MONROVIA July 28,2025 – Charles Coffey, former President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), has urged the Liberian government to urgently address major development issues facing the people of Grand Kru County. Speaking on Saturday, July 26, at a fundraiser organized by the Behwan Development Association in Monrovia, Mr. Coffey highlighted how the lack of basic infrastructure and social services is hurting residents in the southeastern county.
Mr. Coffey, who ran for the Representative seat of Grand Kru District #1 in the 2023 elections, pointed to the need for paving the Pleebo-Behwan-Barclayville road, extending Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) services from Maryland to Grand Kru, and improving education and healthcare as top priorities the government must act on quickly.
He said the people of Grand Kru still suffer from poor roads, no electricity, unsafe drinking water, and weak health and education systems. This neglect has caused widespread hardship and limited chances for growth.
“Many of our people are dying from treatable illnesses because our health facilities lack proper equipment, trained staff, and medicines,” Mr. Coffey said. He added that bad roads often stop sick residents from reaching hospitals, making the health crisis worse.
He also called on Grand Kru natives working in the Boakai administration and the county’s lawmakers to show real leadership by pushing for projects that will improve life for their people. “Holding positions of power is not enough; we must make sure development reaches our communities,” he said.
Mr. Coffey made these remarks during the Behwan Development Association’s fundraising event, which aims to raise money for important community projects like building hand pumps, pit latrines, renovating schools, and buying medical supplies. The association, started by prominent people from Behwan City living in Montserrado and the US, has been a key player in local development efforts.
He praised the group for their dedication to grassroots development and said that community-led efforts are crucial to filling the gaps left by limited government action. He stressed that partnerships between the government and groups like the Behwan Development Association can speed up progress and improve living conditions in rural Liberia.
Grand Kru, one of Liberia’s poorest counties, still faces serious problems with infrastructure and social services despite many national development plans. Residents often suffer long travel times on bad roads, limited healthcare access, and no reliable electricity.
Mr. Coffey’s call adds to growing demands for the government to focus on rural development as part of its national goals. He emphasized that the people of Grand Kru deserve the same services and opportunities as others in the country.
“We can’t keep being left behind,” Mr. Coffey said. “The time for real development in Grand Kru is now.”
