BODOWEA TOWN, RIVER CESS- The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has issued Customary Land deeds to eleven communities in RiverCess County, marking a crucial step towards community land ownership.
The processes leading to the issuance of the deeds, a milestone achievement for communities in their quest to own their land, took place in the space of three months.
The acquisition of the deeds is in compliance with the Land Rights Law of 2018 that gave rise to Customary Land. It places land in Liberia into four categories, namely, Government Land, Public Land, Private Land and Customary Land.
The customary land category gives full ownership to customary communities who, from the formation of Liberia have just been custodian of the land and not the owner.
The latest ceremony marking the turning over of Land Deeds took place on Thursday, March 6, 2025 where the head of the Liberia Land Authority, Samuel F. Kpakio, on behalf of the government issued deeds to five additional clans.
The five clans issued deeds on Thursday, March 6, 2025, were Boeh-Tarr, Gonor-Tarr, Sawpue, and Jowein clans in Jo River administrative district and Central Monweh in Doedian administrative district.
The March 6 event was graced by dignitaries including Samuel F. Kppakio, Chairman of the Liberia Land Authority, Sweden Ambassador to Liberia Karl Backcues; chiefs, women youth among others.
Handing over the deeds to the five new clans, LLA boss Kpakio called on the citizens to protect their land against wrongful use.
He pleaded with the citizens to make peace the haul mark in everything they will do with the land; noting that peaceful resolution of dispute is the best way to settle land issues.
He assured the full implementation of the Land Rights Law of 2018, stating that the LLA will not rest in ensuring the full implementation of the law, most especially giving total ownership to customary communities.
Sweden Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Karl Backues has as an important step to community development the acquisition of customary land deed by the locals.
Ambassador Backeus speaking in Bodowea Town, River Cess County on Thursday at a program marking the handing over of deeds to five the additional clans said rural communities in Liberia are challenged and handing them ownership of their land will drive development.
Mr. Backeus pledged his government’s continued support to the Land Authority in helping the local communities to get legal rights over their land.
Madam Esther Judu, Commissioner of Jo River Administrative classified the moment as an unforgettable journey for them.
According to the first female district commissioner of River Cess, the acquisition of the deeds marks a new beginning for her district.
“Since Jo River was founded, we have never done it before. And the disadvantage is too much, when those companies come, they just squeeze our hands and carry our logs”. Madam Judu added.
This latest ceremony followed similar ceremonies on December 7 and 20, 2024 where six communities were issued deeds by the LLA with support from the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Landesa.
On Friday, December 20, 2024, two clans including Siahn clan in Central River Cess District and Togba-Nyankun clan in Fen River District received their deeds from the Liberia Land Authority with the support of Landesa.
Earlier on December 4, 2024, four clans including Ziadue, Teekpeh, Gbarsaw and Dowein clans, all in Central C Statutory District in River Cess County received the deeds for their customary, thus giving them ownership over the lands they have long occupied
The occasions held in Yarpah Town in Nyorwein Administrative district marked the beginning of the process of communities in the county getting deeds.
This means, 32.35% of River Cess’ total 34 clans have been issued customary land deeds that are required by laws.
The Land Rights Law of Liberia passed on August 13, 2028, gives rights to communities to have ownership of their customary land.
This achievement reached by the communities followed a long struggle initiated by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and LANDESA in helping customary communities have ownership over their lands rather than just being a caretaker.
Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and LANDESA are two Liberian based Non-governmental Organizations that have been in the business of helping communities reach common understanding with each other on their boundaries.
In 2023, SDI led a process that saw the demarcation of community boundaries, one of the steps that led to the issuance of their deeds.
This means, out of the 34 clans in River Cess County, six are now of community ownership.
