BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

NEWS SUMMARY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2019

The Bureau of Public Affairs today, August 5, 2019 subscribed to several local dailies including the Inquirer, the News, Heritage, Observer, and the New Dawn newspaper. We captured Headlines from the back, front and the inside of these papers to prepare today’s edition of our regular news summary.   

The Summary highlights news about President Weah’s Warning to Officials of his government; President George Manneh Weah’s invitation extended to Hon. Yekeh Kolubah to dedicate the Old Road market today; Speaker Chambers’ message on economic doctrine and the Gender Ministry’s decision to create more opportunities for girls in Liberia.

Other news include stories concerning Muslim Council Casting of  “Vote  of No Confidence in Leadership”; the New World Bank Country Manager arrival in Liberia and the engagement of at least  1,500 Youth in agriculture activities in Bong  county  as well as the welcoming of  the first travelers to Liberia’s new airport by the  LoneStar Cell MTN, among other news headlines.  

Dominant Stories

Stay Clear Weah Warns Official                                                              

President Dr. George Manneh Weah has sent out stern warning to his officials especially those in the Executive to stay clear of speaking on issues relating to the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC). Deputy Presidential Press Secretary Smith Toby told Executive Mansion reporters Tuesday, August 6, 2019, that the president strongly opposes his officials speaking on matters regarding the CDC when they are not spokespersons of the Coalition. Toby said the president is fully aware that the Coalition as a party has a structure through which it can disseminate information rather than officials in the government doing so, adding “let the party officials speak and not government officials”. He said the president warned that any official who will speak on issues concerning the party, he or she would face his wrath. Toby further said the president also warned his officials to refrain from making statements that have the proclivity to undermine the peace and stability of Liberia, the News newspaper says.

Related Caption: Stop Serving As Spokespersons For CDC President Weah Warns Gov’t Officials (Heritage) Related Caption: Weah Warns Koijee, Other Officials…Against Making Threatening Statements (The Inquirer)

Other Stories  

Pres. Weah Invites Yekeh To Dedicate Old Road Market Today 

The Inquirer is reporting that, President George Weah’s infrastructure developmental agenda is gradually becoming inclusive as he is set to officially dedicate the newly reconstruction modern Old Road Joebar Market. Making the disclosure yesterday, Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Smith Maxwell Toby informed the media that by protocol, an invite has been extended to Representative, Yekeh Kolubah in whose District the modern market hall is located. Mr. Toby asserted that the ruling party’s representative for Montserrado for County, Senator Saah H. Joseph and Representative Kolubah have been invited to participate in the program as President Weah officially dedicates the building. Although the reason, if any for the special invitation extended to the  lawmaker wan not disclosed, but the public notification about his presence stands out as a clear indication that the ruling party is strategizing on making their government an inclusive one.

Gender Ministry To Create More Opportunities For Girls

According to the Inquirer newspaper, Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr has renewed Government’s unflinching commitment to creating more opportunities so as to improve the career of young women and girls across the country. Min. Saydee-Tarr made the comment on Tuseday, August 6 at program marking the official opening of the 5^th National Young Women and Girls Conference held at the MVTC in Jacob town, Paynesville. In her remarks, the MGCSP boss reaffirmed the Weah led-government assurance of providing basic support to young women and girls which according to her will assist them in accelerating and exploring their respective potential. The two-day National Young Women & Girls Confab which is being held under the theme: “Building the Future fo Liberian Women” is an annual gathering of young women and girls with participants drawn from the 15 political subdivisions of Liberia. The conference runs from August 6-7 under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social with support from partners.

Benefit MYS Cadet Program…Placements Start Today

According to the Inquirer newspaper, the Ministry and Youth and Sports (MYS) has finally completed the recruitment of 71 young Liberians for the second phase of the 2019 National Credit Program (NCP) According to the MYS, the 71 cadets were recruited after a rigorous vetting process which stated June 3, 2019 comprising of a call for application, screening of applications and finally face-to face interview with host institutions, civil society organizations and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Ministry said that process which is described as the 2^nd phase which will see for the first time cadets deployed in both the public and private sectors. “The University of Liberia and Access Bank will receive the highest number of cadets for this cycle. Other institutions to receive cadets include: Ministry of Defense, Internal Affairs, Labor, Civil Service Agency Consolidated School System (MCSS), National Investment Commission (NIC) and the Liberia Electricity Cooperation (LEC). Others are the National Elections Commission (NEC), Temple of Justice, Insurance Company of Africa (ICA) and the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), “MYS added.

Speaker Chambers Preaches Economic Doctrine

Several civil and political organizations in Monrovia on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, hosted a political rally in support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, following his official visit to the Congress of the United States Government and his safe return home. The Banquet Hall in the Capitol Building accommodated hundreds of Liberians representing more than twelve local organizations which assembled and made statements of support to Speaker Chambers’ legislative agenda and statesmanship. In his response during the rally, the Speaker called on Liberians to put aside their political differences and embark on ventures that will improve the lives of ordinary Liberians. Chambers averred that it’s about time to diversify the Liberian economy by tapping on other potential economic sectors of the country, the News newspaper explains.

