THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015

News ofthe Oration delivered by the 168^th Independence Day Orator, Ambassador Charles Alexander Minor, U.S. President Barack Obama’s Address to Representatives of African States at the AU, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Independence Day Remarks and a senior official of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning saying that the National Budget is a tool for achieving the best economic outcome are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

‘26’ Orator Wants Liberians Engage In “Back Yard Gardens”

The Daily Observer newspaper reported that the Independence Day Orator, Ambassador Charles A. Minor, has called on Liberians to engage in back yard garden to enable them graduate from the past and build a foundation of growth. Ambassador Minor made the suggestion was contained in his oration he delivered in J. Dominic Bing Hall in Greenville, Sinoe County. He delivered his oration under the theme, “Celebrating Our Community as a Strong Foundation for Accelerated Development.” Ambassador Minor expressed the hope for a day that Liberia will reduce poverty, when the citizens should eat tomatoes, cabbages, peppers and other vegetables grown in their back yards and or in the nearby gardens rather than eating the imported ones. He continued that Liberians should be looking for a tomorrow when they will have substantially reduced poverty through the growing of their own backyard gardening. He said Liberians should look toward a tomorrow when they will import only the raw cotton gin, and perhaps cotton from nearby suppliers to produce yarn to weave, knit and stitch textile materials for the domestic and export markets.” Ambassador Minor further said Liberians are anticipating a tomorrow when many in the public sector will realize that it is not in that sector where wealth is created so that those genuinely interested in creating wealth can give up their white collar jobs and return to the land to produce our staple rice and other food crops to reduce our dependence on imports and ensure a greater level of food self-sufficiency in the country. He added it is important for every Liberian to earn a higher standard of living for their labor from tailing the soil. The orator noted that for tomorrow to be successful, ‘We are today laying the foundation, and a tomorrow when Liberians will work together more effectively and compete seriously with foreign contractors to build our own roads, even to the extent of making them toll roads, thereby reducing the continuous increasing burdens on government, which we all know will never be in the position to meet all the expectations of all our people.” Mr. Minor said farmers are yet to earn above the poverty threshold, “because of their small land holdings, limited technical know- how, irregular and limited extension services, insufficient high yielding planting materials and marketing advice, you will find it fruitful working together for that is how greater assistance can be obtained.”

Related Captions: Celebrating 168^th Independence: National Orator Outlines Basis of Liberia’s Backwardness(Frontpage) , ‘Liberians Must Profit from Errors of the Past’ (Daily Observer), Liberians Are Still Hungry(The New Dawn), Officials Warned to Change Attitudes(The New Republic), Orator Wants Work Permit To Aliens Reduced… To Provide Opportunities For Liberian(The Inquirer)

Obama Challenges African Leaders

U.S. President Barack Obama capped his trip to Africa Tuesday with a speech hailing the continent’s progress, but warning such progress can be sustained only through continued development and democracy for all. He told African leaders of his personal interest in the continent’s success, saying, “I stand before you as a proud America. I also stand before you as the son of an Africa”. He added that the continent’s democratic progress is at risk from leaders who refuse to step aside when their terms end. “I have to be honest with you – I just don’t understand this. I am in my second term. Under our constitution, I cannot run again”, Obama added, drawing cheers and applause from those attending the speech, Inquirer asserts.

Related Captions: Obama Warns AU Leaders in Ethiopia Speech(New Democrat), Obama Chides African Leaders Who Cling to Power (Focus), Obama Warns African Leaders Refusing to Step Down(Insight), Obama to Africa’s Big Men: Quit When Time Is Up (FrontpageAfrica), Obama Warning to Africans in Power (New Dawn), “I Could Win Third Term in White House-President Obama(The News)

Prez. Sirleaf Aches for Unity, Service to Nation

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on Liberians to exhibit a greater sense of the unity and service to nation as the country celebrates her 168^th years of nationhood. She noted that the unprecedented representation of Liberians from all levels and persuasions of society at the independence celebration in Greenville, Sinoe County, was a demonstration of unity. She added that unity is even greater Ebola virus, because it touches one’s inner spirit to serve his or her nation. President Sirleaf made the call in a special statement she delivered at programs marking the official celebration of Liberia’s 168^th Independence Anniversary in Greenville, Sinoe County on Monday, the Daily Observer writes.

