MONROVIA – Press Secretary Kula Fofana on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, challenged longstanding claims about the benefits of former President George Manneh Weah’s 2018 visit to France, declaring that Liberia received only US$5 million of the US$10 million pledged by the French government. Speaking on the “Spoon FM” show, Fofana explained that the remaining funds were never disbursed because the previous administration failed to meet the conditions required to access the full amount. “While France pledged US$10 million to Liberia during Weah’s 2018 visit, only half of the amount was ever received,” she said, adding that the current government plans to re‑engage the French government to secure the outstanding funds.
Fofana said the original pledge was intended to support community development initiatives, including the construction of sports pitches and drainage systems in areas such as Fiamah. She emphasized: “The pledged funds were intended to support community development initiatives, including the construction of sports pitches and drainage systems in areas such as Faimah.” She expressed concern that the former administration’s inaction prevented Liberia from benefiting fully from the pledge.
Historical records show that during his official visit to France in February 2018, President Weah met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, where France announced a grant of €10 million (approximately US$12 million at the time) for Liberia’s road maintenance and youth development programs. The French government described Liberia as a “priority country” in its bilateral development cooperation, with a €5 million financing agreement signed in July 2018 serving as partial budget support.
Fofana’s comments come as the Boakai administration seeks to demonstrate that foreign trips by Liberian presidents are strategic efforts designed to deliver concrete economic and development gains. She stressed that securing the remaining funds from France is part of this effort, saying: “The current government must ensure that diplomatic engagements bring tangible benefits to ordinary Liberians.”
The former Weah administration had highlighted the France visit in its communications, claiming that the €10 million grant would support infrastructure and youth projects. Fofana’s clarification suggests that the public may have been misled into believing the full amount had been transferred and implemented on the ground.
Critics have pointed to the disbursement conditions imposed by France, which included project planning, procurement readiness, and adherence to transparency standards. Fofana placed responsibility for failing to meet these conditions squarely on the previous administration: “The remaining funds were never disbursed because the past administration failed to meet the necessary conditions.” Her statement signals the Boakai government’s intention to review prior agreements and ensure accountability.
Diplomatic pledges often require recipient governments to meet milestones for release of funds, including budgetary allocations, procurement compliance, and reporting standards. The partial €5 million financing agreement executed in July 2018 demonstrates that some of the pledge was formalized, but Fofana’s remarks indicate that only half of the original US$10 million pledge materialized.
Fofana also noted that Liberia’s citizens should see tangible results from foreign engagements rather than merely hear about pledged sums. “The current government must ensure that diplomatic engagements bring tangible benefits to ordinary Liberians,” she said, reiterating the administration’s commitment to delivering visible projects and services.
As scrutiny continues over the efficacy of presidential trips abroad, the Boakai administration faces pressure to both recover remaining obligations and improve transparency in managing foreign pledges. Fofana’s disclosure places the spotlight on France’s pledge and highlights the importance of follow-through in delivering promised resources.
For ordinary Liberians, the critical question is whether the outstanding US$5 million will be fully realized and translated into projects that improve lives, or if it will join a long list of unfulfilled international pledges. Fofana’s statement underscores the government’s aim to hold past administrations accountable and ensure that foreign support contributes meaningfully to Liberia’s development.
