Sierra Leone to Participate in 68th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa Thematic Conference in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria — June 11, 2025 — Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, along with her technical team, has arrived in Abuja to attend the prestigious 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) Thematic Conference, taking place from June 11 to June 13 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
This year’s theme, “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism via Innovation, AI, and Creative Industries,” underscores the conference’s focus on leveraging cutting-edge technological advancements to foster sustainable development and social impact within the tourism sector across Africa.
Minister Tunis expressed her enthusiasm about the gathering, emphasizing its significance in shaping the future of tourism management and transformation in the continent. She highlighted Sierra Leone’s dedication to embracing innovation and creativity as vital tools for advancing its tourism industry and creating more inclusive economic opportunities.
The conference will convene representatives from UN Tourism Member States, Affiliate Members, and a broad spectrum of stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Discussions will center on strategies to harness modern technology—particularly artificial intelligence and creative industries—to elevate social impact and educational initiatives within tourism.
Stay tuned for comprehensive updates from the conference as Sierra Leone continues to showcase its commitment to innovative tourism development.
Lumley Beach, Sierra Leone — June 6, 2025 — In a bold move to enhance the scenic beauty and promote environmental sustainability, the Ministryof Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the NationalTourismBoard, has launched a significant beautification project at Lumley Beach.
Central to this initiative is a comprehensive 700-tree planting exercise aimed at transforming the iconic coastal area into a greener, more sustainable destination.
Mr. Bashiru Koroma, thanking the General Manager for believing the initiative and supporting the tree planting exercise. This exercise will bring resilience and vibrancy to Lumley Beach through the planting of assorted trees, which including Coconut trees, Almond trees, Palm trees, and Christmas trees. Mr. Koroma emphasized that these species have been meticulously selected for their proven durability and adaptability over time. “Tree planting should not be a one-time event but a continuous process that sustains and enriches our environment,” he stated, highlighting the importance of ongoing community involvement and engagement to secure security of the Green Space at Lumley.
World Environment Day
In her keynote address, the General Manager of the National Tourism Board, Mrs. Fatmata M. Carew echoed the Ministry’s and Board’s commitment to maintaining the beauty and safety of Lumley Beach. Standing in for the Honorable Minister, she urged community stakeholders and beach users to act as custodians of this green initiative. “Lumley Beach is one of our most iconic spots, and its preservation depends on collective responsibility,” she remarked.
Mrs. Carew also provided updates on upcoming developments, including the construction of modern beach toilet facilities and a public gym, designed to improve visitor experience. She appealed to the community to manage the beach with care, emphasizing sustainable practices to combat environmental challenges such as plastic debris and pollution from neighboring coastal communities. She emphasized that addressing waste management is crucial, as the ongoing plastic pollution hampers the beach’s aesthetic appeal and ecological health.
World Environment Day
The General Manager highlighted the environmental threats posed by plastic pollution and the invasive seaweed Sargassum, which have become pressing issues for coastal communities. Notably, 2025 has been declared the “Year of Ecotourism” by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, emphasizing eco-friendly tourism practices as a national priority.
World Environment Day
Mr. Umaru Woody, Planning and Product Development Manager, aligned the tree-planting effort with the global theme of World Environment Day 2025: “Beating Plastic Pollution.” He stressed that plastic pollution infiltrates every corner of the planet, even micro-plastics found in our bodies, urging collective action to reduce plastic waste. “Tree planting is a sustainable way to combat environmental degradation, and this initiative by the Ministry and the Board is a step in the right direction,” he affirmed.
World Environment Day
Madam Lucinda Kargbo, Marketing Manager, underscored the importance of environmental stewardship in marketing and tourism. She called on everyone—local residents, beach visitors, and stakeholders—to play their part in keeping Lumley Beach clean and safe.
World Environment Day
The symbolic tree-planting ceremony was carried out by prominent figures, including Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Madam Kadijatu Grace Kamara, General Manager Mrs. Fatmata Mida Carew, Deputy Director of Tourism Mr. Idrisa T. Bangura, and other key stakeholders including Environmental Protection Agency, reaffirming the collective commitment to this green transformation.
Lumley Beach’s beautification initiative symbolizes a proactive approach to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism development in Sierra Leone. As the nation celebrates the Year of Ecotourism, this project serves as a reminder that preserving natural resources requires continuous effort, community participation, and responsible stewardship. With these efforts, Lumley Beach is set to become a shining example of eco-friendly tourism, attracting visitors while safeguarding its natural beauty for generations to come.
World Environment Day
For more updates on Sierra Leone’s tourism and environmental initiatives follow:
Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development’, was the theme of this year’s seminar in the context of the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa (Abuja, Nigeria, 4-6 June). The meeting included a ministerial dialogue on the importance of tourism statistics under the topic “Better measure, better manage.
