On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 Grand Bassa County received President George M. Weah and his entourage with a turnout like no other county throughout the three phases of the President’s nationwide county tour. Grand Bassa is home to the former and current Political Leaders of the Liberty Party (LP), Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine and Nyomblee Karnga-Lawrence, and supposedly the stronghold of the opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).
It appeared as a shock to media men when Buchanan went gay to receive President Weah, his wife and members of his cabinet. Because of the political tension between ranking members of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and the CPP, it was believed that Grand Bassa would behave similar to River Gee County, whose senators scorned the President and his team when they arrived there during the first phase of the tour.
In River Gee, the senators of the county boycotted President Weah’s reception on ground that the Executive did not extend them an invitation.
However, it was glaring that the entire Grand Bassa was in one accord to give the President a rousing reception, as a banner was hanged, with the inscription, “The Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, The County Administration, Chiefs, Elders, Youths, Women And The Peace-Loving Citizens Of Grand Bassa County Welcome His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, President Of The Republic Of Liberia, The Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor, The First Lady, Madam Clar Marie Duncan Weah, and Cabinet Ministers To Grand Bassa County, The Home Of Hospitality”.
The county’s legislative caucus and local authorities flanked President Weah as he paraded the streets of Buchanan.
While in Grand Bassa County, President Weah inspected the old folks’ home and dedicated the Fair Ground road and a soccer pitch. He also broke ground for a 150-bedroom hospital to beef up the lone government hospital in that part of the country.
Speaking to the citizens of Grand Bassa County in a town hall meeting held in Buchanan, President Weah reminded the public that national development is a process and not an event, and that it takes time to plan and implement. “We are back on the third phase of our county tour. Everywhere we went all we hear is praises. I would like to say, on behalf of my team and myself, we should be thanking you for reposing your confidence in us to lead this country,” President Weah said.
“Even though people came to you and told you that I am a footballer, that nothing was in my brain, and that it was impossible for me to become President, you went to the polls and made me your President. I am grateful, and I want say thank you. This is why we have come to you. Even though our pro-poor agenda is working, we needed to come to you to ask what needs to be added,” President Weah noted.
He promised that government will work around the clock to meet up with the requests of the people of Grand Bassa County, and thanked them for keeping the peace.