THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2015

News ofWorld Trade Organization determination in accepting Liberia as a member of the WTO,the Board of Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia pronouncement  of the company’s internal re-organization exercise aimed at ensuring the survival of the entity, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf mandate for theMinistries of Education and Finance and Development Planning to work with the Governance Commission to prepare the needed textbooks in line with the published Curriculum of Citizen’s Education of Liberia, the dismissal of two officials of the Foreign Ministry among others  are stories  dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

The Summary also highlights Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s call for three Liberians taking assignments in the nation’s Foreign Service in Europe to take the Liberian Flag with them everywhere they go.

Liberia’s Acceptance To World Trade organization Imminent…Delegation Impressed With Work Done Here

It has been disclosed in Monrovia that by December the World Trade Organization (WTO) will gather in Nairobi, Kenya to take a determination in accepting Liberia as a member of the WTO. The disclosure was made by Dr. Cheidu Osakwe, a member of the high level WTO team visiting Liberia when he spoke Friday, August 21 at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and industry, Heritage newspaper reports.

Related Captions: Trade Boosts Imminent…As Liberia Gets Close To WTO Accession(The Inquirer), Liberia Awaits Economic Recovery(New Democrat), Economic Growth Liberia’s Accession To The World Trade Organization ‘Sealed With Better Benefits’(FrontPage Africa), Liberia’s Better Business Climate Advances(In Profile Daily)

Restructuring Plan For NOCAL  ‘No Other Options’, Says Chairman, Cllr. Seward Cooper

The Board of Directors of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) has announced that the company has embarked on an internal re-organization exercise aimed at ensuring the survival of the entity. Addressing the company’s management and staff Friday, August 21, at a general staff meeting in Monrovia, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Counselor Seward Cooper, explained that the continuing fall in the price of oil on the global market has caused serious fiscal difficulties for the company. He said despite the best efforts of the board and the management to put in place several austerity measures to manage the situation, the continuing crumbling oil prices have severely undermined NOCAL’s capacity to meet its operational and personnel obligations. Accordingly, he regretted that the company is left with no options other than putting in place a company-wide restructuring plan to include personnel and related administrative and operational adjustments that could significantly reduce the entity’s overhead costs. Disclosing that the management will work out the details of the plan with each staff/employee in the coming weeks, Counselor Cooper called on the NOCAL family to show understanding for the personnel reduction and re-arrangement scheme. He stressed that the restructuring and administrative adjustments will affect every layer of the company, including the Board and Management, and a new recruitment of re-employment exercise will be guided by the highest standard of transparency, with the Board having hired an external consultant to carry out the entire process, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: ‘Mass Severance’ At NOCAL…Board Blames Decision On Fallen Oil Prices(The News), NOCAL Adopts More Austerity Measures(The Inquirer). NOCAL Faces Serious Fiscal Difficulties …But Company Adopts More Austerity Measures For Going Forward(Heritage), NP COMMISSIONS NEW LPG PLANT (The New Dawn), NOCAL Under Goes Restructuring(The New Dawn)

Ellen Wants Textbooks On Citizens’ Education

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has mandated the Ministries of Education (MOE) and Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to work with the Governance Commission to prepare the needed textbooks in line with the published Curriculum of Citizen’s Education of Liberia. The Curriculum for Citizen’s Education is an academic tool prepared by the Governance Commission (GC) along with other stakeholders including the Ministry of Education and some experts. The President’s mandate was contained in her statement during the 168th celebration of National Flag Day at the Centennial Pavilion on Ashmun Street, Monrovia. Stressing the need for the circulation of the textbooks, President Sirleaf expressed hope that the expected books will be out by 2017 for use in various schools in the Republic. President Sirleaf underscored the need to enshrine applicable human rights in the new books to allow Liberian students understand their rights and responsibilities to their country and government. In her Flag Day message, President Sirleaf said the day should remind all Liberians about their duties to their country to develop the spirit of patriotism and unity. The keynote speaker of the day, Dr. Joseph T. Isaac, spoke on “Patriotism” and defined it in simple terms as respect for one’s nation and remembering those who contributed to national development. He also stressed that patriotism reflects sense of national identity and willingness to promote one’s culture. Describing the flag and relating it to its makers, Dr. Isaac said the seven women who made it demonstrated patriotism to their native country, stressing that patriotism must rely on visionary people who see what others do not see. He said respecting and hoisting the flag shows love for our country and every Liberian should be proud of hoisting the flag. “The flag should remain the national emblem and pride of our country,” he noted. Dr. Isaac said history about the flag should be told to Liberian children and parents should attach importance to it to their children since it represents the pride of the nation, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Ellen Launches New National Curriculum-On Citizenship Education(The New Republic), Ellen Launches Curriculum On Citizenship(The New Dawn), “Promote Your Country’s Image With Patriotism”…168^th Flag Day Orator Urges(The Inquirer), Flag Day - 'Don’t Change Liberian Flag, Orator Urges Patriotism'(FrontPage Africa)

