Freetown, August 3, 2026 – Ghanaian YouTube star and pan-African influencer, Wodemaya, has lauded Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, for her relentless drive in repositioning Sierra Leone as a competitive tourism destination. Speaking during an interview on Truth Media, Wodemaya highlighted the Minister’s hands-on leadership and innovative reforms that are steadily transforming the sector.
He pointed to landmark initiatives such as the Tourism Innovation Centre at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which blends conservation with digital learning and eco-tourism. According to him, such projects not only protect Sierra Leone’s unique biodiversity but also create new avenues for youth engagement, research, and international collaboration.
“Minister Tunis is showing Africa that tourism is not just about beaches and hotels; it’s about innovation, culture, and sustainability,” Wodemaya remarked.
The sectoral improvements under Tunis’s leadership include: Eco-tourism expansion: Tacugama’s Innovation Center that is attracting global attention, in terms of Cultural promotion, the revitalisation of heritage sites and festivals that is strengthening Sierra Leone’s cultural identity; and on Infrastructure and visibility, there has been strategic partnerships that are improving facilities and marketing Sierra Leone abroad.
Wodemaya used the platform to urge Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora and Africans worldwide to invest in their homeland and continent. He emphasised that tourism offers untapped opportunities for job creation, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
“Africa will only rise when Africans themselves believe in it. Sierra Leoneans abroad must-see tourism as a gateway to rebuild and rebrand their nation,” he said.
The interview underscores a growing consensus that Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, once overlooked, is now gaining momentum through visionary leadership and regional advocacy. With continued investment and diaspora engagement, the country could emerge as a West African hub for eco-tourism and cultural heritage.
