• Weah: ‘My Mandate is to End Corruption in Public Service’, Source: Daily OBSERVER
• “I won’t’ let you down” – Weah, Source: New DEMOCRAT
• “I Will Not Let You Down” … President Weah Assures Citizens, Source: The INQUIRER
• President Weah Threatens Would-be Corrupt Officials, Source: The INQUIRER
• “Liberian-owned Businesses Will Not be Marginalized,” President Weah Asserts, Source: Daily OBSERVER
• President Weah to Strengthen Ties with European Union, Source: Daily OBSERVER
• Torrential Rains, Storm Leave Several Homeless in Nimba, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Weah: ‘My Mandate is to End Corruption in Public Service’, Source: Daily OBSERVER

In his inaugural speech Monday, President George Weah assured Liberians that the mandate given him is to end corruption in public service. President Weah said his overwhelming mandate received from the Liberian people clearly demonstrates that they want his government to end corruption in public service. “I promise to deliver on this mandate,” Weah emphasized to rapturous applause.

He admonished those who will be appointed public officials to put the interest of the people above their personal interests. “As an official of government, it is time to put the interest of our people above our own selfish interests. It is time, to be honest with our people,” the Liberian leader noted.

Admittedly, Weah said though corruption is a habit among the people, “We must end it. We must pay civil servants a living wage so that corruption is not an excuse for taking what is not theirs.” He added: “Those who do not refrain from enriching themselves at the expense of the people, the law will take its course. I say today that you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Read more

“I won’t’ let you down” – Weah, Source: New DEMOCRAT

President George Weah has promised to reduce income inequality and end corruption in government when he delivered his first speech as president Monday at his inauguration ceremony held in Paynesville. President Weah said his government will invest in agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital while pledging to reconcile the country divided on diverse political lines during the October presidential and legislative elections last year. “I promise to be the agent of positive change,” the president said while committing that he would prosecute any official found to be corrupt.

“I Will Not Let You Down” … President Weah Assures Citizens, Source: The INQUIRER

President George Weah has assured the citizens that his administration will not let them down in spite of the many challenges facing the nation, this paper reports. Mr. Weah was inaugurated Monday in Paynesville, outside Monrovia as Liberia’s 24th president replacing former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who championed the cause of peace for 12 years under her administration. The new Liberian leader promised to revive the nation’s drowning economy assuring the people that he will not let them down. “We are responsible to deliver the change to you, the ‘common’ people who queued to vote for us during the Elections. We will be agents of possible change,” President Weah in his first official speech said.

The president called on the other branches of government – Legislature and Judiciary – to work with him in delivering the goods to the people. “Our responsibility will be shifted from the capital to other parts of the country,” said Weah. “I’ve spent many years of my life in stadiums. But today is a rather unique one. I am overwhelmed with the crowd and the energy here today and I guarantee you when we shall have finished; there will not be a winner or a loser, Today, we all wear the jersey of Liberia and the victory belongs to the people, to the peace and to our democracy,” President Weah said.

President Weah Threatens Would-be Corrupt Officials, Source: The INQUIRER

President George Weah has warned against anyone who will be caught in corruption in his government, stating that they will not go unpunished. Delivering his inaugural speech at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville outside Monrovia, President Sirleaf pointed out that “it is my belief that the most effective way to directly impact the poor, and to narrow the gap between rich and poor, is to ensure that public resources do not end up in the pockets of Government officials.”

President Weah said Liberians have entrusted him with the country and that he will do everything in his power to deliver them from corruption. “I received from the Liberian people the mandate to end corruption in public service. I promise to deliver on this mandate,” he added.  The new Liberian leader promised to put the interest of the Liberian businesses first as he encouraged other international business partners to work with his administration.

“Liberian-owned Businesses Will Not be marginalized,” President Weah Asserts, Source: daily OBSERVER

President George Weah has indicated that Liberian-owned businesses will not be marginalized but given equal opportunities with foreign businesses or investors during his administration. President Weah made the statement Monday during his inaugural address at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.

“As we open our doors to all foreign direct investments, we will not permit Liberian-owned businesses to be marginalized. We cannot remain spectators in our own economy,” President Weah said. According to Weah, his government will prioritize the interests of Liberian-owned businesses and offer programs to help them become more competitive. “We will offer services that international investors seek as partners,” Weah said, which many businesspeople have welcomed.

The president noted that to change the structure of the Liberian economy will require huge investments in agriculture, infrastructure, in human capital, and in technology. “We hope our international development partners will assist us in this transformation. I would like to thank the international community for the invaluable contributions they have made to our peace and economic development,” Weah said. Read more

President Weah to Strengthen Ties with European Union, Source: Daily OBSERVER

The Daily Observer reports that despite the long-standing bilateral relationship between Liberia and the United States, which goes as back as the 1820s, and the country’s support for the one-China policy, there are indications that President George Weah may encourage improved ties with the European Union (EU) to get more financial and technical support.

In his inaugural address Monday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, President Weah said in order to change the ‘structure of the Liberian economy,’ it will require huge investments in agriculture, infrastructure, human capital, and technology.

While appreciating international development partners who have assisted Liberia over the years, President Weah thanked the United States and the People’s Republic of China, promising to support the one-China Policy. He, however, noted that the continuous support of the EU will be important as “we forge a new path of transformation.”

He added “China has emerged as one of Liberia’s most dependable allies… It is my hope that the Chinese-Liberian relationship will grow stronger during my tenure as President.”

Weah said without Europe, he would not be “standing here delivering this inaugural address as the 24th President of the Republic of Liberia. It was my success in European football that enabled me to give back to my beloved country.” He said Europe will always have a special place in his heart, and, “as President, I intend to strengthen my relationship with the European community for the benefit of all Liberians.” Read more

Torrential Rains, Storm Leave Several Homeless in Nimba, Source: Daily OBSERVER

Torrential rains accompanied by heavy storms left several families homeless in Nyor Diaplay Town, in the Buu-Yao Administrative District, near the Liberian-Ivorian border in Nimba County. The town is the largest of the seven towns in the Nyor belt with a population estimated at over 2,000. The incident, which took place on Thursday, January 18 destroyed 15 houses and swept away corrugated iron roofing sheets. One of the schools in the community was hard hit, leaving the principal’s office and the library roofless. Peter Gbahnzo, Nyor-Diaplay Town Chief, told the Daily Observer that those whose properties were destroyed by the storm are currently sleeping in public buildings, while some are lodged in the churches or with friends and relatives. Read more