CategoriesNews By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

As MTCA, NTB all Set for the 2022 event…First Lady, Fatima Bio Launches 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge

As MTCA, NTB all Set for the 2022 event…First Lady, Fatima Bio Launches 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge

15th May, 2021

The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio has launched the 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally at a Cocktail organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board at Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown.

Giving the opening remarks, the Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Jalloh said that he is excited that the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge 2022 would he hosted in Freetown for the second time. He recalled that in 2020 Sierra Lone played a significant role in hosting more than 700 participants from more than 80 countries of the Budapest-Bamako rally which was amazing and a rare scene that would only be seen on Television.

He pointed out that the rally holds tremendous benefits for Sierra Leone; raising the profile of Sierra Leone to host international events, opportunity to demonstrate the safety and peacefulness of Sierra Leone as a Tourist destination, induced word of mouth publicity and a platform for cultural exchange and also publicity to host major international events.

The Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone Jihad Eter in his statement thanked the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt for her continued effort in making the event a success, while noting that the Minister’s effort is to improve tourism in Sierra Leone by implementing government policies under the New Direction with particular emphasis on promoting, marketing and improving the international image of Sierra Leone. He maintained that Sierra Leone was confirmed by the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the world fastest growing tourist destination.

He thanked the organizer of the rally, Andew Szabo, a Hungarian for choosing Sierra Leone again as the finish line for the Budapest-Bamako Freetown rally 2022.

He revealed that the participants of last year’s event told him that they were overwhelmed with enthusiasm by which the people of Sierra Leone welcomed and accommodated them. He noted that Sierra Leone and Hungary have strengthened their bi-lateral relationships in many development sectors particularly in education..

The Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Africell, Joe Abass Bangura and the Internal Affairs Minister, David P. Noah all pledged their continued support to making Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2022 a success.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt in her address said the launched of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2020 is another historic event for Sierra Leone going forward. She said lot of positives are visible in Sierra Leone especially in the tourism sector that has been revived by the political will of President Bio.

She stated that because of the hospitality of Sierra Leone, we will be hosting the Budapest Rally for the second time in 2022 and that Sierra Leone image is being portrayed positively in the world especially in Europe. He called on all to play their roles for Sierra Leone to continue to be the host country for the finish line.

Minister Pratt maintained that apart from the natural resources that Sierra Leone possesses, the Country is higly ranked in the Global Peace Index; 46th in the World and 4th in West Africa, hence the country continues to play host to the Budapest finish line. She commended President Bio for strides made in promoting the hospitality industry and also dedicated the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally to President Bio. She said 2022 will be a golden year for Sierra Leone as we will be playing host to more than 2000 participants of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge.

Launching the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally 2022, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio said the 2020 event will not only change the face of Sierra Leone but will also sell Sierra Leone internationally.

She commended Minister Pratt for the tremendous strides in changing the narrative in the tourism sector, noting that President Bio did not make a mistake in making her the Minister of Tourism.

She called on the Tourism Ministry to sell the beauty of Sierra Leone especially taking the guests to the beautiful beaches in the provinces. She admonished all to embrace the guests, make them feel comfortable as the benefit is for all Sierra Leoneans devoid of region, tribe or political party.

The Managing Director, Rokel Commercial Bank, Walton E. Gilpin launched the Tourism Traveltainment Magazine and the Sierraously Surprising “Mama Salone” video/song done by Rozzy Sokota entertainment.

The event was climaxed by the presentation of PATWA (International Travel Award) to the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt for her strides in making Sierra Leone a travel destination.

