Monrovia – The Multi-Actor Platform on Land Governance and Responsible Agricultural Investment in Liberia (MAP Liberia Land Platform) has opened a two-day national roundtable to assess and reform land administration across the country.
By Jaheim T. Tumu – [email protected]
Held in Monrovia, the forum has drawn key figures from government ministries, development agencies, civil society groups, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to reflect on achievements, confront persistent challenges, and drive actionable reforms in the land sector.
The gathering serves not merely as a conference, but as a turning point — a space where Liberia’s leading land sector actors have pledged to go beyond discussion and translate policy into practical, community-based outcomes.
“We must always take stock of what we are doing as land actors,” said Ms. Julie Weah, Executive Director of FGGDI and Co-convener of the MAP Steering Committee, during her opening remarks. “Land governance is not where it should be, but equally so, it’s not where it used to be. It is in the middle — and we must take it higher.”
“Let us not just talk,” she added. “Let our actions be seen in the communities where we work.”
Several national institutions echoed the call for reform. Representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ActionAid Liberia, Landesa, Firmsieve Liberia, and the National Climate Change Secretariat all reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable land governance as a critical pillar of Liberia’s development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sam Lamine called for comprehensive policy reforms to ensure sustainable land use and greater support for agricultural development.
“Without land development, we cannot do anything in agriculture,” Lamine said. “We must not return to our desks and let things stay the same. Next year, when we come back, we must have results to show.”
Nuoh Harris, speaking for ActionAid Liberia, focused on the need for stronger coordination among sector actors and emphasized collective accountability, especially when it comes to implementing policy recommendations.
“We must re-evaluate our recommendations and align them with how we implement and monitor progress,” Harris said. “For ActionAid, we remain committed to defending land rights, especially for women who are leaders in agroecology.”
Simpson D.C. Snoh of the National Climate Change Secretariat highlighted the urgent need to synchronize land policy with Liberia’s broader environmental and climate objectives.
“We cannot survive without the environment,” Snoh stated. “As we act, let us ensure our strategies serve the people, planet, and prosperity.”
The roundtable also provided space for participants to critique the current land governance structure, which many said lacks inclusivity, accountability, and a clear roadmap for sustainable management.
Across various panels and breakout sessions, stakeholders acknowledged that while progress has been made since the enactment of the Land Rights Act in 2018, enforcement remains weak, and rural communities — particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities—continue to face exclusion and marginalization.
A consistent call emerged for institutional reform, clearer policy direction, increased investment in rural land governance, and stronger frameworks to support responsible agricultural investment.
Discussions also emphasized the importance of customary land rights and the need for broader education on land policies at the community level.
“If we want national development to be inclusive, we must put land at the center of our planning,” one participant concluded. “Without land, there is no agriculture, no shelter, no security. It all begins here.”