Published: May 6, 2026
Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel O. Sando
MONROVIA — The Ministry of Information fired back at former President George Manneh Weah on Tuesday, with Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel O. Sando dismissing the ex-leader’s recent public statements as lacking substance and describing his conduct as more befitting a social media personality than a former head of state.
Sando made the remarks during the ministry’s regular press briefing, signaling sharpening political tensions over competing public narratives between the current administration and its predecessor.
“Not a former leader who behaves like a Facebook content creator, where every statement becomes a source of ridicule, but rather one who meaningfully contributes to governance, shapes national discourse, and provides thoughtful direction,” Sando said.
The government’s response followed comments by Weah highlighting what he described as contributions to national development, including support to the University of Liberia. Weah said he purchased the university’s first bus while playing for Monaco before he entered politics and provided additional buses during his presidency. He also addressed criticism that students were forced to commute in trucks during his administration.
Sando was unmoved. He urged journalists and the public to press Weah on the concrete impact of his six-year tenure rather than accept accounts of individual acts of generosity.
“What message does he really have? He served as president for six years — what did he do to improve the livelihood of the ordinary people who brought him to power? That is what we are interested in,” Sando said.
He also suggested Weah should be more transparent about benefits he receives from the state, noting that the current government continues to meet its obligations to the former president.
Sando contrasted the Boakai administration’s approach with what he characterized as the former president’s tendency to publicly narrate his personal achievements. “We are a responsible government. We’re not coming out to narrate everything the government is doing,” he said. “And we expect the former president to act in a similar manner.”
He pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including road construction from Cape Palmas to Sasstown, as evidence of the administration’s focus on service delivery over political messaging. “We are not doing this for political reasons. We are doing it because Liberia deserves better,” Sando said.
He closed with a biblical reference, citing Matthew 6 on humility in public service. “Your left hand should not know what your right hand is doing,” he said.
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