By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, under the leadership of the Dr. Memunatu Pratt as Minister has been widely commended as one that has been doing exceptionally well in revamping the tourism sector by working hard to transform it in order to become a formidable and viable game changer in rebranding the country’s image as well as positively contributing to revenue generation, job creation among many other advantages it offers.
Since her appointment by President Julius Maada Bio to head that Ministry, Dr Memunatu Pratt as Minister, in collaboration with the General Manager of one of the agencies of the Ministry, the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Carew, has done tremendously well in transforming what was once considered to be a moribund entity by bringing it up to an appreciable standard that has now gained the admiration as well as confidence of donors and other relevant stakeholders in and out of the country.
After her appointment, Dr Memunatu Pratt inherited a project geared towards the establishment of a Cultural Village, in one of the outskirts of the city, meant primarily for showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
According to an erroneous account, it was stated that the implementation of a Cultural Village Project was funded by the current political administration headed by President Bio up to the tune of Le1.3 Million but, lamentably and regrettably, nothing solidly tangible transpired since then further alleging that the Project is now a Ghost Village with nothing to show for it. Simply put, it turns out to be a ghost project after the funds were squandered.
When this medium went into action in order to delve or focus deeper into the issue or allegation made against the Ministry, especially when it was categorically stated that the Project did not move an inch under the watch of the current Minister, Dr Memunatu Pratt, the new revelations and evidences that emerged or were came across speak volumes of why up to date the Cultural Village Project has not transpired or materialized.
It was clearly understood and realized that the initiative of establishing a Cultural Village emanated from the era of the erstwhile APC led Government and it was during that same period that the Project was initiated and funds provided to finance its implementation.
It must be noted or underscored that the current Minister of Tourism, Dr Memunatu Pratt, was not part of it and maybe she was not even dreaming of becoming a Minister at that material time until she was appointed by President Julius Maada Bio.
However, after her appointment as Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr Memunatu Pratt and other officials of the Ministry, thought it fit that the Cultural Village Project will be very key or instrumental in revitalizing the tourism sector especially in promoting as well as preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage.
In that regard they put together a request that called on the Government and partners to revive Project which they designed to be operated as a skills training hub for the creatives. From what this medium learnt, donors have committed to support its implementation although from that time to now funds are yet to be provided for such to take place.
During the course of the investigation it was also learnt that currently most of the items meant for the implementation of the Project have been stolen and vandalised after the previous APC led Government decided to locate affected persons of Regent mudslide incident where the Cultural Village could have been located.
Although the mudslide victims are no longer residing there, however, before they left they vandalized and looted anything of value. Some of the items were stolen, the facilities destroyed but fortunately some of the items were secured and kept by the Ministry of Tourism, under its current Minister at the Ministry of Works until such a time when they may be needed.
As the situation now stands the Cultural Village Project is presently on hold and according to assurances by the Minister whenever funds are made available implementation of the Project will commence.
The mere fact that the Ministry, under the stewardship of Dr. Memunatu Pratt, decided to provide a safe haven for some of the items is a pointer to how committed she is to see that a Cultural Village is created to achieve the objectives for which it was established.
From what many have attested to if only Dr Memunatu Pratt was the Minister at the material time when the Project was conceived then this country would have been boasting of having a vibrant Cultural Village cum Skills Training Centre by now that will be catering for creatives in addition to the other commendable implemented Projects that fall under the Ministry’s purview.
