The scene of Belle Yella on Christmas day was another momentous reminiscence of Liberians visiting the villainous and notorious prison camp established by past government. Belle Yella as it is widely known in Liberia is located at the north of Gbarpolu County with over 40 miles of virgin forest connecting Bopolu to isolated Belle Yella.

Hundred of euphoria driven citizens of Belle Yella Town stood in admiration, some in tears preferably tears of joy on late Christmas night when they glanced for the first time since Liberia’s independence fleet of vehicles including the presidential convoy of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf early last year mandated the Ministry of Public Works to ensure that people of Belle Yella have access to road network in their area. President Sirleaf further assured the people of Bella Yella that she was going to celebrate 2009 Christmas with them. This mandate perhaps seems to be an uphill task for ordinary Liberians but with the dedication of Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods and his team, the dream of the President was realized and smiles again entered the faces of the people of Belle Yella.

The over 40 mile road started not only from Bopolu but Brewerville to Belle Yella. The task undoubtedly was enormous but the result stimulating for not only the President of Liberia but the people of the over twelve(12) villages including Fokpa Town, Gbarnga Bokay Town, Gaipee Town and most especially elder women who felt overwhelmed to see road entering their villages for the first time.

The Liberian President was accompanied by scores of Government officials and two distinct foreign envoys- United States Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Yuxiao crossing the Tuma River and smaller streams over tinny sticks and dilapidated bridges.

The road to Belle Yella marks a crucial point in fulfilling the government’s promise to carry out a comprehensive development of the country through the implementation of the Poverty reduction Strategy (PRS).

Fatigued as a result of miles of walk and tour of the former Bella Yella prison compound, the President flew back to Monrovia by a charted UN helicopter, leaving the people of Belle Yella still celebrating and rejoicing for the road.

The prison compound now dilapidated is expected to be transformed into a national museum where past activities within the compound will be documented for future history. Among famous politicians detained and tortured n the prison compound were former leader of the Liberia Action Party (LAP), Jackson Doe, now deceased; Christian Herbert; leader of the Liberia Unification party (LUP), Gabriel William Kpolleh, now deceased; Edward Kesselly of the Unity Party and former student leaders of the University of Liberia.