MONROVIA – Grand Bassa County’s political conversation is already stirring fully three years before the 2029 general elections. During Independence celebrations in Buchanan, this newspaper toured the county to gauge citizens’ assessment of its development trajectory. What emerged was frustration: residents see enormous economic significance producing little visible improvement in roads, healthcare, electricity, and jobs. Several respondents, requesting anonymity, openly endorsed Commerce Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh as an alternative for the senatorial seat held by Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence. Their argument centers on performance rather than personality, and on concession deals that allegedly enrich leaders more than communities. Whether Dagoseh runs or not, the sentiment signals a contest over continuity versus change already taking shape. THE ANALYST reports.
As Liberia gradually moves toward the 2029 general elections, the political conversation in Grand Bassa County is already beginning to take shape around a fundamental question: should voters continue with the current political leadership, or is it time for a new direction? During the celebration of Liberia’s 179th Independence Anniversary, The Analyst took a tour of Buchanan and other parts of Grand Bassa County, speaking with several residents to obtain their independent assessment of the county’s development progress, the challenges confronting its people, the opportunities that remain largely untapped and, ultimately, what kind of political leadership they would prefer going into the next electoral cycle.
The informal field assessment revealed a county with enormous economic and historical significance, but also one where residents continue to raise questions about infrastructure, healthcare, roads, electricity, local administration, employment and the extent to which the county’s economic resources are being translated into tangible improvements in the lives of its people.
The conversations also inevitably turned toward the 2029 senatorial contest, with some citizens reflecting on the records of existing political leaders while others expressed interest in the possibility of new faces, new ideas and a different approach to representation.
One woman interviewed by The Analyst, who requested that her identity not be disclosed, was particularly forthright about her preference. She supports Commerce Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh for the Grand Bassa senatorial seat and believes the 2029 election should provide voters with an opportunity to critically assess whether the county should maintain its current political direction or embrace a new one.
Importantly, she said her position should not be interpreted as a personal attack on incumbent Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, whom she described as a sister and whom she said she respects. “I like both of them; they are my sisters,” she said, explaining that her position rests on what she considers an objective assessment of Grand Bassa’s development situation rather than personalities, political insults or personal confrontation.
For her, the central issue is performance, and her question to Grand Bassa voters is straightforward: after years of political representation, what has materially changed in the lives of ordinary people? She cited concerns over electricity, healthcare infrastructure, roads, local administration and the general condition of Buchanan and surrounding communities, and questioned whether major concessionaires operating in the county are contributing enough toward schools, healthcare and other development needs. Her criticism extended to the broader political establishment, including former Senator Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, as she asked why voters should repeatedly return to the same political choices if the development results do not meet their expectations.
‘For How Long Will We Continue?’
One respondent, reflecting on the county’s political history and development situation, expressed deep frustration over what the person described as limited returns from years of political leadership. “For how long will we continue to keep certain people in power and we are not seeing any dividend?” the respondent asked.
The respondent argued that Grand Bassa’s strategic importance should have translated into much more visible development. “Despite being a major commercial hub of the country and its close proximity to Monrovia, the national capital, nothing can be seen here in terms of development,” the respondent said.
That assessment reflects a broader concern emerging in some quarters of Grand Bassa: whether the county’s economic significance is adequately reflected in the living conditions of its citizens. Buchanan remains one of Liberia’s historic commercial centers and Grand Bassa hosts major economic activities and concessions, yet some residents say the county continues to struggle with roads, public infrastructure, healthcare, electricity, employment and other basic development needs.
‘We Are Poor for No Cause’
Another respondent focused specifically on the county’s concession agreements and the perceived benefits, or lack thereof, for ordinary citizens. The respondent argued that Grand Bassa possesses significant economic resources that should generate broader benefits for the communities where those resources are located.
“We have major concessions in this county that should benefit us as citizens, but we continue to suffer here,” the respondent said. Pointing to the condition of Buchanan as an indicator of what may be happening beyond the city, the person added: “Look at the city, how it looks, and you will know how the villages and other rural communities will look.”
