The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourist Board with support from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Tier 2 under the Sustainable Tourism Development Promotion Project (STDPP) have commissioned and handed-over the 24-bedroom hotel, kitchen, restaurant, prep service and 6 classrooms of the Hotel and Tourism Training Centre (HTTC) to Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) Brookfield campus.

In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary who doubles as Chairman for the ceremony intimated that they were gathered to witness government’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure for learning a practical experience in the hospitality sector with the aim of training skilled professionals who will in turn contribute to the growth of the country.

Giving the rationale of the project, General Manager, NTB, Fatmata Hamid Carew gave a brief background of the project starting from the endorsement of a MoU between EIF Trust Fund Manager-United Nations office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the government of Sierra Leone to the approval of the repackaged STDPP with the overarching objective to create an enabling environment to revamp the tourism sector in Sierra Leone. She mentioned the training needs assessment revealed gaps in supply and demand needs, a deficiency that precipitated the introduction of an Integrated Tourism and Hospitality Curriculum for the sector and the subsequent turning of sod of the refurbishment of HTTC. She appreciated the EIF for their support and confidence while hoping that the facility will serve as a beacon of hope for the hospitality sector.

Peter Donelan, EIF’s Country Coordinator explained the EIF’s mandate as mentioned in SDG 8. a for economic growth that was built on country ownership facilitating demand driven interventions as well as trade development partnership between all Least Developed Countries (LDCs). He added that the EIF funded Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion Project (STDPP) was approved in 2019 and was pleased to see that the project is now fully completed with the hope that the improved facilities at HTTC will contribute towards helping the next generation of tourism professionals.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis in her keynote address maintained that the unveiling and handing-over of the refurbished 24-bedroom hotel and 6 classrooms of HTTC to MMTU was a momentous landmark in the evolution of the tourism landscape within the confines of MMTU and also a testament to the concerted efforts of the government and the donors (EIF) STDPP, an achievement that resonated with President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers.

“It is imperative to recognize that within the framework of the new Medium-Term National Development Plan, tourism has been strategically positioned as a catalyst for the 5 game changers with our role extending beyond mere hospitality training but also fostering educational growth, self-empowerment and job creation”, she added.

She took cognizant of the pivotal role of the Hospitality and Tourism School, hence funding was sought to refurbish essential infrastructure that will facilitate practical learning experiences essential for students transition into the job market. She underscored the significance of their commitments to economic diversification catalyzed by recent graduation of 800 artisans and well as other notable endeavors that epitomized the intricate interplay of the tourism multiplier effect and value chain. She furthered that the unveiling of the facility resonated with the ongoing Tourism for All Campaign theme of March, Create and Innovate. She called on the beneficiaries to make use and safeguard the equipment to ensure perpetuation of benefits for future generation. She on behalf of President Bio thanked the donors, and recognized all former Ministers and Managers that contributed to this outcome.

The facility was handed over to the Chancellor of MMTU, Dr. Victor E. A. Kabia. Other spekers, including the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, and Trade and Industry Minister, Ibrahim A. Sesay laid emphasis on the importance of having an improved hospitality facility that will train students and also bridge the human resource capacity gap in the sector.

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The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs through the Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World Monument Fund for the restoration of the edifice of Old Fourah Bay College. The signing of the MoU was done at a brief ceremony held at the Ministry’s Kingharman Road Headquarters.

World Monument Fund is the implementing partner for the United States Ambassador’s Fund for cultural preservation grant that was awarded in 2021 to preserve Old Fourah Bay College building at Cline Town. Having completed the first phase and presented preliminary findings of the building to the Ministry, the Principal Project Director for World Monument Fund, Stephen Battle, together with the Project Manager, Isatu Smith was at the Ministry to sign the MoU for the full restoration of one of the country’s monumental edifice.

Submitting a breakdown of what to be done to restore the building, the Principal Project Director, Stephen Battle said the first step is to bring the consultant, Aziza Chaouni and also sit with the Ministry and the MRC to decide on how the restoration will unfold.

