By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, March 25, 2025—In an effort to enhance the understanding and enforcement of the Customary Land Rights Act (CLRA), 2022, Namati Sierra Leone, a leading NGO in land protection and environmental justice, held a one-day workshop for representatives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The workshop aimed to familiarize government officials with the CLRA, 2022, and the Land Commission Act, 2022, both critical legislations that regulate land use, ownership, and investment in Sierra Leone. Namati Sierra Leone has played a vital role in empowering communities to implement these laws, particularly in negotiations with investor companies.
Enacted to safeguard customary land rights, the CLRA, 2022 provides landowners and communities with full decision-making authority over land use and disposal. It also eliminates long-standing discrimination under customary law, protecting the rights of women and non-native citizens, and replaces the outdated Provinces Land Act, Cap 122, which previously placed provincial land under Chiefdom Councils.
Namati Sierra Leone has been at the forefront of ensuring communities understand their rights and leverage the legal framework to secure fair land deals, address environmental concerns, and hold companies accountable for harm.
The workshop brought together MDA representatives whose work directly impacts land governance and investment. Through group discussions, participants explored the law’s implications for their institutions and discussed ways to integrate its provisions into their operational practices.
Sonkita Conteh, Executive Director of Namati Sierra Leone, highlighted the transformative potential of the act during the event. “This law is a game-changer. It protects families and communities from unfair land deals, ensures women’s right to land ownership, and establishes a structured system for land administration. It also sets clear standards for natural resource investments and agricultural activities in provincial areas,” Conteh explained.
He further emphasized the workshop’s role in fostering collaboration among MDAs to ensure coordinated and effective land governance in Sierra Leone.
With increasing investor interest in Sierra Leone’s land and natural resources, proper implementation of the Customary Land Rights Act remains essential. Namati Sierra Leone’s efforts to engage MDAs mark a significant step toward fair and sustainable land policies.
The workshop concluded with participants committing to stronger inter-agency cooperation and adherence to the law’s principles, ensuring equitable land resource benefits for all citizens, irrespective of gender or background.