The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with Eminence Africa has in a press conference updated newsmen on the first ever Africaribbean festival in Sierra Leone slated for the 8th-December, 2022- 2nd January, 2023 at Radisson Blu. The press briefing was held at the Ministry’s Head Office, Kingharman Road, Freetown.

Giving the overview of the festival, the Co. Founder of the AfriCaribbean Festival, Danna Labor via virtual message told newsmen that the Festival will be a blend of Sierra Leonean and Caribbean culture with the ultimate goal of bringing large amount of Caribbeans and African diasporans to showcase Sierra Leone as a destination of return, increase tourism and the opportunity to invest. He said the festival will have positive economic impacts on many businesses. He revealed that the festival will have eight events and two tours including a “carnival meet lantern parade”, a grand New Year ’s Eve concert and an unveiling of an art work to commemorate the first ever AfriCaribbean festival.

In her remarks, the Minister, Dr. Memunatu Pratt started by explaining that a country’s DNA is in its culture, heritage, arts, values, music, festival and dance which serve as an important component to deliver tourism, hence the first ever Africa-Carribbean festival in West Africa is important. She maintained that the event is a big one and they are trying to incorporate their own events in between the festival to showcase Sierra Leone’s art and culture. She commended the team lead and co. founder of the festival for their steadfastness and resolve in getting this to happen and assured that the country will learn from this and be able to organise this kind of festival in the future.