THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

Today’s edition of the summary includes President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to His Excellency Mr. Patrice Talon on his election as President of the Republic of Benin, the admittance of Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara into the Humane Order of African Redemption, the President’s meeting with a delegation from the African Leaders Malaria Alliance among others.

Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Benin’s President-elect Talon

The FOCUS newspaper quotes a release from the Foreign Ministry as saying that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr. Patrice Talon on his election as President of the Republic of Benin. On March 21, businessman Patrice Talon was declared winner of a presidential run-off in Benin. Mr. Talon got 65 percent of the votes while his challenger, Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou secured 35 percent. Mr. Zinsou conceded defeat. According to the release, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended to H. E. Mr. Talon heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the recently held democratic process which led to his election as President of the Republic of Benin. The Liberian leader applauded the people of Benin for the peaceful conduct of the elections which, she said, marked a great and significant victory for democracy in Benin and Africa at large. As Mr. Talon assumes the leadership of his country shortly, President Sirleaf hoped that relations between Liberia and Benin will continue to be strengthened in the spirit of African solidarity in their desire to sustain democracy, peace, economic integration, and security within the framework of ECOWAS and the African Union. She prayed that as Mr. Talon transitions to this all important office, the Almighty God will endow him with abundant wisdom and strength to lead his people to higher heights. Meanwhile, the Liberian leader also sent a message of congratulations to her counterpart, H.E. Mr. Thomas Boni Yayi, President of the Republic of Benin, for the successful conduct of the presidential and general elections. In her message to H.E. Mr. Boni Yayi, President Sirleaf extended, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, warmest congratulations for the successful holding of his country’s general elections under his able leadership. The Liberian leader saw the elections as a great step towards democracy in that country. “The elections mark a great victory for democracy in Benin and Africa as a whole,” she said, adding, that the announcement of the outcome of the elections is a clear manifestation of President Yayi’s strong commitment to democratic values and the principles which he has personally nurtured for the many years as President of Benin. The Liberian leader indicated that President Boni Yayi’s efforts to facilitate constitutional transition and his show of tolerance and patriotism during Benin’s elections bring pride not only to the people of Benin but to the entire continent of Africa which will forever be remembered not only as a good leader, but also as a nationalist who placed the stability and future of his country above all personal interests.

Related Caption: Ellen Congratulates Benin’s President-elect (Heritage)

14 Senior Gov’t Officials Commissioned

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commissioned 14 senior government officials at a colorful ceremony held in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia and reminded them about the challenges ahead as the administration moves to the finishing line of its mandate. She said while mindful about the time let along the ambitious targets, she was confident that the team has the ability to stay focused amid the strong commitment to serve the country and its people. She urged the newly commissioned officials to put on their running gear and asked God to give them the strength to succeed in all major government priorities that are accomplishable within real time. Meanwhile, the Liberian Chief Executive, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also convened a special Convocation and conferred on Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia with the Grade of Dame Great Band and Chancellor of the Orders in the Humane Order of African Redemption. Speaking on behalf of newly commissioned officials of government and in appreciation of her admission into the Humane Order or African Redemption, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet, Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara extended gratitude to President Sirleaf for the conferral of such distinguished honor, which she said was anchored on the attributes, which inspired confidence and first motivated her appointment as Minister.  She added that the Executive Commissions received by the honorees from the President represent a reaffirmation of her confidence in the appointees and called for unwavering dedication to duty, commitment to achieving agreed objectives and the highest degree of integrity. She said it was imperative that: “Like all members of this global family, we must take ownership of the seventeen goals enshrined in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, as we do the AU’s agenda 2063 as well as Liberia’s own Vision 2030. These agendas hold the promise of reducing the disparities and inequalities, which create fertile grounds for strife and conflict in societies. The preservation of our cherished peace and security in Liberia demands that we pay key attention to these issues”. Those commissioned include Ambassador MARJON V. Kamara; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Henrique Tokpa; Minister of Internal Affairs, Dr. Moses Zinnah; Minister of Agriculture, Hon Eugene Lenn Nagbe; Minister of Information, Hon. Atty. Neto Zarzar Lighe; Minister of Labor, Hon. Julia Duncan Cassell; Minister of Gender, Children & Social Protection, Hon. Sylvester Grigsby; Minister of State Without Portfolio, Amb. Lewis G. Brown, II; Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations, Cllr, Robert C. Tubman, Chairman – Board of Directors, Liberia Revenue Authority, Hon. Elfrieda Stewart Tamba; Commissioner General, LRA, Hon. Charles R. Bright; Member – LRA Board, Hon. Aletha Brown Cooper; Member – LRA Board, Hon. Oliver N. Rogers; Deputy Commissioner General/Administration – LRA and Hon. Dekontee King-Sackie; Deputy Commissioner-General/Operations, according to the FOCUS newspaper.

