THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015

Stories on the President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s nationwide address today and the Chinese Government’s dedication of the nine million newly constructed buildings and refurbished compound of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center to the Liberian Government are the dominant stories in today’s dailies.

Dominant Stories

President’s Address To ‘Reset Public Expectations’ Thru 2017

The Daily Observer quotes a press release from the Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) as saying that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is expected to deliver a special nationwide address today, November 19, on issues related to the national economy. The President’s address is expected to “reset public expectations for the remaining years of her administration” and also “outline key projects and deliverables to be undertaken” in the same vein. Recently, upon her return from official visits to India and the People’s Republic of China, the President announced that she would deliver a major address to the nation. “I will be speaking to the nation with much more details on the visits and the agreed commitments. It is the responsibility of every citizen to do his or her part in the forward march of the country,” President Sirleaf said. The daily writes that the President’s address  will be delivered before a live audience including leaders of all branches of government, the Diplomatic Corps, leaders of various private sector organizations, of religious and educational institutions, Civil Society, youth, women, even the Yanna Boys and the Pem-pem riders’ leaders, among others. The address will be delivered at 4:30 p.m. from the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Foreign Ministry.

Related Caption: Special Address President Sirleaf Delivers Major Message Today (FrontPage Africa), Ellen to Deliver Special Nationwide Address Today (Heritage)

Vocational Duplex: China Turns Over Nine Million Project 

The Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Wednesday officially turned over the newly constructed buildings and refurbished compound of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) to the Government and People of Liberia. Speaking at ceremony marking the dedication and turnover of the project, Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia Zhang Yue, put the cost of the buildings and the renovated compound at US$9M. According to Amb. Yue, the new MVTC, which covers 6,000 square meters, is equipped with sufficient and modern facilities, especially designed to meet the needs of training more young Liberians. The Chinese envoy stated that the new project include one teaching building, one laboratory building, one administrative building, two dormitories for faculty and students. He noted that there is also a library that can host 300 persons at a time. The Chinese Envoy pointed out that, projects undertaken by the Chinese government in Liberia including the MVTC are all contributions to the sustainable development of the country. “In China, we believe in the parable that says if you give a man a fish he will eat for one day, but if you teach him to fish he will eat for lifetime. And this is why China helped to build the new MVTC,” Amb. Yue said. “The energy and water supply system can benefit the old MVTC compound. It has special facilities catering to the need of the disable people and sewage system for environment protection. The new MVTC can accommodate over 1,000 students to study and 200 students and faculties to lodge as well,” the Chinese diplomat described the project. Also speaking at the occasion, Youth and Sports Minister, Mr. Lenn Eugene Nagbe, said the completion of the project marks an important milestone in furtherance of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET).  He noted that the completion of the project marks a key point in “Restoring the years that the locusts have eaten.” He stated that the project was one of the key tasks assigned to him by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf following two years of her second administration. “If we must develop as a country, we must develop our youth, who constitutes the highest percentage of the population. The MVTC, I consider it as the lynchpin of TVET in this country. We are fixing the TVET sector to fix the many problems of our youth,” the Minister said. He disclosed that the Tumutu Agriculture College in Bong County is expected to be opened within the next week or two. For her part, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf thanked the Government and People of China for the project, stressing that China is a reliable partner to the development agenda of Liberia. Like the Chinese envoy, President Johnson-Sirleaf pointed out that such project like the MVTC will help Liberians to now begin to fish for themselves. She stated that the project will make mayor impact in the lives of Liberians, especially the youthful population, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Minister Admits Gov't Failure (The New Dawn), ‘Tumutu Agriculture Training Site To Reopen Shortly’ (Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES

Over 250 Midwives Honored In Bong

Bong County District #1 Representative Tokpa Mulbah, has honored over 250 midwives in his district for their enormous sacrifices to the health sector, particularly during the Ebola crisis. The ceremony was held recently in Botota, District#1 headquarters graced by hundreds of citizens, government officials and health authorities. Representative Mulbah said the recognition of Trained Traditional Midwives (TTM) stemmed from the huge sacrifices and love they demonstrated to humanity when Liberia was engulfed in a complete health crisis as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in 2014. He recalled that at the peak of the Ebola virus in Liberia when clinics and hospitals were being closed, Trained Traditional Midwives risked their lives to cater to pregnant women, who could no longer have access to health services. He described midwifery as an essential component of quality health care and as such there was urgent need for government to compensate TTM across the country as they continue to save lives. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the Bong Lawmaker similarly gowned and honored over 150 midwives in Kpaai district for their contributions to the health sector. Meanwhile, the midwives through their leader, Madam Saley Gorkeh appealed to Representative Mulbah to lobby on their behalf in making sure a certified midwife is assigned onboard ambulances to help pregnant women in labor or main on their way to hospital.

