THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, March 16, 2016

News of President Johnson Sirleaf condolence message to the Government and people of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire following the terrorist attack on that country, the turnover of over US$628,000 worth of materials to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization by the Japanese Government’s in continuation of enhancing border surveillance in the Country and President  Johnson Sirleaf’s dedication of Modern office of the Liberia Aviation Authority are among stories dominating today’s edition of the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

President Sirleaf Consoles Côte d’Ivoire on Terrorist Attack

The INQUIRER newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to the Government and people of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire following the terrorist attack leading to the death of 16 people and the injury of several others at the Grand Bassam beach resort, near the Ivorian capital, Abidjan. According to the release, the Liberian leader, in her message to her Ivorian counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Alansane Ouattara, she expressed shock that such attack could happen in a neighborly and brotherly country; stating, “This attack has implications for the peace and security of the entire Mano River Basin and generates a sense of foreboding in our sub-region.” “It is therefore with deep grief that I, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Liberia, and in my own name, extend to the Government and people of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, especially the families of the victims, our heartfelt condolences for the irreparable loss sustained,” she stated further. President Sirleaf stressed that this senseless attack should strengthen the two countries’ individual national resolve, sub-regional as well as regional cooperation in combatting forces that threaten the peace and stability of the region. The Liberian leader assured her Ivorian counterpart that during this difficult time of mourning, the Government and people of Liberia stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Consoles Côte d’Ivoire On Terrorist Attack (The INQUIRER), Ellen Consoles Côte d’Ivoire On Terrorist Attack (Heritage), Ellen Consoles Cote d’Ivoire on Terrorist Attack (In Profile Daily), Jihadist Threat Scares Liberia…Ellen Consoles Côte d’Ivoire On Terrorist Attack (The NEWS)

Government Of Japan Boosts Border Surveillance In Liberia

In continuation of enhancing border surveillance in the Country, the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has turned over several logistics, materials, and equipment to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN). The items worth over US$628,000 dollars include 160 motorbikes, 2,000 rain gears, eighty public address system and 200 pieces of infrared thermometers. The latest gesture follows a recent donation of 18 land Cruiser jeeps and eight tents to the two security entities by the government and people of Japan to be used in border counties. The Japanese Ambassador committed his government to building the human resources capacity of the Liberian police officers through the Kofi Annan Training center in Accra Ghana, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Related Captions: Japanese Govt Tightens Border Control For Liberia (FOCUS), Japan Boosts Border Surveilance…In Liberia (The NEWS), Government of Japan Boosts Surveillance In Liberia (The INQUIRER)

Modern Civil Aviation Office Complex Dedicated…Named In Honor Of LCAA Boss

According to the Heritage newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described the Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) as  a symbol of remarkable institution within the aviation industry speaks volume. The daily quotes an Executive Mansion release as saying that President Johnson Sirleaf made the remarks during the official dedication of a modern office complex of the Liberia Aviation Authority (LCAA) in Harbel, Margibi County. The Liberian leader commanded the Board of Directors, the Management and entire staff of LCAA for their commitment to the realization of such the state of the art facility. The praised the resilience of Mr. Richelieu A. Williams and described him as someone who gets things done.  In recognition of the Director General’s long and distinguished public service, President Johnson Sirleaf named the modern complex in honor of Richelieu A. Williams, which she noted, will remain long after he shall have left the scene.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Dedicates Modern Civil Aviation Office Complex (FOCUS)

Chief Justice Warns Protestors

Liberia’s Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. says demonstrating on the premises of the courts has a chilling effect on justice, warning that it may affect the positions of judges, jurors and witnesses “and thereby deprive the parties … the right to free and fair trial.” Delivering a charge Monday, 14 March at the opening of the Supreme Court’s March Term graced by President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Chief Justice Korkpor said, the spirit of an independent decision is seriously assailed when judicial actors are pressured and coerced. Though he did not mention any particular incident, the Chief Justice’s comment however followed series of disturbances at the Temple of Justice recently by politicians, who were demanding the release of self-proclaimed advocate Vandala Patricks when he was expected in court for sedition and criminal libel against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.  “The result would be chaotic; and justice cannot flourish in such unwholesome condition,” the Chief Justice told the audience, reports the New Dawn newspaper,

Related Captions: Supreme Court Threatens Penalty (The INQUIRER), ‘The Court Should Be Left As Neutral Body’…Chief Justice Warned Demonstrators (The NEWS)

