Land for Life Expands and Formalises ALLIANCE with Media Institutions to Strengthen Land Governance Awareness
Land for Life Sierra Leone, a Civil Society Organization, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 16 media institutions across four of its operational districts: Pujehun, Kenema, Tonkolili, and Port Loko.
The two-day engagement, which started on the 28th and ended on the 29th of August, held in Bo City, brought together heads of media institutions and online media personalities from the targeted districts. Their participation followed an online expression of interest process initiated by Land for Life, aimed at expanding the organization’s existing Media Alliance.
Welcoming participants, Berns Komba Lebbie, National Coordinator for Land for Life, recalled that the Media Alliance began in 2021 in Freetown with 10 media houses from both print and broadcast sectors. He explained that the expansion into rural communities was designed to strengthen media involvement in creating awareness on critical issues such as land governance, food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability.
Mr. Lebbie highlighted the vital role the media played during the passage of the Customary Land Rights Act and the National Land Commission Act in 2022, stressing that effective communication ensured citizens’ voices were reflected in the process. He urged the newly joined members to continue championing accurate reporting on land and food security matters.
Jacob Wilson, Communications Officer for Land for Life, outlined the purpose of the alliance, noting that reporting on land and food security has often lacked clarity and accessibility. He emphasized that journalists need to simplify and contextualize these issues so that communities can better understand and engage with governance processes. Wilson also shared examples of how print media has traditionally covered such issues, pointing to the need for more community-focused storytelling.
Speaking during the signing, Zainab Sheriff, representative of Gola Agricultural Radio and member of Women Matters in Kenema District, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a “novelty” in Sierra Leone’s land governance landscape. She encouraged Land for Life to provide continuous support to the media in driving public engagement. Sheriff also highlighted the challenges faced by journalists, particularly women, when investigating sensitive land matters, citing cases of intimidation and mistreatment during fieldwork.
At the close of the event, all 16 participating media institutions, including bloggers, signed a one-year MoU with Land for Life Sierra Leone. The agreement outlines the roles, responsibilities, and collaborative efforts both parties will undertake to enhance public awareness and discourse on land governance and food security issues nationwide.