The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014

Today’s dominant stories include the sharp increase in the World Bank Group’s support to developing countries in FY14, the New Sierra Leonean Envoy presentation of letters of credence, the conclusion of the Liberia-Japan dialogue today; the meeting between the Borough Youth and President Sirleaf as well as President Sirleaf’s visit to LEC and the erection of the first monument of the President in Bomi County amongst other related stories.

DOMINANT STORIES

World Bank Group commitments rise sharply

The World Bank Group support to developing countries has increased sharply to $61 billion in fiscal year 2014 as the organization prepares for transition to a new operating model, up from $52.6 billion in FY13. World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, has said, “This tremendous ramp-up in demand for our services comes at a time when the Bank has been undergoing the most fundamental change in a generation. It is a credit to Bank Group staff that they worked to meet the needs of our clients while preparing for transition to a new system that will spread our global knowledge more effectively to all 188 member countries.” According to a press release issued by the Bank, the Bank Group provided an estimated 963 loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to promote economic growth, fight poverty, and assist private enterprise, New Dawn writes.

Related Caption: World Bank Group Commitments Rise Sharply In FY14 Amid Organizational Change – Borrower Demand 65 Percent Higher Than Pre-crisis Levels (INSIGHT),World Bank Group Commitments Rise Sharply In FY14 Amid Organizational Change – Borrower Demand 65 Percent Higher Than Pre-crisis Levels (Heritage)

Ellen Lauds Liberia-SL Approach To Ebola Fight – As New Ambassador Presents Letters of Credence

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has hailed the level of cooperation between Liberia and Sierra Leone in fighting the outbreak of the Ebola virus that has hit the Manio River Union, leading to scores of death in Guinea, Liberia and Sieffa Leone. The Liberian leader made the statement Wednesday July 2, when she received the letters of credence from the new Sierra Leonean Ambassador, Brima Acha Kamara, Daily Observer reports.

Related Caption: Fear, Cash Shortage Hinder Ebola Fight(New Democrat), New Sierra Leone Ambassador Arrives(New Democrat), New Sierra Leonean Envoy Presents Credentials (The NEWS), Emergency Meeting On Ebola…Health Ministers Meet In Ghana(The NEWS), Ebola Death Toll In West Africa Rise To 467, WHO Says  (INSIGHT), New Sierra Leone Ambassador Presents Letter Of Credence(Heritage)

Liberia-Japan Dialogue Kicks-Off Today

The Maiden Edition of the Liberia-Japan Dialogue kicks off today, Thursday July 3, 2014, in the C.Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, with focus on trade, commerce and investment. A Foreign Ministry release says Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Japanese Ambassador to Liberia Naoto Nikal will perform opening remarks at a ceremony that is expected to be attended by high profile Liberian Government and Japanese officials as well as private sector actors from both countries, Daily Observer reports.

Related Caption: Liberia-Japan Dialogue Kickoff Today(The New Republic), Liberia-Japan Dialogue To Kicks Off Today In Monrovia (Heritage)

Ellen meets with Borough Youth

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has met with leaders of the Federation of Borough Youth in her office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill, Monrovia. A press release issued by the Executive Mansion said during the meeting on Tuesday, the Federation lauded the President for the many interventions made by her government in the Borough of New Kru Town, which covers Bong Mines Bridge to St. Paul Bridge on Bushrod Island. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the President of the Federation of Borough Youth, Sonsala C. Parson, II, lauded the Government for the provision of electricity, pipe-borne water, and the Maritime Beach Project which provided jobs for over 700 persons, including elderly people, widows, students, and youths, among others, New Dawn reports.

Related Caption: Borough Youth Meet President Sirleaf(FOCUS)

Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Rising From The Ashes

When President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf paid a recent visit to the facilities of the Liberia Electricity Corporation, LEC she could not contain her delight at the sight of the vast improvement and development, taking place. At the end of the tour, she gave the energy company a thumbs-up. President Sirleaf said with the high level of progress being made by the management in overseeing various projects such as the construction of three Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) plants that will generate sustainable electricity to the country, she’s hopeful that the slogan “small lights today, big lights tomorrow” will soon be a reality. The Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of LEC, Cllr. Benedict Sannoh, Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, Patrick Sendolo, LEC’s Deputy CEO for Planning Joseph T. Mayah and the Executive Director for Administration/HR, Vamunyah F. Sheriff provided the president with details of the projects and the audacious efforts being made to provide electricity to the country, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related Caption: LEC Rising From The Ashes(Inquirer)

Ricks Offers US$120,000 Scholarships

The principal and chief administrative officer of Ricks Institute, Rev. Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, Sunday, June 29, disclosed that the institution during its 2013/2014 academic school year, provided scholarships valued at US$120, 000 to several ‘deserving’ students. According to him, the intent of the scholarships was to provide opportunities that would transform the country through its productive citizens, Daily Observer writes.

