Liberia’s First Lady, Kartumu Yarta Boakai, has delivered a passionate and visionary address at the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event brought together First Ladies, health ministers, development partners, and Merck Foundation’s alumni from across Africa and Asia, to mark another milestone in the Foundation’s transformative journey.
Speaking on June 18, 2025, First Lady Boakai underscored Liberia’s commitment to the Merck Foundation’s mission, celebrating the powerful impact of its health, education, and advocacy initiatives across the nation.
She paid tribute to the Foundation’s leadership, Professor Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the Foundation’s CEO, for their visionary role in shaping health systems and empowering communities globally.
“Liberia is no longer asking for a seat at the table; we are building our own table of solutions, with women at the center,” Madam Boakai stated. Highlighting key achievements in Liberia under the Merck Foundation Healthcare Capacity Building Initiative, she announced that 50 Liberian doctors have received advanced scholarships in highly specialized fields, including, twenty-six in Fertility, Embryology, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, five in Oncology, ten in Diabetes Management and eight in Acute Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dermatology
She proudly noted that Liberia’s current Minister of Health is herself a Merck Foundation alumna, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the Foundation’s investments in human capital. Beyond health, the First Lady spotlighted the bold cultural and advocacy initiatives led under the “More Than A Mother” campaign, which she champions in Liberia. They include media, Music, Film, and Fashion Awards for creative advocacy, storybooks for children fostering early awareness, health media training for journalists, and nationwide campaigns against infertility stigma, gender-based violence, child marriage, FGM, and non-communicable diseases.
Speaking on education, she drew attention to the Educating Linda Program, through which 20 marginalized girls in Liberia receive full scholarships annually, alongside widespread distribution of school supplies to promote retention and empowerment.
“When you educate a girl, you are not just helping one child, you are igniting a nation,” she emphasized. First Lady Boakai concluded with a call to action to her fellow First Ladies, reminding them that, “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.”
The Summit also marked the 8th Anniversary of the Merck Foundation and the 13th year of Merck’s programs across Africa and Asia, celebrating a legacy of impact in underserved communities. The First Lady’s participation builds on Liberia’s growing role in continental partnerships for development and underlines the Boakai Administration’s focus on health equity, gender empowerment, and inclusive transformation.
