THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016

The Government of South Korea’s donation of six brand new Hyundai Santa SUV vehicles valued at nearly US$133,000 to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, news of the United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Christine Ann Elder, presenting her Letters of Credence to President Johnson Sirleaf and the resumption of normal activities at the House of Representativesare among stories dominating the summary of the local dailies.

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Another story  is news of Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin’s meeting with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Dr. Carlos Lopes.

DOMINANT STORIES  

South Korea Presents Six SUV Vehicles To The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 

The Embassy of Republic of Korea to Liberia has presented six brand new Hyundai Santa SUV vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, valued at nearly US$133,000. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the vehicles were presented to Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin by South Korean Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Noh Kyu-duk, on the grounds of the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Speaking at the turn-over ceremony, Ambassador Kyu-duk, said this presentation was in fulfillment of a promised made to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when he presented his Letters of Credence that his government would provide some vehicles to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In response, Acting Foreign Minister Shoniyin thanked the South Korean diplomat for his government’s assistance to the Liberia. He informed the South Korean Ambassador that his government is working towards the appointment of an Honorary Consul to South Korea shortly, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: South Korea Presents Six SUV Vehicles To The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs(FOCUS), South Korea Donates Six SUV Vehicles To Foreign Ministry(WOMEN VOICES)

New US Ambassador Presents Letter Of Credence

The Daily Observer reports that the new United States Ambassador accredited to Liberia, Christine Ann Elder, on Thursday presented her Letters of Credence to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her Foreign Affairs Ministry office in Monrovia. Ambassador Elder expressed gratitude for the level of cooperation that currently exists between the two countries. She pledged her government’s unflinching support in helping Liberia transition peacefully upon UNMIL’s departure. President Johnson Sirleaf for her part touched on the many areas of cooperation between the two countries from which, according to her, there are a fair amount of successes. These areas include governance, security, education, infrastructure and energy.

Related Captions: Ellen Seeks U.S. Help For 2017(The New Dawn), President Sirleaf Receives New U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Christine Elder Letters Of Credence(FrontPage Africa), U.S. Recommits Itself To Liberia…As New Ambassador Presents Credential(The INQUIRER), New US Ambassador Presents Letter Of Credence  (WOMEN VOICES), New U.S. Ambassador Arrives(FOCUS)

House Conforms To Supreme Court Ruling

The House of Representatives has begun roll call again, after suspending it and allowing members present at the June 2 Session of the House of Representatives to constitute a quorum for one month, June 2 to July 2, 2016. According to the Daily Observer, Thursday’s roll call was in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling of Associate Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie, which mandated the House’s Plenary to return to the ‘status quo ante’ in conformity with Article 33 of the 1986 Constitution. The Article states: “Simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members.

Related Captions: Calm Returns To Capitol House Of Representative Holds First Successful Session in a Month(FrontPage Africa), House Returns To Staus-Quo(The INQUIRER)

OTHER STORIES

High-Power UNECA Delegation Arrives-Holds Discussion With President Sirleaf

The WOMEN VOICES newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday, June 23, 2016 received a 3-member delegation from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) headed by its Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Lopez. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf welcomed the UNECA delegation to Liberia and expressed appreciation for the many support from the UNECA. She acknowledged that Liberia was strong in the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Liberia, she pointed out is keen in getting started with the implementation of the SDGs and that UNECA’s support in that regard will be critically important. For his part, Dr. Carlos Lopez indicated that the UNECA is keen on supporting capacity development and assured that Liberia will not lack support on the SDGs. He then committed the UNECA’s support in that regard.  He concluded that the UNECA is working with the larger African community through the Africa Union.

Related Caption:President Sirleaf, UN Economic Commission For Africa Executive Secretary Confer On SDGs(FOCUS). Earlier, the FOCUS newspaper reports under the caption “Min. Shoniyin Meets UNECA Boss Lopes“ that in a meeting with the UNECA Executive Secretary, acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin thanked Dr. Lopez      for the supportive roles he continues to play on behalf of Liberia. While welcoming the delegation at the Ministry, Acting Foreign Minister Shoniyin assured the delegation of President Sirleaf’s readiness to working closely with the team in addressing Africa’s critical development agenda. Earlier, Dr. Lopes applauded the many achievements made in Liberia and said his delegation’s aim is to work with other development partners in supporting development initiatives in the sub-region especially under the ECOWAS’ chairmanship of President Sirleaf which could form part of the President’s legacy tomorrow.

