LIBERIA NEWS AGENCY (LINA)
Ministry of Information Building
Capitol Hill, Monrovia
Daily News Bulletin
March 5, 2015
Politics-Anniversary-Ghana
Pres. Sirleaf Congratulates Ghana On 58th Independence Day
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of Ghana on the occasion commemorating the 58th Independence Anniversary of that country on March 6.
In the message to her Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama, President Sirleaf extended warmest congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of Ghana on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia and in her own name.
According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry release issued Thursday, she wished President Mahama and compatriots good health, continued prosperity and long life as the people of Ghana celebrate this joyous occasion.
According to a Foreign Ministry's release, President Johnson Sirleaf then hoped that the cordial ties of friendship that so happily subsist between both countries and peoples will be strengthened as they seek new areas of partnership.
LINA
Politics-House-Snowe
Rep. Snowe Apologizes To Plenary
By Hilary Vasco Wiagbe/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - Montserrado County Representative Edwin Snowe has expressed regrets and apologized to the Plenary of the House of Representatives for his involvement in the disruption of Session on January 13, 2015 .
“I hereby express regret and apologize for my involvement therein. It is my hope that this matter, which in my belief was a temporary political distraction, will be resolved and that we will concern ourselves with furthering and ensuring and pursuing the duties and functions for which we were elected,” he said in a letter.
The letter was addressed to Speaker Alexander J. Tyler and dated March 4, 2015.
According to the Liberia News Agency, the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration on March 1, 2015 recommended that Snowe and other lawmakers who were involved in the fracas write letters of apology to Plenary.
Three other Representatives were suspended for three months and one month without pay and incentives respectively.
The committee’s recommendation was endorsed by a majority vote of the House on March 3, 2015.
Responding, Deputy Speaker Hans Barchue thanked Snowe for complying with the decision of Plenary, and stressed the need for members of the House to work in unity to succeed in doing the people’s business.
LINA
Health-Training-Pathology
3 aaLiberian Doctors To Train w As Pathologists In Ghana
By Decontee M Wesseh/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) -The Liberian Government will send three doctors to Ghana for a three-year training course in pathology in August, Solicitor-General Betty Blamo has disclosed.
According to Blamo, the training of the doctors, whose names were not disclosed, will be sponsored by the Ministry of Justice.
She made the disclosure Thursday at the Ministry of Information daily press conference in Monrovia.
Blamo indicated that the doctors were scheduled to leave in August last year, but the Ghanaian Government rejected them due to the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia.
She said now that Ebola is gradually being eradicated with no new cases reported of late, the Ghanaian Government has given the green light for the doctors to go for the training.
“We don’t have a pathologist in Liberia… that was why the processing of the late Counselor Michael Allison’s case was delayed,” she noted.
LINA
Society-Media-Warning
MICAT Warns Media Against Unauthorized Use Of Gov’t Releases, Adverts
By Ballah M. Kollie/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) –The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) has warned media houses to stop using government-related publications and advertisements that are not sanctioned by the ministry.
According to acting Information Minister Isaac Jackson, despite the approval by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of MICAT as the official regulator of government publications, some entities are by-passing the ministry and directly taking press releases, other publications and advertisements to the media.
“We call on you to stop or you will not hold the ministry responsible for works that did not originate from it,” Jackson said at the Thursday edition of the regular MICAT press briefing.
He stressed that government will not honor payment of quotations from media institutions that did not pass through the ministry’s bureau of communication.
LINA
Society-Law
Respect For Rule Of Law Key To Nation Building-Minister Sannoh
By Wilfred Gortor/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - Justice Minister Benedict Sannoh has said respect for the rule of law must be a key priority of all Liberians to move forward with nation-building and stability.
Sannoh observed that the lack of respect for constitutional authorities is most often compromised in the interest of national reconciliation, noting that this often leads to the recurrence of such conduct.
He made the statement at the Ministry of Information regular Thursday press conference held at the Ministry in Monrovia.
