daily Media Summary (06-12-2019)
THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
DAILY NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2019
Stories dominating today’s local dailies selected for our media summary include news about President George Weah’s departure to Nigeria; President Weah’s call to national stakeholders for a round table discussion aimed at fixing the country’s broken economy; the departure of 20 Agriculture students to Israel for studies as well as President George Weah’s congratulatory message to the Russian Federation on that country’s National Day observance amongst other important news headlines.
Dominant Stories
President Weah Off To Nigeria
President Dr. George Manneh Weah, Tuesday, June 11, 2019 left the country for Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Weah’s visit is in honor of an invitation from his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, to attend what is called Nigeria’s Democracy Day scheduled for June 12. Democracy Day is June 12, a national public holiday in Nigeria, which until June 6, 2018, was held annually on May 29, the day the military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999, marking the beginning of the longest continuous civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence from the colonial rule in 1960. It is a tradition that has been held annually, beginning in the year 2000, pens the The Newsnewspaper.
Related Caption:President Weah Visits Nigeria (Heritage)PresidentWeah Off to Nigeria (New Dawn)Pres Weah Heads to Nigeria (Daily Observer)
Bring Your Ideas to the Table President Weah Responds to the Protesters
Liberia’s President George Manneh Weah is urging Liberians to come together to devise and support new measures necessary to address structural defects and imbalances in the economy here, days after thousands of aggrieved citizens took part in what is seen as the country’s most peaceful mass protest on June 7. “Fellow citizens, let us sit and dialogue on the way forward for economic revival in Liberia. Bring your ideas to the table, and I assure you that they will be given my most careful consideration,” he said Tuesday, 11 June via state broadcaster ELBC. The Council of Patriots (COP) supported by Liberia’s four collaborating opposition political parties led the peaceful protest, Pens the New Dawn.
Weah Proposes ‘Dialogue for Economic Revival’ Pres. Weah to invite opposition, religious Leaders (Inquirer newspaper) Pres. Weah Justifies Persistent Economic Decline (Daily Observer newspaper) Related Caption:President Weah Calls for Dialogue. Invites Opposition, Others to Roundtable (The News)
President Weah Applauds The Russian Federation On National Day Observance
Quoting a Foreign Ministry’s Press Release, the Heritage newspaper informs that President George Manneh Weah has conveyed heartfelt congratulations to President Vladimar Putin, the Government and people of the Russian Federation, on the occasion commemorating Russia’s National Day. In the message to Russian President Vladimar Putin, President George Manneh Weah on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in his own name, extended sincere best wishes to the Government and people of the Russian Federations following the observance of this historic milestone. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Weah expressed deep appreciation for the consistent bilateral relationship and look forward to deepening the cooperation between Liberia and Russia. “It is my hope that we will move to strengthen our relations through high level bilateral visits that will inspire cooperation and collaboration on joint ventures between our two peoples”, President Weah added. And form. Liberian leader then wished for President Putin continued good health and success and for the Government and people of the Russian Federation peace, security, and prosperity.
Related Captions:President Weah Applauds Russia…On National Observance (The News) President Weah applauds the Russian Federation (New Dawn) (Inquirer newspaper)
Liberian Artists Perform Brilliantly At UNESCO Africa Week
Held under the theme: “Peace, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa”, the Africa Week-long events held at UNESCO kick-off in grand style at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, between May 20-24, 2019. The week-long event that saw an innovation hub of selected African innovators, with their state-of-art innovations, a list of authors with our forty (40) different publications representing a generation of African writers, Art exhibition, handicraft boutiques.
The selected theme: “Innovation at the service of sustainable development in Africa”, witnessed great artistic performances were all highlights of the week’s agenda of the week as well. UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azoulay along with Ambassadors to UNESCO, African dignitaries, business and academic representatives as well as students were all in attendance, the Frontpage Africa newspaper reads.
Related Caption: President Weah Endorses IMF-Supported Program for Liberia as Government Tightens Screws in Wake of Latest Report (Frontpage Africa)
20 Liberians to Leave for Agro Studies in Israel
At least 20 Liberian students are expected to leave the country for Agro-studies in Israel, following negotiation between the Israelite and Liberian governments. The students will be drawn from a total of 60 students, who were selected from various universities, including the University of Liberia, Cuttington University and Tubman University for vetting process by AgroStudies Grano Group. According to AgroStudies CEO, Yaron Tamir, Liberia is among 15 countries in the agriculture based program that will strengthen the capacities of students in various fields of agriculture. “Israel’s government has decided to help Liberia in agriculture studies. The government of Liberia had spoken with the Israelite Government on the issue of agriculture, so they decided to help,” Tamir said according to the Frontpage Africa.
