By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has initiated a coordinated push to transform Sierra Leone’s tourism, hospitality, and creative industries into key drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and innovation.
The move followed a high-level stakeholder meeting at Dove’s Nest, Aberdeen, where government officials and industry executives agreed on concrete steps toward establishing a unified National Tourism Federation.
Secretary General of the Transitional Leadership Committee, Abdul Karim Jalloh, presented a recategorized structure of 10 associations to be represented under the federation. These include ASSET for small enterprises, AE for entertainers, ACTS for creative services, TAT for transport, AHA for accommodations, HASP for hospitality providers, TBOIN for business owners and investors, ATHOP for professionals, ACTO for community-based tourism, and a bloc for CSOs and media in tourism.
Director of Tourism Mohamed Jalloh unveiled an activity calendar spanning August 5 to September 25, 2026. The plan covers finalization of the federation’s constitution, formation of an electoral committee, and elections with the inauguration of new executives in September. He stressed the need to meet all deadlines.
Permanent Secretary Judith Johnson welcomed participants and said the outcomes of the meeting would be critical in shaping the sector’s future. She called for collective responsibility and measurable results.
Delivering the keynote, Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis urged stakeholders to put past difficulties behind them and take advantage of the new legal framework she described as a “transformative tool” for the industry.
The Minister said tourism, hospitality, and the creative economy must be repositioned as engines of growth.
“We need bold leadership, innovation, and collaboration to unlock jobs and expand opportunities for Sierra Leoneans,” she said.
Stakeholder representatives contributed ideas and recommendations during the session.
The Ministry described the consultative meeting as a major step toward stronger sector governance and a unified federation that will advocate for the industry both nationally and internationally.
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