THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015

News of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s return to the country following her trips to India and China, the Liberian leader’s call for Liberians to work more and talk less and news of Sierra Leone’s Ebola free declaration are among stories dominating  today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen Concludes Visit to People’s Republic of China

The Heritagenewspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has concluded her State Visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) after holding high-level meetings with the Premier of China’s State Council (Prime Minister), Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (Speaker of the Congress) Zhang Dejiang at the Great Hall of the People.  According to a dispatch from Beijing, in separate meetings, President Sirleaf informed Premier Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Zhang Dejiang, of the longstanding relations between the two countries, which was renewed and strengthened by the current Liberian Government and that over the years China has done very well for Liberia and its people.  President Sirleaf called on the two high ranking Chinese officials and China’s partnership, collaboration and support in four key areas including the fast-tracking and completion of all outstanding projects, investment in the mining, fishery and agricultural sectors as well as the processing of felled rubber wood into valuable furniture and value addition to rubber product. The Liberian leader indicated that intervention in the listed areas will help boost the economy and provide thousands of jobs for Liberians. She also sought Chinese investors’ interest in a steel production industry as a means of ensuring that value addition to iron ore can take place in Liberia in addition to the exportation of the iron ore. In his response, Premier Keqiang thanked President Sirleaf for her second State Visit to China and expressed satisfaction that she was able to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, discuss several areas of partnership and cooperation and sign three bilateral agreements. He assured her that all outstanding projects in Liberia will be fully implemented as scheduled. “We are well informed about Liberia’s history and characteristics and recalled that China was far worse than Liberia after its own wars,” said Premier Keqiang, reiterating that although China is still considered a developing country, it has reached where it is today. He assured President Sirleaf that China was ready to help Liberia progress especially after the Ebola crisis. He agreed with the Liberian leader that investment in agriculture in addition to fishery, wood processing and manufacturing complimented by a massive re-planting program as well as the establishment of processing industries to add value to the many natural resources the country is endowed with can certainly transform the country.

Related Captions: Ellen Ends Visit to China(The NEWS), President Sirleaf Concludes Visit To People’s Republic Of China(FrontPage Africa)

President Sirleaf Attends Thanksgiving Service in Commemoration of her 77th Birth Anniversary, Safe Arrival from India and China

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has stressed the need for “more work and less talk” upon her return home Friday, November 6, 2015 following her successful visits to India and the People’s Republic of China. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking at the Sinkor Assembly of God Church during a Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of her 77th birth anniversary and successful mission and safe return to the country.  Earlier, delivering the Exaltation on the theme: “Born to Be Destined,” Rev. Dr. Nathaniel N. Zarway, Bishop, Greater Refuge Temple, who drew his texts from the books of Jeremiah 1:5 and Acts 16:36 thanked the Liberian leader for her unique accomplishments even as she celebrates her 77th birth anniversary and prayed for God’s richest blessings as she continues to lead the nation by God’s command. Bishop Zarway told the congregation that: “God has destined President Sirleaf and He will never fail her,” adding, “You will end your mission successfully.”  Special prayers of thanksgiving and intercession were offered for President Sirleaf and Vice President Boakai for their rewarding missions and safe return. The Thanksgiving Service was graced by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders and partisans of the ruling Unity Party, well-wishers and ordinary Liberians, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Blasts Liberians For Talking Plenty(WOMEN VOICES), Ellen On “More Work, Less Talk”(The NEWS), Prez. Sirleaf Demands ‘More Work, Less Talk’(Daily Observer)

Ellen Shames Cabinet-Rejects Birthday Gift

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has rejected a gift of US7, 400 from her Cabinet Ministers, while cautioning them to focus on their jobs and deliver as mandated.Upon her return to Monrovia following roughly two weeks of state visits to India and China on Friday, 6 November, President Sirleaf was greeted at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County by cabinet members and partisans of the ruling Unity Party in T-Shirts before attending an intercessory service organized at the Sinkor A.G. Church. Before returning the check to Gender Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell who had presented it during the intercessory service on behalf of the cabinet, Mrs. Sirleaf said she had asked the cabinet not to give gifts, yet “they disobeyed” her “and decided to raise funds.” President Sirleaf instructed Minister Duncan-Cassell that the check be used for the survivors and orphans of Ebola, saying “the best gift that each and every one of you can give to me is to go and get your work done and done on time.”

