'I Was Paid, But Not Employed' - Liberian Artist Sasu Bou Claims Receiving Unchecked Salary Under Weah's Regime

Monrovia, Liberia: Liberian Hipco star Sasu Bou has revealed that he received a monthly salary under the administration of former President George Weah despite not holding any official position or attachment within the government.

Speaking in a live interview on Wednesday, the artist declined to state the actual figure, but said a monthly cash was received through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection during the ex-President Weah regime.

“I was receiving money every month, but I was not employed there,” he told an entertainer.

The local star said the unchecked government finances came as a compensation for his role in promoting George Weah’s political message before and after the former football icon ascended to the presidency.

Weah ascended to the Liberian Presidency in 2018 and served a six-year term. Sasu Bou further revealed that he was not alone in the arrangement, claiming several entertainers allegedly benefited from similar government-backed support.

Sasu Bou was featured on a track title: "African Soldier-Mouth From George Weah Oppong", a song that supported ex-President Weah's political bid. 

“What I did for him politically was recognized, and that’s how I started benefiting,” the artist explained, noting that his loyalty and consistent public support for the former president opened doors for monthly financial assistance.

Sasu is also known for his hit singles in Liberia, including "State of Dilemma". He added: “A lot of us were being taken care of. Some people were on different payrolls".

In addition, the musician stated that discussions were underway to formally place him on the civil servant payroll, an arrangement he said would have secured him long-term government benefits had the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) remained in power.

He declared that Weah was always concerned to financially back artists who supported his political bid, pointing to his (Sasu Bou) story as a typical reference.

Sasu's comments have fuelled long-standing debate over special preference given certain artists to public resources under the immediate past government.

Although there has been no official documentation released to date, his revelation is already stirring concerns over alleged payroll irregularities that might have occurred under the previous regime.

Officials of the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) are yet to respond to the claims.