THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015

President Johnson Sirleaf at of the India-Africa Summits, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai’s meeting with Ghanaian Vice Air Marshall and the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment 50^th anniversary celebration are among stories dominating today’s summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen Speaks At India-Africa Summit…Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberia welcomes the formation of the India-Africa Business Council which will promote business partnerships and joint ventures, thereby expanding investment and trade between Africa and India. She said these kinds of Summits have led to deepening of the relationship between India and Africa with significant expansion in trade, in private sector investment, and in bilateral programs and financing arrangements, aimed at supporting development across all sectors, as well as capacity building and institutional development. According to a dispatch, the Liberia President made the assertion when she addressed the opening of the 3rd India – Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, October 29, 2015. The Summit will enable consultations at the highest political level between the heads of state and government of all 54 nations across Africa and the Indian government to give a new thrust to an age-old partnership.

It will also provide an opportunity to not only reflect on the past, but to define the road ahead in tune with the present times.  President Sirleaf used the occasion to also thank Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, the Government and people of India for the sympathy and support which Liberia received as the country successfully combatted the Ebola virus disease and looked forward to concluding ongoing bilateral programs aimed at supporting Liberia and the other affected countries in building a resilient health system and meeting the challenges of post-Ebola economic recovery.  Speaking earlier, Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Sirleaf on her 77th birth anniversary and welcomed the leaders of Africa to the 3rd India-Africa Summit. He said India will open its doors to the continent and build institutions in Africa to enhance development and strengthen democratic governance. For their part, both the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Chair of the African Union, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe called for reform in the United Nations. In another development, President Sirleaf has been conferred an Honorary Doctorate degree by the Amity University in New Delhi, India. The Honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree was conferred on the Liberian President at a Special Convocation held on the campus of the University by its Chancellor. At the ceremony, Amity University awarded a number of post-graduate scholarships to Liberia and indicated that the details will be worked out between officials of the two tertiary institutions.  President Sirleaf thanked the University for the Honor which she dedicated to the women of Liberia and Africa. She reflected on the longstanding relations between Liberia and India and looked forward for more progress, according to the NEWS newspaper.

Related Caption: Ellen Addresses 3^rd India-Africa Forum Summit In New Delhi Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree From Amity University(The INFORMER)

Samukai Holds Talks With Ghanaian Soldier

Defense Minister, Brownie J. Samukai lauded the government and people of Ghana for their immense support, which he said has positively impacted Liberia’s defense sector reform, when he held talks on Wednesday with Ghanaian Vice Air Marshall, Issifu Kadri. “The close ties subsisting between Ghana and Liberia have an enriching partnership value that has expanded the network of cooperation between the militaries of both countries,” Samukai told the Ghanaian solider. He then paid tribute to the men and women of the Ghanaian Armed Forces who, he said, sacrificed in the spirit of West African solidarity during the days of ECOMOG, a sub-regional peace monitoring group of soldiers sent to Liberia in the 90s when the Liberian nation was engulfed in civil war. “I must admit that the qualities of Ghanaian officers seconded through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) are individuals who conducted themselves in an exemplary manner worthy of emulation by our young officers,” said Minister Samukai. He made the assertions when Vice Air Marshall Kadri, the head of a six-member Ghanaian delegation visiting the country, paid a courtesy call on him at his Barclay Training Center office in Monrovia. For his part, Kadri assured Minister Samukai that in the spirit of regional solidarity, the Ghanaian military will close ranks with their Liberian counterparts in the area of capacity building, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Defense Minister Samukai Holds Talks With Ghanaian Vice Air Marshall(FrontPage Africa), Min. Samukai Holds Talks With Ghanaian Vice Air Marshall(The INFORMER)

In Commemoration Of 50th Anniversary, LBDI To Invest In Several Projects Provides 250 KVA to Phebe - Digital Machine at JFK- Computer Lab at UL

The chairman of the Board of Directors of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), Amara Konneh has disclosed a number of projects the bank is about to undertake in commemoration of its 50th anniversary. Mr. Konneh is also the Minister of Finance and Development Planning. At a press conference marking the 50th anniversary launching in Monrovia yesterday, Minister Konneh said LBDI will provide a 250 KVA generator to Phebe hospital in Suacoco, a digital medical database machine to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital (JFK) in Monrovia, construct a computer lab on the main campus of the University of Liberia and finance the International Spelling Bee competition in the country where young people can explore their talents. The digital medical machine according to Minister Konneh, will be used to record names of patients and all necessary information regarding each patient. He said the planned gesture to the Liberian people is in consonance with the bank’s corporate social responsibility, writes the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: LBDI Boasts Of US$175M(The NEWS), LBDI Overtaking Banking Sector(New Democrat), LBDI Remains Robust @ 50(The New Dawn)

NEC And IFES Staff Complete Professional Training Course

According to the New Dawnnewspaper, several senior employees of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) have completed a four-day professional Training course under the Strategic and Financial Planning Training Module of the Building Resources in Democracy Governance and Elections (BRIDGE). Speaking at the close of the workshop, the Chairman of the NEC, Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya, said the training was part of capacity building initiatives of the Commission as it prepares to conduct a possible National Referendum and the 2017 Representative and Presidential Elections. Chairman Korkoya said accountability is a guiding principle in the operations of the Commission and as such training received by the employees would contribute significantly to enhancing the work of the Commission. The Chief Technical Advisor on Elections of the UNDP, George Baratashvili, said the European Union and the UNDP will continue to provide capacity building support to staff of the Commission through the BRIDGE Training Project and other programs. The workshop was funded by the European Union through UNDP, and USAID through IFES and facilitated by International Bridge Training Expert, Osama Kamil and four Liberian facilitators.

