GBARNGA – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA), in collaboration with Landesa and the Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L), has officially handed over three Statutory Customary Land Deeds to communities in Panta Administrative District, Bong County. The deeds were presented to Panta, Wrunah, and Gahn Clans during a ceremony held in Garmue Town on December 17, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Land Rights Law (LRL) of 2018.
The process leading to this achievement began with the Community-Self Identification (CSI) process, the initial step required to obtain statutory land deeds under the LRL. Speaking at the ceremony, LLA Commissioner for Land Policy and Planning, Ali Kaba, commended DEN-L for its efforts in facilitating the process and praised the Community Land Development and Management Committees (CLDMCs) for their dedication. “I am proud to hear your testimonies. We are grateful to DEN-L for their hard work and to Landesa for their unwavering support,” Commissioner Kaba stated. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in advancing Liberia’s land sector, noting that such collaborations help reduce land disputes and promote economic stability.
Gmasonah Togba-Aboah, Land Tenure Specialist and Country Team Lead for Landesa, highlighted the significance of the accomplishment. “Today is a special day for the people of Panta, Wrunah, and Gahn Clans,” she said. “Your customary land deeds are a testament to your hard work and dedication. Landesa is honored to have supported this effort.” She underscored the historic commitment of the three Clans and encouraged them to use their titled lands to improve their living conditions. Togba-Aboah noted that the formalization process, which began in 2021, was part of the Rights for Sustainable Development (LRSD) KPII project funded by Kings Philanthropies and implemented by DEN-L.
DEN-L’s Executive Director, Peter Dolo, also praised the citizens for their cooperation throughout the process. He described the handover ceremony as a “special day” for the people of Panta Administrative District and reaffirmed DEN-L’s commitment to supporting the LLA’s efforts. “The deeds place significant power in the hands of the citizens,” he said, urging them to use the titles to advance their socio-economic development.
LLA Chairman, Attorney J. Adams Manobah, Sr., expressed gratitude to DEN-L and Landesa for their support in helping customary communities secure landownership. He commended the leadership of the CLDMCs for their steadfastness and urged community leaders to prioritize the interests of their people when negotiating land-related agreements. Chairman Manobah used the occasion to appeal to the government for increased budgetary support to the LLA, highlighting the agency’s reliance on donor funding. “Tell your lawmakers to increase the LLA’s budget so we can do more to resolve land conflicts in our counties,” he said.
The ceremony also featured remarks from CLDMC leaders representing the three Clans. Madam Victoria Kpoquinyan of Gahn Clan, Mr. Robert Jawoekpala of Wrunah Clan, and Madam Gormah D. Cooper of Panta Clan expressed their gratitude to community members, local leaders, and partners for their collective efforts. They lauded the LLA for ensuring that their communities become documented landowners.
The event was attended by national and local government officials, chiefs, elders, women, youth groups, and technicians from the LLA, DEN-L, and Landesa. This landmark achievement is expected to serve as a catalyst for peace, development, and economic empowerment in the beneficiary communities.
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