The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2018

News concerning VP Taylor’s call to the ECOWAS parliament to ensure 30% women Representation at that regional Body; the Commissioning of Associate Justice Nagbe by President Weah’s as swell as House Speaker’s Chambers assurance of the Passage of additional financing agreement to supportCLSG Interconnection Projects for Liberia, Cote d’ Ivoire , Guinea  and Sierra Leoneare among stories highlighted in today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.  

Veep Taylor Wants ECOWAS Parliament Ensure 30% Women Representation De-localized meeting on ICT begins 

Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has called on Speaker, Deputy Speakers and members of the Fourth Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS’) Parliament to ensure at least 30 percent of women representation in that body. She said that ECOWAS Parliament as the Regional body should implement Article 18 of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament, which says: “Each Member-State shall ensure at least 30 percent female representation in their Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliament. ”Madam Taylor wants the ECOWAS Parliament to also devote greater attention to women’s empowerment, and more participation of women in politics as it has been confirmed by demographers that the female population slightly exceeds their male counterpart in our sub-region. Veep Taylor made the remarks at a resort in Monrovia during the opening session of the De-localized Meeting of the ECOWAS’ Joint Committee on Communications and Information Technology (ICT), Education, Science and Technology, Labor, Employment, Youth, Sports and Culture. The meeting will end on Friday, August 31, 2018.

Pens, Daily Observer

Related Caption: Veep Taylor Challenges ECOWAS

…….As Speaker Chambers Opposes War Crime Court (The Inquirer)

Pres. Weah Commissions Associate Justice Nagbe

The Daily Observer Newspaper reads that President George Manneh Weah on Monday, August 27, commissioned the newly appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Cllr. Joseph N. Nagbe. The ceremony, which was held in the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the President’s Foreign Affairs office, finally qualifies Cllr. Nagbe to now replace Cllr. Philip A.Z. Banks, who retired recently after reaching the constitutional age limit of 70. Prior to his nomination at the Supreme Court, Cllr. Nagbe served as Senator for Sinoe County in the 54th Legislature.  

Related Caption:Weah commission’s Justice Nagbe(New Dawn)

Sourcing additional funding House Speaker Assures Passage of Financing Agreement for CLSG Interconnection ProjectAccording to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, Liberia’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bhofal Chambers says the National Legislature will ensure the passage of the additional financing agreement for Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (CLSG) interconnection project. President George Weah on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 submitted for ratification of the additional financing agreement for the project. The amount of the additional financing allotted to Liberia is US$45.3 million. The agreement was signed on December 11, 2017 and it comprises a grant of US$22.6 million and a loan of US$22.7 million. Hon. Chambers said the National Legislature is excited about the electricity project and will support its implementation in full. He said electricity supports education, health, industry, security and the comfort of life, adding, “Liberia needs this project. We will do our best to ratify the agreement. ”The House Speaker said electricity will transform Liberia’s economy and improve life in the rural areas in many ways. Hon. Chambers made these remarks when the Director-General of TRANSCO CLSG, Mohammed M. Sherif paid a courtesy call on his office at the Capitol Building, Monday, August 27, 2018. The General Manager thanked the President of Liberia, George Weah, the National Legislature and other stakeholders including international partners for the hard work in the implementation of the CLSG project.

President Weah Applauds Malian President –Elect, Opposition Leader

President George Manneh Weah has sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Ibrahim Bouba car Keita, President-Elect of the Republic of Mali, on his re-election as President of that West African State. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to His Malian counterpart, President Weah, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in his own name, extended warmest congratulations and best wishes to President Keita on his re-election to the highest office of the Republic of Mali. The Liberian President further noted that Mr. Keita’s successful re-election as President of the Republic of Mali has brought pride not only to Mali, but he entire African continent which he said is an indication of progress in the consolidation of the democratic Process in Africa, the Heritage Newspaper reads.