Related Captions: ‘Disobedient Cabinet’(The NEWS), Shame!...As Ellen Turns Down Gift From Officials(The INQUIRER), Ellen Chides ‘Disobedient’ Cabinet(Daily Observer)

Sierra Leone Declared Ebola-Free

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that cheers erupted and people danced in the streets Saturday as Sierra Leone marked the end of the Ebola outbreak within its borders, although neighboring Guinea still struggles to stamp out the deadly virus that has killed more than 11,000 mostly in West Africa. Nearly 4,000 people have died in Sierra Leone of Ebola since the outbreak began in late 2013. The World Health Organization said 42 days have passed since the country's last confirmed Ebola patient was discharged on Sept. 25 after two consecutive negative test results. Hundreds of people celebrated in the streets of the capital, Freetown, when Anders Nordstrom, Sierra Leone representative for the World Health Organization, declared the end of the Ebola outbreak. "WHO commends the government and people of Sierra Leone for the significant achievement of ending this Ebola outbreak," he said. Sierra Leone now enters a 90-day intensive surveillance period. "We have prevailed over an evil virus. We persevered and we have overcome. We must not let down our guard," said Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma.

Related Captions: Sierra Leone Declared Free Of Ebola (Heritage), Sierra Leone Finally Declared Ebola-Free(WOMEN VOICES), Sierra Leone Celebrates End Of Ebola Epidemic(New Democrat), WHO Declares S/Leone Ebola Free(The NEWS), Sierra Leone Declared Ebola Free(FrontPage Africa)

Defense Ministry Honors U.S. Soldier

Authorities of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) on Saturday conferred on Major General Darryl A. Williams the “Distinguish Service Order” (DSO) for “his committed and dedicated service to the AFL and above all, to the fight that defeated the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Liberia.” Maj. Gen. Williams is the US Army Commander who headed Operation United Assistance (OUA) to Liberia last year during the height of the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD) that claimed the lives of over 4,000 persons. During Saturday’s ceremony at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in Monrovia, Williams expressed gratitude to Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai and AFL’s Chief of Staff (COS), Brigadier General Daniel Dee Ziankahn, “and the entire gallant men of the AFL for what they have done over the years to keep the country stable and particularly in the face of the Ebola outbreak.” “I am grateful for the DSO, which Minister Samukai presented to me. But my mission in Liberia is to continue the U.S. Army’s partnership with the AFL through the COS, Brig. Gen. Ziankahn, to support the AFL,” said Maj. Gen. Williams.  From October 2014 to the weekend ceremony, which was attended by US Ambassador to Liberia, Deborah Malac, Maj. Gen. Williams transferred authority in the U.S. led OUA to Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky before departing for the United States. Maj. Gen. Williams is a decorated professional military officer who the MOD described as a “trailblazer.” He was the first commander of the Joint Taskforce Operation United Assistance (JTF-OUA), and commander of the United States Army, Africa Division, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: We’ll Not Stop Helping US Army Gen Assures Liberia(New Democrat), Outstanding Service-AFL Awards US Army General for Work in Liberia(FrontPage Africa)

ECOWAS To Establish TV And Radio Station

According to the Daily Observer, ECOWAS media experts concluded a two-day conference in Abuja, Nigeria, last week aimed at establishing a television and radio station. According to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Benedict D. Roberts, Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Liberia, and Mr. Patrick Honnah, the Deputy Director-General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), represented Liberia at the confab at the ECOWAS Commission. According to the post, the proposed radio and TV station would help actualize the new ‘ECOWAS of People’ vision. In his opening remarks, Mr. Babacar Toure of Senegal, President of the National Council of Broadcast Regulation (CNRA), and Chairman of the meeting, said the ECOWAS Radio/TV would further place the West African voice on the global stage and also show the richness of the sub-region’s diverse cultural heritage. “Our youths will have the opportunity of being informed and educated on global issues by a regional based media organization,” Mr. Toure stated.  Similarly, Dr. Isaias Barreto da Rosa, ECOWAS Commissioner for Telecommunications and Information Technology, said that the new media project would serve as a platform for information and education to the citizens of West Africa on fostering integration, respect for differences, principles of active solidarity and awareness of a West African identity. The participants adopted a roadmap that calls for the ECOWAS Radio and TV Station to commence broadcasting by the end of 2017.