“No foundation for peace and stability can be laid in any country emerging from conflict if it is not grounded with the respect for the rule of law,” Sannoh indicated.
The Minister stressed that Liberia is currently making significant progress in establishing a vibrant justice system which, according to him, must be appreciated by the people.
Sannoh pointed out that under the guidance of the Ministry of Justice, the security apparatus, including the Bureau of Immigration, National Fire Service and various departments of the ministry, have properly discharged their constitutional duties relative to their statutory mandates.
Meanwhile, Sannoh has disclosed that despite the Ebola crisis, coupled with the numerous institutional challenges facing Liberia, the justice and security sectors maintained security and protected lives, properties and the territorial integrity of Liberia.
He then accorded special thanks to the United Nation Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for its efforts in contributing to Liberia’s peace and security.
LINA
Politics-Senate
Senate To Probe Slashing Of Staff Fuel Coupons
By Winnie Dixon/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) – The Liberian Senate Thursday mandated two of its committees to probe the slashing of the monthly fuel coupons of its staff and recommend remedies within a week for a merit-based distribution.
The committees are Rules, Order and Administration and Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, headed by the Senators George Tengbeh of Lofa and Edward Dagoseh Grand Cape Mount Counties.
The decision was triggered by a March 3 communication from Senators Geraldine Doe-Sheriff, Dallas Gueh and Henry Yallah of Montserrado, River Cess and Bong Counties respectively.
According to the letter, the senators indicated that though they are recommending investigation, they believe that the alleged reduction in gas allowances by the erstwhile leadership is “de-motivating.”
According to the letter, the coupons of the Chiefs of Office Staff were reduced from US$440 to US$220 for gasoline or diesel; while that of Administrative Assistants was slashed from US$330 to US$200.
It further reports that Legislative Research Analysts now receive US$65 worth of coupon compared to the previous US$155; Executive Secretaries who received US$88 now get US$66; while the Secretaries who got US$88 are now at US$44 worth of gasoline or diesel.
The communication also revealed that Political Officers and Special Assistants are presently getting no coupons as compared to previously when they received US$132 worth of coupons.
Even though the letter was not fully debated by the body, most senators hoped that the committees would institute measures to ensure justice and equitable distribution for staffers.
LINA
Society-Police
Police Restores Calm To Zorzor
By Korboi K Gbelewala, LINA Lofa County Correspondent
VOINJAMA, March 5 (LINA) – Relative calm has returned to Zorzor, Lofa County following the intervention of the Liberia National Police after angry youths set ablaze two houses and several cell phones booths in the Zorzor Lutheran Church community.
The incident occurred when youths carrying single barrel guns, sticks, cutlasses and other objects Tuesday evening took to the streets in search of a gold miner identified as Abraham Dukuly who allegedly killed his 32-year-old lover Senia Gayflor.
Gayflor, a citizen of Fissibu Town several miles away from Zorzor, Tuesday left Fissibu to stay the night with her lover Dukuly where the incident reportedly occurred, family sources told the Liberia News Agency.
The riot, which nearly degenerated into ethnic crisis, started at about 5:00 a.m. and lasted for almost eight hours, causing residents to flee from the city as normal business activities came to a stand-still on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Zorzor District Commissioner Henry Wolobah has confirmed the arrest of 13 suspects in connection with the incident by the Liberian National Police who were transferred to the Voinjama police depot for investigation.
Commissioner Wolobah also told LINA that the body of the late Senia Gayflor has been deposited at the Zorzor Curran Lutheran Hospital for examination.
Wolobah is also calling on residents and citizens of Zorzor District to remain calm while government probes the matter.
LINA
Gender-Empowerment
Rural Women Meet On Economic Empowerment
By Johnson Bobby Liway, LINA Grand Bassa County Correspondent
BUCHANAN, March 5 (LINA) – Rural women from across the country are meeting in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to accelerate progress towards economic empowerment through social protection and agriculture.
The conference brings together women organizations with the aim of providing training in leadership and democratic representation, consultation on governance reforms and adoption of a road-map for the economic empowerment.
