By: Precious Miracle Kargbo (Intern)
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in an engagement with stakeholders of the Creative and Cultural Industry, on 13th September 2023 has engaged themselves on how to build up strategic methods in which they can work with to attain government’s sustainable and big five (5) goals.
Different participants from various ethnical backgrounds and this opened up the platform for the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Tunis rendered her sincere appreciation for all the guests’ presents to grace the occasion and that entire are working hardly and unanimously to uplift the work of the Ministry. The Minister also pleaded to maintain a moment of silence and reflection for all past and fallen heroes of the land (Sierra Leone).
After a brief moment of silence, a renowned historian and custodian in Sierra Leone by Dr Julius Spencer highlighted the different opportunities which Sierra Leone has missed over the years, he also said “in the late 70s and 90s we have missed a lot of opportunities and this include our theaters, city hall and how they were full to capacity during the weekend for historical entertainment purposes, music in the early 2000s and studios which were set up to promote Sierra Leonean songs to take over the country but today it is Nigeria music because they thought that is the only way before they become successful and create profit,” Dr Spencer Lamented.
Dr Spencer also sheds light on another historical creative industry which is now facing a huge blow- production of local movies but that era is over because people are intrigued to international movies and actors. He also added that in 2005 the IFC (International Finance Corporation) estimated an investment of five Million dollars which was generated by Bounce Island was about 400 million in ATS and also maintains that Bounce Island has direct links with the United States of America which gives African Americans the specie, platform and opportunities to visit Sierra Leone.
He suggested four solutions that the Ministry of Tourism needs to enforce in order to maintain growth and sustainable development in the sector. Firstly, Copyright should be enforced and maintained by the ministry, next, performance and exhibition, training, and funding. He said these are the key areas that need to be prioritized to ensure growth and development in the industry sector without them the creative sector cannot strive.
The Minister Nabela Tunis maintains that it is part of governments objective to support the creative economy, and if the creative industry improves then the industry will in turn serve as a major backbone to ensure that government achieve its big 5 sustainable goals.
“The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs should have a management and functional review, back up with structured and policy framework in order to enable transparent partnerships” she initiated.
The Minister called on all stakeholders, government and the creative industry to continue working and developing plans and structures that will boost the creative, cultural and tourism sector of the country.
