By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), in collaboration with its agencies and with support from the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), has expanded its nationwide Nature-Based Digital Ecotourism Training to Makeni, Bombali District. This initiative is part of the Year of Ecotourism Campaign and aims to promote sustainable tourism across Sierra Leone. The two-day event combined capacity-building sessions with field visits to key tourist attractions, including Wusum Hills (Waterworks), the People’s Education Art and Craft Centre, and Patebana Marank, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to fostering community participation, digital innovation, and sustainable tourism development.
Chief Santigie Sesay, Regent Chief Representative of Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, welcomed the delegation and praised the government’s focus on tourism as a driver of local economic growth and improved livelihoods. Other dignitaries in attendance included representatives from the Hotel and Tourism Association North, the Provincial Secretary, the Bombali District Council Chairman, and the Resident Minister of the Northeast Region, all of whom offered valuable insights during the event.
In his remarks, Deputy Director of Tourism, Travel, and Exchange Programs, Idrissa Bangura, explained that the training aligns with the National Tourism Policy and the Ecotourism Development and Action Plan, which are designed to equip local communities with digital skills and sustainable tourism practices. He described Makeni as a district rich in natural and cultural heritage and emphasized the need for collective efforts to identify and promote its unique attractions.
The training included interactive presentations on content creation for tourism promotion, digital marketing, biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism management, and the tourism value chain. Participants actively engaged with the material and brainstormed ways to adapt these lessons to Makeni’s specific context. Many participants expressed their commitment by signing up for the Ministry’s Ecotourism Initiative.
Following the workshop, participants and MTCA staff visited key sites such as the Wusum Hills (Waterworks), a heritage site popular for adventure tourism and traditional rites, the People’s Education Art and Craft Centre, which is known for its creative use of local materials, and Patebana Marank, a sacred village where Paramount Chiefs are crowned and laid to rest.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to empowering local communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and positioning Makeni as a leading destination that blends nature, culture, and adventure.