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The European Union and its Member States represented in Liberia (Germany, Ireland, France and Sweden) congratulate the Liberian people on Independence Day on July 26. We welcome the leadership of His Excellency President George Manneh Weah and the Government of Liberia in submitting and pursuing a proposal for the full legal abolition of the death penalty. Furthermore, we welcome the unanimous vote in the Liberian Senate and look forward to finding an occasion to jointly commemorate this historic achievement that comes in the midst of the bicentennial anniversary and 175 years of independence as a free democracy.
The death penalty is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment contrary to the right to life. It is incompatible with human dignity and makes any judicial error irreversible. Although there has been a moratorium on the application of the death penalty in Liberia since 2005, its complete legal abolition constitutes an important and essential step towards guaranteeing full respect for human dignity. It increases the perception of the Republic of Liberia as a free liberal democracy and sends positive signals to the business community considering potential investments for job creation, as well as to European citizens considering visiting Liberia.
Furthermore, this movement towards the abolition of the death penalty is a concrete demonstration of the values shared by the people of Liberia and Europe, and we look forward to continuing our common efforts to ensure respect for human rights at the multilateral and regional levels.
The Republic of Liberia currently plays an important role in restoring peace, security, stability, democracy and constitutional order in its Sister Republics in the region. The European Union reaffirms its readiness to support the Republic of Liberia and ECOWAS in these efforts.
Those same values inspire the strong positions taken by the Republic of Liberia following Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression on Ukraine, and its strong and decisive stance on human rights at the United Nations through the tireless diplomatic efforts of His Excellency Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The European Union and its Member States appreciate the constructive and regular exchanges based on shared values held with Minister Kemayah, as well as with the Hon. Cllr. Musa F. Dean, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in the fruitful exchanges at the 10th EU-Liberia Political Dialogue and in other formats. The EU and its Member States look forward to continuing our active cooperation to ensure full respect for human rights and the promotion of the values of liberal democracy in multilateral fora and within the region.
The Liberia Airports Authority has awarded an exclusive ten-year ground handling management contract to National Aviation Services (NAS) (www.NAS.aero), the fastest growing aviation service provider in emerging markets. Under the terms of the cooperation, NAS will provide comprehensive airport ground handling services at Roberts International Airport (ROB) in Liberia. This includes passenger handling, ramp services and lost baggage handling for all airlines operating to and from the airport. These airlines include Air France - KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and ASKY.
Speaking about the award, Musa Shannon, Chairman of the LAA Board, said: “On behalf of the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, the Board of Directors, management and staff of the Airport Authority of Liberia (LAA), we would like to say that we are looking forward to our partnership with NAS. This partnership will greatly enhance our technical and professional capabilities at Roberts International Airport (RIA) and enable LAA to deliver a world-class experience while taking a major step forward in the aviation industry."
NAS is currently the largest ground operator in Africa with a presence in more than 60 airports across the continent, including countries such as Liberia, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique. Globally, the company operates in more than 60 airports in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. Its broader portfolio of services includes airport technologies, lounge management, meetings and airport assistance, as well as training.
Hassan El-Houry, Group CEO of NAS, said: “We are excited to expand our long-standing relationship with the Liberia Airports Authority and remain grateful for their continued trust in NAS. As part of our operations in the country, we remain committed to improving and updating both systems and processes at Roberts International Airport to bring it up to international standards. We also began to invest in the necessary infrastructure, equipment and staff training to meet the highest standards of quality and service excellence.”
With more than 10,000 employees, NAS serves more than 100 customers, including seven of the world's top ten international airlines. NAS is one of the first ground handling services in the world to obtain IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification and is ISO, EMS, RA3 and OHSAS certified.
El-Houry added: “With our strong presence in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, most airlines are aware of the quality of service that NAS offers, as well as our focus on safety and security. We truly believe in the potential of the Liberian aviation industry and look forward to further developing and growing it in the years to come.”
