Bong County Lawmaker Condemns ‘Sande Bush’
By Fiona Benson Kollien
“I am not totally against the traditional practice, because I’m a graduate…. but against the harmful aspect, which is the cutting of the female gentle.”
Activities characterized by a well- structured graduation ceremony of over 500 predominately females from the Sande Bush recently, have resulted into near-fight debates among the country political players.
Some citizens have argued in support of the practice, thinking, the tradition has come a long way, while others are of the opinions that the act has become obsolete, and must therefore; be abolished due to the advents of Western Cultures.
Government is reported to have repeatedly banned the Poro and Sande societies, claiming that the two traditional practices were threats to future generations.
In contrast, many of the lawmakers are themselves members of the two societies.
In the wake of the crisis, Bong County District #6 Representative, Moima Briggs-Mensah, herself a graduate of the Sande Bush, has spoken against the culture.
“I am not totally against the traditional practice, but the harmful aspect, which is the cutting of the female gentle.”
The well-attended ceremony was recently hosted in Konia, Lofa County, home of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Francis Nyumalin.
Rep. Mensah has meanwhile, called for reboot action against those who reportedly initiated the girls as well as those who helped in the process to the graduation.
Mensah is the Chairperson of the House Gender Committee.
Over a few months ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reportedly suspended all Poro and Sande activities, a directive aimed at safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of minors against the “harmful traditional practice.”
The ban was portrayed in konia as a total joke, which has claimed the attention of Rep. Mensah.
Mensah spoke against the practice during a news conference on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. She said that the reported traditional graduation event did not only undermines government’s policy on traditional practices, but also violates the trust of the Liberian people.
She has meanwhile, frowned on the practice.
Rep. Mensah is therefore demanding an immediate investigation into how such a large-scale graduation could take place under a ‘suspension order’ without the consents of local authorities.
She wants those connected to the program dismissed.
Rep. Mensah said that the safety and protection of country’s children, especially under aged girls, must remain a top priority. She urged the government to ensure that laws and policies are put in place to protect the “vulnerable young girls.”
As a member of the Sande society herself, she’s not against the culture, but the harmful aspect, which is the “cutting of the female gentle.
She therefore wants to introduce a bill abolishing the practice of FGM, which is associated with the sande society.