Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, emphasized the significant strides the government has made in land administration at the World Bank Global Land Governance Forum. Highlighting the recent enactment of the Customary Law Rights Act and the National Land Commission Act in 2022, Dr. Senesie detailed how these laws have created a more conducive environment for systemic land rights registration in Sierra Leone.
Addressing global land governance challenges on behalf of the African continent, Dr. Senesie underscored the extensive consultations with stakeholders, including civil society organizations and paramount chiefs, in formulating these laws. “Building a robust legal and institutional framework to address customary land rights challenges has provided a transparent approach to land reform. Sierra Leone is committed to promoting secure tenure and effective land governance as essential aspects of sustainable development,” he stated.
Dr. Senesie praised President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in prioritizing land reform, which has facilitated inclusive dialogues involving civil society in the transformation process. He called on global actors, particularly the World Bank, to continue their support for land governance improvements in Sub-Saharan Africa.
During his visit to Washington, Dr. Senesie also met with the Sierra Leonean Ambassador to the United States, Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai. Ambassador Wai highlighted concerns from the Sierra Leone diaspora regarding land issues and welcomed the minister’s reforms. Dr. Senesie proposed a Zoom meeting with the diaspora to discuss land policy and the digitalization of land records, followed by an in-person meeting to further involve the diaspora in land reform initiatives.
Ms. Susan Rogers, Deputy Commissioner of the newly constituted Lands Commission, reiterated the commission’s role in mitigating land acquisition tensions. The minister’s delegation included Dr. Charm of the Lands Commission, Deputy Commissioner of the National Lands Commission, and Bonthe Municipality Mayor Mohamed Robinson.
The reforms in Sierra Leone reflect a broader commitment across Africa to address land governance challenges, secure land tenure, and promote climate action through knowledge sharing and innovative approaches to land administration.
Courtesy of PEL Koroma
Embassy of Sierra Leone
Washington, DC
