DUBAI–Liberia’s First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai delivered a powerful address at the 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, held on June 18 in Dubai, reaffirming Liberia’s deepening commitment to health equity, education, and gender empowerment.
The summit brought together First Ladies from Africa and Asia, health ministers, development partners, and Merck Foundation alumni to celebrate the organization’s continued impact across the developing world.
In her keynote speech, Madam Boakai praised the Merck Foundation’s transformative work in strengthening health systems and building human capacity, particularly in Liberia.
The First-Lady extended appreciation to Professor Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Foundation, for their visionary leadership in global health and community empowerment.
“Liberia is no longer asking for a seat at the table, we are building our own table of solutions, with women at the center,” the First Lady declared, drawing a standing ovation from fellow First Ladies and dignitaries.
According to a statement from the Executive Mansion, the First Lady’s remarks represent Liberia’s growing leadership in advancing health and gender priorities across Africa.
“The First Lady’s participation and advocacy on such a global stage is a testament to the Boakai Administration’s commitment to people-centered development, particularly in healthcare and education,” the Executive Mansion noted.
Celebrating Results: Capacity Building and Education
The Mansion, amongst other things stated that Madam Boakai highlighted the success of the Merck Foundation Healthcare Capacity Building Program in Liberia, revealing that 50 Liberian doctors have received advanced training in highly specialized fields:
26 in Fertility, Embryology, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, 5 in Oncology, 10 in Diabetes Management, 8 in Acute Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dermatology.
She proudly noted that Liberia’s current Minister of Health is a Merck Foundation alumna, illustrating the far-reaching national impact of the Foundation’s long-term investment.
Beyond Health: Advocacy Through Culture and Media
The First Lady also spotlighted Liberia’s robust engagement in the Merck Foundation’s “More Than A Mother” campaign, which she actively leads. This includes: Nationwide media campaigns to fight infertility stigma and gender-based violence, Creative advocacy through music, film, and fashion awards, Health-focused storybooks and educational materials for children, and Journalist training on health reporting.
On education, the Mansion quoted the First Lady as saying the “Educating Linda” program, which provides full scholarships to 20 underprivileged girls annually in Liberia, along with the distribution of school supplies to keep more girls in school.
“When you educate a girl, you are not just helping one child-you are igniting a nation,” she emphasized.
A Call to Action
Closing her address, First Lady Boakai urged her counterparts to move beyond ceremonial roles and become transformative agents for change.
“We are not here to be ceremonial figures-we are here to be catalytic forces. Together, we are not just writing a new chapter. We are building a new future,” she declared.
The summit also celebrated the 8th Anniversary of the Merck Foundation and the 13th year of its programming across Africa and Asia, marking a legacy of impact in some of the world’s most underserved communities.
However, the Mansion noted that Madam Boakai’s engagement further cemented Liberia’s role in driving regional development priorities and aligns with the Boakai Administration’s agenda to deliver inclusive growth, health justice, and gender equity across Liberia.
