In Sierra Leone, the National Land Commission is working harder to inform and educate the public about the nation’s land governance reforms. The Commission was created by the Julius Maada Bio administration and approved by the legislature to settle land disputes and advance equitable and just land ownership, especially for women.
To gain a better understanding of the Commission’s functions, Dr. Philip Pessina Mornya, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stressed the significance of involving stakeholders in diverse communities. In particular, he emphasized the Commission’s efforts to resolve land disputes that have endangered peace and resulted in property loss in the Western Rural District, as well as its efforts to increase visibility and accessibility for community stakeholders.
Robert Brown, the acting chairman of the Western Rural District Council, hailed the Commission’s formation as a much-needed chance to resolve land disputes in the district. The Western Rural District’s Member of Parliament, Hon. Amara Kargbo, thanked the Commission for its formation and promised to assist in resolving land-related issues that the community faces.
Participating in a workshop conducted by the Land Commission, traditional leaders and organizations in the Western Rural area learned about the new land act and offered support for the dissemination of information to landowners. Dr. Alphajor Cham, the project coordinator, described strategies for digitizing land management to avoid document duplication and settle traditional land disputes in the hinterland.
The new land management regulations that grant women the ability to purchase land and hold shares in family-owned land were emphasized by Deputy Commissioner Susan Rogers. Promoting just and equitable land ownership in Sierra Leone depends heavily on the Commission’s efforts to inform and involve stakeholders in land governance reforms.
