The Bureau of Public Affairs   

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014

On Today’s newsstand, the dominant stories include, the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels, the call for a State of Emergency as a means of fighting against the deadly Ebola virus by the Liberian House of Senate, the closure of Liberia’s Missions Account in the USA and the approval of US$1.3M for the Mid- Senatorial Election.

Dominant Stories

Foreign Ministry Speaks On Closure Of Bank Accounts Of Liberian Missions In US

The Heritage Newspaper quotes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Statement: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the banking situation obtaining in the United States affecting the Liberian Missions in Washington DC, the Permanent Mission at the United Nations and the Consulate in New York City. According to the statement, the crisis arose from a recent decision taken by banks in the US to terminate their relationship with over 80 diplomatic missions in the US, including Liberia. The Ministry reiterates that the closure of bank accounts is a situation not unique to Liberia, but rather affects 80 other diplomatic missions operating in the United States of which Liberia is part. In the statement, the Foreign Ministry said it is working with the US State Department, the Liberian Missions in DC and New York, US Embassy near Monrovia, as well as the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Liberia to resolve the problem in the shortest possible time. The Ministry recalled that US Commercial Banks  carried out similar action two years ago that affected almost the same number of Diplomatic Missions. The Ministry said interim measures are being worked out to address the issue of payment of salaries and operational needs of the Missions in DC and New York for the next quarter until the banking situation affecting Diplomatic Missions in the US is permanently resolved, reports theHeritage Newspaper.

Related Caption: US Banks Seal Liberia Missions’ Accounts – MOF Launches Restoration Efforts (The Analyst) Liberia Addresses Closure Of US-Based Diplomatic Missions Bank Account(FrontPage Africa Newspaper), and US Closes Liberian Missions’ Accounts (New Dawn Newspaper)

Senators Want State Of Emergency Declared To Curtail Spread Of Ebola

The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its leadership to consult with the leadership of the House of Representatives and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to look at the possibility of declaring a State of Emergency in order to curtail the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia. Plenary is the highest decision making body of the Liberian House of Senate. On Monday of this week, the Government of Liberia (GoL) through Health and Social Welfare Minister, Dr. Walter Gwenigale, confirmed the presence of the deadly Ebola virus in Liberia. According to Minister Gwenigale, two of the five blood samples sent to Lyons, France for testing have tested positive with the Ebola virus, resulting to the death of one person. The first Ebola or Hemorrhagic fever outbreak took place in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1976 and in Sudan between 1976 and 1979. The virus is named after a river in DR Congo. It lasts from two to 21 days and can be transmitted from person-to-person by direct or close contact with infected blood and other body fluids such as saliva, urine and sperm. The plenary of the Senate took the decision on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 during the 22nd day sitting of the Third Session of the upper house. The senators unanimously resolved to “take all necessary steps” to consult both the Liberian Chief Executive and the leadership of the House of Representatives following a motion filed by Maryland County Senator John Ballout. In his motion, the Maryland County lawmaker observed that the virus is deadly and if not taken seriously, would spread across the country. He said Liberia’s borders with its neighboring countries must be closed “beginning with Guinea.” Several Lawmakers also spoke in support of the motion, including Senators Sando Johnson and Geraldine Doe-Sheriff of Bomi and Montserrado Counties respectively. Senator Johnson said the outbreak of the Ebola virus is a “very serious issue”, and therefore, “the Legislature must encourage the President to address the nation” on this issue of national concern. He said the border points of Liberia warrants closure and President Johnson-Sirleaf should speak on the matter; while medical personnel continue to combat the deadly virus in the country, the Heritage reports.

Related Caption: State Of Emergency Looms – As Legislature Plans To Meet Pres. Sirleaf On Ebola Outbreak(INSIGHT Newspaper), Senators Vote For Borders Closure – Want Ellen Addresses Nation; Declare State Of Emergency (Daily Observer), State of Emergency For Liberia? (FOCUS Newspaper), Senators Want Borders Closed (New Democrat), State Of Emergency Suggested…To Prevent Ebola (The NEWS), State Of Emergency Looms – As Ebola Fear Reaches New Heights (The Analyst Newspaper) Senators Want State Of Emergency Declared (Heritage Newspaper), Senate Proposes State Of Emergency (New Dawn Newspaper), and State of Emergency Imminent (The New Republic Newspaper)

Senate Approves US$10.3M – For Senatorial Elections, Seeks House’s Concurrence

The Analyst reports that the euphoria that has characterized the National Elections Commission (NEC) announcement of October as the month for the midterm senatorial election in the country is seemed seep out when the government later announced a budget shortfall which could hinder election, but the Grand Gedeh County Senator Alphonso Gaye suggested that legislative approval of US$10.3 million for the holding of the senatorial elections is the alternative to keep NEC on its schedule. The Grand Gedeh County Senator has already communicated with the Senate Plenary Tuesday, requesting the Senate to vote and approve the US$10.3M for the holding of the 2014 election. According to Senator Gaye, the government is experiencing budgetary shortfall after the passage of the 2013/2014 National Budget of about US$55M, targeted amount has not been raised due to reasons that remain unexplained.