Related Captions: “We Haven’t Faltered”, Ellen Stresses Love for Country(The News)

‘Budget Is A Tool For Achieving Economic Outcome’

The Ministry of Finance Development Planning (MFDP) continues with its budget awareness with the Director for Budget, Policy Coordination at MFDP, Anthony Myers disclosing that the budget is a tool for achieving the best economic outcome. Speaking to students of Stella Maris Polytechnic University Tuesday, Mr. Myers said the Budget awareness activities will continue across the country to enable citizens have access and build their knowledge of the fiscal documents. According to him, to achieve the best economic outcome, you first have to plan by projecting and revising other activities, New Democrat reports.

Related Captions: Government Launches NIT (New Dawn), GOL/UNDP National Implementation Toolkit Launched(FrontpageAfrica), Budget Is the Tool for Achieving the Best Economic Outcome, Says OBI Boss(Insight), MFDP Launches Toolkit to Ebhance Integrity in Donor Funding, Resources (Focus)

OTHER STORIES

Accept, Appreciate Our Differences – Urges Rev. Karpeh

The fonder and general overseer of the of the OASIS Life Center Church Rev. Fody Karpeh sys in order for Liberians to experience development as a people they must be able to accept ad appreciate their differences. Speaking when he delivered the intercessory sermon of the 168 Independence Day celebration in Barclayille, Grand Kru County Rev. Karpeh said unity would only exist among Liberians when they tend to appreciate and accept their differences.  Rev. Karpeh voiced that the challenge of national development is not development itself but the challenge of unity, thus, saying that when the people are united they will develop their community, pens the New Republic.

Chinese Riot Police Officers Coming

A riot police squad that will be sent to Liberia next year to fulfill UN peacekeeping mission is now receiving anti-terrorism training in China This squad, the fourth one that China has organized for peacekeeping mission in Liberia, consists of 140 members selected from Zhejiang. The all-female squad has skills in VIP protection, anti-riot handling ad Chinese martial arts, among others. Speaking at the 86^th anniversary of the founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army at the Chinese embassy in Monrovia, Colonel Zhao said his country was sending the 140 personnel in the wake of the UNMIL military forces drawdown in Liberia, New Democrat reports.

LWSC, CICO Sign Agreement To Rehabilitate White Plains

The Inquirer newspaper says the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and a Chinese Company named Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO), over the weekend signed US$10.6 million deal for the rehabilitation of the White Plains water treatment plants. Speaking at the signing Ceremony, LWSC Managing Director, Charles Allen said the contract which begins son is being founded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Water Facility ad it is not a loan rather a grant.

NEC Confers With EU Officials

Today’s edition of the New Democrat newspaper reports that a two-man delegation from the European Union today, July 28, 2015 held a meeting with authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) to discuss pending electoral processes in the country. The European Union Desk Officer of Sierra Leone and Liberia, Dr. Ferdinand Kopp and the organization’s Head of Cooperation, Manuel Iglesias, met with the Chairman and Executive Director of NEC, Cllr. Jerome G. Korkoya and Lamin Lighe at the headquarters of the Commission in Monrovia. During the meeting, NEC Chairman Jerome Korkoya, said the commission desires to build the capacity of elections magistrates as well as its legal ad hearing offices to enable them speedily and efficiently hear complaints arising from electoral processes.

