The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2017

The start of what is called ‘supplementary registration’ at the University of Liberia is the lone story dominating our summary of the local dailies. The summary also highlights news of ground breaking ceremony for the construction dormitories for the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine Pre-Clinical Medical Students, the ranking of the Liberia National Police in the World Internal Security and Police Index, among others.

DOMINANT STORY

UL Begins Supplementary Registration Today

The University of Liberia (UL) Board of Trustees (BOT) and the Administration have agreed to extend registration for two categories of students who failed to meet the deadline for registration. According to a UL release issued Monday, November 27, the two categories of students to benefit from what it calls the “Supplementary Registration Period” are: those students who paid their fees, but did not receive the “registration-complete” stamp, and financial aid recipients, who did not complete their registration process. The UL BOT and Administration noted that these students will be allowed to complete the final step for first semester of the academic year 2017/2018. The UL release disclosed that the “Supplementary Registration Period” runs from today, Tuesday, November 28, 2017 to December 9, 2017, reads the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: ‘Supplementary Registration’ At UL (In Profile Daily), UL Begins Supplementary Registration Today (The INQUIRER)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Breaks Ground For Medical College Dormitories…World Bank Calls For Clear Policy On Medial Staf Housing

 President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Monday broke ground for the construction of the University of A.M Dogliotti College of Medicine Pre-Clinical Medical Students Dormitories comprising of two buildings. In brief remarks, President Sirleaf said in 2006 when her administration was faced with task of priority, she chose the University to enable Liberians acquire education to rebuild their nation. She said educated people are nation builders and added that when the population is educated with skills and knowledge; they can positively contribute to national development. Also speaking the World Bank Country Manager, Madam Larisa Leshchenko described the ground breaking as an important step in boosting health care delivery in the country. The INQUIRER newspaper quotes Madam Leshchenko as saying that the Work Bank funded US$2.45 million dollars project will cover the construction of two new 48-bedroom dormitories and two classrooms aimed at strengthening the learning environment of the medical school, thus strengthening the capacity of the health workforce.

LNP Ranks 16th In Africa 

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has been ranked the 16 best in Africa and 106 among 127 countries around the world. The ranking by the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) captured 28 African countries in the survey. It was released by two bodies, the International Police Science Association (IPSA) and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The daily reads that WISPI measures the ability of the police and other security providers to address internal security issues in 127 countries, across four domains, using 16 indicators. The four domains are capacity, process, legitimacy and outcomes. It examines how these domains relate to each other and finally to track trends in these domains over time to inform the work of security-providing agencies, researchers, and practitioners in the field of peace and conflict studies, criminology, and police studies. Deputy Commissioner of Police Sam Collins said the LNP is excited about the report, and the excitement is not only for the leadership of the police but the entire membership. According to him, all of this is geared towards building public confidence in the work that they do.

Final Justice In Seven Days

The opposition Liberty Party and the ruling Unity Party will now have to look up the Supreme Court for a rerun of the October 10 elections, which they claim, was flawed by fraud marred by mass irregularities and fraud. Following the final ruling of the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission, lawyers representing the two political parties took exception to the ruling and announced that they will take an appeal to the Supreme Court.  Cllr. Varney Sherman who represented the ruling Unity Party described the ruling as erroneous, but said he would prove his case at the Supreme Court. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, upon filing the appeal, the Supreme Court, per the dictates of the Constitution, has a maximum of seven days to review the case and make a determination. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the matter will determine whether or not Liberia will have a runoff election or a rerun of the October 10 elections. 

