THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016

The news of clarity made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispelling rumors of a fire outbreak at the Ministry; the additional 18 million United States dollar injected into the 2015/2016 national budget of the country by the European Union and the World Food Program and Liberian Government launch of the Home-Grown Feeding Program are among stories dominating the summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Foreign Ministry Clarifies ‘Fire’ Rumor 

The NEWS newspaper quoting Foreign Ministry release says the Ministry wishes to inform the public, contrary to reports that there was a massive fire outbreak at the Ministry. According to the release, between 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, there was a minor electrical shock that emanated from the server room that hosts the internet and communications services on the fourth floor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The electrical shock induced a small billow of smoke mainly confined to the internet and communications room.

Related Captions: Ministry of Foreign Affairs On ‘Fire’ Rumor At The Ministry(FrontPage Africa), Lonestar Cell MTN ‘Responsible’ For Foreign Ministry Fire(Daily Observer), No Fire; Only Smoke - Mansion Clarifies(The New Dawn), Executive Mansion Takes Media On Guided Tour Of Foreign Ministry Amid Fire Report(FOCUS)

EU Injects €16 Million Into Liberia’s Budget

The European Union has paid a grant of EUR 16 million (USD 18 million) to the Government of Liberia, the second payment under the EU's budget support program after a first payment of EUR 29.2 million (USD 33 million) in July 2015, totaling nearly 10 percent of the 2015/2016 budget. The New Dawn newspaper quotes a press release issued in Monrovia as saying disbursement of the second payment comes after the Government of Liberia met agreed conditions in the area of improved public financial management and some sector specific targets relating to justice and security. Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, Head of the European Union Delegation to Liberia, said "The EU gives this 16 million Euro expecting that the Government will use it to provide Liberians with the vital public services they deserve and it has committed to provide.”

Related Captions: EU Provides US$18M ‘Budget Support’ To GOL(Daily Observer), EU Drops US$ 18M…In Liberia’s Budget(The NEWS), EU Injects €16 Million In Liberia’s Budget(FOCUS)

WFP, GoL To Launch School Feeding Program

The New DEMOCRAT newspaper reports that the World Food Program (WFP) in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Health on today, June 16 launched the pilot phase of the Home-Grown School Feeding Program in the country. The daily says more than one thousand primary school children in six schools in Nimba County will start eating nutritious school meals prepared from locally produced food today. The Home-Grown School Feeding program is to gradually replace the current school meals program, it will use food produced by Liberian farmers for school meals for primary school children across the country.

Related Captions: Govt, WFP To Launch Home-Grown…School Feeding Pilot(The NEWS), WFP, GoL To Launch Home-Grown School Feeding Pilot(FOCUS), WFP, GoL Begin Home-Grown School Feeding Pilot Today(Daily Observer)

Taskforce Extends Investigation To London, U.S.

The Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa-led Special Presidential Task Force (SPTF) investigating the incriminating Global Witness Sable Mining bribery allegations against senior Liberian government officials and others has dispatched a five-man delegation to London to seek more evidence. The delegation, which is headed by the lead prosecutor on the Task Force, Cllr. Daku Mulbah, comprises of other members of the tripartite SPTF, including the Ministries of Justice and State Without Portfolio and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). They departed the country yesterday, June 15. While in London, Cllr. Mulbah and his team will hold talks with British authorities, witnesses and Global Witness (GW) officials with regards to the case. At least one of the foreigners so far indicted is believed to be in London, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Task Force Goes To London For Evidence(FOCUS), Task Force Goes Global(FrontPage Africa)

PUL Opens Book Of Condolence …For Fallen Member

The Press Union of Liberia announces the opening of a book of condolence today for one of its fallen members, broadcast journalist Moses Sonkaley. Mr. Sonkaley died after a period of illness on Saturday, June 4, 2016 in Monrovia, according to the NEWS newspaper.

Related Captions: Liberia Press Union Opens Book Of Condolence For Sonkarley(FrontPage Africa), PUL Mourns Fallen Journalist Moses Sonkarley(The New Dawn), ALJA Mourns Fallen Liberian Journalists(New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Liberia Deposits Instrument of Acceptance amid June 15 Deadline

According to the FOCUS newspaper, Liberia has finally deposited its Instrument of Acceptance to the World Trade Organization (WTO) ahead of the much trumpeted June 15 deadline.  According to a dispatch from Geneva, Switzerland, Liberia’s Commerce Minister, Axel Addy said it is now time for implementation to prepare the nation for better business for Liberians to pursue the big dreams and make Liberia better for all. He, however, said thanks to everyone who made the realization possible through their tireless and unbending support.

Related Caption: Liberia Deposits Instrument Of Acceptance-At WTO(The NEWS)

Michelle Obama To Visit Liberia June 27 To promote “Let Girls Learn”

According to the Daily Observer, U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama will pay a visit to Liberia on June 27 to assess progress in girls’ education as part of her “Let Girls Learn” initiative. The daily quotes a dispatch from Washington, D.C. as saying the US First Lady, who will be accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Marian Robinson and her daughters Malia and Sasha, will make a stop outside Monrovia to highlight the US Government’s work to help adolescent girls attend and stay in school. The First Lady will visit Margibi County, Liberia; Marrakech, Morocco and Madrid, Spain from June 27 to July 1. While in Liberia, Mrs. Obama will visit a Peace Corps training facility in Kakata where she will meet with girls and young women participating in a GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) camp. Also in Liberia, Mrs. Obama will visit a school in Unification Town for a discussion with adolescent girls, who have faced serious obstacles in obtaining an education. According to the daily, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will join Mrs. Obama during her June 27 visit.

Related Caption: Michelle Obama and Daughters to Stop Over in Liberia on June 27(FrontPage Africa)

Cape Mount Hosts DAC Celebration

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says this year’s celebration of the “The Day of the African Child” (DAC) will be officially observed in Robertsport, Grand Cape County today.According to the daily, the significance of the observance of the ‘Day of the African Child’ is in memory of hundreds of school children who were brutally massacred in Soweto, South Africa, by the then Apartheid Regime in June 1976, while advocating for equal rights and opportunities. This year theme is “Protecting All Children’s Right During Conflict and Crisis in Africa”.

President Sirleaf Assured of Galilee Institute Granting Liberia  Scholarships

During her recent visit to Israel, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, has been assured of more scholarships to Liberia, by the Galilee Institute, in Israel. Both Dr. Joseph Shevel and the Institute’s Director of Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, Ambassador (Tet.) Shemi Zur had the honor of being among the first to meet and greet the President during her state visit to Israel.  At that historic meeting, Dr. Shevel gave Her Excellency, President Johnson Sirleaf the names of many of the illustrious Liberian sons and daughters, now Alumni of the Galilee Institute, allowing for her Excellency to be most impressed, an expression of her wish to continue the Liberia-Galilee Institute cooperation, FOCUS newspaper writes.

Cape Mount Gets New Prison Facility

A new correction center is being constructed in Tosor Town Commonwealth District, Grand Cape Mont County. According to Grand Cape Mount County Attorney, Harris Worwoah, the project is being implemented by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) under its quick impact project in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Government of Liberia.  According to the information, the citizens expressed gratitude to the government of Liberia and its partners for the construction of the correction center, FOCUS newspaper reports.