The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 29, 2017

Stories on Presidential run-off results with Sen. George Weah in the lead, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s declaring January 1 as National holiday, her suspension of payments of bonuses, severance allowances, and incentives to members of the Board of Directors, Managing Directors, Deputy Managing Directors, and all other officials of similar standing in the employ of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Commissions among others and presenting of Letters of Credence to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf by Ghanaian Ambassador accredited new Monrovia are among selected stories for today’s summary.

Supporters of George Weah Storm Monrovia’s Street to Celebrate Victory

Hundreds of supporters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) late Thursday, December 28, evening stormed the streets of Monrovia following the National Elections Commission’s (NEC) announcement of preliminary results. The CDC’s result puts George Weah far ahead of his rival, Vice President Joseph Boakai, in the Presidential Runoff Election. It is not now very clear that Senator Weah will be declared the winner of the runoff election looking at the results that are in now and the one that is yet to come in. The results from NEC have set the stage for Liberia’s first peaceful democratic transition of power since 1944. The President-elect, Ambassador George Weah, has attempted the presidency twice with him winning his second attempt, writes the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Weah Wins Presidency…Leads Boakai Out of 98.1 percent in provisional results (Insight), Celebrations Take Over Monrovia – As Weah Wins Presidency (New Dawn), CDC Leads in 14 Counties (Inquirer) and Decisive Win for George Weah (Daily Observer)  

Prez Sirleaf Declares January 1, National Holiday

The Daily Observer quotes a Foreign Ministry release: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Monday, January 1, 2018 as “New Year’s Day” and it’s to be observed throughout the Republic as a “National Holiday”. She has called upon all citizens and foreign residents within the Republic to observe the Day and directs that all Government offices and business houses be closed from 6:00 o’clock ante meridian to 6:00 o’clock post meridian. The Liberian leader has further directed all citizens and residents within our borders, in solemn cooperation with all Prelates, Priests, Deacons, Evangelists, Imams, and other members of the Sacerdotal Order, regardless of religious creed, to gather together with one purpose in their respective places of worship and plead for his continuing goodness and generosity towards all peoples and nations of the earth, especially the people of Liberia. According to a Foreign Ministry release, under the Patriotic Cultural Observance Law, Title 25, Liberian Code of Laws of 1956, the first day of January each year is set aside as a Public Holiday to be known as “New Year’s Day” and appropriately celebrated. This day affords many citizens and residents of Liberia the opportunity to celebrate the infinite goodness and mercy of the Almighty who has blessed and prospered the work of the minds, hearts and hands of all the people of Liberia during the previous year. New Year’s Day falls on January 1 the first Monday of the year and marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar.

Related Caption: Pres. Sirleaf Declare Monday National Holiday (Insight)

Ellen Suspends Payments, Incentives to Board of Directors, MDs, Deputies

The Daily Observer quotes an Executive Mansion release: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has suspended with immediate effect the payments of bonuses, severance allowances, and incentives to members of the Board of Directors, Managing Directors, Deputy Managing Directors, and all other officials of similar standing in the employ of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Commissions, and other Autonomous Agencies of the Liberian Government. Issuing the Executive Order yesterday, December 28, President Sirleaf said it is based on the current financial and economic situation in the country. According to the Order released by the Executive Mansion: “Additionally, all expenditures, save for salaries and allowances, for the daily operations of all Government Ministries and the above mentioned institutions in the amount of US$10,000 and above must be approved by the office of the President.” The standing Executive Order added: “Accordingly, all Ministers, Heads of SOEs, Commissions, and Autonomous Agencies of GOL are hereby advised to take due cognizance and give effect to this directive.”

Related Caption: Allowances Barred (FrontPage Africa)

New Ghanaian Envoy Presents Letter of Credence

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received the Letters of Credence of the New Ghanaian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia, His Excellency Ernest-Burke Asare-Asieou on Thursday at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia.  According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf underscored the longstanding partnership between Liberia and Ghana and also reflected on the history of Liberia’s ties with the West African nation of Ghana. The Liberian leader acknowledged the many contributions Ghana has made to Liberia ranging from intervening militarily during the Liberian civil war, support during the Ebola outbreak, training program for the security sector, and peace negotiations during the war years among others. “As we proceed with our transition process, we note that Ghana is a good example for democratic and political transition in Africa. Ghana has also become a major leader in global and regional institutions and the country has really made progress as a truly independent nation”, President Sirleaf pointed out.  President Sirleaf also paid attention the economic partnership that exist between the two West African nations and lauded the launch of direct flight between Monrovia and Accra by Africa World Airlines from Ghana. She concluded by thanking Ambassador Asare-Asieou for accepting to serve as Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia and urged him to work harder to consolidate the progress. For his part, Ambassador Ernest-Burke Asare-Asieou noted that it was a proud honor to be assigned as Ghana’s Ambassador to Liberia and that he is committed to taking his responsibilities seriously. “It is my duty to consolidate all that were started during the long-term relations between the two nations”, Ambassador Asare-Asieou pointed. He recalled his personal roles in Liberia his role as a member of Ghana’s delegation during peace talks on Liberia and as an officer in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  He indicated that it was time for Africa to look within and stop looking outside for help that is always not forthcoming. Continuing, Ambassador Asare-Asieou said “Madam President, Ghana appreciates your legacy. You have given birth to a new nation, a new Liberia where peace, progress, development and democracy are flourishing”, the New Dawn newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release.

Ellen Honors Sundial Brands CEO

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has conferred on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sundial Brands, Richelieu Dennis, Jr., one of the nation’s highest honors. Dennis is the successful United States based Liberian entrepreneur who is making headways in the cosmetic market. President Sirleaf, at an investiture ceremony convened at the Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, conferred on Dennis the distinction of Knight Commander, and was admitted into the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers. Prior to the conferral, the President described Dennis as one of the many unsung Liberian heroes who are relatively unknown at home but are making their homeland proud by the great jobs they are doing in the Diaspora, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Caption: Gov’t Honors U.S. – Based Liberian Entrepreneur (New Dawn)

LRA Identifies with School for the Blind

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), with the support of its partners, has donated several assorted food and non-food items to the Liberia School for the Blind in Virginia, outside Monrovia, according to a press release yesterday from the LRA. Items donated included rice, chicken, oil, popcorn, sunglasses, a package of Braille literature, assorted school materials and a water tank. Presenting the items on Sunday, December 17, in Virginia, LRA Commissioner General Elfrieda Stewart Tamba said the CSR initiative was to identify with students and staff of the school, aimed at putting smiles on their faces during this festive season, writes the Daily Observer.

MoE Gets US$11.9 Million

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has welcomed the approval of a US$11.9 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to support its education reform program. A press release issued this week says the funds will be used to improve access to quality education in targeted disadvantaged counties and to strengthen national school accountability systems. Specific beneficiaries of the program will include approximately 40,000 ECE students in targeted disadvantaged counties who will benefit from Early Childhood Education (ECE) School grants. The release says 60 Community caregivers will benefit from community ECE training and support; 1,400 teachers will benefit from training to improve their effectiveness to teach ECE and primary level students; 1,500 principals will benefit from principal certification training under the project; and 98 District Education Officers will benefit from capacity-building activities under the project, reports New Dawn newspaper.