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Green Scenery has trained key stakeholders in Karene and Bombali Districts on the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 and the National Land Act 2022, as well as other legal frameworks governing land.
The week-long engagements (14–21 September 2025) were supported by Christian Aid under the Promoting Accountability and Citizens Engagement (PACE) project.
The trainings targeted Local Court Officials, District Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (DMSPs), traditional authorities, and other rights and power holders at district, chiefdom, and community levels. According to Green Scenery, the interventions were designed to strengthen stakeholders’ capacity on land governance, assess progress on the implementation of the two laws, and encourage compliance and accountability.
The two land laws, enacted in 2022, are expected to transform land governance in Sierra Leone by improving transparency, ensuring fairness, and promoting accountability. They also provide stronger protection for women and marginalized groups, tackling issues of discrimination and limited access to land ownership.
In Karene, Assistant District Officer (ADO) praised Green Scenery’s efforts, describing the intervention as “timely and credible.” He highlighted the district’s challenges, including farmer–herder conflicts, disputes over ownership and inheritance, women’s limited land access, encroachment on protected forests such as the Outamba-Kilimi National Park, illegal mining, and rampant logging.
During field visits, stakeholders discovered that extensive underground mining in Katheri community posed a major safety risk to residents. Participants criticized the inaction of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), despite their statutory responsibilities.
In Bombali, District Land Commissioner Amadu Kamara welcomed the training, noting that the reforms have been critical in addressing long-standing land conflicts and discrimination, particularly against women.
Local Court officials also emphasized the importance of the training. Sulaiman Fofana, Chairman of the Pamlap Local Court, described it as “incredible and relevant,” adding that it would improve gender-sensitive rulings. He noted that under Section 15 of the Local Courts Act 2011, local courts have jurisdiction over customary land cases, making the training highly significant.
Zainab Kamara, Deputy Chairlady of the Affected Land Owners and Users Association (AFLUA) in Makarie Chiefdom, said the knowledge gained has strengthened their ability to establish transparent Village and Town Area Land Committees.
Green Scenery also met with partner organizations, including the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) and NAMATI, to explore collaboration on land governance.
The organization plans to roll out similar interventions in Pujehun, Kambia, and Port Loko Districts in the coming weeks.
