THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

Today’s edition of our Summary of the local dailies highlights news of the Government of the Republic of Korea’s donation of 350 computer sets valued at US$105,000 to the Government of Liberia, the Liberia Electricity Corporation’s commencement of testing of the first generating unit of the Mt. Coffee Hydro Power Plant in Harrisburg and Liberia’s celebration of the World AIDS Day on December 1, 2016.

The Summary also includes President Sirleaf’s Congratulatory Message to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates on the commemoration of the 45^th Independence Anniversary of that country on December 2, 2016 and her message of condolence to the Government and People of Brazil, following the death of 71 persons, most of whom were members of a football team in that country.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Liberia Gets 350 Computers from South Korea 

The Government of the Republic of Korea, through its embassy, has donated 350 computer sets to the Government of Liberia valued at US$105,000. Quoting a Foreign Ministry release, the Daily Observer says the items were presented to Foreign Affairs Minister Marjon Kamara by the Korean Ambassador to Liberia, H. E. Noh Kyu-duk. The items included monitors, central processing units (hardware), keyboards and mouse. Ambassador Noh said the items were his government’s contribution to assist Liberia “bridge the digital divide.” Receiving the items, Foreign Affairs Minister Kamara extended thanks and appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea for another manifestation of the friendship between the two countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Kamara said her ministry will collaborate with the General Services Agency (GSA), the agency responsible for government assets, to develop an agreed plan for the distribution of the items to ministries and agencies most in need. 

Related Captions: Korea Donates 350 Computer Sets To Liberia (INSIGHT), Republic of Korea Donates 350 Computer Sets To Government Of Liberia (FOCUS), Republic Of Korea Donates 350 Computer Set To GOL (Heritage)  

Mt. Coffee Hydro Testing Begins Tomorrow 

According to the Daily Observer, testing of the first generating unit of the Mt. Coffee Hydro Power Plant in Harrisburg is set to begin Saturday, December 3. The turbine, which has a capacity of 22 megawatts, will be tested ahead of the December 15commissioning of the Unit, according to a release from the Liberia Electricity Corporation. The first phase of the reservoir impoundment (filling the reservoir with water) of the Dam Project was completed in October. The testing will continue up to December 15, when the first operations of the hydropower plant are officially inaugurated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Related Captions: Test Of Mt. Coffee Hydro Power Begins Tomorrow (INSIGHT), Testing Of Hydro Plant Begins Saturday(The INQUIRER)  

GoL, Partners Celebrate World AIDS Day 2016 

The National AIDS Commission in collaboration with National AIDS/STIs Control Program (NACP) of the Ministry of Health and partners on Thursday December 1, commemorated this year’s World AIDS Day target at leaving no one behind in HIV prevention. The official celebration of World AIDS Day was observed in the Northern City of Ganta, County of Nimba under the global theme: “Hands up for HIV Prevention”; with its national Theme: “Ending AIDS in Liberia: Leaving no One Behind.” The event took place within the Ganta United Methodist Gymnasium, the FOCUS newspaper reads.

Related Captions: National AIDS Commission, Partners Celebrate World AIDS Day 2016 (FrontPage Africa), Implement Policies To End HIV/AIDS-GoL, UN Urged (Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES  

President Sirleaf Consoles Brazil 

The FOCUS newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of condolence to the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Mr. Michel Temer, following the death of 71 persons, most of whom were members of a Brazilian football team, Chapecoense. A plane carrying the Brazilian football team, Chapecoense, crashed in a forested region near Medellin, Colombia, late Tuesday, November 29, 2016. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the condolence message to her Brazilian counterpart, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended to President Temer, the Government and people of Brazil, especially the families of the victims, heartfelt condolences for the “irreparable loss.” 

Related Caption: Ellen Consoles Brazil (Heritage)  

Ellen Applauds United Arab Emirates on 45^th Independence Anniversary 

The Heritage newspaper reads: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the occasion commemorating the 45^th Independence Anniversary of that country on December 2, 2016.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, said it is her fervent prayer that the bonds of friendship and cooperation so happily subsisting between their two countries in the spirit of Afro-Arab bilateral ties and cooperation will continue to expand for the mutual benefit of their two countries and peoples. 

