THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015

President  Johnson Sirleaf’s departed for Berlin, Germany and New York to participate in series of meetings with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and officials at the UN General Assembly, the Proclamation declaring today, September 16 as World Ozone Protection Day and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf additional appointments in Government affecting the Liberia National Lotteries Authority, National Fire Service, Liberia Telecommunications Corporation and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration are stories dominating our summary of today’s local dailies.

.

DOMINANAT STORIES

President Sirleaf Off To Berlin, New York For Un General Assembly

According to FrontPage Africa newspaper, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has departed the country for Berlin, German to participate in series of meetings with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other women leaders that will focus on improvement in health systems.  According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian President will then head to New York, United States of America to commence numerous meetings at the United Nations General Assembly, as she concludes her international assignment relating to the new Global Agenda. At the meeting in Berlin, President Sirleaf is accompanied by Deputy Minister of Health for Planning & Research, Yah M. Zolia and the Pastor of Christ Kingdom Harvest Church Orphanage, Madam Ophelia Beh Ghartey, who administers to Ebola orphans. The delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Augustine Ngafuan will join President Sirleaf in New York.  Defense Minister, Hon. Brownie Samukai, will chair the Cabinet in consultation with the Vice President, Dr. Joseph N. Boakai.

Related Captions: Ellen Off To Germany, New York (The News), Ellen Off To Germany, New York For UN General Assembly (Heritage)

More Appointments Made In Government

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made a number of appointments in Government affecting the Liberia National Lotteries Authority, National Fire Service, Liberia Telecommunications Corporation and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration. According to the Heritage newspaper, these appointments are subject to confirmation by the Senate where applicable. Those appointed include: Mr. Martin Kollie, Director General, Liberia National Lotteries Authority; Mr. Jacob Johnson, Assistant Director for Operations, National Fire Service and Cllr. Carlos Smith, Chairman, Board of Directors, Liberia Telecommunications Corporation among others.

Related Captions:  Ellen Makes Appointment In Government-Off To Germany, USA (The Informer), President Sirleaf Makes More Appointments In Government (FrontPage Africa), Ellen Makes New Appointments In Gov’t Departs for Germany, USA (Daily Observer)

Today Is World Ozone Protection Day

The In Profile Daily reports that President Ellen Johnson has issued a Proclamation declaring Wednesday, September 16, 2015 as World Ozone Protection Day to be observed as a Working Holiday throughout the Republic. A Foreign Ministry release says the day will be celebrated under the Theme: “30 Years of Healing The Ozone Together” and national theme “Ozone: All There Is Between You and UV”. The proclamation calls on all citizens, and foreign residents, government ministries and agencies, as well as National and international organizations concerned, to join the Environmental Protection Agencies in order to execute appropriate programs befitting the occasion.  September 16th of this year marks the 28th anniversary of the World Ozone Protection Day  Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer,  adding that the observance is in recognition of the protocol’s unique accomplishments, particularly the significant environmental and health benefits that the treaty has yielded,  The Proclamation recalled that Liberia is a signatory to the protocol signed in 1996 and is therefore committed to ensuring appropriate and responsible reduction of the usage of ozone–depleting substances through the enactment of laws aimed at minimizing environmental impact on the use of the compounds.  In 1987, twenty–four member states met in Montreal, Canada and signed a treaty which came into force on January 1, 1989, on the substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, the proclamation further declares.

Related Captions: Wednesday Declared World Ozone Protection Day (Heritage), Today Is World Ozone Protection Day (New Democrat)

OTHER STORIES

Ellen Congratulates United Mexican States On 205^th Independence Celebration

The Heritage newspaper reports that the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Enrique Pene Nieto, President of the United Mexican States, the Government and People of Mexico on the occasion marking the 205th Independence Anniversary of that country on September 16, 2015. In her message to her Mexican counterpart, H.E. Mr. Enrique Pene Nieto, President Johnson Sirleaf extended heartfelt felicitations and best wishes to the Government and People of the United Mexican States on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name. "While you commemorate this Day, the people of Liberia are appreciative of the efforts to deepening cordial ties existing between our two countries and peoples, which were demonstrated by your support in the international intervention to contain and eradicate the deadly ebola virus disease, and the exchange of Ambassadors to our two countries" the Liberian leader stressed. President Johnson Sirleaf then hoped that Liberia and Mexico continue to work together for the improvement of both relations and the betterment of the lives of their respective peoples.

