President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has made additional nominations and appointments in government affecting the Liberia Land Authority, and Boards of the William V. S. Tubman University, ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited, ArcelorMittal Holdings (Concessionaire) National Public Health Institute of Liberia, and Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)

These appointments, where applicable, are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.  
The institutions and those nominated and appointed are:

I.)    Liberia Land Authority
1.    Ali Kaba, Commissioner, Land Policy&Planning
2.    Mahmoud Solomon, Commissioner, Land Administration
3.    Uriah Garsinii, Commissioner, Land Use&Management

II.)    Board of Trustees William V. S. Tubman University 
1.    Hon. Conmany B. Wesseh, Chairman, Representative of the Visitor 
2.     Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Member Ex- Officio, Statutory Member
3.    Hon. Francis S. Dopoh II, Statutory Member, House of Senate
4.    Hon. P. Mike Jury, Statutory Member, House of Representatives
5.    Mr. Patrick Nugba, Statutory Member, Representative of the Alumni Association of the University
6.    Mr. Floyd Thomas, Statutory Member, Representative of the College of Technology     
7.    Mr. James Thompson, Statutory Member, Representative of the College of Education     
8.    Dr. Siedoh Freeman, Statutory Member, Representative of the College of Health Science     
9.    Dr. James Elliot, Member, Representative of the Public
10.    Cavalla Rubber Corporation Plantation, Member, Representative of the Public
11.    ArcelorMittal Holdings, Member, Representative of the Public
12.    LibEnergy, Member, Representative of the Public
13.    Golden Veroleum Liberia, Member, Representative of the Public
14.    Dr. Olu Q. Menjay, President of the William V.S. Tubman University, Statutory Member
III.)    Board of ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited        
1.    Minister of Finance&Development Planning, Statutory Member
2.    Minister of Mines&Energy, Statutory Member
3.    Minister of Justice, Statutory Member
4.    Mr. Daniel Frank Gould, Sr., Representative of the Government of Liberia, Member    
5.    Madam Mary Dahn, Representative of the Government of Liberia, Member

IV.)    Board of ArcelorMittal Holdings (Concessionaire)        
1.    Hon. Francis Korkpor, Representative of the Government of Liberia, Member                                       
2.    Madam Doris Wilson, Representative of the Government of Liberia, Member

V.)    Board of National Public Health Institute of Liberia        
1.    Walter T. Gwenigale, Jr., Member   
                     
VI.)    Board of Controlled Drugs and Substances at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA)
1.    Minister of Justice, Statutory Member 
2.    Minister of Internal Affairs, Statutory Member
3.    Minister of Education, Statutory Member
4.    Minister of Health, Statutory Member 
5.    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Statutory Member 
6.    Minister of Youth and sports, Statutory Member 
7.    Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Statutory Member 
8.    Director General of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Statutory Member

VII.)    Board of Governors Central Bank of Liberia  
1.    George H. Gooding, member
2.    Joseph F. Robertson, Jr., Member
3.    Cllr. Ebenezer Z. Gibson. Member

President Boakai calls on those nominated and appointed to continue to demonstrate diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in service to country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, has heaped praises on Liberian Muslims for their continuous contributions to nation building.

The President made the commendation at this year’s Islamic Intercessory Service held at the 17th Street Mosque in Sinkor, as part of celebrations marking Liberia’s 177th Independence Anniversary.

In his address, the President emphasized the importance of unity, faith, and collective responsibility in shaping the future of the nation. He recognized the sacrifices made by Liberia’s forefathers and highlighted the need to honor their legacy by fostering a society based on justice, equality, and mutual respect.

The Liberian Leader called upon all citizens to transcend ethnic, religious, and political differences and work together towards building a prosperous and unified Liberia.

President Boakai stressed that the development of Liberia is a shared responsibility, urging every citizen to embrace a role in nation-building, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, compassion, and service to others by drawing strength from the values upheld by Islam.

Further, the President expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Muslim community for their continuous support and contributions to the nation.

