Washington, D.C – August 3, 2014: Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., at the head of a high-level Liberian Government Delegation, arrived in Washington, D.C. on Saturday to join other African Heads of State and Government at the first-ever U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit hosted by President Barak Obama of the United States.
Vice President Boakai is representing Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who announced last week that she would remain at home to oversee efforts to control the deadly Ebola viral disease that is spreading in Liberia and has killed over 100 Liberians.According to a dispatch from the Liberian Embassy in Washington, immediately upon arrival, a brief welcome ceremony was held at the Embassy for the Vice President and delegation.In welcome remarks, Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Jeremiah C. Sulunteh underscored the special relationship between Liberia and the United States, noting that the bonds between the two countries continue to be strengthened.Ambassador Sulunteh’s remarks focused on efforts being made by the Embassy in Washington to synergize and leverage all opportunities possible to fight the Ebola epidemic disease in Liberia. He added that he has set up a Special Ebola Response Committee at the Embassy to ensure that resources received are speedily and orderly expedited to Liberia. Ambassador Sulunteh indicated that the Embassy is partnering with Global Health Ministries, a U.S.-based humanitarian organization that has operated in Liberia for many years, in an effort to speedily expedite support intended for the fight against Ebola. Global Health Ministries was scheduled to ship the first 40-foot container of medical supplies to Liberia on August 2, 2014, he added.Among other things, Ambassador Sulunteh said the Embassy has established a special bank account devoted to the fight against Ebola, and that about US $30,000 has been received in donation since the Embassy launched its Ebola campaign last week.He assured that there will be proper accountability of resources collected for the fight against Ebola, and that the names of donors will be made public on a regular basis.Responding, Vice President Boakai thanked Ambassador Sulunteh and the Embassy staff for the warm reception accorded him and delegation. He added that during the course of the Summit, the Liberian delegation looks forward to being fully engaged to ensure Liberia’s full representation.Vice President Boakai reaffirmed the Liberian Government’s commitment to deploy all resources necessary to contain the deadly Ebola virus. He lauded Liberia’s international partners for continuing to stand by the country, noting that with their support, the deadly Ebola virus will be contained.Also speaking at the brief ceremony was Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, who lauded the Liberian Embassy in Washington for taking the initiative to harness resources for the fight against Ebola. He added that the Foreign Ministry will direct the various Liberian missions around the world to undertake similar effort to raise support for the fight against Ebola.The historic U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, taking place August 5-6, will bring together U.S. and African leaders and other senior officials to dialogue about investing in Africa’s future, peace and regional security, and governing for the next generation. These discussions, in three sessions, will take place on Wednesday, August 6, at the U.S. Department of State. On August 5, Vice President Boakai will participate in the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum. That evening, he will join other African leaders at a White House Dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Obama, on the occasion of the Summit. Also on the Vice President's agenda will be the following events, taking place on the margins of the Summit: the Millennium Challenge Corporation's Partner Round Table; Africare/ExxonMobil Breakfast; Mercy Corps Event highlighting Liberian Youth; a Panel, at Georgetown University on "the Future of Business and Development in Africa"; a Power Africa Event on energy; and more. He will also attend a Congressional Reception for Heads of Delegation.Vice President Boakai will grant interviews to a number of media organizations, all of them keen to pose questions about Liberia’s management of the Ebola viral disease.While in Washington, the Vice President will also participate in a meeting entitled: “Achieving a Successful Post-2015 Development Agenda”.Members of Vice President Boakai’s delegation include the following: Foreign Minister, Mr. Augustine Ngufuan; Finance Minister, Mr. Amara Konneh; Agriculture Minister, Dr. Florence Chenoweth; Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, Mr. Patrick Sendolo; Gender and Development Minister, Mrs. Julia Duncan-Cassell; and Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr. Axel Addy.Others are the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Mr. Michael Wotorson; Legal Advisor to the President, Cllr. Seward Cooper; Head of Secretariat of the African Union’s High Level Committee on the Common African Position (CAP), Dr. Abdoulaye Dukulé; and Liberian Ambassadors accredited to the United States and to the United Nations, respectively, H.E. Jeremiah Sulunteh, and H.E. Marjon
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