By Shallon S. Gonlor
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
GANTA CITY, Nimba County, Liberia — Armed officers of Liberia’s joint security forces have been deployed at the long-disputed Ganta Old General Market land following renewed tensions over attempts by market traders to reclaim and occupy the property.
The deployment follows growing unrest in Ganta City after traders operating at the current Ganta General Market in the Deakehmein Community reportedly began preparing to relocate their businesses to the old market site, which was declared an eminent domain property under the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2010.
Nimba County Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono ordered the deployment of armed personnel from the joint security forces, including the Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), and other security agencies, to prevent what the county administration considers an unauthorized occupation of the disputed property and to maintain public order.
The security deployment is intended to prevent a possible confrontation as competing interests surrounding the land continue to generate tension among local authorities, market traders, and other stakeholders.
Traders Prepare to Reoccupy Old Market Site
The latest incident began on Sunday, October 25, 2026, when a large group of men and women believed to be traders operating at the current Ganta General Market were seen cleaning portions of the disputed old market site.
The traders reportedly cleared sections of the property, prepared spaces for individual businesses, and informally allocated selling spots among themselves in anticipation of returning to the location.
Some of the traders indicated that they intended to resume selling at the old market rather than continue operating at the current facility, which was constructed and dedicated during the administration of former President George Manneh Weah.
According to the traders, their decision was driven primarily by poor sales at the current market, which they attributed to prevailing economic hardship, declining purchasing power, and difficulties meeting household expenses, including school fees for their children.
They also complained that the growing number of vendors selling along nearby streets and around the popular old market area has negatively affected their businesses.
The traders argued that lack of regulation on roadside and street selling has made it increasingly difficult for customers to access the designated Ganta General Market, resulting in declining sales and mounting financial pressure on those operating inside the market structure.
For many small-scale traders, daily sales are a primary source of income used to support their families and meet essential financial obligations. The traders’ complaints therefore highlight the economic challenges confronting market operators as they struggle to sustain their businesses.
However, their efforts to return to the old market have raised concerns over the legal and administrative status of the property, particularly given the longstanding dispute surrounding its ownership and government designation.
County Administration Intervenes
Following the traders’ activities at the disputed property, Superintendent Gono intervened through Ganta City Mayor Samuel S. Hardt, warning against the unauthorized occupation of land designated as an eminent domain property.
The superintendent subsequently instructed the county’s security authorities to deploy officers to the location to prevent unauthorized entry, discourage further occupation, and maintain public order.
The intervention places the Nimba County Administration and Ganta municipal authorities at the center of efforts to contain the situation and prevent the disagreement from escalating into a confrontation.
While the traders have cited economic hardship and declining sales as reasons for seeking to return to the old market, the county administration’s position indicates that any proposed relocation must first address the legal and administrative questions surrounding the disputed property.
Meeting With Traders Ends in Disarray
Meanwhile, a roundtable meeting initiated by the Nimba County Administration on Monday, October 26, 2026, ended in disarray after discussions with aggrieved market traders failed to produce an agreement.
The meeting was facilitated by County Administrative Officer Hon. Daniel S. Zekpeh and Ganta City Mayor Samuel Saye Hardt as part of efforts to engage the traders, address their complaints, and prevent further escalation.
Discussions reportedly focused on market regulation, sanitation, and the concerns of traders operating at the current Ganta General Market.
However, the parties failed to reach a common position, leaving the disagreement unresolved and uncertainty surrounding the old market site continuing.
Background of the Disputed Land
The Ganta Old General Market property has remained a contentious issue in the city for years, with the dispute involving competing claims, historical land documents, and government decisions concerning the property’s ownership, status, and intended use.
The controversy has persisted since the post-civil war period, with portions of the property reportedly placed under government eminent domain during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Eminent domain is a legal mechanism through which the government may acquire private property for a public purpose, subject to applicable legal requirements. However, the existence of an eminent domain declaration does not, by itself, resolve every question concerning the validity of competing ownership claims or compliance with the relevant legal procedures.
Questions surrounding historical deeds, alleged private and family ownership interests, and subsequent government actions have continued to complicate the dispute.
The construction and dedication of the current Ganta General Market during former President George Weah’s administration provided an alternative trading location for vendors. However, the relocation did not eliminate the controversy surrounding the old market property.
The latest developments have once again brought the dispute into public attention, particularly as traders seek improved business conditions while local authorities attempt to prevent unauthorized occupation of the contested land.
September Demolition Displaced Residents and Traders
The renewed tensions come weeks after a demolition operation was carried out in the Ganta Old General Market area on September 16, 2026.
During the operation, bulldozers and armed officers of the Liberia National Police’s Emergency Response Unit reportedly moved into the area at approximately 5:45 a.m., demolishing homes and business structures.
The exercise left several families and local traders displaced, with some affected residents alleging that they had received inadequate notice before the demolition.
The operation was linked to the longstanding property and land ownership dispute surrounding the old market area, which dates back to the post-civil war period.
Reports concerning the demolition also referenced court orders, competing ownership claims, and disputed deeds involving private and family properties, including claims associated with the Toure family.
The demolition intensified public discussion about the land dispute, particularly concerning the enforcement of court decisions, the protection of property rights, and the treatment of residents and business owners affected by the exercise.
For affected families and traders, the destruction of homes and business structures represented not only the loss of property but also a disruption to their livelihoods and economic security.
The September operation remains an important part of the background to the latest developments, as the disputed property continues to generate disagreements among stakeholders.
Ex-Ganta Mayor Sentenced for 30-Day
The land controversy also attracted national attention following the sentencing of former Ganta City Mayor Amos N. G. Suah for contempt of court on September 29, 2026.
Suah was reportedly sentenced after publicly criticizing a court-ordered demolition operation in the old market area and calling for the impeachment of Liberia’s Chief Justice, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr.
During an appearance on the Day Break Gompa radio program on Voice of Gompa, the former mayor questioned the actions surrounding the demolition, described the Chief Justice as a “secret enemy,” and publicly called for his impeachment.
On September 29, Stipendiary Magistrate Cllr. Sam Nya Harris of the Ganta Magisterial Court found Suah guilty of contempt of court, ruling that his remarks encouraged public resistance against the judiciary.
The court sentenced him to 30 days in prison, imposed a US$100 fine, and ordered him to publicly retract his statements on the radio.
Suah was subsequently sent to Sanniquellie Central Prison to serve his sentence.
However, on October 6, 2026, the Ganta Magisterial Court reportedly issued a new order directing his immediate release, bringing his incarceration to an end after less than a week.
Uncertainty Persists as Security Deployment Continues
With armed security officers deployed at the disputed property and the October 26 meeting ending without an agreement, the next steps by the Nimba County Administration and Ganta municipal authorities remain a major point of interest.
The traders’ demand to return to the old market site reflects their concerns about declining sales and the difficulties of operating under prevailing economic conditions. However, their grievances remain entangled in a longstanding dispute that requires legal and administrative clarification.
The situation presents local authorities with the challenge of maintaining public order while ensuring that traders have an opportunity to present their concerns through appropriate channels.
A peaceful resolution may depend on sustained dialogue, clarification of the property’s legal status, and an agreed approach to market management that addresses the concerns of traders without escalating tensions over the disputed land.
For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with the presence of armed security personnel underscoring the need for caution and further engagement among the parties involved.