Peaceful Elections Record Should Remain Intact; ECOWAS Chair Charges Ghanaians

The Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has charged Ghanaians to ensure that the country’s enviable elections record remains intact as the country heads to the polls on December 7. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is also the President of Liberia, urged that Ghana, after three successive transferred of power, Ghana is a beacon of Africa when it comes to democracy and therefore must work to maintain that reputation. The ECOWAS Chairperson made the call while delivering a speech at an event at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra for all the Presidential Candidates of the 2016 elections to commit to peace before Ghanaians go to the polls. In her address, Madam Sirleaf noted that, “As the economies of West Africa expand and diversify, democracy moves to a higher level of maturity, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

Related Caption: Liberian Leader Charged Ghanaians To Maintain ‘Enviable Record’ During Elections (FOCUS)

Liberia Heads ECOWAS Defense as AFL Chief of Staff Ziankahn Appointed

Liberia has been selected to head the Economic Community of West African States Defense. Liberia’s Army Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Daniel Dee Ziankahn has been appointed Head of the Committee of Chief of Defense Staff (CCDS) of the ECOWAS Region. The position is said to be the first time for Liberia to occupy since the foundation for ECOWAS. Brig. Gen. Ziankahn replaced the Chairman of the CCDS and Chief of Defense Staff of Senegal, General Mamadou Sow, the FOCUS newspaper says.

Related Caption: AFL Makes History…As Chief Of Staff Heads ECOWAS Defense Staff (The INQUIRER)

“Be like Weah or Me” Ellen tells Young Footballers

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on young footballers to pursue their career with dedication and at the same time strive for quality education. The Liberian leader who is also Chief Patron of Sports in the country also encouraged the youth to emulate George Oppong Weah, a global soccer legend if they play soccer well or imitate her if they want to be President, the INSIGHT says.

Calendar Of Events Out For UL 97th Commencement Convocation

A release from the Administration of the University of Liberia says activities leading to the holding of the 97th joint Commencement Convocation on December 14, began with the Arts and Crafts Day on November 30 in the Administrative Building of the Fendall Campus. The Daily Observer reads that “Except the commencement for the David Straz-Sinje Technical and Vocational College, all commencements/graduations will occur at our Fendall Campus in Louisiana.” Monday, December 5, marks the beginning of the college-based commencements with Liberia College, followed by other colleges on the 6,7,8,9,10,12,13 and concluded on Wednesday, December 14, with a joint convocation for the Medical College, School of Pharmacy and the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law as well as other graduate schools. In lieu, the Staff Association will on Friday, December 16, hold its Staff Day. This event climaxes the 97th Commencement Convocation.

Joint Media Groups to Launch Sensitization Programs

A joint partnership of the Liberia Media for Democratic initiatives and the Public Trust Media Group has announced the launch of two educative programs soon that will enable voters make informed decisions come 2017. Liberians will go to the polls in October of 2017 to vote a President/Vice President and 73 Representatives in line with the Liberia Constitution, which is regarded as the organic law of the country, reports the Heritage newspaper.  

Alfalit Liberia Completes 3^rd Cycle In Tailoring 

Sixty semiliterate Liberians have completed the third cycle of Alfalit Liberia’s skill training program in tailoring. The graduates consist or 59 females and one male and are prepared to go out into society to fend for their families and empower themselves. In 2013, Alfalit Liberia established the skills training as a pilot program and to date, it has entered its third and advanced term of tailoring as prescribed under it skills training program and it also has three centers to help literacy students get skills besides the academia, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

PUL Sets Inaugural Committee

According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the Press Union of Liberia has set Friday, December 30, 2016 as date for the inauguration of its new officials. Those expected to be inducted are: Charles Coffey, President-elect, Octavin Williams, Vice President-elect, Daniel Nyakonah, Secretary General-elect and Dyrus Zinnah, Assistant Secretary General-elect. The PUL is moreover citing all members of the Press Union of Liberia’s Inaugural Committee to a very important meeting Monday, December 5, 2016

FAO Empowers Beans Farmers In Nimba

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided cash assistance to three beans farmer groups in Nimba County as part of its farmers’ empowerment program. Beans farmer groups that benefited from the FAO empowerment scheme are Daydor Farmers Cooperative of Kpaytuo Town and the Koyean and Lorkiah Farmers Cooperatives of Sehnlay Town.These farmers groups are producing beans that will be sold to other organizations, including the World Food Program to help in its home-grown school feeding program. Presenting a total amount of L$256,500 to farmers in the two towns on separate occasions, FAO Assistant Country Representative for Administration, Ms. Thelma Dahn Debrah, said the money was a token of appreciation for the time and effort the farmers are dedicating to growing beans and other crops in the area, reports the Heritage newspaper.