Bo District, Sierra Leone – February 6, 2025 – The Sierra Leone Land Administration Project (SLLAP) is making significant strides in enhancing land management across five key districts: Bo, Kenema, Bombali, Bonthe, and Port Loko.
In a concerted effort to establish land tribunals and committees, the project is utilizing technology to empower local communities.
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Saiku Bah is leading training sessions on the KoboCollect digital platform, equipping community members of all ages to gather essential data. This data will range from village and chiefdom profiles to the identification of members for the newly formed land committees. The training, which began in Kenema District, has recently expanded to Bo District, where participants gathered today to enhance their skills in data collection.
“The establishment of land tribunals and committees is a critical step towards resolving land disputes and fostering equitable land management,” Bah stated. “Through this training, we are enabling local residents to actively contribute to the data collection process, which is vital for effective land governance.”
The project aims to ensure that every village and chiefdom in the targeted districts has the necessary structures in place to address land-related issues.
The use of the KoboCollect platform allows for efficient and accurate data gathering, which will inform decision-making at various levels.
In a complementary effort, Kadiatu Dumbuya, the social and gender specialist for SLLAP, is conducting parallel training sessions for members of the various grievance redress committees. These committees are designed to address community concerns and ensure that all voices are heard in the land administration process.
“Our goal is to create an inclusive platform for discussions and resolutions related to project issues,” Dumbuya emphasized. “Integrating social and gender perspectives is essential to the success of this initiative, ensuring that everyone has a say in the land reform process.”
She used the platform to remind community members and the general public about the grievance redress toll-free lines for any compliant emanating from the land reform project activities.
As the project moves forward, the collaboration between local leaders, community members, and project specialists is expected to foster a more transparent and equitable land administration system in Sierra Leone. With ongoing training and support, the establishment of land tribunals and committees is anticipated to significantly enhance land governance and conflict resolution in these five districts.
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