The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, National Tourist Board and Monuments and Relics Commission (MRC) has on Monday 23rd April 2023 organized a Heritage/Civil Education and Business Development Workshop for 35 African-Americans who have traced their roots to Sierra Leone at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen in Freetown.

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, said Africans were forcefully taken abroad as slaves, that many died on the way and that they contributed to build America and Europe but discriminated against with no equal rights and opportunities, that they fought for their freedom adding that those who fought back through civil rights movements were killed.

She disclosed that the African Union has declared the Diaspora as the sixth region of Africa and that African-Americans have contributed to the development of Sierra Leone in various areas like agriculture, tourism and education reiterating that the country needs them and would be given the space to operate adding that, Sierra Leone is built on descent and was identified as the free or melting pot for slaves, that Sierra Leonean Ambassadors are building a community in America concluding that the venture is a pilgrimage worth taking.

Speaking at the event,  Ann Marie Kamara, Administrative Officer at MRC called on the participants to sing the National Anthem and National Pledge while Mohamed Faray Kargbo, Education and Communications Officer MRC, in his welcome address, commended the participants for tracing their roots and taking the bold step to return to Sierra Leone. Mohamed Faray Kargbo also recalled that their ancestors were taken by force to America and other parts of the world, their identities changed but now returning home, hoped they would enjoy the best and not regret their coming and further revealed that a lot of African-Americans are returning home.

Mr. Andrew Jiah Kaikai, The Chief Immigration Officer, disclosed that for one to become a naturalized citizen of Sierra Leone he/she should have residence in the country for eight years but that the African-Americans have been exempted as their passports would be processed at the event.

He assured them that they are home and not tourists and that they would not be discriminated.