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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, has led a high-level delegation to assess progress at major tourism development sites, expressing satisfaction with ongoing work while calling for the timely completion of final phases ahead of the project’s official closure.
The inspection tour, conducted on March 24, covered key locations including Bureh Beach, Leicester Peak, and Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The delegation comprised officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, the Project Coordination Unit, ICS, and contractors. The visit aimed to evaluate the readiness of facilities under the tourism development initiative.
At Bureh Beach, contractors guided the minister and her team through newly developed infrastructure. Minister Tunis and the delegation expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work.
Engagement with the local community formed a key part of the visit, where residents acknowledged the project’s positive impact. Community members said the intervention has transformed the area, discouraged sand mining, and created new livelihood opportunities, while enhancing the beach’s appeal as a tourism destination.
At Leicester Peak, the delegation conducted a detailed inspection of facilities and commended the standard of work delivered. Minister Tunis, however, emphasized the importance of completing outstanding final touches within the stipulated timeframe to ensure full operational readiness. The site, widely known for its panoramic views of Freetown, is expected to boost eco-tourism and recreational activities in the capital.
The tour concluded at Tacugama, where Minister Tunis personally led the inspection alongside key stakeholders. She praised the overall progress recorded and urged contractors to accelerate remaining work to meet project deadlines.
The tourism development initiative is supported by the World Bank under the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project. The programme is designed to diversify the country’s economy through tourism by developing modern infrastructure.
Officials say it is expected to improve visitor experiences, create jobs, empower local communities, and position Sierra Leone as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs stated that the assessment forms part of final checks to ensure all sites meet required standards before the project’s closure.
