohammed Hogue as part of the civilian military's activities to cement the peace at the time. It was also part of the recovery and reintegration process in postwar Liberia. Since it was established, the center has imparted knowledge to over 3,000 Liberians in several disciplines including computer training, tailoring, general repair, carpentry and first aid nursing. According to the daily, although the turning over was symbolic, it brought together several local government officials including Nimba County Superintendent, Fong Zuagele, the County Acting Chief Education Officer, Alfred Dologbay , District Education Officer Lynor Martol as well as some members of the alumni.

Liberia Association President In Kaduna State Dies

According to the In Profile Daily, the Liberian community in Nigeria has lost Ms. Jartu Sackor, who passed away on early New Year’s Day after a brief illness in her 45th year. The late Jartu  who was the President of the Liberian Association of Kaduna State fled Liberia in 2007  with thousands of her compatriots during the Liberian civil war. “Ms. Sackor was the pillar of the Liberian community in Northern Nigeria who will be greatly missed,” said Prof. Al Hassan Conteh, Liberia’s Ambassador to Nigeria.

Related Captions: Liberian Community In Nigeria Loses ‘Very Active’ Member(Daily Observer), Liberian Community In Nigeria Loses Active Member(The INQUIRER)