Forgotten by the Nation -Salala crumbles while leaders watch in silence
Once a beacon of resilience during Liberia’s civil conflict, Salala District now faces alarming levels of infrastructure decay and apparent government neglect.
By Edwin N. Khakie
Salala District, Bong County, May 22, 2025 — Residents report that vital public institutions—including schools, healthcare centers, police facilities, and the judiciary—are in a state of collapse, prompting growing outrage and demands for immediate government action.
The Martha Tubman Senior High School in Salala City, a flagship educational institution in the region, is deteriorating rapidly. Classrooms suffer from leaking roofs, broken windows, and a lack of basic learning materials. Teachers and students alike are forced to operate in unsafe and demoralizing conditions that severely undermine the quality of education.
The Salala Community Clinic, which serves thousands, is similarly struggling. With insufficient medical supplies, a shortage of trained staff, and a crumbling facility, the clinic is unable to manage even minor health emergencies. Many patients are referred to distant centers due to the clinic’s inability to provide adequate care.
The situation extends to the justice and security sectors. The Liberia National Police Station and Salala Magisterial Court are both described by residents as “unfit for use.” The police station reportedly lacks basic equipment and security infrastructure, while the court faces serious logistical and structural challenges that impede justice delivery.
“Our district has been abandoned,” said James Kollie, a youth leader in Salala. “How can a country expect progress when its own citizens are left behind without access to education, healthcare, or justice?”
One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, delivered a sharp rebuke of their elected representative: “Our lawmaker, Moima Briggs Mensah, doesn’t care about us. She only looks out for herself and her family. But 2029 is coming.”
Salala holds historical importance, having hosted several internally displaced persons (IDP) camps during the civil war. For many residents, the current neglect is a betrayal of the district’s contributions and sacrifices during Liberia’s most difficult times.
The people of Salala are now calling on national leaders—including Hon. Prince Kermue Moye, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah, and Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan—to urgently prioritize the district’s needs and deliver tangible results.
“This is not about politics—it’s a humanitarian crisis,” said Rebecca Mulbah, a mother of four. “We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for clean classrooms, working clinics, and functioning courts. Our children deserve better.”
As frustrations mount and voices grow louder, all eyes are on the government to respond. For the people of Salala, hope is fading—but the demand for dignity remains resolute. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
