By: Aminata Turay
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh urged for national pride and community ownership during the commissioning of the Leicester Peak Viewpoint, describing the occasion as both personal and symbolic for the country’s future on Friday, 24 April 2026.
Addressing community members, government officials, and development partners, he emphasized that the site represents more than a scenic attraction. “It is a physical manifestation of Sierra Leone’s evolving economic identity,” he said, describing it as a source of hope for citizens.
Overlooking the Freetown Peninsula, the Vice President called on Sierra Leoneans to take ownership of the project. “We are not merely observing a landscape; we are witnessing the unfolding of a deliberate transformation,” he stated. He noted that the facility reflects a strategic shift toward job creation and improved livelihoods. “We are not merely building infrastructure; we are engineering economic ecosystems,” he added, stressing that tourism development must deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
He also assured residents that the site would be preserved for future generations. “Take this asset as your home, for it belongs to the future of our children,” he said, while warning against encroachment and pledging strong protection measures for the area.
Declaring the facility officially open, Dr. Jalloh said the viewpoint would stand “as a beacon of our national progress and our resolve to move forward as one country, one destiny.”
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, described the project as a clear signal that Sierra Leone is ready to welcome global visitors. “It is not just a structure, but a statement,” she said, highlighting the country’s ambition to offer authentic and memorable experiences.
She noted steady growth in tourist arrivals, revenue, and employment, adding that “these numbers represent livelihoods, opportunities, and growing confidence,” while calling for sustained investment and strong community participation.
Abdu Muwonge, Country Manager of the World Bank, described the project as evidence of tangible development impact. He noted that the initiative is expected to generate approximately 3,500 direct jobs and more than 35,000 indirect jobs.
He emphasized the importance of sustainability, advocating for private sector involvement in managing the facility to ensure efficiency and long-term viability, while praising the project’s “transformational” outcomes.
Project Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), Mary Jalloh, said the initiative reflects broader reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s investment climate. She highlighted improvements in business processes, access to finance, and enterprise support, which are helping to reduce the cost of doing business and expand economic opportunities.
She added that investments in tourism infrastructure, such as the Leicester Peak Viewpoint, are positioning Sierra Leone as a competitive global destination while promoting inclusive growth.
