By Ibrahim S. Bangura
In celebration of World Tourism Day 2024, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Khadijatu Grace Kamara, has called for a national revival of cultural heritage to foster a strong sense of national identity and unity. Speaking at the event themed “Tourism and Peace,” Kamara emphasized the role of cultural revival in helping citizens feel a deeper connection to their country.
She highlighted that the global theme for this year — underscoring the link between tourism and peacebuilding — is essential for fostering cultural understanding and international cooperation. “Cultural revival is key to helping citizens feel a deeper connection to their nation,” Kamara stated, underscoring the need for unity and collaboration for the development of Sierra Leone’s tourism and cultural sectors.
The celebration, held across Kenema and Tonkolili districts, aimed to highlight the role of peace in promoting tourism growth, particularly in rural areas. The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs organized a series of events in Freetown and the provinces, involving stakeholders such as community leaders, schools, businesses, youth, and women’s groups. These events sought to promote domestic tourism and peaceful conflict resolution.
Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh, stressed the importance of sustained peace for the country’s tourism sector. “Culture is the most important aspect in life, so promoting tourism is as well as promoting our culture,” he remarked.
The commemoration concluded with engaging panel discussions led by tourism officials and contributions from various national stakeholders, reinforcing the message that peace is vital for Sierra Leone’s tourism-driven growth and unity.