At COLANDEF, we are passionate about promoting inclusive land and natural resource policies, centering the power for land tenure security through bottom-up solutions and bringing an end to land tenure insecurity for agricultural land users. We do this not because we think land tenure security is an end in itself. We do this because we know that land tenure security is a means to several ends. For example, there are abundant empirical studies on the direct relationship between a robust land governance system, land tenure security and sustained socio-economic empowerment, particularly for agricultural land users in customary land areas.  

The nexus between land tenure security and climate, forest and carbon interventions has become an important consideration in most of the global conversations on these issues. To put it simply, if we get the nuances in the land tenure right, we will also be successful in all other land and natural resource programs. Therefore, in as much as COLANDEF targets agricultural land users in Ghana’s customary land sector as ultimate beneficiaries of our advocacy, education and institutional capacity strengthening for land sector services, we also appreciate the fact that the outcomes from these interventions support other land-based activities beyond agriculture. This is why we are very intentional about building technical partnerships and strategic alliances to enhance the contribution of land tenure security as the means to several ends. 

 One such partnership is with Cadasta Foundation. Together, we are transforming community forest stewardship through secured land tenure.  

Leveraging COLANDEF’s expertise in customary land and forest governance and Cadasta Foundation’s expertise in digital land mapping and data management, we have successfully established a model for a technology centered customary land administration system and piloted the model in 16 forest fringe communities in Ghana. Over 10,000 households in the Obogu Traditional Area in the Ashanti region in Ghana benefitted from the pilot. Mapping farm parcels of forest fringe communities, providing fully executed land certificates and strengthening institutional capacity of customary land institutions reduce land tenure insecurity and threats of dispossession. Households with secured land rights commit to sustainable agricultural practices and avoid actions that destroy forest resources. 

 Our Executive Director, Nana Ama Yirrah, shared deeper insights into this collaborative journey and its outcomes in a webinar organized by Cadasta Foundation in June 2025.  

Click the link to listen to the discussion. https://lnkd.in/eDb9NYmj