The meeting is organized by the National Rural Women in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Program and UN Women.
Speaking at the conference, an official of the United Nations, Adama Diop Faye, told participants that women empowerment is crucial in the eradication of poverty from the country.
Faye stressed the need for the government and partners to focus on ensuring that women become potential entrepreneurs, adding: “We can maximize the contributions they make to the national growth and development.”
The UN official lauded the governments of Norway and Sweden for providing funds to mitigate the negative impacts the Ebola virus has had on food security and livelihoods and to support rural women stay in business through their involvement in agriculture.
Faye told the women that the UN will identify and work with rural women organizations at the community level by creating, supporting and strengthening their enterprises.
LINA
Health-Ebola-Surveillance
Health Ministry Launches Phase 3 To Wipe Ebola Out
By Decontee M Wesseh/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - The Ministry of Health has said it will require a quality surveillance system and the restoration of confidence in the healthcare system for Liberia to finally defeat the Ebola virus.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information daily press conference on Wednesday, Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyenswah, noted that this is part of the phase three plan to eradicate the Ebola virus.
It can be recalled that three months ago, strategies for phase two were announced by Nyenswah to deal with issues like rapid isolation and treatment of Ebola patients, 100 percent contact tracing, high-level of community engagement and cross-border intervention.
The Ministry also highlighted the need for strengthening Liberia’s capacity to do effective laboratory testing, as well as gaining the confidence of the international community to ensure the resumption of flights and economic activities.
“Moving from phase two to three is an encouragement because for the past 12 days there has been no new confirmed case in Liberia,” he added.
Nyenswah noted that the health ministry is also in contact with several funeral homes so that every dead body is tested to make sure that it is Ebola-free as part of the phase three strategies.
LINA
Health-Ebola-Phase
Phase Two Of Ebola Fight Scores 100 Percent
By Ballah M. Kollie/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) -Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services Tolbert Nyenswah has attributed the country’s Ebola success story to 100 percent achievement of strategies employed in Phase Two of the Ebola fight.
He named contact tracing, case and burial management as some of the strategies employed to get the Ebola case level to zero over the past 12 days.
Addressing the MICAT regular press briefing Wednesday, Nyenswah declared that Liberia has gone 12 of the required 42-day incubation period to be declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He said the current achievement in Phase Two has seen Montserrado County record 12 days without a confirmed case, while Margibi County has recorded 16 days since the last confirmed case was reported, despite recount of recurring cases.
He added that only four confirmed cases have been reported in the last 21 days, while the ministry continues to follow 102 contacts.
Nyenswah lauded local and international partners for their contributions leading to the gains made in the fight to eradicate the Ebola Virus Disease from the country.
Giving an update on Ebola across the country, Minister Nyenswah said Lofa has gone 119 days, Gbarpolu 155 days, Grand Cape Mount 48days, Bomi 98 days, Bong 71days, Nimba 73 days and Grand Bassa 78 days.
Rivercess has gone 98 days, Grand Gedeh 150 days, Sinoe 66 days, River Gee 155 days, Grand Kru 107 days, Maryland 214days, Margibi 16 days and Montserrado 12 days, since the last confirmed case was reported by these counties.
LINA
Society-Ebola-Clarification
Minister Nyenswah Clarifies Social Media ‘Indictment’
By: Ballah M. Kollie/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services Tolbert Nyenswah has rubbished social media reports that he was denied visa to Brussels due to his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Ebola money.
According to Nyenswah, the publication is far from the truth, and clarified that the cancellation of the technical team’s trip to Brussels was due to change of direction from Ivory Coast to London and conflicting dates.
“I came to this job with commitment, integrity and having no record of embezzlement, but have rather worked for 15 years as a master public health official,” said Nyenswah when he spoke at the MICAT press briefing Wednesday.
He lauded the performance of the financial management team for handling all finances of the ministry effectively and transparently, adding, “I do not handle money lest to talk about it being mismanaged by me.”
“No matter what they say, I remain a servant of my people and the records will prove me innocent,” he added.