Amb. Lewis G. Brown Arrives In New York

Liberia Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations. Amb. Lewis G. Brown has arrived in New York to assume his official duties at the world body. The Former Liberian Minister of Information who was also commissioned by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, told the WOMEN VOICES via mobile that he has already taken over his official duties in New York.

GOL, FAO To Launch US$492k Aquaculture Project -Aquaculture Initiative for Youth Employment

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS) and partners will on July 5, 2016 launch an Aquaculture Project valued at US$492,000. The Daily Observer writes that the Technical Cooperation Project, titled: “Creating Aquaculture Enterprise for Youth Employment, Poverty Reduction and Food Security,” is meant to build the capacity of 600 vulnerable youths in aquaculture development in Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount and Bomi Counties. The project is aligned with the FAO’s Strategy Objectives 2, 3, and 4, focusing on rural development. It is also aligned with the United Nations Development Framework (UNDF) Pillar II: (Sustainable Economic Transformation), while at the same time contributing to the FAO’s Country Program Framework (CPF) for sustainable agriculture development.

Related Caption: Addressing Youth Unemployment -FAO Plans $492K Aquaculture Project(FrontPage Africa)

LACC, USAID Sign MOC

According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Anti- Corruption Commission (LACC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in the area of the commission’s human and institution capacity development.The signing ceremony took place recently at the head office of the LACC in Congo Town. LACC Acting Chairperson, Cllr. J. Augustine Toe signed for the Commission while USAID Acting Deputy Mission Director, Mervyn Farroe signed on behalf of his organization. The MOC states that USAID in collaboration with its implementing partner, the Legal Professional Development & Anti-Corruption Project (LPAC), will assist LACC’s Enforcement Division to streamline and amend standard operating procedures for investigating and prosecuting potential corruption cases.

LDEA Prepares For UNMIL Drawdown - Director Souh Discloses

The Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has confirmed its preparedness to handle and execute its mandate responsibly. Anthony K. Souh, the Director General of LDEA, made the assertion Thursday at the Information Ministry’s regular press briefing held on Capitol Hill, Monrovia.  Director Souh said, based on the Amended Act of 1999,  the LDEA is responsible to effectively and efficiently enforce all legal provisions against drugs or like substances, and or control precursors and essential chemicals, as provided under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2014. In compliance with internationally standardized practices, Mr. Souh said government has enacted and passed into law one of the best drug laws on the African continent, which takes into consideration all of the five pillars, and is now embedded into the national legal framework of Liberia. Daily Observer

Related Caption: Anti-Drug Agents Deployed Nationwide-DEA Boss(FOCUS)

Stimulate Liberia’s Economic Growth

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the Director General of the Civil Servant Agency (CSA), Puchu Bernard, says the role of a public service is to help stimulate the economic growth of Liberia. Director General Bernard said such achievement can only be acquired through collective efforts by all agencies and ministries of the government. Speaking Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the official celebration of the African Public Service Day held at the Paynesville City Hall, in Paynesville, she noted that the purpose of the celebration is to appreciate the achievements in governance and public administration reforms that continue to take place in the public or civil service of Africa, adding that such brilliant idea will help improved the sector more. the NewDawn newspaper also reports that CSA has awarded a cash prize of US$1,000 to the Director of the Human Resource Management Bureau at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Ms. Sandra Madia Roberts for her excellence performance within the entity as winner for 2016 under the caption “ CSA Awards Cash Prize”.

National Spelling Bee Kicks-Off

The National Spelling Bee Championship competition has commenced in Monrovia, Montserrado County with 36 students from 12 counties vigorously competing. According to Mr. Abraham Dagher, Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Minister for Instruction at the Ministry of Education, the Spelling Bee competition was initially launched by the Public Affairs Office of the United States Embassy near Monrovia in 2008, which hosted the first, second and third competition. Mr. Dagher said the objective of the Spelling Bee competition is to promote the culture of reading in schools, particularly for children at primary level to be able to read and know how to spell well before getting to junior high level. He said following the grand final today, a prize of US$1,000 will be awarded to the first place winner to be followed by second place, US$800; and third place winner will receive US$500, respectively besides trophies and medals, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

All Set For WAEC Monday…Over 46,000 students To Sit

Deputy Education Minister For Administration, Mr. Aagon F. Tingba Jr. says about 46,915 students have been earmarked  for the WAEC exams beginning Monday, June 27, 2016. He said the exams will be administered at 209 centers throughout the country. He noted that the 46,915 students include those students who did not sit the WAEC after the Ebola epidemic, according to the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Caption: WAEC Begins 12th Grade Exam Monday(Daily Observer)