THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015

News ofForeign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan assertion that Members of the Diplomatic Corps will have special pages when the post-Ebola history of Liberia is written, President Johnson Sirleaf’s Proclamation declaring August 24, 2015 as “National Flag Day, Vice PresidentJoseph Nyumah Boakai commendation tothe Governmentand People of Turkeyforthe donation of 20 buses to the Monrovia City Corporationand the launch of the ‘HeForShe’ campaign at the National Legislatureare stories  dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Diplomatic Corps Has Special Pages in Liberian History

The New Democrat newspaper quotes a release from the Foreign Ministry as saying that Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has said that Members of the Diplomatic Corps will have special pages when the post-Ebola history of Liberia is written. According to the release, the Liberian Foreign Minister said that all Members of the Diplomatic Corps, especially those who stood with Liberia during one of its darkest hours, including the three out-going Ambassadors of Sweden, Egypt and Cuba. He stated that these three Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries, H.E. Mrs. Sofia Strand of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Sameh Lofti of Egypt and H.E. Mr. Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolas of Cuba, have distinguished themselves as some of Liberia’s truest friends, who helped to fight and defeat Ebola in Liberia; adding: “They have special pages in our history”.  Foreign Minister Ngafuan spoke Thursday, August 20th, when he delivered a Special Statement at a farewell luncheon he hosted in honor of the three out-going Ambassadors, whose tenures, ranging between two to three years, ended. He told Members of the Diplomatic Corps present in the C. Cecil Dennis, Jr. Hall of the Foreign Ministry, “All of you didn’t close your Embassies to Liberia. You were here helping to fight with us. The President, Government and People of the Republic of Liberia, will have me say thanks to the entire Diplomatic Service and especially to each of you Ambassador, who did specific things, which helped us in our war against Ebola”. Touching on some of the things the three distinguished personalities did during their tour of duties, the Foreign Minister said: “For Ambassador Nicholas, he had to apply himself in an extraordinary way so that we could get more than 50 Cuban doctors here and we know what he did. They took the risks with us and went on the battlefront”. On Ambassador Lofti, Min. Ngafuan stated: “He was a pusher, who made things happened during the war against Ebola and also his country provided scholarship programs for Liberians to go and study in Egypt.” According to the Foreign Minister, the deadly Ebola virus, which stalled the progresses of many development initiatives in Liberia, also halted a Joint Commission Meeting between Egypt and Liberia.  He stated that under Ambassador Strand, Sweden-Liberia relationship has gone to a higher level.  “The Liberian development landscape is being impacted in many ways by your country. Sweden deployed some of its solders here to help with peacekeeping in UNMIL. Sweden has assisted our reconciliation process, our public financial management system, our decentralization program, etc. So the President will have me convey to all of you Ambassadors her personal thanks and gratitude for being good friends to Liberia and what you have done to elevate the relationship,” the Foreign Minister said.  Minister Ngafuan, who is also the Dean of the Cabinet, told the three Ambassadors that as they leave, he was asking them to also serve as Liberia’s ambassadors in their respective nations or other places they will find themselves.  “We wish you well in your new endeavors; where so ever you are going to be, we ask that you remember this country and we are giving you an open door to Liberia,” the Minister said as he wished them Godspeed.  Making remarks, Ambassador Strand said Liberia has a special place in her heart as it is the place where she began her first diplomatic mission and had many experiences.  “There have been several firsts for me here in Liberia. First time Ambassador and to be the first Swedish Ambassador to Liberia since 1989, first time living on the African continent and first time living in a post-conflict country.” Mrs. Strand further stated that these experiences have challenged and made her grow; adding: “I will keep Liberia in my heart for a long time and I will follow with great interest the important years that lie ahead of this country.” Her diplomatic tour of duty in Liberia lasted for two years. For his part, Ambassador Lofti said throughout his three-year stay in Liberia, he always felt like he was in his country as Liberians treated him warmly. The Egyptian Ambassador stated that in those three years, there were many challenges, but that he and his hosts faced them head-on.  He added: “I am sure Liberia will reach a place it wishes and deserves among the comity of nations.” As for Ambassador Nicolas, who is based in Accra, said he is glad to have participated in with Liberia in some of its successes; adding: “The Ebola time was a very difficult time for everybody.” He stated that it was a time that the Cuban doctors had to come to Liberia and got to know Liberians during those difficult times. He disclosed that his country has now officially opened its Embassy here in Monrovia and that his successor will be stationed in Monrovia. His tour of duty lasted for three years.

