As President George Weah’s tenure concludes on Monday, January 22, 2024, the lingering question of how Liberians will perceive their outgoing leader remains a topic of significant concern. Reflecting on the immediate past presidency, citizens are divided in their assessments. Some commend President Weah for his contributions to national development, citing tangible improvements that have positively affected the lives of ordinary Liberians. FrontPage Africa conducted interviews with locals to gather their perspectives on this matter. Here is a compilation of what some Liberians had to say.
By Selma Lomax and J. H. Webster Clayeh
Theodore N.S. Nana, a resident of Montserrado County #8
“He will be remembered for bringing the presidency to the people unlike before his regime, where to see the President, you must be in a cult. During his time, whenever you called upon him, he would come. He was a jovial person; he sang and danced to music, and played sports like football and basketball with commoners. Other Presidents didn’t do so. Despite the hardships of his regime, he was down to earth. You know Liberians can only remember you when you leave power. We remember President Weah for being people-centered. During his regime, people were free to move around and do their business. Another thing we will miss him for will be the issue of free speech, and I can also say the people were free. There was no harassment. Even the motorcyclists, there was nothing like a no-go zone to restrict motorcyclists; they did their business smoothly.”
“The ordinary people felt the impact of his government. Look at his development across the country, especially those places that were deserted and made as a dumpsite; President Weah turned those places into beautiful parks for people to enjoy themselves.”
Prince Belleh Cole, a resident of Caldwell
“President Weah will be remembered for his extraordinary freedom of expression. The building of the various sports parks—these are developments that affected the lives of ordinary Liberian people. Because those parks were not built for wealthy people. They were built for every Liberian, especially people from the slum communities. So, those parks brought beauty to our city. Another thing was the freedom of expression; during his time, there were no political prisoners. People spoke their minds freely. We had so many demonstrations that took place during his time, and they were not suppressed by security forces. President Weah will also be remembered for taking ordinary people’s children from the slum and giving them the opportunity to serve their country in different capacities.”
George S. Kiadi, from Grand Cape Mount County
“The President will be remembered for many things that he did. For instance, when it comes to helping parents with the issue of WAEC fees and the issue of the free tuition policy at the state-run University of Liberia. These are things we are going to remember the outgoing President for. He will be missed for his development and freedom of speech.”
Assata Nyei, Vendor on Randall Street
“President Weah will be remembered for his development, like the construction of roads and electricity. Also, the opportunity was given to Liberians, especially vendors. Before President Weah’s government, we, the vendors, never used to sell in peace. The police used to run behind street vendors in Monrovia and other places. I lost my goods several times when the police ran behind me. But since President Weah came to power, we are selling freely, no stress on our minds because no one can run behind us. Even if he is not in power, we love him, and we will remember him for so many good things. Liberian people say the man was not doing good, but we know the man was doing good. He was not putting in jail for criticizing him.”
Eddieta Dweh, a resident of Central Monrovia
“President Weah will be remembered for his good development work. The construction of roads and seeing more people getting electricity in their homes. Look at the parks that he built; the man did well. He is out now, and so we just got to accept it. I will remember him because of the freedom of speech during his regime. President Weah will really be missed. Yesterday, the man went to New Kru Town. The man already said that he will not be running, but the people were saying they want him to come back to contest in 2029. For me, I say, let him go rest; this country is full of plenty stress.”
Euodia T. Gbatoe, Youth Leader
“As an individual, I do not have personal experiences or emotions, but I can provide information based on the public perception of President George Weah of Liberia. It is important to note that opinions about political leaders can vary, and this response is based on a general perspective. If President George Weah were to leave office, people might miss him for several reasons:
Football career: Weah was a renowned football player in the 1990s, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1995. Many people admired his achievements and saw him as a symbol of success and inspiration.
Popularity and charisma: Weah has been known for his charisma and ability to connect with the people of Liberia. His popularity played a significant role in his election as president in 2017.
Efforts to tackle corruption: Weah promised to fight corruption during his campaign and initiated some measures to address the issue. His efforts in this regard might be remembered positively by those who appreciate his anti-corruption stance.
Infrastructure development: Weah’s administration has focused on improving infrastructure, such as road construction and renovation projects. These efforts might be seen as positive contributions to the country’s development. However, it is essential to consider that opinions on President Weah’s tenure may vary. Some people might have different perspectives, highlighting areas where they feel he could have done more or expressing concerns about specific policies or actions taken during his presidency. He will also be missed for incorporating and empowering young people into his administration.”
What Bongese Say of Jewel
Jewel Howard-Taylor’s political career began in 2005 as a senator of Bong County, and she went on to become a dominant political figure not only in Bong County but Liberia after her re-election in 2014, before going on to win as vice president to George Weah in 2017.
