28/07/2026
Green Scenery Ends Community Engagement on Land Rights and Environmental Justice in Pujehun District.
Green Scenery Sierra Leone, with funding support from Protection International, has concluded a one-day community engagement on land rights, environmental justice, and awareness raising on Sierra Leone’s two major land laws in Pujehun District.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation office in Pujehun Town, brought together representatives from government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organizations, youth groups, the Malen Affected Land Owners Association (MALOA), traditional authorities, and the media.
Speaking during the engagement, the Executive Director of Green Scenery Sierra Leone, Joseph Rahall, said the meeting was aimed at empowering communities with knowledge on environmental justice, the National Land Commission Act of 2022, and the Customary Land Rights Act of 2022.
He noted that the engagement also sought to strengthen the capacity of community members, especially young people, to safely document and communicate issues affecting their communities.
Mr. Rahall explained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to address climate change, biodiversity protection, environmental sustainability, and responsible land governance in Sierra Leone.
He emphasized that increased awareness and active community participation are critical in preventing land disputes, environmental degradation, and the unfair exploitation of local resources.
Speaking to Radio Wanjei, the Project Officer of Green Scenery Sierra Leone in Pujehun District, Ahmed Tejan Bashir, disclosed that the project titled “Strengthening Legal Literacy and Collective Protection for Environmental Rights Defenders in Sierra Leone” is focused on improving public understanding of land rights and environmental justice in Malen Chiefdom.
According to him, the organization will implement the project in Malen Chiefdom over a one-year period, focusing on peacebuilding, sustainable development, civic engagement, community protection, environmental concerns, and livelihood issues affecting local communities.
He further stated that one of the objectives of the meeting was to strengthen the digital advocacy capacity of MALOA by revamping its page and other social media platforms to amplify community voices through digital skills and safe advocacy practices.
On behalf of traditional authorities, the Chiefdom Speaker of Kpanga Chiefdom, Sylvester Munda Kamara, commended Green Scenery Sierra Leone for what he described as a timely and important engagement.
He described Green Scenery as a key development partner in Pujehun District and emphasized the importance of communities understanding their land ownership rights and actively participating in decisions affecting their environment and natural resources.
Also speaking at the event, Adama Sowa, Town Chief of Sinjo Malen and a member of MALOA, thanked Green Scenery Sierra Leone for the engagement, noting that it had enhanced their understanding of land ownership rights, environmental conservation, and community sensitization.
She pledged to share the knowledge gained with other members of her community.