The Bureau of Public Affairs   

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014

The signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Liberia and Former President Obansanjo Foundation, the establishment of Health Equity Fund as proposed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the settlement of differences between  Liberia Football Association and Sports Writers Association of Liberia association are among   stories dominating today’s newsstand.

Ellen Considers Health Equity Fund

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says if Liberia is to achieve Universal Health Coverage, it must begin to build a sustainable health financing system through domestic financing for the health sector. Addressing the opening of the 15th Ordinary Meeting of the Assembly of ECOWAS Health Ministers at the Monrovia City Hall on Friday, April 11, President Sirleaf said government is working to improve the health and social welfare status of all Liberians on an equitable basis in the face of major challenges. A statement issued by the Executive Mansion on Sunday, April 13 says President Sirleaf admitted that it will be a daunting task considering the multiple needs of a country undergoing reconstruction, but she insists however that it must be done. She disclosed that consideration is now being given for the establishment of a Liberia Health Equity Fund – a new funding mechanism that will help to pay for health care for all Liberians on an equitable basis, with everyone having access to the same services regardless of their location or financial standing. She named inadequate financing for drugs, facility construction, health workers incentives, poor-quality service delivery, financial constraints of the population themselves, especially the poor; unbalanced service provision across counties sometimes in the light of transport difficulties, and declining contributions from international partners as some of the major challenges facing the  health sector. “Achieving Universal Health Coverage takes time and perseverance for it involves accessibility, affordability and quality of service,” she said, adding that government is endeavoring to realize this through strong political commitment at all levels including the highest level in the society. She reminded the audience of the commitment she made when she addressed the 63rd World Health Assembly in Geneva that people should not have to die simply because they are poor; and pledged to find mechanisms to continue to allow Liberians to access the health care they need without having to pay up-front fees. The Liberian leader commended the health team for the services they are rendering free of charge in all of the rural areas, though sometimes not the quality, but certainly expanding in a way that they know that if patients do have some urgent health problem they can go to a health service center and get immediate and urgent care until they can be transferred to facilities that require much more attention. “We realize that free health care is not free; someone has to pay for it,” she pointed out; adding that it has to be paid through other forms of taxes and through the mobilization of resources. In a message read on his behalf by the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Nestor Ndayimirje, the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo said despite the progress made in the last 15 to 20 years, populations in the African region still suffer from the devastating burden of several diseases such as malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, meningitis, cholera and other diarrheal diseases, viral hemorrhagic fevers, among others which are obstacles to achieving Universal Coverage and the Millennium Development Goals. He urged African countries to seriously embrace the “One Health Approach” considering the fact that over 70 percent of the emerging and reemerging diseases originate from animals which is true for Ebola, Marburg and Lassa fever. The Chairperson of the Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS, Ivorian Health Minister, Dr. Raymonde Coffie; the Director-General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) Dr. Xavier Crespin; and on behalf of the President of ECOWAS,  Dr.Fatimata Dia Sow made remarks at the program, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption:  Pres. Sirleaf Addresses ECOWAS Health Ministers (The Analyst), Pres. Sirleaf Addresses ECOWAS Health Ministers In Liberia (FrontPage Africa), Liberia To Establish Health Equity Fund Soon – As Pres. Sirleaf Addresses ECOWAS Health Ministers (INSIGHT)

