THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2016

News of President Sirleaf’s Proclamation declaring Saturday, October 15, as  World Sight and White Cane Safety Day; Signing of the Book of Condolence for the late Internal Affairs Minister, Mr. Ambulai Johnson, by President Sirleaf and other senior Government officials; and President Sirleaf’s inauguration of the offices of PricewaterHouseCoopers are stories dominating today’s edition of the Summary.

DOMINANT STORIES

President Sirleaf Declares Saturday, As ‘World Sight & White Cane Safety Day’  

The FOCUS newspaper reports that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Saturday, October 15, 2016, as “World Sight and White Cane Safety Day,” the Republic as a Working Holiday. The daily quotes a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s World Sight and White Cane Safety Day’s celebration will take place at the Monrovia Christian University Fellowship Center in Sinkor, under the theme: “Universal Eye Health” or “Eye Health For All”. The Proclamation is in consonance with Resolution 56.26, adopted by health ministries of the World Health Organization mandating member states to observe World Sight and White Cane Safety Day focusing awareness on the recognition that eye health and visual impairment are of public health concern. The Proclamation also adds that it is the sole responsibility of the Government of Liberia to recognize and respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens including the blinds. 

Related Captions: Tomorrow Is ‘World Sight & White Cane Safety Day’ (Heritage), Saturday Is Sight, Cane Safety Day (In Profile Daily), Tomorrow Is World Sight & White Cane Safety Day’ (The New Dawn)

Ellen Signs Book of Condolence For Ambullai Johnson

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday, October 13, 2016 led an array of senior government officials including the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Christian Ann Elder, to sign the Book of Condolence for the late Internal Affairs Minister, Mr. Ambulai Johnson. According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf signed the Book in the conference room of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The late Hon. Ambulai A. B. Johnson died in the U.S. State of North Carolina on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Prior to his death, he served as Deputy Minister of Labor in 1980 and former lecturer at Cuttington College now Cuttington University in 1970. The late Johnson also lectured at the University of Liberia (UL) in 1980. The late Ambulai Johnson served as Minister of Internal Affairs from 2006-2009. Funeral ceremonies are expected to take place, Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Providence Baptist Church in Monrovia, reports the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: Ellen Signs Book Of Condolence For Former Fallen Internal Affairs Minister (Heritage), He Did Not Achieve His Dream-Pres. Sirleaf, Chief Karwor Remember Fallen Minister (The INQUIRER), Pres. Sirleaf Signs Book Of Condolence For Late Ambulai Johnson (FOCUS), Prez. Sirleaf Signs Book Of Condolence For Late Ambulai Johnson (Daily Observer)

Pres. Sirleaf Opens PricewaterHouseCoopers

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has formally opened the offices of PricewaterHouseCoopers (PwC) in Liberia after many years of absence from the Liberian market. In her remarks, the President stated that PwC – although established in the country long before the war – is not well known. However, she said it has taken on a new face since returning to the country two years ago. “It’s a good thing to be here today to be able to recognize a significant step in our growth of local institutions,” the President added. She further stated that she was glad that PwC, among whose core activities is auditing, has satisfied all the requirements of the Liberian law for it to be in operation in the country. Speaking earlier, Mr. Arthur Fumba, president of the Liberian Institute of Public Accountants, said he was grateful for the new Act, which now compels foreign firms of such nature that come to Liberia to be regulated by LIPA. He said he was happy that PwC has come to Liberia to help in the growth of the Liberian economy and Liberians themselves, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Pricewaterhouse Coopers Opens Office In Liberia (The INQUIRER), Ellen Foresees Stress For Accountants (The New Dawn) and ‘Trust in Society,’ PeicewaterhouseCoopers Accounting Firm Officially Opened (FrontpageAfrica)

OTHER STORIES

DOWUL, APM Terminals Sign Agreement

The Dock Workers Union of Liberia (DOWUL) and the management of APM Terminals have formally signed the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on Wednesday at a local resort in Monrovia. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) seeks to provide benefits, which is expected to bring relief to the welfare of employees of the institution including better salaries, incentives, school fees, transportation, overtime, job security, and training among others. In his keynote address, ex-Labour Minister, Cllr. Tiawan Gongloe urged both parties to keep the promise contained in the CBA to ensure is fully implementation,  In Profile Daily reports.

