By: Marian Magdalene Bangura
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, has assured Sierra Leoneans that the Government’s investments in preparations for the forthcoming ECOWAS Summit should be regarded as long-term national assets rather than short-term expenditures, emphasizing that their benefits will extend far beyond the regional gathering.
Speaking at the Special Edition Government Press Conference hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, Minister Barlay addressed public concerns about the cost of hosting the summit and its expected economic returns.
Responding to comparisons between the upcoming ECOWAS Summit and the historic Organization of African Unity (OAU) Summit previously hosted by Sierra Leone, the Minister cautioned against attributing the country’s past economic difficulties solely to that event.
“Many people have compared this summit with the OAU Summit that Sierra Leone hosted in the past. However, many international factors contributed to the country’s economic challenges at that time. It would therefore be inaccurate to attribute those difficulties solely to the OAU Summit simply because they occurred around the same period,” she explained.
Minister Barlay acknowledged that substantial resources were invested in hosting the OAU Summit and noted that some expenditures may have been excessive. However, she emphasized that preparations for the ECOWAS Summit have been strategically planned to leave behind infrastructure that will continue to benefit the country for decades.
According to her, the Government’s largest investments are focused on constructing the conference centre and presidential villas, as well as renovating and upgrading hotels.
“These should not be viewed merely as expenses; they are long-term national investments,” she stated.
The Minister explained that, once completed, these facilities will position Sierra Leone as a competitive destination for international conferences, conventions and high-level meetings, creating opportunities for sustained economic growth through conference tourism.
She noted that conference tourism has become a major contributor to many economies by creating jobs, stimulating local businesses, increasing hotel occupancy and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
“Just as some countries have built successful economies around medical tourism, others have developed thriving conference and convention industries. Sierra Leone now has an opportunity to benefit from this growing global sector,” she said.
Addressing concerns about government spending, Minister Barlay highlighted the measures adopted to ensure prudent financial management throughout the summit preparations.
She explained that the Government deliberately implemented cost-saving strategies, particularly regarding transportation for visiting delegations. Rather than hiring vehicles for every visiting minister at significant expense, arrangements were made to minimize costs. She further clarified that many of the new vehicles acquired for the summit are intended primarily for transporting Heads of State and Government and were provided through the cooperation of the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Barlay also disclosed that ECOWAS is sharing part of the financial responsibility for hosting the summit, thereby reducing the burden on the Government while supporting investments that would have been necessary irrespective of the event.
She added that initiatives such as the beautification of public spaces, improved sanitation, enhanced hospitality services and critical infrastructure upgrades are national development priorities that will continue to benefit citizens long after the summit concludes.
Responding to a question about the “Bombeh” dumpsites, Minister Barlay highlighted the practical benefits of Sierra Leone’s partnership with ECOWAS.
She cited the former Waterloo dumpsite as an example, explaining that the Government had already secured land, with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, for the construction of a modern market. Through further engagement with ECOWAS, additional support was secured to clear the dumpsite and facilitate the market’s construction.
According to the Minister, the project transformed an unsanitary waste disposal site into a productive commercial centre, creating a cleaner environment while expanding economic opportunities for traders and surrounding communities.
She described the Waterloo project as a clear demonstration of how Sierra Leone’s collaboration with ECOWAS is delivering tangible development outcomes for ordinary citizens.
Looking ahead, Minister Barlay revealed that Sierra Leone is also expected to benefit from ECOWAS’ Economic Stabilization Fund, valued at more than US$20 million.
She explained that the country’s active participation in ECOWAS programmes and its leadership within the regional bloc place it in a favourable position to qualify for support under the facility. While noting that the final allocation and utilization of the funds will be determined through Cabinet deliberations, she expressed confidence that the financing would further strengthen national development efforts.
Concluding her remarks, Minister Barlay reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to responsible economic planning and strategic investment, emphasizing that preparations for the ECOWAS Summit represent an investment in Sierra Leone’s future competitiveness, regional leadership and long-term economic transformation.
The Special Edition Government Press Conference forms part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s ongoing efforts to keep citizens informed about key national issues while providing an open platform for Government ministers to address public concerns through factual, transparent and accountable communication.