Africa-Press – Ghana. Liberians in Ghana are optimistic about a peaceful election, as their compatriots go to the polls to elect new leaders to steer affairs of the country in the next 6 years.
The election, held on October 10, 2023, is one of the keenly contested ones, as twenty presidential candidates, including incumbent George Weah, are competing to lead the country of over five million people.
Liberians who are seeking refuge in Ghana, have support for their respective candidates back home.
“I want Weah to win, because since I was child, he’s the one I have wished to win. Though I am in Ghana, I know he has done a lot for Liberia, and he should be allowed to continue”, said one George Weah supporter in an interview.
According to 18-year-old Irene, who wishes she could have gone to Liberia to vote for the first time, she adores incumbent President Weah, thus wants him to win.
“President Weah is a young man, who resonates with the youth, and we want him to continue in a second term, to complete the good work he has started,” she said.
Out of the 19 contenders against the ruling Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC), the flagbearer of the Unity Party, Joseph Boakai, also has some support base at the refugee camp in Budumburam, Ghana. His supporters say, he is the change Liberia needs, after what they describe as a disappointing first term of George Weah.
Muntaru Habib, says “Joseph Boakai is the man we need to change Liberia, we gave Weah 6 years and we didn’t see any tangible development, so we need change, and we trust Boakai to give us that.”
“Boakai has experience, and the political know how to rule the country, and should be given the chance to bring change. Weah is just popular, but has no experience,” said another sympathizer.
For most of the Liberians at the Budumburam camp, the overall objective of the election should bring progress and development to Liberia, and reduce poverty levels in the country.
Over 4.2 million Liberians have registered to vote in the election.
POVERTY IN LIBERIA
World Bank says poverty is rife in Liberia, estimating that half of the country’s population survives on less than $2 a day.
More than 60% of Liberia’s 5.4 million people are below the age of 25, and unemployment is widespread among the country’s youth, some of whom were former child soldiers in the civil war.
The 14-year civil war claimed 250,000 lives by the time it ended in 2003, Liberia has grappled with epidemics, including the Covid pandemic and a deadly Ebola outbreak that killed more than 4,000 people in 2014.
PARTIES IN THE RACE
All parties vying in the polls – 46 have been accredited by the National Elections Commission.
The elections happen to take place on the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Accra Peace Agreement, which ended the second Liberian civil war.
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