THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015

News of the World Bank Board approval of US$10 million for the employment of 15,000 youths in Liberia, the winning of a peace award by a Liberian teenager and the participation of over 1,500 people in the 2015 Marathon are stories dominating today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

15,000 Liberian Youth To Gain Access To Income Generation 

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the World Bank Board of Executive Directors on Friday, November 6, approved a new US$10 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for the Government of Liberia to improve access to income generation opportunities for targeted youth. This financing will also provide support for strengthening the government’s capacity to implement its cash transfer program. The Liberia Youth Opportunities Project (YOP) directly targets about 15,000 youth aged 15–35 years, 50 percent of whom are vulnerable female youth who will benefit from the household enterprise and productive public works components in urban and rural areas. The project also benefits extremely poor and Ebola-affected households by supporting the development of a safety net system, including the development of management information, electronic registration, and payment systems to complement the Emergency Ebola Response Project.  “This project supports the basic building blocks of a social protection system that increases resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable households and groups to cope with future shocks by engaging in productive employment,” said Inguna Dobraja, World Bank Liberia Country Manager for Liberia. “This is entrenched in Liberia’s Agenda for Transformation Human Development Pillar which emphasizes the promotion of shared and equitable economic growth in Liberia.”  Meanwhile, the World Bank Group (WBG) will launch on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, an Essay Contest for Liberian youth targeting age group 18-25 years. The objective of this Essay Contest with theme: “Youth and Sustainable Development,” is to give young Liberians the opportunity to voice their ideas and visions for their country’s development.

Related Captions: World Bank Offers US$10M to Support 15,000 Youth(Daily Observer), WB Approves US$10M For Employment Of 15,000 Liberian Youth(INSIGHT), More Support To Empower Liberian Youths: World Bank Approves US$10M(FOCUS), 15,000 Liberian Youth To Benefit Income Generation(The New Dawn)

Liberian Wins Peace Award

A Liberian teenager was awarded a prestigious international prize on Monday for his role in fighting for justice for child victims of physical and sexual violence in the West African country, where the legacy of war time rape still lingers. Abraham Keita was just nine years old when he joined a child-led protest in West Point, one of the biggest slums in Liberia’s capital, to demand justice for a teenage girl who was sexually abused and brutally murdered by her foster parents.  He later became a member of the Children’s Parliament, the driving force behind a campaign to enshrine children’s rights to education, healthcare and birth registration in law, New Democrat newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Seventeen-year Old Liberian Wins Inter’l Children’s Peace Prize 2015(The Analyst), Liberia Wins Int'l Children's Peace Prize(The News), and Liberia Child Wins “Int’l Peace Prize(The Inquirer), Liberia’s Abraham Keita Wins International Children’s Peace Prize 2015(Daily Observer)

Over 1500 Compete in 2015 Successful Marathon

More than 1,500 Liberians and foreign residents participated in last Sunday's 2015 Liberia Marathon. With a team based on Liberia's triumph over adversity in the wake of the successful victory over the Ebola Virus Disease, the 21Km men's race was clinched by Sierra Leonean national Osman Challey. He was followed closely by his fellow compatriot Idrissa Kargbo and Liberian Prince Weah came third. In the 10Km men's race, another Sierra Leonean national Mustapha Kamara came first and Liberians Amos Sumo and Augustine Momolu came second and third respectively. However, in the 21Km female category, promising Liberians Lucy Massaquoi and Joy Kollie managed second and third places respectively but with a Sierra Leonean national identified as Asatu coming first place. The marathon was supported by several companies, including Exxon Mobile, Cellcom GSM, RLJ Kendeja Resort, SN Brussells and the Liberia Coca Cola Company, writes the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Liberian Run To Prove Point About Ebola(WEST AFRICA INFO POSST), Liberians Run Against Ebola In Marathon(FrontPage Africa)

