By: D Abraham Cooper, Sr. | Grand Gedeh correspondent
ZWEDRU, GRAND GEDEH |Jan.7,2026| The grounds of the Grand Gedeh County Administration Building in Zwedru were crowded today as hundreds of citizens, including General Town Chiefs and residents from remote villages, gathered to demand the immediate processing of their employment documents for the national payroll.
Many of those present claim they have been caught in a “civil service limbo” for over eight years, performing local duties or waiting for promised appointments without receiving official salaries or benefits.
A Decade-Long Wait for Stability
The atmosphere in Zwedru was one of weary determination. The group is a diverse cross-section of the county, ranging from elderly traditional leaders some of whom have traveled days from the interior to young professionals seeking their first break in the public sector.
The protesters cited a lack of “Personnel Action Notices” (PAN) and the slow pace of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in formalizing their status.
Without inclusion on the official government payroll, these individuals lack access to social security, consistent wages, and the financial stability required to support their families.
”We have served our communities faithfully for eight years with nothing but promises,” said one spokesperson for the group. “We are not asking for handouts; we are asking for the documents that prove we are workers of this state.”
Local Government Response
In response to the growing crowd, local administrative officials addressed the gathering, urging patience while acknowledging the legitimacy of their claims. Authorities stated that the delay is largely due to the rigorous verification process required to clean up the national payroll and ensure that only eligible, ghost-free records are submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
The Administration’s Pledge
Local clerks are reportedly working extended hours to verify the credentials of those gathered.
Officials confirmed they are in constant communication with central government offices to expedite the “vetting and biometric” phases of the hiring process.
This surge in Zwedru reflects a broader national challenge. As Grand Gedeh continues to struggle with high unemployment rate, the pressure on national government to provide formal job opportunities has reached a boiling point.
Economic analysts suggest that while payroll inclusion is a temporary fix, the region requires deeper structural reforms and private-sector investment to provide long-term job relief.
For now, the citizens of Zwedru remain at the Administration Building, vowing to stay until they receive concrete proof that their names have been forwarded for official placement.
