The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, on Thursday, July 9, 2026, received His Excellency Lincoln G. Downer, Jamaica’s High Commissioner accredited to Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and several other West African countries, at her office on King Harman Road in Freetown.
The courtesy meeting centered on strengthening bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Jamaica, with a strong focus on expanding cooperation in tourism, cultural exchange, heritage preservation, and investment opportunities within the creative and tourism sectors.
During the discussions, both sides explored avenues for promoting the two countries as heritage and cultural tourism destinations. They also considered opportunities for collaboration in areas such as cultural festivals, arts and creative industries, capacity building, and knowledge sharing to enhance the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector.
Minister Tunis reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to working closely with Jamaica to harness the cultural and historical connections shared by the two nations. She noted that stronger partnerships in tourism and culture can contribute to economic growth, job creation, and greater people-to-people exchanges while showcasing the unique heritage of both countries to the global community.
High Commissioner Downer expressed Jamaica’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Sierra Leone, emphasizing the importance of strengthening diplomatic relations through tourism, culture, and education. He highlighted the shared African heritage that connects the two countries and underscored the value of collaborative initiatives that promote cultural understanding and sustainable tourism development.
The meeting also discussed the potential for increased collaboration between tourism institutions, cultural organizations, and private sector stakeholders, with the aim of encouraging investment, boosting visitor arrivals, and preserving historical and cultural sites.
The engagement reaffirmed the shared commitment of Sierra Leone and Jamaica to deepening diplomatic ties and building strategic partnerships that will strengthen tourism, celebrate cultural diversity, preserve their rich cultural heritage, and create new opportunities for sustainable development and mutual prosperity.