Wale Suleiman
The Liberian presidential election turned out to be a two-horse race between incumbent President George Weah who is seeking a second term, and a former Vice President of the country, Joseph Boakai.
Weah presently leads with 216,344 votes, or 44.56% of the total, followed closely by Boakai with 207,217 votes, or 42.69% of the votes, according to figures made public by the National Elections Commission. Weah is running on the platform of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), while Boakai is running on behalf of the opposition Unity Party (UP).
Pre-election survey showed Weah overtaking Boakai as the most popular presidential candidate going into the election. The final results of the October 10 presidential election is likely to validate the pre-election survey which puts Weah ahead of Bokai.
The nation will be kept on edge as the presidential election results trickle in. The most recent vote counts are from 1,527 of the 5,890 voting locations or 25.93% of all polling places in the nation.
If Weah wins re-election, it would not be any surprise. Since the inception of his presidency in 2018, President Weah has made great strides in all sectors of the country, but most especially in youth and women empowerment.
Weah’s presidency has favoured the young people who got free education and several sporting initiatives. Weah allocated substantial resources into education infrastructure by building more schools and renovating old ones to standard. This has undoubtedly improved access to education for more than a million children within four years.
To ensure the students are able to progress seamlessly in their educational pursuit, their WASSCE is also paid for.
To ensure quality education and learning environment, Weah employed thousands of qualified teachers with increased pay. He also ensured that Liberian youths are able to take advantage of the internet revolution by the digitization of the University of Liberia.
All major sports park were renovated and new ones constructed to ensure sports’ development. The SKD stadium was renovated and invested in TVET in all 15 counties. At Risk Youths were also taken care of with an investment of more than US$1m for their transformation.
His administration implemented comprehensive policies to revitalize education in the country. By prioritizing education, Weah sought to equip the youths with necessary skills and knowledge to make them leaders of the future and build a brighter future for Liberia.
The youths, who constitute the largest voting bloc in the country, would no doubt have queued behind the former African Footballer of the Year to give him another five years.
But if the youths want Weah back, the women are also not left out. Several women groups had endorsed his second term bid, saying he gave them a new lease of life. Women empowerment through transformation of healthcare and stimulation of the economy have been the fulcrum of the Weah administration.
He transformed the health sector by improving access to quality healthcare services . He invested in healthcare infrastructure, quality medical equipment and training of personnel. The result is improved access to quality healthcare for all, including rural women.
Through the office of the First Lady, Clar, and that of Vice President, Jewel Taylor, women have been integral to the policies of the Weah administration. Weah, who once described himself as “Feminist-in-Chief” for the nation of Liberia, has given women issues priority. He had said that involving women, girls and other marginalized groups in all sectors can contribute significantly to the sustainable development, economic growth, social transformation and political stability of Liberia.
The youths, who constitute the largest voting bloc in the country, would no doubt have queued behind the former African Footballer of the Year to give him another five years.
But if the youths want Weah back, the women are also not left out. Several women groups had endorsed his second term bid, saying he gave them a new lease of life. Women empowerment through transformation of healthcare and stimulation of the economy have been the fulcrum of the Weah administration.
He transformed the health sector by improving access to quality healthcare services . He invested in healthcare infrastructure, quality medical equipment and training of personnel. The result is improved access to quality healthcare for all, including rural women.
Through the office of the First Lady, Clar, and that of Vice President, Jewel Taylor, women have been integral to the policies of the Weah administration. Weah, who once described himself as “Feminist-in-Chief” for the nation of Liberia, has given women issues priority. He had said that involving women, girls and other marginalized groups in all sectors can contribute significantly to the sustainable development, economic growth, social transformation and political stability of Liberia.
While launching First Lady Clar Weah’s flagship ‘She’s You’ movement in 2019 at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia, the Liberian leader stressed the importance of the initiative in giving women and girls a strong voice and a safe place in society.
The ‘She’s You’ movement is the First Lady’s strategic way of addressing the growing unfortunate plights women and girls are faced with in Liberia.
President Weah said it is impossible for any nation to enjoy successful and sustained development amid unbridled violence and abuse against women and girls. He said his government considers the welfare of women and girls as a national priority and that conditions facing them are being addressed deliberately and forcefully by his administration.
Wale Suleiman writes for Elegance Magazine
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