The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017

News of Vice President Joseph Boakai’s discussions with French Minister of State for Development, Mr. Le Guen, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s visit to Webbo and Barrobo Districts in River Gee and Maryland Counties, the burial of Ambassador Carlton A. Karpeh, Liberia’s Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor’s warning to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation against bureaucracy for retirees to receive their benefits are among stories highlighted in today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES  

VP Boakai Holds Talk With French Dev. Minister 

According to theNew Dawn newspaper, Vice President Boakai acknowledged the many contributions of the French Government and welcomed more developments in the areas of mining, fisheries, agriculture and tourism. He also emphasized the need to see more improvements and assistance in the areas of electrical power, technical and vocational education, road network, information and technology and transportation. Vice President Boakai and the French Minister State for Development, Mr. Le Guen discussed the stronger ties and cooperation existing between the two countries, thus seeing the need to review the issuance of French visa in collaboration with other EU Embassies with offices in Monrovia. Minister Le Guen assured Vice President Boakai of the need to review the status of the French institute in Monrovia, Alliance Francaise, to have it revamped and operational as well as looking at the need to have discussion of the return of Air France to the country. Vice President Boakai was accompanied to the meeting by His Excellency, Dr. C. William Allen, Liberia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the French Republic. 

Related Captions: Veep Boakai Meets Liberians In France(The INQUIRER), Join Development, Rebuilding Of Liberia-VP Challenges Liberians In France, Meets French State Min. For Dev.(FOCUS)

River Gee Citizens Heap Praises On Ellen

According to the Heritage newspaper, citizens of River Gee County in Southeastern Liberia have heaped praises on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for her continued commitment to development in Giver Gee County. They lauded her outstanding leadership demonstrated over the past 11 years especially development initiatives undertaken in River Gee County. According to an Executive Mansion release, the statement was contained in remarks delivered on behalf of the people of Kononwroken City, Webbo Statutory District, River Gee County by Hon. Charles K. Barley, Representative District #3, River Gee County during an interactive Town Hall Meeting with citizens and residents. The citizens said President Sirleaf has done well for the people of River Gee County particularly, Webbo Statutory District and its neighborhoods. They outlined 17 different projects undertaken by the government under her leadership. Responding, President Sirleaf thanked the people of Webbo Statutory District and River Gee in general for electing her twice to serve as their President and for keeping the peace for 11 years. The Liberian leader admonished the citizens of River Gee to continue to be good and patriotic and always seek the path of peace and hard work.

Related Captions: River Gee Citizens Heap Praises On Pres. Sirleaf For Commitment(FOCUS); Ellen First Sitting President To Visit Barrobo District(FOCUS)

Amb. Carlton Karpeh Laid To Rest

Scores of Liberians led by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf converged in their numbers at the Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church on Broad Street on Saturday to bid a final farewell to veteran diplomat, Ambassador Carlton Alexwyn Karpeh, who distinguished himself as one of the longest serving Liberian diplomats, having served in Cameroon for close to two decades. Ambassador Karpeh, as a result of longevity on assignment in Cameroon, which spanned from 1987 to 2003, subsequently became the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in that country. He died during the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 28, at his Duport Road residence in Paynesville in his 86th year, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Versatility, Eloquence, Excellent Deportment & Patriotism-Characterized late Amb. Karpeh; Says Minister kamara(FOCUS), Ellen Pays Tribute T Late Amb. Carlton Karpeh(Heritage), Amb. Carlton  Karpeh Laid To Rest-Remember For His Versatility, Eloquence, Patriotism(FrontPage Africa)

Korkpor Warns Against Bureaucracy…As Judiciary Retires 31

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia has warned the authority at the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) that there should not be any bureaucracy for retirees to receive their benefits. Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor also warned the authority at the Civil Service Agency to avoid similar action for the thirty-one retirees and expressed the hope that all documentations will done properly so that said retirees will get their just benefits on time. The Country’s highs court judge gave the warning at program marking the retirement of their-one employees of the Judiciary which took place on the ground of the Temple of Justice on March 24, 2017, reports the INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Caption: Judiciary Retires 32 Employees(In Profile Daily), Judiciary Retires, Honors 32 Employees(Heritage)  

Clinical Training Course In Liberia 

A press release issued in Monrovia says the training will help strengthen clinical skills needed to enhance research capability in West Africa. The 2014 Ebola epidemic highlighted gaps in local and regional disease data, research capabilities, and resources available to address epidemics in West Africa. The course will include training on several specific diseases of concern in Liberia, including Ebola, Lassa fever, malaria, typhoid, and HIV, as well as training on sepsis from any cause, the release says. Lectures will also address clinical response to infectious disease threats, including diagnostics, prevention, treatment and ethics. Students include clinicians from Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria who are partnering with JWARG to conduct research, writes the New Dawn newspaper.

