The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014

Stories dominating the local dailies as captured in our summary today include Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan’s commendation of the leadership of the Liberian Christian Association of the Blind,President Johnson Sirleaf’s call for Liberians to venture into business,Commerce Minister Axel Addy’s call for investment to be strengthened in the country among others.

DOMINANT STORIES

Minister Ngafuan Lauds Blind Association’s Farsighted Leadership

The FrontPage Africa quote a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has applauded the Liberian Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) through its President, Mr. Beyan Kota for its farsighted leadership and the tremendous humanitarian work the Association continues to provide by catering to the needs of blind brothers and sisters in the country. The Foreign Minister who spoke during a ceremony marking the Association’s 5th General Assembly held in Paynesville on Friday, April 25, 2014, lauded the Association for not only working for the social and material needs of the blind, but for also inspiring hope in them and building their consciousness on “the fact that you are blind does not mean you cannot succeed in whatever you do or in life generally”.  He said to the leadership of the Association: “I have been following the activities of CAB for quite some time now and I have never ceased from admiring your resilience and courage and your demonstrated determination to improving the societal chances of your members. ”By your actions you gain the attention necessary to tell the story and highlight the plight of a very important segment of our population and engender optimism in people who are blind and visually challenged regardless of their disadvantages they can also live dignified lives.”  Minister Ngafuan noticed that under the leadership of Mr. Kota, CAB continues to develop the capacity of its members; whether it is through the Braille Education Program, training for social empowerment, and other forms of capacity building activities. He stated that the programs and activities of the Association have placed blind people on the path of higher social empowerment, deeper integration into the mainstream life of society and equal opportunities for sustainable and dignified living. “Let me say that being blind does not mean that you are not able”, he added. Recollecting some major strides made by some eminent blind people in the world, Minister Ngafuan stated: “We know of Helen Keller who had a triplicate of challenges, she was deaf, mute and blind but rose above them to become one of the most influential humanitarians of the 20^th Century. We also know of, Stevie Wonder, Clarence Carter, Dr. Sakui Malaikpai, our own Beyan Kota and scores of others who though physically challenged still challenged the odds and rose above the ordinary. He spoke under the topic “The Enactment of Policy On the Use of the White Cane, Its Impact and Challenges in the Achievement of Government Poverty Alleviation Strategy for the Blind and Visually Impaired”, a topic he saidcameat a more appropriate time as Liberia continues on the path of recovery from several years of devastating crisis. He then emphasized the importance of giving keen attention to the issues involving the blind and people living with visual impairment and other forms of disabilities which he stated cannot be overemphasized: “When we look across our country we are sadly reminded that our civil war did not only destroy lives and properties, it also shattered limbs, sights and left society with serious traumatic experiences.”  Referencing statistics from the Liberia Rising 2030, the Foreign Minister noted that 16 percent of the population of Liberia was considered disabled before the civil war of which number 61 percent is physically disabled, 24 percent blind, 7 percent deaf, and 8 percent with mental disabilities. In response, the CAB president, Mr. Kota who applauded Minister Ngafuan in return for his commendations re-echoed the Minister’s emphasized needs and entitlements for the blind with specific reference to the use of the white cane. “It is not just to ensure our free movement but also traffic safety which is important for free movement. It is also an economic tool because it protects our rights to engage in the socio-economic rights of the state”, Mr. Kota said. The head of the CAB then appealed to the Foreign Minister to represent the interests of the blind at the level of the Executive Mansion during cabinet meetings.

