By Patrick Teah, Jr
A fresh political and development debate is emerging in Grand Kru County after District #2 Representative and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, questioned the government’s preparedness to deliver a modern stadium ahead of the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet.
Koffa recently challenged the government over the stadium project and questioned whether the facility could be completed before Grand Kru hosts Margibi and Bomi Counties.
“Playing pitch was a priority. Now you’re saying picnices. If there is no stadium built for the County Meet, let’s just leave our own with God.”
Koffa also recalled criticism of the former Weah administration over the absence of a stadium in Grand Kru, saying:
“We knew the weather in Grand Kru when we were condemning Weah for not building stadium.”
He further questioned the whereabouts of the government’s road equipment, asking:
“Weh the yellow machines sef?”
But NaFAA Director General Hon. J. Cyrus Saygbe, a son of Grand Kru and Chairman of the Grand Kru Sports Steering Committee for the 2026/2027 National County Sports Meet, has responded forcefully on his official Facebook page.
Saygbe said he was “not shocked” but “amused” by Koffa’s remarks, arguing that a modern stadium is not a project that can realistically be completed within a few months.
According to Saygbe, the project requires proper design, engineering, procurement, mobilization and serious construction work before construction can begin.
He disclosed that funding for the modern Grand Kru stadium has been secured, with the government expected to break ground in November 2026 during the opening activities of the National County Sports Meet, while construction is expected to commence in 2027.
Saygbe also pointed to several ongoing and planned developments in the county, including road development, electrification, the deployment of yellow machines, a modern fisheries landing site, improved radio infrastructure, and strengthened youth and community facilities.
He argued that Grand Kru’s development should not become a political contest, stressing that no politician or political party owns the county’s development narrative.
“Grand Kru is bigger than any politician,” Saygbe said.
He urged residents to focus on tangible development rather than political disagreements.
“Let history judge us by what we build, not merely by what we say.”
With Grand Kru preparing to host the 2026/2027 County Sports Meet, the stadium debate is likely to remain a major talking point, particularly as residents await concrete timelines and visible progress on the project.
Saygbe, however, insists that the county’s development agenda must continue regardless of political criticism.
“We will not allow political noise to overshadow development.”
He ended his message with a declaration:
“GRAND KRU WILL RISE! GRAND KRU DESERVES BETTER! GRAND KRU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!”
