The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014

The dismissal of five Foreign Ministry’s employees, and the reactions of the 15 deregistered Political Parties against the Court ruling, are the most dominant stories in today’s news summary.

Other stories include, the deaf of Liberia’s 1^st Secretary/Consul To Nigeria, the giving of Title Deeds to 28 Matadi’s residents by the National Housing Authority, the sanitation boost in Caldwell and the opening of Bankers workshop in Liberia by Ghana International Bank.

Foreign Ministry Staff Dismissed For Extortion

The News Newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed with immediate effect, five personnel of its Internal Security Bureau for allegedly extorting monies from members of the public in an effort to facilitate the processing of Liberian passports. The Foreign Ministry decision followed an intensive and careful investigation conducted by the Internal Security Bureau which proved the five security officers extorted monies from passport applicants. A Foreign Ministry release named the five officers as Agents Francis Sieh, Joseph Davis, Washington Waylee, Dadial Freeman and Olton Nyanfoh. According to the release, the action of the five security agents brings the integrity of the Internal Security Division to question and also has the potential to reflect negatively on the image of the Ministry at a time when the Ministry is exerting all efforts to improve the passport service delivery system to the public. There have been repeated complaints from members of the public about monies being extorted from them by some security personnel and other personnel of the Ministry to process passport far above the approved passport price of 23 United States Dollars. The Foreign Ministry release said the decision to dismiss the five security personnel is in line with Chapter 4 Section 4.2.2(h) (Dishonesty in the Conduct of the Government Business) of the Standing Order of the Civil Service. Meanwhile, in order to enhance the integrity of the passport issuance process, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has ordered the placement of complaints and suggestion boxes in the Passport Division for the public to report any attempt of extortion or acts unbecoming of personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The release said the suggestion boxes would be placed in the Passport Division beginning June 24, 2014. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is therefore urging members of the public to follow the passport guidelines posted on its website (www.mofa.gov.lr) or the guidelines placed on large bulletins in the Passport Section. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that the price for all versions of the Liberian Passport issued locally remains at US$ 23.00 and that any decision to increase the price of passport will be adequately communicated to the public”.

Related Captions: Dismissals At Foreign Ministry (The New Dawn Newspaper),Passport Fraud (FrontPage Africa), Five Persons Fire (New Democrat), Another Five Axed At MOFA (InProfile Daily)

Smile Liberia To Construct Pit Latrine

Smile Liberia, a humanitarian and non-governmental organization engaged with educational development has announced plans for the construction of a pit latrine for use by students of the Children Hope Community School in the Township of West Point, near Monrovia. The disclosure was made by the organization’s Country Coordinator Prince S. Parker during a visit to the school last week. Mr. Parker told the administration of the school that Smile Liberia will begin the construction of a pit latrine early next month with cost estimated at USD$1,250.00.  He said the project was identified and approved by the organization’s Board of Directors. The Smile Liberia executive explained that plans are being considered for the training of the school’s administrative staff as well as providing financial aid to students and the staff,   reports the News Newspaper.

GT Bank Gets US$7M

According to the News Newspaper, Guaranty Trust Bank Liberia Limited (GT Bank) has signed a six-year loan agreement valued at US$7 million with a French financial institution, Proparco. The loan is intended to support the private sector of Liberia. Speaking Monday at the signing ceremony, GT Bank Liberia Managing Director, Dan Orogun said the agreement marks a strategic partnership that has attracted external funding aimed at strengthening Liberia's private sector through the financing of medium to long-term investment projects. He believes that the loan agreement will have significant impact on the economic growth of Liberia.  

Caldwell Gets Sanitation Boost

The News Newspaper reports that the Commissioner of the Township of Caldwell Madam Alexine Menscole-Howard has revealed plans for the construction of 21 toilets across the Township. Speaking Monday at her office in Caldwell, she said her administration is in the process of constructing toilets in the seven wards in the Township to improve sanitation. Her project came after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspected and found out that over 600 houses in the Township were built without toilet. She said Emmanuel Harris, a resident has voluntarily given his personal property for the construction of the toilet.  