Related Captions: Ngafuan Applauds Blind Association (New Dawn), Minister Ngafuan Lauds Blind Association for Farsightedness (INSIGHT), Minister Ngafuan Lauds Blind Association’s Farsightedness (FrontPage Africa), N’Gafuan Wants Equitable Opportunities for Disabled (The Analyst)

Pres. Sirleaf Urges Liberians To Venture Business

The Insight Newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commissioned a mineral water processing plant in upper Montserrado County committing Government to supporting Liberia-owned businesses. Montserrado County District #1 Representative Josephine Francis, Proprietress and Chief Executive Officer of the Aquarius Mineral Water recently brought into the country new ‘state of the art’ equipment to produce pure and safe drinking water and other beverages for the Liberian market. The Aquarius Mineral Water is part of the Liberia Resources Incorporated, a conglomeration of Aquarius Beverages, Liberia Brick and Tile and Arjay Farm situated in Kingsville, Upper Montserrado County.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Encourages Liberian Entrepreneurs to Take Over Economy(FrontPage Africa),Imported Waters Risk Deathbed-Qcquaries  Mineral Water Fetches High Tech Machinery(The Analyst)

IFJ Commends Election of New Waja Executive

The Heritage newspaper reports that the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has commended its sub-regional group, the West African Journalist Association (WAJA) for electing a new Executive, during its 8^th ordinary congress, held in the Nigerian Capital, Abuja. Liberian Journalist, Peter Quaqua was elected on Saturday, April 26th, President of WAJA for a three-year term. Mr. Quaqua, who is former President of the Press Union of Liberia, succeeds to Mohammed Garba of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. Previously serving as Treasure of WAJA, Mr. Quaqua was voted by 11 of the 14 delegates attending the congress.

Related Captions: IFJ Commends Election of New Waja Executive (In Profile Daily), IFJ Commends Election of New Waja Executive (The Analyst), IFJ Commends Election of New Waja Executive (The News)

300 Teachers Enter Empowerment Program

According to the Inquirer newspaper, at least 300 teachers have begun a ten month Leadership and Success Training program in Monrovia. Facilitated and sponsored by Spryte Loriano Global (SLG) and hosted by Youth Action International (YAI) , the series of training program, which will last for ten months are being held to enhance the lives and mindset of Liberian teacher to ensure that they are more passionate  and adequately prepared to meet the needs of their pupil. The ongoing Leadership and Success Training program provide teachers with personal development and empowerment principles ad processes two Saturday per month for ten month.

Related Captions: 300 Teachers enter empowerment program (INSIGHT), As YAI & SLG Tackle Education Crisis: 300 Teachers Enter Empowerment Program (Heritage),300 Teachers enter empowerment program (In Profile Daily),

Commerce Minister Wants Strengthened Investments In Liberia

The Heritage Newspaper reports that the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Axel Addy, has urged local and foreign investors to strengthen their investments in the country. Minister Addy observed that the establishment of the Nissan ultra-modern facility demonstrates the confidence investors have in the Liberian economy and the enabling environment created for the business community. The Commerce Ministry boss made the call Saturday in an interview with the Liberia News Agency at the dedicatory ceremony of the Nissan state-of-the-art facility on Jamaica Road, Bushrod Island, outside Monrovia.

Related Captions:COMMENCE MINISTER ASSURES LIBERIANS: SAYS LIBERIA MOVES FROM VISION TO IMPLEMENTATION (The New Republic), Commerce Minister Wants Strengthened Investments (The News),Commerce Minister Wants Strengthened Investments (FOCUS)

OTHER STORIES

ITC To Support Liberia

The International Trade Center (ITC) has pledged its commitment to supporting the trade and commerce sector in the areas of tourism, the empowerment of small Liberian business with micro loans and access to finance. ITC is a branch of the United Nations that supports trade and development amongst member states. ITC Executive Director Altrancha Gonzallez described the private sector a significant environment that will help boom the economy, if properly handle, pens the New Democrat Newspaper.

AMEZU Graduates 800 Students Today

According to the Daily Observer Newspaper, eight hundred and ninety students who completed their prescribed courses in various academic disciplines from the African Episcopal Methodist Zion University (AMEZU) will today, Tuesday, April 29, 2014, receive their academic rewards from the institute’s board of trustees. Today’s ceremony will be addressed by the Principal and Chief Administrator of Rick Institute, Rev. Dr. Olu Q. Menjay.

