Opinion: Arsene Wenger Award in Liberia, A Misplaced Priority

ARSENE WENGER AWARD IN LIBERIA, A MISPLACED PRIORITY. By Admin It's no more news that former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has arrived Liberia ahead of being awarded the country’s highest honour by his former player and president George Weah. Come tomorrow, Friday,coach Wenger will be inducted into Liberia’s Order of Distinction as the Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption. Interestingly, this award is the country’s biggest and highest honour. I must confess, I'm happy for coach Wenger. But if you ask me if he deserves this award, My answer will be NO !. This is a total misplaced priority from President George Weah of Liberia. As a student of International Relations, I understands that the Humane Order of African Redemption as founded in 1879. And was established with the primary motive of honouring people that made meaningful impact in supporting and assisting the Liberian nation, coupled with humanitarian work in Liberia. This is the highest award in the land and it shouldn't be shared with 'friends and family'. All six previous recipients are individuals that played prominent roles in making Liberia what it is today. For instance, * Mary Lee Mills was the US Public Health Service Chief Nursing Officer of Liberia in the 1940s to 50s, and contributed massively to the health sector. Marjon Kamara is a Diplomat, Minister and served as Liberia's ambassador to the United Nations. Ellen Margrethe Løj was the United Nations Secretary- General as Special Representative for Liberia. My question is, what has Arsene Wenger done for Liberia to deserve this prestigious award?. Some may say he was the coach of the President, Wenger coached over 16 players from Africa, and so?. That's not a big deal. Fabio Capello could have been awarded too, because he was the coach of the president when he won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995. I think president George Weah needs to understand that there's different between passion and governance. There's no way Africa Countries will be developed and respected among committee of states if our leaders still brings sentimentalism and favoritism into governance.