A student activist and President of the physically-challenged students of the University of Liberia, Perkins Excellent T. Boye, has outlined campaign messages, corruption, and other factors that caused the Liberian electorate to vote President George M. Weah out.
In 2018, Liberia as a nation witnessed a historic transition with the election of ex-soccer Legend George M. Weah as its 25th President, making Liberians’ expectations to soar.
His victory marked the departure of then President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who was refrained from seeking a third term as by Constitutional provisions, paving the way for the significant change. The political landscape shifted, with Weah emerging as the presumptive winner, fueled by hopes that his leadership would bring lasting peace and prosperity to a nation that had experienced various governance experiments.
Before this transition, Liberia’s history had been marked by alternating civilian, interim and military administrations.
However, with the election of President Weah, there was a sense of stability and optimism among the population. The 2017 run-off election made Weah secured an overwhelming mandate, winning 14 out of 15 counties. He promised to end corruption, abuse of public office, lawlessness, extreme poverty, and mismanagement that had plagued the governance system under former President Johnson-Sirleaf.
But as the years unfolded, disillusionment set in President Weah, once hailed as a symbol of change. He faced criticism for not effectively utilizing the mandate bestowed upon him.
“People who played a significant role in his election found themselves neglected, leading to an increased in illicit drug use among the youth, often referred to as ‘zogoes’,” Boye noted.
According to him, the government’s failure to address the issues highlighted a disconnect between promises made during the campaign and the harsh realities faced by Liberian youth. furthermore, President Weah’s pledge to fight corruption also came under scrutiny.
Likewise to end corruption in public service, which was in his inauguration speech, allegations of self-centeredness arose as he and his close associates were implicated in the construction of private mansions and questionable budget allotment.
As a result of alleged corruption with impunity in President Weah’s government, he said that within four years of his leadership key public officials faced sanctions from the U.S. government for “significant corruption” and abuse of public office.
He pointed out that economic challenge further deepened, with minimal private sector investment, excessive government spending and a national budget heavily skewed towards recurring expenditure rather than infrastructure development. Despite international reports indicating economic growth, the benefits were not felt by the majority of the population, pushing Liberia to the brink of national collapse.
As it was, the once beloved President Weah, who embodied “Change for Hope”, faced the wrath of the Liberian people for failing to deliver on promises of transformative change under his “pro-poor agenda”.
The public perceived a stark contrast between the promised transformation and the current reality, leading to a sense of being hoodwinked among Liberians.
The governance situation worsened with the President’s indecisiveness on close confidants, breaches of conflict of interest principles, and misplaced spending priorities. Independent Constitutional bodies and integrity institutions faced subjugation to the whims of the President and his cabinet.
As Liberia anticipates a new chapter, the expectations for progress and change are high. Key areas of concern include the demonstration of unwavering political will, policies fostering a conducive environment for local businesses, investments in education and healthcare, prioritization of infrastructure projects, a focus on agriculture for food security, improvements in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (wash) sector, investment in the energy sector, promotion of tourism, and upholding the rule of law through transparent and accountable governance.
As the nation stands at the cusp of a new era, it is imperative for the in-coming government to learn from past mistakes, address the grievances of the people, and chart a course towards progress and prosperity. The call for change resonates loudly among Liberians, and their expectations will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the nation’s future.