Bong is a county in the north-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has twelve districts. Gbarnga serves as the capital. The area of the county measures . The county was organized in 1964 and is important for its mining industry. Bong produces mostly iron ore, for example at the Bong Mine, located in Bong Town.

Named after Mount Bong in the southern portion of the county, it is bordered by Lofa and Gbarpolu counties to the north, Margibi and Montserrado counties to the west, Grand Bassa County to the south, and Nimba County to the east. The northeast part of Bong borders the nation of Guinea. Bong County's flag is purple, signifying the dawn, and orange, signifying the county's newness. The two geological instruments in the white field portion of the flag symbolize Bong County's mining industry.

Geography

Bong County is situated in the central part of Liberia. The main paved road that runs from Monrovia to Sanniquellie in Nimba County traverses Bong County.

Districts

Bong County has twelve districts (2008 population): In 2008, the Census placed the figure at 328,919, ranking it third in Liberia after Montserrado and Nimba. Current senator (2023) is Johnny K. Kpehe.

History

Bong County was created in 1964, along with Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh, when the administrative sub-divisions of Liberia were increased to a total of thirteen. The capital is Gbarnga, named after an old farm in the location. Gbarnga was used by Charles Taylor as the base for his rebellion against the Presidency of Samuel Doe in the early 1990s. Having failed to capture Monrovia, in early 1991, he established an unofficial provisional government (the (National Patriotic Reconstruction Assembly Government, or NPRAG) after ECOMOG forces arrived for peacekeeping and were based in the Liberian capital. NPRAG continued to operate out of Gbarnga until 1994.

Superintendents

  • 1964 - 1968 James Y. Gbarbea
  • 1968 - 1971 Augustus W. Korwaya (Korkoryah)
  • 1976 - 1980 Joseph A. (Kolleh) Yorwatei (Yorwatel)
  • 1980 - 1983 Bardeh B. Zaza
  • 2008 - 2009 Dan Hartzman
  • 2018 - 2024(?) Esther Y. Walker
  • 2024 Hawa Loleyah Norris

After the 1980 coup d'état, J. Fulton Dunbar Sr, the Superintendent of Nimba County, reportedly fled to his farm near Palala in Bong County. He and Bong County Superintendent Yorwatei reportedly subsequently surrendered together. His wife Frances, her mother Louise Rose and her sister Majorie King were also arrested and detained shortly after the coup.<br>

See also

  • 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia

References

  • - Student Newspaper
  • US-based United Bong County Association website
  • United Bong County Association - Bong County factsheet
  • July 2005 Profile of Bong County - UNMIL
  • The Bong Town community on the web
  • Place name codes