THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

News of Foreign Minister, Marjon V. Kamara’s commendation on Republic of Korea bilateral contributions to Liberia;Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Lewis Garseedah Brown, II, assertion on the attainment of peace and the maintenance of security at the 71^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters; and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Message of Congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the occasion marking the 48^th Independence Anniversary of that country are among stories dominating today’s edition of the Summary.

DOMINANT STORIES  

Foreign Minister Kamara Extols Korea On Bilateral Assistance  

Liberia’s   Foreign Minister, Ms.  Marjon V. Kamara has lauded the Government of the Republic of Korea for its immense bilateral contributions towards Liberia’s post-conflict and post-Ebola recovery efforts. Quoting a Foreign Ministry release, the FOCUS newspaper says Minister Kamara made the assertion on Monday, October 10, 2016 when the Korean Ambassador accredited to Liberia paid a courtesy call on her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting held in the conference room of the Foreign Ministry, the two officials exchanged views on critical bilateral issues of mutual benefit to their respective governments and peoples. While receiving the Korean Ambassador in audience, the Liberian Foreign Minister was extended an invitation, by His Excellency Mr. Noh Kyu-duk, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, to attend this year’s 4^th Korea-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On other important matters concerning Liberia–Korea relations, Ambassador Noh, who is resident in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, told the Foreign Minister that Liberia’s post-Ebola recovery proposal is a very important aspect of Korea’s engagement with Liberia, which he said Liberia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H. E. Dr. Al-hassan Conteh, has promised to ensure submission by November of this year to Korea for its intervention. Meanwhile, Ambassador Noh further disclosed plans to organize a two week training program for Liberian health professionals in controlling and managing infectious diseases in Liberia. Foreign Minister Kamara also thanked the Korean Diplomat for his personal role in cementing the cordial bilateral relations between Liberia and his country and used the occasion to laud the Korean Government for its decision to organize training for Liberian health professionals in order to tackle infectious diseases. The Liberian Foreign Minister assured Ambassador Noh that she would make sure that the interests and rights of the Korean investors are protected under the law through the Justice Ministry.

Related Captions: Foreign Minister Kamara Extols Korea On Bilateral Assistance To Liberia(Heritage), Foreign Min Lauds Korean(The New Dawn)

Envoy Brown Raps On International Peace And Security

The Heritagenewspaper reports that Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency, H. E. Mr. Lewis Garseedah Brown, II, says the attainment of peace and the maintenance of security cannot become a reality unless the forces responsible for raising the levels especially of weapon-related anxiety are brought under some reasonable form of effective international control. According to dispatch from New York, the Liberian diplomat made the statement when, for the first time, he addressed the First Committee General Debate on Disarmament and International Security during the 71^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters. He reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy; but indicated that the country’s support for the total elimination of nuclear weapons reflect an urgent and reasonable priority in the search for universal peace and security. The Permanent Representative to the United Nations noted Liberia’s recognition of the efforts of State Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), indicating that scrupulous implementation of the ATT will assist States in their effort to curb the illicit acquisition of small arms, light weapons, and other conventional weapons.

Related Captions: Amb. Brown Raps On Int’l Peace, Security….Addresses 1^st Debate Of UN General Assembly(In Profile Daily), Ambassador Brown Raps On International Peace, Security(The INQUIRER), Ambassador Brown Raps On International Peace And Security(FOCUS), Brown On International Peace & Security At 71UNGA(The New Dawn), Amb. Brown Raps On Int’l Peace And Security--At 71st Session of UN General Assembly(Daily Observer)  

President Sirleaf Hails Equatorial Guinea on 48^th Independence Day 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has conveyed a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the auspicious occasion marking the 48^th Independence Anniversary of that country. In her message to His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, President Johnson Sirleaf extended warmest felicitations and assured Equatorial Guinea of Liberia’s commitment to strengthening the existing cordial ties between both countries aimed at exploring new potential areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their respective peoples.

Related Captions: Ellen Hails Equatorial Guinea On 48^th Independence Day(Heritage), Ellen Hails Equatorial Guinea On 48^th Independence Day(In Profile Daily), President Sirleaf Hails Equatorial Guinea On 48^th Independence Day(FOCUS), Equatorial Guinea Hailed At 48(The New Dawn)

ArcelorMittal Empowers Local Farmers With Business Training

Thirty one (31) farmers from communities near ArcelorMittal Liberia’s mining area recently benefited from the “Farming as a Business” training program held in Sanniquellie, sponsored by ArcelorMittal Liberia and conducted by Catalyst Liberia Inc. The farmers came from several entities, including local NGOs and churches, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture in the Sanniquellie, Mahn and Yarmein districts in Nimba County. According to the New Dawn newspaper, part of the Biodiversity Conservation Program, also funded by ArcelorMittal Liberia, the training teaches farmers how to generate sufficient income to sustain their families and give farmer knowledge in business strategies, planning and managing that will enable them to market their farm products.