More Liberians Promoted At Golden Veroleum

Over the past five years of operation of Golden Veroleum in Liberia, the company has transformed from a small operation to the major employer in the Liberian Southeast. With meanly 4, 000 personnel and GVL poised to become the largest large-scale agricultural firm in the country. In addition of Liberians taking up leadership roles in the company, in view of the company, will set it on course of achieving its goals of long-term permanent employment of 35, 000 to 40,000 Liberians when fully operational. These recently promoted include: Senior Managers Jean Hannah Thompson, Senior Manager-Administration, Career & Education amongst other, Inquirer writes.

Big Boost For Health Sector…As Liberia Gets First Anesthesia Machine

The Liberian Government through the John F. Kennedy Medical Hospital has received a major health equipment, the Universal Anesthesia Machine (UAM), an internationally standard medical tool used to boost surgical and delivery initiatives at referral hospitals. The machine which was donated by the Gradian Health Systems, a New York Based Medical Institution, was presented to the Liberian Government on Wednesday, July 22, by executives of Gradian who promised to provide technical support as well as training for the Liberian medical staff. Presenting the machine at an official turning over ceremony held at the Administrative Building of JFK, Mr. Stephen Rudy, CEO of GRIDIAN HEALTH SYSTEMS, said emergency ad essential surgery and anesthetic care are key components of primary health care and therefore are lacking in many parts of the world”. Receiving the UAM on behalf of the Liberian Government, Dr. Edward B. McClain, Jr. Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, said the donation is a major boost to Liberia’s health sector and at the same time lauded the gesture of Gradian health Systems on behalf of President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf ad people of Liberia. Dr. McClain indicated that the government of Liberia remains committed to improving the countries health sector and therefore will welcome partnership with major western health and medical institutions with the hope of boosting the country’s recovering health sector, Inquirer asserts.

No New Ebola Cases in Liberia – WHO Reaffirms

According to theFOCUS newspaper, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that there are no reports of new cases of Ebola neither in Liberia nor in recent hotspots in West Africa with half the 26 cases in this week’s update coming from capitals of Guinea and Sierra Leone. WHO said at least 11,269 persons have so far died from the disease. WHO said no news cases reported in Liberia where Ebola resurfaced after it had been declared transmission free of the disease in May and said that as of 21^st July 56 contacts associated with the chain of transmission are under follow-up. The origin of the new case, which began with a 17-year-old boy in Liberia, remains under investigation.

Pakistan Donates Asphalt Plant to Gov’t

The Insight newspaper has reported that the Pakistani Government, through its Pakistan Repair and Maintenance (PakRAM) contingent of UNMIL, has donated an asphalt plant to the Government of Liberia at a ceremony held Tuesday, July 28 at the Edward Binyan Kesselly Military Barracks along the Roberts International Airport main highway. The facility, which was handed to the Liberian Government by PakRAM Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. Mohammad Rafiq, was received by Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Saint Jerome Larbelee. PakRAM is leaving Liberia as part of UNMIL’s drawdown plan. The Niggatta Mobile Asphalt NP-600 Plant has facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of several roads at key installations across Liberia, including the Samuel K. Doe Sports Stadium, James Spriggs Paynes Airfield, Star Base and Roberts International Airport (RIA).

US$719.7M Aid Flow Projected for Liberia

News Newspaper reports that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has projected in the just passed 2015/16 national budget US$719.7 million as aid flow to Liberia. According to the Ministry, four of the 11 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget sectors – Energy Environment, Infrastructure Basic Services, Social Development and Agriculture will benefit from aid interventions amounting to US$532 million. The Ministry said the amount, which accounts for about 74 percent of the US$719.7 million is expected as aid flows to Liberia in FY 2015/16. The amount, which is captured under projections by MTEF Sector Finance indicated that the largest share would go to Energy and Environment with US$145.7 or 20 percent of total commitment for FY 2015/16. Of this amount, the Ministry said US$108.2 million would be in grant and US$37.5 in loans.

