Land Governance Platform Elects New Leaders, Eyes Expansion Across Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia: The Multi-Actor Platform on Land Governance and Responsible Agricultural Investment in Liberia (MAP Liberia Land Platform) has elected a new Steering Committee to lead the organization for the next two years and advance efforts to improve land governance across the country.

The election took place during the Platform’s Annual Membership Forum held in Gbarnga, Bong County, where more than 35 representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, community groups, and the private sector gathered to discuss the future of land governance in Liberia.

The newly elected 11-member Steering Committee includes representatives from the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), the Ministry of Agriculture, women’s and youth organizations, academia, private sector institutions, and community land management committees.

During the forum, members reviewed the Platform’s achievements and challenges over the past year, adopted its 2026 work plan, and explored strategies to expand its impact nationwide.

Deputy Agriculture Minister for Planning and Development David Akoi reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture’s commitment to working closely with the Platform under Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan. He described MAP as an important partner whose contributions help shape agricultural policies and development programs.

Also speaking at the forum, Liberia Land Authority official Ezekiel Weah disclosed that customary land accounts for about 75 percent of land ownership in Liberia. He said the LLA has introduced a new deed system aimed at reducing land fraud and improving land ownership security.

Weah further revealed that approximately 75 communities have successfully completed the customary land formalization process and urged stakeholders to help educate citizens about securing legal land rights.

At the close of the meeting, members agreed to support the Platform’s regional structures while pursuing a longer-term plan to establish county-level chapters across Liberia. Participants said the move would increase community engagement, improve service delivery, and reduce operational costs.

The MAP Liberia Land Platform serves as a national forum that promotes responsible agricultural investment, policy dialogue, and sustainable land governance throughout Liberia.