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The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board in collaboration with the Monuments and Relics Commission with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Sunday 27th September 2020 at Family Kingdom Resorts, Aberdeen in Freetown wrapped up a week-long public sensitization in celebration of World Tourism Day with the theme: Tourism and Rural Development.

In celebration of the event, the Ministry and its agencies toured the eastern, southern, and northern headquarters towns organizing symposiums in sensitization about the significance of tourism and rural development in creating the enabling environment for the sectors to thrive in the country. The ministry highlighted the various strides made with the support of President Julius Maada Bio for prioritizing the tourism industry as a growth sector for diversification of economic growth in Sierra Leone.
Making the keynote address in all the three cities, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt has disclosed to the people in the provinces that tourism cannot thrive if rural development is lacking in that country.

She said that poor infrastructures in many West Africa Countries are affecting the tourism sectors while appealing to the government to improve on rural development settings so that it would attract tourists in the country.

The Minister further reiterated the beauty and benefits attach to engaging in tourism saying with tourism people could make themselves comfortable by just being innovative with the local resources available within.
She further explained her ministry collaboration with line ministries especially the Works Ministry in making touristic attraction sites accessible and makes the sector thrive in the country.

The Chairman, Board of Directors, National Tourist Board, Alieu Kokobe noted that tourism is not for the Urban settings but also for the rural areas.
He said that tourism is an industry that can create a lot of job opportunities for young folks. He appealed to the rural people to protect the wild animals as they can a lot of attraction for tourists.

The event was climaxed with a lot of entertainment by top Sierra Leonean musicians including Star Zee, Drizikik, and Rozzy.

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The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its sub-vented Agencies, the National Tourist Board (NTB) and the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) have successfully conducted a workshop for press attaches with the theme “The role of Press Attaches in Rebranding and Promoting the Image of Sierra Leone as a Tourist Destination” on Thursday 3rd September, 2020 at the Ministry’s Conference Hall.

The event was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Hon. William I.K Robinson whilst welcoming all present explained the importance of the Workshop to the Ministry and the Nation as a whole. He encouraged the Press Attaches to represent the country in their different countries of postings and that they should asked the Ministry for whatever information they needed and not rely on social media information as they are also there to play advisory role to the Embassies on information that goes out and those that should not. He also stressed that they should always give out positive information to the public as this will attract more tourists into the country which will contribute to economic development.

The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Hon. Mamadi Gobeh Kamara in her statement encouraged all Press attaches that when they arrived at their various posting destinations, they must ensure to represent the country well. She furthered that tourism is a tool for economic diversification and bridge for a lasting peace, and that tourism brings peoples together and it is the largest economic industry today. She added that it is the responsibility of all Press Attaches to promote the culture of their homeland and that this training will provide them with the requisite knowledge to represent the country.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Solomon Jamiru Esq, revealed that their Ministry has organized an orientation program for all appointed Press Attaches and that this workshop is to complement the previous orientation. He further noted that, the 8 clusters of the Medium Term National Development Plan must be mastered by all of them as they are key to government, and that as press Attaches they should take advantage of Economic Diplomacy, Foreign Relations that revolves around economic intelligence in their host country for potential investment in Sierra Leone. He also encouraged them to be conducting Visit Sierra Leone sessions in their Embassies as they are expected to have knowledge of key government priorities.

Madam Betty Milton one of the Press Attaches to Brussels, in her statement on behalf of her colleagues, expressed that as Press Attaches to the different destinations they would ensure that they remove the stigma of war, Ebola, Mudslide and Corona pandemic and replaced them with our beautiful beaches, monument and relics, the recent Mambo waterfall etc. she also stated that before the outbreak of Covid-19 they saw the giant step by the Ministry in rebranding the image of Sierra Leone as it is reflected by the 300 Danish tourists and the over 700 participants of the Budapest Bamako Rally with Sierra Leone as the end destination. She concluded that with this crop of Press Attaches the image of Sierra Leone would be portrayed in a positive light.

The Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt in her keynote address noted that the training is a fulfillment of the promises of the New Direction Manifesto by His Excellency the President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio by diversifying the economy through Tourism and rebranding the image of Sierra Leone internationally by engaging foreign service mission. She also stated that “when the right people, policy and investment decisions are made in the Tourism sector, exponential growth is assured”. She further mentioned the immense natural, cultural and historical resource we have as destination adding that the peace we have as a nation has ranked us among the most peaceful, stable and friendly nation to visit in the world.
The Minister encouraged the Attaches to rebrand the image of Sierra Leone abroad stressing that they should also explore opportunities for joint cooperation and cultural exchange programs between the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the private sector. She also assured them that “we will constantly use the social media platforms to create access to up-to-date information on tourism and culture.”
In conclusion, she stated that “as Press Attaches, you should tell the beautiful stories about Sierra Leone through the media and promote Sierra Leone as a tourist destination”

On the South Eastern coastal line is Sulima a unique town in the extreme south east of Sierra Leone, lying at the lips of the great Moa river. This cultured town, Originally was a fastlane trade post  in the nineteenth (19th) century, it used to hold a large population of neighborhood Liberia refugees.

But what’s the beautiful story?

I heard it clearly, Far beyond they said, it’s beautiful and it’s a awesome wonder. I tried to come myself to see her awesomeness. Sulima indeed you are beautiful. The Lushness of sand speak volume of your beautiful stretch and your clear segmented shape gives hope to your visitors. This beauty is must you possess must not be isolated but rather we have come to join the shells, the mabbles, the sands, the grooves and the different birds to chirp that beauty aloud, so the world will know you here oh SULIMA.

From a distance you are still embracing nature with motherly calmness, your poise is different from all I have seen, this liberty and true freedom you have must be shared with children of Sierra Leone so they/we can explain your joy of motherhood to our friends, relatives and loved ones especially our kids.

Sulima my Sulima, our Sulima, yes! what a magnet of true ambiance of nature and splendor, this appearance signal hopes of new beginning for true beach lovers, who need to see you, because you are unique and many will join you soonest to enjoy and have a genuine feel exotic grandeur of richness in all aspect. Sulima Beach you are indeed a true awesome wonder.

Just when I turned right from afar I saw flapping waving flag on a local boat just arrive from beyond nautical miles, but amazing I heard different dialects, this sounded like Peoole from Liberia, and the other like from Ghana, then I also ours. This unification gives you Sulima an international face and present Hospitality to the highest end of life.

Sulima you afar but I sensed thorough oness among people of the heart. Oh!! another surprise, at Sulima you can as well use Liberian Liberty or you use Sierra Leone Leones to transact any form of business you wish, so this also great regional diversity.

MAMA Sulima, you are a true mother to those who have been with you for years but cannot phantom your uniqueness, for us who come afar your beautiful scenery has capture our hearts, our mind and we feel to come back pretty soon, to enjoy this warm touch from the sea, and listen to the birds chirpiness.

You are 40km long in height oh! yes! mama you are indeed amazing. This sand I step on is so smooth and it’s white and brown colours send us happiness and for this we will stand together to get you out of oblivion.

What on my backdrop? a local town know as SOROGBEMA along which Sulima dwells with ease. difference types of birds flying over the yonder fetching, crustaceans of all class showed up…local canoes aligned for trips to the estuaries and sandbars that romance with lagoons, the rocks on the corners encrouch over the palm trees and coconut thatches flipped hello and Hi to seabed.

WELL THIS IS SULIMA ON THE SOUTH EAST OF SIERRA LEONE SIERRAOUSLY AWAITING YOU.