- Title: Weah sworn in as Liberia president, vows to end corruption
- Date: 22nd January 2018
- Summary: WEAH, CLAR, AND SIRLEAF TAKING THEIR SEATS WEAH AND CLAR TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA, GEORGE WEAH, SAYING: "It is my belief that the most effective way to directly impact the poor and to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor is to ensure that public resources do not end up in the pocket of government officials."
- Embargoed: 5th February 2018 16:46
- Keywords: George Weah Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf swearing in inauguration corruption corrupt officials
- Location: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
- City: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
- Country: Liberia
- Topics: Government/Politics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0037Z72XC7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:George Weah, the former international soccer star who won the presidency of Liberia in December, promised a crackdown on endemic corruption as he was sworn in on Monday (January 22).
Weah, 51, said he had been given an "overwhelming" mandate to end corruption in Liberia and said he wanted to narrow the gap between the rich and poor.
Growing up in the slums of Monrovia to become one of Africa's greatest footballers, Weah played for top-flight European teams including AC Milan and Paris St Germain.
He succeeds Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia and Africa's first female elected head of state, who took power 12 years ago. She is credited with shoring up peace after a bloody civil conflict, but criticised for failing to tackle elite graft or do much to lift Liberians out of poverty.
Founded by freed American slaves, Liberia is Africa's oldest modern republic. But it has been plagued by years of unrest and bloodshed, including two civil wars in the 1980s and 90s that were notorious for their brutality and use of child soldiers. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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