BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA  

NEWS SUMMARY, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 

Dominating today’s newsstand is the declaring of November 29 as National Holiday to be celebrated on Monday, November 30 by President Weah.

1. Other stories include the burial ceremony of the late Public Works Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan, the resumption of operations at Buchanan Fire Station, completion of a study tour by the Nigerian Customs Service students delegation in Liberia, signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Liberia Revenue Authority and Liberia National Police, the death of former Argentina footballer, Diego Maradona, and Government’s commitment to protecting women and children among others.

Dominant Stories

President Weah Declares Sunday as National Holiday

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, has by Proclamation declared Sunday, November 29, 2020, the 125^th Birth Anniversary of William V. S. Tubman, to be celebrated on Monday, November 30, 2020 throughout the Republic as a National Holiday and consistent with the prescribed COVID-19 Health Protocols. President Weah has ordered and directed that all government ministries, agencies, business houses, and market places be closed on Monday, November 30, 2020, from six o’clock ante meridian to six o’clock post meridiem. According to a Foreign Ministry release, at the 3^rd session of the 42^nd Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, a legislation was enacted commemorating November 29, the birth anniversary of William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman, 18^th President of the Republic of Liberia, each year, in keeping with the will of the Liberian people. The proclamation says this act of Legislature is in recognition of his productive, meaningful services and policies, including the Integration Policy, the granting of suffrage to women, as well as national policies and many other socio-economic developments, and his contributions to the emancipation of African Colonial Territories into statehood.  “In recognition of the numerous contributions, profound changes and lasting accomplishments made during his administration,” the proclamation said, “the citizens of the Republic, desirous of showing their deep appreciation, esteem and approval of his outstanding, noble and remarkable leadership, did petition and requested the Legislature of this Nation to issue permanent record of their sentiments in honor of his birth for posterity.”

Daily Observer newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry’s release.” 

Related Captions:Proclamation Out For The 125^th Birth Anniversary of William V.S. Tubman (Heritage), Sunday Declared National Holiday To Be Observed Monday(In Profile Daily) andSunday Declared National Holiday To Be Observed Monday (In Profile Daily)

Mobutu Takes Final Rest

President George Weah and his administration, loved ones, and family members Thursday, November 26, 2020, paid their last respect to the fallen Public Works Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan. It has been a month since the unfortunate and excruciating painful news about the fall of the Public Works Minister was announced and because of his popularity and down-to-earth nature, the passing of the former Sinoe County Senator sent the entire populace into state of disbelief and unhappy weeping. The final hour of the burial yesterday, temperatures flared up like a fresh sore hitting against a sharp nail. Yesterday, Minister Nyenpan’s body was driven through the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) and later taken to Sacred Heart Cathedral on Broad Street for wake and a state funeral service.  President George Weah who had shed much tears for Minister Nyenpan said he was the most loyal servant, thereby honoring him for being the best performing cabinet Minister in his government. The President expressed deepest sadness and grief, and said the deceased would be remembered for his humility, family values, love for country and strong work ethics, which resulted in the development of many depressed infrastructures in the country, says the News newspaper.

Buchanan Fire Station Resumes Operations

The Minister of Justice through the Liberia National Fire Service (LNFS) has officially reopened its Buchanan, Grand Bassa County Fire Service Station with an assigned fire truck and men in other to intervene into fire outbreak within the county and its nearby surroundings. The ceremony was graced by hundreds of residents in Buchanan including Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh along with other authorities. Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of the Liberia National Fire Service Col. Alex K. Dickson said of the reopening of the county Fire Station in Buchanan was important for quick intervention. He pointed out that the Fire Station in the Port City of Buchanan has been inactive since 2013 due to the lack of fire truck. Dickson said, based on the mandate of President George Weah to decentralize the Fire Department and also the many requests from former Foreign Minister Gbehzohgar M. Findley who played a major role in getting the five India donated fire trucks from the Freeport of Monrovia, the Ministry of Justice through the Fire Service saw the urgent need for the reopening of the county’s fire station. The Liberia Fire Chief furthered that Grand Bass County is recorded as the second most fire outbreak county next to Montserrado; and as such, there was urgent need for the reopening of the Fire Station and the placement of fire truck for quick intervention, reports the News newspaper.

