Mr Ahonsi expressed concern over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry
UN Resident Coordinator Babatunde Ahonsi, at a meeting on Tuesday with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Ms Memunatu Pratt, underscored the importance of tourism in achieving Sierra Leone’s development priorities. The two met at her Off- Kingharman Road office in Freetown.
The RC said the UN is here to support national priorities, and these are reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. According to him, you cannot begin to talk about the four areas of the Cooperation Framework -- sustainable agriculture, food and nutrition security and climate resilience; transformational governance; access to basic services and protection of the most vulnerable -- without linkages to culture and tourism.
Mr Ahonsi expressed concern over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry. Notwithstanding, he commended Minister Pratt for the emphasis she has placed on domestic tourism and on women and young people, observing that “Sierra Leone has rich cultural endowments that need to be harnessed and promoted.”
The Minister agreed and explained that she has spent most of her time working on tourism, “but in terms of moving the divide, we have to also zero in on arts and culture”. She mentioned the need, through civic education on culture, to popularize the UNESCO Conventions for the protection of cultural and natural heritage. Madam Minister informed the RC that she will be taking these Conventions to cabinet for ratification.
She also briefed the RC on priorities related to tourism and welcomed UN collaboration for training, including for hospitality workers, security sector personnel in relation to tourism safety and security, and for creative artists and entrepreneurs.
Madam Pratt mentioned the need to support beach cleaning exercises for all beaches in the country through the ‘Food for Work’ Programme, and the possibility of constructing recording studios in all four regions of Sierra Leone that would be available to musical artists.
In the near term, she was enthusiastic about getting the RC and the UNCT actively involved in joint celebrations marking World Tourism Day on September 27. The theme this year is ‘Tourism and Inclusive growth: Achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2030 in the Post-Pandemic Era.’
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Sierra Leone.
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