The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has committed the government to build a new referral hospital in Grand Bassa County following a devastating fire at the largest public health center in the county. Grand Bassa Government Hospital has suffered at least three major fire incidents in recent years attributed to electrical shocks and other causes of poor infrastructure. Three days after the fire disaster that damaged critical facilities, President Weah visited the site to get a first-hand assessment of the situation and sympathize with the hospital administration and the people of Grand Bassa County. While inspecting the charred remains of the hospital on a guarded tour on Monday, March 7, the Liberian leader noted that the current structure, built in 1946, has outlived its usefulness and needed to be modernized to fit modern realities. He further said, "Although I have a busy schedule, I am forced to come here to see and determine what happened. I know the fire is not a good thing, but thank God it is not too serious either. The building could have been reduced to zero." . Thank God there were also no casualties." Following presentations from Hospital authorities and the County Health Officer on how the fire started and other constraints faced, the Liberian Chief Executive promised that his administration will strive to restore immediate and necessary things in the space. 24 hours. “You can see that this Hospital has been around since 1946. You will also understand that it needs to be improved, and the reason is that every time there is a fire, it means that something is obsolete,” said the President. President Weah also maintained that the fire incident pointed to the need to modernize electrical installations, emphasizing: "We need to go back to the drawing board so that we can have a better hospital facility. However, the Liberian Leader has instructed the Liberia Water and Sewerage Corporation Grand Bassa Outstation to immediately restore the water facilities at the Hospital which were interrupted as a result of the fire incident. President Weah gave special thanks to the citizens of Buchanan who, in a spirit of unity and love, rushed to the scene to put out the fire.
The President of the Republic, HE Dr. George Manneh Weah, is shocked by the news that the largest referral hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, was destroyed by fire on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
The actual cause of the incident is still under investigation, although there have been no reports of deaths.
The Liberian leader has said he is bummed that such an important facility used to treat people in that part of the country would be destroyed so suddenly.
He conveyed his empathy to the people of Bassa and all those affected by the disaster.
The president said that after an assessment of the damage, the government will do its best to restore the facilities or build a new and modern structure in its place to take care of the welfare of the sick as soon as possible.
President Weah reminded the Bassa people and Liberians in general that the provision of adequate health care is an important focus of his development agenda, which is why his administration has been building, equipping and staffing hospitals across the country. .
He said that the Bassa people will not be left out of such development initiatives.
President George Manneh Weah opened Liberia's first dialysis center and named it after former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Efforts to acquire the critical facility began a decade ago under former President Sirleaf to provide access to much-needed dialysis care in Liberia.
In a statement at the formal opening ceremony, President Weah acknowledged the difficulties Liberians had faced in accessing advanced dialysis-related medical services outside the country.
The President recalled: “For too long, Liberians have had to travel outside the country for dialysis treatment. No one needs to tell you how expensive that is. Not only would you have to worry about the cost of treatment in a foreign country, there are airfare, lodging and many other associated costs that make the full cost of this life-saving treatment unaffordable for many.”
President Weah expressed his optimism that with the opening of the first dialysis center, "anyone and everyone can get affordable dialysis treatment right here in Liberia."
He described the 10-bed facility as a good start, which he insisted is insufficient to address the needs of the entire country.
"Therefore, I wish to call for the early expansion of this facility and its replication in other counties to provide easy access to our citizens residing in rural areas," said the Liberian leader.
President Weah emphasized the need for appropriate budget support for the operation and maintenance of the facility, including the adequate supply of consumables and medicines, and training.
President Weah reflected on how he was briefed in 2018 upon taking office by the then newly appointed Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, who told him that there was an urgent need for dialysis facilities in Liberia.
Dr. Jallah had told the president about the efforts that had been underway since 2011 under the previous administration for the establishment of a National Dialysis Center.
The President said that he quickly instructed the Minister to do everything possible to carry out the project, giving her all his encouragement and support.
"And today, four years later, I am pleased to be here to participate in the Opening Ceremony of the first National Dialysis Center in Liberia," said the President.
President Weah emphasized the importance of the National Dialysis Center and described it as an important milestone in the Government's effort to provide comprehensive and modern health facilities to the people of Liberia. He particularly acknowledged the efforts of former President Sirleaf and former Minister of Health Dr. Walter Gwinegale.
