Unity Party Supporter George Lobo Calls for Statue of Former President George Weah at ELWA Junction, Says Football Legacy Deserves National Honor Despite Failed Presidency
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
MONROVIA, Liberia – A call to erect a public statue in honor of former President George Manneh Weah has ignited debate in Monrovia after George P. Lobo, a staunch supporter of the ruling Unity Party, said the football legend deserves permanent recognition at ELWA Junction for putting Liberia on the global sports map.
Speaking on the Prime Morning Drive on Prime FM Wednesday, Lobo argued that Weah’s contributions to football transcend politics and warrant a national monument, even as he acknowledged criticisms of Weah’s time in office.
According to Lobo, Weah remains unarguably a football icon whose achievements brought international recognition to Liberia and the African continent.
“Apart from politics, George Weah left his name in the world of football,” Lobo said.
“He brought pride not just to his family, but to Liberia and to Africa.
That legacy should be cemented in bronze at one of our busiest junctions for generations to see.”
Lobo specifically proposed ELWA Junction in Paynesville as the site, citing its visibility and its connection to communities where Weah is widely admired.
Acknowledges Governance Criticisms, Lobo drew a sharp distinction between Weah’s sporting achievements and his record as president from 2018 to 2024.
“There is a need for Former President Weah to be given the credit and honor for his immense contributions to football,” he said.
“But we must also be honest, His experience in football did not amount to a better governance system when Liberians trusted him to serve the country.
That admission from a Unity Party supporter the party that defeated Weah’s CDC in the 2023 elections has already drawn mixed reactions online, with some praising the gesture as patriotic and others calling it tone-deaf given ongoing debates about accountability.
The proposal comes as Liberia continues to grapple with how to remember the Weah presidency.
Supporters credit him for youth engagement and sports development, while critics point to economic hardship and governance failures during his administration.
Lobo insisted the statue should not be about politics, but about sports diplomacy.
“We can disagree on politics and still honor greatness in football,” he said.
“A statue at ELWA would tell every young Liberian that you can come from Clara Town and become the best in the world.”