Related Captions: NEC, Partners Complete Training(New Democrat), Ahead Of 2017: 29 NEC Staffs Get BRIDGE Training(The Informer)

Cold Storage Facilities Inaugurated In Nimba

The USAID Food and Enterprise Development Program or USAID FED, in collaboration with ROSNA INC. has inaugurated a cold storage facility in Yekepa, Nimba County. According to the New Dawnnewspaper, the cold storage costs approximately US$50, 000. USAID FED is working with local entrepreneurs to create a low cost, low tech, cold chain system to manage post-harvest losses. Rosna Services Inc - a Liberian catering company, received a 20ft-refrigerated container from USAID FED for their cold storage facility to store fresh fruits and vegetables which they use for their catering service and sale. Under the 50% cost sharing arrangement, the company provided a generator, constructed a platform and shed to place and house the refrigerated container, as well as will pay for the operation of the facility, including fuel, maintenance and staff salaries. USAID FED also trained Rosna Services Inc. staff and other stakeholders in food safety and post-harvest handling, and the best practices for handling fruits and vegetables in a hygienic manner. USAID FED, in collaboration with Rosna Services Inc., will set up another 20-foot cold storage facility in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, while also working with Gbomiah Farms to establish one more cold storage facility in Margibi County.

 “USAID FED is trying to transform the horticulture value chain by empowering entrepreneurs such as Rosna Services Inc. to boost their sales through improving their storage methods, which in turn should increase their procurement of fresh produce from farmers,” said Boima Bafaie, USAID FED’s Deputy Chief of Party. The USAID FED Program for Liberia aims to reduce hunger and promote food security for Liberians through increased agricultural productivity and profitability in rice, cassava, vegetable and goat value chains. It is implemented in six counties- Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa, Margibi and Montserrado.

Related Captions: USAID FED, ROSNA INC, Inaugurates Cold Storage(The INFORMER), USAID/FED Dedicates Cold Storage Facility--To Cool Vegetable Products(Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

President Sirleaf Extends Felicitation To Turkish President Erdoğan

The Daily Observer reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has extended warmest felicitations to her Turkish Counterpart, H. E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey and the Government and People of Turkey, on the occasion marking that nation’s 92^nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. In the message to President Erdoğan, President Johnson Sirleaf said she is delighted to extend warmest felicitations to His Excellency as well as the Government and People of the Republic of Turkey. The Liberian Leader said, “Many years ago, Turkey embarked on the path of national building and economic empowerment. Today, Liberia, amongst many nations, can attest to Turkey’s economic strength and its significant presence on the global frontier. Even as Europe is faced with the overwhelming challenge of migration, Turkey has become an important stakeholder in addressing this concern; and we remain grateful for your support in the premise.” President Johnson Sirleaf further stated that Liberia is pleased with the increasing momentum in the relationship between both countries, which continues to develop from strength to strength. “Our cooperation has attained significant successes particularly in priority sectors of Liberia and has provided the atmosphere to enhance our partnership in more rewarding areas to our mutual benefit. On this occasion, we wish to recommit working closely with your Government to achieving our shared goals and aspirations.” President Johnson Sirleaf concluded by wishing for the personal success of President Erdoğan; and for the Government and People of Turkey, sustained prosperity and happiness.

MOH To Construct 100 Housing Units For ‘Dedicated’ Health Workers in 8 Counties, Low Mortgage Payment Assured

The Daily Observer reports that authorities of the Ministry of Health (MOH) have assured its workers of the construction of 100 housing units for their occupancy under a mortgage plan in eight of the 15 counties.  The counties and their projected units are: Maryland, 15; Grand Kru 15; River Gee 15; Grand Gedeh 15; Sinoe, 15; Rivercess, 10; Gbarpolu 10, and Montserrado, 5. The news came amid the falling motivation of health workers due to their relatively low salaries as the government tackles the challenges in building a resilient health system. Health Minister Dr. Bernice Dahn made the announcement on Wednesday during a two-day Health Review Meeting with implementing partners at the Paynesville Town Hall. The cost of the 100 housing units is US$500,000, which the MOH on Tuesday provided following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry and the National Housing Authority (NHA). According to the MOU, each of the housing units will cost US$5,000 and will be assigned to “dedicated health workers.” “In line with the MOU, MOH is making a non-refundable down payment of US$5,000 for each of the 100 dedicated staff totaling US$500,000” said Deputy Health Minister Edward Tolbert. According to the MOU, the beneficiaries will complete payment for the units through a mortgage loan agreement the Ministry has signed with the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), with the MOH serving as guarantor.