Obansanjo Foundation Targets Liberian Girls’ Education

The Liberian Government and the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation or OFF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formulate and implement a series of projects here under human security. The OFF, a Foundation for Nigeria’s former president Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo will, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU signed with the Liberian government, implement projects in technical areas, particularly including girls education as well as health, food and nutrition security, youth employment and leadership. Prior to the signing of the MOU Sunday, April 13, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf described the MOU as a big contribution to Liberia’s development, adding that the initiative will support Liberia in its efforts to train young women particularly in technical fields to enable them to enhance their employment potentials. Liberia’s Education Minister Etmonia David-Tarpeh called the technical and vocational training programs a dream come true, as she recalled that the government has done a lot trying to get girls rehabilitated to a large extent and give them the opportunities especially for going to school. For his part, Nigeria’s Former Head of State Mr. Olunsengon Obansajo said the foundation has set its sight on five areas of importance which are all good under human security. He named girls education in particular, youth employment, health, food and nutrition security, and leadership. On the African Continent, he said girls are still found at the disadvantage of cultural practices, suggesting that unless “we stand up and do something about it, it will continue to hold us back in our development effort.” Mr. Obansanjo disclosed that the initiative here will include education, health, food and nutrition security, youth employment and leadership. At the signing ceremony, Mr. Obasanjo signed on behalf of his Foundation, while Education Minister, Mrs. Etmonia Tarpeh, signed on behalf of the Liberian Government. The MOU states that GOL and OOF will work in partnership on developing education programs focusing on the Gender Responsive Accelerated Vocational Technical Program or GRAVTP; support the GRAVTP program, the School Development Program, as well as support STEM Skills Acquisition Program and Teacher Training Scheme and Community Awareness Program. It continues that both parties will promote projects of an acceptable commercial nature in the areas of infrastructure and agriculture with the goal of increasing employment for the youth of Liberia; support programs that will promote health awareness, particularly concerning non-communicable diseases; and any other activities and programs in areas of mutual interests which the Parties may jointly devise. As regards the area and scope of collaboration, the GOL shall develop and assist OOF to mobilize resources and develop strategic plans to generate funding from regional, bilateral and multilateral agencies. The GOL will develop, implement and monitor a coherent mobilization effort through maintaining dialogue and strengthening relations with major donor agreements, expectations and expanding the donor base; encourage the Ministries of Education, Gender and Development and other GOL agencies to advice on innovative fund raising strategy and identifying strategic development opportunities; among others. The duration of this MOU is for ten (10) years from the date of the last signature; however, either Party may terminate the MOU by giving three months prior notice to the other Party, the New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: GoL, Obasjano Foundation Sign MOU (The Analyst), Obasjano Foundation Sign MOU With Liberian Government (FrontPage Africa), GOL, Olusegun Obasjano Foundation Sign MOU Targeting Human Security Initiatives (INSIGHT)

LFA, SWAL Resolve Differences

The Sports Writers Association of Liberia and Liberia Football Association (LFA) have  mutually agreed to immediately cut off the blackouts placed upon each other in the follow up to the LFA Congress in Buchanan. The decision followed a 4-hour mediation effort at the Headquarters of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) in Monrovia. During the discussions, the two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to working together in promoting football in Liberia. The LFA was represented at the session by its President Musa Bility, PRO Henry Flomo and Security Chief Victor Gboyah; SWAL was represented by its President Roland Mulbah, Zoegar Jaynes and Eddie Harmon, while PUL President Abdullai Kamara and Vice President Jallah Grayfield led the mediation, the Heritage reports.

Related Caption: LFA, SWAL Resolve Differences, End Blackout (The Reporter), SWAL & LFA Setle Impasse (FOCUS)

Other Stories

Register Or Face Suspension…Gov’t Urges Media Houses

The Liberian Government through the Ministry of Information is encouraging media houses to undergo the annual registration with the ministry or face suspension of their operations. Speaking last Thursday at the ministry’s regular weekly press briefing, Acting Minister Isaac W. Jackson said every media institution operating in the country is required to register annually with the ministry, something, he said, is yet to be fulfilled by many media institutions, the Heritage reports.

