Sulima, one of the places to be at all times

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabella Tunis, said at the three-day event  in Sulima to position the township as a touristic destination, that under the Year of Culture and Creativity 2026, Sulima has risen as a powerful expression of Sierra Leone’s national vision, enlightening that declaring the township as a Tourism Development Area by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Sulima reflects the country’s commitment to ensure that tourism development reaches every district and empowers every community, an experience rooted in culture and driven by creativity.

The Minister underscored, “Lɛ wi ol ol kolc o ɛn kriativiti fo bɛtɛ Salone enti una sabi se turizm biznehs na ol man biznehs.”

A Presidential Vision in Motion, in 2021, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio declared Sulima a Tourism Development Area (TDA), recognizing its extraordinary coastal beauty, cultural depth and economic potential.

According to the Minister, this year, under the year themed “Culture and Creativity”, that vision moves from designation to activation.

From 13-15 February 2026, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the Chiefdom stakeholders and powered by Inkee Media, hosted the Sulima Weekend Getaway, a cultural and coastal experience positioning Sulima as one of the best places to be at all times.

Sulima is located in Sorogbema Chiefdom, Pujehun District, in the Southeastern Region of Sierra Leone. It lies at one of the country’s most dramatic natural intersections, where the Moa River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The town sits near the border with Liberia, making it a cultural bridge between nations and a gateway to regional exchange.

Sulima offers over 40 kilometers of unspoiled golden coastline, clean, rolling Atlantic waves ideal for marine and surf tourism, a vibrant Sierra Leonean-Liberian-Ghanaian cultural fusion, strong fishing traditions and maritime heritage, a peaceful, self-sustaining community with authentic hospitality.

Sulima is accessible via road from Freetown through Bo and Pujehun Town. Sulima represents the Southern coastal frontier of Sierra Leone’s tourism expansion.

The Year of Culture and Creativity 2026 is a movement dedicated to elevating Sierra Leone’s cultural identity, unlocking the economic power of creative industries, expanding tourism beyond traditional centers, empowering districts to become engines of growth, as well as encouraging public-private-community partnerships.

Sulima serves as a practical demonstration of this agenda in action.

For three days, Sulima was transformed into a living cultural stage, celebrating the rhythms, flavors, artistry and resilience of coastal Sierra Leone.

Events included cultural performances and live music, traditional and contemporary expressions under open coastal skies, culinary heritage displayed ocean and farm-to-table experiences rooted in generations of knowledge.

“Kontri res n Kontri fowl; Gron soup wit bonga.”

Other activities were community and heritage tours, authentic engagements with the community and storytelling traditions, creative and craft exhibitions, local artisans, designers and innovators, youths and women enterprise spotlight, celebrating leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive development, sports and recreation activities, football and volleyball playing areas for community engagement and active recreation.

The strategic importance and expected impact of the three-day activities are that Sulima 2026 advances national priorities by decentralizing tourism growth, promote community-owned tourism models and strengthen cross-border cultural connections, stimulate economic activities in the Southern corridor, encourage responsible investments, position Sierra Leone as a heritage and coastal tourism destination, increase domestic and regional visitation and elevate Southeastern Sierra Leone in national marketing campaigns.

This activation also aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to a private-sector-driven industry, supported by strong community participation, generate income for local businesses, fishing, attract eco-lodge and marine tourism investment interest, and create a replicable model for District-based tourism activation.

Chief Siaka Luseni Massaquoi, Town Chief of Sulima, welcomed the initiative when he asserted, “Sulima is a land blessed by the river and the sea. Our ancestors preserved our customs, our fishing traditions and our unity. We are honored that Sulima has been declared a Tourism Development Area and that this cultural and coastal experience is being brought to our town. We welcome all visitors with our traditional hospitality.”