The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Stories dominating today’s newsstand include the honor bestowed on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by the African Union and the United Nations, the ongoing 28^th African Union Ordinary Summit, the retiring of 17 employees by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Union Commission’s contributions to the Grand Bassa Community College and the appointment of Labor Minister NetoZarzarLighe tochair the Minimum Wage Board of Liberia.

Dominant Stories  

AU, UN HONOR PRES. SIRLEAF, ECOWAS 

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the African Union and the United Nations have bestowed honor and praises on the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The continental body and the United Nations also honored the West African sub-regional body, which President Sirleaf chairs. The honoring took place during the formal opening of the 28th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.According to a dispatch from Addis Ababa, the honor was conferred by both the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres. The out-going Chairperson of the African Union Authority, President Idriss Deby of Chad also joined in the ceremony. Madam Zuma noted that President Sirleaf is a pioneer and inspiration to women and men of the world particularly the women of Africa as the first-ever elected female President on the African continent. Consistent with the Summit’s theme “Harnessing the demographic dividend through investments in youth”, Dr. Zuma decried the huge unemployment amongst the young people of the continent and indicated that the young people must be given comparative advantage and must also be translated into demographic dividends. She announced that a special AU Envoy on Youth will be named this year to advocate for and work on issues affecting young people.

Related Caption:AU, UN Honor President Johnson Sirleaf At AU Ordinary Summit(FrontPage Africa), Pres. Sirleaf, ECOWAS Get AU, UN Honor(Focus), AU, UN Honor Ellen(In Profile Daily)and AU UN Honor Ellen, ECOWAS(Heritage),

Chad's Moussa Faki is new AU Commission Chairperson

TheFocus newspaper reports that Chad's Moussa Faki Mahamat has been elected as the new chairperson of the African Union Commission, in a vote held at the bloc's headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Monday. After seven rounds of voting, the Chadian foreign affairs minister defeated favorites Amina Mohamed of Kenya and Senegal's Abdoulaye Bathily.  Two other candidates, Botswana's foreign minister, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, and Mba Mokuy, of Equatorial Guinea, also contested for the seat. The 56-year-old and father-of-five succeeds South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the first woman to lead the bloc of 54 states, who did not seek a second term in office after completing a four-year term. Kenya was the first to congratulate the newly elected AU Chief. Faki is not new to the workings of the AU, having previously served as the body's chair of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council. Heads of state from the 54-member countries cast their vote in a private ballot. A candidate needs to secure at least a two-thirds majority, 36 votes, to be declared winner.

Related Caption:Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat named AU Commission Chair(Insight)

AU 28^TH Summit Opens in Addis Ababa

The African Union (AU) Monday opened its 28^th ordinary Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, with several heads of State and government, including Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, attending. The Summit is being held under the theme “Harnessing the Demographic Dividends through Investing in Youths”. This year’s summit will also consider the election of a new Chairperson of the African Union Commission as the tenure of the current Chairperson comes to an end. Five candidates from Botswana, Kenya, and Senegal, among others are contesting the top AUC post. The current Chairperson of the Commission, Nkosazana Dlamani Zuma, was elected to chair the AUC in 2012, the Insight newspaper writes.

Related Caption:AU 28^th Summit Opens In Addis Ababa(Heritage)

Foreign Ministry Retires 17 Employees

TheHeritage newspaper, quotes a Foreign Ministry release: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has honorably retired 17 of its employees, who have attained the retirement benchmark age of 65 and above or the minimum tenure of 25 years. The youngest of the retirees is 53 years old while the oldest is 73. Jeremiah Voker, who has been at the Ministry for the last 39 years, was the longest serving retiree; while Arthur Jimmy (71) served for nine years. Others served between 15 and 36 years. Of the 17 retirees, five persons were retired having obtained the required age and tenure. According to a Foreign Ministry release, speaking at the retirement program held at the Foreign Ministry’s C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the weekend, the personnel director, Jacob W. W. Williams, informed the honorees that the Civil Service Agency (CSA) standing orders require that every citizen employed, unless otherwise requested, must be retired at age 65 or after a minimum of 25 years of service as specified under Section 1 of the Government’s Employee Pension Act. Speaking in behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Ms. Marjon V. Kamara, Acting Foreign Minister B. Elias Shoniyin said that the day was interesting because it brought mixed emotions. “I have interacted with every one of you. The emotion that I won’t see you again as often as I saw you over the last 11 years is something.” He noted that life is such that often one has to shut one door in one’s life and open another. He extended best wishes and thanked them for their dedicated services to the Ministry and the people of Liberia.

