FAO, Ministry of Lands Hold Workshop on Sustainable Land Tenure Governance
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Lands, and the National Land Commission hosted a two-day multi-stakeholder workshop at the New Brookfields Hotel on March 18-19, 2025, to enhance inclusivity in sustainable land tenure governance.
The workshop brought together community leaders, civil society organizations, and women’s advocacy groups to discuss ways to improve collaboration and communication between national and district land governance structures. The initiative, supported by FAO, aimed at aligning national policies with local governance frameworks.
FAO Representative Saeed Abubakar Bancie highlighted the urgency of addressing land governance challenges, including climate change, land degradation, and unregulated investments. He called for the exchange of knowledge and best practices to empower local communities and enhance inclusivity.
Minister of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, emphasized Sierra Leone’s progress in land governance reforms, citing the enactment of the Customary Land Rights Act and the National Land Commission Act of 2022. He described the workshop as a crucial step toward achieving sustainable and inclusive land governance.
Paramount Chief David Coomber Keili, speaking on behalf of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing inclusivity in land tenure governance across the country.
Johannes Behrens, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, acknowledged Sierra Leone’s advancements in land use and rights implementation at both local and national levels. He noted that these reforms would promote sustainable agriculture and land management.
