IPNEWS: Acarus Moses Gray has termed as a continuous disrespect shown to the Standard Bearer of the CDC by the Unity Party government for not recognizing him (Weah) as former President George Manneh Weah at any organized national event in the country.
Mr. Gray’s comment comes in the wake of public speculations circulating on the social media that the organizers of the National Unification Day ceremony invited the former Liberian Leader to honor him but referred to him as Ambassador Weah on the program sheet.
The former Representative for Montserrado County Electoral District #8 and stalwart of the Coalition for Democratic Change told Radio Bushrod Morning Bird Show on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 that it does not matter how one feels; Mr. Weah remains a former President and must be addressed by that title.
He indicated that whether or not the ex- President was extended an official imitation to attend and be honored by the organizers of the Unification Day program held at the Invincible Sports Park, the use of the ambassadorial title instead of addressing him as former President shows divisiveness and disrespect.
The former lawmaker also recounted that immediately after the 2023 elections, Mr. Weah traveled out of the country and upon his return; he was grossly disrespected and molested under the Boakai-Koung regime by officers of the Executive Protection Service at the Roberts International Airport.
“The immediate former President, President Weah has been consistently disrespected. The former President is the former President. You go to heaven and come down, by protocol extended, any invitation that is extended; you have to say the former President. You invited the former President to that gathering, he was not addressed,” he said.
According to him, even if the ex- President had sent a representation to receive whatever honor on his behalf, the protocol dictates that he must be addressed as the former President of the nation in any speech delivered at the occasion.
Mr. Gray maintained that Liberia cannot be governed in such a manner and form where former national leaders are willfully disrespected, noting that behavior shows how divided the country is under the reign of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Daniel Sando in reaction to Mr. Gray’s assertion, clarified that the National Unification Day event had nothing indicating that former President Weah was invited and set to be honored.
Minister Sando told Radio Bushrod Morning Bread Show that the program did not have any item intended to honor anyone, adding that the event was very short with about seven or eight agenda items to give invitees the space to leave sooner and enjoy their holiday.
“I think there are lots of misconceptions hovering around on social media and the radio stations, which is bad for our country. The event yesterday was a national event and the program souvenir is available for even journalists who covered that program. Nothing of Mr. Weah was mentioned in that program,” Minister Sando noted.
According to him, a group dubbed, “Brighter Future Foundation” had organized a program in observance of the National Unification Day on May 13, 2024 on the main campus of the University of Liberia, adding that it was at that event the former President and other prominent citizens were invited to be honored for their contributions to the country.
“Regardless of who the organizers are, I really do believe that when people come together, spend their resources, their time and energy to plan to recognize you, have to honor them as opposed to bastardizing them because they didn’t address you as a former President and this and that,” he stressed.
However, the Deputy Information for Press and Public described the misconceptions about the event as a calculated attempt by members of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change to distract the citizens from the sober reflection of what the National Unification Day was about. By: Blamo N. Toe