Sinoe Port Gains Momentum in ISPS Regulation

According to a Daily Observer Publication, the Port of Greenville is gaining some momentum for being one of the leading and safe ports for business outside of Monrovia, a release has said. According to the release, the move came after experts from the West Africa Maritime Security Consultancy in collaboration with Liberia Maritime Authority carried on Security risks assessment at the port  in line with International Ship and Port Security (ISPS).The experts also carried on assessment of the oil bulking site of Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) within the port facility. “GVL will be one of the major users of the port, because the company is building an oil tanker for storage and also for shipping,” the release said. Head of the team, Ernest Omaboe, said GVL contracted their services to do a Port Facility Security Plan

GROW-Liberia Holds First Agro-Processors Networking Event

GROW-Liberia has embarked on a networking event that brings together all actors within the agro-processing sub-sector to a common space where they can easily meet and expand their network. Held under the theme, “Selling Your Business and Yourself”, the event is the first in a series that is part of the entity’s efforts to lower packaging and other challenges confronting Liberia’s emerging agro-processing sub-sector. According to the Daily Observer newspaper, The one-day event, which took place at a resort in Monrovia, brought together agro-processing businesses, packaging companies, branding companies, and startup experts in a common space as a means of increasing networking opportunities that GROW-Liberia says could result to a successful business partnerships. In an exclusive interview, Thelma Ahamba, one of the event organizers, told the Daily Observer that the limited networking opportunities within the agro-processing sub-sector have moved GROW-LIBERIA to facilitate a networking event that brought agro-processing businesses and packaging companies to a space where networking opportunities would be high and successful.

Youth Eye Liberia Reaches out to Liberian Students

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports ahead of the resumption of Academic activities for the ensuing school year,2018/2019, a local non-governmental organization,” Youth Eye Liberia”; YEL has provided assorted classroom materials to over one hundred and fifty students in  Montserrado County. Beneficiaries of the Youth Eye Liberia donation were drawn from two (2) underprivileged communities within the suburb of Paynesville including Belle Towns of 72nd and S. D. Cooper Road. Presenting the assorted classroom materials to the students, YEL Executive Director Nimpson Todd said the donation was part of his organization’s 2018/ 2019Students Assistance Program in which needy students from challenged communities are identified for support.

MoE Signs Contract with LEAP to Provide Education Existences

Authorities of the Ministry of Education (MoE), on August 22, 2018, signed a contract with the Liberian Education Advancement Program (LEAP), to provide existence in improving the education system. LEAP is a pilot program run by the MoE and selected non-state school operators.  The mission of the program is to provide every child, regardless of family background or income, access to high-quality education. The program is working collaboratively with successful operators to create great schools that are hubs of innovation and educational excellence – with the ultimate aim of rolling out what works across the wider system. LEAP Coordinator Abraham Dagher said based on the gap in the education system MoE signed the contract, to ensure that service providers manage 94 schools across Liberia as a pilot to find out what they can bring to improve the system, writes the Daily Observer newspapers

Liberian Leader Begins First Official Trip To China

President George Manneh Weah will depart the country today, August 27 for Beijing, China to join other African leaders for the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).The summit with theme: “China and Africa: toward an even stronger community with a shared future through win-win cooperation”, will be convened in Beijing on Sept 3-4.  Leaders from Africa and China will meet against the background of a world becoming increasingly multipolar with a globalized rising cultural diversity, and more and more digitalized societies. African leaders, representatives of related regional organizations in Africa and international organizations will participate in the summit. The objectives of FOCAC include equal consultation, enhancing understanding, expanding consensus, strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between African countries and China. It can be recalled on Thursday July 19, 2018, at the Capitol during the dedication of two newly constructed annexes,

Related Caption: Weah Leaves For China Today(The NEWS)

Ivoirian Ambassador wants countrymen home

The New Dawn newspaper reads that, The Ivoirian Ambassador near Monrovia, Féni KOUAKOU, calls on remaining batch of Ivorian refugees in Liberia to return home to participate in the building process of their country, La Cote d’Ivoire. The Ambassador made the call at program marking the 58th Independence of La Cote d’Ivoire celebrated last Thursday, 23 August at Boulevard Palace Hotel in Monrovia. He notes the significant progress made by his country since the ascension of current President HEM Allassan Ouatara at the helm of power in 2011 preceded by the bloodiest electoral violence ever in the country’s history. The Ivoirian envoy names among others, good economic performances by his country, which ranks among the best on the continent and in the world; increase in the income of farmers, civil servants and wages of private sector employees; better access to basic social services such as water, electricity, health and education. He also points to promotion of women and youth in the administration and private sector and influence of Côte d’Ivoire in the international arena as some of the achievements by President Ouatara government. The occasion was graced by several high profile Liberian dignitaries, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Madam Dewell GRAY, Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, Doyen and Members of the Diplomatic Corps and representatives of International Organizations.