Pres. Sirleaf Receives African Leaders Malaria Alliance’s Executive Secretary

The FOCUS newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 received a delegation from the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) headed by its Executive Secretary, Joy Phumaphi at her Foreign Ministry Office. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf acknowledged that huge progress has been made in the continent’s fight against malaria and praised the ALMA Secretariat led by Madam Phumaphi for effectively leading the charge in the continental battle. President Sirleaf also pointed out that through the activities of ALMA, Liberia has made significant progress in combatting and possibly moving towards the elimination of the disease that kills millions in many parts of the world. She particularly thanked Madam Phumaphi for her leadership and commitment to the noble goals and objectives of ALMA. Speaking earlier, Madam Phumaphi reported on the progress of ALMA to date and informed President Sirleaf that her delegation was in the country to work with Liberia to develop its National Malaria Control and Elimination Score-card.  She praised Liberia as one of the countries that have sustained its score-card since progress started and commended Liberia for ensuring that the outbreak of the deadly virus disease did not throw the country’s malaria program off track. Madam Phumaphi also indicated that ALMA is also transitioning from MDGs approach to that of the SDGs with the adoption of the new global development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ex-Minister, Others Get US$2m Bond

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia has granted a US$2m criminal appearance bond in favor of ex-Commerce Minister Madam Miatta Beysolow, the former Managing Director of the Liberian Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Mr. T. Nelson Williams, and other ex-officials following their indictment in February for embezzling over US$5m. Prosecutors say the indictees allegedly deprived government portion of proceeds from the distribution of Japanese oil grant valued US$13,083,350 donated to Liberia for the supply of an expected quantity of 15,000 MT [metric ton] of petroleum products for economic and social development efforts. Liberia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) indicted Madam Beysolow and Mr. Williams this year, including Commerce Ministry’s Division Of Price Analysis and Marketing Director Mr. Steve Flahn-Paye; LPRC’s Deputy Managing Director for Operations Aaron J. Wheagar and Aminata and Sons’ CEO SiakaTuray for allegedly embezzling US$5,764,110.84. They are charged with economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation and violation of required Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) procedures and processes.

Related Caption: Ready For Trial, Judge Approves US$2M Criminal Appearance Bond For Former Officials (FrontPage Africa)

Ebola Contacts Reach 91- Health Ministry Cautions Citizens on Preventive Measures

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, two new cases of the deadly Ebola virus disease along with at least 91 contacts have been confirmed in Liberia by the Ministry of Health following recent outbreak of the disease in neighboring Guinea. Deputy Health Minister for Incident Management, Tolbert Nyenswah, told a Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism news conference Tuesday that the latest confirmed case is a five-year-old boy whose mother, age 30, was firstly confirmed with the virus at the Redemption Hospital but later died due to the uncontrolled nature of the disease. The lady identify as Annie Kollie reportedly came from neighboring Guinea few days after that country reported Ebola cases and it is believed that she contracted the Ebola Virus Disease before her travel to Liberia. She was reportedly taken to a local Hospital, Ma Watta Kamara Clinic in the Black-Gina Community along the Somalia Drive area, where nurses at that center interacted with her prior to her transfer at the Redemption Hospital where she met her demise. The health workers according to Minister Nyenswah have been placed under precautionary observation at a particular location while the Ministry through its County Health Team is making frantic efforts in pursuing others who the lady might have come in contact with before being The 91 contacts identified so far are said to be people who had personal contacts with the lady who firstly came down with the Ebola virus in the country. However, the Deputy Health Minister noted, the 5-year old boy is currently being quarantined at the ELWA-Two Ebola Treatment Unit along the Roberts International Airport Highway. Meanwhile, Minister Nyenswah wants citizens across Liberia to take the Ebola Prevention measures seriously as a means of preventing the spread of the disease, since according to him, two persons have already come down with the virus.

