Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai’s donation towards the school feeding program, the turning over of authority by the former Internal Affairs Minister, Mr. Morris Dukuly, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to Spain, and the opening of the October Term of Court are among the selected stories from today’s newsstand.

VP Boakai Donates Food to Augment School Feeding Program…

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, several Public and Private Schools in Liberia are expected to benefit from a short term school feeding program, thanks to a donation made possible by the office of Vice President Joseph Boakai. The food has been subsequently turned over to the Ministry of Education. On Monday, Vice President Boakai received and turned over six containers from a charity organization in the United Kingdom-His Church -headed by Reverend Trevor Cockings. Three of the containers contain seventeen thousand, ten cases of couscous. The other three containers, according to Vice President Boakai, contain 5,139 cases of tuna fish. The shipment is valued at more than four hundred thousand United States dollars. The donation to the schools by VP Boakai is to help feed Liberian children while they are in school. The Ministry of Education and the General Services Agency will ensure that the items are distributed to the targeted schools around the country. Institutions that are expected to benefit from the donation are boarding, elementary, and junior high schools, private and Public. Other institutions expected to benefit are the special or vulnerable institutions.

Related Captions:VP Boakai Turns Over School Feeding Supplies Worth US$400,000 To MOE(Heritage), and Veep Boakai Presents Over US$400,000 Food Items(Inquirer)

Dismissed Minister Morris Dukuly Departs Internal Affairs Ministry

FrontPage Africa newspaperpens that the former Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Morris M. Dukuly on Monday turned over the affairs of the Ministry. According to a press statement from the Ministry, in a short statement, Mr. Dukuly thanked President Sirleaf for her confidence and the opportunity afforded him to serve in her Administration and the people of Liberia. He said serving the Administration as Minister of Internal Affairs with responsibility for administration of the 15 counties has been a special privilege, and he was pleased that he gave the full measure of his creative energy, leadership, and attention to this responsibility. The former Internal Affairs Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to the donor and bilateral partners, including the Country Team of United Nations, United Nations Development Program, European Union, World Bank, United States Agency for International Development, Swedish Agency for International Development (SIDA), and the Government of Norway for financial and technical contributions to the programs of the Government of Liberia led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He also thanked his former Cabinet Colleagues for their friendship and collaborative support. The former Minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to Superintendents, other local government officers, and his former colleagues at the Ministry for their support and cooperation, and collaboration which contributed to achieving the progress they have made. Mr. Dukuly said as he returns to private life, he will continue to support the President and her Administration's agenda. Meanwhile, Mr. Dukuly said that although he understands the law does not require it, he was immediately preceding to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to self-declare and file an exit asset declaration to complete his record with the Commission.

Related captions:Dukuly Turns Over At MIA(New Dawn),and Dukuly Turns Over Office(In Profile Daily)

President Sirleaf Congratulates Spain On Its National Day

New Republic newspaperquotes a Foreign Ministry release: The President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has sent a Message of Congratulations to the Government and People of Spain on the occasion commemorating the 28^th Anniversary of that country's National Day.  In her message to His Majesty Felipe VI, King of Spain, President Johnson Sirleaf extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Spanish leader, and through him, to the Government and People of Spain on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, and in her own name. "Your Majesty, on this auspicious occasion commemorating Spain's National Day, I wish to convey to you, and through you, to Members of the Royal Family and the Government and People of Spain, warmest felicitations and sincere best wishes, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in my own name." President Johnson Sirleaf further said that she is pleased with the cordial ties, the two countries continue to enjoy over the years. The Liberian Leader said the ties have established an enabling stage to further enhance Liberia and Spain's bilateral cooperation particularly in many rewarding spheres, including health and migration. The Liberian leader hopes that as Spain happily celebrates La Fiesta Nacional de España, the friendly ties subsisting between the two countries will continue to flourish from strength to strength whilst they together endeavor for the attainment of global peace and security. President Sirleaf wished for His Majesty's continued well-being and happiness, and for the People of Spain sustained joy and prosperity.

Related Caption:Ellen Congratulates Spain On Its National Day(Heritage)

Supreme Court Opens For October Term

The Inquirer newspaper reports that the Supreme Court of Liberia on Monday, October 12, 2015 disclosed that two public defenders have been assigned to Criminal Court ‘C’ to speed up the trials of sexual offences especially rape cases. Chief Justice Francis Korkpor said the Court has observed with serious concern that the crime of rape continues to be menace to the society.  He indicated that information has reached them that part of the problems hampering the speedy and effective prosecution of rape cases is due to the compromises by some victims and their parents. Justice Korkpor disclosed that rape being a crime is committed to against the state and not against individual even though the individual is the victim of the physical act. Speakig at the formal opening of the October Term of Court, Chief Justice Korkpor also said the crime of rape is opposing serious challenges to the dispensation of justice in the country.

Girls’ Education Ranks ‘High’ In Lofa

According to the Daily Observer Amidst reports of gender inequality and the challenge of girls’ education in Liberia, a 2015 Status of Girls Report released has revealed that there are more girls’ enrollment and female graduates in Lofa County than other populated counties. The report, compiled by the African Development Associates (ADEAS) and submitted to the Adolescent Girls Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said the completion of girls from primary and secondary educations in Lofa County is 64 percent, while the boys, is 34 percent. ADEAS made the formal reports on Monday, October 12 at the Paynesville Town Hall during the official program marking the 4th observance of the International Day of the Girl Child. The program was held under the theme, “Ensuring Quality Education for Girls Empowerment.” Over 1,000 students were in attendance from several elementary and senior high schools in Monrovia, Paynesville and environs. The Liberia 2015 Status of Girls Report indicated that boys’ completion rate from primary and secondary education in Bong County is 54 percent and the girls’ completion rate is 46 percent.

