THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

0Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2016

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies highlights news of the Government’s decision to open more Passport Application Centers outside the country and the assertion  made by Central Bank of Liberia Governor Milton Weeks that there are too many instances of fraud, corruption, and criminal activities within the country’s banking system.

The summary also includes President Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to Mr. Nana Akufo Addo, President-elect of the Republic of Ghana on his election.

DOMINANT STORIES   

Gov’t Opens More Passport Centers Outside Liberia 

The New Dawnnewspaper reads that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the opening of additional Passport Application Centers (PACs) in Africa and Asia, while two mobile application centers will operate in the Americas. PACs will shortly be opened in Accra, Ghana; Abuja, Nigeria and Beijing, People’s Republic of China (PRC); while two mobile PACs will be sent to Washington, D.C., USA where passport officers will travel to areas of the U.S. and Canada with high concentration of Liberians, where the need for the service is long overdue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that applicants will be able to pay passport fees, make appointments online and visit the nearby PACs to do fingerprinting and photographing. The online payment platform will also allow government to track revenue generated from the sale of passports with direct deposits in one central location instead of in accounts at the missions where the centers are located, the release further said. Applicants wishing to obtain passports abroad are urged to visit the passport website to complete the application form, schedule appointments and make payments using Visa, MasterCard or United Bank of Africa Liberia Ltd. (UBA) or credit cards. A bank service fee of 3 percent of the designated price per passport will be charged on non UBA Bank Cards while a service charge of 1.25 percent will be charged applicants using UBA Bank Cards. This means that applicants paying with a non UBA Bank Card will pay US$200+$6.00, which goes to the Bank as a service charge while applicants using a UBA Card will pay US$200+$2.50 as service charge fee to the Bank. According to the daily, the Foreign Ministry has disclosed that arrangements are being made to deploy additional mobile passport application centers in the immediate future to other countries where there is a large concentration of Liberians.

Related Captions: GoL Opens Passport Application Centers Outside Liberia(Daily Observer), Government Opens Passport Application Centers Outside Liberia(FrontPage Africa), Liberia Opens More Passport Application Centers Abroad(INSIGHT), Gov’t Opens More External Passport Application Centers(Heritage), Liberia Opens More Passport Application Centers Outside Liberia(In Profile Daily)

'Dishonesty Will Not Be Tolerated' – Gov. Weeks

The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Milton Weeks, has expressed concern over acts of dishonesty in the banking sector. He observed that honesty at banks in the country has begun to be questioned and this must not be taken for granted. Speaking on December 9, 2016 at an awards dinner organized by the Central Bank of Liberia Staff Association (CEBSA), the Governor noted that there are too many instances of fraud, corruption, and criminal activities within the banking system. He warned that the bank will not hesitate to reprimand anyone caught in acts of dishonesty. In remarks, the President of the Liberia Bankers Association, John Davies, welcomed the collaboration between the Central Bank of Liberia and commercial banks in the country.  He said commercial banks will continue to work with the CBL to promote the banking sector, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Dishonesty In Banking Sector Won’t Be Tolerated’– Gov. Weeks (Daily Observer), Dishonesty Will Not Be Tolerated-Gov. Weeks(The INQUIRER), Dishonesty Will Not Be Tolerated-Gov. Weeks(The New Dawn), Dishonesty, Corruption Permeate Banking Sector-CBL Governor Issues Caveat(INSIGHT), CBL Boss: Dishonesty Will Not Be Tolerated(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

ECOWAS Chair Congratulates Ghanain President-Elect 

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the President of the Republic of Liberia and Chairperson of ECOWAS Head of Authority, H.E. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has on behalf of the Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS, extended warmest congratulations to Mr. Nana Akufo Addo, President-elect of the Republic of Ghana on the occasion of his election as President-elect of that West African nation. In her message to His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, President Johnson Sirleaf extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the President-elect and applauded the Government and People of Ghana for the peaceful conduct of the recent General and Presidential Elections in Ghana. The Liberian leader said “As you assume this herculean task of shaping the future of your great country, I entertain the hope that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between our two countries will be further strengthened through our bilateral facts,” the Chairperson of ECOWAS  stressed.