Related Caption: Big Boost for the Agricultural Sector (Daily Observer)
Liberia: Man, 24, Sentenced to Prison for Life for Murder
Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has sentenced a 24-year-old man identified as Joshua Marshall to life imprisonment. Marshall was sentenced on Tuesday, June 11 at the Temple of Justice for murder. Judge Willie stated in his ruling: “In view therefore and considering the facts and circumstances in the case, the law citations as cited herein and the report of the Probation office of the Ministry of Justice, the court hereby confirms and affirms the guilty verdict of the trial jury and accordingly sentence the Defendant Joshua Marshall to life imprisonment.” The Clerk of this court is hereby ordered to communicate this final judgement of the sentence against Defendant Joshua Marshall to the Monrovia Central Prison with immediate effect,” the Frontpage Africa newspaper reports.
Related Caption:Man, 24, Sentenced To Life Imprisonment (The News)
Silence Emergency- Kimmie Weeks Brands Drugs Dependent Youth Recommends National Emergency To Address National Issue
Youth Activist and Senatorial hopeful Dr. Kimmie Weeks has termed as silence emergency, increase in number of young people who are engaged into drug abuse across the country. According to Dr. Weeks, troubling societal issue should now draw the attention of national government and be treated as a national emergency. Speaking recently, he observed that the sector, which is affected by drugs, is a key sector of the society, as such, more attention should be given to ensure the issue is addressed in a timely manner. Holistic approach, he added, is one of the best ways aimed at addressing said issue, Heritage newspaper reports.
CBL Executives Governor Calls For Prudent Debt Management
The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Mr. Nathaniel Patray, III has emphasized the need for prudent debt management, not only for development but also to ensure macroeconomic stability. Executive Governor Patray made the statement Monday, during opening remarks of a WAIFEM (West African Institute for Economic Management) regional course on the Audit of Public Debt Management taking being held at the CBL Auditorium 10-14 June 2019. The CBL Executive Governor said it is important that auditors and audit institutions understand public debt management arrangements so that they can be able to develop an effective audit approach. This understanding, he said, must be regularly reviewed to ensure that any significant changes and developments are reflected in current and future audits and that public debt management activities are consistent with the IMF/World Bank guidelines, Heritagenewspaper writes.
AMEU Dedicates “State of the Art” Masters Building
In furtherance to an effort to provide quality education to Liberian and foreign nationals within the territorial confines of the country, the faith-based African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) has dedicated what has been described as a ‘state of the art’ building for it graduate degree program. The graduate school building which was dedicated Tuesday, June 11, 2019, is adjacent to undergraduate campus on Camp Johnson Road in Monrovia. Accordingly, the colorful program was attended by an array of officials of the AME Church as well as several educators. Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony, the President of the school, Dr. Joseph T. Isaac, described the as one of the most remarkable projects in the history of the AME Church, Heritage newspaper reports.
NACOMA Celebrates World Day… Against Child Labor
The Newsnewspaper is reporting that The National Commission on Child Labor (NACOMA) of the Ministry of Labor will today June 12, 2019 join other countries around the world to celebrate “World Day against Child Labor”. June 12 every year is celebrated by member states of the International Labor Organization (ILO) as World Day Against Child Labor. A release said the World Day Against Child Labor provides an opportunity to gain further support of individual governments and that of the ILO Social Partners, Civil Society and others, including schools, youth and women’s groups as well as the media, in the campaign against child labor. The Global Theme for this year’s celebration is “Children Shouldn’t Work in Field, but on Dreams”, while the National Theme is “Prioritize Children Dreams through quality Education”. According to the Labor Ministry statement, the celebration is intended to reassure the Government of Liberia commitment to the fight against child labor by raising the necessary awareness and sensitize the public on child labor issues in the country; advocate ensuring that National Policies and Programs are in place to address child protection issues, especially child labor.
Related Caption:Libeeria Joins Other Countries to Celebrate “World Day Against Child Labor” Today (Heritage)
LRRRC to launch NIDP Survey Report
The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission or LRRRC, says all is set for the Launch of the National Internally Displace Person (NIDP) survey report that was conducted in four counties recently. Addressing a news conference Monday, June 10, at the Commission head office in Sinkor, suburb Monrovia, and Executive Director Rev. Festus Logan says the LRRRC is an agency of government with a mandate to provide international protection, and humanitarian assistance to refugee, Liberian returnees, and disadvantaged youth, including persons of concern. He says since the end of the Liberian Civil war, the government through the commission in 2018 fathomed an intensive month-long profiling and mapping exercise of over 20,000 Liberian citizens, who are basically internally displaced which encompass disadvantaged youth, man and women, who are unskilled and assumed to have no futher in social opportunities. Pens the New Dawn
Related Caption: (The New Dawn)CBL boss pushes for prudent debt management
Police probe death at Palm Spring Resort
According to the New Dawn, the Liberia National Police (LNP) is investigating the death of a woman, Yatta Kamara, who had gone to visit her unidentified male partner at Palm Spring Resort in Monrovia. According to a press release, the deceased was reported dead by her partner in his room in circumstances that still remain unclear. However, the management of Palm Spring Resort says while it distances itself from the unfortunate happening, it has at the same time contacted the Liberia National Police (LNP) which is probing the death.
