Bureh Town, Sierra Leone – In a bid to promote inclusive and sustainable tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the World Bank-funded Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), held a community sensitization meeting in Bureh Town on November 5, 2025. The engagement focused on the Tourism Community Development Fund (TCDF) Manual and ongoing tourism initiatives in the area.
The meeting, hosted at Bureh Beach, forms part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to empower host communities and ensure they benefit directly from tourism-generated revenue. The TCDF is a pioneering mechanism designed to reinvest a portion of tourism income into local development projects, thereby enhancing livelihoods and fostering community ownership of tourism activities.
Through SLEDP, the Ministry is currently implementing a major infrastructure project at Bureh Beach, including the construction of a modern Surf Club and leisure facilities. These developments aim to boost the local tourism economy, create employment opportunities, and increase income for residents. Already renowned for its natural beauty and surf-friendly waves, Bureh Beach is being positioned as a flagship destination for sustainable tourism in Sierra Leone.
Welcoming attendees, Headwoman of Bureh Village, Danielle Grace, expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry and its partners for what she described as a “transformative project.” She praised the government’s inclusive approach and pledged the community’s full support. “We are ready to work hand in hand with the Ministry and SLEDP to make this project a success because we understand its value to our people,” she affirmed.
Prince Gaima, Tourism Specialist at SLEDP, presented the TCDF Manual during the session, outlining its purpose, structure, and management protocols. He emphasized that the manual, jointly developed by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank, serves as a transparent and accountable framework for managing tourism-related revenues at the community level.
The sensitization meeting marks a significant step in aligning national tourism development with grassroots participation, reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to building resilient and economically vibrant communities across Sierra Leone.