President Weah Urges Journalists To Join In ‘Missing Billions’ Probe

President George Manneh Weah has encouraged media practitioners who reported that billions of Liberian dollars allegedly went missing at the Free Port of Monrovia to join the ongoing investigation by providing information that will aid the probe.

“You need to join the investigation so as to make sure the information you are providing to the world is factual and what you are reporting is right,” President Weah said.

Making remarks at a thanksgiving service held in his honor on Sunday, President Weah emphasized that while it is true that journalists are entitled to their rights, it is, however, wrong for them to write or say things that will damage the image of the country.

The Liberian leader, at the same time, reacted to comments made by former Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in which she accused the Weah-led government of causing a problem for the country with the banknotes issue and that his government does not know the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Liberia.

“You know the GDP but for 12 years you were not able to electrify Doe Community; you know the GDP to your finger tips but there is no road from Monrovia to Sass Town, if you know the GDP and don’t develop your people, then who are you?”  President Weah wondered.

He added: “If you know the GDP, the growth of your people should matter most to you; it is sad that you led for 12 years and other people help you to succeed but now that we are in power you do not want us to succeed.”

The Liberian leader, however, noted that he is not moved by those who are still in campaign mood, pointing out that his plan for Liberia is to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the country.

President Weah noted that he can only give God the glory for what happened at the UN General Assembly, stating that “while I was there representing you, some Liberians were in the streets telling people to boo me and yet you expected me to perform and if I was going to fail you were going to be the cause.”

President Weah, however, observed that while at the UNGA, a limited number of people tried to distract his attention from doing the Liberian people’s job, while on the other hand hundreds of supporters also gathered to cheer him up which, according to him, boosted his courage to fully represent the country.