GBARNGA, Bong County — A moment of long-awaited joy unfolded in Bong County as Menleleh Incorporated (MI), a local community-based organization, officially handed over government-recognized land deeds to four women and one youth — marking a significant milestone in the fight for land rights equality.
With tears in her eyes, 42-year-old Mardea Flomo clutched the deed she had waited more than two decades to receive.
“For years, I farmed land that I didn’t own. Today, I can finally say this land is mine,” she said softly, as applause filled the calm office of Menleleh Incorporated.
On Friday, June 6, MI presented the deeds to the beneficiaries during a ceremony attended by local leaders and partners. The event marked a major achievement in an initiative aimed at addressing long-standing inequalities in land ownership — particularly for women and youth, historically marginalized under Liberia’s land governance systems.
Tackling Land Ownership Inequality in Post-War Liberia
This initiative is anchored in the 2018 Land Rights Act — a landmark piece of legislation that, for the first time, formally recognizes customary land rights and guarantees equal ownership opportunities for all Liberians, regardless of gender or age.
Before the law’s passage, rural women typically accessed land only through male relatives. Even today, despite the law’s provisions, implementation remains slow and difficult.
“In many communities, women and youth are excluded from land discussions — let alone legal ownership,” said MI’s CEO, Poka Kofi Brown, during the ceremony. “This project, with support from the Swedish Embassy through ForumCiv-Liberia, aims to shift that narrative.”
Brown emphasized that MI not only acquired the land legally on behalf of the recipients but also covered all associated costs — a crucial step in a country where bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints often prevent ordinary citizens from securing land rights.
Navigating the Maze: From Paperwork to Peacebuilding
In Liberia, legally acquiring land involves multiple steps: obtaining a tribal certificate (for customary land), conducting surveys, resolving competing claims, issuing public notices, and finally receiving title deeds from the Liberia Land Authority.
The process is frequently marred by bureaucracy, corruption and overlapping claims. According to the Liberia Land Authority, as of 2023, land disputes accounted for more than 60% of cases reported to local peace committees. Many stem from post-conflict resettlement issues, fraudulent sales and blurred land boundaries created during the civil war from 1989 to 2003.
Women and youth — often lacking legal literacy, financial means and institutional backing — are especially vulnerable in this system.
A Shift Toward Equity and Empowerment
ForumCiv Country Manager Asa David Chon praised the initiative during the ceremony.
“This is not just about land — it’s about dignity, empowerment and securing the future,” he said. “The fact that these deeds were obtained through proper legal procedures sets a powerful precedent.”
Chon urged the beneficiaries to make good use of their newly acquired land.
“You are now full landowners under Liberian law. Use this opportunity to build, to farm and to leave a legacy for your children.”
Though the project currently benefits only 10 recipients, its symbolic weight is substantial. It demonstrates that with the right support and political will, even deeply entrenched systems can be changed.
‘We Were Forgotten — But Not Anymore’
For many of the recipients, the moment was more than legal — it was deeply personal.
“I never thought I would see this day,” said 26-year-old farmer Saye Gono, who had worked on his uncle’s land since childhood. “People told me I was too young to own land. But MI proved that the law sees me too.”
The women shared similar stories — many had worked land passed down informally through generations but lacked the documentation needed to secure their rights.
Although the 2018 Land Rights Act explicitly prohibits discrimination in land ownership, enforcement continues to face hurdles, including low public awareness, entrenched gender norms and limited institutional capacity.
A Model for the Nation
By successfully securing legal deeds for marginalized individuals, Menleleh Incorporated has presented a replicable model for other counties and organizations across Liberia. The organization is also working with local authorities to educate communities about land rights and promote inclusive governance.
Brown closed the ceremony with a call to action:
“We hope this small beginning can inspire a national movement. Land is not just soil — it’s life, legacy and the foundation of peace.”
As the event came to a close, with deeds held high and smiles all around, the words of Mardea Flomo lingered:
“Now I can farm with peace of mind. This land is not borrowed — it’s mine.”
Facts at a Glance: Land in Liberia
- 2018 Land Rights Act: Recognizes customary land ownership and guarantees equal rights for women and youth.
- 60% of community-level conflicts are related to land (Liberia Land Authority, 2023).
- 18% of rural women have formal land documentation (UN Women, 2023).
- Common barriers to land ownership include high costs, complex procedures and widespread fraud.
- Post-war resettlement has left many land claims unresolved or overlapping.
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