Gbarnga, Bong County – Just months into the tenure of Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, concerns are mounting among citizens over how public funds are being allocated and managed under her administration.
Superintendent Norris, who took office on May 14, 2024, quickly launched a 100-day development plan with an approved budget of USD $302,913.36. The top projects under this plan included the fencing of the Gbarnga Administrative Building ($50,922), renovation of the Superintendent Compound ($144,000), and a Bean cultivation across all 13 districts.
While these initiatives were initially met with optimism — especially the long-delayed renovation of the Superintendent’s Compound, which had been left unattended for six years under former Superintendent Esther Walker — public sentiment has since turned more critical.
Local residents are increasingly questioning the transparency and prioritization of the spending. The Superintendent’s Compound, for example, received $30,000 solely for furniture, yet its current condition has triggered doubts about whether those funds were used effectively. Many community members argue that such large-scale spending on administrative facilities does little to address pressing grassroots needs.
“People in our communities still lack clean drinking water, decent roads, and functioning sanitation systems,” said many radio talk-show callers in the county.” “We need development that reaches the people — not just fences and buildings for officials.”
Another key area of contention is the county-wide bean cultivation project. Though intended to stimulate agriculture and local livelihoods, the project’s actual impact remains unclear. Residents in several districts say they have seen little to no evidence of meaningful outcomes or widespread community involvement.
These concerns have been further amplified with the passage of the 2025 Bong County fiscal budget, totaling over USD $686,000, much of which is reportedly being channeled into similar projects under Superintendent Norris’ leadership. Critics argue that such budgetary focus risks centralizing resources rather than distributing them equitably across the county’s diverse communities.
At the heart of the public criticism lies a growing call for transparency, accountability, and fairness in governance. Many citizens fear that continued spending on high-profile administrative projects — with limited public oversight — could deepen mistrust in local leadership and threaten the unity of the county.
“This is not about politics,” said another concerned resident. “It’s about making sure our money works for all of us — not just the few in power.”
As Superintendent Norris continues her administration, residents across Bong County are urging her to re-evaluate priorities, involve communities in decision-making, and ensure that development reaches the most vulnerable.
For many, this is not just a critique of individual projects, but a broader demand for citizen-centered governance — one that puts the needs of people over politics, and service over self-interest.
However, Superintendent Norris has since remained tightlipped on exclusively addressing these growing concerns, but continually made promises that are yet to be fulfilled.
