The President of the Republic of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has, for the first time, decided to explain the true story behind his perseverance and money story and, at the same time, remembers how a good man, whom he believes to be an Angel, came his way while in route to Cameroon.
In a chat with the Hot Pepper in East Lagoon, Accra, Ghana, President Weah recounted that someone who worked at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) gave him a valuable medal during his departure to Cameroon in 1987, which has kept him going and caused him not to be deterred by elements of fear and distraction.
President Weah said, “This guy walked to me as I sat in the restaurant at departure on Christmas Day, 1987. He came up to me and said, ‘Oppong, I learned you are traveling to Cameroon.’ He asked me if I was afraid and I said, ‘Yes,’ because I knew no one in Cameroon. Then he said to me, ‘Let me explain my story.’ I said, ‘Ok…Let me listen to you since the team has not arrived.’ The departure time was 4:00 p.m., but I was at the RIA at 10:00 a.m.—that tells you that nothing could stop me. I was ready to make my move.”
Back to the story, President Weah continued, “He started his statement by saying, ‘Look, don’t be scared. Look at me, scariness brought me back to Liberia to work at this airport. Don’t be scared; go and you will succeed, and when you come back to this country as a star I will be right here in this airport to receive you.’ He was very nice to me. He asked me what he could offer me, and I said anything. So he brought me a hamburger and Orange Fanta.
“While having lunch, he explained to me how he got money from his father when he had an opportunity to travel to the United States of America to build his life. He said his father gave him the money as a reminder not to be afraid of anything, but to be courageous just in case things did not work his way while he struggled for survival. But he said he could not withstand hardship. He handed to me the barter system money of the old Liberia as a reminder that, when things get tough for me, I should not to give up like him but fight to survive and succeed.”
President Weah continued, “He said anytime I am about to give up I should be reminded by the money and the story behind it. So I did. Since Christmas Day, 1987, I have carried that piece of money metal with me in my bag, and when things were not working for me I would go into my bag and look at it—just to be reminded of his story.”
“I am grateful to God for His wisdom and for bringing this valuable metal my way. Thank God he did receive me once and asked me if I knew whom he was and I said, ‘The money guy, right?’ and he smiled and said, ‘I told you we will meet here again.’ He asked me, ‘Do you still have your gift?’ and I said, ‘I have it with me right here in my bag.’ He said, ‘great.’ I said, ‘Thank you.’
“I don’t know this guy, but he was so nice and motivating to me before my departure for Cameroon. Wherever he is, may God bless him, and if he is not alive may his soul rest in perfect peace and may light perpetual shine on him. I wish to see him again if he is still alive. I believe this money was given to me by an Angel, who came my way to encourage me not to ever give up on anything that I am involved with, but to continue to be hopeful, even in the most difficult circumstances. This is my money story—it’s the truth, and God knows. I am grateful, and to God be the glory.”