PHOTO: Weah on the playing pitch and taking over the Liberian Presidency
By Samuel G. Dweh—development journalist—+231 (+231) 886618906/776583266/samuelosophy@yahoo.com, samuelosophy1@mail.com
AUTHOR’S INTENT THROUGH THIS ARTICLE
Like each of my previous written commentaries on the current reigning FIFA’s “greatest African Footballer”, now sitting in the Presidential Seat of his Country, my purpose through this article is to “educate” Head of State, George Manneh Weah on how to infuse into governance his talent and disposition that enabled his having the entire footballing world “spellbound” from Europe over a decade and earned for him the “World’s Football King” title in 2005.
His “minimal performance” on developing the country—seen in extreme poverty of majority of the citizenry, handicapped national healthcare systems, and “messy national educational systems”—is a proof that he hasn’t got the full rein of “knowledge” of solutions to the nation’s “problem” in education, agriculture, and health sectors. He needs tutelage or reminder from “educated seniors”
Clarification: I do not intend to ridicule the Head of State through any of the photos used for this write-up—each being a pictorial message of the subtopic it’s on top.
For this article, the Author’s focus is on only three areas—Education, Agriculture, and Health. These are the main driver of development of any nation.
“DRIBBLING” FOR EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, AND HEALTH
In jersey of Italian club AC Milian: George M. Weah dribbling a marker
For a less-educated person’s understanding, ‘dribbling’—in football—means moving the ball with the leg while the player’s body is swaying to different directions—all aimed at keeping the ball from a marker (opponent) and pass by him (or her)
Footballer George Manneh Weah was a “master” of this art. I was his fan and emulator of it from the first time I watched him playing for his childhood community’s Second Division Football team—Young Survivors (of Clara Town community)—against La Modelle International, the Second Division Team of my childhood community (West Point) in the capital in 1986. Some of his admirers, during that time often said, “he dribbles with his eyes”, referring to the player looking to his left-hand side while his right leg controlled the ball and beat the marker in close range.
For his First Division Team—Invincible Eleven—George Weah became a “wizard dribbler”, sometimes causing the marker to sway to the left (in opposite direction of George’s body) with Weah’s body movement or eye contact.
With each of his European First Division Teams—Arsenal, Chelsea, AS Monaco, and AC Milian, the Liberian “disbalanced” his marker with his dribbling skills.
On this dribbling skill, his Ghanaian Teacher and academic coach during his High School days, in the mid-80’s, started calling him “Oppong”, the name of a popular Ghanaian football star in his native country—Ghana.
On disposition (character), George Weah was calm, jovial (but not boasting) and ‘educating’ people about ‘how to dribble’.
Now in Government (Head of State), George Manneh Weah can apply each of these outstanding footballing skills and character on developing of Liberia’s education, agricultural and health sectors.
The “dribbling” part is to put his political opponents (or critics) “off guard”. The best way to do this is to “outstandingly improve” this sector. And he should choose the “outstanding” implementers—including opposition bloc’s members who have deeper knowledge of the sector. When you offer a job to an “opponent”—I mean a person qualified on academic qualification, talent, or performance-proven record from another place—that “critic” will be “silent”
The “disposition” component is maintenance of “light-spiritedness” in the face of stinging criticisms from political opponents. Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf showed it when she was President. She referred to some retired Army officers, who had maltreated her during her house-arrest or jail time during the Presidency of Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe, “my husbands” and she would crack a joke during some of her chatting sessions with them.
“CELEBRATING” SUCCESS IN Education, Agriculture, and Health
Footballer George Manneh Weah celebrating a goal for English football team—Chelsea
Like the scene created by a player who scored a goal, a government official “celebrates” his or her success in a patriotic venture.
Footballing George Manneh Weah has scored several mesmerizing goals for his community’s Team (Young Survivors), First Division Team (Invincible Eleven), and each of his European Teams. (The photo above is of the Liberian celebrating a goal for Chelsea Football club of England)
Right now, President George Manneh Weah is “governmentalizing” his footballing type of ‘celebration’—with dancing, clapping, or singing as sign of satisfaction of electrification of Liberia’s capital (Monrovia)—of Montserrado County—and the capitals of many of the country’s other 14 Counties. For examples, many parts of Bomi and Grand Kru Counties are “glowing” with electric lights—the first time since the end of Liberia’s civil war in 2003. Mr. Charles Taylor’s Presidency didn’t do it; Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Presidency didn’t.
However, other compatriots expect the Global football icon-turned politician to do more—connection of the entire County to the national electrification grid. With the unwavering financial support of European Union (EU), this can be possible.
The ‘complete national electrification project’ can be achieved, however, if the current “Africa’s greatest footballer” names and shames “stinkingly corrupt” project implementers—EU’s representatives and Liberian government officials. The project won’t be complete when EU’s representatives continue reducing the project’s funding with “lobbyists’ fees” or “Consultation fees” (thousands of Euros or Dollars), while Liberian Government’s representatives continue jerking amounts (for themselves) which delay purchase of equipment or brings substandard materials.
“RECEIVING AWARD” FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ON EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, AND HEALTH
Like the scene created by a player who scored a goal, a government official “celebrates” his or her success in a patriotic venture.
Footballing George Manneh Weah has scored several mesmerizing goals for his community’s Team (Young Survivors), First Division Team (Invincible Eleven), and each of his European Teams. (The photo above is of the Liberian celebrating a goal for Chelsea Football club of England)
Right now, President George Manneh Weah is “governmentalizing” his footballing type of ‘celebration’—with dancing, clapping, or singing as sign of satisfaction of electrification of Liberia’s capital (Monrovia)—of Montserrado County—and the capitals of many of the country’s other 14 Counties. For examples, many parts of Bomi and Grand Kru Counties are “glowing” with electric lights—the first time since the end of Liberia’s civil war in 2003. Mr. Charles Taylor’s Presidency didn’t do it; Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Presidency didn’t.
However, other compatriots expect the Global football icon-turned politician to do more—connection of the entire County to the national electrification grid. With the unwavering financial support of European Union (EU), this can be possible.
The ‘complete national electrification project’ can be achieved, however, if the current “Africa’s greatest footballer” names and shames “stinkingly corrupt” project implementers—EU’s representatives and Liberian government officials. The project won’t be complete when EU’s representatives continue reducing the project’s funding with “lobbyists’ fees” or “Consultation fees” (thousands of Euros or Dollars), while Liberian Government’s representatives continue jerking amounts (for themselves) which delay purchase of equipment or brings substandard materials.
THE AUTHOR
“RECEIVING AWARD” FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ON EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, AND HEALTH