By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a press conference held on 26th February 2025 at Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building, Freetown, the Minister of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), Hon. Chernor Bah, provided clarity regarding the ongoing land dispute regarding Mama Beach.
Minister Bah categorically stated that the case surrounding the acquisition of land at Mama Beach had no connection whatsoever to the Black Johnson land issue, a matter that has stirred controversy in recent months.
The Minister’s comments followed a recent Supreme Court ruling delivered 6th February 2025, in the case between Theophilus Pratt and the Ministry of Lands. The ruling found that the government had not followed the necessary legal procedures in acquiring land at Mama Beach. The court cited the violation of Section 21 of the Sierra Leone Constitution and the Public Lands Act Cap 116, which outlines the due process required for the government to compulsorily acquire land for public use.
Minister Bah provided a detailed explanation of the ruling, emphasizing that it specifically pertains to Mama Beach, located along the Freetown peninsula, and had no bearing on land issues in Black Johnson. “I want to make it abundantly clear that the case concerning Mama Beach is entirely separate from Black Johnson. There is no connection between the two,” Minister Bah clarified.
He further stated that the government was committed to adhering to the rule of law in all matters related to land acquisition and development.
The minister also took time to explain the legal framework that governs land acquisition in Sierra Leone, particularly focusing on Section 21 of the Sierra Leone Constitution. He noted that this section allows the state to compulsorily acquire land for a range of important public purposes, including defense, public safety, public health, town and country planning, and overall national development. However, he highlighted that any acquisition must follow a fair process, including proper consultation and compensation for affected individuals.
Turning to the Black Johnson issue, Minister Bah reaffirmed that the government had fully complied with the legal requirements in acquiring land in that area. According to the minister, compensation had been fairly paid to individuals who were affected by the land acquisition in Black Johnson. He firmly stated that any attempts to reclaim the Black Johnson land would be considered illegal, as the government had followed the appropriate process, and the matter had been resolved lawfully.
“The government has acted within the confines of the law in the case of Black Johnson,” Minister Bah said. “There is no legal basis for any attempt to reclaim that land. Such actions would be in violation of Sierra Leonean law, and we will take the necessary steps to enforce the law.”
The ongoing confusion surrounding the Mama Beach and Black Johnson land disputes has generated significant public interest, and the Minister’s clarification was seen as an effort to ensure that the public remained well-informed about the facts surrounding these matters.
Minister Bah’s statement aimed to calm any fears that the two land issues were related, as well as to assure citizens that the government would continue to act transparently and in accordance with the law.
Minister C. Bah emphasized that the Mama Beach case, while significant, is distinct from the Black Johnson dispute, and assured the public that the government had followed due process in both instances.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to land transparency and the protection of citizens’ rights under the law.