Related Captions: Clinic Training Course In Liberia Boosts Bio-preparedness Efforts In West Africa(In Profile Daily), Clinical Training Course In Liberia Boosts Bio-preparedness Efforts In West Africa-US Amb. Christine Elder (FOCUS), Clinical Training Course In Liberia Boosts Bio-preparedness Efforts In West Africa(Heritage)

Police Arrest 9 Persons Linked To Woman’s Death

The Liberia National Police (LNP) said it is investigating the death of a 42-year-old woman who was found dead in a garage down town Monrovia last Saturday morning. According to Police Spokesperson, Sam Collins, so far 9 persons have been arrested who the police consider as persons of interest. Police preliminary investigation reports pointed to gang rape. The LNP is therefore calling on the public to remain calm as others allegedly linked to the commission of the crime are on the run. The Liberia National Police has arrested the main suspect in the death of the woman, who was found dead in a garage down town Monrovia early Saturday morning. A 24-year-old Delile Barry was under no duress admitted to police investigators that he committed the crime, reports The INQUIRER newspaper.

Related Caption: “I Killed Korto Pan Kollie…Belidi Barry Admits To LNP(Hot Pepper), Alleged Woman’s Killer Identified(In Profile Daily), Fulani Probed On Gang Rape and Murder (The New Dawn), 27-Year-Old ‘Rapes’ Woman, 42 Admits Commission Of Crime(FrontPage Africa)

Judge Zlahn Is Dead

Wailings and grief described the scene at the Temple of Justice yesterday when it was announced that the judge of the Civil Law Court B, an annex to the main Civil Law Court, Johannes Zogbay Zlahn, has died. Judge Zlahn’s death came exactly five days after he confirmed the 2016 U.S. Department of State’s Human Rights Report that judges in the country are corrupt because they accept bribes to award damages in civil cases. Judge Zlahn, 61, died on Saturday, March 25, at his Zayzay Community residence in Soul Clinic, Paynesville, outside Monrovia. According to family sources, Judge Zlahn passed away while resting in his bedroom before he was due to return to the court by 12 noon on Saturday. The cause of Judge Zlahn’s death had not been established up to press time last night. Meanwhile, many lawyers and other court staff described him as a “fearless, no nonsense judge.” Zlahn was the first judge of the newly created Civil Law Court B annex of the Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, reports the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: Judiciary Mourns Judge’s Death(Heritage), Judge Johannes Zlahn Passes(FrontPage Africa), Cllr. Gongloe, Others Mourn Judge Zlahn’s Death(Hot Pepper)

OTHER STORIES

Think Liberia, Love Liberia-Vice President Boakai Calls On Liberians In France To Contribute To Nation Building

Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has extolled members of the Liberian Community in France for their many contributions, dedication and commitment to their country despite being in a foreign country. Vice President Boakai said diaspora Liberians' contributions to their country in terms of aid, supplies, remittances and show of support for national development efforts remain major contributors to the development of the country. Speaking at the Liberia Embassy in Paris when he met with Liberians residing in France who were joined by the President of the Liberian Association in the Netherlands, Mr. Abraham Fofana, Vice President Boakai called on Liberians to always Think Liberia, Love Liberia and contribute meaningfully to Building Liberia. Vice President Boakai called on Liberians with specialized skills, higher education and vital transferable acknowledge acquired abroad to always think about returning home to assist their country with those needed talents and skills; noting that their talents and education are vital to Liberia's transformation, reports the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

CBL Cancels Contract with LIBA

The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has cancelled its contract with the Liberia Business Association (LIBA) for the operation of a public access point for its collateral registry, a CBL report has revealed. The decision, according to the CBL 2016 annual report released recently, comes against the backdrop that “the facility was underutilized.” The report said LIBA had been considered a viable partner to host the facility given its effectiveness in organizing the target market for small business registry. At the same time, according to the report, the bank closed the First International Bank Liberia, Ltd, (FIBLL) in 2016, seized its assets and opened the G Bank in view of its il-liquidity and under-capitalization, reads the INSIGHT newspaper.

Related Caption: Central Bank Cancels Contract With LIBA(Heritage)

LRA Unveils New Tax Policy

LRA Commissioner General Madam Elfrieda Stewart Tamba said changes will be effected in PSI Processing and fees at land borders, airports, and seaports to help improve the revenue system of Liberia. She made the disclosure recently at the Ministry of Information on Capitol Hill during a regular press briefing, saying the new measure is to mitigate tax fraud. According to the LRA boss, pre-shipment inspection for goods imported by air will no longer be a requirement, rather goods will however be subjected to destination inspection. The Commissioner General added that payment of taxes will now be executed through direct transfer from one account to another via the Central Bank of Liberia’s Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) other than payment of taxes through manager’s check and cash, which is a joint initiative of the CBL, LRA and all commercial banks except GN Bank Liberia Limited, according to Daily Observer.

Related Caption: LRA Launches Community Partnership(Heritage)

Domestic Resource Key to Sustainable Development Min. Kamara

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Boima Kamara, says domestic resource mobilization is an essential component of sustainable economic development. Minister Kamara described resource mobilization as a process that reinforces the postulation that governance is inherent in the people and those people have an obligation to help formulate laws and policies that would improve their well-being. The Finance Minister made the statement Monday at the official launch of the Real Estate Community Partnership Project held at the Monrovia City Hall, the FOCUS newspaper reads.