He encouraged all Liberians to strive for a stable, peaceful, united, and prosperous Liberia, urging them to always think, love, and build Liberia.

The President expressed the hope that his message resonated with the audience, emphasizing the significance of unity, faith, and collective action in shaping a brighter future for Liberia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Pension Funds Amendment Bill which amends pension-related legislation to enable the implementation of the recently legislated two-pot retirement system, geared towards bolstering retirement savings.

The new Pension Funds Amendment Act amends the Pension Funds Act of 1956, the Post and Telecommunications-Related Matters Act of 1958, the Transnet Pension Fund Act of 1990 and the Government Employees Pension Law of 1996.

The law provides for the introduction of the savings withdrawal benefit; the appropriate account of a member’s interest in the savings; retirement and vested components, and the deductions that may be made.

The Act requires pension funds to amend their rules, adjust their investment portfolios and prepare administrative systems for pension fund members to apply to access portions of their pension funds from 1 September 2024.

This law complements the Revenues Laws Amendment Act, 2024 (Act No. 12 of 2024), which was signed by the President on 11 June 2024.

Government has proposed a reform to the retirement saving regime, which will see the introduction of the “two-pot” retirement system. From the proposed date of 1 September 2024, one-third of retirement contributions will be split into a savings component and two-thirds into a retirement component.

What is in the “savings component” will be available for withdrawal at any time before retirement. The ability to unconditionally access amounts from the “savings component” will be provided without the member having to cease employment or having to resign. A member will be allowed to make a single withdrawal within a year of assessment.

The minimum withdrawal amount is R2 000. The ability to withdraw from the “savings component” will be applicable on a per fund or per contract basis.

Withdrawals from the “savings component” will be added to the individual’s taxable income and will be taxed at their marginal tax rates.

Retirement funds will on or soon after 1 September 2024, be required to create another component known as the “retirement component”, which will be housed within the current retirement fund.

Individuals will be required to contribute an amount of two-thirds of the total individual retirement fund contributions to the “retirement component”.

The assets in the “retirement component” will be required to be preserved until retirement (i.e. withdrawals from this component can only be accessed by the member upon retirement as per the fund rules).

Once a member has reached retirement age and retires, the “retirement component” is to be paid in the form of an annuity (including a living annuity).

This dispensation gives members of retirement funds access to retirement savings without having to resign or cash out entire pension funds.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.  has held a strategic meeting with renowned entrepreneur and the world’s wealthiest businessman Elon Musk.

Held virtually, the high-level meeting provided an opportunity for Mr. Musk to express his gratitude for the engagement with President Boakai and commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly acknowledging the efforts of Minister Sara Beyslow-Nyanti and her Team for their exceptional coordination and facilitation.

President Boakai highlighted the importance of such engagement, noting that it serves as an opportunity for relationship building and long term mutually beneficial outcomes.

The President also emphasized the significance of technology to the youthful generation of Liberia as well as key sectors, noting the need for collaboration and helping in the service delivery sectors for Liberia.

During the discussion, Mr. Musk emphasized the significance of the Starlink program, a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, with coverage of 80 countries, and articulated his support for advancing initiatives related to education and healthcare.

He underscored the potential impact of internet connectivity in empowering rural communities and driving progress in vital sectors.

Expressing genuine optimism, President Boakai conveyed his confidence that the engagement with Mr. Musk on the margins of Liberia’s 177th celebration serves as a gift to the nation underscoring a commitment to nurturing a positive and enduring relationship.

Furthermore, the Liberian Leader extended an open invitation to Mr. Musk and his Team to visit Liberia, reaffirming his Government’s dedication to continual engagement and collaboration.

The dialogue between President Boakai and Mr. Musk underscores a pivotal moment in advancing international partnerships and leveraging technological innovation for the betterment of Liberia and its citizens. This initiative is a crucial component of the Government’s ARREST (Agriculture Roads Rule of Law Education Sanitation&Tourism) Agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.