The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs successfully organized a quiz and debate competition on October 4, 2024, as part of the ongoing celebrations for World Tourism Day. The event, held at the ministry’s Conference Hall, focused on the theme “Tourism and Peace.”

Students from various schools and universities in Freetown participated in the competition, showcasing their knowledge and debating skills. Representatives from Rokel Secondary School, Methodist Boys High School, Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School, Saint Joseph’s Convent Secondary School, Freetown Secondary School for Girls, and Annie Walsh Memorial School, as well as Fourah Bay College, the Institute of Public Administration and Management, Milton Margai Technical University, and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, engaged in lively discussions on the topic of tourism and peace.

The debaters explored the interconnectedness between tourism and peace, arguing that tourism can both promote and benefit from peaceful environments. Mohamed Dauda Kamara from Fourah Bay College emphasized the importance of peace in fostering tourism, stating, “We can enjoy tourism only in the absence of war.”

At the conclusion of the event, prizes were awarded to the top performers in both the quiz and debate competitions. Fourah Bay College emerged as the winner of the debate competition, while Methodist Boys High School secured the first position in the quiz. Individual awards were also given to the Best Quizzer and Best Orator.

Representatives from the National Tourist Board, Monument and Relics Commission, and One Love Salone Foundation also participated in the event, emphasizing the importance of inclusive tourism and the role of students in promoting Sierra Leone as a tourist destination