Related Captions: Senators Approves US$10.3M (Analyst Newspaper), US$10.2M Needed for Senatorial Election (New Dawn Newspaper), and Gov’t To Borrow Money For Special Election(The Inquirer Newspaper)

Ellen off to Europe on visits to Brussels, Rome & Paris

President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf has departed the country on official visits to Belgium, Italy and France. According to an Executive Mansion release, the first leg of the Liberian leader’s visit takes her to Brussels, Belgium where she will attend the 4th European Union (EU) - Africa Summit. The summit, which takes place from April 2 to 3, 2014, brings together the Heads of State and Government of the EU and the African continent, together with the EU and African Union institutions. Under the theme: “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace” participants will discuss topics including education and training, women and youth, legal and illegal migrant flows between both continents, ways to stimulate growth and create jobs, investing in peace and ways to enhance EU support for African capacities to manage security on the continent. Previous summits took place in Cairo, Egypt (2000), Lisbon, Portugal (2007) and Tripoli, Libya (2010). EU-Africa relations are largely based on the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, adopted in 2007. Alongside this strategy, a 2011-2013 action plan, agreed at the last EU-Africa summit in 2010, sets out concrete targets within specific areas of cooperation, such as peace and security, democratic governance and human rights. The 2014 summit will be an opportunity to take a fresh look at the EU-Africa partnership, to highlight some of the results that have been achieved, and to explore areas for future cooperation. While in Brussels, President Sirleaf will also hold a number of bilateral meetings. On Thursday, April 3, President Sirleaf travels to Rome, Italy. During her stay, President Sirleaf will hold a joint working meeting with the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, Ertharin Cousin; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General, José Graziano da Silva; and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President, Kanayo Nwanze. She will later hold individual bilateral meetings with the three officials. The Liberian leader will deliver the Keynote Address at a Special Event on the Post-2015 Development Agenda at the WFP Headquarters on Friday, April 4. She will later meet with Italian Government officials, including Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano; President of the Senate, Pietro Grasso; President of the Chamber of Deputies, Laura Boldrini; and the Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, among others. The Liberian leader is expected to meet with former Honorary Consul Generals of Liberia, Liberian embassy staff and the Liberian community in Rome and hold bilateral meetings. On the last leg of her European visit, President Sirleaf will attend the Global Water Awards Ceremony and deliver the Keynote Address at the Global Water Day event in Paris, France on Monday, April 7. While President Sirleaf is away from the country, the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Morris Dukuly will chair the Cabinet in consultation with Vice President Dr. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. She is expected back Tuesday, April 8, the Heritage Newspaper reports.

Related Caption: EU – Africa Summit Opens In Brussels (New Democrat), Sirleaf Calls For Global Front To Halt Violence-Joins HLP On Fragile States To Launch Report (The Analyst), EU-Africa Summit Underway (Daily Observer), and Two-Day EU-Africa Summit Opens In Brussels (New Dawn Newspaper)

Gov’t Confirms Ebola In Liberia

The Government of Liberia (GoL) has confirmed the presence of the deadly Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) in Liberia. Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys and chimpanzees) that has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976. The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognized. The virus is one of two members of a family of RNA viruses called the Filoviridae. Three of the four species of Ebola virus identified so far have caused disease in humans: Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan, and Ebola-Ivory Coast. The fourth, Ebola-Reston, has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.  Making the pronouncement at a special press briefing at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia on Monday, Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale, said seven specimens from targeted people in Lofa County were sent to a field laboratory in Conakry, Guinea for testing, and two specimens tested positive. 

