Monrovia, Liberia — The opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) is mourning the death of Janjay Baikpeh, former Superintendent of Grand Bassa County and chairman of the party’s Grand Bassa County Chapter, who the party described as a committed partisan, political leader and public servant.
The CDC announced Baikpeh’s death on Sunday, August 23, 2026, saying his years of political engagement and public service had left a lasting mark on both the party and Grand Bassa County.
In a statement, CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga Augustus Kowo described Baikpeh as a dedicated member of the party who served in various capacities and remained loyal to the CDC until his death.
Baikpeh’s political involvement with the CDC extended beyond his tenure in government. Before becoming county superintendent, he held leadership positions within the party’s youth structure, including serving as Vice Chairman for Operations of the Revolutionary National Youth League.
Baikpeh was appointed Superintendent of Grand Bassa County in 2018 by then-President George Manneh Weah after unsuccessfully contesting the Grand Bassa County Electoral District #2 representative seat in the 2017 elections.
He served as superintendent from 2018 until 2023, overseeing county administration during a period of continued discussions over infrastructure development, natural-resource management, community projects and local government finances.
During his tenure, Baikpeh was involved in discussions surrounding county development initiatives, road projects and other public infrastructure programs. He also engaged with Grand Bassa’s legislative caucus on issues involving development and financial matters.
His tenure was not without controversy.
In 2019, county authorities, including Baikpeh, became involved in a dispute over a proposed logging agreement between communities in Grand Bassa County and a private company. Forestry authorities subsequently questioned the legality of the arrangement, according to reports published at the time by FrontPage Africa.
After leaving the superintendent’s office, Baikpeh remained active in electoral politics and was selected as the CDC’s senatorial candidate for Grand Bassa County in the 2023 legislative elections.
Official election results show that he received 25,384 votes, accounting for 23.84 percent of the total vote. He finished behind independent candidate Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, who won the senatorial seat with 55,629 votes, or 52.24 percent.
The campaign further cemented Baikpeh’s position as one of the CDC’s prominent political figures in Grand Bassa County.
Baikpeh later returned to a senior leadership role within the party.
On October 25, 2025, the CDC National Executive Committee appointed him chairman of its Grand Bassa County Chapter, replacing Moses Bryant.
After taking over the county leadership, Baikpeh called for unity and reconciliation among CDC supporters in Grand Bassa and outlined plans to strengthen the party’s organizational structure and activities across the county.
Among the initiatives announced under his leadership was a clean-up exercise at the CDC’s newly acquired property in Grand Bassa.
His appointment marked his return to the center of CDC political activities in the county after several years in electoral and public-service roles.
Following news of Baikpeh’s death, the CDC directed its temporary national headquarters and Grand Bassa County headquarters to be draped in black as a symbol of mourning.
The party also postponed a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 26. The CDC said a new date would be announced later.
The opposition party extended condolences to Baikpeh’s family, political colleagues, friends and the people of Grand Bassa County.
The CDC said his loyalty, public service and contributions to the party would remain part of his legacy.
Baikpeh’s death brings to an end a political career that took him from CDC youth leadership to electoral politics, county administration and, ultimately, leadership of the party’s Grand Bassa County Chapter.
His political career remained closely connected to Grand Bassa, where he served as county superintendent for five years before returning to lead the CDC’s county organization.
As tributes emerge, Baikpeh is being remembered by party supporters and political associates for his longstanding involvement in the CDC and his years of service in Grand Bassa County.
Reports circulating in local media indicate that Baikpeh died while receiving medical treatment in Ghana. However, details concerning the circumstances of his death have not been independently established in the information available, and further confirmation from his family or the CDC would be required.
