Liberians have greeted President George Manneh Weah’s first year in office with mixed reactions-those sympathetic to the regime have heaped praises while most critics alarmed that the governance process here has retrogressed.
President Weah took the country’s highest seat on 22 January 2018 at the jam – packed Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville after overwhelmingly defeating then Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai 61.5% to 38.5%.
Partaking in a phone – in live program hosted on local broadcaster OK FM Tuesday, 22 January, citizens with diverse views were given the opportunity to express their thoughts about President Weah’s one year in office.
Some callers argued in favor of the government, citing many tangibles in the first year including roads, tuition free enrollment in public colleges or universities, the president’s decision to cut his salary and salaries of his appointees, among others.
“Though there are some challenges, but the government has over-performed during the one year in review. The economy is growing at 1.5%, the first military hospital is being built and a whole lot [is] being done as well. In fact the government scores “A,” a caller Lauren Sulonteh says.
Some callers arguing in favor of the government also name the New Kru Town coastal defense project, professional policing, the Doe Community to Clara Town Road project and the payment of fees for extra classes for 12th graders.
However, there were some callers saying they want the government to resolve the alleged missing 16 billion Liberian Dollar case, salary disparity, among others.
The callers argued that President Weah’s government has done nothing to improve the living standard of the people, instead it has increase the economic woes here.
“There is no transparency, poor health system, bad governance, violation of the constitution, among others,” an official of the opposition Liberty Party says.
-to Weah’s 1st year in office
By Roosevelt G. Jabah –Edited by Winston W. Parley
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