The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

News from the First Extraordinary Session of the Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, and theCountry Representative of the World Food Program, Mr. Bienvenue Djossa assertion that Liberia can bring an end to hunger by 2030 and the call by the Liberian Chief Justice  for Judicial workers wishing to contest the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in October 2017  to resign their post before contesting for   elected office  are among stories dominating today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

ECOWAS Parliament Convenes Extraordinary Session Commends Ellen 

The Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament over the weekend convened its First Extraordinary Session for the year 2017 in Abuja. Both the Speaker of the ECOWAS Commission separately paid growing tribute to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chairperson of the Authorities of Head of State and Government of ECOWAS and her regional colleagues for their significant role in successfully resolving The Gambia impasse.  A release from the Liberian Embassy in Abuja says Liberia’s five representatives to the Parliament were all present for the ongoing five day working session that commenced at the Parliament’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday, February 10, 2017, the INQUIRER newspaper says.

Related Captions: Ellen Commended As ECOWAS Parliament Convenes Extraordinary Session(Heritage), Pres. Sirleaf Commended As ECOWAS Parliament convenes Extraordinary Session(FOCUS), Ellen Commends ECOWAS Parliament(In Profile Daily)

Chief Justice Orders Judiciary Workers Eyeing Legislative Seat to Resign

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that Judicial workers wishing to contest the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 have been told to resign now to pursue their political ambitions.“As you are aware we will be entering elections and we Judges are not politicians, therefore anyone of you who wants to contest the elections should leave the Judiciary,” said Chief Justice Korkpor. He clarified that his warning was not only limited to Judges, but clerks, bailiffs as well as lawyers from the public defense office. Chief Justice Korkpor indicated that the 2017 elections was a critical venture for every Liberian. Chief Justice Francis Korkpor sent out the caveat to the judicial workers at the Temple of Justice on Monday, February 13 during program marking the official opening of the February 2017 Term of Court.

Related Captions: Chief Justice Wants 2017 Contestants Out Of Judiciary(Heritage), ‘Resign Now’-Chief Justice Korkpor Orders Judiciary Workers Eyeing Legislative Seat To Resign(FrontPage Africa) Quit Judiciary, If…-Chief Justice Cautions 2017 Contestants(FOCUS). The New Dawn newspaper also reports under the caption“Elections Demand Maximum Credibility”, that judicial officials have been urged “to exercise maximum credibility” in the coming October representatives and presidential elections on grounds that the “judiciary is the only refuge of hope during these critical “periods”. Delivering a charge during the opening of the circuit courts on Monday, 13 February at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Judge Samuel Gevon Smith said Liberia has reached a critical juncture when citizens will go to the polls to usher in a democratic transition. Judge Smith said the February 2017 term of court is no different from other terms of court “wherein persuasions are propelled from all directions to influence judicial official into ethical transgression”. Having reminded his colleagues to maintain an independent and credible judiciary which delivers transparent justice and protect the rights of all citizens, Judge Smith said the charge to judges was to instruct, commend and admonish “all of us on our conduct” for the effective operation of the courts during the February Term.

WFP Official Confident Liberia Can End Hunger By 2030

The Country Representative of the World Food Program (WFP) in Liberia, Mr. Bienvenue Djossa, has expressed optimism that Liberia can bring an end to hunger by 2030. He said this would be in line with the objectives and targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) two, one of the 17 SDGs that constitute the 2030 development agenda. Liberia is currently conducting a strategic hunger review exercise nationwide to properly inform the a government, people and partners of Liberia on the needs, constraints and steps that are to be taken to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition and improve food producers’ productivity within the next 15 years. According to a press statement, regional consultations are being held in the counties to sensitize and gather views, ideas and inputs of Liberians from all walks of life to engender a national roadmap for hunger solutions, the Heritage newspaper reads.

Related Captions: WFP Official Confident Liberia Can End Hunger By 2030(The INQUIRER), WFP Official Confident That Liberia Can End Hunger In 2030(FOCUS)

NPA Commences Training For Seafarers

The Heritage newspaper reports that the management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has begun a week-long marine training to equip seafarers of the entity with knowledge in mandatory courses as required by the International Marine Organization (IOM). The training which is been conducted jointly by Coordinators from the Regional Marine University of Ghana and the Liberia Red Cross, when concluded will enhance  the understanding of seafarers in IOM required courses of Fire Fighting  and Survival at Sea Techniques. According to the daily, the training was launched by the Managing Director of the NPA, David Williams on Monday in Monrovia.

Related Captions: Improving Marine Defense National Port Authority Conducts Training For Liberian Marines(FrontPage Africa), NPA Equips Seafarers-Begins Week-ling Training(FOCUS)

Media Network, Sida Partner With Community Journalists For Health Issues

The Anti-AIDS Media Network (AAMIN), in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), has scaled up programs for journalists in three of Liberia’s 15 to create demand for community utilization of the Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mother to Child and Antenatal Care. The PMTCT services were being provided under the government of Liberia’s program called H6, with funding from Swedish government. H6 services include the provision of some life-saving commodities like family planning, prevention and management of fistula; ensure comprehensive PMTCT service delivery as well as other maternal health interventions, the Heritage says.

Related Captions: Media Network, Sida Partner-With Community Journalists For Health Issues(FOCUS), Media Network, Sida Partner-With Community Journalists To Promote Health Issues(INSIGHT)

PUL Pushes For Responsible Use Of Radio Stations

The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has urged the responsible use of radio in the country’s search for sustainable development. The INSGHT newspaper quotes a PUL statement issued in observance of World Radio Day, the Union recognizes that radio is playing significant roles in informing development interventions across Liberia. According to the daily, World Radio Day seeks to celebrate the importance of radio in improving international cooperation, providing access to information and supporting free speech.

Related Captions: PUL Calls For Responsible Radios(The INQUIRER), PUL Calls For Responsible Radios(Heritage)

Miss Liberia Takes Voter Registration Awareness Nationwide

According to the Daily Observer, Miss Liberia 2017, Wokie Dolo, has embarked on a massive voter registration (VR) awareness campaign to encourage eligible Liberians to turn out and register to participate in the elections in October. The National Elections Commission (NEC) says it is targeting 2.5 million people to be registered by the March 7 VR closing date. Amid the challenges to the process, Miss Liberia has been drafted for the nationwide campaign to persuade Liberians to register. Miss Dolo’s media team has disclosed that the beauty queen will soon embark on a tour of four counties.