The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt has in an interview on AYV “Wake up Sierra Leone” programme highlighted the gains made by the Ministry three years on.
She started by noting that her years of experience in university administration and also providing consultancy services at state level put her in a better position to steer the affairs of the Ministry, realizing that if Sierra Leone develops its Tourism assets it would be one of the best socio-economic poverty reduction indicator for the country.
She said despite the challenges of the Ministry, she came with a determination of leaving a positive legacy in the Ministry.
Minister Pratt pointed out that three years on lot has happened in developing the tourism sector, highlighting the increase in budget allocation to the Ministry, donor support and the Ministry’s aggressive approach to getting the private sector to support the Ministry.
She emphasized that before now tourism in Sierra Leone was centred in Lumley beach but now tourism is visible all over the country with 21 access roads leading to touristic sites being constructed by the Government of Sierra Leone.
She maintained that the Ministry together with line MDA’s is ensuring that the mangroves and water catchment areas are protected, and in the same vein, the Ministry is developing a tourism and wildlife policy to protect and conserve wildlife.
In meeting the targets of the medium term development plan in the tourism sector, the Minister stated that before Covid domestic revenue increased from 2.5% to 4.8%, increase in the number of people visiting Sierra Leone, increase in the establishment of entertainment facilities and a growing interest from people to know what is happening in Sierra Leone, adding that the Ministry is looking forward to the Budapest-Bamako rally in 2022.
Alieu Kondoh
Information Officer
MTCA
+23276688755
Email:alieukondoh23@gmail.com