Boakai Consoles Sheikh Konneh’s Family

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Friday, July 24, 2015, paid a sympathy visit to the residence of the late Sheikh Kafumba Konneh to console the family and the Muslim Community. The Liberian VP was not in the country when the Sheikh passed. The VP, who was accompanied by Grand Cape Mount County Senator Varney G. Sharman, entreated the4 elder brother and widows of the deceased to take heart and know that the late Konneh left an indelible footprint on the nation’s socio-economic, political, religious and moral development for which he will remain in the memory of Liberians, reports the News Newspaper.

WAAPP Project Gets Boost

The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP) funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Program Management Unit (PMU) at the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the German Agro Action (Wedlthungerhilfe-WHH) and Human Development Foundation (HDF) a local implementing partner has given boost to the program in the county. Speaking at the WAAPP cassava value chain innovation Platform in Bomi County, the Executive Director HDF, Mr. Sensee L. Sirleaf, said the primary focus of the project is to increase productivity, value addition, and profitability of agricultural system among cassava farmers, the New Dawn newspaper writes.

PREVAIL Wants more Ebola Survivors Enrolled

The Partnership for Research on Ebola Virus in Liberia or PREVAIL has intensified its call for Ebola su4rvivors to see the Ebola natural history study s an opportunity and enrolled in order to find a solution to their many problems. According to the resident Medical Research Scientist, Dr. Jestina Doe-Anderson, it was necessary for survivors in Liberia to consider the process as a golden opportunity, adding that the Ebola natural history process for survivors is free. Dr. Anderson, who made the call on July 28, 2015 at the  Effort Baptist church school on Weaver Street, Paynesville City, also indicated that PREVAIL will not offer any treatment for sickness discovered during the testing period, but will only diagnose the body’s conditions and refer survivors to the necessary doctors, the New Dawn writes.

As CBL Changes the Skyline in Monrovia; IB Vows to Build New Head Office Soon

Now that the country is gradually recovering from its Economic wound, caused by the deadly Ebola viral disease it seems like some financial institutions are packing up in infrastructure development amidst the economy its recovery, the International Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Henry F. Saamoi, has disclosed that IB will shortly emulate the example of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) by erecting its headquarters in Sinkor, the Hot Pepper newspaper writes.

Memorial Service for Dr. Brisbane Today

Memorial service will be held today, July 29 for Dr. Samuel Brisbane, Sr. at the Geda A.M.E. Church in Brewerville at 10am. Dr. Samuel Brisbane was head of the Emergency Department and Senior Consultant at the JFK Medical Center in Monrovia and the first Liberian doctor to die from the Ebola virus on July 26, 2014. He died at age 74. Dr. Brisbane was also employed with the Firestone Medical center in Duside, on the Firestone Rubber Plantation; where he spent a considerable length of his professional career, from 1974 until 2003. There he served as an internist and later as the medical director until his retirement, the Daily Observer reports.

Alfalit Liberia Donates over US$4k Items to WIPNET

ALFALIT Liberia has donated several food and non-food items valued at over US$4,950 to the Wome3n in Peace Building Network (WIPNET) as a means of identifying the country’s 168^th Independence Day Celebration. Items donated to WIPNET included 100 bags of 25kg rice, 100 gallon s of vegetable oil, 50 bags of beans several cartons of cooking cubes and three bales of used clothes. The turning over ceremony was held at the women’s peace hut in Sinkor over the weekend, the Daily Observer says.

Liberia, Nigeria, Concludes Joint Commission in Abuja Sign Bilateral Trade Cooperation

Former University of Liberia President, Liberian Ambassador Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh has disclosed that Liberia and Nigeria have concluded a Joint Commission on July 14-15, 2015 by signing the Bilateral Trade Cooperation and others Agreements that are intended to increase the volume of trade between the two countries. Delivering his Independence Day Message in Abuja, Nigeria, Amb. Conteh also disclosed among other programs that the Embassy collaborates with Nigeria’s Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa and the African University of Science and Technology in Abuja to implement a training program for Liberian petroleum engineers and material scientists, The Analyst reports