LINA
Society-Proclamation
President Sirleaf Declares March 8 International Women’s Day
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Sunday, March 8, as International Women’s Day and is to be observed as a Working Holiday on Monday, March 9.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Women NGO Secretariat, women organizations and groups, in collaboration with the UN System and partners will celebrate the day simultaneously in the 15 counties under the Global Theme: “Women Rising Beyond Ebola”.
The Proclamation acknowledged the contribution of the women of Liberia in supporting government in all of its efforts in ensuring Liberia is Ebola-free and their continuous advocacy against perpetrators of gender based violence, especially rape.
The proclamation was contained in a Foreign Ministry release issued in Monrovia Wednesday.
The intent of the celebration is to create awareness and protect institutions on the need to speed up the trial of rape cases, strengthen community structures to take collective action on issues against gender based violence and to launch study report on the impact of Ebola on women and men.
Liberia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), reflecting its commitment to gender equality and equity through its national reconstruction and development program.
LINA
Politics-Legislature
Rep. Chea Wants Deadline To Print Acts Into Handbills
By Hilary Vasco Wiagbe/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - River Gee County Representative Johnson Chea has called for the setting up of a specific timeline to print into handbills Acts passed by the Legislature and approved by the President.
He argued that Article 35 of the Constitution of Liberia obligates the President to approve or disagree with bills submitted by the National Legislature within a specific timeframe, and that failure to adhere to such provision is a breach of the law.
Chea pointed out that in this regard, when the President approves a bill it needs to be printed into handbill in the shortest possible time to make it a law, according to the Liberia News Agency.
By Hilary Vasco Wiagbe/LINA
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - River Gee County Representative Johnson Chea has called for the setting up of a specific timeline to print into handbills Acts passed by the Legislature and approved by the President.
He argued that Article 35 of the Constitution of Liberia obligates the President to approve or disagree with bills submitted by the National Legislature within a specific timeframe, and that failure to adhere to such provision is a breach of the law.
Chea pointed out that in this regard, when the President approves a bill it needs to be printed into handbill in the shortest possible time to make it a law, according to the Liberia News Agency.
The River Gee Representative’s remarks were contained in a communication he submitted to House Speaker J. Alexander Tyler calling for enactment into law by the Legislature of a Bill titled: “Handbill Publication Act 2015.”
He maintained that contrary to the “expeditious” process needed to complete the legal process in law-making, there is no time set for bills that have Presidential approval to be printed into handbills.
Chea noted that this action does not only delay the enforcement of laws, but also creates room for selective printing of bills, requiring a deadline for printing the handbill.
The communication was forwarded to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary for scrutiny with the mandate to report to Plenary in two weeks.
LINA
He maintained that contrary to the “expeditious” process needed to complete the legal process in law-making, there is no time set for bills that have Presidential approval to be printed into handbills.
Chea noted that this action does not only delay the enforcement of laws, but also creates room for selective printing of bills, requiring a deadline for printing the handbill.
The communication was forwarded to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary for scrutiny with the mandate to report to Plenary in two weeks.
LINA
Society-Media-Survivors
PCI Official Wants Journalists Tell Ebola Survivors’ Stories
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) -The Communications Manager of the American NGO, PCI Media Impact, Caroline Kindalen, is calling on the media to tell the stories of Ebola survivors as an effective form of education and public awareness about the disease.
“The Ebola outbreak has been traumatic for every Liberian, but most traumatic for survivors and those who lost close family members," Kindalen observed.
“The Ebola outbreak has been traumatic for every Liberian, but most traumatic for survivors and those who lost close family members," Kindalen observed.
She, however, said: “While it is important to get the story and get the facts, it is equally important to respect people’s limits and have patience when interviewing them.”
According to a PUL press release, the PCI Media Impact official made the call Tuesday at a one-day workshop it hosted for journalists in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia.
According to a PUL press release, the PCI Media Impact official made the call Tuesday at a one-day workshop it hosted for journalists in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia.