CategoriesNews By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

Tourism Ministry, NTB Sign Contracts for Small Grants Programme (SGP) with Tiwai Island, Banana Island and Wara Wara Hills

Tourism Ministry, NTB Sign Contracts for Small Grants Programme (SGP) with Tiwai Island, Banana Island and Wara Wara Hills

21st May, 2021

Kai B. Saquee

Marketing and Publicity

There are three project sites:

  1. Banana Island Sierra Leone, one of the main tourist attractions in Sierra Leone. Although it cannot reveal all the beauty of this exotic and extraordinary destination, it provides a clear perspective of the culture, history, natural surroundings, accommodation, guided tours, sport fishing, scuba diving, excursions and beach sports in of one of the most beautiful islands in West Africa. The beauty of the country with unspoiled beaches, friendly people, exciting tourist activities, charming beach resorts and rewarding encounters while traveling, will make Sierra Leone a truly memorable experience.
  2. Tiwai Island in Mende language means big island. Tiwai Island is Sierra Leone’s first community conservation programme. At 12 sq kms, Tiwai is one of Sierra Leone’s largest inland islands. Tiwai has one of the highest concentration and diversity of primates in the world with 11 species. The Gola Forest Reserves, which host the last significant patches of rainforest in Sierra Leone, spread east of Tiwai to the Liberian border.
  3. The Wara Wara Mountains are found in Koinadugu District, immediately northwest of the District capital of Kabala. The area is characterized by sharp hills reaching up to 1000 m in elevation. The natural vegetation of the area is characterized mostly by woodland savanna. The savanna is dominated by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The hills are covered with woodland savanna, short submontane grassland, and bare rock. The slopes of the hills and the lowlands have riverine or gallery forests along streams and rivers

Against these backgrounds. The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board (NTB) have officially signed the contracts for Small Grant Programme (SGP) with Tiwai Island, Banana Island and Wara Wara Hills under the repackaged sustainable tourism development programme supported by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Tier II.

Explaining the overview of the project, the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Kroma said they have come a long way in reaching this historic milestone for the three tourism sites. She gave a brief background of the SGP noting that the project aims at creating an enabling environment for sustainable growth of the tourism sector with strong emphasis on ecotourism, capacity building and contribution to local and marginalised communities.

She stated that the main goal of the SGP is to support ecotourism communities and sites to enhance their engagement in providing and delivering quality ecotourism related products and services in their respected destinations while pointing out that the sites were chosen on regional balance. She explained the facilities that will be installed in all the three sites.

The Director of Tourism at the Ministry, Mohamed Jalloh maintained that the project has been long overdue but grateful that it is happening with the leadership of Minister Pratt in ensuring that the project becomes a reality.

He said this is the first of five pilot projects they are undertaking. He explained that the funding is not a corporative funding but they are ensuring that the project is implemented in time and due process must be followed.

In her keynote address, the Tourism Minister, Dr. Memunatu Pratt expressed her delight toward the signing of the contracts between the ministry, NTB and the three communities. She said the tourism industry was operating in darkness and projects meant for the people were not actualized, but maintained that since 2018, the industry has manifested change, hence the signing of this long awaited project.

She added that there were serious challenges with the EIF project when she took office, but with the commitment of her team they were able to deliver the project. She revealed that the government of Sierra Leone contributed 4 billion Leones as part of the grant for the project.

Signing the contracts, the project coordinators for the three communities expressed delight that at last the long awaited project is signed assuring the Ministry and the Board of their commitment to making it a success.

CategoriesNews Uncategorized By Sierra Leone National Tourist Board

           EIF supports Tourism for the Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of the 24 Bedroom Hotel and 6 Classrooms of HTTC

EIF supports Tourism for the Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of the 24 Bedroom Hotel and 6 Classrooms of HTTC

14th May, 2021

Kai B. Saquee

Marketing and Publicity &

MTCA Communication

Aim of the EIF in Sierra Leone

The EIF creates genuine partnerships among Least Developed Countries, donors, partner agencies, the EIF Executive Secretariat, the EIF Trust Fund Manager and other development partners who are supporting LDCs’ own drive to:

Mainstream trade into national development strategies

Set up structures needed to coordinate the delivery of trade-related technical assistance

Build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply side constraints.

