Former International soccer star and one-time World Footballer of the Year, George Manneh Weah has been sworn in as the 24th President of Liberia ( the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in the West African country in more than 70 years.

The colourful inauguration ceremony which was held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium near Monrovia, the country’s capital was attended by more than a dozen African and foreign dignitaries including heads of state from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Guinea, Mali and Cote d’ Ivoire

The 51-year-old Weah who retired from active football in 2002 to delve into politics had promised to eradicate corruption in the country of four million people and bolster its weak economy.

Seen by many Liberians as a hero for his incredible rags-to-riches story, Weah won 61.5percent of the votes in the country’s December 2017 presidential election run-off, defeating outgoing Vice President Joseph Boakai who got 38.5 of the ballot.

He replaces Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president who is stepping down after two terms in office.