President Nana Addo indicated that Liberia’s newly elected President’s inauguration “is an extremely important development in Liberian history, and in West African history.”

“For us, in West Africa, I think the democratic consolidation that so many of us are seeking is taking place, and, that democracy is gradually being entrenched stronger and stronger in the body politic of our different states,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo made this comment when he interacted with journalists, after attending the swearing in ceremony of President George Oppong Weah, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, in Monrovia.

The swearing-in ceremony saw West African Presidents such as, President Allasane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire; Togolese President; Faure Gnassingbe, President of Niger; Mahamadou Issoufou, Senegalese President; Macky Sall, Guinean President; Alpha Conde, and the President of Mali; Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, among others.

President Nana Addo also urged Mr. Weah to build on the legacy bequeathed to him by his predecessor, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, saying “President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was preoccupied with establishing the basic things after the civil war. She’s been able to that. Now it is a question of building on them to grow the Liberian economy, so that all of these young people who voted for him, who are out of work, can find work to do in the very near future.”

In his inaugural address, President George Oppong Weah pledged to build on the foundation his predecessor laid.

Ghana’s two former Presidents, John Dramani Mahama and Jerry John Rawlings, were among the dignitaries who attended the event.

Who is George Weah?

Mr. Weah, who was raised in a slum in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D’Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002, and had served as a senator in Liberia’s Parliament before becoming President.

His former club, PSG, congratulated him on Twitter.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A former international football legend, George Weah replaces Africa’s first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

It’s Liberia’s first transition between democratically-elected leaders since 1944.

Also present are heads of state and several celebrity football players.

Scroll down through Africa Live for all this morning’s news from Monrovia.

George Weah has begun his presidency with a rousing call to all Liberians – promising to do “more than his share” in advancing the country.

However, he warned he was unable to do it alone.

Speaking at the Samuel Doe Stadium in the capital, Monrovia, he said:

I will do more than my fair share to meet your expectations – but I ask you to meet mine, for I cannot do this alone.”

Mr Weah also used his inaugural speech to praise Liberia’s strong ties with countries like the US and China, stressing their importance in helping reach the country’s full potential.

He also spoke of the European Union, telling the tens of thousands who had gathered to watch him become president today that the continent would “always have a special place in my heart”.

Mr Weah played football at clubs in France and the UK during the late 1980s and 1990s, becoming the first African to win the coveted Fifa World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or.

–

Source: BBC

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Weah will become the 25th president of the West African nation, taking power from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf after 12 years, with expectations running sky-high among Liberians that he will deliver on his promises of jobs and better schools.

The inauguration is due to begin at 09.45 in Samuel Kanyon Doe stadium near the capital, Monrovia, with heads of state from Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Togo expected to attend along with friends and former colleagues from his football years.

Weah played for a string of top-flight European teams in the 1990s and was crowned the world’s best player by FIFA and won the coveted Ballon d’Or prize, the only African to have achieved this.

After losing his first run at the presidency to Sirleaf in 2005, he has spent the last 13 years attempting to gain the political credibility to match his wild popularity at home, becoming a senator in 2014.

Volunteers were putting the final touches to decorations and giving the streets a final lick of paint on Sunday, and many expressed hope the everyday difficulty of their lives would change.

“It’s my very first time to see Liberia transferring power peacefully. People expect real democracy,” said Samuel Harmon, 30, a street trader.

“The expectation of the people and the country is all up to him (Weah). Everybody believes that if he fails us, the majority will be disappointed with politics,” he added.

Under pressure

Sirleaf will be remembered for maintaining peace after the harrowing 1989-2003 civil war left an estimated 250 000 dead. But extreme poverty remains pervasive and Liberia ranks near bottom in international rankings for health, education and development.

At a church service attended by Sirleaf and Weah on Sunday, the pair presented a united front following a bruising election campaign in which Sirleaf’s longtime vice-president Joseph Boakai failed to convince as her successor while alleging fraud had marred the ballot.

Legal proceedings lodged by Boakai delayed a run-off vote and the transition period, meaning Weah has had less than a month to prepare for government rather than the three months initially scheduled.

Sirleaf told AFP the inauguration “implies continuity; it implies meeting the challenges,” as she left the event.

Weah faces the challenges of a depressed export economy highly reliant on rubber and iron ore, and outsized expectations he can turn the country around within months and provide jobs for the overwhelmingly young population.

More than 60 percent of Liberia’s 4.6-million citizens are under 25, and many voted for Weah in the expectation he would quickly boost employment.

He told journalists on Saturday at a football game — a friendly with the army — that his first priority was keeping the peace, and hit out at critics who say he is unqualified for the position.

