The Global Alliance of Grand Gedeans strongly condemns the attempted unauthorized leasing of 500 acres of customary land in the B’hai Administrative District, Gbarzon Statutory District, Grand Gedeh County to a Burkinabe national. This egregious act, orchestrated by County Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant and County Attorney Winkins Nah of the Ministry of Justice, but quickly voided by the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), was not only a blatant violation of local laws but also an infringement of the Land Rights Act of Liberia.
The LLA, during a press conference in Monrovia last week, confirmed that Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant and County Attorney Winkins Nah acted beyond their legal authorities when they signed the agreement to lease 500 acres to a Burkinabe. Their act contravenes the 2018 Land Rights Act, which clearly stipulates that a county superintendent does not possess the authority to lease customary land. Articles 32, 36, and 39 of the Act underlined that the governance and management of customary land must remain with community members, not county authorities.
We request the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs to conduct an urgent and impartial investigation of all parties involved in this botched attempt to dispossess the people of B’hai Administrative District, an action which would have posed a direct threat to the peace and harmony of the County, had it succeeded. Such actions that undermine the peace and development of the County are particularly alarming when they originate from individuals tasked with upholding the law.
We acknowledge, with gratitude, the LLA’s swift intervention, including nullifying the lease agreement, dismissing and turning overing to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution four of its employees at the central office who were involved in the botched effort, and the suspending for time indefinite its employees at the County level who were also implicated in the fraudulent scheme.
Amid the influx of over 48,000 Burkinabe nationals into Grand Gedeh, with the local authority demonstrating an unwillingness to arrest the situation, it is troubling that the Superintendent and his colleagues are now attempting to mortgage Grand Gedeh County land. It is imperative that the interests and safety of our local citizens be protected. The decision made by Superintendent Grant and his colleagues significantly heightened security risks associated with this unauthorized immigration.
The GGAG raised serious concerns regarding Mr. Alex Chersia Grant’s suitability and qualification to serve as Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County when he was nominated. We warned the appointing authority at the time about Mr. Grant’s integrity and moral challenges, as well as his polarizing leadership style. Ours was only one of many voices that called on the appointing authority at the time to reconsider Mr. Grant’s appointment. There was widespread public outcry from Grand Gedeans in Zwedru, Monrovia, and globally, collectively pleading to stop Mr. Grant’s confirmation when the nomination was not withdrawn. Unfortunately, the nominee was confirmed. But as we warned, this nullified lease agreement is only one of many egregious acts that Mr. Grant has committed since his appointment.
As the global representative of the Grand Gedean diaspora, we are requesting the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Justices to take decisive administrative actions to avoid major conflict in Grand Gedeh County. We must all work to maintain peace and stability among the residents and throughout the country.