Related Caption: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retires 17 Employees(In Profile Daily)  

AU Commission Contributes US$50,000 to Grand Bassa Community College 

The African Union (AU) Commission has contributed US$50,000 for the procurement of furniture and office equipment for the Grand Bassa Community College (GBCC) near Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Head of Mission at the AU Liaison Office in Liberia, Mr. Prosper Addo, made the disclosure at the launch of the project at the college’s Paynesberry campus on the outskirts of the port city, Buchanan at the weekend. A few days earlier, on the margins of the 28^th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, on behalf of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this contribution to the GBCC within the framework of the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy (PCRD) and African Solidarity Initiative (ASI). The MoU established the terms and conditions under which the Commission and the Liberian Government will cooperate in implementing the project. The Head of Mission at the AU Liaison Office in Liberia, Mr. Prosper Addo, hoped that students will benefit from the gesture and prepare themselves for the future. He, however, encouraged students that whatever skills are imparted by the contribution, they should make good use of it especially towards the preservation and consolidation of the peace and stability of the country as well as promote development.  The Acting Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Munyeneh, on behalf of Acting Foreign Minister, Mr. B. Elias Shoniyin, said the need to strengthen the country’s education sector cannot be over-emphasized. Items to be procured include: desktop and laptop computers, photocopiers, printers/scanners, computer desks, projectors, projector screens, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), among others, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Related Caption:AU Commits US50,000 To Bassa Community College(New Dawn), and AU Commission Contributes US$ 50K To Grand Bassa Community College (In Profile Daily)

Labour Minister Chairs Minimum Wage Board

According to the New Dawnnewspaper, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has appointed Labour Minister Neto Zarzar Lighe to chair the Minimum Wage Board of Liberia. In a communication dated January 26, addressed to Minister Lighe, the President said his preferment follows a recommendation of the National Tripartite Council and pursuant to Chapter 5 of the Decent Work Act 2015. According to a press release, issued in Monrovia on Monday, 30 January chapter 5.1 (a) of the Decent Work Act 2015 states that “A Minimum Wage Board is hereby established, consisting of the Minister, who shall be the Chairperson, and four other persons appointed by the President on the recommendation of the National Tripartite Council”. “Please accept my congratulations and my expression of trust in your ability to make a meaningful contribution in your area of responsibility as we strive to move our country forward in a process aimed at enhancing peace, reconciliation and development” the President said. The National Tripartite Council comprises the Ministry of Labour, representing the Government of Liberia, the Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), representing the Employers’ Organizations and the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC), representing Workers’ and Trade Union Organizations.

Related Caption: Labor Minister Heads Minimum Wage Board (Inquirer),and Labor Minister named Chair of Minimum Wage Board (Insight)  

Voters registration starts tomorrow 

All is now set for the much anticipated voters registration exercise to commence tomorrow throughout the country. Tomorrow thousands of Liberians, who are eligible to vote in the fourth coming Presidential and Legislative elections are expected to turn out to register to vote in the pending elections. The National Election Commission (NEC), sometimes last year announced that voters’ registration would have commenced on February 1 to March 7, 2017 as time set aside for for those of voting age to register for the ensuing Presidential and Legislative Elections this year, Inquirer newspaper reports.      

Related Caption:ECC To Deploy Observers At Voters Registration Centers(Insight) and ECC To Deploy Observers At Voter Registration Centers(Heritage)

Other Stories  

Vice President Boakai Memorializes Ruth Perry 

Biding final good bye to the former Chairperson of the council of state, Ruth Sando Perry Liberia’s Vice President Joseph N. Boakai described Perry as “An Outstanding and Great African Woman. Veep Boakai averred that the fallen stateswoman invested in the fight against war, discrimination, exploitation, inhumanity and violence adding that the best Liberians can do is to cherish her memory, uphold the principles, ideals and aspirations she courageously defended. Vice President Boakai said at the continental level, Madam Perry was among several African women to be recognized as “Women of Substance” at the African Union Diaspora Africa Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper

Gender Official Rapes Girl, 17

According to the New Dawnnewspaper, an official of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection assigned in Maryland County has been booked for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his care.Child Welfare Officer Francis K. Wallace reportedly raped and impregnated the victim, who was staying with him in the county before escaping after the issue was reported to the police. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in a press release here on Monday, 30 January confirmed the incident and said its attention has been drawn to the alleged abuse committed by its Child Welfare Officer assigned in Maryland County. According to the release, the victim has lived with Mr. Francis Wallace as her guardian since 2013, disclosing that the girl narrated that Francis abused her continuously since she moved in with him. The victim reportedly told police and family members that Francis had allegedly threatened the minor that she would die if she told anyone about the constant abuse, but she got pregnant as a result of the act and the accused took her to the hospital to abort the pregnancy.

