Says Former President Was “A Disaster for the Country”
By Amos Harris
Veteran Liberian singer, social activist, and political commentator Miatta Fahnbulleh has delivered a scathing assessment of former President George Manneh Weah’s leadership while accusing former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of playing a decisive role in his rise to Liberia’s highest office.
Speaking during a recent interview, Fahnbulleh argued that Sirleaf’s endorsement of Weah during the country’s political transition remains one of her most enduring and controversial legacies. According to her, Sirleaf effectively paved the way for Weah to become president despite what she described as his fundamental lack of preparedness for the complex demands of governing.
“Her lasting legacy will be that she unleashed George Weah on us,” Fahnbulleh said. “Mrs. Sirleaf forced him on us; literally held up his hand as the successor.”
While acknowledging Weah’s remarkable accomplishments as one of Africa’s greatest iconic footballers, Fahnbulleh challenged the notion that success in professional sports automatically qualifies an individual to lead a nation. She argued that political leadership demands deep experience, policy expertise, and administrative competence far beyond athletic achievement.
“He’s a fantastic football player,” she stated. “But the background that I come from, we didn’t see football players as national political leaders. They should stick to their professions.”
Fahnbulleh went on to characterize the Weah administration as “a disaster for the country,” alleging that the former president lacked both the genuine interest and the sustained commitment necessary to effectively manage state affairs. She claimed that Weah appeared far more attracted to the prestige and title of the presidency than to the heavy responsibilities that accompany the office.
“He had absolutely no interest in governance,” Fahnbulleh asserted. “He was just happy to be President. This man was a football player—how do you expect him to come and read a 530-page budget?”
To reinforce her argument, Fahnbulleh drew a comparison with neighboring Ghana, referencing football legend Abedi Pelé. She questioned whether Ghanaians would elect a celebrated athlete solely on the basis of sporting fame, suggesting that popular acclaim should never be confused with the qualifications needed for effective national leadership.
Her remarks are expected to ignite fresh debate over the legacy of the Weah administration and former President Sirleaf’s role in Liberia’s 2017 democratic transition. The comments also revive broader national discussions surrounding the qualifications, experience, and leadership standards expected of candidates seeking the nation’s highest public office.
As of press time, neither former President George Manneh Weah nor former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had publicly responded to Fahnbulleh’s statements.