Related Captions: ECOWAS To Establish TV & Radio Station(Heritage), ECOWAS To Establish TV, Radio Station(In Profile daily), ECOWAS To Establish TV & Radio Station (The NEWS)

Women Urged To Occupy Half Of Legislative Seats In 2017

Women of Liberia have been urged to clinch at least 50% of the seventy-three seats in the Lower House of the National Legislature come 2017 general elections. Montserrado County District #1 Representative and Chairperson of the Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) in the 52nd National Legislature now Advisor, Josephine George-Francis, said women of Liberia should use every opportunity given them to propel themselves to higher levels. “Given our new constitution that will be coming into force, women must now begin engaging our male lawmakers and other stakeholders on affirmative actions for women” Francis said. She noted that Liberia is in a new dispensation, where women can use their voices, as their participation cuts across all lines. The WLCL Advisor emphasized that the more women ascend to leadership positions, especially at the Legislature, the easier it will be to address issues related to women. “Let’s stop the blame game, and work along with our male counterparts towards achieving our much-desired goal of gender equality. The ball is in our court and we have to be armed with the necessary tools to speak out and make changes” Madame Francis stressed. Madam Francis was speaking at a two-day capacity building training session under the theme: “Strengthening Women’s Capacities (in advocacy, negotiation & communication skills) to Engage Lawmakers, Political Parties on Gender Parity & Quotas” in Monrovia, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberian Women Urged To Take 50% Of Seats In 2017(Heritage), Women Urged To Take 50% Of Seats In 2017(In Profile Daily), Women Urged To Take 50% Seats In 2017(The NEWS)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Showcases Liberia’s Stabilization Plan To China

The President of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who recently returned home from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has highlighted the formulation of her country’s Post-Ebola Economic Stabilization Plan to the PRC. According to President Sirleaf, the plan seeks to reverse the current state of the country, and emphasized strong partnership with China through private sector companies to help revive the economy. President Sirleaf made the statement during high level meetings with the Premier of China’s State Council (Prime Minister), Li Keqiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee immediate and subsequent assistance help lead to the defeat of the virus, INSIGHT writes.

China Is Ready To Help Liberia Progress…Chinese Prime Minister Assures

According to the Heritage newspaper, the Premier of China’s State Council (Prime Minister), Li Keqiang, has assured President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that China is ready to help Liberia progress, especially after the Ebola crisis. He agreed with the Liberian leader that investment in agriculture in addition to fishery, wood processing and manufacturing complimented by a massive replanting program as well as the establishment of processing industries to add value to the many natural resources the country is endowed with, can certainly transform Liberia.  According to a dispatch, the Chinese Premier gave the assurance during a meeting with President Sirleaf at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the President’s visit in that Ancient country. Premier Keqiang indicated that China has effective technologies for high yield in agro-business and rice production, which when harnessed, can help Liberia create jobs, ensure food sufficiency and achieve food security.

Government Donates Ambulance To Health Center In Kakata

The Liberian government has donated an ambulance to the Samuel Barcolleh Memorial Health Center in Margibi County to enhance its healthcare delivery service to people of the county. The ambulance, presented on behalf of government by the General Services Agency (GSA) recently, is one of several items provided by China AID for distribution amongst government and private health centers upon request. Speaking during the presentation ceremony in Kakata, Margibi County, the Director of National Fleet Management at GSA, Jordan Gongar, said the donation of the ambulance was in response to an earlier request made by the health center’s administration to GSA Director-General, Mary Broh, Women Voices reports.

Aspen Medical International Launches Aviation Services In Liberia

Aspen Medical International (AMI) has finally launched its B1900C beech craft and aviation services in Liberia. The introduction of the special aircraft is meant to fly the sick to receive emergency medical attention in Liberia and other countries in West Africa. Launching the program on Tuesday at the James Spriggs Payne Airport in Sinkor, AMI's regional manager Steve Guiney said the aircraft will bring a new dimension to Liberia’s health sector. “We realized the need to have such an aircraft in Liberia. We want to grow the confidence of the business community, specifically in Liberia, and also within the region,” Guiney told guests at the launch. Aspen’s mission, he said, is to provide healthcare services for clients from the point of injury or illness to definitive care, regionally or internationally, through aero-medical (air transportation to a medical facility). “Together with other innovative medical services, Aspen Medical, with its extensive experience in the provision of Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) solutions for clients in a range of industries, is offering turnkey general aviation and AME services to West Africa, including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, thereby building on its long experience for medevacs (medical evacuation) and air transport services,” he said.  Mr. Guiney said the deployment of the aircraft is the result of strategic partnership with aviation solutions companies, Red Apple Aviation Inc; AAL USA Inc; Liberty Airlines Inc, and; HALO Aviation, according to the Daily Observer.

