National Tourist Board (NTB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Finance has provided jobs opportunities for three hundred (300) young people as Beach Combers in the tourism sector.
The commencement of work of the new employees in the tourism sector was climaxed with the launching of beach cleaning equipment including wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, hand gloves, motorbikes, tricycles, brooms, tarpaulins, among other equipment by the astute Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt.
Speaking at the launching held last Friday on 4th September, 2020 at Aberdeen Beach in Freetown, Dr. Memunatu Pratt reiterated on the commitment of President Julius Maada Bio through the Ministry of Finance to support for the tourism and hospitality sectors to thrive in the country.
According to her, the prioritization of the tourism sector diversification for economic growth has never happened in Sierra Leone.
She further said that the creation of jobs opportunities for young people and the transformation of the sector through rebranding the country in the international tourism market are in line with President Bio’s campaign promises.
The Minister further recounted on series of jobs opportunities the sector has created for young people in two years, pointing out that job creation will be an ongoing process in the tourism sector.
She said that sea weeds are not only common on Sierra Leone beaches but other countries like Brazil, Ghana and host of other countries.
As a government, she said cleaning of the beaches is very significant, as they are one of the things that make Sierra Leone an attractive tourist destination.
General Manager of NTB, Madam Fatmata Abie-Osagie re-echoed the Minister of Finance’s budget speech in parliament about the creation of job opportunities through the tourism sector.
She thanked the two ministries for their support to NTB and tourism activities while commending the employees who will be working to keep the beaches clean.
NTB Board of Directors Chairman, Kokobe reiterated that the principal function of tourism is to create job opportunities, irrespective of age.
He encouraged the employees to ensure tidiness on the beaches, stressing that job creation is one of the many goodies they have in the tourism sector.
Hon. Mohamed Sheriff Rahman-Coker said that Sierra Leone is now highly recognized in the international tourist market through the hard work of the Minister of Tourism.
He admonished the newly employed young people to be steadfast in their job responsibilities and ensure that the beaches are properly cleaned.