The Community Sustainable Development Platform (CSDP), in partnership with Women & Youth Development International (WYDI), has convened a high-level coordination meeting with traditional leaders, local authorities, and neighboring communities of Weilor Town—marking a major milestone in the Customary Land Formalization (CLF) process in Grand Cape Mount County.
The meeting, held on Sunday, January 13, 2025, as part of Phase I of the CLF process, focused on community self-identification, a legally mandated requirement for communities seeking formal recognition of customary land ownership under Liberia’s 2018 Land Rights Act.
Participants included elders, representatives of surrounding communities, women and youth leaders, persons with disabilities, and land governance actors. The engagement aimed to promote inclusion, transparency, stronger coordination, and the prevention of land-related disputes.
Introducing the initiative, CSDP Team Lead Alfred B. Kiawu formally presented the project titled “Supporting Communities for Inclusive Land Governance (SCILG).” According to Mr. Kiawu, the project is being jointly implemented by CSDP, WYDI, and the people of Weilor Town.
“This initiative is currently being implemented without direct donor funding,” Mr. Kiawu disclosed. “We are relying heavily on community commitment and organizational collaboration while continuing engagements with development partners and donors to ensure the full completion of the CLF process.”
Providing technical insight, County Land Administrator of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), Mr. Frank M. Sheriff, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the CLF process and its legal framework.
“The Land Rights Act recognizes four categories of land ownership in Liberia and clearly outlines the rights of customary land-owning communities,” Mr. Sheriff explained. “It also provides safeguards for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, establishes mechanisms for conflict prevention, and defines the
complementary roles of traditional leaders and local authorities.”
Also addressing the gathering, Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent, Hon. Folley Kiatamba, applauded CSDP and WYDI for their support to Weilor Town, emphasizing the importance of the CLF process.
“The Customary Land Formalization process remains the only legal pathway for communities to secure ownership of their customary land,” Superintendent Kiatamba stated. “I encourage community members, including neighboring towns and villages, to actively participate through awareness and capacity-building activities.”
Superintendent Kiatamba further pledged his full support for the initiative and assured participants of continued technical assistance from the Liberia Land Authority.
“The LLA, through the County Land Administrator, will provide continuous technical guidance to ensure a smooth and successful CLF process,” he added.
The coordination meeting reaffirmed strong stakeholder commitment to inclusive land governance, peaceful coexistence, and secure land tenure—placing Weilor Town on a clear and lawful path toward formal recognition of its customary land rights.
