THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015

News of Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s commendation to the German Government for standing with Liberia throughout the deadly Ebola Virus Disease epidemic and Deputy Health Minister Dr. Francis Ketteh’s called for citizens to help Government deal with Mental Health problem in the country are stories highlighted in today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

VP Boakai Praises Germany For Staying With Liberia  

According to the Heritage newspaper, Vice President, Ambassador Joseph Nyumah Boakai, has praised the Federal Republic of Germany for standing with Liberia throughout the deadly Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in 2014. The Vice President, who was the most senior Liberian Government Official to attend the 25th German Unity Day celebration, praised the German Embassy near Monrovia for putting off celebrating of their Day in 2014 as a mark of solidarity with the Liberian Government and people. Vice President Boakai made the assertion when he delivered remark at the 25th German Unity Day celebration which was held at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia on Monday.

Related Captions: VP Boakai Praises Germany For Standing With Liberia(The News), Germans Support In Difficulty VP Boakai Praises European Country For Standing With Liberia(FrontPage Africa)

Government Wants Citizens to Help With Mental Health Problem

The Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Francis Ketteh has called on citizens to buttress government's effort in dealing with Mental Health problem in the country. Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing, Dr. Ketteh explained that there are only two Psychiatric homes in the Country and the number of mentally ill people is huge therefore, the issue of mental illness must be taken seriously. He disclosed that the Ministry of Health recently trained about 166 mental health practitioners in response to the huge numbers of people suffering from mental disorder in the country. The Chief Medical Officer noted that the training was part of government's process to adequately respond to the issue of mental health which he said has become alarming across Liberia. Liberia will join the World tomorrow, October 10,  to celebrate World Mental Health Day, according to the Inquirer newspaper.  

Related Captions: Gov’t Wants Citizens To Help With Mental Health Problem(The Inquirer), MoH Trains 166 Mental Health Practitioners(The New Dawn), 400,000 Liberians Mentally Sick(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Today Is World Post Day

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared October 9th, 2015, as World Post Day, and is to be observed throughout the Republic as a WORKING HOLIDAY. The Proclamation is in consonance with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) which was found in 1874 for the purpose of forming a single Postal Territory of countries for the reciprocal exchange of letters and postal items and to secure the organization and improve Postal Services worldwide. According to a Foreign Ministry Press Release, this year’s celebration of World Post Day will be held around the world under the theme: “Innovation, Integration and Inclusion Are The Key Drivers For The Future Of The Post”. The Republic of Liberia being a member of the Universal Postal Union is duty bound to support and uphold all rules and procedures laid down by this World Body. The Proclamation acknowledged, that in keeping with the global mission of the Universal Postal Union, postal customers in every country are to be treated with equal courtesy, respect, rules and procedures which are provided that makes it easier for national and international customers and users of the Postal Services. The Proclamation therefore calls upon the Ministries and Agencies, as well as National and International Organizations concerned, to join and cooperate with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in executing appropriate programs to make the observance of the day meaningful.

Related Caption: World Post Day Celebrated Today(In Profile Daily)

Liberia Observers International Day Of The Girl Child

The Heritage newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Sunday, October 11, 2015, as "International Day of The Girl Child" and is to be observed on Monday, October 12, 2015, throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year's International Day of the Girl Child will be celebrated under the international theme: "The Power of The Adolescent Girl: Vision 2030" and the national theme: "Ensuring Quality Education For Girl Empowerment" in recognition of the importance of investing in Adolescent Girls' empowerment and rights.  The Proclamation calls on local and international organizations, UNICEF, Plan-Liberia, Ministries and agencies of Government to join the Ministry Of Gender and Children Protection in executing   appropriate programs befitting the Day.  The Proclamation  states that over the last 15 years, the global community has made significant progress in improving the livelihood of girls through quality secondary and higher education and avoiding child marriage,  receiving information and services related to puberty and productive health, as well as  admonishing them to be cautious about unwanted pregnancy,  sexually transmitted disease and gender based violence.  On December 19, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 declaring October 11, to be observed each year as the International Day Of The Girl Child in recognition of girls' rights and the unique challenges they face around the world, and in acknowledgement of the importance of empowerment of and investment in girls which are critical for the eradication of poverty and breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence, the release declared.  

Related Caption:  Sunday Is Int’l Day of The Girl Child(The New Dawn)

CRC Wants Land Rights Act Legislated

The Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee or CRC, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, has urged lawmakers here to speedily pass the Land Rights Act, currently before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Land. Speaking during a recent program at the Monrovia City Hall, Cllr. Scott said the Land Rights Act is part of recommendations gathered from citizens across the country for amendments in the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, st6ressing that if passed into low, it would help to foster peace and reconciliation. She noted that citizens would not cultivate large farms if they fear the next government will claim their land for concession purposes. She made the call during a two-day workshop recently on the National Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT) of Land, Fisheries and Forestry organized by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Liberia, the Friday edition of the New Dawn newspaper writes.

World Bank VP Pledges Support to Liberia

World Bank Vice President Makhtar Diop, has assur4ed Liberia of continuous support to its Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan (ESRP), with special emphasis on the Agriculture Sector. Mr. Diop acknowledged the remarkable leadership demonstrated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at both the national and Regional levels, during the Ebola Crisis. He also extolled the Liberian leader for her manifold contribution towards the new global agenda- the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Apr4ess release issued here by the Finance Ministry says the World Bank Vice President made these comment Wednesday, October 7, when Finance and Development Planning Minister, Amara Konneh, met with him on the margins of the Bank’s Annual Meetings along with the International Monetary Fund in Lima, Peru. Both officials discussed the current state of the Liberian economy as well as support by the World Bank to Liberia’s medium-term development strategy, the Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and the Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan (ESRP), reports the New Dawn daily.

Minister Dukuly Assures Bomi Storm Victims of Govt’s Support

Int6e4rnal Affairs Minister, Morris Dukuly has assured storm victims in Bomi County that all is being done by the government to address their plight. Min. Dukuly gave the assurance in Tubmanburg Wednesday during a tour of areas affected by the heavy rainstorm in the county and will do everything possible to address the ne3eds of victims. Minister Dukuly gave the assurance in Tubmanburg Wednesday during a tour of areas affected by the heavy rainstorm in the county. Areas toured by Min. Dukuly are the Bomi County Community College (BCCC), C. H. Dewey Central High School, H. Q. Taylor Elementary School and the Tubmanburg Youth Center amongst others, the FOCUS newspaper reports.

Commercial Fisheries to Get Proper Management; As Vice President Breaks Ground for Rehabilitation of the Mesurado Industrial Fishery Terminal

According to the FOCUS newspaper, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has broken grounds for the rehabilitation of the Mesurado Industrial Fisheries Terminal which will serve as a facility for the proper management of commercial fishing by strengthening fisheries governance, reducing illegal fishing and increasing the local economic value added from fisheries.