Liberians Divided Over Weah’s First Term Performance

As President George Weah mounts the podium today to speak to the nation, he's facing a Liberian public that is largely dissatisfied with his presidency so far, a Monday morning Daily Observer views sampling poll shows. 

The President is delivering his 6^th and final State of the Nation Address of his first term, in what many are expecting the President to report to his employers — the electorate — as to how he has steered the affairs of the state entrusted into his care since 2018.

"Change For Hope" was the mantra that helped get Weah elected, symbolizing WEah and his Coalition for Democratic change (CDC) vow to pull Liberians out of the grips of poverty and deprivation—and to put Liberia on the path of prosperity and development.

However, apart from a steady progress in infrastructure development and somehow dismal handling of the economic that has led to what some termed as increase in poverty and massive unemployment, the Daily Observer spoke to scores of Liberians ahead of the SONA on how did President Weah fare during his first term, and many of those interviewed, potential voters, think the President flubbed.

“The President did a few good things but the way he started his presidency affected him up to now. You just can’t get into power and start building properties all over the place for yourself. That was a turnoff for me about him,” Emmanuel Wahdoe, a petty trader at ELWA Junction said. “The President and his officials did not prioritize the Liberian people first and they will pay for that in these coming elections.

Wahdoe says Weah might have had a good intention for the country but the lack of capacity, experience and the right people around him have let him down. “No one can do more than his or her best. Weah was not made for this so, the more Liberian people force him into it, the more we will be frustrated,” he said. 

Favor Wesseh noted that President Weah, her kinsman from Grand Kru County, did well when it came to road construction and the free education policies but failed massively on the economy and job creation. “I and the President are from the same county but I don’t think he has done well to be reelected. WE are seeing the roads he is building and the free tuition at the University of Liberia and WASSE fees he has been paying. But that is not enough to say we should elect him again. I don’t think so.”

Rachel Williams: “Weah wanted to be President and we provided him that opportunity. It is now time for him to bow out so that Liberia can get the rightful leader she deserves so that this country can move ahead. President Weah has held our country backward and we cannot afford to be in this situation for another six years.

Monconjay Tehloe: “I think the President has done well. He has empowered a lot of young people who are now doing well in this country. He is building more roads and other infrastructure development. Let us give the man another chance. I’m sure he will do more. This was just the first time and it was very difficult.

Monique George: “Weah does not deserve another term. Let him just park and go. The Liberian people have shown him too much love and he has not loved them back. This is sad. The suffering is too much. I hope this will be his last SONA.”

Weade Wilson: “Nobody can do what Weah has done and nobody can do better than he has. We gave Ma Ellen two terms, so why can’t we do the same for Weah? He has done so much. And he will do so much more. He just needs the time.

While Liberians are divided over Weah’s performance for his first term, the President boasts that "no administration" accomplished more than his during his first term as president, especially on the issues of infrastructure such as roads and health facilities. Many think his performances on the economy and security, especially amid lack of foreign direct investment and mysterious deaths of scores of Liberians and an unprecedented increase in rape and crime against women, were disastrous. 

In the first year of his six-year term, President Weah faced financial scandal (alleged missing LD$16 billion and US$25 million mop up exercise scandals) and a floundering economy — all of which massively dwindled his approval rating that year and subsequent ones. Yet, he maintained popular support in the legislature.

Looking at key areas to which the Weah Administration claims are its major focus, namely infrastructural development, the economy, rule of law, good governance and fight against corruption, the story is not different when compared against what the CDC government met on ground in 2018. The performance figures are there in the public domain.

On the fight against corruption, available data indicates that the country is more corrupt now than in 2017. The main corruption story that has dominated during President Weah’s first term was reports of a missing 16 billion Liberian dollars ($104 million) of new bank notes. This huge sum accounts for about 5% of the country’s GDP and 20% of the government’s annual budget. The administration initially confirmed the missing money and, amid pressure from protests, launched an investigation with support from the US government.

A US$25 million mop up exercise initiated by the Economic Management team headed by Finance Minister Samuel Tweah did not even help matters.

Allegations that government officials were accumulating huge wealth were also rife. The President was also accused of personal involvement in a number of large-scale private projects himself.  Liberians remain, due to these occurrences, deeply distrustful, creating doubt over the President’s ability and willingness to fight corruption. The economy too has not fared well since and unemployment remains massive.

All these, many believe, undermine this promise Weah made to Liberians during his inauguration address at the SKD stadium in Paynesville: “It will be my task, my duty, and my honor, to lead this nation from division to national unity, and toward a future of hope and prosperity.” “Rest assured, I will not let you down,” he added.

But whether the President has lived up to this promise as his first term elapses will be his to convince Liberians as he presents his final performance report on the State of the Nation today.