By Paul M. Kanneh
The Second National Land Conference has opened in Ganta, Nimba County with a call for participants to see land matter as critical to national peace and security. The conference is organized by Multi-Actor Platform on Land Governance (MAP-Liberia land Platform on responsible agriculture) through Rights and Rice Foundation (RRF). It is funded by several international partners including Tenure Facility, ForumCIV, USAID, Landesa, International Land Coalition, Actionaid, UNDP, Land for Life, Rights and Resource Initiatives among others.
This national event is held under the theme: “Looking backwards, looking forward two years after the first national land conference.”
The overall objectives of the four-day conference are reviewing the six steps of customary land rights implementation to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in terms of costs and timeframe in the formalization of customary land, and a realistic timeframe for implementation. The conference is also aimed at finding practical approach for ensuring land rights of women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized people are highlighted in the implementation of the 2018 Land Rights Act.
On the overall, the conference expected outcomes include looking at the status of the implementation of the Land Rights Act since its passage in 2028 by the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and the land reform in general. They will clearly look at the roadmap for addressing the issues around customary land rights with regards to minimizing costs, community participation and ownership and a realistic timeframe.
With regards to programmatic framework, the delegates are looking at clear goals and objectives for actualizing land rights for women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized group is established.
The conference is attended by high profile dignitaries from the Government of Liberia, United Nations, Civil Society Organizations and communities. All 15 counties of Liberia are represented with estimated participants of 200.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the conference in Ganta, Nimba County Superintendent, Kou Meapeh Gono reminded the delegates to be focus; saying the issue of land borders on national security. Superintendent Gono also added that some original land owners lost their lives during the crisis; which she said makes the land forum even important at this time.
The Nimba County Head of Administration disclosed that her administration is considering the establishment of a Probate Court to promptly address land matters because of its ability to undermine national peace and security.
She said “We are happy for the program to be held in Nimba, and thanks to the Commissioner of the Land Authority for fast tracking the process.”
International land experts believe that the ongoing land conference serves as eye opener for communities amid call for industrial revolution for economic empowerment in Liberia.
Members of the National Legislature with oversight on land, natural resources and good governance expressed excitement for the conference. They said the issues of land is everybody’s business. Representative Ernest Mensah of Nima County District #4 said the issue of land is becoming an issue that, if not handled properly would put families against each other because fights over land are continuing everywhere. He encouraged participants to utilize the conference to listen to the various presenters to see how far the nation have gone with the implementation of the Land Rights Act since its passage.
The Chairperson of LLA, Adams Manobah described his presence at the conference as an indication that the LLA was in charge of land matters in Liberia. He indicated that the gathering of land stakeholders in Ganta was in fulfillment of national responsibility, and reminded participants that people in other parts of Liberia and the world are dying everyday due to land conflict.
The LLA boss said “As we come here today knowing the main purpose of what we are here which is land, there are people in other part of the world who are dying every day. There are even people in here who are slowly dying because they have been dispossessed of their forefather lands.”
He called on Liberians to redefine land use in Liberia and attributed most of the conflicts in Liberia, including the deadly civil war to land conflict. According to him, one of the reasons the Liberia civil war was fought was because of land issues, and that if Liberia as country wants to see clear land ownership, then there should be a vibrant land policy.
Referencing the government’s agriculture program under the AREST platform, Mr. Manobah said government’s agriculture program will only succeed if land issues are addressed promptly. He cautioned, saying “if we are not careful as country, the next civil war would be as result of land conflict-referencing the land conflict in Nimba County as an example. He encouraged the government to support the donors, and warned that if the issue of deforestation is also not taken seriously, there will be issues with farming activities.
Private Sector Representative, Henry Roberts, said the government’s AREST program will not work without sustainable agriculture and land is a key subject in that direction. “Land is key because a country cannot grow anything without land, said Mr. Roberts. He called for a strong partnership with the private sector in land matter adding that “To many times we treat farmers as beggars and farmers are part of the private sector”. He anticipates that the conference will consider inclusivity with everyone on board, with women, youth, government, private sector on the same table.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture was the Deputy Minister for Planning and Development, David K. Akoi. Minister Akoi stated that land and agriculture are interconnected and that all across the country people are faced with land crisis. Like many presenters before him, the Ministry of Agriculture official thanked the donor community for their support towards the successful hosting of the land conference.
The Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, Loreta Pope-Kai said she was grateful that civil actors have organized the second land conference. “Is an honor today for civil society to organize the second national land conference; today, we are also here as civil society organizations working strongly with the government and partner to ensure we have effective implementation of the land right act,” she emphasized.
Madam Loretta described land as a corner stone for cultural identity, and noted that the question of land rights transcends the legal framework. She recounted the many challenges faced by Liberia regarding land ownership and termed civil society’s efforts as invaluable for the effective implementation of the land right act which she said prioritizes the right of every Liberians. The head of the National Civil Society Council urged the Government of Liberia not to restrict land rights to the highest bidders.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Madam Christine Umutoni encouraged land authorities to find opportunities to strengthen land governance. She said she hopes that the conference will be an opportunity to think about how land will help in development and promoting peace. “It is time to weed out anything that trigger conflict in Liberia, it is time to build on the existing peace in land use and land management.
Nimba County District #2 Representative Nyan Flomo said government needs to step up its support because it is the most sustainable means of funding the land rights act. He encouraged land authorizes to establish partnership with the House of Legislature, especially the Speaker.
Grand Gedeh Representative of District #3, Jacob C. Dobee used the occasion to make a case for the increase in land grabs by foreign nationals from Burkina Faso. He called for more education on land matters in the communities, “noting, land is a national issue and national issues is a national security issue”. The Grand Gedeh Representative attributed land conflict to dishonesty by all actors, including his own constituent. He expressed concerns over the influx of Burkinabe most of whom, he said do not bring along with them their families in Liberia “Few years ago, the Burkinabe gave us way to pass when we met them, now that their coco farms have grown, they want us to give them way to pass when we meet”.
The Second National Land Conference is expected to come to end on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
