THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014

News of President Johnson Sirleaf's meeting with the Ebola Coordinator of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Director of the African Zone of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent society, the call by a Liberian diplomaturging  Liberians to be steadfast in the fightagainst the deadly Ebola virus, and the Contempt Charge  imposed on the Director of the Liberia Civil Service Agency by the legislature as  well as  the arrest and subsequent  charging with Manslaughter of  six police officers  are among stories dominating the  summary of the local dailies for today.

DOMINANT STORIES

German Delegation Meets With Pres. Sirleaf

According to the INSIGHT Newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received in audience the Ebola Coordinator of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ambassador Johannes Lindner, and the Director of the African Zone of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), Mr. Alasan Senghore, accompanied by a delegation of the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS). According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader held separate discussions with the two delegations at her Foreign Ministry Office on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. During her meeting with Ambassador Lindner, President Sirleaf acknowledged Germany’s commitment in helping Liberia and other countries eradicate the deadly Ebola virus disease and restore the sub-region to normalcy. She informed Germany’s Ebola Coordinator that his country could be more helpful in their intervention by strengthening and capacitating community-based healthcare services. Responding, the German Ebola Coordinator presented compliments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and expressed how gravely concerned she is about the Ebola situation in Liberia. He informed President Sirleaf that he was in Liberia to assess the situation, inquire as to how Germany can be of more help and join the fight to end the ravaging Ebola outbreak. He added that Germany has spent an initial €17million through the humanitarian non-governmental organization, Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) and the Red Cross and is resolved to do more including direct help to the government. In a related development, a delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) led by the Organization’s African Zone Director, Alasan Senghore, also paid a courtesy call on President Sirleaf. The Liberian President acknowledged that the Red Cross has been an active member of the partners’ family and has done very well in providing humanitarian support to Liberians. “For his part, Director Senghore said he was in Liberia on behalf of the Secretary-General of the IFRC to assess the situation and show solidarity to the Liberian people.

Related Captions: Germans To Manage ETU At SKD Sports Complex(Heritage), Germany To Manage SKD’s ETU – Over 300 German Health Experts Due To Arrive Soon (Daily Observer),  Red Cross To Mobilize For More Supports – Lauds LNRCS For Level Of Work Thus Far

(Daily Observer), Pres. Sirleaf Receives Foreign Delegations(FOCUS),  Pres. Sirleaf Receives Delegation From Germany, IFRC(The New Dawn)

Diplomat Calls On Liberians To Remain Steadfast

A prominent Liberian diplomat, Mr. William Deiyan Towah has called on Liberians to be steadfast in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus. Mr. Towah who was speaking to journalists from his duty post at the West African Health Organization (WAHO) of ECOWAS challenged fellow Liberians to be united in the fight against what he described as a common enemy. The renowned diplomat also admonished his fellow countrymen to strictly adhere to rules and instructions from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and partners organizations about the virus and burials for Ebola-related deaths.  The Liberian scholar who described the Ebola outbreak as a threat to global security that requires unprecedented measures to have it contained asked Liberians to be united at this critical period to fight the spread, writes the INSIGHT newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberia Diplomat Describes Ebola Global Threat..Calls On Liberians to Be Steadfast In The Ebola Fight(Heritage),

CSA Boss Charged With Contempt

Members of the Liberian Senate have charged the Director General of the Civil Service Agency, George Werner, with contempt and fined him LD$4,999. The Senate has also ordered Director Werner to make a public apology to that august body for acts of gross disrespect. The Senate’s decision is based on a proposal from the CSA that employees or non-essential staff of government ministries and agencies that were told to stay home as a result of the Ebola outbreak should be dismissed. Appearing before the full plenary of the Liberian Senate on Thursday in chambers, Director Werner said that the decision is intended to reduce Government workforce on grounds that many of those employees are unproductive or are engaged in duplication of functions. He argued that if the proposal is implemented, government will increase salaries and benefits for employees that will stay in the job, noting that as it stands, all employees are earning salaries and benefits with maximum of US$125.00 per month, something, he said has reduced government employees to mere beggars, according to the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberia's Civil Service Agency Downsizing Plan On Hold(FrontPage Africa), Dr. Gwenigale, CSA Boss Werner Charged With Contempt- But Dr. Gwenigale Appears Again Tuesday With Lawyer(Daily Observer), Senate Trashes Decision To Sack Non-Essential Employees(INSIGHT)

Six Police Officers Sent To Court For Manslaughter

The authority of the Liberia National Police has investigated, charged and sent to court six of its officers for manslaughter. The six officers were arrested following the death of a man identified as Mallah Jalloh who was allegedly killed at the ELWA junction in Paynesville on September 27, 2014. Those sent to court includes, Insp. Julius O. Myers, Sgt. Edward B.B. Hoff,  Sgt. Otis T. Ross, Patr. J. Rudolf B. Clinton and Patr. Wilbur Weawon and C/Insp. David L. Kennedy.  Meanwhile, Police Director Hon. Clarence Massaquoi said the authority of the Liberia national Police will not relent to suspend, dismiss or take Administrative measures against any officer that will engage in unlawful act, the Analyst reports.

