Photo: Liberia Government

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivers Goodwill Message at the inauguration of President Ernest Bai Koroma in Freetown

The Group of Eight or G8 is a forum for the governments of the world's eight wealthiest countries. In this case, one would hardly speak of the tiny West African nation of Liberia, which lies at the bottom of UN Development Index. But, as it is said, the child who washes its hands eats with kings; meaning that though Liberia is not a wealthy country on the Planet, its current President has projected an image abroad that wins the hearts and minds of great nations. Thus, as the G8 countries meet this year, those least developing countries  demonstrably aspiring for greatness are invited to observe the proceedings, and Liberia is one the lucky ones. The Analyst reports

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has departed the country to participate, at the invitation of British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a luncheon meeting of the G8 Summit in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland – the first time that Liberia has been included among African leaders invited to the Summit of the world's leading economies.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader will join three other African leaders invited to the Summit: the Chairman of the African Union, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn; the President of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; and President Macky Sall of Senegal.

This year's G8 Summit, taking place at the Lough Erne Golf Resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, from June 17-18, has as its theme: "Taxes, Trade and Transparency." President Sirleaf has been invited to speak on transparency and trade.

The gathering of the Group of Eight (G8) will be the 39th meeting in a series which began in 1976. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has hosted Summits at London (1977, 1984, and 1991) and Birmingham (1988) in England, while the 2005 Summit was held at Gleneagles, in Scotland.

The G8 and the Summit are part of a consultation process intended to resolve differences among members. Its core members are the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the European Commission and the European Council.

Discussions at the 39th Summit will include some unresolved issues from previous summits, as well as such topics as food security, nutrition, and sexual violence in armed conflict.

President Sirleaf returns home on Thursday, June 20, and will participate in the "Official Launch to 'Kick-Start' Implementation of the National Reconciliation Roadmap for Liberia and the National Dialogue Conference on Peace and Reconciliation," taking place at the Centennial Pavilion on that day.

During the President's absence from the country, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs,

Dr. Edward B. McClain, Jr., will serve as Chair of the Cabinet in consultation with Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr.