Wednesday, 7 March 2018

LIBERIA MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

By-elections Set For May 8, Source: The INQUIRER

The National Elections Commission (NEC) has released the timetable for the conduct of the senatorial by-elections in Bong and Montserrado Counties. NEC chairman Jerome Korkoya told a news confab Tuesday that the conduct of the by-elections is a result of the vacancies created in the Liberian Senate by the elections of Senators George Weah and Jewel Howard Taylor as president and vice president of Liberia respectively. Korkoya said candidates’ nomination will run from March 15 – 27, while the by-elections in the two counties will be held on 8 May 2018. The NEC chairman said the conduct of the by-elections in the two counties is in pursuant to Article 37 of the Liberian Constitution.

Weah Wants: Economists, Bankers, Engineers, Farmers, Teachers, Construction Companies From Nigeria, Source: New DEMOCRAT

The New Democrat reports that President George Weah’s begging spree hit an embarrassing low on Monday, 5 March when he pleaded with Nigeria to help Liberia nearly with everything: economists, bankers, farmers, construction companies, engineers, and teachers to execute his “pro-poor” governance manifesto. President Weah wants Nigeria whose economy is recovering from recession to fix Liberia’s economy. He did not say how. Perhaps President Muhammadu Buhari will send economists here. “We need Nigeria’s help to jump-start our economy,” Weah said.

President Weah Declares Thursday, March 8, International Women’s Day, Sources: Foreign Ministry News, FrontPage Africa, and INSIGHT

President George Weah has by Proclamation declared Thursday, 8 March as International Women’s Day, and it is to be observed throughout the country as a Working Holiday. The Proclamation says the day marks the struggle that women around the world have made to gain equality and equal rights as well as to reflect on the changes and progress that culminated in their international endeavor. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the women of Liberia will join their counterparts to celebrate the day under the global theme: “Press for Progress” and national theme: “Action Now: Support the Liberian Women Agenda”. In 1997, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 32/142 proclaiming March 8th of each year as International Women’s Day to be observed by the Member States in accordance with their historical and national traditions. Read more

Minister Findley Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Freedom of Expression and Information, Sources: Foreign Ministry News, INSIGHT, and The INQUIRER

Liberia’s foreign minister Gbehzohngar Findley has reaffirmed country’s unwavering commitment to holding freedom of expression and press under the George Weah-led administration. Minister Findley said Liberia has made significant gains over the last decade in promoting press freedom and free speech. The Liberian foreign minister spoke Monday when a two-person delegation from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headed by the UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye met with him at the Foreign Ministry. Findley acknowledged the role of the UNHRC in promoting human rights.

The foreign minister then pledged the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the visiting UN team in carrying out its mission in Liberia, promising to assist them to get what they need to continue the promotion of human rights in Liberia. He also lauded the UNHRC for the numerous supports it has given to Liberia in strengthening and establishing its integrity institutions that are geared toward the enhancement of human rights and freedom of speech.

For his part, Mr. Kaye thanked foreign minister Findley and the Liberian government for the warmed reception accorded his team and stated that his delegation is here to ascertain the facts surrounding freedom of information as well as free media in connection to the working of government. He said they have so far gathered positive impressions about Liberia from ordinary Liberians concerning press freedom and freedom of expression. Kaye then hailed Liberia for passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and for establishing the Freedom of Information and Human Right Commissions. Read more

Corruption in Land Administration Hampers Development, Undercuts Poverty Reduction, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The program manager of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Gerald Yeakula says corruption in land administration hampers development and undercuts efforts geared towards poverty reduction. Mr. Yeakula made the disclosure Thursday in Monrovia during the launch of a report titled “Land and Corruption in Africa,” in partnership with the Transparency International (TI) Secretariat, which is implemented in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.

In Liberia, he said, land administration is fraught with multifaceted malpractices that are driven primarily by endemic corruption. “We wish to emphasize that land reform discussions must include a strong anti-corruption regime that is rigid on prosecuting those involved with malpractices in the sector,” Yeakula said. According to him, the objective of the project was to determine the prevailing issues that continue to undermine the creation of a well-insulated and equitable land regime that seeks to adequately address land governance administration in Liberia. Read more

Bong County Health Team Response to Strange Disease, Source: FrontPage Africa

Health authorities in Bong County disclosed Tuesday that 200 people are now infected with a skin disease that sparked widespread health concern in the country, confirming that the disease is scabies. Officials of the County Health Team (CHT) and the Health Ministry had earlier expressed uncertainties over the identity of the skin infection although they said most of the signs and symptoms patients were showing resemble scabies, an itchy and highly contagious skin disease caused by an infestation by the itch mite known scientifically as Sarcoptes scabiei. Acting county health officer of Bong, Alphonso Kofa said 17 cases that were previously reported have been treated. Read more

Foreign Ministry Conducts Training for Protocol Officers, Sources: Foreign Ministry News, FrontPage Africa, and INSIGHT

A two-week Protocol Refresher Training Workshop aimed at enhancing the performance of personnel and protocol officers across the three branches of government is expected to commence today Wednesday at the Foreign Ministry’s Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute. A Foreign Ministry release says the workshop, which is intended to deepen the knowledge and skills of protocol officers and other personnel of the government assigned at the offices of the president and the vice president, will also incorporate protocol staffs of the Legislature, the Judiciary as well as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, State for Presidential Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Finance. The training will cover assistant ministers from the above-named ministries as well as chiefs of office staff, administrative and special assistants, research analysts and assistants at the Legislature. Read more

President Weah Congratulates Ghana on 61st Independence Observance, Sources: Daily OBSERVER, Foreign Ministry News, INSIGHT, The INQUIRER, and The New Dawn

President George Weah has sent a message of congratulations to the government and people of Ghana on the occasion commemorating the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary. According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Weah extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.  While applauding Ghana for its achievements since independence, the Liberian leader said Ghana remains a shining example of democratic governance and local development in West Africa. Weah then recalled Ghana’s direct contributions to Liberia and its pivotal role played, through ECOWAS, toward the democratic and peaceful transition of Liberia early this year. Read more

President Weah Consoles Burkina Faso, Sources: Foreign Ministry News, INSIGHT, and The INQUIRER

President George Weah has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of Burkina Faso following the death of at least eight persons and dozens injured from terrorist attacks on both the French Embassy and the military headquarters in Ouagadougou on Friday. According to a Foreign Ministry release, in his condolence message to President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, the Liberian leader prayed that the Almighty God will grant him and the people of Burkina Faso strength, and fortitude to go through this difficult period of mourning. 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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