On her part, Minister of Tourism of Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis commended the arrangements that have gone into the process and also share their full cooperation to ensure that the project come into fruition. She thanked the team from World Monument Fund for their commitments while reiterating that the Ministry will continue to collaborate with them on this and other projects of mutual interest.

The signatories to the (MoU) for the restoration of Old FBC edifice were the Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson, the Chairman of MRC, Joseph Kaifala and the Principal Project Director for World Monument Fund, Stephen Battle. The Deputy Minister, Khadijatu Grace Kamara, and the Administrative Manager of MRC, Ann-Marie Kamara were all part of the ceremony.

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The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs continues its tour of media practitioners (Print, electronics and bloggers) to Railway Museum. This followed the tour of Peace Museum earlier in the day.

The tour of the Railway Museum resonates with the travel and hospitality month of February and also aimed at educating media practitioners about Sierra Leone’s public and cultural history during colonial era and the early phase of independence.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lawmakers including the female caucus has commended the people of Sierra Leone for their courage of overcoming the civil war and expressed hope for the new Sierra Leone. They made this statement after having a conducted tour of the Peace Museum in Special Court where they were showed and told the causes of the war, it devastating effect on civilians, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) commissioners, the public archive and those that bear the greatest responsibilities of the 11 years civil war in Sierra Leone.

The visit to the Museum by the lawmakers was in continuation of their tour of touristic and historical sites as part of the Travel and Hospitality month of the Tourism for All Campaign to experience hospitality and also familiarize with the history of Sierra Leone. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the visit followed their previous tour of Tacugama Chimps Sanctuary.

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis introduced the ECOWAS parliamentarian to the Registrar of the Peace Museum, Binta Mansaray who welcomed the MPs saying that the Museum is a legacy project of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone to honour the victims of the war and assist in the peace process. The Outreach Coordinator, Patrick Fatoma narrated the war’s history, the peace process, and the memorial garden in honor of the victims.

Hon. Umeoji Chukwuma Michael from Nigeria said the tour was a reminder of what war can do and a sign of encouragement that Sierra Leone can overcome such. He thanked the people of Sierra Leone for preserving the history and looked forward to a peaceful prosperous country.

The Director of Culture, Foday Jalloh, the Chairman of Monument and Relics Commission, Joseph Kaifala and Senior Tourist Officer, Tamba S. Bundor were part of the tour.

The Peace Museum was established to serve as a memorial, research and historical site for both Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans. It contains significant historical documents such as the Special Court Public Archives and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) records.

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The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis was on AYV Wake Up Sierra Leone show to elaborate on the year-long Tourism for All Campaign and other issues that relates to the development of tourism and culture in Sierra Leone

Here are the key points of the interview👇👇👇👇

👉Changing the Image of Sierra Leone Marketing and Rebranding efforts have yielded fruits with Sierra Leone gaining international accolades from National geographic, Forbes, CNN and others naming Sierra Leone as one of the world’s greatest places to visit. The destination is also rated highly in the world giving index, countries with lowest cost of happiness and the global peace index.

👉On the Tourism4All Campaign- The idea was conceived based on series of brainstorming with staff of the Ministry and agencies to further promote and preserve the country’s rich cultural heritage as well as get people to understand the value of tourism. The campaign which has a theme for every month is targeting 3.5 million people through various means and channels.

👉Efforts in Beach Cleaning- The Ministry and partners have been engaging in massive beach cleaning exercises. They are also investigating the sources of the waste while calling on young people to find innovative ways to effectively and efficiently manage the waste on the beaches.

👉On the development at Leicester Peak- It falls under those sites that the Ministry under the World Bank (SLEDP) is developing state of the art, low impact facility that will attract local and international visitors. It is closed to the public but it will be open once the construction is completed in 2025.

👉On the African-Americans Home Coming- They are hoping to have a home coming in December, the month of festivities and entertainment. Gateway to liberation and Freedom will be launched in April, arrangements are being made to reach out to those African American that traced their roots to Sierra Leone and get them to join the programmme in December.

👉On the Demolition of Structures at Lumley Beach- They held meetings with beach bar owners association on the standard they want to see along the beach fronts. Based on the guidelines issued by NTB and to maintain hygiene they had to remove some of the structures that do not conform to the standard required.

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