LRA Nigerian Customs Service Student Delegation Ends Study

A delegation from the Nigeria Customs Servicer, Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) comprising of senior students and lecturers recently concluded a week long study tour in Liberia. The delegation was in the country as guest of the Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and their visit was aimed at conducting a strategic study tour by students of Senior Course #4 of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College. The strategic study tour highlighted the assessment of programs and activities of LRA Customs Department in “Sustaining Customs Operations under the COVID-19 Environment”, information and experience sharing about customs administration including approach mechanisms relative to customs operations. Speaking during an interactive engagement with members of the Nigeria Customs Service delegation, LRA Commissioner of Customs Saa Saamoi expressed thanks and appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service, Customs Command and Staff College for selecting LRA Customs as one of the destinations for its student study tour, writes the In Profile Daily newspaper.

LRA Customs Signs MoU With LNP To Train Customs Officers

The Customs Department of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Liberia National Police (LNP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the training of Customs Officers at the Liberia National Police Training Academy (LNPTA). In line with the MoU, 350 LRA Customs Officers will undergo training in basic police science and other specialized courses with the aim of strengthening their capacities to regain their place in the national security architecture of the country. The training will also upgrade the skills of customs officers in carrying out trade facilitation, border security and collection of lawful customs duties and taxes. The training will be conducted in phases and will be done over a period of time. Speaking during the signing ceremony on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, at the LNP Headquarters in Monrovia, LRA Customs Commissioner Saa Saamoi thanked the LNP for honoring the LRA request to train its customs officers. According to the  In Profile Daily newspaper, he said with the signing of the agreement between the two institutions, the LRA Customs Department is well on track with the execution of its Customs Security Program which is a vital requirement to meeting the full standards of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Related Captions: LRA Customs Signs MoU with LNP to Train Customs Officers(Daily Observer)

LFA Poised To Break Ground For Modern Headquarters

The Vice President for Operation of the Liberia Football Association Wilmot Smith said the current leadership of the LFA headed by Moustapha Raji takes as top priority infrastructure development. “We will work to help improve and develop the beautiful game in all aspects in Liberia but our signature will be infrastructure development, “Mr. Smith added. As evident of said disclosure Mr. Smith pointed out there are ongoing preparatory works at the site of its headquarters Project in Paynesville which will eventually pave the way for the ground breaking ceremony and subsequent commencement and completion respectively. According to him the project should have begun early March of 2020 but was unfortunately delay due to the current global COVID-19 pandemic but is certain that it will commence very soon. Speaking during a brief tour of the project site, the LFA’s Vice President for Operations lauded the contractors for the initial level of work done so far saying he is impressed and have no doubts that they will deliver to expectation, the In Profile Daily newspaper.

President Weah: ‘Maradona’s Death A Sad Day For The Football World’

President George Manneh Weah has bemoaned the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona, who reportedly died on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 of heart attack. The Liberian leader described the loss of Maradona as a “very sad day for the soccer world”. He extended profound sympathies to the icon’s family, the people of Argentina and “all lovers of the beautiful game”. The President touted the extraordinary story of Diego Maradona, who he said “unshackled himself from poverty” as a kid and used his “mastery of football to inspire millions”. The Liberian Leader, himself a former soccer legend who won many accolade including the coveted Ballon D’or as world and European footballer of the year, was also influenced by the Maradona story during his heyday. But despite his own exploits, he marveled at his achievements of the Argentina megastar. In addition to playing for his county’s national team, Maradona also featured for popular European clubs, the likes of Barcelona and Napoli. His passing has created an enormous void for the world football, the Heritage newspaper writes.

