MONROVIA, Liberia – The National Assistant Secretary General of the ruling Unity Party, Lansana Pawenneh Fofana, has criticized the Ministry of Youth and Sports over what he described as the promotion of individuals who are not representing Liberia at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, calling the move a “bad precedent” that should be condemned.
In a public statement, Fofana questioned the rationale behind a recent post by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, arguing that the ministry’s national platform should not be used to celebrate individuals who, according to him, chose not to represent Liberia.
“I do not get the rationale or message the Ministry of Youth and Sports is marketing here,” Fofana said. “Using our national platform for this reason sets a bad precedent and should be condemned by all meaningful nationalistic and patriotic Liberians.”
The Unity Party official said he believes Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah may not have been aware of the controversial post, distancing the minister from direct responsibility.
Fofana instead urged the ministry and Liberians to celebrate footballers and sporting figures whom he described as patriotic for choosing to represent Liberia. He named former President and football icon George Weah, Joe Nagbe, Kelvin Singbe, Sulahmana Bah, Oscar Dorley, Divine Teah, Sampson Dweh, Anthony Langford, and Zar Krangar among those deserving recognition.
“Let’s keep appreciating them even though we are yet to qualify for the World Cup. They chose and put Liberia first above all else,” he stated.
According to Fofana, these athletes should remain the focus of national sporting recognition, rather than individuals he referred to as “defectors” or “renegades.”
He further emphasized that the individuals being celebrated by the ministry are not representing Liberia at the ongoing FIFA World Cup and warned against creating the impression that they are part of the country’s official sporting delegation.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports had not publicly responded to Fofana’s comments as of press time.
The remarks have added to a growing public debate over national identity, patriotism, and the recognition of athletes with Liberian heritage who choose to represent other countries in international competitions.
