The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) and its agencies, with support from the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), have continued the nationwide Nature-Based Digital Ecotourism Training in Kabala, Koinadugu District, advancing the Ministry’s Year of Ecotourism campaign to build community capacity and promote sustainable tourism across Sierra Leone.

Opening the session, Paramount Chief Gbawun K. Mansaray III of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom welcomed the Ministry’s delegation and applauded government’s prioritization of tourism as a catalyst for local economic growth. He highlighted the benefits of tourism to livelihoods and small enterprises and called for the urgent protection of Lake Sonfon from illicit mining to preserve its ecological and tourism potential.

In his statement, Deputy Director of Tourism, Travel and Exchange Program, Idrissa Bangura, explained that the training aligns with the National Tourism Policy and the Ecotourism Development and Action Plan, designed to empower communities with digital skills and sustainable tourism practices. He described Koinadugu as a district of vast natural and cultural potential and called for local cooperation in mapping its attractions.

The training workshop featured expert presentations on content creation for tourism promotion, digital marketing, the tourism value chain, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism management. Participants engaged actively, discussing how to apply the lessons to Koinadugu’s rich cultural and environmental context.

 

After the training, participants and MTCA staff embarked on site visits to key attractions in the district. These included the Wara Wara Mountain, renowned for hosting an annual New Year festival that attracts locals and members of the diaspora. The site offers breathtaking views and opportunities for adventure tourism. The Ministry, through the National Tourist Board (NTB), has made interventions to make the area visitor-ready, though challenges remain in maximizing its full potential. The team also visited Senekedugu Village, noted for its vegetable production and potential for agro-tourism, which offers direct benefits to local farmers and communities.

Through this engagement, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and positioning Koinadugu as a key destination that blends nature, culture, and adventure.

MTCA Communications