The Commission for Africa attracted 18 tourism ministers from the region and key tourism stakeholders from 36 countries. Participants underscored how tourism projects can
contribute to poverty alleviation, the importance of finding innovative approaches to developing tourism in the region, and the need to find and foster new partnerships and resources to develop the sector.
Against the backdrop of the growth of international tourism in Africa, tourism’s overall economic impact needs to be measured accurately in order for tourism strategies to effectively contribute to national economies. The ministerial dialogue addressed the significance of collecting and compiling quantitative and qualitative data, as well as the importance of commitments from national stakeholders and institutional partnerships for a rigorous tourism statistics system.
“The priorities of my mandate have been formed by listening to the needs of our member states and include the crucial targets of creating more and better tourism jobs, improving tourism education and fostering innovation”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. “We need to build tight links between public and private sectors for tourism to transform growth across the continent, and for the benefit of its people”, he added.
The meeting was attended by the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who stated that “Nigeria has great potentials for tourism and investment”, underscoring the relevance of the sector, both regarding its contribution to sustainable development and its role to further diversify the economy and inc
release social resilience.
In this context, the need for establishing a Statistical Framework for the Measurement of Sustainable Tourism (MST) was addressed. This Framework includes environmental, social and cultural tourism components geared towards achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The next African Commission meeting will take place during the second quarter of 2019.
In a bid to strengthen and promote the Tourism sector in Sierra Leone, Mr. Simon Ingram-Hill, British Council Country Director visited the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt on June 12th, 2018.
In his remarks, Mr. Simon disclosed that the essence of his visit is to positively collaborate with the Tourism Ministry for the development of the Tourism sector in Sierra Leone.
“We believe that the exchange of Artists and fixing of festivals is a way of sending out messages to the UK and at the same time promoting young Artisans from Sierra Leone”
He furthered that there were not much of Artisans products in Sierra Leone due to the then Ebola outbreak.
In her statement, the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Pratt said she has identified that Art, Culture, and Theatre are very weak in Higher Education;adding that they were working to develop University linkages between the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University and including other accredited universities to establish a very good school in Culture and Arts that would add to the skeleton which they have had in Sierra Leone.
“Creative Arts are dying in schools; we, therefore, want to put attention in Arts and crafts in schools,” the Minister asserted.
She furthered that Education must be placed at the center of the Tourism industry in Sierra Leone; adding that the current generation does not know much about the history of Sierra Leone.
In attendance of the meeting were the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Illawin Robinson; Mr. Michael Dennis, Programme Manager British Council, Tower Hill in Freetown.
The Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Sierra Leone National Museum and Gary Schulze, an African-American on the 25th May 2018 unveiled the mural of the great Bai Bureh, one of the illustrious hero of the Hut Tax War of 1898 at the National Museum along Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
Mr. Foday Jalloh, Director of Cultural Affairs, served as Chairman of the occasion. In his address, he recalled the historical importance Of Gary Schulze, a Hon. Paramount Chief of Kagboro Chiefdom, on our cultural history.
Mr. Mohamed Jalloh, Director of Tourism in his address maintained that there is need to have more of such attractions for tourists to see; adding that Sierra Leone heritage is not just on Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade but also a historical and cultural heritage.
Gary Schulze recalled that a British man once took Bai Bureh’s photo and that very photo has become the new Bai Bureh. He commended Mr. Bangura who drew the portrait of this great hero.
The Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Memunatu B. Pratt thanked Gary on behalf of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio for his keen interest in digging into the history of Sierra Leone.
“We need more Garys in Sierra Leone to champion our cultural history,” the Hon. Minister confirmed. She explained that Bai Bureh signifies a symbol of the first resistance to colonialism.
Meanwhile, Dr. Adonis Abboud, the Serbian Consul, who doubles as the Proprietor of Transnational Sierra Leone, reiterated that Tourism is the future for Sierra Leone’s economic development.
The Curator of The Sierra Leone National Museum, Madam Josephine Kargbo gave the vote of thanks.
BY: MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM.
MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt visited the mudslide site at Regent on Friday, May 18th, 2018.
The essence of the visit was to observe the present situation in the site after almost two years and with the aim of transforming the mudslide site into a memorial site which will serve as a touristic attraction and also as a place to provide a space for those who lost their relatives during the August 14th 2017 mudslide disaster.
She stated that the visit was also to know how they would be able to explore the possibilities of planting trees through UNOPS at the site.
‘’The site is very important in our history because after the war we were unable to develop a memorial place and we want to promote a touristic attraction area by establishing a park and a memorial site for people to visit’’ the Tourism Minister said. She mentioned that in Rwanda there is a genocide museum where people and tourists can visit to reflect on the ethnic war that led to the mass killing of people in that country.
‘’When you visit New York they will take you to the site where the 9-11 incident took place’’, the Tourism Minister said.