According to Dr. Gwenigale, the two people were of a woman that died and her sister who took care of her; but is still alive. The Health Minister said the woman rode in a taxi with other passengers from Foya on Friday to see her husband who works for Firestone in Margibi County; something he said has claimed the attention of the Government, because the virus can be contracted through close contact with an infected person.  Dr. Gwenigale further disclosed that the Government is also concerned about the taxi driver who allowed the infected woman to sleep in his house in Chicken Soup Factory in Gardnersville, because they got to Harbel very late, adding “this poses a very serious health risk to not only to his family, but also to that densely populated community."  He said the sick woman who was taken to her husband in Firestone on Sunday morning by the same taxi driver, was taken to a nearby clinic for treatment by her husband who later took her home. He said the Ministry of Health has set up a medical team in Firestone to treat the entire household except for the kids who were not at home when the woman was there.  Minister Gwenigale disclosed that the Ministry of Health has also traced and located the taxi driver and his home, and is seriously keeping surveillance on him and his entire family, in order to avoid the spread of the virus.  Minister Gwenigale pointed out that the disease is so deadly to the point that it would kill 90% of the people who contact it, writes the Heritage

Newspaper.Related Stories: World Health Organization Assures Support To Gov’t In The Fight Against Ebola: According to the Heritage Newspaper, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Director, Dr. Nestor Ndayimirije, has reaffirmed his institution's support to the Government of Liberia (GoL) in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus. He made the statement at a joint press conference held at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia on Monday along with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. Dr. Ndayimirije said the WHO has provided technical assistance to the Health Ministry since news broke of the death of five persons from the deadly Ebola virus in Lofa County. According to the WHO official, the UN agency rendered emergency support to a medical team from the Ministry of Health that was sent to Lofa County as news of the Ebola virus circulated in the country. He said WHO has also constructed a field laboratory in Guekedou and Conakry in neighboring Guinea to test for Ebola. The WHO official, however, called on Liberians to follow tips that will help them in successfully responding to an Ebola outbreak. Dr. Ndayimirije said Liberians should avoid fear, panic and denial, and provide good and timely information, be transparent in providing information on all operations, focus at the most affected areas, especially recent ones, be flexible and able to adjust strategy as things may change in the course of the outbreak. He also called on Liberians to investigate in a timely manner rumors and suspected areas of Ebola, as well as give special attention to traditional healers and practices, vendors of bush meats such as monkeys and chimpanzees, cleaners and drivers of ambulances, among others. Another caption from the New Democrat Newspaper: Ebola Strips Muslim Pilgrims – As Visa Suspended For Liberia, Guinea reports that this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca may be impossible as Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the suspension of visas for Muslim pilgrims from guinea and Liberia, two African countries hit by an outbreak of the deadly Ebola epidemic. The “preventive” measure came at the request of the Saudi health ministry “due to the danger of the disease and it’s highly contagious” nature, state news agency spa reported.

Related Captions: Deadly Ebola Virus Fears (Focus Newspaper), Ebola Outbreak in Guinea, Unprecedented (Daily Observer), and WHO Assures Support To Gov’t In Ebola Fight (Analyst Newspaper, Heritage Newspaper and Insight Newspaper)

Freak Storm Leaves One Dead In Lofa County

A man believed to be in his late fifties, Forkpa Keleko, died instantly when the branch of a tree fell on him while returning from his farm during a storm in Jarboimai Town, Voinjama District in Lofa County. A close friend of the deceased, John Jallah told the Liberia News Agency (LINA) that the branch broke as a result of the heavy storm which hit the area Saturday evening. 
Mr. Jallah told LINA that he and others were members of a five-man team that had gone to brush Keleko’s rice farm that fateful day.  He explained that after the day’s work, Keleko decided to go ahead to make hot water for their evening bath, and that they too decided to leave the area when they noticed that a storm was gathering.   He said on their way, however, they saw the tree branch lying on Keleko with his neck and arms broken.    They buried him the next day, Jallah narrated.  He recalled that this is the second time such an incident has happened in the area.  
He explained that a similar incident occurred in the area in January 2014, when a storm destroyed three rice kitchens, leaving 23-year-old Weedor Garwu seriously wounded, Heritage reports.

Related Caption: Storm Leaves One Dead (The NEWS), Freak Storm Leaves One Dead In Lofa County (IN PROFILE DAILY, and Heritage Newspaper)

Other Stories  

Chinese Experts Here To Train AFL Engineering Unit 

According to the Inquirer Newspaper, eight Chinese professional and military experts were yesterday expected in the County to begin the training of some personnel of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai told journalists yesterday in Monrovia that the Chinese will train the Engineering Unit of the army on the “operation and maintenance” of several military equipment donated recently by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, donated several engineering equipment valued US$4M to the Government of Liberia to be used by the Engineering Unit of the army.

