By Archie Boan
A claim that as many as 60,000 Burkinabé nationals have entered Grand Gedeh County under the guise of farming has sparked concerns about security, population shifts, and the future of one of Liberia’s largest counties.
The concern was raised by Henry Kohn Glay, former National President of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas (GGAA), who is calling on the government to investigate reports of a large foreign presence in the county’s forest regions.
In a public statement, Glay cited comments allegedly made by Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Nimely Yaya, who reportedly disclosed that thousands of Burkinabés have settled in parts of the county to engage in farming activities.
Glay described the reported figure as troubling, noting that Grand Gedeh’s population is estimated at about 126,000 people.
“If these reports are true, the implications for our county are enormous. Grand Gedeans cannot afford to remain silent while questions continue to arise about who is occupying our forests and for what purpose,” Glay said.
The former GGAA president linked the issue to what he described as longstanding concerns over the territorial integrity of Grand Gedeh. He pointed to the creation of River Gee County from what was once Lower Grand Gedeh and recalled previous efforts to establish a separate “Grand Sapo County,” an initiative that failed following strong opposition from local leaders and residents.
Glay warned that significant population changes resulting from large-scale migration could have political consequences, particularly as Liberia approaches future elections.
He also expressed concern about reports that some individuals living in the forest areas may have ties to former armed groups. However, no evidence has been publicly presented to support those claims.
Calling for immediate action, Glay urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, national security agencies, and immigration authorities to verify the reports, establish checkpoints where necessary, and conduct a thorough assessment of activities in remote forest communities across the county.
“We must know who is entering our forests, why they are there, and whether they are operating legally,” he said. “This is not about hostility toward foreigners. It is about national security, transparency, and protecting the interests of our people.”