Bomi to host Ellen’s monument

The organizers of the annual national event, ‘Golden Image Award’ or GIA, for short, has disclosed plan to erect the first monument of President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf in Bomi County for her contribution to democracy and peace in Liberia. Speaking at the official launch of this year’s Golden Image Award media and publicity program in Monrovia, the Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace and event planner, Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee, said the monument will represent the face of President Sirleaf, who is the image behind the award. She said already, the GIA has secured a land in Tubmanburge, Bomi County for the monument project. Ambassador Endee disclosed that this year’s event will be special, noting that the award will be taken to the people of West Point, Red Light, PHP and Congo Town, communities, respectively characterized by musical performance, dance, hot meals, and raffle draw, amongst others, New Dawn reveals.

Related Caption: First Monument Of Ellen To Be Erected In Bomi(Heritage)

UNDP Donates 18-Seater Bus To BIN

The United Nation s Development Programme (UNDP) has donated an 18-Seater Toyota Hiace mini bus to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN) in order to help improve the work of the bureau as they render services to the Liberian people. The cost of the vehicle is put at over $30,000 United States dollars. The handover ceremony took place recently at the UNDP office in Monrovia. During the ceremony, the Deputy Country Director for Programmes at UNDP, Mr. Cleophas Torori, stress that the donation forms part of continued efforts by UNDP to strengthen its partnership with the Bureau and promote security sector reforms in Liberia. According to Mr. Torori, the vehicle was purchased through the UNDP Peace-Building Fund Quick Impact Project, Daily Observer reports.

DEKAP seeks support for deprived children

A newly established organization dedicated to providing early childhood education to less fortunate kids, Destine Kids Assistance Program or DEKAP, is calling on the Government of Liberia to assist less fortunate children in the country. DEKAP, which was established in March 2012, is currently providing free education to unprivileged kids in several communities in Monrovia. Speaking to reporters in Paynesville over the weekend, the Executive Director of DEKAP, Mrs. Helena Wenneh, said the organization is both national and community based with the primary aim to solicit educational opportunities for children in difficult circumstances. Madam Wenneh said the organization serves as an intervention tool in responding to the plight of children, specifically in the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex community where underprivileged kids are seen during school hours roaming the streets in filthy clothes, bare footed and hungry, New Dawn reports.

ECOWAS Discusses Women, Youth Input In Politics…Begins 3-Day Training For Political Parties

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has embarked on a systematic campaign to ensure the full involvement of women and youth in the operation of political parties in West Africa, especially in post-conflict Liberia. Ambassador Babatunde Olanreqaju Ajisomo, Special Representative of the president of ECOWAS in Liberia, told yesterday’s gathering of representatives of political parties in Monrovia that ECOWAS has been at the forefront of supporting the enhancement of the principles of inclusiveness, and opportunity for r equal representation n, and participation I the political democratic process for all, Daily Observer writes.

LMC Launches Peace Curriculum Today

The Liberia Media Center (LMC) will Thursday, launch its “Peace Curriculum” for universities and colleges in Liberia. The program will be held in the Conference Room of the LMC. According to an LMC press release, the occasion is expected to bring together academicians and diplomats, including the Minister of Education, University of Liberia President Emmet Dennis and the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT) Transformation Director Prof. Debey Sayndee, The Analyst newspaper reports.

Ellen Urges Liberians On Ramadan

As Muslims observe the Holy Month of Ramadan here in Liberia and around the world, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is calling on all faiths to join them in praying for the country. “On behalf of the Government of Liberia, I wish for all Muslim brothers and sisters and for all peoples of our world, peace, understanding and faithfulness to the common causes of our shared humanity, she said, TheInquirerreports.