US Embassy Donates Law Books To Law School

The Embassy of the United States of America (USA) accredited near Monrovia through PAE on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 donated a consignment of Basic Study Books on Constitutional Law and International Law to the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute. The James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute is located at Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill, Monrovia. Speaking at ceremony making the donation of the books, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Sheila Parkman, the books serve as a great resource and learning aid, noting that they will assist the Judicial Institute in its mission to strengthen the capacity of the Judiciary. According to her, the content of the book was developed by the Judiciary institute itself-testament to the talent and ability of the institute to develop material tailored to the needs of Liberians.  The US diplomat pointed out that Liberia faces many challenges in the justice system, and as such, strengthening the rule of law and criminal justice system are key priorities of the US Government. “As UNMIL transitions, Liberians will assume more and more responsibility for the security and stability of their country. While the military and police are key elements, we must not overlook the importance of a well-functioning court system that can provide justice and uphold the rule of law,” said the US Diplomat. Also speaking, PAE’s Special Legal Advisor for Justice Sector Support/Liberia, Mr. Ralph Overtholt, urged the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute to use the donated books for the intended purposes. He said the books are meant to keep the public informed and knowledgeable about the laws. For his part, the Acting Executive Director of the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute, Attorney Moses Soribah, lauded the US Embassy through PAE for the kind gesture and promised to use the books for the intended purposes. “We are grateful to you for filling these gaps. I hope that through our partnership, there will be printing of other books in the future,” he added. GLABA To Conduct Training On Financial Intelligence Analysis, Facilitate Anti-Money Laundering   Stakeholders’ Dialogue In Liberia. The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will organize a 3-day national training on financial intelligence analysis for the officials of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Liberia from Wednesday April 2 to Friday April 4, 2014. GIABA will also facilitate a Financial Sector Chief Executives’ Dialogue on Tuesday April 8, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The training workshop is part of an on-going mentorship programme and is designed to strengthen the human capacity of the Liberian FIU, especially in the areas of analysis, the pens the Heritage Newspaper.

UL Students Get International Scholarship

Five aspiring journalists at the University of Liberia (UL) have been awarded scholarships from the J.P. Hicks Family Journalism Mass Communications Scholarship, representing the fourth group of students to receive the scholarship. Present during the ceremony at the University of Liberia included Weade Kobbah-Wureh, as Chairman of the University’s Mass Communication Department, and Jonathan P. Hicks, founder of the scholarship, who traveled from New York City to Monrovia for the event among others, the FOCUS Newspaper reports.

 5,000 Students Qualify To Write WASSCE Thursday – As WAEC Phases Out

Daily Observer reports that the 5,034 students, who registered to sit this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will begin writing the exams on Thursday, the head of the National Office (HNO) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Monrovia, has confirmed. Reading from prepared lists of statistics regarding the number of registered students lateTuesday evening, April 1, at his Congo Town office, Mr. John Y. Gayvolor, Sr., disclosed that of the number of registered students, 2,569 are males constituting 51.03 percent, while 2,495 are females, who constitute 48.97 percent. To this number, Mr. Gayvolor reported an increment of 765 or 17.92 percent, against the number of students that sat the test last academic year. Unlike last year when students who sat the WASSCE represented 32 schools only in Montserrado and Margibi counties, this year students, who were registered are in three counties and from 47 schools.

BIN Officers Warned

The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) has warned of drastic action against BIN personnel caught in transgressing the law. The Bureau stressed that every alien has a right to live in the country once he or she meets all requirements, hence no alien should be harassed by Immigration officers. Commissioner Abla G. Williams gave the warning recently during the formal launch of “voluntary registration” exercise for aliens in Ganta, Nimba County. The ceremony, which brought together scores of public officials, including BIN county commanders, kicked-off last Saturday, March 29, 2013 in Ganta. “This process is not for money making, but to document data of aliens in our country. Therefore, no personnel or officer should harass them for money business,” the BIN Boss further warned. She said any BIN officer caught doing such would be dealt with drastically in accordance with the code of conduct of the Bureau. The Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) was established in January 1956 following the passage of an Act of the Legislature in 1955. As a para-military organization, it is a component of the Ministry of Justice, charged with the responsibility of enforcing the aliens and nationality law of Liberia. The Bureau forms an integral part of the joint security commission of the country, working in collaboration with other state security agencies such as the police and the army, among others, New Dawn says.

