Social media reacts to George Weah being sworn in as President of Liberia

From being one of the biggest football icons in the 1990s to becoming the president of Liberia in 2018, George Weah made history when he was sworn in as the president of Liberia on Monday, 22 January 2018.

Weah is the 25th president of the West African nation and has spent the last 13 years building political credibility. He takes over from Ellen Sirleaf Johnson as president of Liberia who steps down after two terms of six years each.

Weah won the presidency after run-off elections in December 2017 with 61.5% of votes.

Weah is the first African player to win both FIFA’s World Player of the Year trophy and the Ballon d’Or. Weah was largely absent from Liberia during the 1989-2003 civil war period, playing for a string of top-flight European teams including Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, and later Chelsea.

The 51-year-old has to tackle challenges such as unemployment—a biting problem for many of the country’s young people. He will also have to solve problems in the public sector such as corruption.

Weah has pledged to make the country more self-sufficient by transforming the agriculture sector and providing vocational training.

Here is what people had to say on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/CaptWanderiCFE/status/955345649494581248

George Weah takes the oath of office.

He is officially President George Weah pic.twitter.com/7Uhr4go4xc

— Kemi (@d_problemsolver) January 22, 2018

Congratulations to football legend, George Weah on his inauguration as president of Liberia. pic.twitter.com/qB2ySyid1H

— BoltBet Ghana (@BoltbetGhana) January 22, 2018

George Weah is my inspiration! A perfect analogy of rags to riches

— Señor Mwazighe Mwamburi (@abbah_mwamburi) January 22, 2018

The first peaceful transition in Liberia 🇱🇷 since 1944 as President Sirleaf Johnson hands over to Mr. George Weah. Congratulations to this historic African country! pic.twitter.com/mwWvpqEErg

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) January 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/jaomahony/status/955401844062347266

"I have spent my life in Stadiums but I've never felt like this" said George Weah on his inauguration ceremony which is held in Samuel Doe Stadium Monrovia

— منيرة| Moonira (@Mooniret) January 22, 2018

George Weah, will be sworn in as Liberia's new president today #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/V6J6KwDCJv

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) January 22, 2018

Ex-football star George Weah sworn in as Liberia's 25th president marking first peaceful democratic transfer of power since 1944.

— Joyce Gituro (@SemaNaJG) January 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/mac_nels/status/955439778526359553

Edited by Fundisiwe Maseko
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