Related Caption: Media Houses Risk Closure (FOCUS)

Chinese Envoy Visits Labor Ministry

The Heritage newspaper reveals that the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Yue Zhang says his Embassy will serve as adviser to Chinese Companies operating in Liberia to ensure that they abide by the laws of the Republic of Liberia, especially those related to employment. He expressed his Embassy’s willingness to intervene whenever there are labor disputes at Chinese owned companies in the country. The Chinese Ambassador noted that employment is one of the benefits for local communities and will encourage Chinese Companies to employ more Liberians in their companies which he also considered less expensive than bringing in foreign laborers.

Liberians Want Presidential, Legislative Terms Reduced

The Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), Cllr. Gloria M. Scott, has disclosed that Liberians want certain articles in the 1986 Constitution amended. She said Liberians are suggesting reduction of the presidential term from six to four years, the senior senatorial term from six to four years, the Senior Senatorial term from nine to six years and the tenure of members of the House of Representatives from six to four years. Cllr. Scott said through the ongoing nation-wide consultations, Liberians are seeking a new governance system in Liberia. The CRC Chairperson made the disclosure in an interview with Liberia News Agency (LINA) at the Women Political Forum launched by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Cllr. Scott also disclosed that Liberians are seeking decentralization of the governance process, the Heritage asserts.

 Gedeh-Gee Land  Dispute – Former River Gee Official Calls For Govt. Intervention

Former Development Superintendent of Rivergee County, Jackson C. Nyepan is appealing to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to set up a special presidential committee to address the land dispute between the people of Grand Gedeh Counties before it gets off hand. According to the former River-Gee official, land between the two counties is growing beyond proportion. He accused the citizens of Grand Gedeh of continuing farming by shifting cultivation and constructing what he referred to as modern tents and houses on River-Gee’s Killepo Land, the Analyst newspapers reports.

40 Scholarships For Young Politicians

 The Calabrian Institute of International Politics (IsCaPI), the creator and international coordinator of the Pitagora Mundus Project, has provided 40 scholarships to the Liberian Government. An Executive Mansion release said the offer was announced by the Institute’s President, Dr. Salvatore La Porta at a meeting with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during her recent visit to Rome, Italy. Briefing the Liberian leader about the scholarships, Dr. La Porta said twenty (20) selected teenagers between the ages of 14 to 16 years will attend Italian high schools in the 2014/2015 academic year; while the remaining twenty (20) students will attend during 2015/2016 academic year. They will be admitted to professional courses, in order to acquire a specific qualification in one of the following sectors: agriculture, industry, wood industry and tourism. He said the Project, which is expected to last for three years, renewable for two additional years,  will enable Italian and Liberian students interact with each other, with peers from different cultures, lifestyles, religion, language and customs, enriching their knowledge and at the same time becoming global citizens. On responsibilities, he said the Liberian Government will guarantee the presence of at least one tutor for the 20 students who will assume the role of linguistic and cultural mediator, and who will accompany the students for the entire duration of the school year; provide round trip air tickets for students and tutor accompanying them each school year; a monthly remuneration for the Liberian escort teacher for the duration of the school year; an annual flat-rate funding of €1,000 per student, to be administered by IsCaPI, aimed at organizing extracurricular activities and supplementary courses of Italian language, in addition to administrative support and coordination; funding for medical insurance coverage and residence permits. The Schools are committed to providing education and training according to the guidelines defined by the new regulations of upper secondary school; report the outcome to the Liberian partner regarding the learning process and behavior of students in correspondence with the feedback given by the school; provide to the tutor a monthly report in reference to the attendance, absences of any nature and causes of delays regarding students; The Municipalities will provide the students meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), lodging, transportation, laundry, room cleaning, internet, electricity supply water and heating, even during holiday periods and/or suspension of educational activities. The IsCaPI will guarantee the general coordination of the Project in Italy; coordinate the mediation of cultural, linguistic, social and extracurricular activities in the area; as well as administrative and logistic assistance to students. President Sirleaf thanked Dr. La Porta for the scholarship and promised that deserving Liberians will take advantage of the opportunity through a competitive process, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Receives 40 Scholarships From The Calabrian Institute (the Analyst)

