THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016

News of  the Government of Liberia’s decision to dissociate itself from the scam by  former House Speaker George S. Dweh, Sr, to authorities of the Republic of Taiwan suggesting bilateral discussions for economic trade links between Taiwan and Liberia;  the official launch by President Sirleaf of the 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence with a call for practical steps to end the practice and the fire incident that occurred at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday  are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

GoL Shuns Ex-Speaker Dweh’s Scam 

The Government of Liberia (GoL) has been alerted about two separate letters, dated August 19, 2016, signed by the former Speaker of the erstwhile Transitional Legislative Assembly, Mr. George S. Dweh to authorities of the Republic of Taiwan suggesting bilateral discussions for the establishment of an economic trade link with the Government of Liberia.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, Mr. Dweh is a former government official, who is not an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor has he had any official relations with the Ministry, neither is he an envoy of the President of Liberia.  The government wishes to make it clear that Mr. Dweh has never, at any time, held meetings with any official of the Ministry on any matter relating to the Republic of Taiwan.  The Government of Liberia takes this matter very seriously and, because of the gravity, has alerted the relevant security agencies to investigate the matter in order to avert a diplomatic faux pas with the friendly Government of the People’s Republic of China as well as to determine his motivation for this dubious overture, Daily Observer reports.

Related Captions: George Dweh Caught Pants Down!(The New Dawn),Speaker Emeritus Dweh’s Diplomatic Note Leaked? (In Profile Daily), Gov’t Distances Itself From Former House Speaker Dweh’s Scan(Heritage)

President Sirleaf Launches 16 Days of Activism; Calls for Practical Actions Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has launched 16 Days of activism against Sexual and Gender-based Violence urging participants not just to be mere participants, but take practical steps in helping the Ministry achieve its awareness campaign.  According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement when she officially launched the 16 Days of activism against Sexual and Gender-based Violence on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Capitol Bye-Pass in Monrovia. 
She urged the gathering to join the fight in practical ways in their homes, schools, communities, and associations to stop violence against girls and women and called on parents to protect their children against violence. President Sirleaf said every little child, woman or girl is being raped, assaulted and abused, adding this means that Liberia loses someone who would have protected their parents and sent every efforts being made backward,  Heritage newspaper reports.

Related Captions:President Sirleaf Condemns Sodomy, Rape Calls For Collective And Practical Fight(Daily Observer), President Sirleaf Launches 16 Days of Activism(FOCUS)

President Sirleaf Welcomes Pathway International Initiative To Invest - Closes Liberia-UK Trade And Investment Forum

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has welcomed and encouraged more investment opportunities in Liberia aimed at strengthening the economy to create more jobs in Liberia. She said: "The service is good and will be needed in countries such as ours, as we seek more partnerships to improve the lives of the people".  According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the remarks when she received in audience the Director of Pathway International, Gathoni F. Mungai and Chief Executive Officer, Simon Karo of Pathway International at her Foreign Ministry office on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, writes In Profile Daily.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Welcomes Pathway International Initiative To Invest…Closed Liberia – UK Trade and Investment Forum(FOCUS), Liberia Will Make A Case For Need Investments… Ellen Tells UK Trade Delegation(The INQUIRER)  

UNFPA Wants Greater Access To Family Planning In Liberia 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says there is a need for greater political and financial commitments to family planning in Liberia if the country is to make universal access to reproductive health and women’s empowerment a reality. Quoting a U UNFPA release, the In Profile Daily says the Country representative of UNFPA Liberia, Dr. Oluremi Sgunro noted that access to family planning alone can reduce unwantedpregnancies, unsafe abortion and maternal death and disability, saving women’s lives and the lives of their children.. Addressing the 23^rd Annual Member’s Assembly and 60^th Anniversary celebration of the Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia (PPAL) in Monrovia, Dr. Sogunro promised UNFPA’s continuous support to ensure that every Liberian is free to make choices about his or her sexuality and wellbeing without discrimination.

Related Captions: UNFPA Call For Greater Access To Family Planning In Liberia(Heritage), UNFPA Calls For Greater Access To Family Planning In Liberia(FOCUS)

Liberia’s Ministry of Commerce Gutted by Fire – No Life Lost

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday was the scene of panic when fire gutted the third floor of the building.  Several employees and visitors in the building at the time of the fire flee in panic to avoid being trapped the flames.  The fire started in the office of the Assistant Minister for Commerce and Trade Services, Stephen Marvie, on the third floor and glowed through to the fourth floor of the building.  The building which is stone throw from the Liberia National Fire Service station was rescued by fire fighters, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Commerce Ministry Gutted By Fire…Several Persons Rescued (Heritage),  Fire Outbreak At Commerce(The INQUIRER)

PUL President – Elect Sets Up Transitional Team!

