The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018

Today’s edition of our summary of the local dailies among other stories highlights news of Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor’s admittance to a rough relationship between her and President George Manneh Weah including Liberia’s First Lady, Mrs. Clar Marie Weah visit to the Liberian Embassy near the People’s Republic of China during her visit to that country and the Government of Liberia closure of the SAJJ House restaurant for discrimination against single black women.

Vice President Apologizes Jewel Howard-Taylor Admits To Rough Relationship With Pres. Weah

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has admitted to a rough relationship between her and President George Manneh Weah and has rendered an apology to the President. VP Taylor apologized to the President on the Truth Breakfast Show on Monday, 14 May 2018 on Truth FM. According to her, her constant travels without informing the President contributed to some misunderstanding between her and her boss but said the situation has been resolved. She, however, said, as Vice President, she’s the face of women on the continent, especially since Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf left power and would, therefore, have to make representations on their behalf.

Related Captions: Jewel-Taylor Apologizes To Pres. Weah(The INQUIRER), VP Taylor Slips-In Joe Boakai’s Fate?(The New Dawn)

Clar Weah Visits Liberian Embassy In Beijing 

The New Dawnnewspaper reports that Liberia’s First Lady, Mrs. Clar Marie Weah has thanked the staff at the Liberian Embassy near the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the hard work they’re doing on behalf of the country. “The Government and people of Liberia appreciate all the work that you do here,” she informed the diplomatic and local staff at an acquaintance meeting. According to a dispatch from Beijing, the Liberian First Lady made the comments when she visited the Mission while on a brief visit to China. She indicated that as “First Lady” of Liberia, she’s also hard at work trying to help the disadvantaged people within the society. “One of the reasons we’re here is to appeal to the Chinese because I know they’re supportive of whatever we do to help with my Foundation; I’m here to ask that of them,” Mrs. Clar Weah stated. Mrs. Weah noted that she has set up the “Clar Hope Foundation” and her goal is to improve the living conditions of both urban and rural women, increase the income of rural women through agriculture; rehabilitate, educate and train young boys and girls that are on the streets of Liberia. She named the targeted groups as women, the elderly, orphans, special need children as well as wayward young youth. Speaking earlier, Ambassador Dudley McKinley Thomas warmly welcomed the First Lady and delegation to Beijing, noting that the visit is symbolic of the strong relationship that exists between the People’s Republic of China and Liberia.

Related Caption: First Lady Thanks Staff For Hard Work In China(The INQUIRER)

Government Shuts SAJJ House Restaurant Indefinitely for Discrimination

The Lebanese-owned and run entertainment spot, which has come under heavy criticisms in recent times for denying entry to ‘single black’ Liberian women, has now have its doors closed indefinitely by the Liberian government. In addition to other measures, it has also been fined US$3,000, to be delivered in government’s coffer. The government’s decision immediately follows a protest action Friday, May 11, in front of SAJJ on 18^th Street in Sinkor, by mainly a group of young Liberian women. One prominent Liberian women’s activist, Madam Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh, joined the younger women in the protest before SAJJ. The government, through its Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Ms. Princess Turkulon, executed the closure of SAJJ indefinitely until certain conditions are met. “Denying single black women from entering and allowing single white women entrance, is not fair. You cannot be operating a business in my country with that kind of policy, so this is why I have come to shut down this business. I do not know when it will be opened,” said Asst. Min. Turkulon. She made the remarks in front of the restaurant where the protesters were standing with placards having inscriptions against SAJJ’s management’s policy of segregation, reads the FrontPage Africa newspaper.

Related Caption: Sajj Shut Down For Discrimination Against Black Women(In Profile Daily)

Budget Scrutiny Begins Today

Hearing in the 2018/2019 draft budget is expected today in accordance with article 34 of the 1986 constitution of Liberia. The 54^th legislature, through the joint Budget, Public Accounts, Expenditure and Audit Committee will commence the scrutiny of the first 2018/19 Draft Budget of the CDC-led Government with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) appearing on the first day. The Executive Branch of Government recently submitted to the legislature the proposed budget of CDC in the tone of US$562.2m target the Government’s projection revenue and expenditure for fiscal year 2018/19, asserts the INQUIRER newspaper.

CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program Launched In Grand Bassa

The FrontPage Africa newspaper says twenty-five (25) block makers in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Saturday, May 12, 2018, received a certificate of achievement; following a day-long intensive block production training. The training, which is CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program  First Edition out of Monrovia, is an initiative embarked upon by the company aimed at teaching block makers how to make quality blocks by knowing the number of materials to produce a block. According to the management, the block making training is being carried out once a month in all the counties and subsequently, it would be carried out two and three times a month in the various parts of the country. 

Related Captions: CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Program Launched In Grand Bassa(Heritage), CEMENCO Block Maker Academy Launched In Grand Bassa(The INQUIRER)

VP Taylor Gives L$2m--For Women Empowerment

Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has donated a cash loan of $2,000,000.00 Liberian Dollars to the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) in support of its Women Integration and Training (WIN) project. The New Dawn newspaper reads that during the cash donation program Monday, May 14 VP Howard-Taylor said the loan requires no interest, and beneficiaries will be given some time before paying back. Vice President Howard-Taylor said the WIN project is adequate and needs support so that it can spread to other counties, vowing that her office will not open any program for women empowerment and training because it will direct its full support to the WIN project.

EU, Kriterion-Liberia Host Nationwide Film Festival

As part of activities marking the 68^th anniversary celebration of the European Union (EU), the European Delegation to Liberia and local non-governmental organization Kriterion, are holding dries of films festivals across the country. Kicked off May 7, the film festival ends May 18, 2018, and is been held at various venues: Monrovia, Paynesville and Kakata. The Open activities include Screenings in the framework of the 2018 Euro-Liberian Film Festival, reads the In Profile Daily.  

Residents Urged To Obtain Birth Certificates 

The Principal Registrar of the Bureau of Vital Statistics, at the Ministry of Health, Prince K. Momolu,has urgedLiberians, including people born in Liberia to obtain birth certificates.Birth certificate is legitimately issued to people who are born in Liberia whether they are citizens or aliens, he says. Speaking recently in an interview with the Liberia News Agency, he disclosed that people applying for birth certificates are always in a rush, creating a major challenge for the bureau. He cautions applicants not to wait for occasions such as scholarship, job, among others, before filing for birth certificates.  He also cautions the public against dealing with individuals who are not in the employ of the Bureau of Vital Statistics, detailing that all legitimate employees wear jackets and carry identification cards. He advises clients applicants must "insist to know whom they are dealing with" in obtaining birth certificates. According to him, the Bureau is working in close collaboration with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) to detect unqualified persons applying for birth certificates in Liberia, according to the New Dawn newspaper.