Mobile Education Critical……Liberia’s Education Minister

The Focus newspaper reports that Liberia's Education Minister George Werner has emphasized the significance of Mobile Learning, adding that is an innovative way to provide quality learning opportunities for a huge segment of the population. Serving as one of the Panelists at the UNESCO Mobile Learning Forum in Paris, France, Minister Werner said Mobile Learning provides the means for a life-long learning that enhances peace and stability, it creases social development for boys and girls, a potential for research purpose for universities and create avenues for the promotion of the quality of studies for working class people and others. Minister Werner also said Mobile Learning is a unique opportunity for female students who might get pregnant and cannot attend classes, but could use the technology to remain in school through Mobile Education and that it can be used to outlines some major policy issues through public-private partnership. The United Nations report says, there are six billion mobile phone subscriptions in the world today, used by a population of seven billion and access to the internet is growing fast. The UN says this combined with the technical improvement of mobile devices and the development of dynamic learning content, has led to a great increase in the educational potential of information and communication technologies, notably in communities where books and schools are scarce.

Related Captions: ‘Mobile Education Is Critical’…Minister Werner (The NEWS), Liberia’s Education Minister Says Mobile Education Is Critical (Heritage)

Gender Minister Assures Liberia’s Commitment to Accelerate Gender Equality

Liberia’s Gender Minister Julia Duncan-Cassell has spoken positively of the country’s commitment to accelerate gender equality to ensure the advancement of women across Liberia and the work. Speaking ahead of the First Plenary Session of the 60^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, Minister Cassell assured the world that Liberia is on the right trajectory for the 50-50 (fifty-fifty) gender equality quest, considering progress being made by the Liberia government and people towards gender equality. She made specific reference to current discussions on the Domestic Violence Act, the Gender Equity Bill and the implementation of the Country’s National Gender Policy as critical indicators and instruments creating the enabling environment for gender mainstreaming in Liberia, the Inquirer writes.

Related Captions: Liberia Is On Right Trajectory For “50-50” Gender Equality Quest…Says Minister Cassell (Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

US$60M Awaits Senate’s Approval….For Electricity Expansion

The News newspaper pens that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted a US$60 million financing agreement between the Republic of Liberia and the International Development Association (IDA) to the Liberia Senate for ratification. The agreement, according to the President is intended to generate additional finance for the implementation of the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expansion Project. The President told the Senators in a communication that the money would help give access to electricity and strengthen institutional capacity in the sector.

Down Syndrome Day Observed Care for Disabled Stressed

An inside story of the In Profile Daily writes that the World Down Syndorome Day (WDSD) celebrated worldwide on March 21 annually, was observed in Liberia on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia. The World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day and is officially observed by the United Nations and sponsored by Down Syndrome International of the United Kingdom on 21 March every year. Speaking during the ceremony, the Acting Director, Social Assistance Division at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Patricia N. Togbah, who served as Guest Speaker, said the Gender Ministry will work to ensure that My Heart’s Appeal gets subsidy to help the organization carries out its work of caring for people with disabilities. She stressed that people with Down syndrome and disabilities be provided opportunity for inclusive education and other basic rights. According to her, people living with disabilities should no longer be disregarded, but their talents and abilities should be taken very seriously for empowerment because they can also be of help to the society.

Red Cross Gets Interim Head

According to the Heritage newspaper, President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf has named Mr. J. Ebenezer Kolliegbo, a volunteer member of the dissolved Board of the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), as interim head of the Society. The decision followed consultation with members of the dissolved Board of the LNRCS and partners on Thursday, March 10. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader will also reconstitute the LNRCS Board shortly following consultations with stakeholders and international partners. It can be recalled that an audit of the operations of the LNRCS, particularly during the Ebola crisis by Moore Stevens, unearthed the misapplication of over US$1.8 million by the Management Team at the Red Cross headed by Mr. Emmanuel O. Kparh.

‘Make New Contributions to Liberia-China Friendship’ Chinese Diplomat Tells College Graduates

The prospect of Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) seems steadfast after the college held its second graduation program March 12 on its Paynesberry Campus-about a mile outside Buchanan City. A proxy of the People’s Republic of China Ambassador to Liberia, who is the Political Director at the China Embassy near Monrovia, David Chang, told the graduates that education is the solution for the further development of Liberia and it has enormous impact on the future of Liberia especially after decades of disruption and the scourge of Ebola, while stressing that the country needs educated people who are academically competent, the FrontPage Africa newspaper writes.