Related Caption: Domestic Resource Key To Sustainable Development-Min. Kamara(INSIGHT)

Carter Center Confirms Successful Border Harmonization Effort

The Carter Center has disclosed that their border harmonization effort has successfully ended, after a long boundary dispute between two communities in Southeastern Liberia. The Carter Center Chief of Party, Mr. Pewee Flomoku, told journalists that two bordering owns, Kilopo Keweken in River Gee County and Puto Kenoken in Grand Gedeh County have agreed to a new demarcation between them  after a long negotiation process. Mr. Flomoku hails other partners including UNMIL, he Internal Affairs Ministry among others for their roles in achieving such goal, the FOCUS newspaper reads.

LNA Gets Invitation to INF 2017 Congress

The Liberia Netball Association (LNA) said it has been invited by the International Netball Federation to participate in its 2017 Congress expected to take place in Botswana in July. LNA President Wallace G. Weiah in a statement expressed optimism over the invitation, noting the local Netball body is getting the needed recognition. Weiah also disclosed that the LNA has been invited by the Ivorian Netball body for an international friendly later this year. If all goes well, it will be the first International match for the Liberia National Netball Team. The LNA has meanwhile commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its inclusion in this year National budget, the INSIGHT newspaper reads.

BWI Launches New Agric Program

The campus of the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) near Kakata, Margibi County, was a scene of excitement last Friday when the administration broke ground for a new agriculture program. According to Jackson Paye, Chairman of BWI Board of Governors, the program is a borrowed idea from the Department of Agriculture at Columbia District University (CDU) in USA which he visited a few months ago. The university, Mr. Paye said, has its own self-contained farm that produces its own food and donates some of the produce to the homeless, especially during the holidays. CDU’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) conducts research and teaches courses in Urban Sustainability, Design, Planning and Low Impact Development and implements research projects that integrate all CAUSES programs in an effort to produce and understand the implications and impacts of sustainable development. It encompasses the three pillars of sustainability – People, Places, and Profit (Environment, Economics, and Equity),” reports the Daily Observer.

Chamber of Commerce Elects New Officers

The Daily Observer reports that the members of the Liberian Chamber of Commerce (LCC) yesterday elected new officers to steer the affairs of the institution for the next term. The election, which took place in the conference hall of the LCC on Capitol Hill, brought to office the president and executive officer (CEO) of Omega Insurance Company, Charles Ananaba, as president-elect. Mr. Ananaba defeated Henry Brunson, general manager of Safeway Cargo/FedEx, 63 to 22 votes. The Chamber also elected officials to the executive council, including Assad Barbar, Tony Hage, George Nehme, C. Nelson Oniyama, Tarek Razzouk, Jasper Sigh, Georgio Haddad, Charles Collins and former Finance Minister Lusine Kamara. Prior to the election, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Axel Addy, informed members of the LCC of the need to do more to improve the business climate for all Liberians. According to him, LCC plays a significant role as the ears, eyes, and voice of the private sector in Liberia, particularly recognizing the opportunities ahead and the significance of the institution.  

Pres. Sirleaf Opens Maternal Waiting Home in Grand Kru County 

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has assured international health stakeholders, including the World Health Organization (WHO) that the Liberian government will work with partners to build a resilient health system. She made the assurance recently when she cut the ribbon to formally open one of the six WHO constructed maternal waiting homes under the H6 partnership which includes UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, UNAIDS and World Bank. The President was recently on a tour of the southeast. President Sirleaf expressed delight with the quality of the WHO built facility, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) as part of the H6 partners’ support to Liberia’s efforts to strengthen maternal health and build its resilient health sector. Maternal waiting homes are temporary shelters built close to health facilities to provide expectant mothers nearing their delivery dates with more frequent check-ups and safe deliveries by avoiding the risks of going into labor in remote areas far away from a medical facility, reports the Daily Observer newspaper.  

Internews Donates Equipment To Radio stations In Nimba 

Internews, a non-governmental organization working with media institutions in Liberia has donated several radio equipment to two radio stations in Nimba County. According to the Heritage newspaper, the two radio stations, Radio Sehnwai in Sanniquillie and Radio Tappita are all partnering with Internews. The items donated include zoom recorders, computers and printers.

Related Caption: Internews Donates Equipment To Radio Stations In Nimba(INSIGHT)

KLM Flight Resumes Flights to Liberia

The FrontPage Africa newspaper reports that after over 20 years of stay from Liberia due to the civil war, Dutch Airline, Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij (KLM) Royal Dutch Airlines has finally resumed operations. The KLM flight operation to Freetown and Monrovia, Airbus A330-200 series has seats of over 268. Its first flight Monday night had 111 passengers onboard to Liberia. Mr. Henri Ledoux, the Director of delegation Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia said the resumption means Liberia has a very good potential of clients to Northern Europe and the United States. “KLM is good for this kind of traffic. This is why we chose Liberia.”