Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has strongly defended the regime of former President George Oppong Weah.
Tweah meanwhile, fiercely criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, labeling situations in the country as “very deplorable.”
He told Voice of Liberia radio program on Tuesday, September 22, that there remain severe economic challenges, which ordinary Liberians are faced with, casting doubt on the Boakai government’s effectiveness in implementing significant developments.
His remark comes as the nation grapples with high living costs, and stagnant economic growth, which he argues, have not translated into improved conditions for the population.
“Ordinary Liberians are struggling every day.”
Tweah underscored the belief that the current administration performance lacks innovations as compared to that of former President George Weah six years.
Tweah praised Weah’s tenure for its focus on infrastructure development, citing the construction of roads, hospitals, and other essential projects as achievements that have positively impacted the country.
He pointed to the stark contrast in financial reserves between the ruling Unity Party and that of Weah past regime (2018-2024).
He revealed how Weah inherited approximately US$100 million in reserves when took office in 2018, but by the time he handed over power to Boakai in 2024, this figure had risen to about US$220 million.
This increase, according to Tweah, reflects the fiscal discipline, and management of the Weah administration, which he believes the current government has failed to maintain.
In addition to criticizing the administration’s handling of the economy, Tweah also took a constating view of the narrative surrounding the national budget.
He contended that the Boakai administration should not claim full credit for the US$1 billion budget, arguing that previous post-war administrations also played a vital role in fostering the growth of the national budget.