According to the FOCUS newspaper, Press Union of Liberia President – elect Mr. Charles B. Coffey. Jr. has named a 7 – member Transitional Team, with a mandate to work out basic plans and set the pace for his administration. The Transitional Team is chaired by Broadcast Journalist Raymond Zarbay of UNMIL Radio. Other members on the Team are, Winnie Saywah – Jimmy of Inquirer Newspaper, Siatta Scott-Johnson of Female Journalist Associations –FEJAL, Philip G. Moore of the Bong Times Newspaper, Maxwell Johnson of the Liberia Broadcasting System, Rose Kiawu of the Renaissance Communications Incorporated and Photo Journalist Ansu Konneh.

Related Captions:  PUL Prez. Elect Sets Up Transition Team(Daily Observer),PUL President-Elect Names 7-Member Transitional Team(The INQUIRER)

OTHER STORIES

Liberian Cabinet Reviews Energy Sector Performance

Cabinet has carefully reviewed the latest update on the energy sector performance, received economic update and AfT Midterm report while mandating an accelerated progress on the energy front and the need to prudently enforce austerity actions to maintain macroeconomic stability.  Cabinet reviewed current progress involving policy issues in the energy sector, the pace of transmission and distribution, the CLSG Project, the status of the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant vis-a-viz the commissioning of the first turbine on December 15, 2016. Cabinet also received update on the two-day official visit to Liberia by Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Pierre James Trudeau on Thursday, November 24, 2016 who is expected to meet President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and select members of the Cabinet, hold bilateral talks, visit a school in Slipway in Central Monrovia and hold a press stakeout, FrontPage Africa newspaper reports.

V.P. Boakai Donates 20 Bicycles To Teachers In Nimba

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has donated 20 bicycles to ruralteachers in Nimba County. Speaking to The NewDawn, the Nimba County Chairperson of the governing Unity Party Mr. DorrCooper, who is also Development Superintendent, said the donation fromthe standard bearer is intended to ease the transportation needs of teachers as well as enhance their work, particularly in rural communities.   He said the donation is the third in a series of bicycles to teachers in Nimba County, adding that they will help the teachers to move from one point to another. County Education Officer Mr. Moses Dologbay has commended Vice President Boakai for the donation, the New Dawn newspaper reports.

Several Judges Face Supreme Court’s Wrath – As Six Magistrates Fine US$25.00 Each

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, six (6) Magistrates from several Magisterial Courts in Montserrado County have been fined twenty – five United States Dollars each for their refusal to attend the opening of the November Term of Court 2016. Though the names of the Magistrates were not disclosed, the actions was taken against the Magistrates by Resident Judge, Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court – A at the Temple of Justice. During the opening of the November Term Court, a role call was made where those magistrates who were present answered to their names while magistrates who were absent from the ceremony which was grace by Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor were fined.

Citizens, Lawmakers Discuss Constitutional Amendment… As NAYMOTE Ends Town Hall Meeting In Bong, Nimba

The Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE) has completed eight in a series of town hall meetings bringing lawmakers face-to-face with citizens in Bong and Nimba Counties, to discuss the Joint Legislative Committee’s Report on the Constitution Review Committee’s recommendations. These meetings discussed the eight propositions recommended by the joint legislative committee which included; reduction in the tenures of elected official, granting citizenship to people of non-negro descent, dual citizenship in Liberia, and enhancement of women participation in national affairs, traditional Liberians women their land and be parties to negotiations with investors, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

African Petroleum Pulls Out Of Liberia Offshore Blocks

According to the FOCUS newspaper, West Africa focused oil and Gas Company African Petroleum is pulling out of its two Liberian offshore prospecting licenses after it failed to attract new partners, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Production – sharing contracts for the LB -08 and LB – 09 blocks formally expired in June, and African Petroleum had been in negotiations with the Liberian authorities for an extension to allow it time to seek out new investors. It blamed challenging market conditions for exploration and a lack of commercial discoveries in Liberian for a lack of industry interest in the blocks.

Rep. Kparkar’s Book Of Condolence Postponed

The signing of the Book of Condolence for Lofa County District # 1 Representative Eugene Fallah Kparkar has been postponed to an unknown date, but the itinerary for the funeral rites will begin Thursday, December 1, 2016, according to the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. The reason for the postponement of the signing of the Book of Condolence was not disclosed, but reports gathered say a new date will be agreed upon and announced by the Kparkar family in collaboration with the House of Representatives, the Liberty Party (LP), and the Executive, Daily Observer reports