OTHER STORIES

Cameroun Thank Gol For Assistance

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the Government of Cameroon through its Embassy near Monrovia has commended the Government and People of Liberia for the solidarity and financial assistance accorded the family of the late Rev. Brother Patrick NSHAMDZE of the Order of the Saint John of God Brothers, and Director of the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Monrovia, who contracted the Ebola Virus Disease and died during the Ebola crisis in Liberia.  “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cameroon, I am equally pleased to reiterate gratitude for this fraternal gesture. I am aware of and laud, your personal favorable impetus as well as that of the Ministerial Team of the Liberian Foreign Ministry in this outcome,” Ambassador Beng’yela A. GANG stated with deep appreciation to the Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Cameroonian Diplomat also paid special tribute to the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose decisive solicitude he said has yielded this fruit. According to him, this gesture adds to the posthumous medal of recognition which the President bestowed upon the deceased and forwarded to his family. A communication from the Cameroonian Embassy near Monrovia says (US$5,000.00) five thousand United States Dollars has been donated to the biological successors of the Late Rev. Brother Patrick NSHAMDZE as a token of appreciation and solidarity to the many humanitarian services rendered for the people of Liberia by the deceased. Ambassador Beng’yela A. GANG further noted that the bereaved family of the late Rev. Patrick NSHAMDZE has since acknowledged receipt of the money through their Embassy here.  A Foreign Ministry release quoting the letter of acknowledgement from the bereaved family of Rev. NSHAMDZE says the symbolic gesture made by the Liberian Government to the People of Cameroon will go a long way to console the bereaved family following the tragic death of their son and brother, Reverend Brother Patrick NSHAMDZE. “On behalf of my Father MBIN KAR RAPHAEL and the family, I write this letter to acknowledge that I have received a sum of 2,814,396 (Two million, eight hundred and fourteen thousands, three hundred and ninety-six Francs, CFA) from the Government of Liberian through the Cameroonian Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Beng’Yela A. GANG”, Rev. Father MBINKAR Emmanuel NJODZEKA, brother of the deceased wrote. The release also indicated that the entire family is thankful to the Liberian Government for what they term as a wonderful gesture, praying for the Government to continue to multiply efforts to annihilate completely this deadly virus and that the Almighty God will have mercy on those who perished during the crisis.

LRA Hosts WACAM Seminar

Madam Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, Commissioner General, Liberia Revenue Authority has expressed particular thanks that the World Customs Organization (WCO) selected Liberia to host this year’s West African Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) Project Workshop on Strategic Management. Madam Tamba said the ceremony is a clear demonstration of confidence in Liberians and the country following the end of the deadly Ebola virus, New Democrat newspaper writes.

Related Caption:  World Customs Confab. Begins(The NEWS)

MICAT Team At UNESCO – Meets World Heritage Group And Others –Pushes For Training And Assistance

The team representing the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) as part of the official Liberian delegation to the 38^th Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France has held discussions with several stakeholders in the information, cultural and tourism sectors. The team headed by Deputy Information Minister Isaac W. Jackson and Assistant Minister for Culture Louise Mcmillan held talks with the UNESCO World Heritage Protection Treaties Section which comprises of Edouard Planche, Program Section which comprises of Edouard Planche, program Specialist, Madam marina Schneider, Consultant and Maria Jose’ Minana, Associate Program Specialist, New Vision newspaper reports.

Related Caption: MICAT Team At UNESCO 38^th Session Makes Headways(FrontPage Africa)

UNDP, ABIC Empower 10 Female Motorcyclists

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Angie Brooks International Center for Women's Empowerment (ABIC) has turned over 10 of 11 motorbikes to the female motorcyclists' association, the All Girls Motorcyclists of Montserrado County. During the turning over ceremony yesterday at the UNDP compound in Monrovia, UNDP Deputy Country Director for Programmes, Cleophas Torori said that the donation was intended to empower the beneficiaries to help themselves. He said the 11 motorbikes cost a little over US$40,000 which is part of UNDP's support to the post Ebola recovery of Liberia. "The motorbikes we are donating are to improve and build up the career of female motorcyclists to let them earn their living," Mr. Torori explained. The Executive Director of the Angie Brooks International Center for Women's Empowerment, Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh, described the ceremony as a dream that has come true for the female motorcyclists. She said they are not only receiving the motorcycles but will be trained to use the bikes to do business, because an arrangement has been made with the Liberian National Police (LNP) to protect them while carrying on their daily transport business, according to the Daily Observer.