-Liberia’s First Lady Uses Global Merck Foundation Summit to Champion Women’s Health, Girls’ Education, and Stronger Healthcare Systems
MONROVIA – Liberia’s First Lady, Kartumu Yarta Boakai, has delivered a powerful appeal for compassionate leadership, global solidarity, and increased investment in healthcare and education, warning world leaders that “power without compassion becomes dangerous.”
Speaking virtually at the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, Mrs. Boakai reflected on a year marked by global instability, conflict, and disease, while urging leaders to place humanity at the center of governance and development.
The First Lady addressed the international gathering in her capacity as Ambassador of the Merck Foundation’s “More Than a Mother” Campaign, a flagship initiative aimed at addressing infertility stigma and empowering women and girls across Africa and Asia.
From War Zones to a Virtual Summit
In an emotional address, Mrs. Boakai recounted how escalating global crises forced organizers to relocate the summit from Dubai to India before ultimately shifting the event to a virtual format.
Reflecting on her experience in Dubai earlier this year, she described witnessing the realities of conflict firsthand when nearby explosions disrupted what was expected to be a routine international engagement.
“From my hotel room, the distant sounds of destruction became painfully real,” she told participants.
“And in that moment, I was no longer thinking as a First Lady attending an official international duty; I was thinking as a mother.”
Drawing parallels between armed conflict and disease outbreaks, she emphasized the interconnected nature of today’s world.
“One crisis emerged from conflict. The other from disease. Yet both carried the same message—that our world is more interconnected than we often admit, and that no nation, no family, and no child is truly insulated from the suffering of another,” she said.
Call for First Ladies to Lead with Conscience
Mrs. Boakai challenged First Ladies across Africa and beyond to move beyond ceremonial responsibilities and become stronger advocates for humanity, justice, and social transformation.
“Perhaps Africa and the world need First Ladies who can whisper conscience into power,” she declared.
“Power without compassion becomes dangerous. Development without humanity becomes hollow. And leadership without conscience becomes destruction dressed in protocol.”
Her remarks drew attention to the growing role First Ladies are playing in advancing public health, education, gender equality, and social development across the continent.
Liberia’s Growing Partnership with Merck Foundation
The First Lady used the occasion to highlight Liberia’s expanding partnership with the Merck Foundation, describing it as a transformative collaboration that is helping strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
According to Mrs. Boakai, Liberia has so far benefited from 58 scholarships awarded to young healthcare professionals pursuing specialized training in critical and often underserved medical fields.
The scholarships cover disciplines including:
- Fertility and Embryology
- Oncology
- Diabetes Care
- Women’s Health
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
She noted that several beneficiaries are becoming the first specialists in their respective fields in Liberia.
“Many of these specialists are the first specialists of their kind in our country,” she said. “History is literally walking through our hospitals.”
Tackling Infertility Stigma
As Ambassador of the “More Than a Mother” campaign, Mrs. Boakai emphasized the importance of addressing infertility-related stigma, a challenge that continues to affect countless women across Africa.
She disclosed that 28 of the scholarships secured through the partnership have been dedicated specifically to fertility, embryology, and reproductive healthcare training.
The initiative seeks not only to improve medical services but also to challenge social attitudes that often place unfair pressure on women facing fertility challenges.
“A woman’s worth must never be measured by her womb, but by her humanity,” the First Lady asserted.
Investing in Liberia’s Girls
Mrs. Boakai also praised the Educating Linda Program, another Merck Foundation initiative that currently supports 40 high-performing but underprivileged Liberian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities.
The program provides sustained support until beneficiaries complete their education.
“When you educate a girl, you do not change a classroom—you alter the destiny of a nation,” she said.
The First Lady has consistently championed girls’ education as a critical pillar of Liberia’s long-term development and economic transformation agenda.
Warning Against Neglecting Youth
In one of the most memorable moments of her address, Mrs. Boakai invoked an African proverb to emphasize the consequences of neglecting young people.
“The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,” she said.
She warned that failing to invest in youth, women, and healthcare systems could undermine future development efforts.
“If we neglect our youth, they will inherit anger. If we neglect our women, we weaken nations. If we neglect healthcare, we threaten our future itself.”
‘The Future Belongs to Compassion’
Closing her remarks, the First Lady delivered a passionate call for leaders to embrace compassion, peace, and human-centered development.
“The future of humanity will not ultimately be decided by those who build the biggest armies, but by those who build the strongest systems of compassion,” she said.
She urged leaders and advocates across the world to remain steadfast in protecting women, educating girls, strengthening healthcare systems, and promoting peace.
“May it never be said that Africa’s First Ladies stood silently while the world trembled. May it be said that we stood up. We spoke out. We protected women, educated girls, strengthened healthcare systems, and reminded our generation that peace is still possible.”
Mrs. Boakai concluded by expressing gratitude to Professor Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, for their continued commitment to improving healthcare and human capital development across Africa.
“True partnership is not measured by conferences alone, but by lives restored, systems strengthened, and futures secured,” she said.
Her remarks underscored Liberia’s growing engagement in global health initiatives and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing healthcare, women’s empowerment, and educational opportunities for vulnerable populations throughout the country.
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