The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

News of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 15, 2017 as the 208th Birth Anniversary of former President Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the signing of the Phase II of the grant agreement of the Somalia Drive road project today at the Foreign Ministry by the Governments of Liberia and Japan and President Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of Mauritius on the occasion commemorating the 49th Independence Anniversary of that country are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies

DOMINANT STORIES  

Tomorrow Is J.J. Roberts Birthday…To Be Observed As A National Holiday  

The INSIGHT newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has declared Wednesday, March 15, 2017 as the 208th Birth Anniversary of President Joseph Jenkins Roberts to be observed throughout the country as a “National Holiday”. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Proclamation is in consonance with an Act enacted by the 42nd National Legislature of Liberia declaring March 15th of each year as the birth anniversary of Joseph Jenkins Roberts, first President of the Republic of Liberia as a mark of respect and relevance to his memory and untiring efforts in organizing the government of the Republic.

Related Captions: Pres. Sirleaf Declares Wednesday March 15 National Holiday-To Be Observed Throughout The Country(FOCUS), March 15 Marks J.J. Roberts Birth Anniversary(In Profile Daily), Tomorrow Is J.J. Roberts’ 208^th Birth Anniversary(Daily Observer)

Pres. Sirleaf Attends Formal Opening Of March Term Of Supreme Court-Chief Justice Reaffirms Commitment To Decide Elections—Related Cases

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf along with several senior government officials has attended the formal opening of the March Term of the Supreme Court of Liberia.According to an Executive Mansion release, In his opening address, the Chief Justice said: “We reaffirm that the members of this Court have resolved and committed themselves not take vacation at the end of the March and October Terms of Court this year in order to devote full attention to hearing and deciding election cases,” Chief Justice Korkpor stressed. “Election cases,” Chief Justice Korkpor said, “are direct and time-bond under Article 83 (C) of the Liberian Constitution, with any party, or candidate who complains about how the elections were conducted or who challenges the results thereof shall have the right to the complaint with the Elections Commission.” Chief Justice Korkpor indicated that such complaints must be filed no later than seven days after the announcement of the results of the elections similarly, any candidate or party affected by a decision from the Elections Commission shall no later than seven days appeal against it to the full Bench of the Supreme Court. The FOCUS newspaper says Chief Justice Korkpor then also commented briefly on the prevalence of unlawful sale of land by some unscrupulous people in the country. He said under the Liberian Law, title to land can only be conveyed by the lawful owner. He furthered Liberian law also forbids the selling of a parcel of land to more than one person or entity.

Related Captions: Ellen Attends Formal Opening Of March Term Of Supreme Court Of Liberia(Heritage), ‘No Break!’-Supreme Court Declares-To Commit To Speedy Elections Trials(In Profile Daily), Supreme Court Warns Politicians(The New Dawn), Korkpor Reaffirms Commitment To Decide Elections-Related Cases-Ellen Attends Formal Opening Of March Term Of Court(Daily Observer), Chief Justice Frowns At Unlawful Sales Of Land(Heritage)  

Liberia, Japan to Sign Phase II Grant Agreement-for Somalia Drive Road Project 

The Daily Observer reports that Liberia and Japan will sign Phase II of the grant agreement of the Somalia Drive road project at the Foreign Ministry today, Tuesday, March 14. According to a Foreign Ministry release, Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara will sign on behalf of the Government of Liberia while the Japanese International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Director for West Africa, Koji Makino, and Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Kaoru Yoshimura, will sign on behalf of the Government of Japan. JICA is expected to extend a grant of up to five billion two hundred and twenty million Japanese Yen (JPY5,220,000,000 or US$45.42 million) which includes the amount of up to two hundred and forty-nine million Japanese Yen (JPY249,000,000) for the reconstruction of Somalia Drive in Monrovia.

Related Captions: Liberia, Japan To Sign Phase II Grant Agreement Today-For The Somalia Drive Road Project(FOCUS), For The Somalia Drive Road Project: Governments Of Liberia, Japan To Sign Phase II Grant Agreement Today(Heritage), Liberia, Japan To Sign Somalia Drive Road Project Phase II Grant Agreement (In Profile Daily)  

Ellen Congratulates Mauritius On 49^th Independence Anniversary 

The Heritage newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of Mauritius on the occasion commemorating the 49th Independence Anniversary of that country. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to the President of the Mauritius, His Excellency Mr. Ameenah Gurib, President Sirleaf hoped that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between the two countries will be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Congratulates Mauritius On 49^th Independence Anniversary(INSIGHT), Ellen Congratulates Mauritius On 49^th Independence Anniversary(In Profile Daily)

LACC, SAC Launch Student Integrity Club 

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), in collaboration with the Students Against Corruption (SAC), on March 10, launched the Student Integrity Club project in Liberian schools. The launching ceremony was held at the New Hope Academy in Paynesville. The Student Integrity Club seeks to increase integrity in the administration of public schools and the ownership of school activities among students, school administrators and parents. Seventy schools are expected to immediately benefit from a training program which will cover various aspects of corruption and integrity. The Student Integrity Club project is being sponsored by the USAID/LPAC Project, asserts the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: LACC, SAC Launch Student Integrity Club(Heritage), LAAC, SAC Launches Student Integrity Club(In Profile Daily)  

Minister Kamara to Give US$30K to Bomi College Minister Kamara; Promises Palm Seedlings for 100 Acres 

The Daily Observer says Finance Minister Boima S. Kamara has promised US$30,000 to the Bomi County Community College (BCCC) for the completion of the new student center to create more space for student debates, sharing ideas and socializing on campus. Minister Kamara also promised to provide palm seedlings for 100 acres of land. Speaking at the 5th Commencement Convocation last Tuesday at the Tubmanburg City Hall, where 50 students graduated in various disciplines, Minister Kamara said the graduation ceremony at Bomi College is a clear manifestation of the government’s determination to bring services closer to the people. Describing it as “decentralization,” Minister Kamara said “many young people and those who desire to learn in Grand Bassa, Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh and Bomi counties don’t have to travel to Monrovia to attend college.” He said the government is exerting all efforts to ensure that every Liberian can have access to institutions of higher learning. The Finance boss spoke on the theme “Access to Education, a Right to All Liberians.”

