The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) has successfully concluded a two-day experience-sharing retreat in Zowienta, Electoral District #1, Bong County, aimed at evaluating the achievements and challenges of its recently completed “Access to Land Rights” project.
By Edwin N. Khakie
Gbarngar, Bong County, July 13, 2025: The retreat, held from July 11–12, 2025, brought together stakeholders from five districts: Jorquelleh One, Formah, Zota, Yellequelleh, and Suakoko, where the project was implemented. The initiative, which began in 2022 with funding from ForumCiv Liberia, sought to address long-standing land disputes and promote peaceful resolutions through community education and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods.
Speaking at the closing session, Mr. George Philip Mulbah, JPC’s Regional Coordinator for Bong County, emphasized the project’s transformative impact. He noted that throughout its implementation, the initiative helped educate community members on land rights and ownership, and successfully mediated numerous land disputes using non-violent, community-led approaches.
“This project has been instrumental in fostering dialogue, reducing tensions, and strengthening trust among community members over land ownership and boundaries,” Mr. Mulbah stated. “Our teams worked in 20 communities, empowering residents to understand their rights and find local solutions to long-standing issues.”
Mr. Mulbah further highlighted the introduction of the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) component, which has added an economic empowerment dimension to the land rights initiative. “We now have three active savings groups that are helping families become more financially resilient while building a culture of self-reliance,” he added.
During the retreat, program officers from both Lower and Upper Bong presented comprehensive reports outlining key successes, including increased community participation and improved understanding of land governance. However, they also pointed out challenges, particularly the need for enhanced logistical support and broader outreach to remote communities.
Participants praised Mr. Mulbah’s leadership and dedication throughout the life of the project. Representatives from JPC, ForumCiv Liberia, Delta Human Rights Foundation, and local communities commended his unwavering commitment to justice and grassroots development.
“This project stands as a model for how local engagement and strategic partnerships can address complex land issues,” said one participant, a community elder from Zota District. “We’ve seen real change, people are no longer fighting over land; they are talking, negotiating, and reaching solutions together.”
The retreat concluded with strong calls from stakeholders to sustain the momentum by expanding similar initiatives to other parts of Bong County and beyond. There was a collective agreement to strengthen collaboration, enhance community engagement, and integrate successful ADR strategies into future development efforts.
As Bong County continues to grapple with land rights challenges, the outcomes of the “Access to Land Rights” project and the insights shared during the Zowienta retreat are expected to serve as a blueprint for community-driven, peaceful land reform efforts across Liberia. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