CAC, MIA Distribute Seed Rice

The New Dawn Newspaper reports that the city of Bensonville, Montserrado County was greeted by jubilating residents Monday, 23 June when the Ministry of Agriculture through its County Agriculture Coordinator or CAC and the Ministry of Internal Affair distributed sea rice to low landformers. According to the County Agriculture Coordinator Mulbah J. Bryant, the Ministry of Agriculture through his office gives sea rice to local farmers across the country every farming season characterized by signing of memorandum of understanding or MOU. Speaking during the distribution ceremony at the Bensonville administrative building, Mulbah warned farmers not to eat the sea rice.  

Ghana International Bank Opens Bankers’ Workshop

The London based Ghana International Bank (GHIB) Monday opened its first four day international trade finance training program in Monrovia, Liberia. In attendance are thirty bankers from four countries in West Africa namely The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The workshop will focus on recent issues in international trade finance, risk assessment, money laundering and fraud as well as practical problem solving. Making remarks at the opening of the workshop, the President of the Liberian Bankers Association (LBA) and also President and CEO of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), Mr. John B. S. Davies lll said: “We at the LBA are committed to promoting continuous professional development to ensure a sound banking system in Liberia and, to provide a forum for the discussion and communication of issues affecting the Banking community in particular and the economy as a whole. That is why I am particularly delighted that GHIB is delivering this program here in Liberia.” However, Ghana International Bank has over fifty years presence in the heart of the city of London, the world’s leading financial center, pens the New Dawn Newspaper.

Related Caption: GHIB Holds International Trade Finance Forum Here (Heritage Newspaper)

1^st Secretary/Consul To Nigeria Is Dead

The National Chronicle Newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release: The Embassy of the Republic of Liberia near Abuja, Nigeria, announces with profound regrets the death of its First Secretary /Consul, Mr. John Boye Howard. Mr. Howard died on Saturday June 21, 2014 at the Garki Hospital in Abuja after a period of brief illness. The late First Secretary was one of Liberia’s outstanding emerging diplomats, who served his country with dedication and commitment since he took up his post at the Abuja Mission in January, 2011. Prior to his assignment at the Abuja Mission, Mr. Howard served as Supreme Auditor at the General Auditing Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia. He graduated from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and earned an MBA Degree from Cuttington University.  He was also an Alumnus of the Foreign Service Institute of Liberia.  Keenly interested in his continuing education, Mr. Howard was currently enrolled in an advanced software engineering course at the Global Distance Learning Institute of Abuja. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Dekontee Joyce Doboyou Howard, two children, his Mother, several brothers, sisters and other relatives in Liberia and the United States of America.  His remains will be flown back home from Abuja pending funeral arrangements and interment.

Cellcom Sends 10 Winners To World Cup In Brazil

According to the Heritage Newspaper, ten lucky winners of Cellcom's trip to Brazil on Friday, June 20, 2014 received tickets and vouchers for their trip to experience the World Cup live in Brazil. The presentation of tickets and hotel vouchers were made at the Cellcom's Headquarters on Capital Bypass. Cellcom's Chairman, Mr. Avi Zaidenberg, CEO Mr. John Vasikaran, and Communications Strategist, Dr. Kimmie Weeks, congratulated each of the winners and presented them their vouchers. All of the 10 winners departed Liberia on Sunday and are scheduled to begin enjoying their BRazil experience this week. The winners were: Korto Williams, Henry Ashitey, John Boley, Celestine Poney, Jackson Musa, Dan Angelo George, Jeremiah Johnson, Wonder Freeman, CharaFeddine V. Camille and Sateyea Quaye. In a related development, Cellcom is continuing its ongoing trip to the Holy Land. With the trip to the Holy Land, customers simply have to purchase a $15 dual sim phone from Cellcom's head office, point of sales, and at Cellcom's sales points at Total service stations around the country.

Margibi Fines 2 Schools For Violating MOE Rules

Margibi County Education Officer Gorma Minnie has imposed fines on two private high schools in Kakata, the provincial capital, for violating the Ministry of Education regulation on school gala day celebration. According to the Liberia News Agency, the Frances Mitchell Memorial High School was fined L$50,000 and the John Joseph High School slapped with a L$60,000 fine. They were ordered to pay the fines into government revenue within 24 hours, exhibit official flag receipts from the Ministry of Finance and present copies of the receipts to the office the County Education Officer for verification, In Profile Daily reports.

