Land Policy Forum Closes with Adoption of West African Framework

Ouagadougou , 22 April 2008 – The consultative workshop on land policies in West Africa concluded Friday 18 May with the adoption of a framework and plan of action to guide policy development and implementation in the sub region.

Closing the workshop, Mr. Kassim Traore, representing the Burkina Faso minister for agriculture, water resources and fisheries, said sustainable development cannot be achieved without the resolution of land issues.

He commended the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) for coming together to deal with land policies; and called on the initiative to work with other local and regional initiatives to ensure that the final continental document reflects current dynamics taking place within countries in the sub region.

Also speaking at the closing ceremony, the director of ECA's food security and sustainable development division, Mr. Josue Dione, commended participants for arriving at a consensus on key challenges facing West Africa and the way forward. He said the issues are complex and the principles often contradictory, such as reconciling traditional customs to statutory laws He said the outcome will inform the continental framework document on land policies, that will be presented to the summit of African Union Heads of States and Governments in January 2009.

The consensus document and background papers are attached.

:: Land Policy Initiative: A Framework to Strengthen Land Rights, Enhance Productivity and Secure Livelihoods Regional Assessment on Land Policy in West Africa     [Français]
:: Key Summary and Recommendations Available in French only