Better land governance important to catalyze Africa's economic growth says LPI's Kagwanja

Abstract

The regional workshop on securing community land rights continued in Accra, Ghana, Monday with Land Policy Initiative (LPI) Coordinator, Joan Kagwanja, saying better governance of land resources in Africa can catalyze growth and development and in the process help eradicate extreme poverty on the continent. In her presentation to Land Commissioners and other senior government officials attending the workshop on securing community land rights, Ms. Kagwanja said decentralized management of land resources and renewal of land institutions is vital to peace, security and participatory democracy. Organizers expect that out of this initial meeting, a platform for African Land Commissions will be established to provide for continuous learning, experience sharing and documentation of best practices. The workshop, being attended by 40 Land Commissioners from 16 countries, was organized by the LPI in partnership with the Rights and Resources Initiative, a global coalition of organizations working to encourage forest land tenure and policy reforms.