Two Dismissed At The Foreign Ministry -Passport Director Davies Suspended One Month On The Job

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dismissed the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thomas Kaydor. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf said his dismissal is due to behavior unbecoming of a senior government official as an investigation proceeds by the Ministry of Justice with the misuse of Japanese Grant Funds by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Liberian Chief Executive has also dismissed Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs, Mr. Jeddi Armah for the authorization of a Diplomatic passport to a Ministry staff that did not comply with policy. President Sirleaf has directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Augustine Ngafuan, to suspend the Director of Passport, Mrs. Finda Davies, for one month on the job without pay for carrying out instruction by issuing a passport even though it was clear that there was a violation. These decisions take immediate effect, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Ellen Dismisses Two At Foreign Ministry…Suspends Passport Director(The News), Jeddi Armah, Others Dismisses…Passport Director Suspended(The Inquirer), Ellen Dismisses Two At Foreign Ministry…Suspends Passport Director Davies For One Month On The Job(Heritage)

Pres. Sirleaf Chairs Education Roundtable Forum

The New Dawnnewspaper writes that in further consultations with stakeholders on how to improve the country’s education sector, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has chaired an Education Roundtable Meeting “Getting to Best”. An Executive Mansion release said President Sirleaf met with education stakeholders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium on Friday, August 21, 2015. She was joined by Education Minister George Werner and the leadership of the Education Ministry, Cabinet Ministers, International Partners, educational authorities of private and public institutions, advocacy education organizations, and student advocacy institutions, among others. The President warned that reforming the education sector to “best” is going to be a long road and not a quick fix. “Whatever we do is going to take years,” she warned, nothing, “Our challenge is to start the process, get the elements of that process right taking into account the recommendations advanced by the participants”. She urged Liberians in the education sector to continue with consultations at different levels – students, teachers, parents-teachers association, among others and further discuss and address some of the many challenges affecting the sector including the ills in schools and how they can be overcome.

Related Captions: Ellen Chairs Roundtable Meeting On Education(The News), Pres. Sirleaf Concedes Missteps In Liberia’s Education Reform(FrontPage Africa)

Go with the Liberian Flag -Foreign Min. Ngafuan Urges; Commissions 3 Foreign Servicemen

