LIBERIA'S FIRST LADY ARRIVES IN BANJUL, AHEAD OF MERCK FOUNDATION'S PRESTIGIOUS LUMINARY.

Описание: Following her departure from Liberia early Sunday morning, First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai touched down in Banjul, The Gambia, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to a warm welcome as she arrived to attend the prestigious 12th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.

The Liberian First Lady's arrival signals a significant presence at the two-day high-level conference, scheduled for October 14-15, which is focused on transforming public healthcare delivery across Africa and Asia.

Upon her arrival, Madam Boakai was received by a large delegation, underscoring the importance of her visit and Liberia's commitment to regional healthcare initiatives.
Prominent figures welcoming her at the airport included:
• H.E. Fatoumata Bah Barrow, the First Lady of The Gambia and the event's co-host.
• Ambassador Ali Sylla, Liberia's Ambassador to The Gambia.
• Representatives from the Merck Foundation and scores of other prominent citizens from both The Gambia and the Republic of Liberia.

First Lady Boakai is leading the Liberian delegation to the Luminary, an event that serves as a pivotal platform for discussing and evaluating the impact of educational programs and healthcare initiatives. Her participation will highlight Liberia's progress and foster further collaboration to address persistent healthcare challenges.

Under the dedicated advocacy of First Lady Boakai, Liberia has been a major beneficiary of the partnership with the Merck Foundation, which specializes in building healthcare capacity and training medical doctors, nurses and others specialists.

The foundation's scholarship programs have been instrumental in empowering brilliant but underprivileged girls and Liberian medical professionals, enabling them to specialize in vital areas such as:
• Embryology & Fertility
• General Surgery
• Trauma & Orthopedics
• Neonatal Care
• Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

The First Lady's engagement is expected to secure additional opportunities for underprivileged girls in Liberia, as well as, healthcare workers, reinforcing the nation's role in pan-African health advocacy.

The Luminary, which will be held in a hybrid format, is set to engage over 6,000 participants from more than 70 countries. The event will be officially inaugurated on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 by His Excellency President Adama Barrow of The Gambia and co-hosted by First Lady Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow alongside the CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Upon conclusion of the conference, First Lady Kartumu Yarta Boakai is scheduled to return to Liberia on Thursday, October 16, 2025.