World Bank Pleased With Gender Ministry Collaboration

The World Bank has expressed satisfaction on its collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Development aimed at monitoring and coordinating the activities of adolescent Liberian girls. The World Bank and the Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Gender and Development, began their partnership in the economic empowerment of adolescent girls in 2009. The Senior Education Economist of the World Bank, Peter Pardav, described the performance of the Ministry over a one year as ‘successful”, writes the Daily Observer Newspaper.

Pro-Tempore Calls For Capacity Building At Legislature

Delivering a keynote statement Monday at a round-table dialogue marking the three years anniversary of the Legislative Information Service (LIS) the Senate’s President Pro-Tempore Gbehzongar M. Findley noted that the current Legislature cannot boast of any staffer who has been adequately trained for the past nine years to obtained at least undergraduate or graduate degrees. Pro-Temp. Findley says capacity building remains a paramount concern to the National Legislature. Celebrating the anniversary on the theme: “Institutionalizing Staff Training and Professional Development at the Legislature”, writes the Insight Newspaper.

Ghana-Re Trains several on Advanced Property Management

 The Inquirer newspaper reports that a Ghana-based Reinsurance Company formerly Known as Ghana Reinsurance Company (Ghana Re) has embarked on a four-day training seminar aimed at enlightening the minds of participants on basic and practical understanding of the different kind of insurances. The seminar which brought together several participants from diverse insurance companies also seeks to educate participants on how to effectively handle various property risks that intrude in the business life.

Journalists Trained in Conflict Sensitive Reporting

Liberian Journalists have been urged by a visiting Nigerian Journalist, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, to be conflict sensitive in their reporting as the 2014 Mid-Term Senatorial Election approaches. According to the New Republic newspaper, the Nigerian journalist reminded his Liberian counterparts that with their pens and microphones, they have the power to stir up conflict during the period of elections or use the same power to promote peace. Quoting the Liberia News Agency (LINA), the daily said Mr. Arogundade made the statement at the weekend at the close of a week-long conflict reporting training for Liberian journalists held at the Lutheran Church Compound in Sinkor.

GOVT. APPRAISES ITS PROSECUTORS: -AS SG WANTS THEIR CAPACITY ENHANCED

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice which is the prosecuting arm of government has begun appraising the works of its prosecuting lawyers assigned in the various courts across the country, the Solicitor General of Liberia Cllr. Betty Lamin-Blamo said. Addressing, a weeklong Prosecution Quarterly Training Workshop currently taking place at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, she said appraising the works of County Attorneys and Prosecutors is done quarterly with the aim of discussing strategy for the next term of court proceedings. The Ministry of Justice Prosecution Quarterly Training workshop, she divulged, is an event used by the Ministry to conduct training in areas the capacity of prosecutorial needs to be strengthened. The country’s Solicitor General informed this paper in an exclusive interview yesterday at the start of the training that brought together over 75 prosecutors from around the country, all of whom have submitted their reports. Though Cllr. Lamin-Blamo did not mention what was in the reports of the prosecutors who represented the Ministry of Justice in the 15 counties, she said the reports will be discussed in order to know where they (prosecutors) have made mistakes so that the Ministry of Justice can make the necessary corrections. “From the discussion of these reports, the Ministry of Justice will then know their achievements and challenges; the Ministry of Justice will then embark on enhancing the capacity of prosecutors in the country,” she said. Speaking further, Cllr. Lamin-Blamo disclosed that some prominent Liberian lawyers including Cllrs. Lavela Supuwood, Marcus Wilkins Wright, Judges Yusif D. Kaba of Criminal Court “A”, and Peter W. Gbenewleleh of the Civil Law Court among others are expected to serve as presenters. According to the Solicitor General, the ongoing Prosecution Quarterly Training Workshop has been funded by the Ministry of Justice and the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), reports the New Republic newspaper.