MONROVIA: President George Manneh Weah has disclosed that consistent with Article 39 of the Liberian Constitution, and the Joint Legislative Resolution of 2022, empowering the Liberian Presidency to undertake the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, he is “pleased that the census process is about to be concluded and that the provisional results are being finalized.” President Weah: “the 2022 Census represents not only Liberia’s fifth national population and housing census, but most notably, it also represents Liberia’s first ever Digital Census; and is one of the first Digital national enumerations in our region.”
“As you are aware, the processes leading to the commencement of the census encountered various operational and logistical challenges. This was not to be unexpected, given the large scale of a project such as a national census. Nevertheless, with a strong and concerted effort from all stakeholders, these challenges are being handled, under the able leadership of the Vice President, to whom I assigned oversight responsibility,” President Weah told members of the 54th National Legislature on 30, January 2023, on Capitol Hill in Monrovia when he delivered his Sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“I have been informed that a significant percentage of the Liberian population has been enumerated, and that provisional census results are expected soon to be announced; while the census thematic reports and final result should be published shortly thereafter,” the Liberian Leader further told the Nation.
According to President Weah, the census process has been conducted in accordance with the United Nations technical recommendations for the 2020 Round of Census, and is in conformity with both regional and international standards.
“I therefore take this time to express my profound thanks and appreciation to all national and international stakeholders who formed a part of this national endeavor to deliver a successful Census. My special thanks and appreciation also go to the many young persons who braved the tough environment across our Nation and worked from dusk to dawn until the process was successfully concluded. You are our National Heroes. Congratulations for a job well done,” said Weah.
At the same time, President Weah has seriously challenged the younger generation of Liberians not to just feel leadership but to claim it.
“The challenge and legacy that I would like to leave for the younger generation, is that you should not just FEEL leadership, but that you should also CLAIM it,” the President said.
The assertion was also contained in the President’s Sixth SONA delivered before the 54th National Legislature recently.
Weah to Younger Generation: “seize the day, seize the moment, and seize the Opportunity. This is YOUR time. This is Our time,” he stressed.
The Liberian Leader historicized that he was privileged to honor an invitation from Mr. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, to participate in the US – Africa Leaders’ Forum, held in Washington DC, USA, from 13th to 15th December, 2022, where he addressed different sessions.
According to Weah, delivering the Keynote Address at one of the largest of these forums, the African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum, he highlighted the vital role of the youth and diaspora in Africa.
Weah: “I called on young people and Diaspora Africans to play meaningful roles in Africa, through innovation, investment and knowledge transfer. I informed them of the passage in Liberia of the Law Authorizing Dual Citizenship and Allowing Women to Pass Citizenship to Their Children, which reverses a long-time ban and is essential for consolidating a vibrant, progressive, inclusive, and just society.”
“I received a special public commendation from United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when he stated: “President Weah, I would like to thank you for your great leadership and for strengthening the US-Liberia bond,” President Weah quoted Secretary Blinken as saying.
Weah: “It is not me who said so, o…da ley US Secretary of State sef say so.”
According to the Liberian Leader, Blinken also said to him (Weah): “Mr. President, I am sure that US-Liberia relations will flourish under your leadership.” Weah: “And, you know what? He (Blinken) is absolutely right.”
The SONA delivered by President Weah was in fulfilment of Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution, which requires the President to report to the people of Liberia, through their elected representatives, on the state of affairs of the Nation.
He told the Legislature that the past year marked a crucial historical milestone for Liberia, when the country celebrated 200 years of the founding of our Nation.
“I need not belabor you with accounts of how much we have all been through as a People during these two centuries, including wars, pestilences, and economic setbacks and downturns. But together, we have remained strong and progressive, and have managed to always emerge triumphant and united, through and after every trial and tribulation, regardless of our ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, or political affiliations,” he stressed.
Weah: “As your President, I have made it my overarching purpose and duty to work towards preserving the peace of this Nation, ensuring always that we do not slide back into conflict. This has been the fundamental underpinning of all development and policy initiatives of my Administration. The record will show that we have achieved undeniable success in this endeavor, while at the same time always ensuring that there is strict adherence to the rule of law, and protection for the constitutional rights of our citizens, as we consolidate our democracy and develop our nation.”
The President said, “Our well-earned credentials as a nation of peace and democracy in West Africa will be put to the test in about nine (9) months from today (January 30, 2023), when we head to the polls for ‘General and Presidential’ elections. These will be the fourth elections since the end of the war in 2003, and they will be an important benchmark for judging the extent of the consolidation of peace in our country.”
“Perhaps most significant is that these elections are the first to be primarily organized and administered by Liberia, since the drawdown of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in 2018. This is our moment, therefore, to continue to demonstrate to the world that we are a peace-loving nation, and that we are capable and ready to undertake elections that include all Liberians in a free and credible process,” he emphasized.
According to him, “Not only will our individual patriotism be put on trial, but our institutions of democracy will also be tested. I am of the strongest conviction that this is a test that we can-and will- pass. As you may be aware, I have continuously reaffirmed my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections, and to respect the democratic will of the Liberian people. I remain committed to that pledge,” he assured.
The Liberian leader thanked development partners – chief among them, USA, Sweden, Ireland, ECOWAS, the EU, the UNDP, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund – for their technical and financial assistance to the electoral process, and for their partnership and collaboration to support the National Elections Commission, political parties, other national institutions, and civil society organizations, to be ready for this defining moment in our history.