 Port Of Buchanan Meets ISPS Code

The Port of Buchanan, operated by the National Port Authority (NPA), has met the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), which serves as a guarantee to shippers and crew against security risks. The ISPS code is a measure implemented through international convention for the safety of life at sea. With the putting into place of this measure at the Port of Buchanan, ships and vessels will be protected and placed on Level One that does not call for manual checking of vessels, personnel on board and port users as well as vehicles and visitors. Disclosing this to the Liberia News Agency (LINA) recently, the Manager of the Port of Buchanan, Mr. Patrick M. Konneh, said “because of these measures, ships and vessels docking at the port have increased on a yearly basis”. Konneh said in 2013, the Buchanan Port received 138 vessels, compared to 110 in 2012. He said the number of vessels docking at the port is expected to increase in 2014 because in January, the port received 15 vessels, February it served 11 and 17 in March which, he noted, is encouraging. Konneh also disclosed that a Master Plan has been drawn up by the National Port Authority (NPA) to build a modern container park and expand the port facilities to meet international standard. Currently, the port has four berths, with a total area of 16,407 acres, comprising a land area of 15,552.50 acres and an offshore area of 854.50 acres. According to Konneh, the Commercial Pier at the Port of Buchanan forms an integral part of the infrastructure configuration of the Harbor of Buchanan, with mainly logging and rubber concessions creating sufficient demand for the commercial quay. The Port of Buchanan is located about 272km from Monrovia, the Liberian capital, and is the second largest of the four ports under the National Port Authority. It was built between 1963-64 to facilitate the shipment of iron ore and mining operations of the then LAMCO J.V. Company, the Heritage reports.

For Liberia’s Developing Agricultural Sector: New Agriculture Diploma Expected To Increase The Supply Of Valuable Skills

According to the Heritage Newspaper, In partnership with the Ministry of Education, the USAID Food and Enterprise Development (FED) Program has developed Liberia’s first market-based, regionally integrated vocational training program in agriculture. In September 2014, the National Diploma for Agriculture will go into effect at four USAID FED-supported Centers of Excellence in Agriculture located at the Nimba, Lofa and Grand Bassa County Community Colleges and at the Booker T. Washington Institute. The National Diploma for Agriculture (NDA) is an innovative, skills-focused two-year Vocational Diploma that prepares high school graduates to move directly into agricultural employment in the formal sector or through entrepreneurship.  Students will graduate with marketable, in-demand skills that will give them expanded employment options tied to the country’s growing agricultural market and industry needs. USAID FED’s Centers of Excellence in Agriculture will lead the practical training program through demonstration farms, extension services and showcasing of best practices and innovations in agri-business. The new diploma is the country’s first fully-approved ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) curriculum and represents an important step towards regional integration. “The agriculture diploma is perhaps most important for Liberia’s workforce.  The new diploma will be a valuable part of the process to equip Liberian farmers with practical skills in order to support the growing agricultural sector and improve long term sustainability of farming,” says the MoE’s Director of Technical Vocational Education and Training, Saku Dukuly. USAID FED and the Ministry of Education (MoE) used Nigeria’s vocational agriculture curriculum as a foundation adapting it to the Liberian context, market demands and needs of Liberia’s youth. In addition to core courses like Crop Cultivation, Irrigation, Soil Science and Animal Husbandry, the Liberian diploma program includes essential knowledge and skills-building in key areas of Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Communications. “These skills are critical to the needs of a post-conflict Liberia in the process of rebuilding its agricultural markets and connecting them to the region. The National Diploma for Agriculture will improve overall capacity of future farmers;  the added bonus is that Liberian youth will also acquire the skills, such as record keeping and financial management, needed to create a business,” says USAID FED Chief of Party, Agnes Luz.

UNMIL Constructs Court, Police Depot In Weasua

United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has completed construction work on the Weasua Town Magisterial Court and Police Depot, under its Quick Impact Projects in Gbarpolu County. Disclosing this to the Liberia News Agency (LINA) at the weekend, an official of the UNMIL Civil Affairs Section in Bopolu City, Mr. Francis Nyenpan, said the combined cost of the two structures is about US$50,000. He said the construction of the facilities followed a careful assessment by UNMIL in the Weasua belt, which necessitated the projects to enhance the justice system in that part of the county. According to Mr. Nyenpan, the Magisterial Court contains offices for a Judge, Clerk, Clerical staff and rest rooms, while the Police Depot has several offices, rest rooms and prison cells. Meanwhile, several officials of the county, including the Circuit Court Judge George Wiles, Assistant Superintendent for Development, Yassah Karmon-Fallah; County Attorney Stephen Kerwilliams; Police Commander Jacob Comehn and PSU Commander Prince Hena, have visited Weasua to inspect the buildings. At the same time, citizens of Weasua have commended UNMIL for constructing the structures in their area. They said the buildings will help to speed up the administration of justice, the absence of which has, over the years, hampered the rule of law, the Heritage reports.