President George Weah of Liberia has pledged to cut his salary by 25 per cent in a nationwide address in which he warned of tough times ahead for a br
President George Weah of Liberia has pledged to cut his salary by 25 per cent in a nationwide address in which he warned of tough times ahead for a broke country. The President of Liberia earns about $100,000 yearly, meaning that Weah will relinquish about $25,000.
“The state of the economy that my administration inherited leaves a lot to do and to be decided,” the former international soccer star said in an address apparently aimed at lowering high expectations following his election victory.
“Our economy is broken; our government is broke. Our currency is in free fall; inflation is rising. Unemployment is at an unprecedented high and our foreign reserves are at an all-time low”.
Weah had promised a crackdown on endemic corruption as he was sworn in a week ago to the cheers of thousands of exuberant supporters crammed into a stadium in the capital, Monrovia. But since winning the poll, the award-winning former AC Milan and Paris St Germain striker has been at pains to show just how daunting he understands the task ahead to be.
“In view of the very rapidly deteriorating situation of the economy, I am informing you today, with immediate effect, that I will reduce my salary and benefits by 25 percent,” Weah said, pledging the savings to a development fund for Liberia.
The announcement of a pay cut for himself is likely go down well on a continent long used to officials in high office awarding themselves fabulous pay rises and perks. Despite his avowedly grim outlook on the economy, Weah pledged a $3 billion coastal road project that would link the capital to its remote southeast.
“This is going to be very challenging. But I am convinced that with the assistance of friendly governments and institutions this can be achieved before the end of my tenure,” he said.