ZRTTI Graduates 156

At least 156 Liberians teachers have graduated from the Zorzor Institute (ZRTTI) in Lofa County with a call to be professional in the discharge of their duties or risk being disgraced. Deputy Education Minister for Administration, Atty. Ramses Kumbuyah, speaking at the graduation ceremony over the weekend warned that anyone (teachers) caught requesting sex for grades and receiving bribes will be dealt with in keeping with the regulation of the Ministry of Education, New Democrat reports

15 Deregistered Political Parties React To Govt Ruling

Fifteen political parties that were deregistered by the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice recently have reacted to the Courts ruling. The affected parties through their Chairman, Rev. Victor Saylee, expressed dismay and rejection of the ruling of the 6^th Judicial Circuit Court of Montserrado County presided over by Judge Peter Gbeninwweleh.  They described the ruling as unconstitutional and a recipe for conflict. According to the Liberia News Agency, Rev. Saylee, who is also the National Chairman of the Original Congress Party of Liberia, made the statement late Friday evening in Monrovia in an interview with a team of journalists. The deregistered political parties are; the National Union for Democratic Progress, Citizens Unification Party, Freedom Alliance Party, Original Congress Party, Liberia Empowerment Party, Progressive Democratic Party, Liberia Destiny Party, National Reformation Party, National Democratic Party of Liberia, Liberia Reconstruction Party, National Social Democratic Party of Liberia, Liberia Equal Rights Party, Majority Party of Liberia and Progressive People’s Party , In Profile Daily writes.

Related Caption: 15 Deregistered Political Parties React To Court Ruling (FOCUS), 15 Deregistered Political Parties React To Court Ruling(Heritage)

Fallen Radio Piso Journalist Laid To Rest

The late Liberian broadcast journalist, Thomas N’dorboyan who worked with Radio Piso is  in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County has been laid to rest. Journalist N’dorbor died on June 5 at the Government Hospital in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, following a brief illness. In his funeral discourse, the Priest-In-Charge of the St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Robertsport, Rev. Fr. George Geoyan, admonished Liberians to refrain from corruption, dishonesty, back-biting and undermining each other, Inprofile Daily Reports

Southeast Poised For Electrification, Industrial Dev. - Putu Mines To Pave Zwedru-Greenville Highway

Southeastern Liberia is set to experience its most serious development undertaking in the history of the region. Lands Mines and Energy Minister Patrick Sendolo, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Observer early Monday morning, revealed that to  begin with, the electrical lines are now being tested for Harper and Pleebo in Maryland County to receive electricity from La Cote d’Ivoire. It is only a matter of time, probably weeks, before the Maryland’s two principal cities will be fully electrified, Daily Observer writes.

24^th GIMAC Meeting Ends In Malabo

The 24^th Gender is My Agenda Campaign pre-summit consultative meeting on gender mainstreaming recently ended at the Sipopo Conference Center in Malabo. Equatorial Guinea with over 25 African Gender Ministers in attendance. Speaking at the opening of the summit, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Leo Helleman said it is important for women and girls to be prioritized when it comes to agriculture in Africa because women play a major role in food security , Inquirer writes.

Records At Archives Bureau To Go To CHDRA

Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Boakai Kanneh has disclosed that all records and documents at the Bureau of Archives at the Foreign Ministry would be transferred to the  Center for national Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA) for preservations. He described Archival records as records that are not frequently in use but which need to be preserved for future references, In Profile Daily reports.

Housing Turns Over Matadi To Residents

The National Housing Authority (NHA) has legally given out title deeds to residents of the Matadi Housing Estates to ensure that they are now owners of where they are residing. Managing Director, Samuel W. Thompson said, the giving out of title deeds to the residents is just the first batch to ensure that they (residents) have met up with government’s mandate; he also said that some have paid for their properties and some are eligible for waiver based on the number of years they had lived there, Inquirer reports.

BRC, LNRCS Resume Partnership – More Support Imminent

The British Red Cross Society (BRCS) has resumed its support and collaboration with the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNPCS) after over two years of withdrawal, LNRCS Secretary General, Fayiah Tamba, has announced. The BRCS decision to reopen working relationship with its Liberian counterpart was reached at a partnership meeting held in the United Kingdom recently where the LNRCS had gone to participate. Addressing a press conference in Monrovia yesterday, SG Tamba told newsmen that the LNRCS is gratified to have successfully persuaded their British counterpart to recommit to support LNRCS again , Daily Observer reports.