By Ibrahim Babatunde Sesay
The Chairman of National Tourist Board, Alieu Tamba Kokobaye has lauded President Julius Maada Bio for his initiative in prioritizing Tourism in the New Direction agenda. He noted that the tourism sector had been dormant for long but expressed optimism that the revitalization of the sector by the President would enable the sector to be one of the major revenue drivers for economic growth in the country.
He further acknowledged the proactive approach of the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt saying her administration had registered remarkable growth and development in the sector.
The Board Chair was making statement at the launch of the Sierra Leone UNWTO Gender Women and Tourism Chapter organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Ministries of Trade and Industry and of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs on Friday 25th October, 2019 at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen, Freetown.
Chairman Kokobaye further commended partner ministries that added value to the successful launch of the chapter.
Chairlady of the event, Hon. Veronica Sesay expressed her honour to chair the occasion, and appealed to state actors and policy makers to employ more women in top government positions. “What men can do, women can do it,” she added. She expressed thanks to all donor partners and the National Tourist Board for organizing the event, acknowledging that there have been significant improvements in the Tourism Industry with Minister Dr. Memunatu Pratt at the helm of affairs.
Launching the Sierra Leone UNWTO Gender Women and Tourism Chapter, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Dr Memunatu Pratt expressed delight that Sierra Leone has gained membership into the UNWTO. She revealed that this is the first year Sierra Leone joined UNWTO as well as attending the conference.
She urged all Sierra Leoneans to market the country locally and internationally. ” We have so many things in the country to market internationally and to help the industry,” she said. She noted that there is a lot of benefits from the UNWTO which will subsequently be of benefit to the country. She thanked President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio for supporting the Tourism sector.
The Honourable Member of Parliament Constituency 131 who doubles as Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Tourism Industry, Hon. Mohamed Sheriff Rahman Coker also expressed his delight to be part of the launching ceremony.
He acknowledged the tremendous improvements in the Tourism Industry under the leadership of Dr. Memunatu Pratt as Tourism Minister, assuring that as parliamentary he would do his best to ensure that the Tourism Industry develops.
The event was graced by hundreds of women from all walks of life, as well as a display of culture.
