Nabeela Farida Tunis has officially taken over the mantle of leadership from Dr. Memunatu Pratt as the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs at a well-attended handing over ceremony that was held at the Ministry’s conference Hall, Kingharman Road, Freetown. The event marked the end of Dr. Pratt’s 5 years reign as Minister and the beginning of new era filled with optimism in the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
In her remarks, outgone Minister Pratt congratulated Madam Tunis and her Deputy, Kadiatu G.A. Kamara saying that the handing over ceremony was a significant step in underlying the confidence bestowed on her by President Bio to transform an ailing sector of the economy to a vibrant diversified sector that can rebrand the image of Sierra Leone, create jobs and rebuild entertainment and culture. She highlighted the various programmes and activities undertaken and achieved during her tenure. She thanked President Bio, her Deputy, World Bank and other donors for the support, tourism stakeholders and staff of the Ministry and its agencies for their commitment during her tenure and wished her successor the very best as Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
On her Part, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis thanked Dr. Pratt for her dedication in steering the affairs of the sector for five years saying that she will spend many moments reflecting on her achievements. “As I reflect on the account u gave on your stewardship, I can’t help but marvel at the achievements from raising the profile of the Ministry to the institutionalization of the Ministry, to working with our international partners, to develop the curriculum and I thanked the World Bank for the support they have extended to the sector over the years and I look forward to working with them as I take this foundation they have set forward”, she maintained.
Minister Tunis expressed admiration for the cooperation between Dr. Pratt and her Deputy, a pattern she will emulate to maintain their legacy. She noted the challenges of the sector and looked forward to Dr. Pratt’s contribution in dealing with bottleneck of the sector. She called on stakeholders to work collaboratively as they embark on sustaining the legacy and breaking new grounds in the development of tourism and culture in Sierra Leone.
MTCA Communications
