Gbarnga, Bong County –More than 100 volunteer workers, predominantly women, staged a protest at the Presidential Palace in Gbarnga on Thursday, demanding compensation for a week-long cleanup exercise at the palace compound.
The protesters claimed they were recruited by a man known only as “John,” who promised future employment, and were later assured by a senior official overseeing the renovation project that they would be paid for their labor. Workers said they were told payment would be made on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., but when it failed to materialize, frustration boiled over into a public demonstration.
Chanting, “We want our money! We want our money!” the volunteers described the situation as a scam and threatened further unspecified action if authorities did not intervene.
Security personnel were deployed at the palace, including officers from the Liberia National Police Bong Detachment, to maintain order and ensure the safety of the demonstrators.
Attempts to obtain official comment from palace security were redirected to the county communications office or to Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, neither of whom had responded at the time of reporting.
The protest highlights growing concerns over the treatment of volunteer labor in government projects, and the demonstrators have called on county and national authorities to address the issue promptly to avoid escalation.
