By: D Abraham Cooper| Grand Gedeh County Correspondent
Zwedru, Grand Gedeh – May 25, 2025 – Madam Yei P. Meagor, an officer with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) in Grand Gedeh County, has dismissed recent media reports claiming that Burkinabe nationals are being deported from the region. She characterized these allegations as false and misleading.
Meagor also clarified that the FDA does not have the authority to deport individuals from Liberia.
“Our role is limited to detaining Burkinabe nationals discovered working in concession areas, after which we hand them over to the Liberia National Police. We do not carry out deportations; that responsibility rests solely with the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS). To date, we have detained 26 Burkinabe nationals,” she added.
Concerns had been growing within Grand Gedeh County and on multiple social media claims regarding the possible deportation of Burkinabe citizens by both the FDA and the LIS.
In a conversation with Alex Kpakolo, Commander of the Liberia Immigration Service’s Grand Gedeh County detachment, said the LIS is not involved in the deportation of Burkinabe nationals, instead their focus is on the proper documentation and registration of all Burkinabe citizens in Grand Gedeh, as directed by Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.
Kpakolo further noted that during the registration process, new Burkinabe arrivals will not be permitted to enter Liberia. “We need to accurately determine the number of Burkinabe nationals currently in the county, and we will not allow any new entrants,” he said.
Despite these official statements, anonymous sources within both government agencies have told our reporter that the FDA, in conjunction with the Liberia Immigration Service, attempted to deport at least 24 individuals believed to be Burkinabe nationals. However, their entry was denied by the Ivorian authorities at the B’hai Toe Town border in Grand Gedeh County.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor –In-Chief