Related Captions: 6 Police Officers Sent To Court For Murder(Daily Observer), Police Officers Charged With Manslaughter(The NEWS), 6 Police Officers Charges With Manslaughter(Heritage), Police Officers Charges With Manslaughter (The News), Six LNP Officers Charged For Killing(INSIGHT), Six Police Officers Sent to Court(The Analyst), 6 Police Officers Charged(New Democrat)

LACC Commences Monitoring Of Ebola Resources Management

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) will today, October 17, 2014, commence the exercise of monitoring the management of Ebola resources in Liberia. The exercise will begin with the Ministries of Health & Social Welfare and Internal Affairs. The LACC is monitoring program intended to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity in the management of Ebola resources and to make sure that adequate internal controls and systems are instituted in the administration of said resources.  Addressing staff during the training program, the Commission’s Vice Chairperson, Cllr. J. Augustine Toe urged them to work with professionalism and diligence, FrontPage Africa reports.

Related Captions: LACC Commences Monitor of Ebola Resources Management(Heritage), LACC Commences Monitoring of Ebola Fund(The News)

NEC Holds Consultations on 2014 Special Senatorial Election

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that authorities of the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Thursday held consultations with the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia and the National Tradition Council of Liberia on the conduct of the 2014 Special Senatorial Election in Liberia. The consultations are aimed at finding a suitable date for the holding of the Special Senatorial Election in the wake of a Joint Resolution recently adopted by the National Legislature and to seek flexibility for the Special election to be conducted in counties where the prevalence of Ebola is minimum. The Joint Resolution mandates the Commission to conduct the Special Senatorial Election no later than December 20 this year. During Thursday’s meeting, the Chairman and members of the National Traditional Council of Liberia, the inter-religious Council and the Liberia Council of Churches supported the NEC’s suggestion to recommend to the authorities flexibility in conducting the Special Senatorial Election in the event there is an upsurge in the Ebola situation during the period up to December 20, 2014. Meanwhile the Commission will continue consultations with political parties, independent candidates, student and youth groupings, the civil society and the Press Union of Liberia. The NEC also plans to host regional meetings to inform the electorate and other stakeholders across the country on progress being made towards the conduct of the Special Senatorial Election.

Related Captions: NEC Holds Consultations On 2014 Special Senatorial Election(FrontPage Africa), NEC Holds Consultations To Discuss 2014 Special Senatorial Election(Heritage)

CDC Renews Confidence At RIA Passenger Screening Procedures

The Roberts International Airport has again been commended for procedures it has in place for screening passengers travelling through the airport during the Ebola crisis. According to US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the procedures at the Airport were rigorous enough to track down passengers showing signs and symptoms of the virus. Two personnel of the CDC who have been working alongside the RIA team in the area of capacity building for a period of three weeks said on Monday, that the pre-travelling formalities at the airport were prompt enough to deal with any Ebola related case, a release from RIA said, New Democrat report.

Related Caption: CDC Encourages Early Treatment For Ebola Says Host Become More Contagious When They Fall Ill(INSIGHT)

FAO Tackles Food Security

The Regional Response Programme for West Africa will scale-up the work FAO is currently doing with governments, United Nations Partners and local networks of agriculture veterinary and forestry workers, to help stop the spread of disease, meet immediate and long-term food and nutrition security needs and build resilience. FAO is urgently calling for $30 million to support activities linked to the programme over the next 12 months, New Democrat reports.

Chlorine To Combat Ebola Produced…In Liberia

 A United States based group, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation has begun the production of chlorine water in Liberia to help fight the Ebola virus. The group’s Vice President David Darg told a news conference Thursday that his institution is concerned about the health of Liberians during this national crisis for which they decided to bring in equipments that would produce chlorine water to be used at Ebola treatment centers. Darg said his institution would focus on the distribution of chlorine water in communities especially areas that have not been hit by the virus, the NEW reports.

MOA Initiative To Empower Famers

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has initiated a program to provide farm mechanization services to famers across the country. According to Agriculture Minister Florence Chenoweth, farmers will be able to rent tools such as tractors with all their implements, including power tillers, threshers, winnovers and seeders under the initiative, the NEWS reports.

UNHCR Donates Vehicles To County Health Teams

According to the INSIGHT newspaper, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Liberia has donated two vehicles including a Toyota minibus and a Land Cruiser for use by health workers in Nimba and Grand Gedeh counties. UNHCR Representative in Liberia, Khassim Diagne, noted that “through these donations, UNHCR joins other international partners in supporting the government of Liberia in its fight against EVD, especially in counties hosting Ivorian refugees". President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expressed her appreciation to UNHCR for the gesture at one of the handover ceremonies held at the Ganta Methodist Hospital in Nimba County on 7 October. UNHCR Representative Khassim Diagne thanked communities in the counties of Nimba, Maryland and Grand Gedeh for hosting and responding to the needs of Ivorian refugees.