Liberia Ratifies Paris Agreement

The New Dawn newspaper reads that Liberia on Monday August 28, deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement committing to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. The Paris Agreement primarily seeks to keep the global temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius; as well as strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impact of climate change. The agreement was adopted by consensus on December 12, 2015 and enacted into force on November 4, 2016; 30 days after 55 parties had deposited their instruments of ratification. Liberia’s instrument of ratification signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Gbehzohngar Findley, commits the country to “faithfully perform and carry out the stipulations contained therein”  

Ex-UL President Wants Gov’t Invest in Research Programs

The Former President of the University of Liberia, UL Emmett Dennis, has recommended to the Government of Liberia to invest more in capacity building programs for research and development. Dr. Dennis, in his recommendation, urged the Liberian government to invest in having at least 300 Liberians annually in research based graduate programs for at least the next 15 to 20 years. The former UL President made the recommendation on Monday, August 27, 2018 at the ongoing Inaugural Emmett A. Dennis Scientific Conference, which is taking place at the Millennium Guest House in Congo Town, outside Monrovia, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Related Caption:Invest in Research Project( New Dawn)  

Several killed In Kakata Accident 

A tragic motor accident which occurred on the Monrovia Kakata highway has claimed the lives of at least five persons. According to information, five persons have been pronounced dead as a result of motor accident which occurred around the Morris’ Farm.  Our sources revealed that the accident was the result of a head-long collision by a bus and a taxi which was carrying seven persons.  According to bystanders, the Taxi cap got severely damaged beyond recognition. According to report, only two persons survived from the taxi while those on the bus sustained injures. The INQUIRER newspaper writes.

WFP, Partners Hold Smallholder Agriculture Development Project Workshop In Bong County

The World Food Program Liberia in collaboration with the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Samaritan Purse Relief, began a two-day workshop in Bong County to enhance project implementation and smallholder food production skills of stakeholders including operation/implementing partners, local government counterparts and beneficiaries. The workshop is being held under the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SHAD-P) initiative. Implemented by Samaritan Purse Relief, SHAD-P is funded by the Japanese Government through the World Food Programme. The project aims at supporting small farmers in Bong County in promoting resilience agriculture practices for staple food production. The INQUIRER newspaper report.

Turkish Foundation Provides Over 100 Cows

….. To Less Fortunate Liberians

The Turkish Diyanet Foundation has distributed over hundreds Cows to hundreds of less fortunate Liberian as part of the celebration of Eid Al Adha of Abraham Day across the world. According to the Foundation Coordinator for International Theology Program based in Istanbul, Turkey, the humanitarian gesture is part of the bilateral relationship between Turkey and the Government of Liberia. Hassan Hiseyin Yilmaz explained that the poor Muslims and Christians families also benefited from the distribution of Cows as part of the Turkish Diyanet Foundation to the people of Liberia. Several Mosques across Liberia also benefited from the slaughtering of the Eid Al Adha celebration with the meat among community members for the celebration of the festivity. Mr. Yilmaz the goal of the Turkish Diyanet Foundation is to spread goodness across the world and make the poor and orphans happy through their lives, the News Newspapers says.

Related Caption: WFP, Partners Hold Smallholder

…..Agriculture Dev. Project W’shop, In Bong County(The News Newspaper)

Ecobank Foundation Holds Financial Management Workshop for Health Workers

According to the News Newspaper, Ecobank, in partnership with the Global Fund and Humentum, has organized a 2-day financial management workshop for healthcare practitioners in Liberia; a press release has said. The main goal of the workshop was to train and empower employees of health facilities in basic Financial and cash management to ensure that the scarce resources of the Ministry of Health is properly used and managed to enable the citizens get the best health care. Opening of the workshop, the Managing Director of Ecobank Liberia, Mr George Mensah-Asante said; “Ecobank is committed to supporting community welfare and development. Being the leading Bank in Liberia, Ecobank will continue to support worthy ventures that promote good health as the state of mind where individuals are free to accomplish their dreams.