THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016

Today’s summary of the local dailies includes President Johnson Sirleaf’s election as Chair of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS), the Ministry of Health’sdecision to suspendthree of its top officials involve in a two million financial fraud and President Johnson Sirleaf’s caution to Liberians residing in Senegal to remain law-abiding and prepare themselves for constructive engagement,

The summary also includes news of President Johnson Sirleaf’s congratulatory message to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Sweden as they celebrate their National Day today.

DOMINANT STORIES

Ellen Chairs ECOWAS

According to theNew Dawnnewspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been elected on ‘white ballot by her colleagues at the 49th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in the Senegalese capital Dakar, where she immediately set out key priorities aimed at peace consolidation, security architecture, conclusion of negotiations and legal actions, the transformation of Vision 2020 and the improvement in financial stability. According to an Executive Mansion dispatch from Dakar, President Sirleaf in her acceptance speech described her election as an indication of the progress and peace Liberia enjoys, which would not have been possible without the tremendous sacrifices and solidarity of the ECOWAS community. President Sirleaf indicated that it was important to take pride in the high potential of the ECOWAS Community for a vibrant integrated market which is currently estimated at the equivalent of US$1.3 trillion produced by a wide range of activities in agriculture, commerce, industry and services. President Sirleaf called for the conclusion of negotiations and legal actions to enhance trade integration, but warned that failure to close the negotiations could lead to differentiation among Member States.

Related Captions: President Sirleaf Chairs ECOWAS(New Democrat), As Liberia Makes History Again: Ellen Heads ECOWAS(Heritage), President Sirleaf Elected ECOWAS Chairperson(FrontPage Africa)

MOH Discovers ‘Constructive Fraud’ Suspends Sr. Managers in Rivercess

The Ministry of Health has suspended for time indefinite, the Senior Management Team of the St. Francis Hospital in Rivercess County, pending the outcome of investigation into allegation of theft. The Chief Administrator, James Peters, Medical Director, Dr. Lionel D. Fahnbulleh, and Accountant, Darlington Duoe employment services at the hospital were indefinitely suspended for their alleged involvement into forgery and the diversion of funds intended for use by the hospital, writes the In Profile Daily.

Related Captions: Health Ministry Suspends Three For LS2M Fraud(New Democrat), Over Widespread “Corruption”: 3 Top Officials Slapped With Suspension(Heritage)

Ellen Tells Liberian Community in Senegal to Be Law Abiding

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has told Liberians residing in Senegal to remain law-abiding, obedient and prepare themselves for constructive engagement upon their return home to be of service to their country and people. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, President Sirleaf made the remarks when scores of Liberians residing in Dakar, Senegal trooped on the grounds of the King Fayad Palace to congratulate her on the occasion of her successful election as Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the just ended 49th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the Community. She told challenged them to pursue viable disciplines and vocations that will enable them contribute meaningfully to the development of Liberia once they return home. She urged them to always be mindful that Liberia needs them more than anything and had an obligation to give back to their country.

Related Captions: Be Law Abiding President Tells Liberians In Senegal(New Democrat), Remain Law Abiding, Obedient And Prepare Yourselves For Constructive Engagement…Ellen Urges Liberians In Senegal(Heritage)

Police Director Launches Global Appeal For Support

The Inspector General of the Liberian National Police, Christopher Clarence Massaquoi has expressed gratitude to the global community for the ultimate sacrifice it made towards the restoration of peace and stability in Liberia, and urged for a robust global support for the country’s National security apparatus including the National Police. He said such a call has become necessary in the wake of the ongoing transition plan to transfer responsibilities of Nation’s security to the Government of Liberia. According to the dispatch from New York, the  Liberian Police Chief   remarks were contained in a Statement he delivered at the first-ever United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS) , held at the   United Nations  headquarters in New York, on  Friday the 3  of May 2016.  He then assured the international community of Liberia’s Police readiness to shoulder responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in post-UNMIL era, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Captions: Massaquoi Pleads For Robust Support(The New Dawn), Robust National Security Transition Col Massaquoi Addresses UNCOPS(In Profile Daily)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Congratulates Sweden on National Day

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Sweden as they celebrate their National Day on June 6, 2016. The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that in her congratulatory message to His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, President Sirleaf said “On December 16, 2015, Liberia's accession to the World Trade Organization was finalized, owing to the strong partnership of Sweden including, strengthening our institutional capacity. This significant milestone, among others, clearly demonstrates our shared resolve to enhance our bilateral engagements for mutual benefit to our two countries and peoples.” The Liberian leader assured His Majesty that Liberia remains unwavering in its commitment to goals that both nations share for the promotion of universal human values, including freedom of speech, human dignity and the advancement of global peace and security.

ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Calls On President Sirleaf

The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Mustapha Cisse Lo, on the margins of the 49th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Summit OF Heads of State and Government held in Dakar, Senegal, paid a courtesy call on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to acquaint her with progress and challenges affecting the work of the Community.According to a dispatch from Dakar, Senegal, the ECOWAS Speaker called on President Sirleaf to use her influence to bring a sigh of relief to obstacles in the way of the work of the Community. Responding, President Sirleaf said in light of the concerns expressed by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament – it was significant to adopt a step by step approach to resolving all outstanding issues, according to the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Caption: Speaker Of ECOWAS Parliament Pays Courtesy Call On Ellen(Heritage)

Government to Construct Women Weaving Center in Lofa County

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Monrovia says it will shortly embark on the construction of a modern Textile production Center in Kolahun, Lofa County. The FrontPage Africa newspaper quotes Commerce Minister Axel Addy as saying that, the construction of the Textile production Center will be undertaken through its Rural Industrial program for the Promotion of Economic Empowerment with funding from the Government of Japan. The project titled the Lofa Women Weaving Center is intended to promote the Ministry’s inclusive growth agenda by supporting the advancement of local production to fostering Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).

Related Caption: Over 300,000 Textile Project In Lofa (New Democrat)

CBL Approves First International Bank Purchase

The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has approved the purchase and assumption of assets and deposits of the First International Bank Liberia Limited (FIBLL) by a newly licensed b a –GN Bank Liberia Limited. The Central Bank’s decision is in accordance with Section 40 (13) of the New Financial Institution Act of 1999. Under the takeover arrangement GN Bank Liberia Limited will buy significant portion of the assets and assumption of all deposits except one large foreign depositor and one large foreign creditor of FIBLL, the New Democrat newspaper writes.

IMP-USA Donates to Three Health Institutions

A non-profit charitable health organization in the United States of America, International Medical Project (IMF-USA) has donated assorted medical supplies and equipment to three health care institutions in Liberia. The health care institutions IMP-USA identified with over the weekend are the Du-Side Hospital in Harbel, Margibi County, and the Family Medical Center in Jacob’s Town, Paynesville, and the New Sight Center (NSEC) in the 72^nd Community,  Paynesville which is hosting Liberia Health System Solutions, the In Profile Daily reports.

42 DEO’s to be Retired

Ministry of Education has announced plan for the retirement of 42 District Education Officers in the country. Accordingly, the Ministry has issued letters informing 42 DEO’s in the country to be retired for long service, the In Profile Daily writes.