Dr. Weah also commended the extraordinary role played by the former Liberian Ambassador to Japan, Ms. Youngor Telewoda, who is now accredited to Germany.
The president added: “I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to all those who, under my administration, have worked tirelessly to complete the Liberian National Dialysis Center, including the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and her capable team. . , as well as the medical and administrative leadership of the John F. Kennedy Medical Center.”
He expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Tokuda Torao, founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tokushukai Medical Corporation for what he called "his kind philanthropy, without which this project could have taken much longer to complete."
The President thanked the President of Tokushukai, Dr. Afuso Hisaaki, for his continued support of the project, while acknowledging the strong support and important contributions of international partners, in particular the World Bank, ECOWAS and the World Organization for health.
The Liberian Chief Executive named the dialysis center the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf National Center.
He urged the Ministry of Health and the Management of the JFK Medical Center to urgently engage the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, as well as International Partners, to ensure recurrent operational support.
The Republic of Liberia has announced the events scheduled to commemorate the bicentennial of the freedom of Afro-descendants and the Pan-African leadership.
Ledgerhood Rennie, Liberia's Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, revealed this in a statement made available to the Nigerian News Agency, NAN, on Friday in Abuja.
According to Rennie, the announcement of the bicentennial event was made at an event to launch the theme, the anniversary tagline, and the completion of the logo in Monrovia.
Rennie, who is also chair of the bicentennial steering committee, said the event would run throughout 2022, from January 7 to December 10, and that the official opening ceremony will take place on February 14, 2022. .
According to him, the theme and tagline are designed to support the celebration's goals, which are to commemorate Liberia's rich cultural heritage, abundant tourism and investment opportunities, and to bring together and reconnect African Americans in the US. And other blacks in the diaspora. with their cultural identity in Liberia.
Rennie said a key goal of the bicentennial celebration "is to strengthen the rich historical relationship between the United States and Liberia that dates back to the 19th century" when Liberia was established.
"The theme is 'Liberia: The Land of Return - Commemorating 200 Years of Pan-African Freedom and Leadership' while the theme is 'The Lone Star Forever, Stronger Together.'
“This theme signifies three important historical milestones reached by the country since it was founded in 1822 by free Afro-descendants and their patrons from the United States.
“First, the theme celebrates Liberia, in West Africa, as the land chosen as a refuge by free Afro-descendants who endured many years of servitude in the United States, to establish themselves as their country of origin.
Second, the theme seeks to commemorate the freedom and nationality of blacks and the determination for self-government that began 200 years ago when Liberia was established in 1822.
“In an era when people of African descent were seeking freedom and self-determination, the founding of Liberia, 'the Black Republic', which gained independence in 1847, was a clear indication that Africans were capable of self-government.
And thirdly, the theme recognizes the fundamental role of pan-Africanist leadership that Liberia played in the crusade for decolonization and independence in Africa.
“Including his uncompromising stance against racial segregation in South Africa then known as Apartheid.
"It can be remembered that even though slavery remained legal in the United States until 1865, the resettlement efforts of the ACS culminated in the establishment of present-day Liberia in West Africa," Rennie said.
Rennie said that despite the country's recent bitter history of conflict, "it has restored peace and stability and remains stronger as a nation through democratic governance."
According to him, the country has held three successive democratic elections, which marked the beginning of Ms Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first democratically elected female president of the country and of Africa.
“In 2017, the country witnessed the democratic transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another when President Sirleaf transferred power to President George Manneh Weah.
“As a result of the result of free, fair and transparent democratic elections.
"This transfer of power was a significant milestone that the country has not achieved in more than 70 years."
Rennie said that President Weah would like all Liberian friends around the world to work together to ensure the success of this event.
YAYA
We have technicians who are going to increase the levels of productivity at various county levels across the country
MONROVIA, Liberia, August 26, 2021/APO Group/ --the capacity of human resource building is among few things Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah has prioritized since her takeover at the helm of power at the country’s health sector, especially the Ministry of Health.