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2019 Article IV Consultation with Liberia
According to the Daily Observer newspaper On May 31, 2019 the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Liberia. According to the IMF, Liberia remains a fragile, post-conflict country with weak capacity and limited physical and human capital accumulation External assistance to Liberia is winding down from its peak in 2016. To address pressing needs, the government launched its Pro-Poor Agenda Prosperity and Development (PAPD) focusing on physical and human capital accumulation. Policy uncertainty and slippages, however, imposed a significant troll on the economy over the past years.
ILo Conducts Governance Workshop For Executives of LLC
A three day workshop on Governance for Executive Members and Presidents, General Secretaries of Affiliated Unions as well as National women and Youth leaders of the Liberia Labor Congress(LLC) has ended in Monrovia. The Liberia Labor Congress(LLC) is the present body of all Labor Movements and Trade Union Organizations representing workers at various workplace in Liberia. The objective of the workshop were to train he union officials on the functioning of the structures of Liberia Labor Congress, contribute to enhance LLC leadership skills, contribute to stabilization of leadership at LLC level: expose ensure participate to corporate governance principles and ensure participate of member-ship in the affairs of LLC, pens the Daily Observer newspaper.
Eminent Clan Chief Dies of ‘’Snake Bite’ in Nimba
One of the long-serving Clan chiefs in Nimba Country has reportedly died from a snake bite, an incident which residents said occurred right in front of the deceased’s residence in Flumpa Town, Gbian Chiefdom, Leewehpea Administrative District, Nimba County, a fortnight ago ba County, fortnight ago. A family source informed Radio Saclapea, a community radio station that Elder David Dahn met his death recently around 1:00 a.m., when he came outside to attend to nature(urinate). According to the family member, Chief Dahn came out of his house and suddenly he shouted that a tiny crawling creature had biten him, pens the Daily Observer newspaper.
Liberia Reviews Progress On Beijing Plattorm
The Ministry of Gender Children and social Protection has concluded a one-day validation and national review report on the Beijing Declaration and platform for Action in Monrovia. Gender Minister Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr said this Action was set into motion some 25 years ago at a Beijing Conference, therefore Liberia as a country is making a check on where it is today relating to the goals that were set for bridging women and men’s equality. She said the event was intended to validate Liberia’s report as a country which will be presented. Therefore the government is taking stalk of where it is today and where it intends to go and especially align what is needed and what is necessary from the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) in enhancing women’s growth and participation, pens the Inquirer newspaper.
NEC Board Overturns Ruling In Npp Leadership Crisis
The Board of Commissioners, (BOC) of the National Elections Commission (NEC), has overturned the ruling of the commission’s Chief Dispute Hearing Officer Munna Ville in the internal leadership crisis within the National Patriotic Party, NPP of Liberia. According to the Inquirer newspaper the internal leader crisis within the NPP involves the current Chairman John Gray and others and he expelled Chairman James Barney and others. The ruling by the NEC reinstates the expelled Chairman James Barney as the legitimate Chairman of the National Patriotic Party and vice President Jewel Howard Taylor as the Standard Bearer of the party pens the Inquirer newspaper.
Related Caption:NEC Reinstates Expelled NPP Chairman (Heritage
Salary Delay , Lack of computers Shut Radio Maria Down Indefinitely
The Catholic Media Center operation of Radio Maria formerly Radio Veritas has announced its indefinite shutdown due to the lack of finance and logistical support. According to Radio Maria’s management team, the decision to close the radio station came from the priest director, Rev. Father Jonathan Whawhen, who stated that the management has found it extremely strenuous to run the station with the repeated salary delays lack of computers and internet system pens the Inquirer newspaper.
TU Graduates Over 200
Over 200 students have walked out from the V.S Tubman University in Happer, Maryland County on Tuesday, June 10 having completed the prescribed curriculum of the institution. The graduates came from the six collages of the University including the collage of Agriculture and food, Arts and science, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health and Sciences, and management and Administration. Speaking at the convocation, the National Port Authority’s Managing Director, Bill Tweahway admonished the graduates adding that their country needs them most having been prepared and trained in various disciplines for the job market pens the Inquirer newspaper.
Related caption: Liberia Observes Day against Child Labor (Inquirer newspaper)
