Lofa County, Liberia - Liberia’s Chief Executive, Dr. George Manneh Weah, has calmed nerves and shown leadership perhaps to the disappointment of naysayers who were insinuating bad blood between him and the people of Lofa County.

Continuing his nationwide tour in the county, and speaking at a jam-packed town hall meeting in the capital Voinjama on Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, the President said: “There are some misguided voices that say that I am angry with Lofa county for the way they voted during the 2017 elections. The fact is the chunk of votes Lofa gave me was enough, and it contributed to my victory. Let me tell you today, Lofans, I thank you for your votes. You are a lovely and peaceful people. I am a son of Lofa; I am your brother. I am your leader. Let’s work together for the benefit of Lofa and Liberia at large.”

The President said Lofa’s relatively unimpressive vote in 2017 for him was expected since a prominent citizen of the county who was then a sitting vice president during the elections was in the race.

“You had your father who also was a sitting vice president contesting. Anyone can understand that. But right now, I am the President. And I am your son and brother. I love Lofa because you are a resilient people. We have something in common—Liberia. So, we must work together to improve Lofa County and Liberia.   

In a show of love for his people, the President stepped out of his convoy, and along with residents of Voinjama who had congregated at the entrance of the town, trekked through the throngs of citizens to the William V.S. Tubman County Hall for citizens' interaction engagement.
 

The President, in remarks, thanked citizens of Voinjama for the warm reception accorded him.
 

President Weah told Lofans that their county is fully captured in the government’s national development agenda including the upgrading of community roads and the pavement of its major highway, which is the heartbeat of all Lofans.
 

To achieve holistic development in Lofa, President Weah called for the cooperation of the county’s Legislative Caucus, saying that they, as lawmakers, have enormous powers to make things work developmentally.
 

The Liberian Leader said the Caucus of Lofa would have to do their side of the bargain by making sure that budgets for developments are passed and enacted upon.
 

As President, he told jubilating Lofans, that it was time that he played his part to prove other detractors wrong, referring to the people of Lofa as "my brothers and sisters."
 

The President acknowledged challenges along the national drive for transformation, but noted that they are surmountable and that development of Lofa, like other counties of Liberia, is achievable.
 

Dr. Weah again stressed the need to change the paradigm in the administration and operationalization of the county development fund.
 

Instead of only using the money on building town halls, President Weah emphasized that such money should go towards social service infrastructure and programs, such as building of roads and equipping schools and hospitals. 
 

In a statement read by a female student, the citizens of Lofa thanked the President for the development strides he is making.
 

They equally appealed to him to give consideration to many development projects including the completion of the abandoned city hall started by former President William R. Tolbert.