22 February 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

In Paris, Weah Scores Opportunities for Education, Healthcare, Investment, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

The media reports that President George Weah has presented his agenda for development and sought France’s assistance in implementing his goals. On Wednesday, President Weah paid a courtesy visit to a network of French businesses under the banner, Movement des Enterprise de France (MEDEF) that consists of over 750,000 members and firms. The MEDEF, which promotes entrepreneurship by defending free enterprise, also places job-creation and sustainable growth at the heart of its action, a dispatch from Paris has said.

Earlier at the meeting, President Weah informed the group that Liberia is open for business and therefore he is encouraging French businesses to come and invest in Liberia. The Liberian leader outlined the construction of roads, agriculture, healthcare, education, and sports, coupled with the need for Liberia to fly its own airline under the banner of Air Liberia, as some of the immediate investment opportunities in the country. Read more

First 30 Days: Weah Walks in Ellen’s Errors, Source: New DEMOCRAT

According to the New Democrat, after 30 days in office today, the jurors are still out with respect to whether or not President George Weah’s initial policy statements have inspired the hope he promised voters during the 2017 elections. He wants to transform the country into a paradise to improve the lives of every Liberian, make them cry no more, end corruption, poverty and inequality, provide free healthcare and education, and build more road networks.

The outlet reports that to achieve his economic goals, President Weah is frantically seeking foreign financial aid and building his cabinet to a considerable extent on patronage and nepotism, the identical vices and policy missteps that contributed to his predecessor’s failure. Like former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President Weah has an incoherent policy prescription on the demotic economy and is presenting the country as a failed state or pariah to gain foreign governments and aid organizations’ recognition.

The 30-day old Weah’s government is begging the donor community for USD3 billion to actualize its infrastructure program. He is currently in France holding talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The challenges facing Liberia, especially economic growth and youth empowerment as well as the role of sports as a factor of development are on Weah’s agenda as he holds discussions with Macron.

Reforming Security Sector Key to Democratic Stability and Peace in Liberia, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The guest speaker at the National Security Sector (SSR) Think Tank Conference taking place at the University of Liberia, Cllr. Frederick Gbamie has observed that reforming the Liberian Security Sector is a critical determinant for continuing the SSR process, dictating SSR direction and guidance, and for determining the financial, technical, and political support to the government of Liberia, this paper reports.

The two-day international conference is being held under the theme, “Political Transition and the Future of the Security Sector Reform in Liberia.” The conference discussed several topics including ‘how to ensure a smooth transition in the Liberian Security institutions,’ ‘what strategies are in place to increase the representation of women in the Security Sector institutions, especially in key leadership positions, amongst others.

Senator Dan Morias Proposes Two “Bills” At Senate Plenary, Source: The INQUIRER

Maryland Senator H. Dan Morias has proposed two bills – Act to create Barraken City Corporation, and an Act to create the Borough of Hoffman Station in Maryland County that seek good governance, economic growth, and development of the county and people. The Act to create Barraken City Corporation was read Tuesday and sent to committee room for review and deliberations.

Lawmaker Worries over Hike in Customs Duties, Port Charges, Source: The INQUIRER

Senator Peter Coleman has filed a complaint to the Senate against the constant hike in custom duties and port charges at the National Port Authority (NPA) for storage of containers. Senator Coleman said such increases could have adverse consequences as it is exerting on Liberian-owned businesses as well as the revenue generating capacity of the Liberian economy at present. The Grand Kru lawmaker, therefore, urged the Senate to cite the Commerce Ministry, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Customs Brokers Association, Liberia Business Association, Concern Liberia Business Organization, and PATEL to come and make a presentation during its hearing.

LRA Licenses 13 Tax Practitioners, Sources: Daily OBSERVER and FrontPage Africa

As a means of upholding the culture of standard tax administration, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has certificated 13 professionals as licensed tax practitioners in Liberia, according to an LRA press release Wednesday. The certification comes on the heels of a rigorous vetting process in line with set standards as stipulated in the Act establishing the LRA. The license will enable the practitioners to practice and adhere to professional standards and be legally recognized by the LRA as certified tax practitioners.

Speaking during the certification program Tuesday at the LRA headquarters in Paynesville, commissioner-general Elfrieda Stewart Tamba said the process was a significant mark of transformation and achievement for the authority. “The licensing of tax practitioners represents a major indicator and step towards our desire to strengthen and further professionalize the tax profession in Liberia,” Tamba indicated. Read more

Strange Disease Surfaces in Bong County -Several youths affected, worst among them a 12-year-old boy, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Residents of Garmaymue Town, a farming community in Suakoko District in Bong County have reported the emergence of a “strange skin disease” in the district, affecting many persons, including children. Emmanuel Waisakollie, a registered nurse with the Phebe Hospital told the Daily Observer that the disease has affected several households in the village. “The disease looks different from the one people normally referred to as ‘Be Serious,’ because victims complain that it is painful and it has pus, and itchy,” Mr. Waisakollie said.  He said he became aware of the disease in the village on Tuesday while on his normal routine medical community outreach program. “Two of the teenagers afflicted by the disease are in the worst of the condition, and there is the likelihood that other children may also contract the skin disease if district health authorities do not intervene in time,” Waisakollie warned.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s communications director Sorbor George said “the Gbarnga situation is the same as scabies that the MOH has earlier talked about finding solutions to contain their spread,” and, therefore, people should not panic about it. Read more

Disclaimer
This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIL on the understanding that the choice of articles included is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIL.

 

 

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