(MTCA Communications) — The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), with support from the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), has extended its nationwide Nature-Based Digital Ecotourism Training to Kabala in Koinadugu District, as part of efforts to promote sustainable tourism and strengthen local capacity.
Opening the two-day session on October 3–4, Paramount Chief Gbawun K. Mansaray III of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom welcomed the delegation and praised government efforts to use tourism as a driver of rural economic growth. He urged authorities to protect Lake Sonfon from illegal mining, citing its ecological importance and tourism potential.
Deputy Director of Tourism, Travel and Exchange Program, Idrissa Bangura, said the training aligns with the National Tourism Policy and the Ecotourism Development and Action Plan. He emphasized that the initiative aims to equip communities with digital and sustainable tourism skills. “Koinadugu has vast natural and cultural potential,” Bangura said, calling for collaboration in identifying and mapping local attractions.
The workshop featured sessions on digital marketing, tourism content creation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism management. Participants discussed ways to apply the lessons within Koinadugu’s cultural and environmental context.
Following the training, the MTCA and participants visited several tourism sites, including the Wara Wara Mountain — home to an annual New Year festival that attracts visitors from across Sierra Leone and abroad — and Senekedugu Village, known for its vegetable production and potential for agro-tourism.
The Ministry said it is working through the National Tourist Board to improve site readiness and expand visitor access, while addressing infrastructure challenges.
Through the engagement, MTCA reaffirmed its commitment to empowering communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and positioning Koinadugu as a key destination blending nature, culture, and adventur
By Foday Kamara
