THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2016

Today’s Summary highlights news of the inauguration of the new World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Ms. Larisa Leshchenko, former Liberian Solicitor General Justice Micah Wilkins Wright’s advice to his compatriots throughout Nigeria to foster patriotism and unity and the Press Union of Liberia’s commendation to the Government of Liberia for decriminalizing media offences in the country.

DOMINANT STORIES

New World Bank Liberia Country Manager Arrives

Heritage newspaper says the new World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Ms. Larisa Leshchenko, has assumed her responsibilities. In this new position, Ms. Leshchenko, a Ukrainian national, who joined the Bank in August 1996 as an Operations Analyst in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region, will lead the Bank's day-to-day dialogue with the government and key stakeholders in Liberia on a broad range of issues including the structural reform agenda and management of the portfolio. She will also lead the implementation of the Country Partnership Strategy in close collaboration with other development partners (bilateral donors, civil society, etc).

Related Captions: New World Bank Country Manager For Liberia Arrives (FrontPage Africa), World Bank Liberia Country Manager Arrives (New DEMOCRAT), New World Bank Liberia Country Manager Arrives (The New Republic)

Justice Wright Inspires Patriotism, Unity At Liberian Convention In Nigeria

Former Liberian Solicitor General Justice Micah Wilkins Wright has urged his compatriots throughout Nigeria to foster patriotism and unity. A dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Nigeria says Justice Wright made the assertions when he served as the keynote speaker during the Second National Convention of the Organization of Liberian Communities in Nigeria over the weekend in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha in Anambra State. Justice Wright urged his compatriots living in another country to govern themselves accordingly “as not to bring about any dishonor, disgrace or embarrassment to the name of our country, Mama Liberia.” About 300 Liberians from various Nigerian states conveyed on Onitsha and elected their first code of national officers after they had adopted a constitution. Liberians from across Nigeria also used that event to observe their country’s 169^th Independence Day, which formally fell on July 26, writes the New DEMOCRAT newspaper.

Related Captions: Justice Wright Inspires Patriotism, Unity (Heritage), Justice Wright Inspires Patriotism At Liberian Convention in Nigeria (FrontPage Africa), Liberians Urged To Foster Patriotism (The NEWS)

PUL Welcomes Enhanced Gov’t Support…Towards Decriminalizing Media Offenses

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) says the renewed commitments by key government agencies towards expanding transparency in government service, including their support to decriminalize media offences in the country, is an important factor in enhancing development in Liberia. Press Union President Abdullai Kamara says, “This collaboration will contribute significantly to the final repeal of laws representing the vestige of a system, which worked against the press, free speech and the establishment of a culture of transparency.” According to the NEWS newspaper, the Press Union’s statement follows an August 1 joint statement by the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, with the aim of ending corruption and other forms of illicit financial transactions in the country.

Related Captions: PUL Welcomes Enhanced Govt Support Towards Decriminalizing Media Offenses (Heritage), PUL Welcomes Gov’t Support Towards Decriminalizing Media Offenses (FrontPage Africa)

OTHER STORIES

President Sirleaf Congratulates Niger on 56th Independence Anniv.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of the Republic of Niger on the occasion commemorating the 56^th Independence Anniversary. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Excellency Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, President Sirleaf, hoped that Liberia and Niger’s bond of friendship so happily subsisting between them will continue to grow stronger in the years to come as we look forward to working closely with President Issoufou in fostering peace, security, and economic integration within our sub-region and Africa at large, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

Budget Hearing Starts Today

The Liberian Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning will today, August 3, 2016, commence public hearings on the expenditure component of the draft national budget for fiscal year 2016/2017 in the William Richard Tolbert joint chambers. According to press release issued by the committee, the hearing is expected to last from August 3 to 16, 2016, the New Dawn newspaper writes.

Related Caption: Budget Expenditure Scrutiny Starts Today (Daily Observer)

 ‘Nurses Are Essential’ Tanzanian Professor Declares At Liberian Nursing, Midwifery Strategic Plan Review

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery (LBNM) has begun a five-day Mid-term Review of its 2012-2017 Strategic Plan in Montserrado County. The plan prioritizes six strategic goals, which are service-delivery, human resource, information, finance, infrastructure and equipment and leadership and governance. Speaking Monday at the opening of the review, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Professor Sebalda Leshabar, said the role of nursing in the health sector of Liberia is very essential. Professor Leshabar: said to be involved in all aspects of Board and to continue to collaborate with their partners and specifically with members of the National Legislature to ensure the strategic plan is workable in the country.

