By Mohamed Kamara
FREETOWN – A recent announcement by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning promising to wage war on fraudsters—both within and outside the institution—has triggered widespread public skepticism, reigniting long-standing distrust surrounding the ministry’s operations.
Last week’s release, which followed a training workshop involving the Lands Commission and top ministry officials, was described by some as a “publicity stunt” aimed at showcasing the Ministry’s commitment to reform. However, a cross-section of citizens interviewed described it as a familiar pattern of lofty declarations with little follow-through.
Some members of the public believe the Ministry is attempting to justify the over $40 million received from the World Bank to reform land governance systems in Sierra Leone. “This may be an effort to give the impression that something serious is finally being done,” one respondent said. “But the system is still infested with the same actors who have thrived on fraud for years.”
Critics say land fraud—particularly the illegal sale of the same parcel of land to multiple buyers—continues because internal staff responsible for signing conflicting documents remain in place. “The fraudsters are still inside the building,” one land rights activist remarked. “They watch buyers fight over land and smile quietly from behind their desks.”
While some commend the leadership of Minister Dr. Turad Senesie for introducing free land allocations through a lottery scheme and structural reforms, others argue that much of the rot remains untouched. Several frustrated landowners say their complaints are either ignored or redirected to judicial processes, while implicated surveyors and staff are merely transferred to provincial offices instead of being dismissed or prosecuted.
Further criticisms were directed at the structure and composition of the new Lands Commission. Analysts claim the commission lacks seasoned professionals and instead relies on junior or inexperienced staff. “If integrity was the goal, retired land experts should have been brought in to lead the process,” one commentator noted.
Although more than 70% of those interviewed acknowledged Dr. Senesie’s efforts to introduce change, many question whether his reforms can survive deep-rooted favoritism and political interference. Others recalled that the commission previously set up to investigate his predecessor received over 300 complaints—yet very few were ever resolved.
“There is some visible progress, but uncertainty still clouds the Ministry’s ability to deliver justice and transparency,” one resident concluded. “Until those who hold the tools of fraud are removed, no serious change can happen.”
As Sierra Leone’s land sector remains under public scrutiny, many await to see whether this latest war on fraud will be any different—or simply another headline that fades with time.
