By: Joseph G. Bangali
Green Scenery is a local non-governmental organization pioneered in 1989 by a High school teacher at the time, Mr. Joseph Rahall a Sierra Leonean with a passion for human rights and environmental protection.
Green Scenery has embarked on a project titled: Pro-poor Land Governance Structure, an intervention geared towards protecting landowners and land users by advocating for a transparent land deal process. Green scenery envisions an empowered and nationalistic Sierra Leone people, working towards peace sssand development, with equitable access to the country’s resources, equal access to facilities and opportunities, and upholding respect for human dignity. All processes must be fair, transparent and the consent of landowners is paramount. Awareness raising of landowners with the aim of building their capacities to maximize their benefits for a win win situation.
According to the Media and Communications Officer who is also the Project Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed E. J Kargbo, Green Scenery operates in Portloko, and has intervened between Sierra Organic Palm and landowners, in Bombali, with Sunbird and in Pujehun between SOCFIN and landowners. Their intervention includes guiding them on the principles marking land tenure policy, tenure security, and compensation and due diligence. Policy makers in governance are also engaged by pushing them to enact the Land Policy Act. The current law is archaic and prone to corruption.
Green Scenery prioritizes Land Governance as a decision making process that needs to be fair, transparent and inclusive in terms of decision-making. Women’s rights to own, access and control over land are also inclusive of the process. Another key area of intervention is the mapping of community lands to prevent disputes. Land boundaries are now clearly defined and demarcated using the GPS cadastral mapping tool. A strong advocacy against deforestation and protection of water catchment areas and for human rights of individuals to be respected.
Mr. Kargbo assured that the project would be undertaking series of activities that will further highlight their critical contributions towards the development of our local communities.