These counties host the largest oil palm concessions and are hubs for illegal logging, infamous for elite land-grab and attacks on local activists. “Forest communities in several communities have been devastated by the impacts of industrial oil palm,” he added. It seeks to secure the customary land rights of communities affected by concessions in line with the Land Rights Act of 2018. The law guarantees customary land rights but many communities are still unaware of the law and how they can harness the rights it gives them. Francis Mwah, the Ministry of Agriculture’s representative on the National Oil Palm Platform of Liberia welcomed the initiative but cautioned against programs that drive way concessionaires.

Source: Front Page Africa April 07, 2021 06:56 UTC