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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: A wave of anger and frustration has swept through B’hai Administrative District in Grand Gedeh County, as residents accuse County Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant of illegally leasing over 500 acres of communal land to Burkinabé nationals without consulting local authorities or securing the consent of rightful community landowners.
By Benjamin Quaye Johnson benjaminqjohnson@gmail.com 0770989259
The allegations, detailed in a formal petition submitted to the Grand Gedeh County Legislative Caucus, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), and the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), have raised serious questions about governance, land rights, and accountability in the county.
Leading the petitioners is Madam Doris Juan, Chairlady of the B’hai-Necko Clan and head of the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC), who is demanding government intervention, revocation of the alleged land deal, and disciplinary measures against Superintendent Grant.Citizens Accuse Superintendent of “Dictatorial Governance”
Reading the petition on behalf of the community, Teeneo Dehday Beh described Superintendent Grant’s actions as “a dictatorial, undemocratic, and fraudulent attempt to usurp community rights and undermine Liberia’s hard-earned democratic progress.”
Addressed to Senator. Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chairman of the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus, the petition expressed “deep frustration and disappointment” over what citizens called “the reckless, authoritarian style of governance” by the County Superintendent.
“The Superintendent’s unilateral decision to survey and lease our customary land to foreign nationals is a gross violation of the Land Rights Act and a betrayal of the people’s trust,” the petition stated.
“His actions are breeding insecurity, confusion, and bad governance in our community.” Details of the Alleged Land Deal.
According to the petitioners, Superintendent Grant surveyed and leased more than 500 acres of forest land under the pretext of government authority bypassing local leaders, community land management committees, and the Liberia Land Authority.
The petition claims that Superintendent Grant entered into a 30-year concession agreement with a Burkinabé national to establish a large-scale cocoa plantation in the B’hai forest.
The Community leaders assert that the agreement has already caused massive deforestation, destruction of wildlife habitats, and displacement of local farmers who rely on the land for sustenance.
“We can no longer move freely in our forest to gather food, hunt, or farm,” the petitioners lamented.
“Superintendent Grant has prioritized foreign settlers over Liberian citizens, creating an environmental disaster and potential land conflicts.”
Citizens further allege that Superintendent Grant is constructing a private residence near the Ivorian border at Bakoubly, fueling suspicions of personal gain from the controversial land deal.
The petitioners are calling on the government of Liberia for the revocation of the land concession, investigation of Superintendent Grant, and enforcement of the Land Rights Act of 2018, which safeguards community ownership of customary land.
“We are not against development,” the petitioners emphasized. “But we demand transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. Our land is our heritage, it must never be sold or misused by political appointees for personal gain.”
They also appealed for protection against harassment, claiming local authorities have intimidated community members opposing the deal.
Upon receiving the petition, Hon. Thomas Yaya Nimely, Chairman of the Grand Gedeh County Legislative Caucus, commended citizens for choosing peaceful and lawful means to address their grievances and promised that the matter would be reviewed through appropriate legal channels.
“Land issues are deeply sensitive and must be handled strictly according to law and due process,” Senator. Nimely said.
“No public official, regardless of rank, has the authority to dispose of communal land without the people’s consent and the involvement of relevant institutions.”
He confirmed that the Caucus would immediately liaise with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Liberia Land Authority, and the Ministry of Justice to verify the claims and ensure justice and accountability.
The Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus Chair also warned that illegal land deals and unauthorized foreign settlements could spark serious social and security tensions in the region.
However, speaking during the presentation of the Petition, Samuel F. Kpakio, Chairperson of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), assured the Citizens of a full, impartial investigation, but thanked them for their peaceful approach.
He told the Citizens that as Chairperson of the Liberia Land Authority, he as informed the Ministry of Justice, Minister of States for Presidential Affairs and Security Advisor to the President about the illegal leasing of Customary land by Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant to a Burkinabie national.
Kpakio emphasized that the Land Authority, the Ministry of Justice, the Internal Affairs, Minister for Presidential Affairs with invite the Superintendent to show cause whether he has the authority to illegally lease customary land.
He urged the Citizens to be calm and give the government to investigate the Superintendent on alleged leasing land to foreign nationals without consulting local leaders and others Authority within County.
“Land in Liberia belongs to the people and the state not to individuals in power,” Hon. Kpakio emphasized. “The Liberia Land Authority will ensure that this matter is handled according to law and that any illegal transaction is immediately nullified.”
He confirmed that the LLA has commenced a technical review of all documents, maps, and agreements tied to the alleged concession.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon. Samuel F. Brown, representing the Ministry of Internal Affairs, praised the citizens’ lawful approach and assured them of swift administrative action.
“The Superintendent is accountable to the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” Minister Brown said.
“We will not tolerate actions that undermine public confidence, threaten community peace, or violate the Land Rights Act.”
Also in the Closing remarks, Grand Gedeh County Electoral District-3 Representative Jocab C. Debee lauded citizens for peacefully using legal channels to address land disputes.
He urged residents to continue exercising patience and non-violence when advocating for their rights, especially on the issue of land.
Representative Debee also pledged to advocate for the people of Grand Gedeh County, particularly residents of Electoral District #3, to ensure justice in land governance.
According to him, the Legislative Caucus has vowed to cancel all agreements signed by Superintendent Grant with Burkinabé nationals concerning the 500-acre land parcel, citing the lack of consent from both the Legislature and customary land custodians.
Representative Debee warns that such incidents jeopardize social stability, environmental sustainability, and public confidence in governance.
The petition was endorsed by several respected figures, including:
Madam Doris Juan, Chairperson, B’hai-Necko Clan / CLDMC
James Sru, Chairperson, Marbo #1 Clan / CLDMC.Andrew Zloryou, Chairperson, Tian-Duogee Clan / CLDMC
- Amos Chea, Chairperson, Duo Clan / CLDMC .Ephraim Gaye, Community Boundary Committee Solomon S. Parjir, District Youth President
Togeda Sohnc Mava, Chief Elder, B’hai Administrative District.
They vowed to continue their advocacy until the alleged illegal land deal is revoked and the community’s ancestral land rights are restored.
“Our cry is simple,” Ma Doris Juan, Chairperson of Clan and head of the Community Land Development.
“We want our land back, and we want justice.”
The controversy highlights Liberia’s ongoing challenges with land governance, corruption, and enforcement of land reform laws.
Despite the passage into Law, Land Rights Act of 2018, which empowers rural communities with ownership of customary land, violations persist, often involving local officials, traditional authorities, and private investors.
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