November 30, 2021
By Audrey John
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the Iranian Embassy in Sierra Leone have completed a ten (10) day training of trainers on handicraft at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen in Freetown.
Due to the cordial relationship between the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt and the Iranian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Akbar Khosravinezhad, the Iranian Embassy in Sierra Leone on the request of Minister Pratt provided four female Iranian handicraft trainers to add the more needed expertise in the creative industry. The training targeted 50 women from across the country that is already into handicraft and other creative arts training.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director of Culture, Foday Jalloh explained that the training has shown strength in diversity by exploring Sierra Leone’s ethnicity for national development. He applauded the Minister and the Iranian Ambassador for making this happen, noting that it was the first time training of such magnitude was happening. He commended the trainers for their input towards the training and announced that they have established a national association of handicraft trainers.
The Permanent Secretary, Andrew L. Sorie thanked the Minister and the Ambassador for empowering our women, saying that the training would upgrade the sophistication of the art and science of handicraft in Sierra Leone. He thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for providing the trainers and commended the Government of Sierra Leone for providing the resources in mobilizing participants and also giving technical direction towards the training.
The Iranian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Akbar Khosravinezhad said the ten day training was timely and the trainees took advantage of the opportunity by giving it their full dedication. He pointed at the output by the trainees as a testimony of the success of the training. He informed the gathering that the training initially intended for fifty people but ten more were added because of the interest that was shown by Sierra Leoneans towards the training.
Delivering her keynote address, Minister Pratt remarked that job creation is a very important aspect to the development of Sierra Leone, hence this government has prioritized the empowerment of its citizens as evident in the training of trainers on handicraft for people across the country. He said the training has reduce a huge burden on the sector as they now have certified trainers that can train other people across the country and also a baseline to access funding to support trainers in their individual areas.
She considered the training as an international one because it was done by international experts, adding that the training will fill the gap of making a case to donors for support. She said her ambition for 2020 is to articulate and market this outcome to ensure that each district gets a training component of the creative industry. She thanked and appreciated the Ambassador and the people of Iran and the trainers for offering their services to the sector.
Exhibition of handicrafts and presentation of certificates to the trainees and trainers climaxed the occasion.