Related Captions: Diplomatic Corps Has Special Pages In Liberian History…Minister Ngafuan Bids 3 Ambassadors Farewell(Heritage), Diplomats Have Special Pages In Liberian History Says Min. Ngafuan, As Liberia Bids Farewell To 3 Ambassadors Farewell(Heritage), Min. Ngafuan Bids Three Ambassadors Farewell(FOCUS). President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has also bid farewell to outgoing Cuban Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Mr. Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolás. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian President, bidding the Cuban envoy farewell, thanked him, noting that during the period of his service, relationship between Liberia and Cuba has become stronger.  She expressed thanks to the Cuban Government for the many scholarships provided Liberians to study in that country, particularly in the medical area; noting that this will greatly assist in the recovery of the country’s healthcare delivery especially after the Ebola virus disease. The Cuban Ambassador hoped that formalities will be concretized so that his successor will not be resident in Accra, Ghana and concurrently serve Liberia; but will be accredited to Liberian and resident in Monrovia. He stressed that he was very proud that Cuba had the opportunity to assist Liberia during the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease when they sent a medical team to join international partners fight the outbreak.  Ambassador Nicolás assured the Liberian leader that they have begun working with the Ministry of Health in exploring ways to bring a medical team back to Liberia for a two or three year stint to help the country improve its healthcare delivery system, pens the FrontPage Africa newspaper under the caption “Heralding Cuba’s Role President Sirleaf  Bids Farewell To Outgoing Cuban Ambassador, H. E. Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolas”.

Related Caption: President Sirleaf Bids Farewell To Outgoing Cuban Ambassador, H.E.Jorge Fernando Lefebre Nicolás(The New Republic)

President Sirleaf Declares August 24, National Flag Day

The FOCUS newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has by Proclamation, declared Monday, August 24, 2015 as “National Flag Day,” and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday. The Proclamation is in consonant with an Act of National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, approved on October 25, 1915, which declared the 24^th day of August each year as a National Flag Day to be observed as a national holiday, throughout the Republic of Liberia.  The Proclamation states  that It is important and befitting that the Day is commemorated annually by all citizens of the Republic in testimony of their allegiance and loyalty to the national ensign, the embodiment of the  country’s existence as a sovereign  entity and to encourage national pride and Patriotism. The Proclamation urges citizens and foreign residents within the borders of Liberia to give prominence to the observance by flying the National Flag from each dwelling and Public Building. The Proclamation orders and directs the Ministry of Education and all other government agencies concerned to execute appropriate programs befitting the occasion. The Proclamation also orders all government offices, public and business houses closed during the observance. “The national flag was designed and undertaken by a committee of ladies led by Mrs. Susannah Lewis and all talented and visionary citizens of the Republic at the time”, the Proclamation declares. The Proclamation stressed that the making of the flag of the Republic was a historic event of great significance for Liberia as Africa’s pacesetter in the struggle for self determination and inspiration to future African states. The release stated that the national ensign of Liberia is visible evidence of the country’s sovereignty and independence as a political entity within the comity of nations and a symbol of pride and dignity. “The flag  consists  of six red stripes and  five alternating  white stripes  totaling eleven stripes with  each representing one of the eleven Signers of The Declaration of Independence of Liberia, and the  blue field in the upper left corner of a rectangular  form  with a single while star in the center of the blue field depicting Liberia as the then only independent state  on the continent of Africa while the color red symbolizes the blood of those who died in the struggle for independence. The color while indicates the Purity of mind and clearness of all its forebears toward each other and the blue for the dark continent of Africa as it was then depicted”.

Related Captions: President SIrleaf Declares August 24, National Flag Day To Be Observed As A National Holiday(FrontPage Africa), Monday Is Flag Day(In Profile Daily)

Boakai Hails Turkey…For Donating Buses To Liberia

Vice PresidentJoseph Nyumah Boakai has hailed the Government and Peopleof Turkeythrough the Istanbul Metropolitanmunicipality forthe donation of 20 buses to the Monrovia City Corporation.  He said the Government of Liberia is grateful to the people of turkey for its generosity, adding that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is proud for the donation of the buses. Vice President Boakai said Turkey has been a big friend to Liberia, especially through their investment. Earlier, Ismail Hakki Turunc, Advisor to the Mayor & Member of the Istanbul metropolitan Municipality Assembly said providing for the needy is part of turkey’s foreign policy, stating that “one can’t turn his back on his sister; that is why we consider Liberia need as our need”, the Newsnewspaper reports.