“Telling their stories can be a good way for some survivors to move forward, but not all survivors. Some survivors have had very negative experiences with the press, including the international press, which has at times impeded our efforts,” she noted.
PCI Media Impact is working on a project called: “I Survived Ebola”, a multi-dimensional, trans-media communications campaign that places Ebola survivors’ stories from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at the center of national and international efforts.
The project intends to inform the West African public about the virus and how they can protect themselves and their communities from it, reduce stigmatization and promote reintegration of Ebola survivors.
PCI Media Impact is working on a project called: “I Survived Ebola”, a multi-dimensional, trans-media communications campaign that places Ebola survivors’ stories from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at the center of national and international efforts.
The project intends to inform the West African public about the virus and how they can protect themselves and their communities from it, reduce stigmatization and promote reintegration of Ebola survivors.
LINA
Society-Ebola-Donation
WOPEI Gives US$1,500 To Ebola Affected Children In Bomi
By David Pamas Seedee, LINA Bomi County Correspondent
TUBMANBURG, March 5 (LINA) - Women in Peace Initiative (WOPEI) has donated US$1,500 to over 30 Ebola-affected children in Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County, to assist them go to school.
Making the disclosure in an interview with the Liberia News Agency in the district Wednesday, WOPEI’s Executive Director Agnes Sando Siryon said the assistance was made available by citizens of the district based in the United States of America.
Madam Siryon said the Suehn Mecca U.S.-based citizens made the funds available following a request made to them by the association on behalf of the affected children in order to help them go to school.
She noted that a large portion of the money will be used to buy uniforms, foot-wears, textbooks and copy books for the first semester since they will be attending government schools where enrollment is free.
Madam Siryon said the Suehn Mecca U.S.-based citizens made the funds available following a request made to them by the association on behalf of the affected children in order to help them go to school.
She noted that a large portion of the money will be used to buy uniforms, foot-wears, textbooks and copy books for the first semester since they will be attending government schools where enrollment is free.
Meanwhile, Siryon is appealing to the international community and humanitarian organizations to provide support to WOPEI to enable it support the education of the less fortunate children.
LINA
LINA
Society-Education-Warning
CEO Decries Malpractices By Teachers
By Richard D Baysah, LINA Margibi County Correspondent
KAKATA, March 5 (LINA) - Montserrado County Education Officer, Cecelia Reeves, has said stringent measures await teachers often engaged in sexual exploitation of female students and extortion of money from pupils.
Reeves noted that the issues of sexual exploitation and money extortion from students, especially in Montserrado County, have become overwhelmingly alarming.
She said the government through the Ministry of Education will not relent in drastically dealing with anyone caught in such unwholesome acts.
The Montserrado County CEO sounded the warning in Kakata Tuesday when she received assorted school materials donated to the ministry by Winrock-Action to Reduce Child Labor or Winrock- ARCH, an international non-governmental organization.
The Education Ministry official warning comes amidst calls from parents, guardians as well as ordinary Liberians for action against acts of sexual abuse and extortion of money from students by teachers.
She observed that the extortion of money and trading of grades for sex are responsible for the drop in the number of female enrollment at schools, adding: “This ugly act should stop, because it contravenes the teachers’ code of conduct.”
LINA
Society-Media-Embassy
PUL, US Embassy Sign US$3k Grant To Recover Stolen Equipment
MONROVIA, March 5 (LINA) - The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the United States Embassy near Monrovia have signed a grant agreement of US$3,000 to enable the union replace items stolen after the PUL headquarters was recently burglarized.
PUL President Abdullai Kamara and the Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer Sally Hodgson signed the agreement at the US Embassy in Monrovia Wednesday.
Embassy authorities said the grant was their way of helping the PUL to recover from the burglary, and to support the Liberian media, which is a critical pillar to the country’s democracy.
“We are very gratified by this significant gesture,” PUL President K Abdullai Kamara said in a release issued in Monrovia.
The headquarters of the PUL was burglarized on the night of February 16, with properties and equipment worth more than US$2,600 stolen.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has since launched an investigation into the incident.
LINA
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