Bong County communities lack school after nine-year construction stall

Children in the Gbabkeima and Darkpansu communities of Bong County, Liberia, have been without a local school for nine years. An elementary school building, which began construction in 2017, remains unfinished and unroofed, with the structure currently overgrown by vegetation.

Residents report that the project was initiated following visits from Edward Karfiah and Representative Josiah Marvin Cole. While construction initially progressed to the roof level, work halted without a clear explanation provided to the community. Local leaders, including Gbabkeima town chief David Batapaye, have called on Karfiah and Cole to fulfill their commitments to complete the facility.

Martin Fofana, a supporter of Karfiah, acknowledged that the project stalled due to “complicated issues” but stated that the communities have not been abandoned and that the school will be completed.