[By Pewu Y. Sumo]
Monrovia, Liberia — The Grand Gedeh University Students Union (GGUSU) has staged a peaceful protest and presented a formal petition to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the immediate dismissal of Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant.
The petition, which was submitted today on Capitol Hill, Monrovia, accuses the Superintendent of a litany of offenses, including abuse of office, mismanagement of public funds, and gross violation of public trust.
The move comes amid escalating tensions in Grand Gedeh County, particularly surrounding a controversial land deal and the alleged withholding of funds intended for key community groups.
Key Allegations and Demands
The petition, signed by Mr. Thomas Tarlasue Neah, President of GGUSU, and representatives from the Grand Gedeh Rural Women, the Concerned Citizens of Grand Gedeh County, and the Disabled Community, outlines the following issues of “grave importance”:
Illegal Leasing of Customary Land:
Superintendent Grant is accused of illegally leasing 500 acres of customary community land in the B’hai Administrative District to a foreign national from Burkina Faso for a period of thirty (30) years, an action the petitioners condemned as a direct contravention of the Land Rights Act of 2018 and was allegedly executed without the consent of traditional landowners, elders, or the Community Land Development Management Committee (CLDMC).
Withholding of Budgetary Allotments:
The Superintendent has reportedly refused to disburse the duly approved FY2024 budgetary allotments for the Grand Gedeh University Students Union (GGUSU), the Disabled Community, and the Rural Women of Grand Gedeh County, an act that according to the petitioners have severely impacted critical educational and community programs.
Unlawful Dismissal of Local Officials:
The petition cites the arbitrary dismissal and replacement of several legitimate local officials without adhering to the Local Government Act, resulting in “administrative confusion.”
Disregard for County Council:
Superintendent Grant is accused of consistently disregarding the authority of the Grand Gedeh County Council, thereby “eroding collaboration, accountability, and participatory governance.”
Lack of Financial Accountability:
He has allegedly failed to provide transparent updates and financial accountability for ongoing county projects, particularly those funded through the County Development Fund (CDF), raising serious concerns over the proper use of public funds.
The petitioners assert that these actions “collectively represent a breach of public trust and pose a serious threat to peace, transparency, and local development,” warning that the situation risks “provoking civic unrest if not urgently addressed.”
Calls for Immediate Action
The petitioners respectfully urged President Boakai to take the following decisive actions:
Order the immediate dismissal of Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant.
Commission a special audit of all County financial and administrative activities for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
Direct the immediate release of all withheld budgetary allotments.
Revoke the illegal land lease agreement and ensure the protection of community land rights.
Reinstate all legitimate local officials unlawfully dismissed.
Order the immediate removal of County Attorney Wilkins B. Nah for his alleged “inability to read legal documents prior to affixing his signature,” which purportedly enabled the illegal land lease.
These, among many others, must be heard by the president for possible action in the soonest possible time as the petitioners warn of another match on the Capitol if their petition is not adhered to.
Last week, the Liberia Land Authority (LLAA) revoked the sale of 500 acres of customary community land that was sold for about US$ 600,00.00 by county authorities.
The land was sold to a foreign national from Burkina Faso for a period of thirty (30) years. The sale of the land which is not government owned but locals, has stirred debate across Liberia, admit an alarming increase in controversial land sales.
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