The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2014

News ofLiberia and Sierra Leone’s planned cross-border Ebola prevention meetings coupled with the arrival of the African Regional Director of  the World Health Organization to Liberia and Golden Veroleum Liberia plan to rehabilitate and expand the Port of Harper in Maryland County are among stories highlighted in our summary of Tuesday, July 22, 2014 selected dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Liberia, Sierra Leone To Hold Ebola Prevention Meetings

The Grand Cape Mount County Health Team (CHT) and its partner, Medical Teams International (MTI) have reached an agreement with health authorities in neighboring Sierra Leone to hold cross-border Ebola prevention meetings in the interest of the two countries. According the head of the CHT, Dr. Julius Garbo, communication has been shared with Sierra Leonean health officials who have agreed to participate in the meetings that are intended to save the lives of citizens of Liberia and Sierra Leone. According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA) correspondent in the county, the decision was reached recently during an Ebola prevention strategy meeting in Sinje, Garwula District,  FOCUS asserts.

Related Caption: Liberia, Sierra Leone To Hold Ebola Prevention Meetings(Heritage),  Liberia, S/ Leone to Hold Ebola Prevention Meetings (The Inquirer), Liberia, Sierra Leone to Hold Ebola Prevention Meetings (In Profile Daily)

Ebola Fight Intensifies: WHO Africa Regional Dir. Arrives In Liberia ‘To Contribute to Fight against Ebola Virus Disease’

Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, arrived in the country Monday, July 21, on an official visit to contribute to the fight against the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. According to the WHO-Liberia Office, Dr. Sambo’s visit to Liberia is also geared toward galvanizing response efforts and to help mobilize the support needed nationally and internationally to control the current outbreak and prevent its further occurrence. “During his visit, Dr. Sambo will meet high-level government officials, health partners as well as UN representatives to advocate for technical and financial support to contain the outbreak,” WHO-Liberia said in a statement, Daily Observer

Related Captions: WHO Regional Boss Here On Ebola Issue (The Inquirer), WHO Regional Director In Liberia (The NEWS)

Gov't Seeks Local Cooperation Ebola Fight

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Internal Affairs is calling on all County authorities to cooperate and collaborate fully with county health officers across the country in ongoing efforts to eradicate the deadly Ebola virus from Liberia. The government emphasized that Ebola is a major threat to public health and called on Superintendents, City Mayors, Paramount and Clan Chiefs, General Town Chiefs, Traditional and Religious leaders, and communities throughout the country to support sensitization efforts by the Ministry of Health and partners, the New Dawn reveals.

Bassa Supt. Launches Ebola Task Force

The Superintendent of Grand Bassa County, Madam Etweda Cooper, has constituted an Ebola Task Force to sensitize citizens of the county about the Ebola disease and measures to prevent it. Launching the Task Force Friday in the conference room at the Administration Building in the port city of Buchanan, Superintendent Cooper said the Task Force will lead the fight against the deadly virus in the county, INSIGHT reports.

Related Captions: Bassa Supt. Launches Ebola Task Force (The NEWS),Bassa Supt. Launches Ebola Task Force (The Inquirer),Bassa Supt. Launches Ebola Task Force (In Profile Daily)

WAJA Holds Confab On Conditions Of Journalists

The Heritage newspaper reports that representatives and heads of the media in West Africa are meeting in Cotonou, Benin, in a two-day conference to reexamine the precarious working condition of journalists in the sub-region. The Conference under the theme “Improving Conditions of Service to Boost Quality Journalism”, will among other things highlight the disparaging wages and its negative effects on the output of Journalists in the Region. Close to 20 participants, representing journalist unions and associations in West Africa are expected to be in attendance, WAJA President Peter Quaqua says, he hopes for a stronger solidarity among journalists in the region as they work together in improving the working conditions of journalists, while defending their basic rights and freedom to practice their trade.

Related Caption: WAJA Wants Journalists’ Conditions Improved (IN PROFILE DAILY)

Plans To Upgrade, Expand Harper Port Concluded

Golden Veroleum Liberia Oil Palm Company operating in Sinoe and Grand Kru counties has concluded plans to rehabilitate and expand the Port of Harper in Maryland County. The National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Matilda Parker said the plan, which has been approved by Government, is intended to elevate the port to international standard and also enable it accommodate larger vessels, Heritage reports.

Related Caption: Harper Port To Get Facelift(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

Oxfam Gives Vehicle To WASH R&E

The International relief group Oxfam has come to the rescue of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporters and Editors (WASH R&E) with the donation of a Toyota Hilux pickup. The donation was made by Oxfam Country Director, Mr. Salif Mamudu, to the WASH R&E through its chairman Augustine Myers on Friday, July 18, 2014 after both officials signed transfer documents for the vehicle. When turning over the vehicle, Oxfam Country Director Mamudu said the donation was prompted by the way WASH journalists were constrained to use their limited resources to travel long distances in covering WASH related stories, FOCUS reports.

MYS Distributing Nat’l Youth Policy In Gedeh

the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) County Coordinator has disclosed the the distribution of 150 National Youth Policy documents is ongoing in Grand Gedeh County’s eight administrative districts. Mr. Anthony Wulue said the distribution, which started early last week with the support of Save the Children, a United Kingdom-based INGO in Monrovia, will end on Friday, July 25. He said areas being covered are Gbarzon, Tchien, Glio, Twabo, Gboe, Ploe, Kunabo and Juarzon District. He told the Liberia News Agency in zwedru over the weekend that the policy document distribution will enable youths, literate or illiterate, to be fully aware of its contents for their input, INSIGHT reports.

“Self-Sufficiency In Poultry Product”… Agriculture Minister

The Minister of Agriculture Dr. Florence Chenoweth says the improvement works at the Obasanjo Farms is geared towards self-sufficiency in poultry production in the country. Speaking during a visit to the farm Sunday, Minister Chenoweth lauded the managerial team of Obasanjo Farm Liberia Incorporated for the production of fresh eggs on the Liberian market. She said the production of eggs and chicken meat to the market suggests that the country will soon be self-sufficient in poultry product, The NEWS writes.