Related Caption: Gender Ministry Child Welfare Officer On The Run(Heritage), and On The Run…Gender Ministry Child Welfare Officer On The Run(FrontPage Africa)  

Mass Protest Looms Over Tattered Liberian Economy 

FrontPage Africanewspaper reports that despite efforts by the Liberia National Police and other security apparatus to dissuade a group of Liberian entrepreneurs from abandoning a planned protest, the aggrieved business owners say they will carry on the protest as planned. “We are peacefully assembling to petition the National Legislature to address this economic hardship in the country, this is unfair that the current status of the country is not how we want it to be, the National Legislature and all regulating bodies must address this” Prince P.S Haward, Executive Director of the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia. State security officials are citing security risk as a basis to ditch the idea of holding the protests in Monrovia. The planned protest comes on the eve of the start of voter registration for the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. The protest at the Capitol, the seat of the Liberia’s legislature, according to the group is to address issues pertaining to the economic hardship in the country.  

West African Physicians Group Turns Over Sohisticated Medical Equipment To JFK Hospital  

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, the West African College of Physicians (WACP) has presented to its Liberia chapter a new set of chemistry analyzer for the conduct of test on patients who may require it and also help in the training of medical students. The total cost of the medical equipment is US$35,000 out of which US$29, 000 was spent on the equipment and a regent cost of US$6,000. The chemistry analyzer will help patients get improve quality diagnosis and sharpen the medical education component of the Liberia College of Physician & Surgeons (LCPS), the Liberian chapter of WACP.

ECA, African Peer Review Mechanism sign MOU

The Economic Commission for Africa’s Acting Executive Secretary, Abdalla Hamdok, on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the African Peer Review Mechanism to establish a continuous partnership in support of the objectives and priorities of the African Union and the United Nations. The ARPM was established in 2003 by the New Partnership for Africa Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee as an instrument for monitoring performance in governance among Member States. The APRM is a self-monitoring instrument and its membership is voluntary, the Insight writes.

3-Day Protest Begins at Capitol Today

Three major negative issues that have affected the Liberian economy and the Liberian business community have compelled the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia (PATEL) to call for a massive gathering of its members at the Capitol Building from today, January 31 to February 2. The organizers, according to a statement, want Lawmakers to Revisit New Tax Law, the Common External Tariffs and want police harassment of traders to stop. The protests are expected to be peaceful and meant to serve as a call on members of the a House of Representatives and Senators to immediately look into what they described as “the imposition of high tariffs on goods imported to Liberia”, the “constant increase of the United States dollars on the market” and “police harassment of petty trader”, the Daily Observer newspaper reports.

Related Caption:3-Day Planned Petition to Lockdown Monrovia Is Troubling(FOCUS)

‘GoL Needs US $2.3B to Connect County Capitals’ Public Works Minister Moore

The Minister of Public Works, Gyude Moore, has told the Senate Committee on Public Works that it would cost US$2.3 billion to connect all the counties’ capitals by good road networks, and that the country will need to spend at least US$100 million a year on roads over the next 20 years. “This year Public Works has US$18million, and every year on roads over the next 20 years. “This year Public Works has US$18 million, and every year we fall back. At some point, we have to think about it that no country has been able to build its road infrastructure from the revenue raised; everybody does it through debt financing, the Daily Observer asserts.

AMEU President Elected ALU President

The President of the African Methodists Episcopal University (AMEU), Dr. Joseph T. Isaac, has been elected as the new President of the Association of Liberian Universities (ALU), a post he will hold for four years, 2017-2020. The association is comprised of seven universities and 30 colleges. Dr. Isaac, who spoke to journalists recently at has Camp Johnson Road office, shortly after he was elected, said his vision is to work with universities, the Daily Observer reports.