Washington, D.C. — Group Celebrates 6th Anniversary
Just hours before President Barack Obama addressed a joint meeting of Congress on February 24 to publicly disclose details of his economic rescue plan, U.S. Congressional leaders, representatives of African Embassies, World Bank President Robert Zoellick and American business, policy and nongovernmental organization leaders gathered on Capitol Hill to celebrate the sixth anniversary of The Whitaker Group (TWG) and pay tribute to its founder, Rosa Whitaker on her birthday.
Hundreds of people, including distinguished American and African political and business leaders, paid tribute to TWG for driving more than $1 billion in trade, investment and revenue streams to Africa during the past six years. They honored Whitaker for the historic role she played as one of the hands-on architects of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA has generated more than $85 billion dollars in annual African exports to the U.S, while creating more than 300,000 new jobs throughout Africa. TWG also was lauded for the major role it continues to play in securing enhancements to AGOA that keep it globally relevant and viable.
Whitaker announced the opening of TWG's new West Africa office, based in Accra, Ghana, as well as strategic partnerships that TWG has forged with other firms as part of its growth strategy. She also announced that the former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in President George W. Bush's administration, Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, had recently joined TWG as a strategic adviser. Frazer, who also served as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, is recognized throughout the world as an expert and policy leader on African affairs.
In reflecting upon their collaborative work, World Bank President Ambassador Robert Zoellick said: "There are relatively few people who know how to push against something tough and get something done…. Rosa is one of those extraordinary entrepreneurs."
Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), one of the most senior ranking African-American politicians and the Chair of the House of Representatives' powerful Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Mel Watt (D-N.C.), and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill) were among those who stopped by to honor Whitaker before attending President Obama's Congressional address later that evening.
"Much of the success of the stronger trade and diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Africa derived from the new atmosphere of trust and respect that were implicit to AGOA," Congressman Rangel said. "I can't tell you how proud I was to be her partner in this legislative endeavor."
"Many nameless and faceless people on that continent owe the quality of their lives to the quiet and sometimes not so quiet efforts of Rosa and her extraordinary talent," said Congressman Jackson who also served as National Co-Chair of President Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign.
Whitaker used the occasion to push for more action on Africa's behalf and to make announcements about TWG's growth. She announced an advocacy agenda with the new Obama Administration that would promote policies to better integrate Africa into the value-added global supply chain and bring more investment to the region. She also announced the formation of an AGOA Investment Response Committee to identify challenges to African trade and investment, both in the U.S. and Africa, and to provide solutions that will ensure the sustainability of Africa's economic progress.
Congratulatory tributes also came in writing from leaders from throughout Africa, including His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, Former Presidents Kufuor of Ghana and Mogae of Botswana and the African Development Bank's President Kaberuka.
The celebration's theme throughout the evening was the major role TWG plays in making AGOA work for Africa. TWG has helped to facilitate trade deals that quickly have made Lesotho Africa's top apparel exporter, generating over 40,000 jobs in that tiny Kingdom. It has helped attract investment to the manufacturing and agro-processing sectors in Ghana and Uganda. TWG also has worked successfully with U.S. corporations looking to expand investments, partnerships and corporate responsibility programs in Africa.
Also in attendance were Special Envoy and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Cote d' Ivoire H.E. Laurent Gbagbo, Ambassador Sarata Zirignon-Touré, World Bank Managing Director and Vice President for Africa, respectively, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Dr. Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili, and Tom Gibian, President and Founder of the more than $1 billion dollar private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners.
"The one thing that brings us all together is our love of Africa and commitment to its success," Whitaker said. "Tonight's celebration is a testament to Africa's increasing importance on the world stage and in international business. The best minds, the most passionate people are working for Africa."
Whitaker and members of her team were soon off to East Africa for meetings with President Museveni of Uganda, Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia and Prime Minister Odinga of Kenya to advance a new Africa advocacy agenda.
