Toward Inclusive Land Governance: Examining Customary and Statutory Interactions in Post-Conflict Liberia
(2026) SIMZ31 20261Master of Science in Development Studies
- Abstract (Swedish)
- This study examines how customary and statutory land governance systems intersect in shaping land governance outcomes in post-conflict Liberia, with specific focus on Gbarnga City, Bong County. Despite the Land Rights Act of 2018 formally recognizing customary land ownership, significant gaps persist between legal provision and experienced tenure security, particularly for women and customary communities. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews with document analysis, and is theoretically grounded in institutional theory and political ecology. The findings reveal three interconnected dynamics: a partial complementarity between customary and statutory systems that breaks down when... (More)
- This study examines how customary and statutory land governance systems intersect in shaping land governance outcomes in post-conflict Liberia, with specific focus on Gbarnga City, Bong County. Despite the Land Rights Act of 2018 formally recognizing customary land ownership, significant gaps persist between legal provision and experienced tenure security, particularly for women and customary communities. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews with document analysis, and is theoretically grounded in institutional theory and political ecology. The findings reveal three interconnected dynamics: a partial complementarity between customary and statutory systems that breaks down when centrally granted concessions bypass community participation; elite capture of land allocation processes facilitated by the presidential appointment of chiefs, which redirects customary accountability away from communities; and the persistent exclusion of women from practical land access despite formal legal recognition, driven by socio-cultural norms and financial barriers to statutory redress. The study concludes that inclusive land governance in post-conflict Liberia requires more than progressive legislation - it demands accountability mechanisms within both governance systems and recognition that formal rights alone cannot displace. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9243878
- author
- Wesseh, Wilmon Hodo LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SIMZ31 20261
- year
- 2026
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Land governance, customary, statutory, Gbarnga, gender
- language
- English
- id
- 9243878
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-25 10:27:49
- date last changed
- 2026-06-25 10:27:49
@misc{9243878,
abstract = {{This study examines how customary and statutory land governance systems intersect in shaping land governance outcomes in post-conflict Liberia, with specific focus on Gbarnga City, Bong County. Despite the Land Rights Act of 2018 formally recognizing customary land ownership, significant gaps persist between legal provision and experienced tenure security, particularly for women and customary communities. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews with document analysis, and is theoretically grounded in institutional theory and political ecology. The findings reveal three interconnected dynamics: a partial complementarity between customary and statutory systems that breaks down when centrally granted concessions bypass community participation; elite capture of land allocation processes facilitated by the presidential appointment of chiefs, which redirects customary accountability away from communities; and the persistent exclusion of women from practical land access despite formal legal recognition, driven by socio-cultural norms and financial barriers to statutory redress. The study concludes that inclusive land governance in post-conflict Liberia requires more than progressive legislation - it demands accountability mechanisms within both governance systems and recognition that formal rights alone cannot displace.}},
author = {{Wesseh, Wilmon Hodo}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Toward Inclusive Land Governance: Examining Customary and Statutory Interactions in Post-Conflict Liberia}},
year = {{2026}},
}