In 2022, the Government of Sierra Leone embarked on land reform starting with the Constitutional provisions. Land reform was imperative because of the country’s turbulent land tenure history. Since 2022, many policies and laws have been promulgated to streamline land governance. In addition, financial, human and infrastructure resources have been put in place to enhance the process. All these efforts are attributed to the recognition that secure land rights and effective land governance are key stimulants to social and economic development for Sierra Leone. In a pluralistic society like Sierra Leone, effective land governance is premised on the pillars of equity, proficiency and justice.
The Sierra Leone Land Alliance will strengthen land tenure rights for the poor by working with all sectors to make land accessible whilst at the same time working with government programmatic interventions in Sierra Leone. To help achieve these goals, we will work in close partnership with relevant institutions, civil society organizations, and other development partners operating in the land sector to implement wide ranging activities in the country in two components:
Facilitate policy reforms and strengthen land administration and land use institutions by promoting structural reforms of rural and urban institutions and the land information system. ii. Improve technical capacity for suitable land administration and land use planning activities to address emerging issues, such as urbanization, industrialization, and youth. iii. Conduct policy-oriented research on land governance and provide scalable solutions to improve land governance
Expand communal land tenure security in pastoral areas through improved policy and legal reform. ii. For pastoral community lands, develop a scalable approach for land demarcation and certification in collaboration with community institutions. We will also work on biodiversity conservation and land degradation and restoration programs
The Sierra Leone Land Alliance has concluded a two-day capacity building conference for civil society actors in the northern region on the implementation of the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 in Makeni. The event which took place on the 17-18 October 2024, at the Makambo Village Resort Hotel targeted civil society land sector actors in Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu, Port Loko and Kambia districts.
The Director of the Sierra Leone Land Alliance John Paul Bai reiterated on the need to expand and bolster the implementation of the customary land rights act 2022 and the national commission Act 2022, He said, the process of registration of communities and operationalization of Customary Land Rights Act requires NGOs and CSOs to be aware of the content of the law , the technical processes and also have the requisite capacity. While some initial awareness processes have been undertaken by the National Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and country Planning and civil society organizations, there continues huge capacity gaps limiting the ability of communities to claim their rights and enjoy the protection that the Customary Land Act 2022 provides. He urged land sector civil society actors northern region to take leadership in their respective districts.
The newly appointed Commissioner of National Land Commission in Bombali district Mr. Amadu Kamara informed the workshop participants the establishment of land tribunal to hear and determine disputes relating to the environment and the use and occupation of, and title to, land. He furthered that the provisions for the court’s jurisdiction, functions and powers are embedded in the national land commission Act 2022 and he implored civil society members to take up the task of educating the public about the provisions of the two laws and the establishment of village, chiefdoms, town and district levels structures for the management of land in the country.
Participants highlighted on the need for the alliance to facilitate greater community engagement in land governance. This involves empowering local communities, particularly marginalized groups such as women and youth, to participate actively in discussions about land use and rights. By fostering dialogue between stakeholders—including government, private sector, and civil society and that the alliance can help ensure that community voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
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