Sierra Leone’s Minister of Lands, Dr. Turad Senesie, has stated that land in Sierra Leone belongs to the state, and individuals can only own land if it has been conveyed by the state. Otherwise, they are land users.

He also emphasized that Sierra Leone’s sovereignty is tied to the land, and in the provinces, the land is under the custody of the chiefs.

Dr. Turad clarified that there is no authority mandated to demarcate community land, except for the Ministry of Lands. He explained that community lands are identified by the Ministry for communal use and for social services such as the construction of police posts, hospitals, playgrounds, and schools.

He further clarified that the responsibility of headmen is not to sell state lands, but to manage people within their own jurisdiction, particularly in times of conflict, and to assist the government in administering its policies.