The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2017

Today’s edition of our regular summary of the local dailies highlights, among other stories, news of President Sirleaf’s assurance of government’s continued support to the Armed Forces of Liberia, former Education Minister, Dr. Evelyn Kandakai’s call for the protection of children, and the launch of a blood donor awareness campaign under the theme: “Blood Connects Us All” by the Ministry of Health and partners, among others.

Gov”t Is Behind You” -As Pres. Sirleaf Assures AFL Of Govt’s Continued Support

The FOCUS newspaper reads that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has assured members of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) of government’s continued support to the military. “The Government is behind you and as Commander-in-Chief, I am fully behind the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Staff”, the Liberian leader said. She was speaking during a visit at the 23^rd infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Liberia at the Edward Beyan Kesselly (EBK) Military Barracks. The visit was intended to console Fatumatta Sheriff, widow of the late Corporal Ousman Sheriff who was killed by a rocket fire on a United Nations camp in Timbuku, Mali as well as identify with six wounded personnel of the AFL.

MOH, WHO Partner To Launch Blood Donor Campaign

As Liberia prepares to celebrate World Blood Donors Day (WBDD), the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization has launched a blood donor awareness campaign in Paynesville. The campaign took place on Thursday June 1, 2017 at the compound of the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) under the theme: “Blood Connects Us All” with the slogan: “Share Life, Give Blood”. In an interview with FrontPage Africa, Sowillie Fatu Lomax, blood bank manager Montserrado County, said the exercise is intended to stop the sale of blood in hospitals and encourage the general public to donate blood for patients who are in need but cannot afford the cost, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Cabinet Receives 150-Day Priorities Update Proposes Amendments to 2009 PFM Law

An inside story of the Heritage newspaper reads that Cabinet has carefully reviewed the 150-day priorities set during the recent Special Retreat in Julijuah, Bomi County covering agriculture, commerce, education, health, energy, roads, water, ICT, RIA modernization and public buildings. Cabinet received forensic update highlighting various stages of progress involving key projects on the last mile. According to an Executive Mansion release, Cabinet also critically reviewed proposed amendments to the 2009 Public Financial Management Law (PFM); the Civil Service Agency Automated Test Program; and the Electricity Sector Skills Training Planning under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Cabinet thoroughly analyzed the proposed amendments to the 2009 PFM Law and called for further consultations to ensure appropriate realignments in keeping with other legislative instruments to avoid duplication in the wake of the proposed amendment efforts.

Former Education Minister Kandakai Calls For Protection Of Children

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, observing the Day of the African Child at the Stella Maris Polytechnic, former Education Minister, Dr. Evelyn Kandakai says children need to be protected from abuse by those tasked to uphold them. Report by Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo, bettie.mbayofrontpageafricaonline.com “We all have shortcomings in the country, but said it’s time for parents and society to take advantage of provisions that support children rights,” said Dr. Kandakai. She said in recent times, parents refused to chastise children in the name of human right, which has led to many children disrespecting the elderly. “The conduct of children must be in line with the norms and culture of the society." The FrontPage Africa newspaper also reads under the caption “Former Children Parliament Speaker Wants Budgetary Allotment for Children” that the former speaker of the children parliament of Liberia, Satta F. Sheriff has called on the Government of Liberia to allocate money for children in the country’s national budget. Serving as keynote speaker of 2017’s Day of the African Child program celebrated on June 16 in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Ms Sheriff said the purpose for celebrating the day is to inform local and International stakeholders, parents, communities and children themselves about the plight of African Children.  In a related development, the General Manager of L’Shield Construction Incorporated, Randolph Kondeh, has decried the enormous challenges faced by African children. Serving as Keynote Speaker at program marking the celebration of the commemoration of the Day of the African Child (DAC); organized by Check One Foundation, Kondeh noted that not too often are African children appreciated on the continent. The In Profile Daily reads under the caption “African Children Are Challenged!”.

 Disaster Management Agency Gets Huge Donation

An inside story of the Heritage newspaper reads that the newly established National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) was on June 15, 2017 a proud recipient of a huge assortment of items in the tone of US$16,468.20 from a departing International Non-Governmental Organization, Famine Early Warning System Network. The items consisting mainly of office materials earlier used by FEWS during its one and half year operations in Liberia, were formally turned over to authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the ministry’s head office on Capitol Hill by the ‘Closeout’ Specialist of Famine Early Warning Systems Network Madam Andrea Rojas.

PUL President Urges Journalists To Be Professional In Discharge Of Duty

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Charles B. Coffey is calling on journalists to be professional in the discharge of their duty, stressing that journalism is a noble profession that requires discipline and noble characters. He made the statement at the Paynesville City Hall on Friday June 16, 2017 during the PUL annual awards program. Addressing journalists at the program, Coffey said the PUL is a noble institution charged with the responsibility to promote peace and create a level of professionalism in the media landscape. “Award is something that denotes accomplishment, particularly in a competition where honor and prices are given based on merit." At the same time, Dr. Francis Kaikai, Chief of Peace Consolidation of UNMIL used the occasion to call on the leadership of the PUL to decentralize the institution to support journalists in the remote part of the country.

 Mehnla Smells Township Status-As Bill To Create Mehnla Township In Nimba Co. Introduced At Legislature   

According to the FOCUS newspaper, a bill seeing to create Mehnla Township in Mehnsonoh Administrative District, Yarwin Mehnsonoh Statutory District in lower Nimba County has been introduced at the House Representatives. According to the crafter of the bill, Representative R Matenokay Tingban, the Act is in fulfillment of the collective desire of the inhabitants of several villages named in the Bill for township status. He said his decision to craft the bill was triggered following exhaustive discussion with his with kinsmen in Mehnla Town and its surrounding villages. The Nimba county District #9 Representative put the total inhabitants of Mehnla and its surroundings at over 2.500 people and with 15 constituent villages.

 Liberian Women Attend Campaign Expo To help Close The Gender Gap In Elections

The Heritage newspaper reads that on Tuesday, June 20 at Monrovia City Hall, 130 women activists from political parties and civil society will participate in a Campaign Exposition (Expo) to learn about resources, skills and strategies needed to run effective campaigns, as well as obtain materials and expert advice to help prepare for Liberia’s upcoming elections.

In Profile Editor off to Ethiopia to Attend Africa-China Forum

In Profile Daily says its News Editor, Fredrick P. W. Gaye, on Sunday, June 18, 2017, left for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union (AU) invited Journalist Gaye to attend an Africa-China High-Level Dialogue and Think Tank Forum, scheduled for June 21-22, 2017, the paper says.