The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Stories of President Johnson Sirleaf’s empathy to AFL fire victims, the suspension of the Comptroller General along with others at the Finance Ministry, female Journalists threat to boycott the PUL induction program and the return of 19 Police officers from managerial training in Ghana, while Cellcom 4G hits Nimba and Bong counties are top dominant stories captured from today’s local dailies.

Dominant Stories

Pres. Sirleaf Sympathizes With Fire Victims

In the wake of a fire outbreak at the Edward Binyah Kesselly Military Barracks in Schieffelin, Margibi County, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf toured the scene of the disaster and presented food and non-food items to the victims, all of them military personnel or their relatives. According to an Executive Mansion release, the fire at the barracks gutted at least three units on Saturday, December 14, 2014 affecting six families and their possessions. The items presented by the president to the Commanding official of the AFL, Major-General Suraj Abdurrahman, for the victims included 50 bags of rice and 30 mattresses, as well as her personal contribution of US$5,000 in cash, the FOCUS and Daily Observer narrate under similar captions.

Related Stories: Pres. Sirleaf Sympathizes with AFL Fire Victims (Insight)

Comptroller General, Others Suspended – Is This Christmas

The In Profile Daily and FOCUS newspapers under the same captions say the  Comptroller General of the Republic of Liberia, Boom Wilson and Deputy Comptroller for Accounting Service, Siafa Chowe have reportedly been suspended along with other staffers at the Ministry of Finance for delay in processing payments and other financial instruments at the Ministry.

Related Caption: MoF Suspends Comptroller General (Insight)

Female Journalists Threaten Boycott – Of PUL Induction Program

The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) says it will boycott the upcoming induction ceremony of the newly elected officers of the Press Union of Liberia which is slated for December 27, 2013. FeJAL said it is disappointed with the outcome of the just ended PUL elections where no female was elected, theNEWS newspaper writs.

Related Caption: Female Journalists To Boycott Induction (The Inquirer)

19 Police Officers Get Management Training – In Ghana

Nineteen senior officers of the Liberia National Police have returned from Ghana following a month long training at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Speaking at the welcoming ceremony Tuesday, Police Director Chris Massaquoi said the objective of the training is to help advance professionalism in the police in preparation for UNMIL draw down. He further said the training is also intended to help ensure transparency in the LNP, the NEWS newspaper reports.

Related Caption: Senior Police Officers Return From Advanced Training (The Inquirer)

Cellcom 4G Hits Rural Liberia

A back sub lead story of the NEWS newspaper reports that rural Liberians will no longer worry about internet speed and its access following the pronouncement by the management of Cellcom Telecommunication Incorporated of the extension of its fastest internet services (4G) to four rural cities including Yekepa, Sanniquellie, Ganta in Nimba and Gbarnga, Bong County.  Cellcom CEO John Vasikaran told a news conference that the extension is geared towards providing the people of Liberia with cheaper and affordable communication.

Related Caption: Cellcom 4G Hits Nimba, Bong (FOCUS)

Other Stories

Liberia Embraces World Trade

Commerce and Industry Minister Axel M. Addy has called on the159 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for flexibility as Liberia tries to accede to that body during the tenure of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. According to reports, Minister Addy is the first Liberian to address that august body which was held in Bali, the Indonesian Capital on December 5, 2013. Minister Addy was accompanied by Assistant Commerce Minister Stephen Marvie, and Assistant Commissioner for Operational Policy and International Relations of the Bureau of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, the In Profile Daily newspaper writes.

Liberian Actor Launches Book

A back sub lead story of the In Profile Daily newspaper reveals that a US-based Liberian Emmanuel Wilson Duo, alias Bobby Valantino – Zoe, has launched a book called, “Caught in Between the Trenches”. According to him, the book is an eyewitness’ account of the 14-year Liberian civil war which led to the death of over two hundred thousand persons and the destruction of dreams and properties.

Mary Brownell Is UL Commencement Speaker

Today’s top front page lead of the Daily Observer newspaper asserts that one of Liberia’s eminent senior citizens, Madam Mary Brownell, is expected to serve as the speaker of the University of Liberia’s 95^thCommencement Convocation, today, Wednesday, December 18, 2013. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer Monday, December 16, Madam Brownell  jokingly stated that she would not disclose the message of her speech to anyone before the delivery time.

Nigerian Diaspora Organization Launched In Liberia

A new organization called the Nigerian Diaspora Organization (NIDO) was launched on Sunday, December 15, at the Nigerian Embassy in Monrovia. NIDO is aimed at fostering unity among Nigerians in Liberia. According to the President of the organizations, Mrs. Chinyere N. Chinemere  Obiora, NIDO is the brainchild of the Nigerian government. The idea for the formation of NIDO has been around since 2000 and it is intended, in addition to seeking Nigerians’ welfare, to propagate all good things about Nigeria and Nigerians, the Daily Observer newspaper reports.

Women install 314 Solar Panels in 4 Towns

Eight India-trained Liberian women have installed 314 solar panels in four towns as part of a pilot project to spread the concept of solar energy in the country. The beneficiary towns are Bahr in rural Montserrado, Juah in Grand Bassa, Salayea in Lofa and Bamballi in Grand Cape Mount counties. The installation followed the six-month training of the eight women in Solar Power Electrical Engineering at Bedford College in India in 2011. The Insight newspaper writes that the UN Women and the Indian Government sponsored the training of the women who were recruited from four counties. The solar panels were donated by the Indian Government, according to the Chief of the Women Empowerment Division at the Ministry of Gender and Development, Mr. Stephen Yekah.