Bonding Against Ebola: Us Military, AFL Building ETUs Together

 FrontPage Africa newspaper writes that in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, Western Liberia, the United States Military is collaborating with the Armed Forces of Liberia in putting up a 100-bed Ebola treatment Unit to be ready in a few weeks. The United States military is providing logistical support and supervision to members of the AFL for the construction of the ETU through support from the United States Agency for International Development, which is funding the construction of a total of 17 ETUs in the country.

Days 'Without Food & Water’ Liberian ‘Ebola Prisoner’ In Kenya

FrontPage Africanewspaper reports that Monique Tata Allison, a Liberianwho had flown into Nairobi to visit an aunt, Sharon Cooper reported Wednesday that immigration authorities in Kenya refused to allow her in. “They put me in this room, detained me all day.” It took the intervention of Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan for the matter to be resolved. Immigration authorities had threatened to send Monique back to Brussels, but after Minister Ngafuan called his counterpart in Nairobi, Monique was allowed to leave the airport and to see her aunt she had arrived in Kenya to visit. “I’m relieved but a bit disappointed, “she said Wednesday.  Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan told FrontPage Africa Wednesday that he intervened to have Monique released after receiving a call from Charles Yates, a Liberian journalist who said that a pregnant Liberian woman was stranded at the airport in Nairobi. “They had practically held her at the airport since Sunday and they were not allowing her to go and they were trying to deport her to Brussels. So, I got in touch with my colleague the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Kenya, Amina Mohammed. We discussed among other things, the return of Kenya Airways to Liberia and then I brought up the issue of Monique. “She (Mohammed) regretted the incident and said she would try to intervene and she did.

UNDP Bureau Wants Ebola Transmission Halted

The New Dawn  reports that the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Bureau for  Policy and Programme Support, Magdy Martínez-Solimán, has emphasized the need to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease as the devastating health crisis is destroying and undermining the economies of West Africa. Mr. Solimán said as the global efforts to contain the virus continue, UNDP is drawing up programs focusing on early recovery of the economies and governance structures of countries impacted by the virus. Speaking in an interview with the United Nations Mission Radio at the end of a three-day visit to Liberia, the UNDP RegionalBureau Official hailed ongoing efforts by the Government and the international community to respond to the fight against Ebola, pledging UNDP’s commitment to continue its support to efforts being made to contain the disease.  He called for greater awareness among the population on what to do when a case of Ebola is detected in communities.  “I’ve seen firsthand the efforts being deployed in parts of the country to strengthen and multiply treatment facilities like the ETUs” says the Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. 
 

Liberia Churches Declare Three-Day Fast & Prayer for Ebola

The Church of Liberia under the National Christian Task Force on Ebola has called on all Liberians to hold a three-day Nationwide Fast and Prayer. "We are moved by the spirit of God to inform the people of Liberia that God is calling on us as a nation to do a united three day nationwide fast and prayer, to come to him as one people to repent and glorify Jesus in the land," Pastor David Benito said in a statement he delivered on behalf of the group. Rev. Benito said people in Liberia must be mobilized in every county and town adding that the fast and prayer will be done simultaneously. "God wants the nation to come together in one accord and in humility to publicly exalt and glorify Jesus in the land on the final day of the fasting period," he said. According to him, the fast will begin on October 29 and end on the 31st adding that is will be observed from 6:00am-6:00pm. Benito added, that the prayer focus would be on repentance, worship and thanksgiving, asking for God's perfect will to be done in Liberia, reports FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Three-Day Nationwide Fast and Prayer Against Ebola Underway(Heritage)

Crusaders for Peace embarks on training

The Crusaders for Peace headed by Liberian Cultural Ambassador, Julie Endee, has embarked on a training program to sensitize the public on the rapid spread of the Ebola virus disease across Liberia. The training, held at the crusaders for peace headquarters on Capitol Bye- pass in Monrovia, brought together  trainers,monitors, mobilizes and community dwellers, highlighting them on the danger of the virus and how to use preventive measures to stay safe from the outbreak. Speaking Thursday, 16 October at the opening of the training workshop, Ambassador Endee said, the group’s contribution is intended to buttress the Government’s effort through awareness, drama, songs, and other publicity strategies, targeting rural residents. She said the training is to educate citizens to stop stigmatizing Ebola survivors, noting that family members are in the constant habit of rejecting relatives infected by Ebola. The Liberian Cultural Ambassador said all attention is focus on fighting the virus, but Liberians seem to be forgetting what would happen in the future, when discrimination will hit many families, adding that the crusaders for peace wants to erase stigmatization against survivors by providing necessary information, through the various vernaculars to let citizens understand that Ebola survivors are the best people to be with. Meanwhile, the chief of party of the Carter Center in Liberia, Pewee Flomoku, said the enormity of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia, and other West African countries has made fighting the epidemic a global challenge, requiring an effective  global respond.Flomoku said the current outbreak is affecting the entire region in many ways, including countries and their citizens, trade and movement. He said the Carter Center is very concerned about the threat the Ebola outbreak has posed on the entire continent, adding that everybody is affected by this dangerous virus, and citizens need to stop the long talk and take drastic action that would help in eradicating the virus from Liberia. He warned that any attempt to delay in fighting the virus now could cause it to reach international proportion, particularly partners currently providing support and then everybody will be responsible. The New Dawn