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Monrovia- President George Manneh Weah on Friday, December 18,2019, speaks on national issues through an interview conducted by two vateran Liberian journalists, Ledgerhood Rennie of the Liberia broadcasting system and John Kollie of the Liberia media for development and initiatives.

President Weah started the interview very relaxed but became tensed at the end of the interview. President Weah spoke on some of the latest happenings in the country, ranging from the economy, reconciliation to the much talk about December 30 protest.

On the Economy, the President amitted that his government is facing serious economic challenges that he inherited from the past government but his government is focused in changing them.

President Weah told the welled listen to interview, that his government inherited 1.2 billion United States Dollars and a reserve of 150 million United States Dollars from the previous which are impeding his government to function properly thus making the government be challenged in paying Civil servants on time.

President Weah said it’s time his government get away from blame games and work to change the lives of the Liberian people who voted him into power.

Meanwhile President Weah has said his government has taken many steps to drive the economic sector inclusive of austerity measures such as the Harmonization Policy, which will lead to equal work, equal pay.

“My government is creating a Business friendly environment, and a sensitive tax policy for investors,” president Weah said.

When asked about the proposed tax policy of seizure of assets on tax deviants by LRA boss, Thomas Doe Nah, the President expressed different approach and view. He said the best and more efficient approach his government will take with tax deviants is to encourage them pay their takes through a payment plan. He said it’s now time people investment in the agriculture sector.

The President stressed the need to encourage investments in the Agricultural Sector through the World Bank’s incentives.

Speaking on shortage of the Liberian dollars on the market, the President said lack of confidence in the banking sector is primarily reason people are saving their money in banks outside the banking sector. He encouraged citizens to have confidence the banking sector amidst reforms at the Central Bank of Liberia. He denounced moves by individuals believe to be holding Liberian dollars at their homes.

Speaking further on the printing new bank of notes, President Weah said his government requested Legislative approval to print and infuse 4billions Liberian dollars of current banknotes to ease liquidity problems within the banking sector. He also that printing new family of currency will be two branches decision.

Speaking about the rumors that he wants his image placed on the money that will be printed, president Weah clarified that there are no plans to have his image placed on anynnew currency bank notes that will be printed.

On The Much Talked About 16 Billions and 25 Millions:

President Weah said the 16Billons and 25 Millons investigations were done transparently and the investigatives findings, did find out that there were no 16 Billions or 25 Millions missing.

On Reconciliation, the president said Liberians should help in maintaining the peace by making this country stable. On the establishment of World Crimes Court, the president said that the court is not a priority of his government amidst economic woes. He did not dismiss the establishment of the world Crime court but says the need for retributives Justice is important because it leads to interactive engagements with victims and perpetrators are of more relevant immediacy.

On Weah Step Down Campaign’, the President said that it is the rights of every citizens to peacefully assembled but he will not yield to any ‘Weah step down campaign’ admonishing political adversaries to use the ballot box in 2023, avering that he will defeat his political opponents again. He also said that it time oppositions leaders create opportunities for partisans rather than organizing protest to just his government.

When asked about Resuffle in his government, the President stated there could be a need but he doesn’t think that the remedy to government’s shortcomings were limited only to removing individuals who the public may have resentment. He stated that reshuffle is a process, but avered that there will be a reshuffle. He said he trusts in his economic management team.

In a related development,

President frowned former vice president Joseph Boakai for calling the government to grant permission to the Council of Patriots, organizer of Weah step down campaign. He wondered why a man he has shown much love to over the years will reciprocate such with his alignment with those who want to see his government ousted. He called on the current Unity Party Political Leader to work in the interest of peace.