The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014

Today’s lone dominant story captured from the local dailies is the news of Baptists gearing up for the observance of 100^th Annual convention.

Dominant Story

Baptists Gear Up For Major Convention

A sub back lead of the Heritage newspaper says Baptists from across Liberia and other parts of the world are gearing up for the observance of the 100^th Annual Convention, Inc. This years’s historic celebration will be carried out under the theme: “The Renewed Call to Follow Christ” with Matthew chapter 16 and verse 24 as reference text. Events marking the celebration will run from the 9^th through the 30^th of March 2014. Key events of the celebration include but not limited to the following: Thanksgiving & Worship Services, Baptist Wald which will climax with a series of sporting events, Dinner, honoring service of stalwart supporters of LBMECs success; fund raising as well as other activities befitting this historic occasion. The above stated events will occur at various locations to include the Good Hope Baptist Church in Marshall Township, the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary on Roberts’s Field High and First Baptist Church in Edina, Grand Bassa County respectively.

Related Caption: Baptists Prepare For 100^th Annual Session (Heritage)

Other Stories

President Off To AU Summit

A sub front page lead of today’s edition of the New Democrat newspaper report that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf departed the country on Tuesday for official visits to Ethiopia and Malawi. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf will first visit Ethiopia, where she will attend the 22^ndOrdinary session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), scheduled to take place at the new AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa from January 30 to 31. During the Summit, the Heads of State and Government will launch 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security, marking the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme. Items on the agenda for consideration include the port of activities of the AU Peace and Security Council and the state of peace and security in Africa, as well as the activities of the Panel of the Wise alongside the renewal of its membership.

Boakai Wants TRC Recommendations Implemented

The front page lead story of the Daily Observer newspaper reads that Vice President Joseph N. Boakai says the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendations need to be implemented in order to resolve problems facing the country. The Commission came into being as a result of the Comprehensive Accra Peace Accor (CPA) that put an end to the 14 years civil conflict in Liberia. In 2010, the TRC concluded its operations and made several recommendations to the national government. Some of the recommendations included, “banning the few Liberians responsible for insecurity in the country for 30 years from holding public office, establishing an Independent National Human Rights Commission and conducting palava hut discussions across the country to resolve political, social and ethnic differences.” In an exclusive interview with Daily Observer recently in Monrovia, the Vice President indicated that recommendations from the Commission should be dealt with in order to promote stability. Though he failed to name which among the recommendations should be implemented, according to the Daily Observer.

Commerce Ministry Working To Address Trade Deficit

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says the Ministry of Commerce is exploring ways to address the growing trade deficit and the difficult situation faced by consumers who are experiencing the negative consequences of the exchange rate depreciation. President Sirleaf noted that the situation highlights the urgent need to expand the country’s export sector and diversify the nation’s economy away from traditional exports to new value added sectors. According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), the President spoke Monday when she delivered her ninth State of the Nation before the 53^rd National Legislature at the Capitol Building on Capitol Hill on the theme “Consolidating the Processes of Transformation”, the Heritage newspaper reports.

Mining Firm Western Cluster Provides Free Medication

The Western Cluster Mobile Health Team has provided free medication to residents of Williams Community in Tubmanburg, the provincial capital of Bomi County. Making the donation on behalf of the company, the Coordinator of the Mobile Health Team. Mr. Isaac Gray said the gesture is a demonstration of the company’s desire to identify with the sick in the area. Mr. Gray promised that the company will respond to the calls of communities in Tubmanburg, including the Williams Community for health assistances. According to the ‘Liberia News Agency, Mr. Gray made the statement on Monday when he paid a one-day visit to the community in Tubmanburg, the Heritage newspaper writes.

Bomi Motorcyclists Get Computer Training

The Coordinator of the Bomi County Youth Center, Mr. George Karnley, has disclosed that the center is engaged in providing computer literacy to its members. He said 35 youths are currently being trained in computer literacy at the center, after which they will be provided job opportunities. Speaking in an interview with the Liberia News Agency in Tubmanburg Monday, Mr. Karnley observed that there are fewer job opportunities for individuals who lack computer knowledge in the country. The youth coordinator said the center is focusing on young people who are operators of motorcycles to acquire computer skills, so that they can have alternative means to sustain themselves, the Heritage newspaper reveals.

Fire Service Begins Awareness Campaign

A top inside lead story of the Heritage newspaper asserts that the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has launched a three-month nation-wide awareness and sensitization campaign on fire prevention under the theme “Stop the Fire Before it occurs”. According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), this was disclosed to reporters Tuesday by the Director of Public Affairs of the LNFS, Colonel Jassah Garyah, at the LNFS’ Carey Street office in Monrovia. She said the exercise comes in the wake of increasing fire incidents in the country as highlighted in the LNFS statistics for 2013. In a report released two months ago, the LNFS indicated that fire destroyed about USD1.8 million worth of property across the country during the period January to September 2013.

FEJAL, LIWOMAC Want Women Promoted In Governance

The Female Journalist of Liberia FeJAL and partner Liberia Women Media Action Committee LIWOMAC have ended a two day conference with the theme: "Promoting Women in Governance."

 The workshop, which started Tuesday, January 28, brought together some key panelists like Madam Ruth Ceaser, chairperson Liberia, National Women Political Forum, Mr. Nathaniel McGill Secretary General for Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Maureen Sieh, Senior Media Specialist (IREX-Liberia and others, the The Daily Observer newspaper reports.

LWSC Pumps 6m Gallons of Pipe-bone Water into Monrovia

The Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) is now pumping more than six million gallons into greater Monrovia’s hard to reach communities. Addressing reporters at a press conference after the presentation of certificates to 20 LWSC personnel, Managing Director Charles B. Allen intimated that the entity has embarked on an ambitious expansion program.