The French Government announced a $ 13.9 (at least Shs. 50,248, 800,000) donation to the Western African country, Liberia on Thursday.
This donation was announced in Paris City by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron during a four state visit by newly elected Liberian President and 1995 FIFA footballer of the year, George Weah.
Weah, 51, presented himself as “a child from France”, where he “learned the values of humility and hard work” in Monaco and then at the PSG from 1988 to 1995.
Elected President at the end of December, Weah lauded France for the €10M ($13.9M) donation announced by Macron to “face the challenges” of a ‘broke Liberia’.
Weah was treated to a state Lucheon together with Ivory Coast’s legend Didier Drogba, young Frenchman Kylian Mbappe in Paris, to launch a platform that will support sport in Africa.
Presidents of the French Football Federation (FFF) Noël Le Graët and the Fifa Gianni Infantino also attended.
The project will be piloted by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), with the support of FIFA.
Quotes by African News:
Gianni Infantino:
We are proud to be part of this project
George Weah:
I am a child from France where i learned the values of humility and hard work.
29 years ago, I entered this great country from Africa in search of opportunities.”
I remember that I arrived in Paris at Charles de Gaulle Airport on a very cold morning on my way to Monaco.
Today, I return to France in my new capacity as President of Liberia, seeking for the people of Liberia the same opportunities and the same chances and success that France afforded me.
We realize that we will not be able to deliver on the promise of change for the betterment of our country and people without urgent and significant assistance from friendly governments such as yours – Mr. President (Emmanuel Macron) – and friendly institutions.
But peace without prosperity is an unfinished agenda; this is going to be the greatest challenge of my administration.
This has undermined our budgeted revenue and has worsen long-standing weaknesses in the financial sector.
We are therefore making this personal appeal to you and the government of France to support us in any way that you can in our efforts to jump-start our economy.
Emmanuel Macron:
Sport, especially football, which has made it possible” to disarm young people after the civil war (1989-2003). It’s a way to find a role in society, to rebuild respect, to have real heroes
Kylian Mbappe:
I am going to put all my energy into helping out as much as I can. Even though I am French, I have African origins. For me, helping African sport to develop is something I care about.
Didier Drogba:
Football is very powerful because it brings people together and unites them. It is was a very constructive lunch today hosted by President Macron and his guest of honor George Weah.
The educational, social, and economic development of Africa with sports as a common denominator. Thank you Macron and Weah.
