—The Krahn Tradition Should Be Respected Elders Of Tuzon Demand.
Tuzon, Traditional elder call for respect of culture in Grand Gedeh County- As traditional leaders and residents of Tuzon express strong disappointment over what they describe as gross disrespect by the children of the late President Samuel K. Doe.
According to traditional authorities and local citizens, the refusal of Doe’s family to bring the remains of the former Liberian President and his wife to their ancestral home in Tuzon for final rites and traditional viewing is an insult to the customs of the Krahn people and the legacy of President Doe himself.
“The Krahn tradition should be respected,” said a local elder from Tuzon. “This land is where President Doe was born. It is only right that he is returned to it so the spirits of our ancestors can welcome him home.”
Community members referenced the recent burial of former Senator Prince Y. Johnson as a fitting example of honoring tradition. Johnson’s casket was respectfully transported to several key towns in Nimba County, where citizens paid their final respects with cultural celebrations and rituals.
“In Nimba, we saw how the people stood behind their son — with honor and unity,” said by Geehi Kayee. “But here, we are watching our hero denied the respect he deserves from his own children.”
The situation escalated further when Veronica Mamie Doe took to social media to falsely accuse Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue of instructing individuals to forcibly take the caskets of President Doe and his wife to Tuzon. Community leaders have strongly denied the allegation, calling it not only baseless but also harmful to the unity of the county.
“This false accusation is a distraction from the real issue: the blatant disregard for tradition,” a statement from concerned citizens of Tuzon. “Senator Pennue is not behind any such act. The people of Grand Gedeh are simply asking for their son to be brought home with honor.”
The controversy has reignited calls for stronger efforts to preserve and respect cultural practices in Liberia, especially in moments of national remembrance. Many believe the final resting place of a leader as significant as President Doe should not be dictated by family convenience alone, but by the broader cultural and historical importance he holds for his people.
As emotions remain high, elders are appealing for calm and dialogue — but their message remains clear: tradition matters.
“We must not allow modern misunderstandings or personal preferences to erase the values that define us,” said elder Moses Gaye. “Let us honor our heroes the right way with pride, respect, and dignity.”
President Samuel K. Doe, Liberia’s 21st Head of State and the nation’s first indigenous president, was overthrown and killed in 1990. His legacy remains complex but deeply rooted in the hearts of many in Grand Gedeh, where he is regarded as a hero.
