Blown Town, B’hai Administrative District, Grand Gedeh — Citizens of Blown Town have firmly rejected the entry of Burkinebees into their forest, a move that has sparked significant controversy within the county.
Speaking exclusively to AFRIK MEDIA, Nelson Saydee, a prominent local resident, articulated the community’s stance. “The forest is our children’s inheritance, passed down through generations,” Saydee explained. “Allowing the Burkinabè access would jeopardize our ability to farm, hunt, and maintain our way of life. We have long relied on agriculture, including the cultivation of cocoa and other crops, and we believe our agricultural methods are superior to those of the Burkinabè.”
Saydee emphasized that while Blown Town is open to trade and interaction with outsiders, the protection of their forest is paramount for future generations. “Our forest is not just land; it’s a legacy that must be preserved.”
The rejection has intensified local tensions, particularly with neighboring Pokor Town, where residents have welcomed the Burkinabè. Blown Town’s citizens accuse Pokor Town of overstepping boundaries, further complicating a long-standing land dispute between the two towns. The conflict has been the subject of multiple court hearings in Toe City and has recently been escalated to the 7th Circuit Judiciary Court of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. The Liberia Land Authority is expected to conduct an official survey to resolve the dispute and clarify territorial boundaries.
The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await the outcome of the court’s decision and the forthcoming land measurement by the Liberia Land Authority.