Related Caption: Marjon V. Kamara, Minister Of Foreign Affairs(INSIGHT)  

 “Your Attitude, Not Your Aptitude Will Determine Your Altitude” President Sirleaf Challenges Graduates 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has challenged graduates of the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College to exhibit good  moral behavior as they move in the job market, adding: “Your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude.” The Liberian leader lauded the administration of the University of Liberia for its continued dedication to ensuring higher education across the country is prioritized. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the statement Monday, December 12, 2016, in Sinje Garwular District, Grand Cape Mount County when she participated in the first graduation exercises of the David A. Straz Technical and Vocational College 2016 Commencement. She expressed delight over the level of improvement at the University and commended traditional leaders for providing the land on which the college is built, according to the INQUIRER newspaper.

State Of Qatar Observes National Day

The Embassy of the State of Qatar near Monrovia has observed the State’s National Day here in Monrovia, 12 December. Qatar’s Charge d’ Affairs for the Monrovia Embassy Mr. Shamsam Abdullah Al-Sada and his Embassy team were joined at the event by Liberia’s Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Elias Shoniyin and other Liberian officials, US Ambassador to Liberia Christine Ann Elder, and EU Ambassador to Liberia Madam Tiina Intelmann. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the event marked the Anniversary of the National Day for the accession of Sheiku Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, the founder of the State of Qatar, to the rule of the country.

Related Caption: Qatar Celebrates A Progressive National Day(Daily Observer)

Sweden, UNDP Sign USD2/7 Million Agreement To Support 2017 Elections

The FOCUS newspaper reads that the Government of Liberia through the National Elections Commission (NEC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will on today, Wednesday, December 14, 2016 sign a US$2.7 million dollars contribution agreement with the Government of Sweden. The daily says the contribution from the Swedish Government is channeled through the UNDP Election Project titled Support to the 2015-18, Liberian Electoral Cycle in order to support the upcoming 2017 elections. The project aims to provide a platform to support administrative, policy and legal reforms to ensure that NEC has the ability to deliver free, fair and democratic elections for Liberia and will also support the Government of Liberia in the organization of the 2017 electoral support with specific material and equipment support to the planned Voter Registration.

Related Caption: Sweden, UNDP Sign US$2.7M Agreement Today(Heritage)

House Declares Vacancy

The New Dawnnewspaper says the 53rd National Legislature has notified the National Elections Commission (NEC) of a vacancy in the House of Representatives. The communication issued under the signature of the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mildred N. Sayon, dated December 7, 2016, formerly announced a vacancy in Electoral District #1, Lofa County as a result of the death of Representative Eugene Fallah Kparkaron November 10, 2016 in India where he had gone to seek medical attention. Article 37 of the Constitution of Liberia says, in the event of a vacancy in the Legislature caused by death, resignation, expulsion or otherwise, the presiding officer shall within 30 days, notify the National Elections Commission thereof. Article 37 further says, the National Elections Commission shall not later than 30 days thereafter cause a By-Election to fill the vacancy as in the case of Electoral District #1 in Lofa County.

Related Caption:  Legislature Notifies NEC About Lofa Vacant Seat(The INQUIRER)

Chief Justice Shares With Students Challenges Facing Supreme Court

In an interactive session with students Tuesday in his office at the Temple of Justice, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor explained that cases are not speedily handled at the various courts because there are only five justices to the 15 courts including several specialized courts. As a result, there are so many appeals that they overwhelm the justices, causing constant delays in settling cases to ensure that justice is served, he said. The students were from the Christina Bedell Preparatory School in the New Georgia community, who were visiting the Supreme Court as part of their academic orientation on how the court system in Liberia works. Justice Korkpor, who was accompanied by Associate Justice Philip A.Z. Banks, admitted that “delay of settling cases in the courts is bad, because it deprives citizens of a basic public service. In search of a solution to remedy the delay, he said the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has already supported the establishment of an ‘Appellate Court,’ which the bar believes would help to dispose of cases that do not have any constitutional basis so that cases with constitutional issues would be left for the Supreme Court, according to the Daily Observer.