The respondent also expressed dissatisfaction with the relationship between political leaders and concessionaires, alleging that political negotiations sometimes prioritize the interests of leaders over those of ordinary citizens.
“Our leaders only negotiate with these people for their own benefits and not us. We are poor for no cause,” the respondent alleged. The allegation is the respondent’s own assessment and was not independently established by The Analyst.
Questions Over Funds, Concessions
A civil society actor interviewed by The Analyst took the argument further, questioning the visibility of development spending and the benefits associated with major economic activities in the county. The respondent said visits to other Liberian counties had exposed what they considered significant development gaps between Grand Bassa and other parts of the country.
“I have gone to other counties and I have seen the gaps between them and us,” the civil society actor said.
The person then raised questions about the use and impact of public and concession-related resources: “I am just wondering where the money from the County Development Funds go, where the money from ArcelorMittal is going? How about the one from the Liberia Agricultural Company going?”
These questions, however, should be treated as concerns raised by the respondent rather than conclusions about the use of funds. Proper assessment would require examination of relevant financial records, county development reports, concession agreements, corporate social responsibility commitments and government expenditure data.
But the civil society actor believes the questions point to something deeper, saying: “These things are happening because there is a serious leadership deficit in the county.”
Dagoseh’s Potential Bid Welcomed
The civil society actor also responded to reports that Commerce Minister Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh may seek the Grand Bassa senatorial seat in 2029. The respondent said such a candidacy would be welcomed, particularly if it brings new ideas and a different approach to leadership.
“I am told Madam Dagoseh intends to run and if the information is true, I will welcome the idea,” the respondent said, adding: “We need fresh ideas, fresh people, a people-centered leader who will move the country forward, and I think Madam Dagoseh fits the position.”
The statement provides one of the clearest indications of the emerging argument among some Grand Bassa citizens: that the 2029 election should become an opportunity to reconsider the county’s political direction.
‘Grand Bassa Is Not a Dynasty’
The demand for change was also reflected in conversations with other citizens who expressed frustration over the pace of development. For some respondents, the issue is not merely whether a particular senator deserves another term, but whether political leadership should remain concentrated among the same personalities, families or political networks indefinitely.
One recurring sentiment was that Grand Bassa should never be treated as the political inheritance of any individual, family or group, because the county belongs to its people.
The argument is straightforward: elected office is not permanent property but a public trust, and voters retain the right to periodically evaluate the performance of those entrusted with representing them.
That sentiment could give the 2029 senatorial contest a particularly interesting dimension. If Dagoseh enters the race, the contest could develop into more than a conventional battle between personalities, becoming instead a broader debate about continuity versus change, political experience versus fresh ideas, and established leadership versus a new generation of representation.
The Buchanan Test
Perhaps nowhere is the development debate more visible than in Buchanan itself. For the respondents interviewed by The Analyst, the condition of the city has become a kind of political scorecard, because if Grand Bassa is one of Liberia’s major commercial hubs, its principal city should reflect that status.
The questions are therefore practical ones about where the modern roads are, where the adequately equipped health facilities are, where the jobs and economic opportunities for young people are, and where the visible impact of concession activities can be seen.
Residents also ask where the investments are that could transform Buchanan into the commercial powerhouse its history and geography suggest it should be, along with perhaps the most politically important question of all: what should Grand Bassa voters expect from their next senator?
‘Old Wine, Old Bottles’
For another respondent interviewed by The Analyst, the argument comes down to a simple political principle: change can create room for new ideas.
She questioned why voters should continue returning to the same political arrangements if they believe the development dividends are insufficient, closing with a deliberately provocative question: “Why keep the old wines in the same old bottles with the same flavors annually?”
It is a question that resonates beyond the political camps already taking shape, because in 2029, Grand Bassa voters will have a choice. One sentiment emerging clearly from The Analyst’s Independence Day tour is that Grand Bassa does not belong permanently to any family, political faction or group of individuals.
“Grand Bassa County belongs to all of us and come 2029 we will be voting for change,” a respondent said confidently as he walked away.