By Emmanuel A.B. Turay
Before my formal appointment as a media and public relations specialist in the civil service and following my unprecedented move to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, like many other compatriots, I have always considered the Tourism Ministry as a dumping site for political and administrative reasons.
For decades following Sierra Leone’s independence, tourism has been treated as a pleasant by-product of economic prosperity rather than as one of its principal drivers. This opinion was clearly manifested by several factors, including but not limited to: underfunding compared to other ministries, the lack of basic administrative tools, including staff capacity, duplication of roles based on its mandate with other sectors, weak institutional capacity, lack of mobility to conduct effective monitoring and supervision of cultural heritage sites, and also to perform other technical oversight and supervisory functions, and the appalling state of condition of the Head Office in Freetown, the provincial Offices in Makeni, Bo and Kenema.
Having taken my seat as a professional in the tourism sector, and ignoring the ignorance of the initiators of such an unprecedented transfer, I came to the realisation that I have committed myself to serving Sierra Leone for the common good; therefore, I must focus on the big ball.
Latching on to my personal gap survey and findings within this sector, on the current Minister’s drive (Mrs Nabeela F. Tunis) in her quest to actualise her vision from the initial traditional mindset about the sector, to enhance “Culture and Creativity”, based on the current digital trajectory, I am motivated to join the bandwagon to improve this sector.
However, it is no gainsaying that “even if a move feels abrupt or unfair, the ultimate authority over appointments rests with God. By this I mean, a transfer may feel like rejection, but it can be part of a larger plan for growth or redirection. I stand on this rejection by man as my strength for growth and redirection, which I prayed over.
It is based on this backdrop that I have decided to publish my opinion on the theme, “Tourism Deserves to be a “Class A” Ministry in Every Cabinet Table in Sierra Leone.”
Tourism is often described as the world’s largest people-to-people industry, contributing nearly 10% of global GDP and supporting one in ten jobs worldwide. Yet in Sierra Leone, as in many countries, tourism remains politically underrepresented. It is too often treated as a promotional activity rather than a strategic pillar of governance. This must change.
Sierra Leone possesses over 500 kilometres of pristine coastline, rich cultural heritage, and unique biodiversity. These assets are not simply recreational—they are economic engines, diplomatic bridges, and instruments of national identity. Every visa policy, aviation agreement, environmental regulation, and education reform directly impacts tourism. To relegate tourism to the margins of cabinet discussions is to overlook its role as a national operating system that connects nearly every ministry.
A “Class A” ministry sits at the centre of decision-making, shaping fiscal, foreign, and development policy. Tourism deserves this status. Finance ministries set tax regimes without input from tourism; foreign affairs negotiate visa agreements without tourism specialists; transport ministries regulate aviation access without considering destination competitiveness. The result is a reactive model where tourism agencies are asked to market policies they had no hand in shaping.
Elevating tourism to a Class A ministry would ensure that Sierra Leone’s development strategies are holistic. It would embed tourism into national planning for infrastructure, education, environment, and diplomacy. More importantly, it would recognise tourism as a driver of livelihoods, community ownership, and international reputation. Every visitor becomes an ambassador; every cultural exchange strengthens Sierra Leone’s global standing.
If Sierra Leone is to unlock its full potential, tourism must be given the political weight it deserves. A permanent seat at the cabinet table is not a luxury—it is a necessity for sustainable growth, national pride, and global competitiveness.
I am of the firm opinion that the tourism and cultural sectors have the potential to generate sustainable livelihoods, attract foreign investment, and enhance the country’s global image.