1,500 Youth To Engage In Agriculture Activities In Bong

A non-governmental organization under the banner, “Nasser Youth Initiative (NYI)”, has embarked on a program aimed at investing in the agriculture sectors by stimulating communal farming system for increased food production and the alleviation of hunger in Liberia. The Chief Executive Officer of the organization Mohammed Nasser said it was now time that Liberia as an independent state begins to feed itself like other countries in the sub-region as well as to alleviate poverty across its counties. According to him, the project is targeting 1,500 youths from Bong County and is encouraging local county authorities to support the project. Mr. Nasser stated that the first target of the project is to plant corn, beans, pepper, potatoes, and yams and have already acquired more than 35 acres of land for cultivations. He said over $150,000.00 Liberian dollars has so far been earmarked for the entire project while at the same time hoping to source additional funding in the near future. The NYI Chief Executive Officer further stated that the initial date for the commencement of the program is early May 2020 during the farming season pens the News newspaper.

New World Bank Country Manager Arrives

The new World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Dr. Khwima Nthara, has arrived in the country and has assumed his responsibilities. In his new position, Mr. Nthara will lead the Bank’s day-to-day dialogue with the government and key stakeholders in Liberia on a broad range of policy issues including implementation of the Country Partnership Framework in support of the development priorities of the Liberian government. He will also manage the country office, provide leadership, and mentor staff in implementing the priorities of the new Africa Strategy. Mr. Nthara, a Malawian national, joined the Bank in 2005 as an Economist in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Department. He came to Liberia with extensive World Bank experience in the field and at headquarters, the News newspaper asserts.

Muslim Council Cast Vote Of No Council Casts Vote Of No Confidence In Leadership

In a seven-count petition, aggrieved member organizations of the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL) have cast a vote of no confidence in their leadership.Reading their petition statement recently in Monrovia, an executive member of the council, Musa Konneh listed several counts including the failure of the acting leadership to conduct regular council meeting and failure to take the Islamic organization to election, among others. Konnah added: “We the executives have now passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the council.” He said the council is to have election after every four years, but since the death of the late National Muslim Council Chairman, Sheikh Kafumba Konneh, and the acting leadership has failed to do so even after the expiration of a six-month grace period, pens the News newspaper.

Step Up Lfa Vpo Prays Football Referees

The 2nd Vice President of the Liberia Football Association is challenging Liberian Football Referees to step up if they are to make a difference on the International scenes. Mr. Wilmot Smith said despite the difficulties, the country’s football whistle blowers must strive for excellence in their respective local and international assignments. Mr. Smith asserted that referees play a very pivotal role in the development of the game as such Liberian referees must step up to the challenges for positive change. He was speaking recently when he launched the FIFA Technical Instructors’ course at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville City where he thanked LFA President Mustapha Raji for the level of progress thus far while he reaffirmed the leadership commitment to the improvement of the game in Liberia, the News newspaper asserts.

LoneStar Cell MTN Welcomes first travelers to Liberia’s new Airport.

On July 25, 2019 Liberia’s brand-new airport terminal at Roberts International Airport was officially opened with a ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world. According to the new Dawn newspaper, as the first set of travelers to rude the new terminal disembarked from their Air Peace flight and entered the airport from the jet bridge they were greeted by Lonestar Cell MTN staff with smiles. There were then presented with MTN gift bags containing free Sims, airtime, vouchers, mug, water bottles and so much more. The passengers had the honor of being welcomed to Liberia and presented with their Lonestar Cell MTN gift bags donated  by the President and Madam Weah and former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Chamber:  Reforms’ Old Older Laws to improve Economy

House Speaker Bhofal Chambers said he is worried over the continuance of revenue collection to support the country’s budget, indicating that there is a need for reform of some of the existing ‘Old Order Laws’ to improve the national economy. Speaker Chambers spoke against the backdrop of the looming bad economy of the country, as evidenced by the slow-paced of payments to the more than 47,000 civil servants, as well as the extreme backlog of international and domestic debts (or commitments) otherwise known as national debt and other liabilities that the government owes. Among the many ways to improve the economy and support the budget, Speaker Chambers said that the ‘Old Order Laws,’ which he ultimately termed as ‘bad laws’, must be amended or repealed in some of the sectors, including Mining, Fisheries and Forestry (logging), to improve the regulations to pave way for new and effective profit-sharing laws to support the budget annually and comparably to other countries, pens the daily observer newspaper.

Fire Outbreak Destroy Serveral Homes

At least three residents of the Kailondo community on the old Road have reportedly sustained wounds when fire gutted their homes Monday afternoon, 5 August. The new Dawn newspaper says the cause of the fire is said to be investigated by the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS), according to LNFS Deputy Director for Operation. Witnesses say the fire started from a zinc house and spread to other nearby houses, destroying them. Fire fighters were said to be either at work, school or at market places. As a result he says the victims could not take any of their belongings from the fire scene. He added that two of the wounded were rushed to the St. Joseph Catholic hospital while the others were taken to a local clinic on the Old Road for immediate medical attention.

VP Talyor Wants CVE Done By A Special Body

Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor says there is a need for a special body to be setup to carry on civic and voters Education (CVE), instead of the National Elections Commissions (NEC). The National Elections Commissions does not have the time to do CVE awareness while busy doing other things during elections, so it will be better for the CVE to be done by a special body, she said recently at the lst graduation ceremony of the Kerkulah Giddings Senior High School in sanoyea, Bong Country. According to madam Taylor, CVE needs to be taught even at the element level in the Liberian education sector, suggesting that it gives opportunities for the time voters to understand not only the proceeding of the NEC, but the entire elections law of the Republic the new Dawn newspaper imply.