MONROVIA, LIBERIA-President Joseph Boakai has declared today, Thursday, November 20, “World Children’s Day”, to be observed throughout Liberia as a working holiday.

World Children’s Day is a vital reminder of the rights of children and the responsibility of all to protect and uphold their welfare.

The Proclamation stated that this year’s World Children’s Day will be celebrated under the global theme:” My Day, My Right”, and the National Theme:” Living with Dignity-Every Moment, Every Right”.

A Foreign Ministry release said the indoor program commemorating the day will be held at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, commencing at 11 am.

The UN General Assembly, on November 20, 1959, adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and on November 20, 1989, adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

At the same time, President Boakai has requested the Liberian Senate to de-ratify the Telecom International Alliance (TTA) and Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Concession Agreement.

According to the President’s communication, the Agreement, which focused on telecommunications traffic monitoring services, was suspended by him based on the identification of multiple statutory and procedural violations.

The Liberian Leader said,” My decision to suspend the TTA-LTA Concession Agreement is based on investigative findings from the General Auditing Commission (GAC), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), and the Board of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.

President Boakai said,” The findings established that the contract was awarded in contravention of the Public Procurement Concession and Commission Act of 2010, and the revenue share granted to the LTA was increased to 49%, despite its initial bid proposing 35%”.

The President’s communication noted that the contract was extended for an additional twenty years without demonstrable value for money; as such, the Senate needs to take legislative actions to de-ratify the Concession Agreement.

Meanwhile, the Liberian Senate has forwarded the communication to its Committee on Judiciary, Claims, Petitions, and Post and Telecommunications to report within two weeks.