Carter Center Provides Livelihood For Mental Health Patients

The Sinoe County Health Team, with support from The Carter Center’s (TCC) Mental Health Beyond Facilities Project, has completed two weeks training for a newly formed Patient Support Group in various types of soap making, according to a TCC press release. The training, which involved people living with mental illness and their caregivers, included skills development in soap making, effective handling of harmful materials, microfinance and opportunities for accessing microloans, and training in self-care and stress management. “This training, supported by TCC, seeks to improve the economic status of persons with severe mental disorders and epilepsy,” Sidney Bowier, a social worker and the lead for Sinoe County’s Social Work Services said. According to Mr. Bowier, the training is one component of many activities under a community-based mental health program entitled, “Mental Health Beyond Facilities” (MHBF), which has been going on in Sinoe County since 2012, pens the Daily Observer.

Chief Justice Breaks Ground

The Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia His Honor Francis Korkpor has broken ground for the construction of a magisterial court in the omega community in Paynesville city. Justice Korkpor, speaking at the ground breaking ceremony Tuesday, disclosed that the construction of the magisterial court in the Omega Community will enable dwellers to have access to justice. He said the Liberian population has increased over the years and that due to the lack of courts in several communities some citizens have taken the law into their own hands. For her part, the Ambassador of Sweden, Lena Nordstrom, said the construction of courts in the country is an important example of the good partnership with Liberia. She assured that the Embassy of Sweden will support the construction of four additional courts, including the Omega Community where a ground breaking ceremony was held and three others in Bong and Nimba Counties. Ambassador Nordstrom indicated that the main objective of Sweden's support to Liberia is to enhance the development, reports the NEWS newspaper.

‘Bad Roads Impede Development’ - Vice President Boakai

The Vice President of Liberia, Ambassador Joseph N. Boakai says without roads the country cannot achieve development. According to Ambassador Boakai, with good roads the agriculture sector can be one of those sectors to turn the wheels on the country. Speaking recently at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development Vice President Boakai said the problem people have in the country is movement. Amb. Boakai also disclosed that there are discussions ongoing to build more roads in Liberia. “I say there are discussions ongoing, the dry season is on and I will like to see it start tomorrow, we have talked about that, people are in this country with machines they are mobilized already”, Vice President Boakai asserted.

91.2% Children Vaccinated

According to New Democrat newspaper, the Ministry of Health has reported that 91.2% have been vaccinated in the country from round three integrated Polio Campaign making the disclosure this week, the National Program Manager for the Ministry of Health, Mr. John Sumo said the Integrated Polio Campaign took place between October 23 and 26, 2015. But he said they did not administer the Vitamin aspect due to insufficient supplies. He however said once supplies available, the team will focus on Vitamin A. He said 91.2% of the children were vaccinated while 82.1% of parents were involved in the exercise.

LRRRC, LRN To Recognize Host Refugee Countries –US Envoy, Others To Receive Recognition

The Liberia refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), in collaboration with the Liberia Returnee Network (LRN), has disclosed the holding of a three day home-coming appreciation in Monrovia, under the theme: “Only love can compete our Puzzle”. The program is expected to take place on November 25, 2015 at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship on 9^th Street, Sinkor and will also be graced by high profile Liberian stakeholders including President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate Armah Jallah, Montserrado County Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff and Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Cllr. Varney Sherman and former Liberian Interim President Dr. Amos Sawyer as well as representatives of government agencies and private cooperate entities and among others. LNR Executive Director E. Tyrone Marshall indicated that the honoring and certifying ceremony is also intended to show appreciation to all countries and institutions that stood by Liberia through assistances from 1989-2003 and help to bring peace to Liberia through the help of UN peacekeepers, In Profile Daily reports.

China Union Unveils More Development Packages For Liberia

Contrary to a newspaper report, the management of China Union says the company has not gone bankrupt and that the company has not started downsizing yet.  According to the management of China Union, so far, the company has 421 employees and they receive their salary normally, “we could provide payroll to verify it”. In a press release issued in Monrovia on Wednesday, November 18, the management recalled that since China Union took over the Bong Mine Hospital, it has invested more than US$1 million to purchase and repair devices, Heritage reports.

 LACC Supports Implementation

Liberia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) said it supports the implementation of the provision of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). According to an LACC release, the commitment of Liberia was expressed at the sixth Session of the Confab of the States Parties (CoSP) held from November 2-6, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia where Chairperson of LACC Cllr. James Verdier represented Liberia, In Profile Daily reports.

Kimmie Weeks Congratulates Abraham Keita

Internationally acclaimed Liberian activist and World’s Children’s Prize laureate Dr. Kimmie Weeks last week issued a statement congratulating seventeen year old Mr. Abraham M. Keita of Liberia for winning the 2015 International Children’s Peace Prize, In Profile Daily writes.

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