“I am a human being, I strive to be excellent, and I can be successful,” Weah said.

“When I work hard I believe what I believe in and I showed I could persevere,” he added, referring to early disbelief amongst his countrymen that he could make it in the top European leagues.

Experts are concerned however that hopes of tackling rampant corruption and bringing technocratic expertise into his cabinet are at risk from the need to repay favours.

“He is under pressure from various constituencies and unlikely to nominate a cabinet of experts as he claimed he would do shortly after his electoral success,” said Malte Liewerscheidt, Senior Africa Analyst at global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft.

The rumoured names were “clearly tilted towards re-paying political and personal debts of gratitude, suggesting continuity rather than a new dawn in Liberian politics,” he wrote in a briefing note.

–

Source: News 24

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Nana Addo departed on Sunday afternoon and is expected to return on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

The inauguration of George Weah is scheduled to take place on Monday, 22nd January 2018, in Monrovia, Liberia.

President Akufo-Addo left the country in the company of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway; the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta; Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah; and officials from the Presidency.

The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin said in a statement issued on Sunday that “given the absence from the jurisdiction of the Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aaron Mike Oquaye, in accordance with Article 60(11) of the Constitution, will act in his stead.”

The President has duly informed the Speaker of Parliament of his absence from the country.

‘Peaceful Transition’

Former footballer George Weah was elected President of Liberia after he beat his opponent Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the votes in a run-off election

Mr. Weah, who was raised in a slum in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D’Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

His former club, PSG, congratulated him on Twitter.

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1944.

Mrs Sirleaf defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005 and took office a year later, after the end of a brutal civil war that saw President Charles Taylor forced out by rebels.

Taylor is now serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

This time Mr Weah’s campaign – under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner – appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice-President Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.

But Mr Weah’s election is not without controversy, as his running mate was Jewel Taylor, former wife of the jailed president.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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He congratulated Mr. Weah and his contender, Joseph Bokai for the “great sportsmanship exhibited.”

John Mahama, who was the head of the ECOWAS observer mission for the election, said he was optimistic that “we can make our regional organization a strong and vibrant one in the affairs of our countries.”

Read Mahama’s post below:

Who is George Weah?

George Weah, who was raised in a slum in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D’Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

His former club, PSG, congratulated him on Twitter.

Background

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1944.

Mrs Sirleaf defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005 and took office a year later, after the end of a brutal civil war that saw President Charles Taylor forced out by rebels.

Taylor is now serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

This time Mr Weah’s campaign – under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner – appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice-President Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.

But Mr Weah’s election is not without controversy, as his running mate was Jewel Taylor, former wife of the jailed president.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Mahama congratulates Liberia for peaceful polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Weah beat his opponent Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the votes in Tuesday’s run-off election.

While expressing the hope that the just ended polls will lead to an improvement of living standards of Liberians, the President observed that the election had also “strengthened the frontiers of democracy in Liberia”

The President also commended Mr. Weah’s opponent, Boakai, who is currently Liberia’s Vice President for the “maturity” exhibited during his campaign.

“Best wishes for the success of President-elect George Weah, and Vice President –elect, Jewel Taylor,” he added.

Mr. Weah will succeed Africa’s first elected female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Liberia’s first democratic handover in decades.

Who is George Weah?

Mr. Weah, who was raised in a slum in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, starred at top-flight European football clubs Paris St-Germain (PSG) and AC Milan, before ending his career in England with brief stays at Chelsea and Manchester City.

He is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the prestigious Ballon D’Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

His former club, PSG, congratulated him on Twitter.

Background

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1944.

Mrs Sirleaf defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005 and took office a year later, after the end of a brutal civil war that saw President Charles Taylor forced out by rebels.

Taylor is now serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

This time Mr Weah’s campaign – under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner – appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice-President Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.

But Mr Weah’s election is not without controversy, as his running mate was Jewel Taylor, former wife of the jailed president.

–

By: Marian Ansah with files from BBC/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo commends George Weah, Boakai for peaceful polls appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

With most ballots from Tuesday’s run-off vote counted, Mr Weah is well ahead of opponent Joseph Boakai.

He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president, in Liberia’s first democratic handover in decades.

Mrs Sirleaf defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005, after the end of a brutal civil war.

As news of Mr Weah’s victory emerged on Thursday, his supporters began celebrating in the capital Monrovia.

The former football star’s campaign – under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner – appealed to the youth vote, while incumbent Vice President Mr Boakai was seen as old and out of touch.

