By Abraham Cooper
Members of the Grand Gedeh County Council, backed by civil society actors, have formally accused Superintendent Alex Chersia Grant of financial improprieties and administrative misconduct.
In a communication dated April 22, 2026 and addressed to the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Francis Sakila Nyumalin, the council called for an immediate investigation into what they described as repeated violations of transparency, accountability, and public financial management laws.
The complaint alleges that Superintendent Grant has refused to submit the county’s 2026 Draft Budget and the 2025 Budget Performance Reports despite several official requests from the County Council.
According to the communication, the refusal directly violates provisions of the Local Government Act of Liberia (2018) and the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act of 2009.
The council further accused the Superintendent of withholding details surrounding a reported US$400,000 agreement with Libernergy for the management and expansion of electricity in the county. The communication stated that although the funds reportedly came from the county account through council resolution, members of the council were allegedly denied access to the contract documents.
“This lack of disclosure raises serious concerns regarding procurement transparency and compliance with financial governance standards,” the complaint noted.
The allegations did not stop there. Council members also claimed that requests for the county’s 2025 bank statements were ignored, fueling suspicions of weakened financial controls and poor oversight.
In another explosive accusation, the communication referenced comments allegedly made by the County Finance Officer on TOP FM suggesting that county authorities intended to continue operating under the controversial “1/12 budgetary rule” instead of submitting and approving a full county budget for 2026.
The council warned that such action amounts to deliberate avoidance of statutory budgetary obligations.
The complaint also accused Superintendent Grant of violating council-approved budget allocations by allegedly redirecting funds intended for the Grand Gedeh University Student Union (GGUSU) and other institutions through the University of Liberia rather than remitting them directly to approved accounts.
According to the communication, the decision has triggered tension among students and widened distrust in county leadership.
The document additionally painted a picture of growing division between the Superintendent and several local stakeholder groups, including civil society organizations, rural women groups, youth leaders, chiefs, and disability advocates.
The council alleged a pattern of public ridicule and marginalization of these groups, which they say is weakening collaboration and peacebuilding efforts within the county.
Signatories to the complaint included representatives from civil society, youth organizations, the elders council, rural women groups, chiefs, and disability organizations.
Meanwhile, an email response attached to the complaint confirms that the Office of the Minister of Local Government acknowledged receipt of the communication, signaling that the matter has officially reached the ministry’s attention.
The County Council is now urging the Ministry of Local Government to launch what it called a “full investigation” into the Superintendent’s administrative conduct to restore accountability, transparency, and public confidence in Grand Gedeh County’s leadership.
