FREETOWN 9 January 2026β In a strategic move to boost tourism and environmental standards, Mr. Tamba Alieu Kokobaye, Chairman of the National Tourist Board (NTB), convened a high-level meeting with over 30 beach establishment owners and key stakeholders. The gathering focused on enforcing beach sanity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and adopting sustainable cleaning approaches in preparation for the upcoming Budapest-Freetown Rally and the designation of 2026 as the “Year of Culture and Creativity.”
Opening the session were Mr. Abrahim Turay, Mr. Umaru Woody, Mr. Bashiru Koroma, Mr. Mohamed Bah, and Mr. Kokobaye, who extended his sincere gratitude to the stakeholders for their prompt response to the invitation, signaling a unified commitment to elevating the standards of Sierra Leoneβs coastal tourism.
The Chairman issued a strong call to action, encouraging owners and managers to take full responsibility for the cleanliness of their premises. He emphasized that hygiene efforts must go beyond the visible storefronts, urging establishments to monitor the sanitation of both the “front and back-end” of their operations. Furthermore, he appealed to the wider community to act as “watchdogs,” playing an active role in maintaining the pristine condition of the beaches.
Bi-Monthly Cleaning: A stakeholders’ beach cleaning exercise will be undertaken twice every month to ensure consistent maintenance.
Strict Compliance: All operators are committed to full adherence to licensing regulations.
Waste Management Infrastructure: Every establishment is mandated to install proper waste bins on its premises.
Professional Waste Disposal: Stakeholders agreed to identify and contract a certified waste management company to handle the collection and disposal of refuse.
Standardized Staffing: To improve professionalism and security, all establishments will implement a uniform system for their staff, complete with mandatory name tags for easy identification.
This renewed partnership between the NTB and the private sector marks a significant step toward presenting Freetownβs beaches as world-class destinations ready to welcome international visitors for the exciting events of 2026.
