Liberian President Joseph Boakai Set To Visit Atlanta
The President of Liberia, Joseph N. Boakai Sr., is scheduled to visit the city of Atlanta from May 10 to May 13. This visit will conclude his U.S tour, which began in Dallas where he attended the Corporate Council on Africa’s 2024 U.S. Africa Business Summit.
Meeting African Leaders In Dallas
During the Dallas Summit, President Boakai met with his presidential counterparts from Malawi, Angola, Botswana, and Cabo Verde. He was also in attendance with the vice president of Nigeria, the deputy prime minister of Lesotho, and the chief minister of Sierra Leone. The Dallas council comprises major foreign investors in Africa, including multinational companies.
Agenda in Atlanta
President Boakai’s detailed agenda in Atlanta remains in progress, but plans are underway to arrange for him to meet with the local Liberian diaspora and city and state leaders. The president’s arrival in the Georgia capital has generated considerable anticipation, notably from the Georgia Africa Legislative Caucus and the Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA).
“We look forward to showcasing the pivotal role that the diaspora is playing in the development of Liberia,” said executive director of LAMA, Bior Bropleh.
Previous visits
This is not the first time the Liberian President, who has familial ties in Atlanta, will be visiting the city. As a vice president, Mr. Boakai visited Atlanta in 2015 and expressed gratitude to global health institutions such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Carter Center, and the Morehouse School of Medicine for their assistance during the Ebola outbreak of 2013-14.
During another visit in 2012, he headlined a Liberian investment forum held at the Robert Woodruff Library at the Atlanta University Center.
Promoting Peace and Development
The Liberian President has been globally lauded for his role in promoting peace and development in Liberia. This will be one of his first international outings since winning the presidency in a hotly contested election in November.
The President and his delegation, which includes the country’s ministers of foreign affairs, commerce, agriculture, mines, and information and tourism, will primarily focus on meeting investors, business leaders, and friends of Liberia during their Atlanta visit. The National Investment Commission head and the state telecom corporation will also be present.
Given Liberia’s history of successful educational and development partnerships with Georgia, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Georgia Ports Authority, there is optimism about forging new ties during President Boakai’s visit.
Notably, former honorary consul in Georgia, Cynthia Blandford, secured capacity-building agreements between Liberian institutions and these entities. She also fostered university exchanges through the University Consortium for Liberia.
