In less than 24 hours after the inauguration of George Weah as President of Liberia, the former international footballer has made his first batch of appointments, showing his eagerness to start work ASAP! Seven names were released in this first batch and former Senate pro-tempore Gbezohngar Findley, was named Minister of foreign affairs. The appointment has come under criticism, as people said Findley got the appointment because he was a close ally of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and staunchly supported Vice-President Joseph Boakai at the initial stage of the campaign period.

It’s been however said that George Weah, in making these appointments in less than 24 hours shows he means business, unlike a West African president who took 6 solid months to make appointments. 

Other appointments include; Daniel Ziankahn was immediately retired as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and appointed the minister of national defence, subject to Senate confirmation.

Ziankahn replaces Brownie Samukai at the defence ministry, which is in the middle of an alleged wasteful spending of “welfare and supplementary pension benefits” of members of the armed forces.

Johnson takes over from Ziankahn as the new chief of staff of the AFL.

Weah named Chairman of the now ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Nathaniel McGill as the minister of state for presidential affairs.

Samuel Tweh, a long-time member of the CDC, is to serve as minister of finance and development planning.

The president appointed Charles Gibson as Minister of Justice, and Sam Mannah as press secretary with immediate effect.

Weah has directed that the heads of other government ministries and agencies remain in place until further notice.