MONROVIA – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening natural resource governance in Liberia, urging reforms to clarify land and forest tenure rights for local communities.
By Francis G. Boayue
The call was made during a validation workshop held over the weekend in Monrovia for a new legal analysis commissioned under the Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management (CBFM) project. The report seeks to align Liberia’s environmental and land laws for better coherence and implementation.
Speaking on behalf of FAO Representative ad interim Saeed A. Bancie, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed described the analysis as a “significant milestone” in advancing Liberia’s natural resource management efforts.
Dr. Ahmed acknowledged Liberia’s legislative progress through the Land Rights Act and the Community Rights Law but emphasized that the newly validated report offers an “honest assessment of the opportunities and challenges” within the existing legal framework.
“Your contributions were indispensable, and they underscore the very purpose of this work—to ensure that the benefits of our forests and lands are realized by the communities who depend on them most,” Dr. Ahmed said, thanking civil society and community-based stakeholders for their active participation.
He added, “Today is not about pointing fingers; it is about working together… The insights and feedback you provide will be instrumental in ensuring this report serves as a practical, actionable tool for all stakeholders.”
Dr. Ahmed concluded, “We believe that secure tenure rights and well-managed forests are foundational to food security, poverty reduction, and climate resilience. This report is a powerful step in that direction, and we are proud to lead on it.”
The legal analysis, prepared by consultant Mr. Urias S. Goll, identifies key areas in need of reform, particularly the clarification of carbon rights to ensure local communities benefit from climate-related forestry initiatives. It also recommends better coordination between the Liberia Land Authority (LLA) and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) to support both conservation and community development.
Also speaking at the event, Maria Wisnubst, Program Manager at the European Union, commended FAO for its role in supporting forest law initiatives in Liberia. She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to its partnership with FAO, stating that the collaboration would continue to produce stronger legal analyses aimed at harmonizing land and forest legislation in the country.
Atty. Dominic M.S. Massaquoi, Legal Officer of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), also expressed appreciation to FAO for its consistent support, particularly in the areas of monitoring and compliance.
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