Sand Truck Kills Three

According to the Daily Observer, on Friday, November 7, a sand-carrying Renault truck ran off the main road near the SOS Clinic in Congo Town and killed all three passengers riding on a motorbike. The three deceased males were identified as security guards working for the Regional Security Network, and were en-route to their various assigned posts early that fateful Friday. The deceased were also identified by one of their co-workers as Reuben David, Peterson Saye and the biker only identified as Baby Boy. Their blue colored Safari Super Galaxy bike was smashed beyond recognition by the speeding truck before crushing the riders to their early deaths.

Think, Love, Build Liberia VP Boakai Tells Liberians upon Return from US

Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai last Wednesday evening returned to the country, after being in the US for more than a week, with a new patriotic slogan: “Think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia.” While addressing the media and those who were at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) to welcome him back home, the VP urged every Liberian, whether in the Diaspora or at home, to always put the wellbeing of their nation first. He told the gathering that there is a lot of goodwill that is coming for Liberia and that as he did on Wednesday he had also told Liberians he met in the US to subscribe to the new slogan: “Think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia.” “Whatever we do, whether it’s a little child or a market woman or any other person out there, we must ‘think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia,’” VP Boakai emphasized. While in the US, Ambassador Boakai held a series of meetings with Liberians in different parts of the United States. “All the Liberians I met were very supportive of my presidential bid for 2017,” the VP recounted, pens the Daily Observer.

Gedeh Prepares For 2016 Independence

The leadership of Grand Gedeh County has set up an eight-man steering committee to oversee programs marking the 169th Independence Anniversary celebration on July 26, 2016. Members of the steering committee are Senator G. Alphonso Gaye, Senator A. Marshal Dennis, Representatives Zoe Emmanuel Pennue, Alex C. Grant, Morias T. Waylee, Superintendent Peter L. Solo, Assistant Superintendent for Fiscal Affairs S. L. Eric Momo and Assistant Superintendent for Development Abraham T. Gbeway. The committees, according to Superintendent Solo, are being set up early to ensure that all is put in place to ensure a successful independence anniversary celebration come July 26, 2016, write the New Democrat newspaper.

100 Cape Mount Fishermen To Train In New Tech

The Heritage newspaper reports that about 100 fishermen in Grand Cape Mount Country as expected to start a month-long training modern fishing technology in handling fish for marketing in December. According to the newly-elected Chairman of the Collaboration Management Association (CMA) in Robertsport, Charles Simpson, the fishermen will be trained in fish processing and smoking, during and mongering methods upgrade their skills in the industry. Simpson made the disclosure when he and his corps of officers were elected to a four-year term at the CMA.

Don’t Rely Solely On Donors’ Support…WaterAid Executive Tells Liberia

A United Kingdom (UK)-based organization, WaterAid, said sustained political-will is needed to improve the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector of Liberia. Speaking during her visit to the Country at the weekend, WaterAid Director for Policy and Campaign, Margaret Batty, said donors would be encouraged to do more for the sector when national government shows stronger commitment, INSIGHT newspaper reports.    

UN Hails Chinese Peacekeepers’ “Monumental” Efforts In Liberia

Senior officials of United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) have lauded China’s peacekeeping efforts in boosting Liberia’s economic growth and long-term stability, describing their performance as “professional and monumental”. Saklihu Z. Uba, Force Commander of UNMIL told Xinhua in an interview that Chinese transportation, engineer and medical units have done extremely well and are fully professional in the country where 85 percent of the population lives below the international poverty line. China is also to deploy its first helicopter detachment in UN peacekeeping missions in Africa. Uba said China’s support to AU in general is monumental, timely and desirable, which will add value to what is existing on the continent, New Democrat newspaper reports.