Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) Empowers Local Communities in Liberia

Monrovia, August 8, 2024 — In a significant step toward securing land tenure rights and promoting sustainable resource management, the Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU) recently convened a meeting with the leaderships of communities affected by the Mano Plantation in Bomi and Grand Cape Mount counties. The gathering aimed to present and review the draft report of the mapping survey conducted by the Liberia Land Authority (LLA).

The Liberia Land Authority with support from the Mano Plantation on June 25-July 2024 conducted a survey of the lands that the Company occupied in Bomi and Grand Cape Mounty Counties.

With funding from MISEREOR, SAMFU facilitated the dialogue to empower the affected communities and ensure their just benefits.

During the meeting, Mr. Arthur Cassell, one of SAMFU’s dedicated technicians, presented the draft survey report. The findings revealed that the palm plantation occupies approximately 7,035.66 hectares in Bomi and 6,127.18 hectares in Grand Cape Mount counties. However, Mr. Cassell encouraged the community leadership to await the official survey report from the LLA before making further decisions.

Speaking on the way forward, SAMFU’s Project Officer, Samuel Kwennah, emphasized the organization’s commitment to community empowerment. He stated, “When affected communities receive their rightful benefits from land occupied by companies, it is a success story for SAMFU.” He urged the leaderships of Gbah, Zepeh, and Madina clans to remain steadfast and assured them of SAMFU’s unwavering support.

Following the meeting, community leaders gained a clear understanding of the total land area covered by the Mano plantation and the development fund due to them. At the same time, the leaderships of Gbah, Zepeh and Madina clans thanked SAMFU for the support given during the process, they also maintained that there should always be an open and friendly so that the efforts put in doing the survey do not go in vain. The leadership however requested assistance from SAMFU technicians to create a detailed map in Gohn Zodua, enabling them to visualize the extent of land occupied by the plantation in that area.

The Mano Plantation meetings took place at Gbah Jakeh, Madina, and Gohn Zodua on August 7, 2024.

As part of its three-year MISEREOR-funded program, SAMFU is committed to ensuring that rural communities benefit from secure land tenure rights and equitable resource management.