NHA To Construct 100 Units…US$1.2M To Aid West Point Erosion Victims

The Deputy Managing Director for Administration at the National Housing Authority (NHA), Prince Anything Wreh has disclosed that US$1.25 millions have been allocated to construct 100 houses at the Voice of America (VOA), community located in Brewerville for West Point erosion victims. The Deputy NHA boss said the construction will aid volunteer repatriation for homeless residents of the densely populated community in which women and children live devastated lives.  Deputy Director Wreh disclosure that NHA bought 25 acres of land at VOA, In Profile Daily writes.

Related Caption: US$1.2M Allocated for Sea Erosion Victims-Deputy NHA Director discloses (Daily Observer)

UN Gets New Secretary General

Portugal’s former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres has been officially appointed as the next UN Secretary General. Mr. Guterres, 67, will become the world’s top diplomat on 1 January when Ban Ki-moon’s second five-year term ends. The Portuguese, who led the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, for 10 years, was chosen from among 13 candidates last week. He said he would fulfill his role with gratitude and humility, FOCUS reports.

Liberia Youth Olympic Delegation off To China

The Chinese Embassy near Monrovia has confirmed that the Liberia Youth Olympic Delegation has departed the country to participate in the Nanjing International Youth Sports and Cultural Week in China. The release quotes Boie Corvah, head of the delegation and Senior Official of the National Olympic Committee of Liberia, as saying that the team will utilize the opportunity to learn more about sports training and practice from their Chinese counterparts, Heritage asserts.

Police, LMTU Convene Peace Initiative To Curtail Elections Violence

A three-day peace building initiative for members of the Liberia Motorcyclist Transport Union, LMTU the Liberian National Police, LNP in collaboration with various communities commenced on Tuesday, October 12, 2016. The initiative which is the second of its kind is aiming at creating awareness between the motorcycle unions of Liberia and the Liberia National Police (LNP) in a peace building initiative to avoid political tension in the 2017 presidential and legislative elections. Madam Grace Y. Mayson, Director of Purdue, an organization that supports the Pen-Pen Peace network of Liberia, said constant community engagement is an efficient way of curtailing violence in the country, FOCUS writes.

Nimba CEO Expells Senior Student For Slapping Principal

The Nimba County Education Officer (CEO) has expelled a senior student of the Sanniquelie Central High School in Sanniquellie City for slapping the Principal of the school, Mr. Guanue Paye. According to a release, while on his classroom routine check, Principal Paye saw student Sneijdor Dolo, who failed in the 11^th Grade wearing a necktie, and asked him out of the class. The release said after being asked by the Principal to leave the class, student Dolo out of anger walked to the Principal and slapped him in the face twice and walked out, Heritage reports.

Dr. Bowah: Six Suspected Polio Cases Discovered In Nimba

The head of the Nimba County Health Team and Chief Medical Officer of the county, Dr. Collins Bowah, says six suspected polio cases have been discovered in the county. Speaking during the dedication of a surgical theatre at the Saclepea Comprehensive health Center in Saclepea, Dr. Bowah said health workers in the county discovered the cases recently during a polio immunization campaign in the county, Heritage newspaper writes.

Health Minister Selected As 2017 Distinguished Alumnus

Health Minister, Dr. Bernice Dahn, has been selected as the 2017 University of Washington School of Public Health Distinguished Alumnus. A release quoting an official communication sent by the university to Dr. Dahn, the faculty, staff and students of the UW School of Public Health (SPH) are highly pleased to select the minister, Heritage newspaper says.