Olubanke King-Akerele

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Date of Birth: 11/05/1946

Education: BA, Economics, Brandeis University, USA, 1967; Master's, Economics and Human Resources, Northwestern University, USA.

Biography: Senior Planning Officer, Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, 1968-69 and 1975-80; Deputy Director, National Social Security and Welfare Corporation, 1975-80; Deputy Director, United Nations Development Fund for Women, 1982-89; Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Senegal, 1989-91; UNDP Resident Representative and Resident Coordinator for UN Operational Activities in Mauritius and Seychelles, 1991-94; Managing Director, Country Strategy and Programme Development Division, UNIDO, 1994-96; Chief, East and Central Africa Division, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP, 1996-97; UNDP supported sabbatical, 1998; Resident Representative and Coordinator of the United Nations System Operational Activities for Development in Zambia, UNDP, 1998-03; Minister of Commerce and Industry, 2006-07; Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2007 to date.

Commentary: The granddaughter of former President of Liberia, Charles D.B. King, Olubanke King-Akerele is one of the star ministers in Johnson-Sirleaf's cabinet. She boosted her credentials in 2006 after she was credited with having forced down the price of rice, Liberia's staple food.