The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, May 2, 2017

Dominating today’s Summary of the local dailies, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is lauding the Gambian leader for his visit to Liberia; reports of two additional deaths to the number of deaths in the strange illness in Greenville, Sinoe County; and the international aid provider, Sight Savers, donating two vehicles to the Ministry of Health.

Presidents Sirleaf Lauds Gambian Leader for Visit to Liberia

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded Gambian leader Adama Barrow for his visit to Liberia with renewed commitment to promote and strengthen the work of ECOWAS. According to an Executive Mansion release, the two leaders made the statement at a Joint Press Stakeout on Friday, April 28, 2017 at the Robert International Airport in Lower Margibi County shortly before his departure. She thanked the Gambian leader for the visit and prayed for God’s bountiful blessing upon him and the people of The Gambia. In brief remarks, President Barrow said he was pleased to be in Liberia to appreciate the Liberian leader, who as current Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS rallied Member States to peacefully resolve the political impasse, which followed the December 7, 2016 elections that led to the defeat of longtime leader, Yaya Jammeh.

Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Extols Gambian Leader for Visit To Liberia(Focus), andEllen Lauds Gambian Leader For Visit to Liberia(Heritage)

Two Contacts of Greenville Victims Confirmed Dead in Monrovia

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, Health authorities have reported two deaths in Monrovia from the strange disease that hit Greenville in Sinoe County last week. The Communication Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Sorbor George, told a local radio Monday that one of the dead was among 60 persons, who went to Greenville, Sinoe County from Monrovia to attend a funeral where the victims of the strange disease are said to have contracted it. According to George, the second victim to die from the disease in Monrovia is the fiancée of the man who died from the disease following his return from Greenville. He said the deaths of the two bring the toll from the disease to 12, and the total number of persons who have contracted the illness to 21. 

Related Caption: Strange Disease Kills Two In Monrovia(Insight), Sinoe Health ‘Crisis’ Enters Monrovia… Dr. Kateh Confirms 2 more deaths (Daily Observer), and 2 Contacts Of Greenville Victims Confirmed Dead In Monrovia(Heritage)  

Sight Savers Donates 2 Jeeps to MOH 

A medical charity, Sight Savers, has donated two Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps valued US$34,000.00 each to the Ministry of Health in Monrovia.The international non-governmental organization is involved in helping blind people recover their sight and prevent people from going blind.It also helps to improve the lives of people with disabilities, particularly those who have permanent blindness. Presenting the jeeps to the Ministry on Monday, 1 May, Sight Savers Liberia Country Director, Madam Adoley Sonii, who was accompanied by the organization’s Regional Director for West Africa, Bakary Marong said they were gratified to fight crippling diseases that affect the human race. She expressed hope that the jeeps will be used for the intended purpose. Receiving keys to the jeeps, the Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Francis Kateh, lauded Sight Savers for the donation and assured that they will be utilized wisely. He said though the Ministry may not have sufficient resources to combat all diseases in the country, but with close collaboration with all partners such as Sight Savers, it will be easy to do so, writes the New Dawnnewspaper.

Related Caption: Sight Savers Donates Two Jeeps To Health Ministry(Focus), and Sight Savers Donates Two Jeeps To Health Ministry(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

Liberian Cadet Wins American Defense Scholarship 

The Daily Observer reports that Scott Amos Collins, 22, a Liberian Officer Cadet who won the prestigious West Point Military Academy Award in the United States of America, was inducted into military service over the weekend in Monrovia. Collins’ journey to the West Point Military Academy, according to Ministry of National Defense (MoD) authorities in Monrovia, brings to mind the story dating back to 1988 of Madison Tokpa and Fombah Sirleaf, the only two Liberians to have attended the celebrated West Point Military Academy. Mr. Collins becomes the first Liberian in 29 years and one of 13 international nominees from 161 countries around the world to gain admission into the United States Military Class of 2021, which starts on July 2017. Mr. Collins is a graduate of the St. Martin’s Catholic School in Gbarnga, Bong County, and a first year student at the University of Liberia majoring in Engineering. The process that selected Collins began over a year ago when the ministry received an invitation from the United States Government’s Departments of Defense and State to nominate up to six Liberian candidates to compete for admission to the United States Military Class of 2021.

Former Chief Investigator Dies Following Wrongful Dismissal From LACC

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, fighting his cause for justice, former Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) chief investigator, Morris Ware’s broken spirit which had a toll on his health, could not continue with the back and forth with the LACC over his sudden dismissal. “We have two kids together and three on his own. We got married in November 2016, this November supposed to make us one year.” Unable to recover from the shock, Morris gave up the ghost April 29, 2017 after seven months of rigmarole with the commission over his reinstatement or just benefits. He was dismissed by Cllr. James Verdier, Chairman of the Commission, allegedly because he leaked information out to the press. The late Mr. Ware was never served any warning letter throughout the seven years he served the LACC.  

Guinea Bissau President Seeks ECOWAS Intervention in Political Crisis 

Guinea Bissau President José Màrio Vaz is now seeking ECOWAS heads of states’ intervention in growing anti-government sentiment in his country as he takes a one-day visit to Liberia Monday, May 1, 2017. He was received by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior government officials at the James Spriggs Payne Field at 11: AM. Following 18-month-long of political tension in Guinea Bissau, Vaz’s visitation with the head of ECOWAS, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was intended to find an amicable means to resolve the stalemate in his country. There is already an ongoing meditative effort in Guinea Bissau led by President Sirleaf along with two other ECOWAS heads of states but the need for direct involvement of ECOWAS heads of states is reportedly the hope of the President Vaz, reports the FrontPage Africanewspaper.

