By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
A contentious land lease agreement in the B’hai Administrative District has ignited widespread protest and public outcry, exposing deep fractures in local governance and land rights enforcement in southeastern Liberia.
For over a week, citizens from Grand Gedeh County—both at home and abroad—have voiced strong opposition to what they describe as an “illegal” lease of 500 acres of customary forestland. The deal, signed between Superintendent Alex Grant and Boubou Sedu, a national of Burkina Faso, has drawn scrutiny over its legality, transparency, and implications for community ownership.
However, contrary to initial reports, an independent investigation reveals that the disputed land is not untouched forest but rather a 935-acre cocoa plantation. The plantation has been operated since 2019 by two Burkinabé nationals—Halildi Zongo (known locally as “Sermo”) and Soncpuogdou Souka (“Pear”)—who allegedly sell the cocoa harvest in Côte d’Ivoire through informal arrangements.
Only a handful of Bhai residents, including the town chief and youth leaders, are reported to benefit from the proceeds.
The situation has sparked a storm of controversy, raising urgent questions about land tenure, customary rights, and the role of local authorities. What began as a purported development initiative has evolved into a full-blown land dispute, threatening to erode public trust and provoke social unrest.
Visual evidence obtained by this paper—including photos and videos—shows that approximately 500 Burkinabé nationals have been residing on the plantation since 2018, further complicating the narrative around land use and ownership.
In a recent press engagement, Superintendent Grant presented documents he claimed were government-issued land deeds and eminent domain authorizations. Based on these documents, he proceeded to sign a 30-year lease agreement with investor Boubou Sedu, stipulating an upfront payment of US$150,000 for the first ten years, and a total of US$600,000 over the contract’s lifespan. The funds were earmarked for the County Development Fund.
Yet the agreement quickly unraveled. Critics cited Article 32 of Liberia’s 2018 Land Rights Act, which affirms the legitimacy of customary land ownership rooted in traditional norms, communal use, and long-term occupancy.
The backlash was swift and intense, culminating in the contract’s cancellation by County Attorney E. Wilkins Nah, acting on directives from the Ministry of Justice and the Executive Mansion.
As tensions simmer, the Grand Gedeh land saga underscores the urgent need for transparent land governance, community consultation, and legal safeguards to prevent exploitation and conflict in Liberia’s rural regions.