The outgoing vice president sits on the brink of an uncertain political future after the ruling Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC), a collaboration of three political parties that includes Howard-Taylor’s National Patriotic Party, lost re-election in November 2023 to Unity Party.
At 61, it’s unsure whether Howard-Taylor will contest in 2029 –whether as president or go as vice presidential candidate, considering the mixed reactions that have trailed the defeat of the CDC in her native Bong County.
As Howard-Taylor’s nineteen-year tenure (twelve years as senator of Bong County, and six years as vice president) elapses Monday, natives of Bong County have been commenting on the outgoing vice president’s performance in reaction to a FrontPageAfrica question, “What will you remember Howard-Taylor for?”, attracting commendations and criticism from Bongese (natives of the county).
Daniel Tokpah, motorcyclists:
“I didn’t see much from Jewel Howard-Taylor during her reign as senator of Bong County and vice president. Where is the love for Bong County when she couldn’t construct a house in the county. How could you be renting in your county despite the massive show of support she always gets from the people of Bong County.”
Oretha Peters, entrepreneur:
“While there were issues during Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor’s 19-year leadership, she is only human with flaws. She performed credibly well in education and infrastructure. I am a beneficiary of her tuition aid at the Dolokelen Gboveh High School, and I am grateful to her for all she did for me and my family.”
Alhaji Abu Sackor, Imam:
“Jewel will be remembered for creating the enabling means, through the Madam Suakoko Tuition aid she established at Cuttington University, to educate our children. When it comes to infrastructure, she proffered a bill for the construction of the Bong County Technical College that is not providing education for the less fortunate at a low rate,” Abu Sackor, Muslim Council Chair, Bong County
Alex Flomo, opinion leader:
“Looking back at some of the achievements of the outgoing Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Madam VP Taylor here in Bong County. Firstly, I will say her impact across Bong County is huge. She was able to work with our local organization to provide vocational skills training programs for less fortunate citizens in almost all the districts across the county. The Bong Concern Youth Movement, our local organization, will forever remain grateful to her for trusting our organization with her resources. Today, because of her sponsorship, many single mothers and widows are now independent. She believes in youth employment. She was first person who made us to registered our organization and she introduced us to partners for sponsorship, so that we can keep doing our work for the Citizens of Bong County. Additionally, she even promised to make our organization, the very first organization to be involved with a complete full production center for our products. She is more than a mother to us.”
Yamah Kollie, entrepreneur:
“I will miss the outgoing vice president for her strong stance on the protection of the rights of women and children. Madam Taylor has been one person from her days as a Senator to the vice presidency, who put her feet down to ensure women and children have access to life-changing opportunities. Through her Jewel Stafish Foundation, many young girls were provided the opportunity to choose their career and some of them are doing well in society today. You may say what you want about her, but for me, I’m going to personally miss her. I hope there will come a time when she shall return to the public space again.”
Junior Flomo, resident:
Well, for me, I’m an ardent admirer of Madam Taylor, not because she comes from my county, Bong, but because of the way she conducts herself. She is a very eloquent and bold person. Whenever she tells you that she’s not part of something, no matter what you do or say, she’s just not. During her days as a senator, I can recall how she stood tall amongst men on issues pertinent to the caucus of Bong County, particularly the Madam Suakoko Land Grant Scholarship. She also managed in a tight space at the vice presidency to make the case of Liberian women and children in the outside world. I followed her once when she delivered a speech at one occasion in Morocco, she also highlighted women’s issues there in her speech. I will actually miss this strong public servant. My recommendation to her is to keep flagging these issues while even in her private life. It should not be like something she can do only when she’s in power.”
William Telebo Thompson, former CDC District Six Legislative Candidate:
“I am of the conviction that VP Taylor missed the golden opportunity to unite Bong County and position herself as the golden star and lifetime godmother of Bong County. Over the last 27 years, Mama Jewel was strategically positioned at a peak to unite Bong County and the entire Kpelle tribe across Liberia. She had the platform to set the agenda for the development of the county, and sadly, all was dashed.
“Her rise to stardom was seen as a restoration of hope for not only women, but we the youths and our parents as well. She was amongst some of the key reasons why Bong County stood behind President Taylor. After the expiration of her tenure as first Lady, the young Bongese were still hopeful she could bring forth the requisite love and unity, especially from the scars the county felt from the 14yrs civil unrest. We voted her as our Senator twice and further elevated her as the 1st female Vice President of Liberia.
“It is so sad that she is leaving Office with so much disunity she championed amongst key stakeholders in Bong, such of which have the likelihood to extend to the younger generation. In it all, I am hopeful we could get the opportunity to have another mother of our county who will fulfill this missed opportunity we struggled to achieve under her stewardship from 1997-2024.”