Boakai Heads Delegation To US-Liberia Investment Forum

Vice President Joseph N. Boakai at the head of a high powered Liberian Government delegation is in New York, the United States of America to attend the United States-Liberia Trade and Investment Forum of 2015 held under the auspices of the Government of Liberia and Developing Markets Associates focusing on Investment opportunities in Liberia, the News newspaper writes.

Related Caption: VP Boakai Addresses US-Liberia Investment Forum In New York Today (Heritage)

Senate Receives Act To Establish MOH

The Daily Observer write that the Liberian Senate during the 4th day sitting of its Extraordinary Session yesterday received from President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, an Act to amend the new Executive Law of 1972 establishing the Ministry of Health. In her letter dated September 12, 2015, President Sirleaf informed the lawmakers that the objective of the bill is to amend the provision of the Executive Law Part 2, Chapter 30, establishing the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare and establishes a restructured Ministry of Health, separate and distinct from Social Welfare. -The Ministry according to the Act will focus on the development of the health care sector, and when passed into law should enable the Ministry to be more responsive in providing affordable and better quality health care. “In view of the above and for the purpose of ensuring that all health sectors are more functional, I ask for the enactment of this important instrument by the Legislature”, says President Sirleaf.

“AFL Will Comply” -Samukai Assures ICRC Head of Delegation

Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai, Jr., has assured the head of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Julien Lerisson that the execution of operative missions of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) will be in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). In his welcome remarks to Mr. Lerisson at the Ministry of National Defense (MOD) in Monrovia where the latter paid him a courtesy call Tuesday; Minister Samukai asserted that the MOD remains supportive of the work of the ICRC in Liberia. The Minister further reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the principles governing international law that apply during humanitarian crisis, adding “we appreciate and firmly recognize the humanitarian role of ICRC globally. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that enlisted, NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and officers of the AFL uphold the tenets of IHL within the perimeters of their functions.” The Defense boss further intimated that his Ministry will close ranks with the ICRC in an effort to enhance the internal capacity for ‘would be AFL trainers’ within the domain of international humanitarian law. “With capacity development in the area of IHL, our gallant men and women will continue to support civil authority and they will be imbued by their training to respect religious, medical and other required symbols during crises,” the defense boss noted. For his part, Mr. Lerisson lauded Minister Samukai for the strong partnership which subsists between both entities as evidenced by ICRC’s presence during major field exercises, involving the AFL. This kind of collaborative effort, according to Mr. Lerisson, has brought both institutions closer. The ICRC boss re-emphasized his organization’s preparedness to liaise with the AFL Training Command in instructing new recruits in basic humanitarian laws. “As guardian of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), our role is to ensure that there is respect for medical missions inclusive of ambulance services, health facilities and how to conduct search during crises,” said Mr. Lerisson. He further assured Minister Samukai of the ICRC’s preparedness to work with the AFL in strengthening its internal capacity with reference to first aid training to foster emergency health care delivery during crises and to partner with the AFL within the confines of international humanitarian law, reports the Daily Observer.

33 Nigerian Teachers deployed In Rural Liberia

The Liberian government through the Ministry of Education has announced the deployment of 33 Nigerian teachers to secondary public schools in several counties. Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular press briefing in Monrovia Tuesday, Deputy Information Minister Isaac Jackson said the assignment of the Nigerian teachers is a effort of bilateral relationship between Liberia and Nigeria. Deputy Information Minister Jackson named the counties as Maryland, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Nimba, Rivercess and Montserrado. Jackson said the Nigerian teachers will teach the science courses, the News reports.