Foreign Medical Doctors In Town

The Reporter newspaper says authorities of the Redemption Hospital situated in New Kru Town, Bushrod Island, have begun intensive renovation of key departments at that medical institution. Mr. Tobias Bowen, General Administrator of the Redemption Hospital, named the OP, Out-Patient and IPD, In-Patient Departments of the hospital are units currently being renovated. According to Mr. Bowen, the on-going renovation of the OP, Out-Patient and IPD, In-Patient Departments are meant to give the hospital further face-lift.  In a related development, several medical doctors from abroad are in the country to commence phase two training for students at the postgraduate medical school, Mr. Bowen disclosed.

Pres. Sirleaf Urges Task Force of Ebola to be Vigilant

An inside story of the Daily Observer newspaper says the in the wake of the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has urged the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare’s task force to be vigilant in the fight of the virus. Speaking at the a special program on Wednesday, April 9, Madam Sirleaf explained that the Health Ministry and its partners have kept her fully abreast with their intervention since it was officially announced that it has crossed over from neighboring Guinea. The President said her understanding is that the disease is not spreading since its outbreak late March of this year and there were effective actions in place by the MOH and other partners including the World Health organization (WHO) in ending the plague in Liberia.

‘Team Liberia’ Returns to Heroes’ Welcome

The gathering afternoon heat reduced as the Asky Aircraft torched down at the James Springs Pane Airfield, among others, with the 9-man Team Liberia last Thursday afternoon. The Liberians reached the quarter-finals, losing to Burundi and meanwhile played another friendly with the United States, beating the Americans 3-1. At last Thursday’s arrival, their parents were on hand to shower their gratitude and to welcome their heroes back home. The children are part of a larger group picked from the streets by Street Child Liberia, a non for profit organization, with support from Street Child UK, the Daily Observer writes.

Liberia Latvia Establishes Diplomatic Ties

Liberia and Latvia last Thursday established diplomatic relations in New York, LETA was informed by the Foreign Ministry.  A Joint Communiqué on establishing diplomatic relations between both countries was signed on behalf of Latvia by the Latvian Ambassador to the UN in New York Janis Mazelike and on behalf of Liberia, by the Liberian Ambassador to the UN in New York Marjon Kamara. During their meeting, the Ambassadors expressed satisfaction over the establishment of diplomatic relations that will further promote the already existing good cooperation at the bilateral level as well as in the framework of international organizations, the New Republic.

Gov’t Bans Use Of Monofilament Nets

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Agriculture has banned the importation of monofilament nets and its use by fishermen in Liberian waters. Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Information Minister Isaac W. Jackson described the monofilament nets as dangerous to marine life and must not be used in the country’s territorial waters. Monofilament nets, Minister Jackson said, are made of plastic material mostly used by fishermen because it is efficient, strong, durable and invisible under water. He said the net is dangerous to many marine species, including dolphins and turtles, and that the Agriculture Ministry has been alerted to seize such nets and arrest fishermen caught using it in any part of the country, reports the In Profile Daily Newspaper.

Catholic Archbishop Zeigler Opposes Same – Sex Marriage

The In Profile Daily Newspaper pens that Catholic Archbishop of Monrovia Lewis J. Zeigler has warned Liberians against same sex marriage, if the country is to avoid the calamities that have confronted it in the past. Bishop Zeigler made the statement Friday when he served as the Keynote Speaker at program marking the observance of National Fast and Prayer Day under the auspices of the Liberia Council of Churches held at the First Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia.

UNMIL Launches 10-Day Awareness

The Department for Community Outreach at the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has launched a ten-day awareness on the prevention and spread of the virus Ebola across the country. Following the launch of the campaign over the weekend in Monrovia, the head of the Department, Ousman Ben Sankor said the awareness is intended to educate citizens across the country on how to prevent themselves against the deadly disease, pens the In Profile Daily Newspaper.