The vice president of Liberia is in Minnesota to meet with Gov. Mark Dayton and other local leaders to discuss the effects of the Ebola epidemic on the African nation and the ongoing recovery.
Vice President Joseph Boakai "is in the Twin Cities to meet with Liberians, provide an update on Ebola and extend the government's gratitude to Liberians here and its international partners," said Joe Mason, a volunteer who is helping coordinate media during Boakai's visit.
The Twin Cities is believed to be home to the largest concentration of Liberians outside Africa.
At the height of the epidemic, Minnesota's Liberian and West African communities hosted fundraisers, supply drives and town hall meetings. Many here watched helplessly as family and friends succumbed to the highly lethal virus as it spread through Liberia's capital of Monrovia.
On Thursday, Boakai met with Twin Cities medical staff and spoke of the challenges faced by the Liberian health care system. He toured North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, which will donate a second ambulance to Liberia. Brooklyn Center will donate a fire truck, said Mayor Tim Willson.
Boakai will speak at a town hall Friday at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, Mason said. Dayton will host Boakai at the governor's residence Monday.
Shannon Prather • 612-673-4804
