By law, the LLA remains the only Authority authorized to fully implement the Land Rights Act of 2018; thus, the Act establishing the LLA (LLA Act of 2016) has mandated the Authority to work with customary communities to formalize their customary lands. Thus, the CLF activity, which is being implemented at the clan level across four selected counties: Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, and Nimba, is expected to provide Statutory Land Deeds for each of the selected communities at the end of the project.
However, in its effort to raise awareness, educate, and inform residents about their land rights as enshrined in the Land Rights Act of 2018, the LLA team, led by Director Julius B. Kawa, has begun consultative meetings and information dissemination and awareness activities across the four selected counties, respectively.
During the team's engagements in Grand Gedeh County, residents in the selected communities extended thanks and appreciation to the Government of Liberia and the LLA for selecting their Clans. They further expressed concerns that their customary lands and the future and rights to land ownership of their children are at risk.
They pointed out that the increasing number of Burkinabé migrants in their forests poses a serious challenge and threat to their farming activities. Thus, indicating that the current land formalization activity in the county is a dream come through.
Additionally, traditional leaders, women, and youth groups across the four clans used the engagement to call on the LLA to consider extending the initiative to other areas of the county. They indicated that this will help protect their lands and contribute to maintaining peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Article 39 of the Land Rights Act of 2018 provides that customary lands are not to be sold until after 50 years following the effective date of the Land Rights Act of 2018. Thus, a lease of customary land can only be done by the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC) if Articles 35 and 36 of the Land Rights Act are adhered to.
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Published by: Davis Emmanuel Chedeh