MPT to Formulate New ICT Policy

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) is formulating a new Telecommunications Internet Communications Technology (ICT) Policy that will guide the sector for the next five years. This was contained in the Ministry’s 2015 annual report release recently. The report said as part of the policy-making process, the Ministry commenced stakeholder’s engagement to solicit inputs into the new ICT telecommunication policy, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

UNDP Funds More Training Programs At Center Songhair

In addition to general agriculture, food-processing and electronics & repairs currently being taught at Center Songhai Liberia (CSL), UNDP, chief sponsor of the center, has approved a grants of US$120,000 for CSL to include electricity, carpentry, masonry and plumbing in its training package. CSL is located in Bensonville, Montserrado County, on the premises of former Youth Agriculture Training center, which was provided by the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, writes the Heritage newspaper.

ITU Grants Liberia Extension To Digital Migration Program

According to Heritage newspaper, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has placed Liberia among counties whose deadline for the Digital Migration Program (DMP) has been extended from 2015 to 2020. This disclosure is contained in the 2015 Annual Report of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications release recently.

RIA Runway Rehab Begins September

The Robert International Airport (RIA) is expected to undergo major renovation, including extensive work on the runway and the erection of a new, modern terminal, the Managing Director of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), Will Bako Freeman, has told the Daily Observer. The LAA MD made the disclosure yesterday in an exclusive interview with this newspaper at his RIA office in Margibi County. He stated that a series of discussions are ongoing with partners to see how best they can help rehabilitate the runway and build a new terminal at the airport. “There are too many things that need to be done to improve the airport facilities, but right now, we will try to focus on two-the runway and the terminal,” he said, the Daily Observer reports.

House Reviews US$80M Agreements

The Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated its Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning, Judiciary and Public Works to review two loans (financing) Agreements, submitted by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the tone of US$80 million. The money is intended for road construction and expansion of electricity project. The loan agreements which are subject to ratification were signed between the Liberian government and the International Development Association (IDA); the Liberian government and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) in the amounts of US$60 million and US$20 million respectively, the Daily Observer writes.

Liberia Medical Mission Donates to Hospitals In Nimba

The Liberia Medical Mission (LMM) based in the United States of America Sunday April 3, 2016, donated medical materials worth Ten Thousands United States Dollars to three separate health centers in Nimba County. The medical supplies donated were 40 hospital beds, cartoon of face shields among others. In Sanniquellie the administration of the George Harley Hospital received 20 hospital beds while the rest and cartoons with medical equipment were distributed among Ganta Hospital, Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center and Bahn clinic respectively. Speaking on behalf of the LMM, Madam Asata Kamara said the medical supplies donated were the organization's own way of identifying with the Liberia Health Sector and Nimba was not an exception. Receiving the medical items on behalf of the George Way Harley Hospital, the County Health Officer, Dr. Collins Bowah, extended his thanks and appreciation to the Liberian humanitarian organization for the kind gesture. He said the donation was timely, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Book Of Condolence For Numennie Opens Today

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL), in collaboration with the Sports Writers Association of Liberia (SWAL), will jointly open a book of condolence for Liberian journalist Numennie Williams. The INQUIRER newspaper quotes a release signed by PUL Acting Secretary-General Daniel Nyakonah, Jr. and SWAL Secretary General Kolubah Zayzay, the book will be opened on April 6 at 10:30AM at the union’s headquarters on Clay Street. Family members, journalists and several sports personalities, including the Ministry of Youth & Sports, Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC), Liberia Football Association (LFA), Liberia Basketball Association (LBA), Liberia Kickball Federation (LKF), Liberia National Handball Association and Liberia Taekwondo Federation, among others, are expected to grace the signing ceremony. Funeral service over his remains will be held at the St. Joseph’s Parish on Capitol Hill on Friday.