THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2015

News of Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s statement that unsustainable development can no longer be treated as an issue of the future as it is a threat of today, the Constitution Review Committee presentation of its final report containing recommendations to amend the Constitution of Liberia and the onward submission of the document to the Liberian Senate and President Johnson Sirleaf’s condolence message to  the Government and People of the Republic of Indonesia, for the death of 54 persons as a result of a plane crash are stories  dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Unsustainable Development Is A Threat of Today…Declares Minister Ngafuan

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has stated that unsustainable development can no longer be treated as an issue of the future as it is a threat of today. The Liberian Foreign Minister stated that the longer people who think that sustainability is good for the earth delay to act, “the bolder and more horrendous people who do not believe in preserving the environment become in their uncontrolled quest to advance their interest at the expense of the earth”. According to the release, Min. Ngafuan delivered Special Statement, Monday, August 18, at the Gaborone Declaration for Sustainability in Africa (GDSA) Government Stakeholders Meeting in Monrovia. The one-day stakeholders’ meeting was chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Speaking further, Foreign Minister Ngafuan said the Liberian Government continues to be grateful to the Government of Botswana, Conservation International (CI) and other development partners for hosting the Summit of Sustainability in Africa in 2012, which resulted in the Gaborone Declaration. According to him, the signing of the Gaborone Declaration by African countries in March of 2012, showed their unity of purpose to safe the African continent and the world. He said they had recommitted themselves to all international instruments including the RIO +20 and its principles. He further stated that when they met in Gaborone, Botswana, they had concerned that “The historical pattern of natural resources exploitation has failed to promote sustained growth, environmental integrity and improved social capital; and economic growth and human well-being in Africa will be threatened if they did not undertake concerted action to halt and reverse the degradation and loss of healthy ecosystems and biodiversity, and to enhance society’s ability to adapt to climate change and environmental risks and scarcities. “The Declaration is a welcome development because unlike other initiatives, it specifically addressed sustainable development and how to harness Africa's potentials. Speaking earlier, Hon. Anyaa Vohiri, Executive Director, EPA, stated that the outcome of the GDSA actually was a result of a number of meetings that had taken place. Ms. Vohiri said in May 2012, 10 African Heads of State, including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, met in Botswana to discuss the idea and hence the name: Gaborone Declaration.

Related Captions: Unsustainable Development Is A Threat (The New Dawn), “Unsustainable Development Is A Threat Of Today”…Minister Ngafuan Assert (The Inquirer), Unsustainable Development Is A Threat Of Today-Min. Ngafuan; Delivers Special Statement At EPA Program (FOCUS), Liberia’s Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan Speaking (INSIGHT), Environmentalists Discuss Way forward For Development In Africa (Heritage)

Ellen Receives CRC Final Report On The NCC

The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has presented its final report on the National Constitution Conference (NCC) also containing recommendations to amend the Constitution of Liberia as well as several CDs of the 1986 Liberian Constitution in the 16 local vernaculars to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. During a formal presentation ceremony at the office of the President, the Chairperson of the CRC, Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, on behalf of her colleagues, thanked President Sirleaf for the confidence reposed in them to perform the task and for the opportunity provided them to form part of such an historic national project. “Madam President, thank you for this opportunity to formally present to you the report from the National Constitution Conference,” Cllr. Scott said. She catalogued the President’s mandate given the Committee and the process they embarked on over three years to reach this point. Cllr. Scott reported the excellent cooperation from ex-officio members, the Governance Commission (GC), Law Reform Commission (LRC) and partners that strengthened them particularly providing financial, technical and moral support during the process. “Their vast experience and knowledge were at our disposal, and we have now reached this point,” she indicated, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Caption:  Ellen Receives CRC’s Final Report On National Constitution Conference (Heritage), CRC Presents Final Repot To Pres. Sirleaf (FOCUS). At the same time, the Heritage newspaper writes under the caption “Ellen Rejects Proposition to “Christianize” Liberia…but Wants Presidential and Legislative Tenures Reduced“ that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has submitted propositions from the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to the Liberian Senate, rejecting the one to “Christianize” Liberia. On the other hand President Johnson Sirleaf wants the presidential and legislative tenures reduced. It can be recalled that in August 2012, President Johnson Sirleaf constituted a six-member committee headed by Counselor Glorai Musu Scott, to amongst other things, arrange public discourses to solicit views from Liberians across the country, and other parts of the world to make some changes in the 1986 Liberian constitution. Delegates at a National Constitution Review Conference held in Gbarnga, Bong County from March 29-April 2, 2015, endorsed twenty five (25) propositions to be changed in the constitution of Liberia. Meanwhile, the Senators have sent the President’s communication to the committees on claims, petition and judiciary awaiting additional document from the Liberian leader.

