Chiefs, Traditional Leaders in Grand Gedeh Demand Immediate Placement on Entry

By: D Abraham Cooper, Sr. | Grand Gedeh correspondent‎

‎ZWEDRU, GRAND GEDEH |Jan.7,2026| Chiefs in Grand Gedeh County have stormed the grounds of the County Administrative Building in Zwedru, demanding to be placed on the government’s payroll system.

The action which took place on January 6, 2026, involved general town chiefs, chiefs and other traditional leaders. They demanding their immediate entry into the government payroll system after years of services.

‎Most of the aggrieved persons claimed they have been caught in a “civil service limbo” for over eight years, performing local duties without monthly salaries and at the same time to be officially appointed.

‎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’ residents, ranging from elderly traditional leaders some of whom have traveled days from the interior to seek their right to be placed on payroll.

‎The protesters cited a lack of “Personnel Action Notices” (PAN) and the slow pace of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in formalizing their status. ‎‎”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 chiefs demand, the county authorities urged patience while acknowledging the legitimacy of their claims. Authorities stated that the delay is largely due to the rigorous verification process to clean up the national payroll and ensure that only eligible, ghost-free records are submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

‎Local clerks are reportedly working extended hours to verify the aggrieved chiefs credentials Officials confirmed they are in constant communication with central government 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.