Leaving this not unnoticed, several Counties Health Biomedical technicians has been certificated after participating in an eight-week-long biomedical training course.
The biomedical technicians certificated on August 19, 2021, were trained to enhance biomedical activities at various county’s levels across the country.
Some major topics were covered during the BMET training course are: first aid, electrical safety on medical equipment, use of test equipment defibrillator, syringe pump, maintenance and repair of medical equipment, IPC (hygiene), safety in the hospital, oxygen to patients, handling of oxygen cylinders, electronic (circle analysis, troubleshooting, etc.), how to contact equipment manufactural for service manuals, spare parts, software, etc.
However, Liberian Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, during the certification ceremony, reaffirmed her leadership’s commitment and dedication to ensuring that the Ministry’s Biomedical Department and all other departments are compared to none in the sub-region, with every county team in the country having well equipped biomedical technicians.
“Preparing technicians at all levels of the Country’s health sector, especially at various public health facilities, is something that we are committed to doing before leaving the Ministry’s—remember no will forever remain here as Minister”, she said with excitement.
Dr. Jallah used the occasion to appreciate Mercy and partners as well as participants for making the training a success.
For her part, the Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon. Norwu Howard stressed the importance for beneficiaries of the training exercise to serve as ambassadors in their respective counties: “today, you have been trained and we encourage to be light in your respective counties for the good of our people”
The Deputy Ministry voiced out that as an administer of the Ministry dream has to see tangibles or productivities at various departments, even at the county levels.
“We are agents of the President, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, and the government. Our technicians here today, it is our responsibility to do best to seeing this achieve its agenda”, Hon. Howard Remarks.
Earlier, Annick Sylvestre, Mercy Ships Operations Coordinator lauded Ministry of Health and partners for affording them the opportunity to country’s health sector and promised to always contribute to the sector when the space is provided.
Giving an overview of the project, Wymah S. Youyoubon, Director of Healthcare Technology Management Unit at the Ministry of Health said: “When Madam Minister and her team took over years ago, I briefed her about the importance of the Unit and the way forward. And she gave me the blessings. Today, we have technicians who are going to increase the levels of productivity at various county levels across the country”.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Comfort Zowulu expressed thanks and appreciation to the Ministry and its partners, particularly the Director of the HTMU, for providing them the space to acquire such insightful knowledge.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to say plenty thanks to the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships, our teachers and even the Director of the Biomedical Unit for providing us this opportunity. We will use this tool and knowledge acquired to contribute and improve the health sector,” Madam Zowulu noted.
Vice-President Joseph Boakai of Liberia says “nothing is going to stop” his victory in the Oct. 10 presidential elections.
Speaking with newsmen in Monrovia, he expressed optimism of winning the election in the first round, although he is still second in the provisional results released so far.
As at Saturday, Boakai of the ruling Unity Party was still the first runner up with 334,162 votes representing 29.6 per cent of the votes so far processed.
Former football star, Mr George Manneh Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) was leading with 441,839 or 39.2 per cent.
“As far as I’m concerned, I know the Unity Party is going to win the elections; nothing is going to stop it.
“I went into the election to win, and I don’t settle for second round, I went to the polls for first round,” he said.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that a winner of the presidential elections must secure at least more than 50 per cent of the total votes cast to avoid a run-off.
Twenty candidates contested in the election to succeed outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who is stepping down after serving out her two terms.
The Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC), Mr Jerome Kokorya, had released more provisional results on Saturday, bringing the total votes so far processed to 1.12 million.
Korkoya said votes from 3,991 polling units had been processed as at Saturday out of a total of 5,390 units across the country.
NAN also reports that 2.1 million voters registered for the 2017 general elections.
Meanwhile, the opposition figure and presidential candidate of Liberty Party (LP), Mr Charles Brumskine, had alleged fraud in the elections, in spite the international observers adjudging it free and fair.
Brumskine, who stood at a third position with 9.3 per cent, alleged the polls were marred by gross irregularities and fraud, calling for re-run.
Edited by: Shittu Obassa/Ekemini Ladejobi
(NAN)