Related Captions: Ellen Rejects Christian State Proposition (The New Republic), ‘Christian State’ Scrapped-As Ellen Favors Dual Citizenship (The New Dawn), Ellen Rejects Christianizing Liberia…Writes Senate (The News), Ellen Submits CRC’s Report To The Senate (The Inquirer), Pres. Sirleaf Advocates For Dual-Citizenship-Writes Senate To Disregard To CRC’s Proposition (FOCUS)

Ellen Consoles Indonesia on Death of 54 Persons

The Heritage newspaper quoting a Foreign Ministry release reports that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Message of Condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Indonesia for the death of 54 persons as a result of a plane crash in the Tangok Mountain. In the message to His Excellency Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name, to the Government and People of Indonesia, especially the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives as a result of the plane crash. President Sirleaf noted in her message that as the People of Indonesia mourn the loss of their compatriots, it is her prayer that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen President Widodo during this period of bereavement and give the People of Indonesia strength, courage and fortitude during this difficult period.  

Related Captions: Ellen Consoles Indonesia On Death Of 54 Persons (Daily Observer), Pres. Sirleaf Sends Message Of Condolence To Indonesia (The New Dawn), Ellen Consoles Indonesia (INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

Monrovia City Corporation Receives 20 New Busses From Istanbul – Some To Ease Transportation constraints

The Monrovia City Corporation has received twenty new busses from the government and people of Istanbul in Turkey. Making the disclosure, Tuesday August 18, 2015, Madam Clara Doe Mvogo, Monrovia’s City Mayor said two of the busses will be given to the Paynesville City Corporation; while additional two will be donated to the Liberia National Police. In addition, Madam Mvogo said sixteen out of the total of 20 busses will be sent to the National Transit Authority for proper management and transportation purposes. According to her, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be reach between the NAT and MCC on how the busses will be manage, noting that the NTA will on a monthly basis make a report on the status of busses, INSIGHT newspaper reports.

UNFPA Celebrates World Humanitarian Day

The United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA has called for increase action and funding for sexual and reproductive health services globally, including gender-based violence and for the meaningful participation of affected populations, especially women and young people. The call is contained in a message by UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin in New York to mark World Humanitarian Day today, August 19, the New Dawn newspaper writes.   

LNFS To Revamp Substations Nationwide

The National Fire Service (LNFS) is contemplating on revamping its substations in major towns and cities in the country shortly, the Director of LNFS, G. Warsuwah Barvoul, has disclosed. He noted that revamping the fire service across the country is also intended to fill in the gaps when the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) completes its drawdown in 2016, heritage writes.

Chinese University Partners Stella Maris On Student Exchange

China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Stella Maris Polytechnic to establish an academic and professional relationship, including student exchange. According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the memorandum of understanding will promote and accelerate programs in Science and technology, research, training and extension in various technical disciplines of engineering and other related business and management courses. Under the MOU, the program is intended to establish and develop cooperation as a mutually beneficial relationship which aims at jointly pursuing original and applied research of mutual interest. “The agreement shall be implemented through development of biennial work plans, to be developed jointly, that describe specifically the activities to be carried out and which set forth the intended contribution of each party”. The parties agree that units (schools or faculties) undertaking a particular task under the scope of the agreement will enter into bilateral contracts.