Youth Group Donates Education Materials To Students

A local youth group in the St. Paul Bridge Community has donated several education materials to students of the Bishop Lewis Community School in Whea Town, outside Monrovia. Whea Town is a slum community located in St. Paul Bridge, District #16, Montserrado County. Items donated by the coalition for Positive Change included: several cartoons of copy books, sharpeners, erasers and pencils. Making the presentation the group’s Secretary General, Lenn Brarduae, put the cost of the donated items at US$523.00. He said the donation was made possible due to the efforts of some prominent residents in the community including Madam Juanita E. Neal. Barduae noted that the educational materials would help enhance the students’ efforts as they strive to achieve quality education at the institution, reports the Heritage newspaper.

WHO Wants To Support GOL On Mental Health Issues

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa has said that the WHO is committed to supporting the Liberian government and stakeholders in providing needed technical support to address and restore the dignity of Liberians suffering from various forms of mental illness. The Liberian government, he said, must review legislation about mental health and its treatment to be able to protect the rights and dignity of persons affected by the condition. In a statement issued last Monday during the celebration of World Mental Health Day under the theme, ‘Dignity and Mental Health,’ he stated that the theme draws the attention of the Liberian government to the crucial need to ensure that dignity is preserved in all attitudes of the public towards Liberians who suffer from any form of mental disorder. He said current estimates indicate that one out of every six Africans suffers from some form of mental disorder. “Unfortunately,” he said, “in the course of treatment, some patients are subjected to undignified treatment, such as being chained to trees or beds, locked in a cage, left without food for many hours, deprived of family support and inadequate personal hygiene.” He said mental health patients deserve respect and compassion as they cope with their disease, in the same way it is deserved and expected by those who suffer from any other disease. Dr. Moeti said some countries in Africa, (which he did not identify), have implemented a range of measures to improve awareness, restore dignity, and access to mental health services at all levels of the health care system. “This includes revision of their mental health legislation in order to protect the rights and dignity of persons affected by the condition, reports the Daily Observer.

LACC Officials Complete Training in Nigeria

Three officials of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) have completed an intensive training program of the Network of the National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA). A dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja names the officials as Mr. Moses Varfee Kowo, Attorney Margaret Muna Nigba, and Mr. Abraham Boima Sheriff who were among fourteen ECOWAS citizens drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Burkina Faso. The training held at the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) Training Academy in Karu, outside Abuja, Nigeria focused on investigation, prosecution and corruption prevention. In remarks, Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, the Secretary of the EFCC, Mr. Adegboyega Aremo, reminded the participants about the cross boundary significance of their training with a multinational network such as NACIWA, the New Republic newspaper writes.

Tackle Discrimination against Mentally ill through Community Initiatives says WHO Regional Director

The New Republic newspaper reports that the World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa is calling on the Liberian Government and partners to tackle discrimination against mentally ill people through individual and community initiatives. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti stressed the need for governments and partners to strengthen national programs, policies and legislative measures to strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers to address the growing problem of mental illness in communities and in the region. Dr. Moeti made the call Saturday at a program making World Mental Health Day organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners in the health sector in Liberia held at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship in Sinkor.

UNFPA Champions Girls’ Empowerment

The Executive Director for the United Nations Population Fund or UNEFPA, Dr. Babatrunde Osotimehin, says the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls on the World to leave no one behind will be measured by how well collective actions are exerted to building a world in which girls have no limits on their future aspirations, no matter where they are born. He said this would also require building a world where adolescent girls have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services and possess the knowledge and confidence they need to make the right choices for a healthy life. Dr. Osotomehin’s call is contain in a statement released to mark the 4^th Anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child which fell on Sunday, 11^th October with the Theme, “Educating Girls for Sustainable Development.” The day was however celebrated officially by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Monday, 12^th October at the Paynesville City, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Rehabilitation Works Starts on Lofa Road

Rehabilitation work on the damaged Voinjama-Zorzor Highway in Lofa County has begun. The project is being implemented by the county authorities through the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Development, Youngor S. Sherman. Making the disclosure in Voinjama at the weekend, Madam Sherman said the project is targeting nine spots on the highway that are badly damaged and need urgent repair. She told LINA that her office is working with the China Road Construction Company, Plan Liberia Lofa Program Unit, World Food Program and UNMIL Civil Affairs Lofa Office, among others, for the implementation of the project, the New Democrat newspaper writes.

US $181M needed to revamp JFK

Dr. Bernice Dahn, Liberia’s Health Minister, says an estimated US$181 million is needed to restore the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) in Monrovia to its pre-war status. According to Minister Dahn, prior to the war, the hospital had adequate professional doctors, nurses, medical equipment and drugs and could be compared to any international medical center. Dahn made the disclosure at a stakeholder’ validation workshop of the JFK Medical Center 2015-2020 Strategic Plan held at a local hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia. She stated that investing in the JFK will go a long way in providing quality medical services and preventing government officials and other citizens from spending huge sums of money to go abroad for medical attention. She indicated that the money will be invested in equipment and training of doctors and nurses as well as physicians up to post-graduate level in conformity with international medical professional standards, the Insight newspaper reports.