By: Emmanuel Koffa | Grand Kru Correspondent
Grand Kru County, Liberia | March 10, 2026 | Market traders in Grand Kru County on Sunday staged a peaceful protest, calling for a reduction in newly introduced market fees which they say are placing a heavy burden on their businesses.
The protest, organized by members of the Grand Kru County Marketing Association, was prompted by an increase in both the market table registration fee and daily market ticket charges.
According to the marketers, the registration fee for a market table has been raised from 700 Liberian Dollars to 2,000 Liberian Dollars, while the daily ticket fee has increased from 20 Liberian Dollars to 50 Liberian Dollars.
The traders said the increment is too high for many of them, particularly small-scale vendors who rely on daily earnings to sustain their families and businesses. They argued that the new fees could discourage traders from operating in the market.
During the protest, the marketers also expressed concerns about the decision-making process behind the fee increase, describing the new charges as unfair and calling for greater transparency from their leadership.
The protesting traders are now appealing to county authorities to intervene and mediate the situation with the leadership of the marketing association to ensure the fees are reviewed.
Authorities in Grand Kru County acknowledged the concerns raised by the marketers and assured them that efforts would be made to address the issue. County officials promised to engage the association’s leadership in discussions aimed at resolving the matter.
The demonstration remained peaceful, with traders hoping that dialogue with local authorities will lead to a solution that supports both market administration and the livelihoods of local vendors.
