The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its sub vented agencies have held a successful familiarization talk with Parliamentary Committee Members on Tourism and Cultural Affairs at the Ministry’s Office, Kingharman Road on the 16th November, 2020.
The purpose of the meeting, according to the Chairman for the aforementioned Tourism Committee Hon. Tom Isaac Tucker, was to make proper acquaintance with the Ministry, get updates on its successes and challenges, and map out appropriate strategies towards proffering realistic recommendations to push the Ministry’s agenda as Committee Members.
Giving overview of the different activities of her ministry, Hon. Memunatu B. Pratt passionately expressed delight to have met with all Honourable Members representing the Tourism sector in the House of Parliament. The Hon. Minister explained that Tourism is one of the fastest growing ministries in Sierra Leone considering the different Touristic projects they have successfully undertaken within this short while.
Dr. Pratt said Tourism is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary sector that has contributed greatly to the economic development of the country. “Another significant adventure my ministry has undertaken is partnering with other line ministries, departments and agencies to assist in developing and providing better facilities to those areas where the tourism ministry proposes to transform into a touristic site,” she declared.
The Honourable Minister confirmed that her ministry has also provided training for all Press attaché’s, print and electronic media on promoting E-tourism. Meanwhile, “we have also collaborated with chiefs, youth groups and women in the coastal areas. The Minister informed all present that her ministry has focused on developing domestic tourism and participated in many International Marketing Trade Fairs.
She concluded on thanking Government for the enormous support received in ensuring that they rebrand the Tourism industry and make it more sustainable.
Contributing to the discussion, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara suggested to the Ministry on attaching all pictorial evidence to their documents on the different activities it has been undertaken, before doing their presentation at the Well of Parliament.
Hon. Tennison H. Sandy enquired to know the measure the Ministry has put in place to control the sea weeds during the raining season as he recommended the construction of more public toilets around the beach areas. Concerns were also raised on the plans of the Ministry’s proposal of decentralizing its projects/functions to the rural areas of the nation.
Hon. Sorie Ibrahim Koroma from among the Committee Members suggested to the Tourism Minister to collaborate with the Finance Ministry to support MTCA in the implementation of its programmed and activities.
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