Liberia: Open Letter to President George M. Weah

Dear Mr. President, 

As our President, you are our father. You are the reservoir of our happiness and sorrow. Due to our unflinching problems, you are indeed strong to have taken on this tremendous task. Our problems as a nation are even older than you, yet, you accepted this task without fear.

Our needs and wants are insatiable, but you promised to satisfy us. We are stubborn. You promised to civilly calm us. Insofar, as our problems are older than yours, you said that you could fix them during your campaign. Our needs and wants are insatiable, but you promised to satisfy us. During your campaign, we challenged that and you insisted. We are so stubborn, but you promised to put us into order by empowering us. In the past, we have been less busy, thereby resulting in stubbornness, so you said. 

You promised to end this stubbornness by empowering the youth, making us impactful, and not sitting in Atayee shops, intellectual centers, or being geared towards stage-managed protests. These and many other sugary words fall from your famous lips. This leads many Liberians, especially the youth to have full trust in you. Many campaigned with you with their own energy and resources, while saying "power to the people, yes we must."

The media said You weren't fit for the presidency, because you skipped a debate meant to explain your platform. They defended you with "you go for debate, you naa go for debate, we will vote for you". With this, I became afraid, because the last time our parents said similar words to choose former president Taylor, the outcome didn't meet their expectations. However, Taylor's part, "You killed my Ma, you killed my Pa, I will vote for you" was more scary and daring than yours.

Some of the people who voted for you defied their parents, friends, and relatives. Many even abused and fought people who thought you were a mistake for the Presidency. They debunked them with "you have the country at heart". They fell for your party slogan "Hope for change" and said it loudly almost everywhere, even though they didn't fully understand its meaning. Mr. President, it is with sadness that most of your promises were mere talks. 

Broadly, there is still much to be done. When you said the youth will be a priority under your administration, did you mean the youth will be militarized with Berets going after your opposition and critics? Certainly, no! Then please fix that, Mr. President. When you said, Liberians should no longer be spectators in their economy, did you mean the economy would worsen due to your failure to fight corruption? Obviously, your answer is No! Why haven't you investigated the past regime when you accused them of depleting the nation's treasure?

Why have you refused to investigate government officials that have been accused of wanton misappropriation of funds? Mr. President, did 16 billion Liberian dollars go missing from the Freeport Of Liberia? Mr. President, have you investigated the 25 million intended for mopping up through the Finance Ministry? Have you conducted an investigation on your former government officials, Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill, a former minister of state for presidential affairs, Mr. Bill Twehway, a former Freeport director, and Mr. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, a former Liberian solicitor general? Because of sanctions imposed by the US government on a variety of issues, chiefly corruption, all of these former officials of your government were compelled to quit. 

Mr. President, the standard of living for Liberians is deteriorating daily. Even though rice is the most reliable staple in the nation, not everyone can afford it. In Liberia, it can be challenging for many households and families to afford even one meal every day. Where is the empathy in your leadership style when the people who elected you are suffering in this way when you and your government officials enjoy luxurious lives, travel in Business Class and on a private jet for vacations overseas, and receive high-quality medical care? Where has your peace-loving spirit vanished? You served as a peace ambassador, and you are fully aware that severe hunger is incompatible with achieving peace. 

You are so silent about all of the things that have happened and are still happening in your government, Mr. President. Mr. President, Liberia is a country, not a fellowship. Therefore, handle your appointed officials as your fellows by the guiding principle of Liberia in the discharge of their functions. 

Mr. President, this is not a time for cooling. The future of Liberia, the future you vowed to protect, is at risk.

Mr. President, What is your description of our educational system, with the majority of schools still facing problems with modern educational facilities like science labs and modern libraries? 

Mr. President, the time has been wasted, but we still have enough for improvement. Like they say, "it is never too late to right the wrong"... You can do this. Fix your government towards fixing Liberia.

From the day we elected you, we know you can not turn Liberia into heaven, but we also didn't choose you for Liberia to be hell.

Mr. President, pay attention to some insightful criticism from the opposition and take action to address it. There have been several reports linking your government personnel to corruption, therefore even if you are unable to audit the previous regime, at least audit your own officials, Mr. President. I don't know if the deaths of so many people are the result of targeting or murder, and I can't join the chorus of those who claim that you or your government's close allies ordered them, but I can say with certainty that it is your duty as president to secure the nation and make it safe for everyone, including your opponents.

Mr. President, everyone has forgotten the George you once were—the George whose unique football talents and prodigious scoring prowess brought smiles to the faces of not only Liberians but also Africans and people all over the world. Why hasn't your presidency brought such happiness to Liberians' faces, Mr. President?

When you were playing for AC Milan in Italy, I watched a soccer replay about you. It is sad to report, Mr. President, that the majority of Liberians have yet to applaud your president. During one of the games against Verona, you scored a solo goal and moved the ball from your goal pole to the opposing goal pole. The entire crowd on the field stood up and applauded.

Get yourself back. Be the George we all know, the George that everyone used to love, the Manneh that people bought their own shirts and inscribed his name on them because they loved you, Mr. President. Take charge of your administration to save Liberia. Thanks.

About the editor: Abu Abraham Kamara, a Liberian majoring in Human Resource Management, at the Albukhary International University, Malaysia.

Editor’s note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely of the author and do not necessarily represent that of the Daily Observer newspaper.