Related Caption: Guinea-Bissau President visits Liberia(New Dawn)

NBC ends 3-day Dialogue in Maryland

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC) has ended a three-day dialogue with affected concession communities in Maryland County. Speaking in an interview with this paper in Pleebo Sodoken Statutory District, Deputy Director General, Attorney Ramsey Kumbayah said, the dialogue was intended to access progress made by the Maryland Oil Plantation and the Cavalla Rubber Corporation, two concession companies in the county to know their current status.He said though the concessions are doing well in terms of providing job opportunities for the people of Maryland, they have identified several areas that need improvement.

CNDRA inducts new manager in Maryland

The Center for National Documents and Records Agency or CNDRA, in Maryland has inducted an administrative manager to oversee its activities in the county.The induction ceremony held on Monday, 1May,brought together county officials, representatives of line ministries and agencies, and the county coordinator of the Independent National Human Rights.CNDRA Deputy Director General for Administration, Martin Saye Kulah, says the duty of the administrative manager is to insure that proper documentations are passed over to the next elected government. He says after careful review and vetting, his office appointed Mr. Anthony William as administrative manager for Maryland County with oversight to make sure the office there is kept in good shape. Mr. Kulah added that the administrative manager is also expected to advise management on how to mobilize resources for the proper upkeep of the CNDRA in the county, asserts the New Dawnnewspaper.

Tehmeh Goes To Brussels As Press Attaché

Foreign Minister Marjon V. Kamara, with the approval of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has appointed Senve D. Tehmeh as Press Attaché to the Liberian Embassy in Brussels. In her appointment letter to Tehmeh at the weekend, Minister Kamara noted that Senve’s appointment is based on his ability, integrity and desire to serve the interest of his country. She hoped that he will work closely and harmoniously with Liberia’s Chief of Mission in Brussells, Ambassador Isaac Nyenebo and other officers at the Embassy, and deploy his best efforts in promoting the foreign policy objectives of Liberia through the strengthening of Liberia’s relations with the Benelux countries. Tehmeh, who is currently serving as Senior Administrative Assistant in the office of the Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe, has served the government for over five years in various capacities, including Administrative Assistant in the Department of Technical Services at the Ministry of Information and in similar capacity at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, reports the Focus newspaper.

Related Caption:Foreign Minster Appoints Tehmeh Press Attaché To Brussels(Heritage)

Integrate Practical & Academic Education in School System

The orator of the 39^th anniversary celebration the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC), and President of Nimba Community College, Dr. Ya Donlah Gonway Gono, has stressed the need for a robust integration of  practical and academic education in the Liberian School system, if the future of Liberian students is to be secured. Speaking on the topic: “The Importance of Vocational Education in Liberia and the World of Work” Dr. Gono observed that there is a “superficial and damaging division being created between the academic and the practical” in the school system in Liberia, reports Insight newspaper.

PUL Observes World Press Freedom Day

According to the Insight newspaper, on May 3, 2017, journalists, citizens and governments around the world will commemorate World Press Freedom Day. On this important day, selected by the UN General Assembly, we celebrate Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and mark the anniversary of the Declaration Windhoek. In Liberia, the celebration of the World Press Freedom Day for a long time now has been aligned with the Universal theme, and commemorated in the country side. The Press Union of Liberia is returning the national event to Monrovia, inviting journalists, media development experts, politicians and civil society activist to join the reinvigoration of the self-regulatory regime of the Liberia Media.

Related Caption: World Press Freedom Day Celebrates Modified Self-Regulation(Heritage)

Ministerial Complex, Annexes of Capitol Building Will Improve Liberian Government Operation…Says Chinese Ambassador

The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to Liberia, Zhang Yue, says constructions of the China Aided Ministerial Complex and Annexes of the Capitol Building will improve working conditions of the Liberia Government including the Legislature in order to better serve the Liberian people. The Chinese Ambassador made the remarks recently at the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Ministerial complex and Capitol building Annexes. He spoke at the construction sites of the former demolished Defense Ministry Building in Congo Town, outside Monrovia. Ambassador Zhang Yue noted that the execution of these landmark projects represents another milestone of China-Liberia relations, reports the Insight newspaper.

Over 500 Students Get Enlightenment On Career Choosing

A non-political and non-for profit, style: Liberia for All (LA), has called for Legislative enactment of Career Day program in Liberia. According to the Chairman of the group, Mr. Jimmy George, such enactment would enable students in the country to have a clear understanding with respect to how to choose their careers in school. He said, it will also enable the students to know what is basically requires of them academically to pursue their chosen careers in school. Mr. George made these remarks at a career day program held on Friday, April 28, 2017 in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, reports the Insight newspaper.

Political Parties, FLY Sign Manifesto

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, political and development partners in Liberia have signed the National Youth Manifesto committing themselves and their institutions to the full implementation of a document that seeks to promote youth participation and empowerment in National decision making process. The National Youth Manifesto is a complementary document to the National Youth Policy Action Plan and the National Youth Act of 2013, providing sustainable and impactful development interventions for Liberian Youth to be supported by all political parties, development partners and future governments. The Manifesto is focused on seven thematic areas which include; Education, Quality Health for all, Empowerment, Youth Employment and Agriculture Peace Reconciliation, Justice and Meaningful Participation of youth with special needs.

Carter Center Educates Traditional Women In Lofa

TheInquirer newspaper reports that in promoting peace and justice throughout Liberia, the Carter Center has been training traditional leaders throughout the country on their roles and responsibilities in maintain the peace we have today. Training of traditional women leaders was held in Vonjama City Lofa County from 26 – 27 of April at the Voinjama City Hall. According to the Carter Center, mothers are the bedrock to the society and are more exposed to women from various districts were able to put forth ideas in discussing conflict resolution. They said that though their strength is not like that of a man, men always seek pieces of advice from them.