AFRICA/LIBERIA - Bishop Borwah: "Let's give President Weah time to act because the challenges are immense"

Wednesday, 6 June 2018 bishops   politics  

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - "The new President was elected by young people who feel neglected by the national leadership", says His Exc. Mgr. Anthony Fallah Borwah, Bishop of Gbarnga and President of the Episcopal Conference of Liberia, in an interview with Agenzia Fides on the occasion of the ad limina visit.
"George Weah represents a story of success for these young people. He was elected just six months ago. It is not easy for him to learn how to be the president in such a short space of time and people are impatient: complaints have already begun. But it is necessary to explain to the population especially to young people that the President needs time in order to offer concrete results".
The former player was elected President of Liberia on December 26 (see Fides 29/12/2017).
"As a Church we try to help the President but the challenges are immense", says Mgr. Borwah. "Among these there is the problem related to poverty and unemployment which affect a large part of the population. The economic situation is extremely serious, also due to the consequences of the Ebola infection that has brought the country's economy to its knees. It is necessary to give the President time to operate!", underlines Mgr. Borwah.
"I think President Weah has to select a good government team" suggests the President of the Liberian Episcopal Conference. "In fact there have been problems with some of the people chosen to become part of the government, due to their lack of preparation. The President wants to give space to young people. An understandable desire, but you cannot build a government team with young people, who do not have the necessary preparation to face such demanding tasks. It would be better to have a mix between young and mature and expert people. The Head of State needs a lot of wisdom to select his staff. I repeat as a Church, we are open to working together with State authorities and to offer our advice for the good of the Country".
"On the other hand, Weah is a good person who has a correct political program in line with the social doctrine of the Church that makes the preferential option for the poor its cornerstone", says Mgr. Borwah.
On the situation of the Church, Archbishop Borwah emphasizes that "we are three Bishops in Liberia who, despite poverty and difficulties, work closely and in harmony. We Bishops are now an example of unity, reconciliation and peace, in a Country still wounded by the long civil war that ended in 2003". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 6/6/2018)


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