Citizens of RiverCess County have expressed gratitude to the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) and Tenure Facility (TF). The citizens expressed their appreciation during a recent field assessment visit by Tenure Facility (TF) focused on enhancing understanding of customary land governance in the county. The visit aimed to evaluate the impact of SDI’s project funded by TF and the progress made in educating local communities about their rights and regulations regarding land use.
During the visit, local leaders and citizens shared positive testimonies about how SDI's activities have empowered them, helping to bridge the gap between traditional land practices and current legal frameworks. The educational activities have increased awareness of land rights, enabling citizens to engage more effectively in discussions about land governance across the county.
The TF visiting team was impressed by the community's engagement and the activities in place, which highlight the importance of sustainable land management and the protection of local customs. This visit not only underscored the effectiveness of SDI's efforts, but also created opportunities for future funding opportunities to expand these critical educational initiatives.
The citizens expressed hope that continued support will lead to ongoing improvements in land governance, which is essential for the county's sustainable development and empowerment of local communities.
Chief Boye Kofi Zah, Paramount Chief of Dowein Chiefdom reflected on the efforts of SDI and how transparent and accountable the organization has been. Chief Zah said “The money given to SDI was not misused. Now we are benefitting from the money you gave them and we are seeing it for ourselves. SDI, I say thank you. SDI came when our eyes were closed about our land, but they opened them through education. Now we know that we are the owners of our properties (land).”
The Dowein Paramount Chief, 70 years old, also recounted that “Decades of years our parents have owned these forests, what did we get? We want the deeds; we cannot fight one another. SDI, thank you. Previously, we never had voices, we were voiceless. The land we are occupying today, our parents never had a voice for them. We will just see a yellow machine coming and we will not have a voice. When we talked they said 10% for communities and 90% for the government.”
Madam Marie Gbodueh, Co-Chair of Ziadue CLDMC said “SDI taught us that we have equal rights in everything. If a man gets 25acres of land, a woman too is entitled to 25 acres of land. You will not get 50 and I get 25, no, it cannot happen like that. We have to understand what SDI taught us. SDI has been teaching us for a very long time. Men and women never had equal rights before. When they were discussing land issues they would send us in the kitchen to cook, but this cannot happen today because we women have rights today.”
For his part, Sylvester Kpan, Chairman of the CLDMC of Kahnwhea Clan said “We are thankful to SDI for the education. My clan has been struggling since 2009 and we are happy to be in this process by this time through the help of SDI. Our community trusts and respects us as CLDMC.”
At the same time, Fredrick W. James, Chairman of Teekpeh CLDMC, recalled, “The process leading to the issuance of our deed was a win-win solution. We are proud today in getting our deed. We have had no complaints since we got our deed.”
Also speaking, Titoe Davis, Chairman of Dorbor CLDMC said “Thank you to SDI and TF. SDI actually spent the money sent to them on us and we are proud of them.
Emmanuel Roberts of Ziadue CLDMC added, “TF’s money was used for the intended purpose”
At the same time, the Land Administrator of RiverCess County further commended SDI for the works done in the county on land governance.
Borbor Y. Boeyon said “We need more support from the SDI so that our communities can benefit. The instrument you sent here cost more than US$30,000. We don’t have money for them, the government presently has no money for them, so we depend on you. Most of the meetings had been sponsored by you people and in all these processes, our communities didn’t pay money for anything. We were only asked to commit ourselves to attending meetings and training. We want to give many thanks to you people and we pray that as you leave from here you will provide more funding support for the Land Use Planning. When you give the money to SDI, they will use it for the communities.”
Also speaking, Dr. Margaret Rugadya said “I want to thank the community for welcoming us. We are very happy that you are in charge of your community process. We are only here as friends to support you. The land and forest are good. If you want us to support you, tell SDI, Parley and they will tell us. We are united by land for communities.”