But Mr Weah’s election is not without controversy, as his running mate is Jewel Taylor, former wife of the warlord and ex-President Charles Taylor, who is serving a jail sentence in the UK for war crimes.

Mr Weah, 51, won the first round of the presidential election in October with 38.4% of the vote, compared with the 28.8% won by second-placed Mr Boakai, 73. The failure of any candidate to secure an outright majority forced the run-off.

The National Elections Commission (NEC) said on Thursday that with 98.1% of the run-off vote counted, Mr Weah had won 61.5% of the vote while Mr Boakai was far behind with 38.5%.

Mr Weah played for a string of football clubs, including AC Milan, Chelsea and Paris St-Germain, and is the only African footballer to have won both Fifa World Player of the Year and the Ballon D’Or.

He entered politics after his retirement from the game in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another since 1944.

Legal challenges delayed the vote to replace Ms Sirleaf, and turnout was low. Election officials put turnout at 56%.

More than two million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the nation of 4.6 million people.

Ms Sirleaf took office in 2006, after her predecessor President Taylor was forced out by rebels in 2003, ending a long civil war.

Taylor is serving his 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

–

Source: BBC

The post George Weah elected Liberian president appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The National Elections Commission said that with 98.1% of ballots counted, Mr Weah had won 61.5% of the vote.

Opponent Joseph Boakai is far behind with 38.5%.

He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president. She defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005, after the end of a brutal civil war.

Mr Weah, 51, won the first round in October with 38.4% of the vote, compared with the 28.8% of Mr Boakai, 73. His failure to secure an outright majority forced a run-off.

Mr Weah played for a string of football clubs, including AC Milan and Paris St-Germain, and is the only African footballer to have won Fifa World Player of the Year and the coveted Ballon D’Or, in 1995.

He entered politics after his retirement in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

–

Source: BBC

The post George Weah set to win Liberia presidency appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Unofficial results broadcast by local media suggest that ex-football star George Weah is ahead of Vice-President Joseph Boakai following Monday’s vote.

The electoral commission has warned against “premature pronouncements”.

Armed police have been deployed around its headquarters in the capital, Monrovia, ahead of the release of official results.

However, the mood in Monrovia is calm, and people are eagerly awaiting the results, reports the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh from the city.

“The Liberian people clearly made their choice… and all together we are very confident in the result of the electoral process,” Mr Weah said on Wednesday.

His supporters had planned a victory parade, but dropped the idea after foreign observers urged them to wait for the official results, our correspondent says.

Mr Weah, 51, won the first round in October with 38.4% of the vote, compared with the 28.8% of Mr Boakai, 73.

His failure to secure an outright majority forced a run-off.

Mr Weah played for a string football clubs, including AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, and is the only African footballer to have won Fifa World Player of the Year and the coveted Ballon D’Or in 1995.

He entered politics after his retirement in 2002 and is currently a senator in Liberia’s parliament.

The winner of the election will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president.

She defeated Mr Weah in the presidential election run-off in 2005, after the end of a brutal civil war.

Liberia, founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century, has not had a smooth transfer of power from one elected president to another in more than 70 years.

Legal challenges delayed the vote to replace Ms Sirleaf, and turnout seemed to have been low.

More than two million people were eligible to cast their ballots in the nation of 4.6 million people.

Ms Sirleaf took office in 2006, after her predecessor, Charles Taylor, was forced out by rebels in 2003, ending a long civil war.

Taylor is serving a 50-year prison sentence in the UK for war crimes related to the conflict in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

–

Source: BBC

The post Liberia awaits presidential poll result appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Mahama is the head of the ECOWAS Election Observer Team. When he and his team arrived in Liberia, they held a brief meeting with the team that will be deployed throughout the country during the election.

A technical support team, which is led by former Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, assisted the Liberian NEC to update their systems, tackle the queries of the political parties, and to meet the directives of the Liberian Supreme Court.

John Mahama also had separate meetings with the two candidates going into the run-off, current Liberian vice president John Boakai of the Unity Party, and former footballer George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change.

In the meetings with the two gentlemen, Mr. Mahama called for a peaceful vote. He also reminded Liberians of the sanctity of the polls, and the stability of the country after the elections, will depend on them and not ECOWAS, the observers or the UN.

George Weah and John Boakai are battling to succeed the outgoing president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose constitutional two terms in office end in January.

In the first round which was held on October 10, both men fell short of the 50% plus one vote stipulated by the constitution for the winner to emerge in the first round.

Third place Charles Brumskine of the Liberty Party, meanwhile, filed a petition against the exercise on alleged irregularities and fraud.

The case was dismissed by the court, but it delayed the run-off which was originally slated for November 7.

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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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