This brings the light ever wanted since the inception of the projects. But today  The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board (NTB) with support EIF  for the Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) financed by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Tier II have in august gathering  at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) Brookfields Campus  turned the sod for the long awaited  reconstruction/rehabilitation of the 24 bedroom hotel, kitchen, prep/service room and 6 classrooms of the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC), Brookfields campus now accredited to the Milton Margai College of Education Science and Technology, Faculty of Tourism and Nutritional Sciences.

Commencing the ceremony and stating the Purpose of the gathering, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Andrew L. Sorie said that the Ministry and NTB have taken the queue from President Bio in enhancing human capital for national growth. Reiterating that for the tourism and hospitality sector to grow and position Sierra Leone, it must be catered for and treated with the protocols and standard quality it deserves, with the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the facilities of HTTC, this place the destination in a better form to market and lull regional tourism schools to reach us for capacity building.

National Tourist Board, Fatmata Kroma the first female general manager narrating the holistic overview of the project, the General Manager said that the implementation of the STDPP financed by the EIF Trust Fund started on the 20th May, 2012 after the execution and signing of the MOU between the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Government of Sierra Leone. She stated that the total fund committed was USD2,990,000 for a period of three years to undertake development initiatives proposed by NTB that covers sector governance, product development, marketing and capacity building within the tourism sector.

The GM  noted that the project was forestalled and at the risk of loosing the funding opportunity, but with the appointments of the Tourism Minister and the Minister of Trade, they pioneered the conversation with the EIF Donor Partners for the recommencement of the project, adding that in consideration of the prudent fiscal financial management policies of the government as well as the leadership exhibited by the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Pratt, approval was given to recommence the STDPP-EIF Tier 2 on the proviso that the project should be repackaged and aligned with the National Mid-Term Development Agenda. She concluded that the project was repackaged and approved in February, 2020 at the tune of USD1.5Million.

The Principal, MMCET, Dr. Phillip Kanu said that for us to move as a nation, tourism must be at the forefront, hence the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the HTTC Brookfiels Campus. He applauded the Minister of Dr. Pratt and the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha T. Wurie for their roles in reviving MMCET.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward H. Sandy in his remarks said that one of the best ways to change the nation is to strengthen its human capacity in meeting the demands of the labor market, domestically and internationally. He continued that Sierra Leone has numerous potentials particularly in the tourism sector which is largely untapped.

In his statement, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha T. Wurie gave a brief background of MMCET saying that Sierra Leone began to think futuristically many years ago. He expressed delight that the Ministry of Tourism is investing in its own property, the MMCET. He furthered that MMCET will be a Technical University with degree options in Tourism. He applauded the Principal of MMCET, Dr. Phillip Kanu for the leadership shown in restructuring MMCET.

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt in her keynote address maintained that despite the devastating effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Tourism and Hospitality sector, her Ministry has undertaken many reforms and infrastructural developments with the focus on positioning the industry to becoming a powerful catalyst for improving the socio-economic conditions of Sierra Leoneans.

She said that the success and competitiveness of our destination highly depends on the competence and quality of our human resource capacity that requires suitable expertise in order to provide the appropriate services for the Tourism and Hospitality industry, hence the turning of the sod for the construction of the training college as a clear signal of the expected increase in demand for a technical tertiary training college on hospitality management.

She pointed out that the drive to the transformation of the Tourism and Hospitality sector is based on five pillars; tapping into new markets, developing new products, promoting investments, building new partnerships and strengthening human capital. She noted that President Bio under his leadership prioritized Human Capital Development as his flagship program that aims at generating a critical sector of highly educated, trained and skilled citizens with the capacity to undertake research and development, pursue innovations and learning and start productive SMEs.

She stated that the repackaged STDPP prioritizes the HTTC with addressing several needs, saying that the HTTC needs substantial refurbishment and renovation of its facilities that include the 24 bedroom hotel, classrooms, kitchen and prep and serving rooms.

She concluded by applauding the government of President Bio and particularly the former Minister of Finance, Jacob J. Saffa for their roles in ensuring that the STDPP is launched.