President Weah Sympathizes with VP Jewel Taylor -On Passing of Brother Zizi                                                                                                                                                  The President of Liberia, Dr. George M. Weah, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor and her family following the demise of her brother Kolubah Zizi Howard. “The death of Zizi Howard, who served in many capacities in government particularly in the telecommunications sector, is a loss not only to the Vice President and the entire Howard family including his wife and children, but to the country as a whole,” President Weah stated Thursday, November 26, 2020. President Weah noted that Zizi Howard’s pivotal role in setting up the regulatory framework for the telecommunications sector will always be remembered as a valuable contribution to national development. “I urge Vice President Taylor and the family to take solace in the bosom of the Almighty God. I prayed that the soul of Mr. Howard and the souls of all faithful departed will rest in perpetual peace,” President Weah empathized, the Analyst newspaper reveals.

Govt. Remains Committed To Protecting Women And Children -Gender Minister Assures Participants at 16-Days of Activism Launch                                                                                                                                             The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady and Partners on Wednesday, November 25, 2020, officially launched the 16-Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. The 16-Day campaign emphasizes that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights and acknowledges the role of patriarchal systems that embody harmful traditional practices and legal policies that are silent on abuses against women and girls, thereby denying this target population their right to a life of dignity. The global campaign which originated from the first women’s global leadership institute is dedicated to ending Gender Based Violence against women and girls from November 25-December 10. In a special remarks, Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Williamina E. Saydee-Tarr told participants at the virtual Launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, that the violation of the rights of women and girls through acts of violence is absolutely unacceptable given the fact that it threatens their safety, health and livelihood, and overall stagnate their growth, their rights to a peaceful life, and to prosper in a secure environment. Minister Saydee-Tarr recounted that Liberia has made meaningful gains towards ending all forms of violence against women and girls through the setting up of comprehensive integrated response centers that caters to the medical, psychosocial and protection needs of survivors, the Analyst newspaper pens.”

MOL, US Embassy To Strengthen Partnership on Fight Against TIP, Child Labour…                                                                                                                                      The Ministry of Labour and the United States Embassy in Liberia have stressed the need to increase partnership in the fight against Human Trafficking and Child Labour in the Country. According to a Labour Ministry Press release, the statement was made Tuesday, November 24, 2020, when the Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy, Alyson Grunder, met with Labour Minister Cllr. Charles H. Gibson at his Labour Ministry in Monrovia. Speaking during the meeting, Labour Minister, Cllr. Gibson assured the US Embassy delegation that the Government of Liberia will do all it can to ensure that the country advances to the next level in the fight against trafficking in persons. Minister Gibson stressed the need for the fast-tracking of trafficking cases noting that delays in bringing trafficking suspects to court will undermine the fight against crime.  For her part, Madame Grunder pledged her Government’s commitment to work with the Government of Liberia in the fight against Trafficking In-Persons and Child Labour. She promised to work along with the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Judiciary and other partners to reduce trafficking and child labor in Liberia. Madam Grunder was accompanied by Mr. Joel Kopp, Political and Economic Counselor as well as Mr. Juan D. Martinez, Political Officer, both also from the US Embassy, Daily Observer newspaper writes.

Related Caption:MoL, US Embassy to strengthen Partnership on Fight against Tip and Child Labour (Heritage)

Lofa County Supt. Assures Citizens of Smooth COVID-19 Food Distribution -As Food distribution begins in Margibi and Nimba Counties                                                                                                                                           Lofa County Superintendent, Hon. William Tamba Kamba, Sr., has assured citizens and residents of the readiness of his office and the entire County leadership to ensure the smooth implementation of the COVID-19 Household Food Support Programme (COHFSP) in all 6 districts of the County in a transparent and peaceful manner. Speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting in Voinjama on Monday – attended by the World Food Programme (WFP), NGO partners, and other county leadership structures – Hon. Kamba said, no stone would remain unturned in ensuring that vulnerable people including people with disabilities and those on the frontline of the anti-COVID-19 fight receive their right entitlements of the food package, the Analyst newspaper discloses.

Related Caption:Lofa County Supt. Assures Citizens Of Smooth COVID-19 Food Distribution As Food Distribution (Heritage)