According to the Minister of Tourism, His Excellency, the President Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio is very much concern that they should be able to transform and translate the site not only as a touristic area but also as a place where people can go and pay homage and respect to the dead.
She added that a prevention Disaster Agency Committee has been set up to work collectively in a bid to proffer solutions to further prevent the reoccurrence of the mudslide disaster at Regent. The minister also disclosed that they are going to embark on a community engagement and sensitization with the people who are still living within Regent for them to relocate to safe areas as climate change has a very huge impact that is unpredictable. She thanked DFID and the World Bank for their support and aid towards their effort of transforming their aspirations for the development of the said site.
In attendance of the visit at the Regent mudslide site were Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Dr.Memunatu Pratt, the Chief Minister Prof. David Francis ,Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Mr. Joseph Ndanema, the Minister of Lands and Country Planning Dr. Dennis Sandy, Environmental Protection Unit (EPA) Madam Jatu Jalloh, UNOPS Representatives, World Bank Representatives, National Association of Certified Tourists Guilds, The Media Units and some representatives of the Regent Community.
The Minister of Lands and Country planning, Dr. Dennis Sandy, said that they wanted the mudslide site to be a dedicated area where people will come and visit in remembrance of their lost families. Dr. Dennis Sandy disclosed that on Monday they will organize a meeting at State House in a bid to map out the way forward to prevent the reoccurrence of such a disaster in the future. He maintained that they were focusing on the issue of mitigating the disaster. ‘’Our visit has sent a message that our government cares’’ Dr. Sandy stated.
THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND NATIONAL TOURIST BOARD HEREBY INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THAT THE LAUNCHING FOR “ADOPT A BOOTH” HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.
Sierra Leone is part of 150 speakers, culture ministers and artists gather from around the globe as Edinburgh International Culture Summit opens in World’s Leading Festival City.
44 Ministerial and Cultural Policy delegations arrive at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit including from Sierra Leone, the USA, Singapore, Rwanda, New Zealand, Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia and the Ukraine.
Over 80 artists, influencers, practitioners and researchers from countries including Denmark, South Africa, China, Romania, India and Italy.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May MP (via video) address the opening session.
For its 4th edition this year the Summit addresses three key areas; Culture in a Networked World, Culture and Investment and Culture and Wellbeing.
This year’s Summit 2018 gives Ministers and senior policy-makers the opportunity to work in collaboration with artists and practitioners and share global best-practices to develop effective policies and a lasting impact, on humanity and environments.
The Edinburgh International Culture Summit is a collaboration between the British Council, Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and UK Government.
Scotland’s First Minister the RT Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP said: “I’m delighted that this year, more than 150 artists, policy-makers, producers and thinkers – from over 40 countries – are taking part. Their presence here speaks to our shared belief that culture is of central importance to any society.It also demonstrates our shared commitment to improve the way we support, develop and promote our cultural sectors.”
Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Theresa May MP said: “It is fitting that this city plays host to the world’s largest gathering of Culture Ministers. This Summit is an incredible opportunity for everyone here to share their experience and to look at policy ideas and interventions.”
Since the introduction of the cleaning exercises by the HE. The President, the Minister so far has shown the correct and timely inventions, together with her keep on toes team members, ensuring the dreams of making Sierra Leone a tourist destination once again revamp. This is so far been visible by the very involvement of the proactive Minister of Tourism in this cleaning along the coastal lines beaches. The Ministry and The Board has so far use this cleaning exercises as better approach in creating the right awareness needed for communities who has less knowledge about their responsibility and roles as custodians of these touristic sites countrywide.
UN Climate Change Conference – Bangkok 4 to 9 September 2018 Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 48.2) Second part of the forty-eighth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI 48.2) Sixth part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA 1.6)
The team from Sierra Leone- Mr. Gabriel Kpaka Deputy Director-General and UNFCCC National Focal Point Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Ministry of Transport and Aviation Mr. Albert Harrison Harvey Finance Manager Sierra Leone Tourism Board, Mr. Sellu McCarthy Assistant Director Finance Ministry of Finance Mr. Abdul Bakarr Salim Deputy Director Climate Change Secretariat Sierra Leone Environment Protection Agency Ms. Cyrillia S.O Wilson Admin and Human Resource Manager Tourism Sierra Leone Tourism Board
Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable. This recognizes that the contribution of countries to climate change and their capacity to prevent it and cope with its consequences vary enormously. Climate finance is needed for mitigation, because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions. Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
In accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities” set out in the Convention, developed country Parties are to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing the objectives of the UNFCCC. The Paris Agreement reaffirms the obligations of developed countries, while for the first time also encouraging voluntary contributions by other Parties. Developed country Parties should also continue to take the lead in mobilizing climate finance from a wide variety of sources, instruments and channels, noting the significant role of public funds, through a variety of actions, including supporting country-driven strategies, and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing country Parties. Such mobilization of climate finance should represent a progression beyond previous efforts.
