By Abubakarr Harding
Indeed it was a spectacular scene filled with fun, laughter and joy on the 1st and 2nd January, 2023 during the first-ever AfriCaribbean festival parade in Sierra Leone in which the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, participated and even unveiled a Mural, erected at the National Tourist Board along the Aberdeen-Lumley beach road in Freetown in remembrance of the Festival.
Held between Lumley and Aberdeen the street parade witnessed the display of both Caribbean and Sierra Leonean cultures.
The first ever AfriCaribbean Festival in Sierra Leone was a blend of Sierra Leonean and Caribbean cultures with the ultimate goal of bringing large number of Caribbeans and Africans diasporas to showcase Sierra Leone as a destination of return and at the same time increase tourism and the opportunity to invest. The festival comprised of eight events and two tours. The unveiling of an art work by Minister Pratt climaxed the maiden edition of the festival.
The Minister, together with staff of the Ministry and its agencies interacted and danced with the Caribbeans as they entertained the jubilant crowd along the beach road. The African diasporas appreciated the tourism sector for the show of hospitality and looked forward to holding more festivals in Sierra Leone.
Unveiling the Mural, Dr. Pratt thanked President Bio for giving the sector the relevance it deserves and appreciated all those that made the festival a success. She said the mural will serve for educational purposes for parents who bring their children to the beach. She added that the massive public educational edifice will be added to their public education campaign to teach the history of Sierra Leone. She called on citizens to make use of the mural and broaden their knowledge about the history of Sierra Leone.