Related Captions: ArcelorMittal Liberia Impacts 31 Farmers In Nimba(FOCUS), ‘Farming As A Business’ Training By ArcelorMittal Liberia Impacts 381 Farmers In Nimba(Heritage)

OTHER STORIES  

Girls Education Advance Empowerment 

Liberian girls say educating a girl child is a weapon for advancing empowerment therefore to make a change in society everyone is entitled to equal rights especially girls and women. Serving as guest speaker at the observance of the International Day of the Girl Child held in Monrovia yesterday, Latricia Wamah stressing on the theme: “Every Girl Counts,” said it is their time to make it count because when they are educated, families benefit. Mrs. Wamah urged that Liberian girls be given the chance to be heard and believes without being judgmental called on all girls to shun sex for grades or ‘something for something’ noting that girls are powerful, writes the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Caption: Women And Girl Deserve Equal Right(The New Dawn). At the same time, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has vowed to support adolescent girls reach their full potential and determine their own destiny. These assertions were made by the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, when he delivered a special statement during program marking the observance of International Day of the Girl child in Monrovia. He said investing in adolescent girls allows them to stay in school, gain skills, marry later, have fewer and healthier children, and earn a larger income to invest back into their families and communities, pens the FOCUS newspaper under the caption “UNFPA Vows To Support Adolescent Girls”.

Related Caption: ‘Girls Can Make Positive Impact If…-UNFPA Executive Director Asserts(In Profile Daily)  

High Power IFC Delegation Due, As Ellen Seeks Support for Private Sector 

A high-power International Financial Corporation (IFC) delegation is expected in the country next week, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf disclosed. In a brief interview with Executive Mansion correspondents late Tuesday evening, upon her arrival from the High-level Panel of the World Bank Group in Washington DC., President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf disclosed that the IFC delegation will be in the country any time next week. Madam Sirleaf said at the High-level Panel, they discussed circumstances leading to the state being fragile, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

NEC Outlines Mechanisms Put Into Place

According to theFOCUS newspaper, the National Elections Commission (NEC) says it has put into place some mechanisms ahead of the 2017 Presidential and Representatives Elections in the country. According to NEC Communications Director, Mr. Joey Kennedy, included among things that have been put into place is the approval by the National Legislature of 50 percent of the budget that is required for the 2017 elections, under the framework of the National budget of the country.

Scholarship For Ebola Orphans Launched

A scholarship scheme benefiting at least 500 children who lost one or both of their parents to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been officially launched in the country. The landmark scholarship program was launched Sunday, October 9, 2016 within the main edifice of the Effort Baptist Church in Paynesville, outside Monrovia by Community Service-Liberia Incorporated (Comslib). The initiative is undertaken as result of many children that are facing difficulties to pursue their education in the 2016/2017 academic year due to loss of their parents, couple with the increment in family size of caregiver. Speaking to reporters following the launch of the scholarship, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Comslib, Mr. Simeon Sebastian Kormon, said the program is aimed at aiding the Government of Liberia (GoL) and its international partners in delivering educational assistance to children under the age of 18 who are under parental care, reports the Heritage newspaper.

MOH, WHO Turn To Communities For Disease Prevention

In a drive to prevent the outbreak of contagious and other wide-spread diseases in communities, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently mobilized about 400 community leaders and their subordinates from Monrovia and environs for the exercise. Participants at the day-long sensitization and coordination meeting, which took place at a local church edifice in Sinkor, Monrovia, included ACF supervisors, District Health Officers (DHO), District Surveillance Officers (DSO) and Zone Surveillance Officers (ZSO) from Montserrado Country. Speaking during the program, the Dr. Mosoka Fallah of the Ministry of Health said the meeting was aimed at bringing together the community leaders and their workers, who worked with the MOH during the Ebola outbreak to focus on a new dimension of disease preventive measures now that Ebola is defeated, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Liberia To Host West Africa Youth Camp 2016

The Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) with sponsorship from the Ministry of Youth and Sports has begun preparations to host the West Africa Youth Camp in Liberia. The youth event, which will be held for the first time in the country, is a component of the African Youth Conference on Democracy and Good Governance. The event slated for December 12-16, will be held at the Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC). Jarius Andrew Greaves, Chair on Media and Publicity of the organizing committee said the event is expected to bring together over 350 West African youth leaders and key officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other West African Heads of States. According to Mr. Greaves, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who also chairs ECOWAS, will be the guest of honor at the event. He said the four-day event, under the theme “Leadership and Development of Africa Youth in Perspective Developing SGDs & Agenda 2063,” seeks to enable young African leaders to take the lead in the implementation of “Agenda 2063” and also encourage young people to actively get involved in entrepreneurship, reports the Daily Observer.

ECOWAS, FIRS, WB To Hold 1st Transfer Pricing Regional Meeting

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the World Bank Group are expected to co-host the first Transfer Pricing Regional Meeting for ECOWAS Member States in Abuja, Nigeria from October 11-13, under the European-funded Improved Business and Investment Climate in West Africa Project. According to the New Dawn newspaper, the project seeks to address a range of investment policy issues that constitute barriers for the private sector to invest efficiently across the region. The transfer pricing component of this project is an example of the World Bank’s initiative to support domestic resource mobilization by helping countries to protect their corporate tax base from profit shifting. The meeting provides a platform for ECOWAS countries to take stock of the current state of transfer pricing in the region and to determine the direction of further progress. Over 60 participants, including tax administration and tax policy officials from 15 Member States of ECOWAS as well as representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union, West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the World Bank Group, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), and the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF), will attend the three-day event.

Related Caption: ECOWAS Member States Take Stock Of Transfer Pricing In The Region And Determine The Direction Of Further Progress(Heritage)