Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, challenged longstanding claims about the benefits of former President George Weah’s 2018 visit to France.
Madam Fofana confirmed that Liberia received only US$5 million of the US$10 million pledged by the French government.
She made the disclosure on the “Spoon FM” show.
Madam Fofana: “The remaining funds were never disbursed, because Weah’s regime failed to meet the conditions required to access the full amount.” She said, while France pledged US$10 million to Liberia during Weah’s 2018 visit, only half of the amount was ever received. On the contrary, she said, the current government plans to re‑engage the French government to secure the outstanding funds.
Madam 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 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, Mr. 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 then 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.
Madam 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 said securing the remaining funds from France is part of “this effort,” adding: “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.
But Madam Fofana’s clarification suggests that the public may have been misled into believing that 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.
Madam Fofana placed responsibility for failing to meet these conditions squarely on the Weah regime.
She noted: “The remaining funds were never disbursed because the past administration failed to meet the necessary conditions.”
Her statement signals that the Boakai government 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 Madam Fofana’s remarks indicate that only half of the original US$10 million pledge materialized.
She also noted that Liberians 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 commitment to deliver 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.
Madam 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.
Madam Fofana’s statement underscores government’s aim to hold past administrations accountable, and ensure that foreign support contributes meaningfully to Liberia’s development.
Source: Socrates Smythe Saywon/smartnewsliberia.com