The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017

News of Liberia’s participation in the West African Union of Tax Institutes 5^th Annual International Conference in Abuja, Nigeria and the Liberia National Police dismissal of three officers for operating ghettos are among the dominant stories in today’s media summary. The summary also includes His Excellency Mr. Dudley McKinley Thomas, the newly accredited Liberian Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic expression of Liberia’s desire to establish, develop, promote and expand a relationship with the Lao PDR

DOMINANT STORIES

Theo Joseph To Chair Illicit Funds Flow Session At Intl.Tax Conference

The President of the Liberia Institute of Tax Practitioners Theo Dekonty Joseph has been invited to the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) 5^th Annual International Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, slated for February 28 to March 1, 2017. Mr. Joseph will be chairing the Session of the Lead Paper of the Conference on the theme “Relevance of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) to the Illicit Flow of Funds from Africa.” Mr. Joseph, who is also the Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Certified Public Accounting Firm, the T.D. Joseph & Associates, LLC, will lead discussions during the lead session when tax practitioners and administrators from across West Africa meet at this annual conference in Abuja, Nigeria. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) will be represented at this conference at the highest level.

Related Captions: Theo Joseph To Chair Illicit Funds Flow Session At International Tax Conference (Heritage), Theo Joseph To Chair Illicit Funs Flow Session At Int’l. Tax Conference (The INQUIRER)

ERU, PSU Officers Dismissed For Running Ghetto

The New Dawn newspaper says the Liberia National Police (LNP) has dismissed with immediate effect three of its officers from service for being caught constantly in ghettos and operating ghettos. A police statement named the dismissed officers as Patrolman Jack Kollie  and Patrolman Mohammed M. Gray, both of whom were working in the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) of the LNP. The police also dismissed Patrolman Tokoe M. Johnson of the Police Support Unit (PSU) of the Liberia National Police. According to the letter of dismissal reportedly served on the dismissed officers by the LNP, their action contravened Chapter 3 Section 1. 21 and 18 of the New Police Duty Manual Captioned "Prohibited Conduct". They have immediately been ordered by authorities to turn over properties of the Government in their respective possession, and warned them to desist from identifying with the LNP to avoid embarrassment.

Related Captions: For ‘Constantly Being Caught’ In Ghettos: 3 Police Officers Dismissed (Heritage), 3 Police Officers Dismissed For “Operation Ghettos” (The INQUIRER), Police Officers Allegedly Operate Ghettos (In Profile Daily)

OTHER STORIES

Liberia Seeks Laos’s Help In Rice Self-Sufficiency

The Daily Observer reports that His Excellency Mr. Dudley McKinley Thomas, the newly accredited Liberian Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), has presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Lao PDR, His Excellency Mr. Bounnhang Vorachith during an official ceremony at the presidential palace “Ho K Ham” recently. During his audience with Lao PDR President Vorachith, Ambassador Thomas expressed the desire of President Sirleaf, the Government and people of Liberia to establish, develop, promote and expand a relationship with the Lao PDR for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples which he foresees will grow from strength to strength. He noted that the development of Liberia’s agriculture sector is one of the primary goals of the Liberian Government under the leadership of President Sirleaf which she is keen to promote at every given opportunity. Speaking earlier, President Vorachith assured Ambassador Thomas of the Lao PDR support to Liberia and indicated his government’s consideration of requests for assistance in the area of rice production and electricity.

MFDP Launches APRM In Lofa

The Daily Observer says the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has launched the African Peer Review Mechanism in Lofa County with a call for all stakeholders to join hands in achieving the targets of the APRM. The APRM seeks primarily to foster the adaption of policies, standards and practices that will lead to political stability, high economic growth and sustainable development. Speaking at the launch of the APRM in Lofa, Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara admonished all actors to equally cooperate with the Technical Research Institute, the National Governing Council and the APRM National Secretariat as the country conducts its self-assessment study ahead of the June deadline. The event, according to Minister Kamara, is part of the decentralization drive of the Government, and promised more awareness across the country.

Related Caption: APRM Launches Sensitization Campaign In Lofa (In Profile Daily)

Labour Minister Frowns On Child Labor

The New Dawn Ministry of Labor has frowned on the wave of child labor in the country, stressing the need to end the practice. Labour Minister Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. said the law against child labor should be vigorously enforced to get children off the streets. The daily quoting Minister Lighe on the UNMIL Radio as saying that the issue of child labor has drawn the attention of the Ministry and everything was being done to minimize the act. He said the ministry is working to ensure that the issue of child labor is addressed, because often there are complaints from the public. According to the Labour boss, the recent validation was as a result of numerous consultations held with local and international partners on how to address child labor here saying, “The document is expected to be submitted to cabinet, where they will endorse it before it reaches the President.”

Ellen Congratulates Margibi Citizens

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the citizens and residents of Margibi County on the second leg of her County Tour - acknowledging their consistent support to her administration. She said: “I am reminded by Hon. David Menyongai and by few of the commissioners that as far back as 1997; Margibi County stood by us and because of the consistency of the support you’ve given us, we have come back to say thank you.” According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf was speaking in Worhn Town, Gibi District, Upper Margibi County during an interactive Town Hall Meeting with citizens and residents. President Sirleaf said the people of Margibi County have a coalition of leadership that speaks to a large extent with one voice. She said she was impressed by the rationality and commitment of the leaders of Margibi County. The Liberian leader also congratulated the Margibi County Legislative Caucus for their role in the county. According to the Heritage newspaper, President Sirleaf pledged Government’s commitment to recondition the road leading to Worhn Town, Gibi District.