Related Caption: Many Firsts At Bomi College(Daily Observer)

OTHER STORIES  

NDI Foresees Nonviolence Elections says Liberians rate NEC “Independent & Credible” 

An International delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), which recently visited Liberia, says it is encouraged that all Liberians with whom it met have expressed “resolute commitment to nonviolence and peaceful elections” in October 2017. NDI also disclosed that Liberians have expressed general confidence in the commitment of the National Elections Commission (NEC), to running credible elections in the country. The NDI deployed an international delegation to Liberia from February 20-24, 2017. The purpose of the mission was to assess preparations for country’s October 2017 Presidential and General elections, including the ongoing voter registration process, and to support Liberia’s efforts to conduct peaceful and credible polls, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.  

Liberia Law Society Ends Seminar I Bong 

The Liberia Law Society (LLS) has held a seminar on the establishment and functions of the ECOWAS Court, the African Court and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Gbarnga, bong County. The forum brought together 50 persons from various institutions, including the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), The Development Education Network Liberia, the Foundation for International Dignity (FIND), the media, Liberia National Police, judicial actors, youth and women groups in the country. The Project Coordinator of the LLS, Ezekiel Pajibo told the Liberia News Agency that the seminar is part of a series of activities by the LLS to enhance access to regional and international justice mechanisms in Liberia, the INSIGHT newspaper reads 

Finance Minister Launches Second ECOWAS Sensitization Awareness Campaign

A back-page story of the In Profile Daily reads that Finance and Development Planning Minister, Mr. Boima S. Kamara, has officially launched the Second ECOWAS Sensitization and Awareness Campaign. In a Ministry of Finance and Development (MFDP) press release, Minister Kamara launched the campaign during the weekend in Bo-Waterside, Grad Cape Mount County. The campaign is under the sponsorship of the ECOWAS Chairperson Coordinating Committee (ECCC) and the Technical Working Group (TWG). Minister Kamara emphasized the need to fully implement the 4-Pillar Agenda for which President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made tremendous efforts, the paper reads.

New Mental Health Policy Launched

A new mental health policy has been launched with support from partners including the World Health Organization for its full implementation. A Health Ministry release said the launch, which took place at the weekend, brought together policymakers, health practitioners and partners and was held at the ES Grant Mental Home in Paynesville Liberia, writes the Heritage newspaper.

UBA And Orange Group Partner on Innovative Payment System, Orange Money

Pan-African financial services group, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and leading European and African telecom operator, Orange have announced a strategic partnership to deliver innovative financial services across Africa, with an agreement to jointly collaborate on the promotion of Orange Money. Orange Money enables customers to transfer money from their mobile phone to other account holders domestically and abroad; as well as providing bill payment and other customer focused solutions. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the weekend in Paris by Tony Elumelu, Chairman UBA Group, Emeke Iweriebor, CEO UBA the Africa, committing both institutions to collaborate on the delivery of innovative and convenient payment options to customers and implement a range of mobile financial services in African countries, where UBA and Orange Money platforms operate.

World Bank Holds First Knowledge Fest

World Bank Liberia has hosted its first knowledge fest ever here, for students, media and other key stakeholders, about its activities over the past period. World Bank Country Manager Madam Larisa Leshchenko, who addressed the opening session, said Knowledge Fest is an important knowledge sharing event that showcases results of the Bank’s intervention, which provides a perfect opportunity for students of higher institutions of learning and the media to understand how the Bank and partners are working with the Government of Liberia to promote growth and development. The Africa Knowledge Fest is an important knowledge sharing and learning event, the New Dawn newspaper reads.

Liberian Police Commits to Media to Build Strong Democracy

Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman has pledged the commitment of the Liberian National Police (LNP) in working with the Liberian media community, stressing that police-media relationship was crucial for the enhancement of Liberia’s democracy. Speaking at a one-day police–media forum held at the Monrovia City Hall the Liberian Police Chief said under his administration  he will endeavor to strengthen the relationship with the media, which he said  was important as the country’s move toward the Presidential and Representatives Elections in 2017. Speaking on behalf of the Press Union of Liberia, PUL President Charles Coffey reaffirmed the commitment of the PUL and its membership in working with the Liberia National Police. Mr. Coffey said the PUL was moved by the dialogue initiated by the Liberia National Police, describing it as a new day for the police and the media in sustaining the country’s democracy, reads the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

LDEA Receives Logistical Support from U.N. Police 

According to the Daily Observer, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) has received logistical support from the United Nations Police to help strengthen and decentralize the LDEA’s reporting capacity between headquarters and the leeward counties. The donation included eight laptops, eight modems, eight printers and boxes full of cartridges. Making the presentation, UN Police Commissioner Simon Blatchly said that the expected results of the donation are to enhance the operational performance of LDEA personnel in the leeward counties; to establish a new system for undertaking and reporting drugs statistics; to increase the intelligence capacity and cooperation between the LDEA and other law enforcement agencies; and to decrease the number of illegal narcotics on the streets of Liberia. LDEA Director General Anthony K. Souh praised the UN Police for their tireless efforts to enhance the capacity of the LDEA. He said that this is not the first time the UN Police has come to the aid of the LDEA. The director also thanked the Liberian government and partners for their assistance to the LDEA over the years.