Related Captions: Turkey Donates 25 Buses To Government…VP Boakai Calls On NTA To Develop Code Of Conduct For Drivers(Heritage), Monrovia Gets 20 Buses From Turkey(The Inquirer)

Members Of Liberian Legislature Joins ‘Heforshe’ Campaign

Members of the 53rd Liberian National Legislature have joined the ‘HeForShe’ Campaign pledging to take actions for the advancement of gender equality in Liberia. During an event held at the seat of the Legislature on Capitol Hill in Monrovia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Alex Tyler recognized the contributions of women in building safer and economically vibrant societies around the world. The Speaker of the House of Representatives said the ‘HeForShe’ Campaign provides the platform for men to take ownership of efforts aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of women and girls.
“Every time the conversation of women’s empowerment is brought to the fore, the discussion has always centered on governance. But I think this ‘HeForShe’ Campaign takes it to another level”. Speaker Tyler said: “The next level to which we must take the ‘HeForShe’ Campaign is about economically empowering women so that they can lead the way in the political governance of Liberia”, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberian Legislature Joins ‘Heforshe’ Campaign(Heritage), Liberian Legislature Joins ‘Heforshe’ Campaign(FrontPage Africa), Lawmakers Join Gender Campaign(New Democrat), Liberia Launches Solidarity Movement…For Women Empowerment(The News), Lawmakers Embrace ‘He For She’ Campaign To Advance Gender Equality(INSIGHT), Lawmakers Pledge Support To He-for-She Campaign(In Profile Daily).The New Dawn newspaper reports under the caption “Un Women Launches Heforshe Campaign” that the United Nations Women also launched the “Heforshe” campaign at the Liberian Legislature on Capitol Hill. Speaking at the launch, the UN Women Representative in Liberia, Awa Ndiaye Seck, said, women have suffered a lot due to lack of education, lack of access to justice and lack of economic empowerment. Moreover for Liberia, the vulnerability got worse by the civil war and the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus. She noted that worldwide, almost one-third of all women, who have been in a relationship, experienced some form of violence from their intimate partners, while girls and women represent two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population.

OTHER STORIES

Gov't Approves US$75k To Fence Culture Center

The Government has approved an initial amount of US$75,000 to fence the 52 acres of land earmarked for the National Culture Center in en Town, Margibi County. Assistant Minister for Culture at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Louise W. McMillian made the disclosure Thursday in an interview with the Liberia News Agency at her Capitol Hill office. The Minister said the Department of Culture is expected to assess the 52 acres of land on Friday, August 21, in Ben Town, Heritage newspaper reports.

WTO Delegates Meet President Sirleaf

A high level delegation from the World Trade Organization (WTO) has praised President Ellen Johnson sirleaf and Vice President Joseph Boakai for their leadership and commitment to the WTO process which sets the pace for domestic reforms that will esure Liberia integration to the global economy as a mre predictable and transparent destination for investment. Commerce Minister Axel Addy, who is also the head of Liberian Negotiating Team, briefed bth President sirleaf and VP Boakai that the roadmap prescribed by the WTO process offers domestic reforms that will esure the diversification of the Liberian economy ad enhance its resilence to crises. The delegation includes Mr. Joakim Reiter, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Chairman of the working Party on the Accession of Lberia, along wth Dr. Chieidu Osadwe, Director of the Accesion Division of the WTO. President Johnson sirleaf reaffirmed Liberia's commitment to WTO consstent reforms and the 2015 WTO Accession of Liberia, as a priority for her government, FrontPage Africa newspaper reports.

MOE/USAID-LTTP Present Educator Management Policy For Liberia

The Ministry of Education in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development-Liberia Teacher Training Program (USAID-LTTP) is hosting two stakeholders meetings to solicit inputs to a draft Educator management Policy for the  Republic of Liberia.  The first event is being held at the P.A.’s Ribhouse in Sinkor, from August 20 to 21, 2015. USAID-LTTP’s Chief of Party, Michael Blundell, delivered the opening remarks. He said it has been observed, but they need ted over the years that policies are writeten to be implemented.  The representative of the Minister of Education at the event, Assistant minister for Teacher  Education, Hon. Advertus O. Wright, urged participants to make their inputs to the draft document so that the purpose of the document will be realized, Inquirer newspaper reports.

GoL Organizes First Post-Ebola Investors Outreach In The U.S

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and some key officials in the business and finance sector including Min. Amara Konneh, Governor J.Mills Jones will visit the United States of America (USA) to provide a unique opportunity to opportunity for stateside investors and business leaders to gain in-depthknowledge of one of the world’s most rapidly growing markets- Liberia. Also in attendance will be CEOs and directors from several of the country’s leading business including – APM Terminals and Firestone natural Rubber Company will present their own investment plans in Liberia, as well as sharing details of their experiences and successes, FOCUS newspaper asserts.

Farewell To Warrick: Funeral For Fallen Eps Director - Burial Set For U.S.

Scores of government officials including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, sympathizers, family and friends Thursday attended the funeral service of the late former head of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Mr. Othello Warrick.  The Liberian Head-of-State led an array of government officials to join the bereaved family during the funeral service of the late former head of the Executive Protection Service (EPS), Mr. Othello Warrick at the Providence Church on Ashmun Street. The late Othello Warrick died on Saturday, August 1, 2015, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.  The remains if the late Othello Warrick will be flown to the United States for internment according to the daily.  

Related Caption: Former EPS Boss Body To Be Buried In U.S….Some Famil Members Unhappy(The Inquirer)