Related Caption: Margibi Citizens Rated Constant Supporter To Ellen’s Gov’t-As President Congratulates Them (FOCUS)

US$2M For New Kru Town Coastal Defense

The Daily Observer reports that Local Project Appraisal Committee members attending a one-day appraisal meeting yesterday at a resort in Monrovia agreed that the US$2 million provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) must be directed to the ongoing New Kru Town coastal defense project. Among other things, the project aims to ensure that the D. Twe Memorial High School and the Redemption Hospital are not swept away by erosion. The participants were drawn from the Ministry of Lands & Mines and Energy (MLME), the Ministry of Public Works, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), civil society members, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). The local Project Appraisal Committee members, before the unanimous decision, examined a summary project document presented by the EPA and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).  The meeting was held under the theme: “Enhancing Resilience of Montserrado County Vulnerable Coastal Areas to Climate Change Risks.”

LRA Boss Speaks On Burning Economic Issues

The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has outlined some of the reasons responsible for the depreciation of the Liberian Dollar against the United States Dollar plus several other economic situations confronting the country. Madam Elfrieda Stewart Tamba asserted that these economic factors have to some extent greatly affected the revenue generation of the country’s tax authority (LRA), hence, impeding economic growth as well. The LRA Boss was speaking Thursday, February 23, 2017 at a meeting held with the stakeholders and the media. Speaking on the depreciation of the Liberian Dollar against the US Dollar, Madam Tamba said the local currency depreciation is based largely on account of deteriorating trade and high demand for imports, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Related Caption: LRA Boss Gives Reasons For Depreciation Of Local Currency (Daily Observer)

UNDP Reinforces Support to Small Arms Commission

In continuation of its support to the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has turned over several office supplies to the Commission. The items are the first batch of equipment for the establishment of a national database at the LiNCSA to record security agencies and civilians’ arms the supplies including laptops and office furniture. The items were turned over by UNDP Liberia Country Director, Pa Lamin Beyai at the Commission’s Office on Capitol Hill on February 23. The brief ceremony also coincided with an acquaintance visit by the UNDP Country Director to the new office of LiNCSA, the FOCUS daily news asserts.

Related Caption: UNDP Continues Support To Small Arms Commission (Heritage)

Destroyed Liberia’s Reputation Restored

An inside story of the FOCUS newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has indicated that history will remember her for bringing back the reputation of Liberia that was once destroyed and has now been restored; noting that Liberians are once more respected across the world by just presenting their passports something she said history will remember her for.  The Liberian leader also said history will remember her for upholding freedom of speech, press, worship and association that have spread like wildfire across Liberia adding “This pace of progress cannot be reversed; Nobody can stop the voices of the women; you will not stop the freedom of the people; you will not stop the development of the people because it is the peoples’ will,” she underscored.

FDA, Community Members at Forest Sights Sign MOU Aimed at Conserving the Liberian Forest

The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and community members along various forest sights in Liberia have signed the forest management agreement aimed at conserving the Liberian forest. The signing ceremony of the forest management agreement gives community members the legal rights to manage and conserve resources that are contained within the forest. The signing of the forest management agreement gives community members the legal rights to manage and conserve resources that are contained within the forest. The signing of the agreement also gives the Forestry Development authority the right to regulate the sustainable management practices with the consent of community members, the Focus newspaper reads.

U$20K Needed For UL College Of Agric And Forestry

The Acting Dean of the College of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Liberia (UL), Prof. Leroy W. Cegbe said the college will need US$20,000 for its relocation to ensure its smooth operation. The College of Agriculture and Forestry presently hosts students at the President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf College of Engineering, located at the Fendall Campus, outside Monrovia. Prof. Cegbe said the money, if available, could help renovate and expand the old building, which was damaged during the civil-war. “Once we get the money to carry out the expansion and provide electricity and running water, it would become a comfortable environment for the students,” he said. He called on Liberians, particularly graduates, to join the administration to secure funds to expand the college so it can take care of the needs of students, asserts the Daily Observer.

Liberians To Benefit From ABAS’ ‘Free Healthcare’-Organizes Peace March

The Association of Brotherhood Academic Scholars (ABAS) said it will on Saturday, February 25 offer welfare services such as free medical care, open kitchen and the provision of personal effects for the poor. ABAS is a non-denominational spiritual movement which teaches and practices universal love for all irrespective of status for the peace, righteousness and unity of the human family. Dr. Thomas Commander, ABAS International President said apart from the free services, the group will also spread the word of God to spiritually revive Liberians as they conduct the October elections. Dr. Commander said that the upcoming peace march is an annual event that his members have dedicated to pray for peace from country to country, reads the Daily Observer.

Boy, 5, Survives “Boyo” Attempt

A five-year-old boy identified as Ansu Kamara Jallah has reportedly survived ritualistic killing in Lofa County. According to report, the boy survived the ritualistic killing from the hands of unknown men who were allegedly in the process of extracting his private part in Barkedu town, Lofa County. The child who is currently seeking medical treatment at the Tellewayan Hospital in Voinjama, Lofa County, was rescued by a woman who was on her way from her farm. According to our Lofa County Correspondent, the men abandoned the nefarious act and escaped upon the arrival of the woman. Report from the county says the boy was taken to Barkedu Town Clinic by the woman, but due to the seriousness of the case, he was later transferred to the Tellewayan Hospital by his grandmother, the INQUIRER newspaper reads.

Reading Liberia 20/20 Ends 2^nd Round of Training, Trains 217 Teachers in Two Counties

Reading Liberia 20/20 program has ended the training of 217 teachers from 30 public and community primary schools in Bomi and Margibi Counties. The schools were grouped in seven clusters with an average of about 30 teachers per cluster. The training which is the second of three five-day workshops was held simultaneously in the two counties and ran from Monday February 13, 2017 to Friday, February 17, 2017. It is part of a series of teacher training workshops to be held over the next 18 months, the INQUIRER newspaper reports.