THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015

News of the Japanese Government’s official pronouncementon the resumption of the operation of its funded projects in Liberia including the reconstruction of the Somalia Drive in Monrovia, the United States Government’s decision to relax screening procedures for passengers travelling to the United States from Liberia,and the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa call to strengthen anti-corruption institutions in the region in order to effectively curb corruption and promote economic and social development are stories highlighted in today’s edition of our daily news summary.

DOMINANT STORIES

Japan Announces Resumption Of Projects In Liberia – As Somalia Drive Road Remains Top Priority

Today’s edition of the INSIGHT newspaper asserts that the Government of Japan through the Japan Corporation Agency (JICA) has officially announced the resumption of the operation of Japan funded projects in Liberia including the reconstruction of the Somalia Drive in Monrovia, and the project for the rehabilitation of Monrovia Power System which was suspended due to Ebola outbreak in Liberia. Speaking on behalf of the Liberian Government, Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, added, “Today is a great day, for Liberia and Liberians because today we are kicking off a project which will have tremendous impact in the lives of the Liberian people”.  Also making brief remarks at the ceremony, the Chief Representative of JICA, Ghana Office,and Mr. Koji Makinocongratulated the Government and People of Liberia for their efforts to win the battle against the deadly Ebola virus. He at the same time extended condolences to those who sacrificed and lost their lives during the crisis.

Related Captions: Somalia Drive Road Project To Commence Soon…JICA Discloses(Heritage), Somalia Drive Road Project Starts Soon(The New Republic), Somalia Drive Raid Mass Demolition Begins(New Democrat), Construction Begins On Somalia Drive Road-Residents Warned To Relocate(FrontPage Africa), Somalia Drive Squatters Face Doom…As Gov’t Plans Destruction Of Makeshift Structures, Others Soon(FOCUS)

U.S. Revises Screening Procedures

The New Democrat newspaper reports that: The United States Embassy near Monrovia has informed of the relaxation of screening procedures for passengers travelling to the United States from Liberia, which comes into effect on June 17, 2015. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the U.S. Government says travelers from Liberia will continue to be funneled through five selected U.S. Airports, but screening will be scaled back, while temperature will not be measured and reported on arrival, but contact information will still be left to state authorities. It says though requirements for active monitoring will end immediately, local or states jurisdiction may exercise discretion. The United State Government further urges Liberia to remain vigilant since the threat of a renewed Ebola outbreak will remain in the region, especially until all effected countries reach the equivalent milestone. The U.S. Government also calls on Liberia to take rigorous surveillance measures, particularly along the Liberia Sierra Leone and Guinea borders as a best defense against the reintroduction of Ebola in Liberia, including maintaining effective entry and exit screening at all points of entry.  The release says although Liberia has been removed from the list of Ebola affected countries , the United States has consistently advocated for a regional approach to the outbreak and has publically stated that the epidemic would have to end in the entire region before any of the three affected countries would .be adequately protected from a recurrence of the outbreak. The United State believes Liberia’s success strengthens the determination of the peoples of Sierra Leone and Guinea to continue their efforts to reach Zero cases of Ebola. The U.S. then congratulates the Government and People of Liberia on reaching the important milestone marked by WHO announcement that the Ebola epidemic in Liberia has ended, stressing that the success of the response in Liberia demonstrates that the world can beat the disease if everyone works together and responds quickly with the usage of the right tools including rapid diagnosis, contact tracing, surveillance, isolation of cases , safe and dignified burials, community outreach, and dedication.

Related Captions: U.S. Warns Liberia Over Threats Of New Ebola Outbreak(INSIGHT), U.S. Warns Liberia Against Threat Of New Ebola Outbreak(Heritage)

NACIWA Calls For Strengthening Of Anti-Corruption Institutions In W/Africa

The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) has called for the strengthening of anti-corruption institutions in the region in order to effectively curb corruption and promote economic and social development. The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the Extraordinary General Assembly of NACIWA which took place in Bamako, Mali from 8-9, June 2015. Liberia was represented by the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr. who is the current vice Chairman of the Bureau of Executives of NACIWA, In Profile Daily reports.

Related Captions: West African Group Wants Anti-Corruption Institutions Strengthened(New Democrat), NACIWA Calls For Strengthening Of Anti-Corruption Institutions In The Region(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES

Sweden Remains ‘Strong Partner’ To Liberia’s Recovery…Min. Wallstrom

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom has assured that Sweden will remain a strong partner to Liberia as the country embarks on its post-Ebola recovery. She commended Liberia for its efforts in the fight against Ebola and applauded the personal leadership role played by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the fight against the Ebola virus. According to a Foreign Ministry dispatch, during their discussions Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan expressed appreciation to the Swedish Government and People, on behalf of President Sirleaf and the Government and People of Liberia, for Sweden’s support to Liberia’s successful fight ageist the Ebola Virus, The NEWS newspaper asserts.

Liberia Receives Humanitarian Award For Fight Against Ebola

A U.S. based Non-Governmental organization; the American Council for Voluntary Interaction (InterAction) has selected a Liberian Environmental Specialist as the recipient of its 2015 humanitarian award for leading a vigorous fight against the Ebola Virus in Liberia. Mr. George Jordu Woryonwon was awarded the humanitarian accolade for the form, manner dynamism and love country exhibited during the fight against the Ebola Virus across the country. In a letter, the American Council for Voluntary International Action Congratulated Mr. Woryonwon for his preferment for the 2015 Humanitarian Award, Heritage pens.

Related Captions: Liberian Receives Humanitarian Award For Fight Against Ebola(INSIGHT)

U.S. Gov’t Provides US$46,000 Grant

The United States Government has provided a grant of US$46,000 to four Mandela Washington Fellows to help improve the health and education sectors in Montserrado and Grand Bassa Counties. The four Liberians and United States Ambassador Deborah Malac on Wednesday signed the grant document at a brief celebration held at the US Embassy in Monrovia. The four Mandela Washington Fellows are: Yassah Lavelah, James Alben Greaves, Matthew Fred and James Mulbah, the News newspaper reports.

Ramadan Starts Today – Says Muslim Cleric Sumaworo

Sumaworo said this year’s Ramadan will be characterized by prayers at all Mosques in Liberia for total peace and genuine reconciliation and tolerance for other religious beliefs. To this end, the Grand Mufti has urged all Muslims to get close to Allah and be their brothers keeper, The New Republic reports.

Related Caption: Ramadan  Begins Today( New Democrat)

CVE Toolkit Validation Begins – As NEC Foresees Competitiveness In 2017 Elections

The In Profile Daily newspaper says Authorities at the National Elections Commission and facilitators, including representatives of civil society organizations, have begun a three-day validation of a recently developed Civic and Voter Education Toolkit at DEN-L near Gbarnga, Bong County. “Civic education provides the basic information that the voter would need to exercise his or her fundamental right in choosing the political leadership. Without concrete information, we are not sure one can exercise that right properly…”, NEC Chairman, Cllr. Jerome G. Korkoya, noted yesterday at the start of the toolkit validation process being held on 9^th Street, Sinkor.