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry as saying the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has urged three young Liberians, who have now taken assignments in the nation’s Foreign Service in Europe to take the Liberian Flag with them everywhere they go. Mssrs. Albert K. Jaja, Francis R. Grant and Prince Maxwell have now been placed at the Liberian Embassies in London, United Kingdom as Minister Counselor/Press and Public Affairs; Paris, France as First Secretary/Consul; and Second Secretary/Protocol Relations, Brussels, Belgium, respectively. Commissioning the three men last Friday, August 21st, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Ngafuan, on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, extended “profound congratulations to the ‘crème de la crème,’ adding: “the Liberian people whom you will be serving, would wish you well”. “As you embark on this historic milestone in your lives, I want to say to you go with the Liberian Flag,” he urged them. Foreign Minister Ngafuan reminded them that even though they have their individual names, but in their respective interactions in the Foreign Service, people may not remember their names but will look at them as Liberia. He charged the trio that what they will do in their places of assignment would ultimately make Liberia retrogress of progress. “Liberia will be pushed forward or backward by what you do or don’t do. So, it will be Liberia. You are going to be lifting the Flag of Liberia,” the Minister told the three men, who sat attentively and listened to the charges from their boss.  The Minister said he has no doubts that the men have the potential to lift Liberia high, as they had already undergone the drills and preparation for Foreign Service and have obtained the necessary qualifications, including academic.  As some probably began to think that it would be all ‘milk and honey’ for the diplomats, the Minister, however, was quick to point out that it won’t be all milk and honey on their various missions. “We know that all is not milk and honey in the Foreign Service. All of you are going to Europe, some of our best missions. In some instances there can be challenges. We would be the first to tell you get prepared. You are soldiers going into battle. If you never had what it takes to fight and win, we will not put you in battle,” he urged them.  However, he told them that Monrovia won’t deliberately do things to test their resolves; adding: “And if there is any attempt by anyone to try to put you through that kind of test, we will resist it. We will try to ensure that you get all the tools, the financial and other logistical empowerment on time”. Despite this, the Minister admonished the men that where there would be glitches, he trusts that they will hold on, as others have done. He charged them to go with humility as they are going to work under ambassadors and work with other colleagues. “Go and add value and flavor to your Missions”. Foreign Minister Ngafuan then called on all the Ambassadors to be opened to creativity and innovations as those new servicemen are creative and innovative. He said the trio’s absence at their previous places of work, including the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) and the Protocol Office at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, will definitely create voids. He asked rhetorically, however, “Even though we are sad but should we stop you from going? We can’t because we know that you all are going to lift the Flag of Liberia high. Go and explore the world”. He thanked the wives or fiancées and families of the men as they would be very critical to their successes on the missions. In their separate responses, they promised to carry with them and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia in their hearts and hands. They praised President Sirleaffor giving them the opportunity to serve their country. In their previous positions, all the three men had served with "distinction" in their respective areas of assignment with the Ministries of State, Foreign Affairs and Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism. The honorees had time to take pictures with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senior Officials of the Foreign Ministry, their families and friends.

Related Caption:  Foreign Min. Ngafuan Commissions 3 Servicemen(The Inquirer)

“Gov’t Will Protect Foreign Investments”…VP Boakai

Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has assured foreign investors that the Liberian Government will protect foreign investments in the country at all cost. He stated that the protection of foreign investments is crucial to the socio-economic development of Liberia and its people. The Liberian Vice President made the statement Friday when he dedicated a US$5 million cooking gas plant of the Nexium Petroleum Liberia Limited held at the Old LPRC Compound in Gardnerville, outside Monrovia, the News newspaper reports.

Remembering Nigerian Generals – President Sirleaf Pays Tribute To Former AFL Heads

The Government of Liberia (GOL) held a Memorial Service for the late General Suraj Alao Abdurrahman, former Commanding Officer In Charge (COIC) of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). The Nigerian General served the Armed Forces of Liberia from June 2007 to February 2014 and during that time he was instrumental in the formation of a new and disciplined AFL which subsequently produced a Liberian Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Daniel D. Ziankah. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as head of the Liberian government alongside the top envoy of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and other non-governmental organizations were also present at the Memorial Service held at the Morovia City Hall, FrontPage Africa newspaper asserts.

Related Caption:  Gen. Abdurrahman Remembered(The Inquirer)

Senate To Pass New LEC Act

The Liberian Senate will shortly pass into law a new Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Act following series of public hearing conducted on the proposed act.. The Act, which was submitted to that body in July of this year by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is currently under scrutiny by the Senate’s Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural resources and Environment headed by Grand Kru Senator, Albert Chea, the New Republic newspaper reports.

Liberia Prepares For ‘Cadre Harmonise’ Compliance

Liberia has joined 14 other countries in the Sahel and West Africa to work towards the adopting of a regional tool that would tackle food and nutrition insecurity. Closing a week-long workshop in Monrovia over the weekend, the Executive Director of the food security and nutrition unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, Doree A. Weeks said the national workshop was intended to analyze food and nutrition security using the Cadre Harmonise as a regional too. Dr. Charles McClain who proxied for the Agriculture Minister thanked the participants and said as lead institution, the MoA is interested in getting more analytical data as the process moves on, the Inquirer newspaper writes.

Police Prepare For Chinese Language

Forty-three staff members of the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization will undergo one-academic year training in the Chinese language and culture at the Confucius Institute at University of Liberia beginning this week. Registration and tuition for the training is free, New Democrat newspaper reports.