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Area: 4,574.1 square miles
County’s capital: Gbarnga
Date of creation: 1964
In 1964, Liberia was divided into 15 political sub-divisions, an enactment that created Bong County along with three others- Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh. Bong County has the third largest county population in Liberia and is the third largest County in terms of area.
Gbarnga, a name for an old farm spot, is the County’s headquarters. The County also has other major town such as Totota, Salala, Suakoko, Belefanai, Foquelleh, Palala, Zoweinta, Botota, Samay, Gbalatuah, Gbenequelleh, Gbecohn, Bellemue, Weinsue, Sanoyea, Gbarnga-Sheaquelleh, Gbatala, Bong Mines, Zaimayei, Bellemu, etc.
Bong County has nine districts-Suakoko District, Salala District, Kokoyah District, Zota District, Panta District, Kpai District, Jorquelleh District, Foamah District and Sanoyea District.
Prior to the civil war, Bong County had two major hospitals-Bong Mines in and Phebe Hospitals located in Bong Mines and Suakoko respectively. The county also had 32 pre war health posts.
The County once known as the food basket of Liberia also grows three crops such as cocoa, coffee, rubber and palms in addition to its rice production.
Bong County’s flag is purple, and orange. Purple signifies the dawn and the County’s newness is represented by orange. There are two geological instruments in the white field portion of the glad symbolizing Bong County’s mining industry.
Bong County is home to Cuttington University College and the Rural Development Institute. Phebe Hospital also runs a School of Nursing at its Suakoko Compound. The county is also home to Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) and Rural Development Institute (RDI)
The County’s former and current superintendents include: Mr. James Y. Gbarbeayea, Mr. Augustus Korkoryah, Mr. Harry Augustus Greaves, Sr., Mr. Joseph Yowarteh, Hon. Bardeh B. Zaza, Mr. Ayon Cassell, Mr. Venecious K. Vorkpor, Mr. John Najohn Suah, Mr. J. Fulton Dunbar, Mr. Aloysius Sackie, Hon. Daniel Weedtol and currently, Mr. Ranney B. Jackson.
Often times, the County is often referred to as the “Heartbeat of Liberia.” |
