Suah Koko


Suah Koko was an indigenous Liberian ruler who lived between the late 19th and early 20th century. She fought several battles against the expansionary Liberia Frontier Force before entering negotiations to grant accession of the territory she ruled over to the Liberian government. She later became a paramount chief and supplied porters to the Harvard Medical African Expedition.

Biography

Suah Koko ruled a polity in north central Liberia, including land within modern Bong County, which was governed from her residence at Suakoko. In the early 20th century the Liberia government sought to expand its influence beyond the narrow strip over which it had previously ruled. This required making inroads into the "hinterland," which was ruled by the indigenous people. Chief Suah Koko fought several battles against the Liberia Frontier Force but eventually entered negotiations to provide her land to the Liberian government. Her land provided strategic access to other regions of the hinterland – an army barracks was constructed at Sergeant Kollile Ta, north of Suakoko and proved valuable during the subsequent conquest of the upper reaches of Bong County, Lofa County and Nimba County.
In 1926, Suah Koko met with Richard P. Strong of the Harvard Africa Expedition at Suakoko. At the time she was said to be the only female indigenous ruler in the country. Her age was estimated at 60–70 years.
In 1929, she was appointed a paramount chief – the first female to be so titled within the Central Province. Being almost blind, she ruled through her grandson. She sided with the government in its war with the Kpelle people.

Legacy

A district, chiefdom and clan are named in honor of Suah Koko, and her descendants granted more than of land to the Cuttington University, which named a scholarship in her honour. However, in 2013, the program was suspended, which resulted in mass protests by students.
The Chief Suah Koko Center for Rural Women's Empowerment in Bong County was built by the Angie Brooks International Center for Women's Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security. It was dedicated in June 2014 by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It is located on Cuttington University's main campus.