Related Caption: Supreme Court Hears LP, UP Appeals Friday (Daily Observer)

Procedural Error: Supreme Court Returns Nimba Election Complaint To NEC For Determination

Justice-in-Chambers at the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Kabina Ja’neh, has ordered the National Elections Commission to continue with investigation of complaint surrounding Nimba County District 8 election results. Justice Ja’neh passed the order upon denying a Writ of Prohibition prayed for by Representative candidate Saye Mianeh (Movement For Democracy and Reconstruction) who among nine other candidates including the incumbent lawmaker Larry Younquoi claimed obtained the highest number of votes during the counting of ballots at the close of the October 10 polls. His ‘victory’ was contested by Younquoi who petitioned NEC for a recount of the ballots. The FrontPage Africa newspaper says the recount at the NEC rather put Younquoi in the lead. But Mianeh’s lawyers, contending that it was illegal to have a recount filed for a Writ of Prohibition on the recount result at the Supreme Court while at the same time pursuing the case at the NEC.  “Counsel, since the case is with NEC, I will advise that you go back there and let NEC rule in the matter and if you except to the ruling then you can come back here,” said Associate Justice Ja’neh to the legal counsel of candidate Mianeh, Cllr. Cooper Kruah.

Senate Pro-Tempore Heads To SDG Confab In South Korea

A two-person Liberian delegation headed by Senate Pro-Temp Armah Zolu Jallah leaves the country today for Incheon, Republic of Korea, to participate in the first international conference and exhibition on Smart Technology and Procurement relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized by Yonsei University, Korea National Assembly UN SDGs Forum, Africa Asia Development Relief Foundation (ADRF), Love in Lights Messe K, Asia-Pacific Peace and Development Service Alliance (APPDSA), and the TIA Group, the conference will be held from November 30 to December 2. The other delegate is Augustine S. Arkoi, a civil society representative and co-founder of the Africa Asia Development Relief Foundation (ADRF). According to a release issued by the Liberian chapter of ADRF, the global forum and exhibition on Smart Technology and Procurement will provide rare opportunities for all stakeholders who include scientists, development specialists, academicians, civil society, world and media leaders  to not only compare notes with focus on promoting the SDGS and climate action through technology solutions, but also find the right partners and business opportunities – both profit and non-profit – in pursuit of common goals and actual players in the community and markets. The Daily Observer says the SDGs guide each nation, both developed and developing ones, to chart its own development strategy and to cooperate with others by sharing resources, experience and knowledge including technology.

Related Caption: Senate Pro-Tempore Leads Liberian Delegation To SDG-Technology Conference In South Korea (INSIGHT)

Road To GES Liberia Promotes Creative Enterprises

The U.S. Embassy Monrovia, in partnership with Accountability Lab Liberia, organized a “Road to GES” event today to recognize and support the creative industries in Liberia and highlight the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which will take, place November 28-30 in Hyderabad, India. The theme of the Summit is “Women First, Prosperity for All” will focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering global economic growth. The “Road to GES” activities at Accountability Lab’s iCampus and the U.S. Embassy featured and promoted creative entrepreneurs in Liberia – from HipCo musicians and fashion designers to artisans and filmmakers, reports the In Profile Daily. 

AGAC Empowers Farmers

The Country Director of Aim Global Agribusiness Company or AGAC, Mr. Matthew Ndote, says his company is helping people especially, farmers in the country to select farmland. “AGAC is one of Liberia’s leading international Agribusiness Company that is involved with the transfer of contemporary farming technologies and exercise like the use of paddle pumps and drip kits for irrigation of crops during the dry season, green house technology and hydroponics to enhance farmer’s capacity, among others”, says Mr. Ndote. He explains that the company also advises farmers which kinds of crops to plant based on farm location. According to the New Dawn newspaper, Mr. Ndote spoke following an assessment of farmlands owned by ‘Afro Green Liberia in Bensenville City, Montserrado County.

Related Caption: ADAC Helps People Select Farmland

Alpha Phi Alpha Joins 16 Days Of Activism…Frowns On Admended Rape Law

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity along with the Men of Servants of All Prayer Assembly has joined the effort to reduce sexual based violence in Liberia. According to the INQUIRER newspaper, the two groups of men who have been advocating for women and children’s rights for more than nine years are calling on the Liberian Senate and the National legislature to retain the newly amended rape law. According to them, making rape a bailable crime in Liberia is endangering the safety of women and children, which is a violation of their rights as they also believe that women and children’s rights are also human rights.