Liberia’s recently inaugurated President, Joseph Boakai, faced a health setback during his swearing-in ceremony, requiring assistance due to heat exhaustion.
The 79-year-old leader, who narrowly won the election against George Weah, has been declared “perfectly fine” by his office after resuming normal activities.
The incident occurred as he addressed the audience for about 30 minutes in the sweltering heat, prompting concern about his well-being.
Video footage captured the moment when he needed support before being escorted away from the podium
“His doctors have declared him perfectly fine,” Charles Snetter from the president’s office said in a statement.
An official in Mr Boakai’s party told newsmen that the president was not taken to hospital.
“The president is normal, and he’s doing well,” Amos Tweh said.
Before he was forced to cut short his speech the new president pledged to rescue all Liberians from the tough economic times, address corruption and improve basic services.
Mr Boakai was vice-president in Nobel Peace Prize-winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s government until 2018, and contested the presidency under the banner of the United Party (UP).
He defeated Mr Weah by just over 20,000 votes in the run-off vote.
Mr Boakai also ran for the presidency in 2017, but lost to Mr Weah, who became Liberia’s young-ever elected president.
