By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, January 12, 2026: Former President of Liberia George Manneh Weah has as soon as once more drawn public consideration after utilizing the pulpit throughout a church service to discuss what he described as a private “reward” that can not be taken from him or shaken, whereas encouraging others to hitch him and profit from it. The remarks have reignited nationwide debate over the intersection of religion and political affect.
President Weah’s sermon at Forky Klohn Jlaleh Household Fellowship Church on January 11, 2026, highlighted future and divine blessings, drawing spirited ululations from worshippers. The response urged robust assist from the congregation, emphasizing that his affect and message stay untaken.
“I’ve a present. You can’t take my reward from me. You possibly can be part of me and profit from small. Dont be grasping. Despite the fact that I’ve the reward, I’m not grasping. I share my reward with individuals,”
The feedback have raised renewed issues amongst observers who argue {that a} clear separation should be maintained between faith and politics. They stress that the pulpit is meant to unfold the gospel, promote peace, unity, and ethical steerage, to not politicize or undermine the present authorities.
“Former President George M. Weah stays a revered nationwide determine, however utilizing spiritual areas to advance political narratives in opposition to the current regime is unfair and inappropriate. Liberia wants therapeutic, unity, and constructive engagement, not division disguised because the gospel,”stated Marvee Kromah, a involved citizen.
Kromah additional referred to as on political leaders to respect spiritual establishments, stating “We respectfully name on him and all political leaders to honor the sanctity of the pulpit, permit spiritual establishments to stay impartial, and contribute positively to nationwide growth by lawful and clear political channels.”
The controversy recollects the expertise of the late Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who, after coming back from exile, turned an evangelical preacher and based Christ Chapel of Religion Ministries. Throughout his sermons, Prince Johnson often addressed political points, weighed in on up to date controversies, urged civic motion, and made statements about political rivals, drawing criticism from spiritual our bodies that urged him to maintain the pulpit “sacred” and free from political confrontation.
At this time, some Liberians say there are indications that former President Weah has adopted an identical path, utilizing church or spiritual settings to ship messages that overlap with political themes, prompting renewed comparisons with the late Senator Prince Johnson.
The controversy intensified after Data Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah questioned the pastoral credibility of the previous President, significantly following his December 28, 2025 end-of-year message on the similar church, the place he criticized the Boakai administration for mishandling protests, suppressing dissent, and failing to provoke main growth tasks past these inherited from the earlier authorities.
Responding throughout a Ministry of Data press briefing, Minister Piah accused the previous President of turning “the church right into a political theater,” warned in opposition to utilizing the pulpit to unfold misinformation, and cited scripture in cautioning him.
“Be not deceived; God just isn’t mocked: for in any respect a person soweth, that shall he additionally reap,”as he referred to as for respect for the sanctity of spiritual worship and the clear separation of religion and politics in Liberia.
