MONROVIA – A recent General Auditing Commission (GAC) report has disclosed that the pick-up trucks given to national chiefs and elders by former President George Weah were actually purchased with funds from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL). This revelation contradicts President Weah’s claims during his State of the Nation Address that he personally funded the vehicles as a gesture of goodwill.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address on January 25, 2022, President Weah presented a large consignment of vehicles to traditional chiefs and elders from Liberia’s fifteen counties. The gifts included thirty brand-new Nissan HardBody pickups, 150 TV motorbikes, and 15 ambulances. Each county received two pickups, ten motorbikes, and one ambulance for the county health teams.
In his address, President Weah highlighted the presentation as a personal initiative to support the traditional leaders and health teams across the country. The chiefs and elders, in turn, expressed their gratitude and pledged their support for President Weah’s bid for a second term in office.
However, the GAC report reveals a different story. According to the report, the CBL spent $124,000 to purchase the vehicles and motorcycles. This finding directly contradicts Weah’s statement that he had used his personal funds for the purchases.
The disclosure from the GAC has sparked discussions regarding transparency and the use of public funds. It raises questions about the true source of funding for other projects and initiatives claimed to be personally funded by the former president.
This revelation could have significant political implications, especially considering the support expressed by the chiefs and elders during the 2022 State of the Nation Address. The findings may also impact public trust in the handling of state resources and the integrity of public officials.
As the details from the GAC report continue to unfold, the Liberian public and political analysts will be closely watching the responses from former President Weah and the CBL.
