Op-Ed: Leicester Peak: Millions Invested, but When Will the Public Benifit?
Sierra Leone is blessed with beautiful white sandy beaches, breathtaking mountain landscapes and a pleasant tropical climate. In 2023, TIME magazine included the Freetown Peninsula in its list of the World’s Greatest Places, highlighting the country’s tourism potential. Yet, despite these God-given attractions, we have struggled to turn our natural heritage into sustainable economic opportunities.
The development of Leicester Peak, therefore, was a welcome initiative. Supported by the World Bank under the Economic Diversification Project, a wider programme valued at approximately US$40 million dollars. The aim was to transform Leicester Peak, with its panoramic views of Freetown, the coastline and surrounding mountains, into an attractive destination with viewing facilities, visitor amenities and improved access infrastructure.
Following the facility’s official commissioning in April 2026, concerns have emerged about its subsequent accessibility. With November and December approaching, when Sierra Leone welcomes visitors from abroad, returning residents and domestic holidaymakers, the question is simple: Why is Leicester Peak not consistently accessible to the public?
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the relevant project authorities should clarify the facility’s current operational status and explain any barriers to opening.
The Ministry previously invited interested companies to apply to manage the site, but what progress has been made? Has a management company been selected, and when can the public expect reliable access? These are legitimate questions about ensuring that an investment intended to support economic growth delivers its intended benefits.
Keeping a completed tourism attraction inaccessible means potentially missing opportunities for revenue generation, employment and local business development. An operational Leicester Peak could earn income through entrance fees, guided tours, food and beverage services, souvenir sales, photography, private functions and corporate retreats, depending on the facilities and management arrangements. It could also create opportunities for tour guides, drivers, vendors, cleaners, security personnel, event organisers and local artisans. Businesses in the Leicester community could benefit from increased visitor traffic, an opportunity previously highlighted by the Ministry.
December presents an opportunity Sierra Leone should not miss. Leicester Peak could become part of Freetown sightseeing packages, alongside beaches, historical landmarks, restaurants and other attractions. Hotels and tour operators could promote excursions to the peak, while families, photography enthusiasts, school groups and corporate organisations could visit throughout the year.
With effective management, transparent ticketing, reliable opening hours, adequate security and proper maintenance, the site could become a sustainable tourism business rather than a facility that attracts attention only during its commissioning. Local businesses should also be given practical opportunities to participate, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond the attraction itself.
The authorities must therefore provide clear answers about the site’s operational status, the management-selection process, public access arrangements, opportunities for the Leicester community and plans for maintenance and long-term sustainability.
The World Bank-supported investment deserves accountability, not merely because substantial resources have been committed, but because the facility was developed to contribute to economic diversification. Opening the site should be accompanied by effective promotion, partnerships with tourism operators and a strategy to attract visitors beyond the festive season. These measures would help stimulate spending, support jobs and strengthen Sierra Leone’s tourism offering.
Sierra Leone cannot afford to measure success only by completed construction projects and commissioning ceremonies. The real test is whether these investments create jobs, generate income and improve opportunities for ordinary citizens. With December approaching, the authorities should clarify the situation and, if the facility is ready for public use, ensure that it opens in time for the festive season. Leicester Peak should not become another completed project that fails to realise its full potential.
This December, it should be welcoming visitors, supporting local businesses and contributing to Sierra Leone’s tourism economy — not missing out on the revenue and opportunities it was developed to create.