By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Cultural Affairs has raised serious concerns over the implementation of tourism development projects, inadequate documentation, and accountability within the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs during an oversight hearing in Parliament.
Opening the session, Committee Chairman Tom Talker welcomed officials from the ministry and emphasized that the hearing was part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to scrutinize the performance of ministries, departments and agencies.
He noted that while Parliament had summoned the ministry to provide an overview of its mandates, achievements and challenges, members were disappointed that the necessary documents requested ahead of the hearing were either incomplete or unavailable.
“We expected comprehensive documents that would enable us to properly follow your presentations. The reports you are reading to us must be available so that we can verify what has been done during our oversight visits,” the Chairman said.
He informed ministry officials that Parliament would conduct field inspections to verify projects highlighted in their presentations, stressing that reports submitted to Parliament must reflect the actual situation on the ground.
“If a project is reported to be 60 percent complete and we find it is only 30 percent complete, that is exactly what will be reflected in our report because we represent the people of Sierra Leone,” he stated.
Responding on behalf of the ministry, Permanent Secretary Judith Jones apologised for the ministry’s failure to provide complete documentation to Members of Parliament.
She assured the committee that the shortcomings would not be repeated.
“We sincerely apologise for wasting your time. Time is of the essence, and we will ensure that every request from Parliament is complied with in future,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary outlined several achievements recorded by the ministry, including the implementation of the National Tourism Strategic Plan, the designation of 2026 as the Year of Culture and Creativity, rehabilitation of tourism infrastructure, capacity-building programmes for hospitality workers, environmental conservation initiatives, and increased compliance with international tourism standards.
She also highlighted ongoing projects, including the rehabilitation of Bunce Island, tourism education initiatives, beach conservation programmes, mangrove restoration, and preparations for major international tourism events.
According to the ministry, Sierra Leone recorded increased international tourist arrivals and growth in tourism-related expenditure during the review period.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs disclosed that Sierra Leone is preparing to host the Third UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa, which is expected to attract delegates from across the continent while showcasing Sierra Leone’s culinary heritage.
She also announced plans for another edition of the One Nation Festival, which aims to strengthen cultural links between Sierra Leone, Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through music, arts and cultural exchanges.
The Deputy Minister further informed the committee that the Minister and a delegation were attending meetings in Seychelles to lobby for greater representation within the UN Tourism Executive Council, a move she said would create additional opportunities for Sierra Leone.
Officials from the Cultural Affairs Directorate highlighted progress in preserving Sierra Leone’s heritage.
They noted that the Gola-Tiwai Complex was successfully nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while work is ongoing to nominate Bunce Island and related heritage sites, including Fourah Bay College and other historical landmarks associated with the transatlantic slave trade.
The directorate also underscored efforts to promote domestic tourism through cultural festivals and heritage activities across the country.
A significant portion of the hearing focused on the ecotourism development project at Wara wara Hill in Kabala.
Committee members questioned ministry officials over the construction of stairways, resting points and visitor facilities, expressing concern that projects funded by government had not produced the expected results.
The Chairman challenged officials over reports that only a limited number of steps had been constructed despite substantial funding.
He also questioned why ecotourism facilities at the site were destroyed by fire without adequate protection measures.
“You knew this was a fire-prone area. If government invests public money in such a facility, what measures were put in place to protect it?” he asked.
Officials explained that the project was community-based and implemented through the local council and traditional authorities, with the ministry providing oversight while local stakeholders managed construction and maintenance.
However, the committee remained unconvinced, insisting that the ministry bears responsibility for monitoring projects financed with public funds.
The committee directed the ministry to submit detailed documentation, including project costs, contractors, implementation timelines, monitoring reports and evidence of value for money for the Wusum Hill project and similar initiatives nationwide.
Members warned that Parliament would thoroughly investigate all tourism projects and compare official reports with conditions found during oversight visits.
The Chairman stressed that Parliament’s role was not to witch-hunt government institutions but to ensure transparency, accountability and effective use of public resources.
“We are here to work together to move this sector forward. But we must ensure that every Leone spent delivers value to the people of Sierra Leone,” he concluded.