Solidary Celebration: Liberia Joins China to Commemorate Liberation Army Anniversary

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of the People Republic of China on Monday celebrated its 89^th year of existence. Senior Captain Zhang Fenghua said 2016 is an historic year for the PLA, saying they have begun to fully implement the strategy of reform and building a strong military, taking series of measures to deepen defense and military reforms. He said his country’s armed forces have always been a staunch force upholding world peace and regional stability and will continue to increase cooperation and mutual trust with the armed forces of other countries, participate in regional and international security affairs, and play an active role in international political and security fields. Liberia’s Defense Minister Brownie Samukai added that PLA is playing a pivotal role in maintaining world peace. “The role, performances and achievements of the Chinese contingent in UNMIL in Liberia are recognized by the very positive impact their deployment have had in their areas of responsibilities.”

Cross Border Security Meeting, An Eye Opener - Maryland County Supt.

Maryland County Superintendent has described the just ended two-day cross-border security meeting as an eye opener for the collaboration in the security sectors of Liberia and neighboring Ivory Coast. Superintendent Betsy Kouh Toe said the meeting has enabled both countries to design a work plan in dealing with security issues along the border lines. The Cross Border Security meeting organized by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) brought together Chiefs, elders, commissioners, the joint security, protection committee members and Superintendents from River Gee and Maryland counties along with their Ivorian counterparts was intended to strengthen resilience protection and conflict prevention capacity in the border regions of Ivory Coast and Liberia, according to the FrontPage Africa newspaper

FOCAC on Economic, Opportunities - China Stresses Implementation

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is creating the platform for more opportunities that lead Africa to industrialization and modernization with increasing Chinese investment. Under the action plans, announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC Johannesburg Summit December last year, with a US$60 billion fund support, about 243 cooperation agreements have been signed between Chinese government, institutions and African countries. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi made the disclosure at the Coordinators' Meeting on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC Johannesburg held July 29, 2016, in Beijing, China. Also speaking at the meeting was Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng, said China is stepping up economic transformation and restructuring while pursuing the “Belt and Road” Initiative and international cooperation on capacity and equipment manufacturing. Speaking on behalf of the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at the meeting, Liberia’s Minister of State Without Portfolio, Sylvester M. Grigsby, praised organizers and said the gathering reaffirms the longstanding strong bond of friendship and cooperation between Africa and China based on equality and mutual respect. Grigsby explained that since the FOCAC Project was launched in 2000, Chinese funded footprint projects have sprouted across the landscape of the African Continent.

Related Caption: FOCAC OFENS UP MORE ECONOMIC, Development Opportunities…As China Stresses Implementation (Heritage)

Ellen Accepts Resignation of Liberia’s Comptroller General

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has accepted the resignation of the Comptroller and Accountant General of the Republic of Liberia, Mr. Sekou A. Sanoe as of 31st July 2016. Quoting an Executive Mansion release, the Heritage newspaper reads that the Liberian leader has also appointed Mr. Hanson Kaizulu as Acting Comptroller and Accountant General of the Republic of Liberia with immediate effect.  

Related Caption: Comptroller General Resigns (New DEMOCRAT)

Budget Hearing Starts Today

The Liberian Legislature Joint Committee on Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning will today commence public hearing on the expenditure component of the draft national budget for fiscal year 2016/2017 in the William Richard Tolbert joint chambers. According to press release issued by the committee, the hearing is expected to last from August 3 to 16, 2016, the New Dawn newspaper writes.

Farm Inputs to Increase Food Production

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in late July 2016, distributed a consignment of assorted farm tools to six farmer organizations from across four counties, Montserrado, Margibi, Bomi, and Nimba. These six organizations were selected based on request for support they had earlier submitted to FAO Liberia. this assistance is intended to support rural farmers in the four counties of Liberia where the distribution was conducted to improve crop production, the FrontPage Africa newspaper writes.

VP Boakai Supports Last Well’s Mission

According to the Daily Observer, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai has pledged support to The Last Well’s mission to provide safe drinking water to every village in Liberia by the year 2020. Speaking at a one-day National Partner Conference at a local resort yesterday in Paynesville, the Vice President encouraged the gathering of over 80 representative partners (Christian groups) of The Last Well to honor their commitment to reflect what Jesus Christ would have done in their situation. He reminded the gathering that very often humanitarian organizations come to Liberia with grand ideas to alleviate persistent needs, but it turns out that most of the services promised are found wanting. “I am impressed with what The Last Well has done so far,” Veep Boakai noted, after hearing impressive statistics from The Last Well’s founder and President, Rev. Dr. Todd Phillips that Grand Kru County needs six weeks to get every town, district and village with wells to provide safe drinking water for the people and the good news of Christ.