His Excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai Sr., president of the Republic of Liberia, was recently awarded Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Alpha Award of Merit. The presentation to the president was made in New York City during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by a delegation of Alpha brothers led by the fraternity’s General President Dr. Willis I. Lonzer III.
The Alpha Award of Merit is the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the fraternity. It was established in 1952 to recognize efforts on behalf of African Americans. Some of the award’s distinguished recipients are Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; Eugene K. Jones, one of seven founders of Alpha Phi Alpha; Robert F. Smith, founder and chairman of Vista Equity Partners; inventor and businessman Garrett Morgan; and Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.).
A member of Alpha Phi Alpha’s Eta Epsilon Lambda Chapter, President Boakai’s affiliation with the fraternity has been critical to his life and career. The Eta Epsilon Lambda Chapter is the first African chapter of the fraternity. Established on October 6, 1958, in Monrovia, Liberia, this chapter played a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of Alpha Phi Alpha on the continent.
The president and his son Joseph Boakai, Jr. are both active members of Epsilon Lambda.
“I am honored, and thanks to all of you. Alpha has greatly contributed to our society, especially during the Ebola outbreak. Their significant contributions during this crisis have not gone unnoticed. Again, I am honored to be this recipient,” Boakai said upon receiving the award.
Last January, under the leadership of General President Lonzer, Alpha Phi Alpha made its third organized delegation visit to Liberia (prior visits were in 1976 and in 2012 for the inauguration of Boakai as the 26th president of Liberia.
Before his presidency, Boakai served as the vice president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
His political career, which includes various ministerial and governmental positions, has been marked by dedication and service to his country. The recent Alpha Award of Merit is a significant milestone in his career and for the government, further highlighting his commitment to public service.