By Bill W. Cooper
The vicinity of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) was a scene of shock and awe following the denial of former President George Weah access to the newly constructed Presidential VIP Lounge.
But in response to the controversy, Presidential Press Secretary, Kula V. Fofana, defended the government’s decision, stating that the VIP Lodge is reserved exclusively for the sitting President of Liberia.
She emphasized, “VIP Lounge is exclusively for the sitting President, and as such, no other person will use it.”
Madam Fofana, on her official Facebook page yesterday, also reiterated, “We have a government to run. We will not be in the business of responding to baseless propaganda!”
“Liberia has only one President and JNB is the man! We will not be distracted,” she emphasized.
Contrary to the earlier statement on her Facebook page, Madam Fofana also posted on her page, “Former President was never denied access to the VIP Lounge at the airport! In fact, he was welcomed with opened arms.”
Meanwhile, the government’s decision has caused outrage among supporters of former President Weah, who argued that as a former Head of State, he should be granted access to the VIP Lounge and other presidential immunities in his capacity as former President.
Many of them, on their social media pages, have also criticized the government for what they see as a lack of respect for the former President and a violation of his rights as a former leader of the country.
Others have further raised concerns about the implications of denying a former leader access to the VIP Lounge, describing the move as a ‘dictatorial style of leadership and witch hunting’.
The move, on the part of the Joseph Boakai administration, sparked controversy and debate amongst bystanders, some of whom were international guests who were visiting or accessing the airport.
Many citizens are still pondering as to the motive of the Boakai-led government to deny the immediate past President access to a public facility however, the VIP Lounge, as the name depicts, at the RIA is typically used by high-ranking government officials, dignitaries, and foreign diplomats leaving or coming into the country.
The Lounge, refurbished and dedicated by the country’s former President in 2023, offers luxurious accommodations and amenities for VIP guests passing through the airport.
But according to reports, the former Liberian leader was denied access to the VIP Lodge upon his arrival into the country yesterday, February 27, 2024, following his vacation in Italy.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Weah said he is back in the country, with a focus and plans to rebrand his party (Coalition for Democratic Change), as well as speak about the ills in the Liberian society.
Weah noted that during his vacation, he had a happy family time with his son, Timothy Weah, and wife, but there was a need to return to the country earlier to put his political institution to where it belongs.
“We had a good time; we played Ludo and other games and Timothy was happy to see us at his home for the first time in six years when we were then working for the Liberian people,” he maintained.
Former President Weah also stressed that he acknowledged all of the awards which he continues to win over time for his good and hard work for Liberians and the citizenry.
He added, “I did not go there but I heard about the awards and I appreciate them, and over the years, I have been a hardworking man in Africa and the globe at large, as the most recent awards were not strange to me.”
