Liberia’s new President, Joseph Boakai, has received a clean bill of health from his doctors, according to a statement from his office.
The 79-year-old leader encountered difficulties during his inauguration speech on Monday, requiring assistance away from the podium due to apparent heat exhaustion.
Despite the concerns raised, his office assured the public that President Boakai has resumed his normal activities.
The incident occurred during the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
Charles Snetter, a spokesperson from the president’s office, stated, “His doctors have declared him perfectly fine.” Additionally, Amos Tweh, an official in Boakai’s party, confirmed that the president did not require hospitalization and assured the public that he is in normal health.
President Boakai, who became Liberia’s oldest-ever president after winning a closely contested run-off election against former football star George Weah, had pledged to address economic challenges, combat corruption, and enhance basic services in his truncated inauguration speech.
Boakai had previously served as vice-president in Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s government until 2018 and contested the presidency under the United Party (UP) banner.
This episode echoes concerns about President Boakai’s health that were prominent during the 2023 election campaign, where he narrowly defeated the outgoing president, George Weah. Boakai’s resilience and return to his duties signal his commitment to the challenges facing Liberia under his leadership.