The Land Controversy in Grand Gedeh: A Clash of Interests and Rights
The ongoing land dispute in the B’Hai forest of Grand Gedeh County has sparked a fierce debate among local communities, county authorities, and legal experts. At the center of this controversy is a 30-year lease agreement for 500 acres of forestland to a Burkinabe national, which has raised serious concerns about legality, ownership, and environmental impact.
A Deal That Wasn’t Shared with the People
The lease, signed by Superintendent Alex C. Grant, was part of a government-backed development initiative aimed at cultivating cocoa in the B’hai Administrative District. According to the agreement, the investor will pay $150,000 over the first ten years, totaling $600,000 over 30 years, with all funds going to the County Development Fund. However, the deal has been met with widespread opposition from local residents who claim they were never consulted.
Town Chief Moses Tahyor of B’Hai Jozon revealed that he only learned about the lease through the radio. “None of them told me that we gave somebody 500 acres. I was not even briefed,” he said, expressing his frustration. He emphasized that the Land Rights Act of 2018 requires community consultation before any land lease or concession, which was clearly violated in this case.
Voices from the Forest: Discontent Among Local Residents
Local leaders, including women’s representatives and youth leaders, have also voiced their concerns. Mary Shon, a women’s leader in B’Hai Jozon, expressed dismay over the deal, stating that no meetings were held with the community. “We don’t know anything. The superintendent said somebody from B’hai knows, but that’s not true,” she said.
Harrison Farley, a youth leader, warned that the land is shared by over 13 to 16 towns. “Our children will grow and need space. This will bring conflict because the Burkinabes will also have children who will want to claim this land,” he lamented.
Resistance from the Community
Chief Sam Nah, General Town Chief of the B’Hai Nicko Clan, condemned the agreement, vowing to resist it to the last. “We, the custodians of this bush, are not aware of how this deal was done,” he said. Women leaders in the clan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the land for future generations.
Superintendent Defends the Deal
Superintendent Alex C. Grant defended the lease, claiming it was legal and necessary. He explained that the land had been declared “imminent domain” by his predecessor in 2023 following disputes between Liberians and Burkinabe migrants. According to him, the contract was designed to regulate occupation, prevent future conflicts, and channel proceeds into the county’s development account.
Grant also highlighted that the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) was involved in surveying the land, which expanded from 200 acres to 931 acres. He claimed the revenue would be shared under the revenue-sharing law, benefiting the government, county, and citizens.
Commissioner Admits Failure to Consult
However, the local Commissioner of B’Hai Administrative District, Kelvin J. Kapee, admitted that community consultation did not take place before signing the lease. “I received the document from my superintendent. The contract was already prepared. I thought the land was government land,” he explained.
Kapee later arranged a town hall meeting to address the concerns, stating that if the community demanded cancellation, it could be done. “We don’t want noise in our district,” he said.
Environmental Concerns Raised by Authorities
Regional Forester Yei P. Neagor of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) warned of the environmental impact of the deforestation. “People are clearing forest for cocoa farms using chemicals and burning the roots. This will destroy species, dry up water sources, and worsen environmental degradation,” she said.
She added that the FDA was not properly informed about the agreement and called for national attention and joint security intervention.
Immigration and Border Security Issues
Immigration officials noted that the issue of Burkinabe influx is linked to cross-border migration and weak border control. Deputy Comptroller Anthony Putis III confirmed that 48,000 Burkinabe farmers were registered in Grand Gedeh, though some still cross through unapproved points.
ACI Alex Kpakolo, the Immigration Commissioner of Grand Gedeh, stated that joint patrols and community engagements are now being conducted to monitor illegal entry.
Legal Experts and Civil Society Weigh In
Legal analysts argue that the Grand Gedeh deal violates the Land Rights Act, which defines customary land as owned by communities, not the government. “Even if a past superintendent declared it government land, that does not nullify community ownership without due process,” said a land governance expert.
County Representative Jacob C. Debee criticized the unilateral decision by the county’s chief administrator, claiming the deal contravenes the Land Right Act, specifically Section 36, which addresses the issue of Confirmatory Survey of Customary Land.
Former Senator A. Marshall Dennis also described the agreement as illegal, emphasizing that the custodians of the land must be involved in such decisions.
A County Divided
As the controversy deepens, over two dozen community representatives have converged on Monrovia to petition the Grand Gedeh Legislative Caucus for the deal’s cancellation. The situation highlights the growing tension between local communities and county authorities over land rights and development.
