Liberians voted for change when they elected former African Footballer of the Year, George Weah, as their president in 2018. More than four years down the line, Weah has delivered on his promise to bequeath a stable, peaceful and economically progressive country.
His election was a paradigm shift towards youthful leadership, change and transformation for the politically unstable country.
In a recent economic overview on Liberia, the World Bank said Liberia’s economy expanded by 4.8 % in 2022 despite global headwinds from the war on Ukraine, high global inflation, and depressed demand in advanced economies. The expansion was driven by mining and agriculture. Growth in the agricultural sector accelerated to 5.9%, from 3.3% in 2021, on the back of increased rice and cassava production. Industrial output grew by 10.4% in 2022 largely driven by increased gold production.
Weah adopted a Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity, an agenda designed to lift the people, especially the most vulnerable, out of poverty. Intending to build a harmonious society, he called on friends, partners and private investors to support his government’s economic agenda and promote diversification.
He prioritized the welfare and productivity of the youth in his country who lack access to high quality education and employment opportunities, and turned them to them to productive citizens by providing adequate educational facilities at high school and college levels. He also brought back Technical Vocational Education and Training programmes for the youth left behind due to the disastrous civil crisis.
He connected cities and towns with good roads and invested in electricity supply to power Liberia’s economy. He brought investments in roads, energy and ports and sought funding and technical expertise.
He focused on agriculture to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and self-employment, he continued. After the scourge of 2014 Ebola Epidemic, he has reorganized the healthcare delivery system to improve the wellbeing of his people.
Many groups in the country have openly endorsed his reelection bid and President George Weah is looking good to win a second term at first ballot.
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