LT. GOV. Michael S. Steele is scheduled to depart today for a 10-day visit to Ghana and South Africa, leading a contingent of nine other state officials and representatives of 27 companies developing business ties between Maryland and Africa.
"It's the largest Maryland trade mission ever to go to Africa," said Steele, the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland.
Fourteen of the represented companies are owned by African-Americans, according to the lieutenant governor's office. Democrat Wayne K. Curry, a former Prince George's County executive and an ally of Gov. Robert L. Erhlich Jr.'s also is on the trip.
Among the public officials participating are Ehrlich communications director Paul S. Schurick; Paul Ellington and Zachary McDaniels of the lieutenant governor's office; and Sharon R. Pinder, who heads the Office of Minority Affairs.
The cost of the trip to taxpayers is $148,338. It is Steele's third
international foray since taking office, following visits to Paris and
Barbados last year.
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