Did President George M. Weah Use Taxpayer Money to Visit an Accused Fraudster? Who is Ousmane Bamba?

President George M. Weah 

While Liberians languish in abject poverty and an economy in depression, President George M. Weah continues to spend taxpayers' money on lavish private trips around the world. Barely seven months into his term, essential commodity prices have skyrocketed, leaving ordinary Liberians in complete shock. For many, this was not the change for which they voted.

The Liberian dollar continues to lose value against the US dollar, causing severe price hikes for essential goods and services. One would think that the current state of the economy would be a predominant concern for a president who was overwhelmingly voted into office by the masses, under the guise that he was the Messiah who would deliver a better Liberia. Governing under the slogan "Pro-poor agenda", many Liberians are still trying to understand the basis of the CDC's primary policy (Pro-poor) and how it will impact their lives.

Despite the enormity of the economic situation facing the nation, President George M. Weah seems to be unconcerned, as he is yet to address the current state of the economy and has offered no assurance to the bewildered public. Last Saturday, using state resources, he paid another frivolous visit to Côte d'Ivoire for the inauguration of a mosque renovated by his friend and campaign-financier, businessman Ousmane Bamba.

The Executive Mansion's July 5, 2018 blog post claimed that President George Manneh Weah departed for Cote d'Ivoire for an official visit.  Interestingly, multiple Ivorian news outlets have reported that President Weah was actually in the country on the invitation of his friend Ousamane Bamba. According to our source in Cote d'Ivoire, the Liberian leader was there as the godfather of the occasion, marking the renaming of a mosque named after Mr Bamba's grandfather, a local executive who took charge of the rehabilitation of the building. 

Who is Ousmane Bamba?

Ousmane Bamba Left and President Weah Right

Ousmane Bamba is an Ivorian politician and businessman. In January last year, Ousmane Bamba spent two months at the notorious Abidjan Detention and Correction Center (MACA) on allegations of abuse of property and forgery in private banking, following a complaint from his partner. Ousmane Bamba, according to many concerned Liberians, is another mysterious character that can be attached to the list of dishonest associates of President Weah.

During the 2016 elections, Mr Bamba submitted his candidacy as an independent candidate in the electoral district of Lomokankro, Molonou, Tiébissou and Yakpabo-Sakassou communes and sub-prefectures. Unfortunately for him, he lost the election. He is now waiting for the final disposition in an alleged case in which he duped two associates and their families.

According to the Ivorian news site Koaci.com, the Liberian leader was accompanied by the Grand Mufti of Liberia, Aboubacar Mory Soumahoro, along with several government ministers including: Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Samuel D. Tweah; Minister of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Lenn Eugene Nagbe; Minister of State without Portfolio, Hon. Trokon Kpui, as well as other technical and support staff. He returned to Liberia on July 8, 2018, empty-handed; while his people are struggling to provide for their families.

Written by:
Mr Al-Hussein Youjay Fadiga

Activist/Founder/CEO Tmz Media Group LLC