Member of Parliament representing the Western Area Rural District Council (WARD-C), Hon. Zainab Bah, has called on the government to prioritise investment in Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, particularly the development of Mambo Waterfall and other tourist attractions in the Western Area, warning that inadequate infrastructure is preventing the country from fully exploiting its tourism potential.
Contributing to the debate on President Julius Maada Bio’s State Opening Address in Parliament, the APC lawmaker branded tourism as a critical driver of economic growth, employment creation, investment and foreign exchange generation.
She maintained that Sierra Leone possesses enormous tourism potential, particularly in the Western Area Rural District, stressing that deliberate government investment in infrastructure and essential tourist facilities is needed to transform these natural attractions into viable economic assets.
Hon. Bah spoke about several tourist destinations in her district, including the beaches at Kete and Toke, as well as Banana and Ricketts Islands, noting that those locations have the potential to attract both domestic and international visitors.
According to her, developing the tourism industry would not only increase visitor arrivals but also create employment opportunities for young people, stimulated local businesses and generate additional revenue for the national economy.
However, she cautioned that the country would struggle to maximize those opportunities without reliable electricity, accessible roads, clean drinking water and other essential social amenities at tourist destinations.
The MP also emphasised the importance of equipping young Sierra Leoneans with the relevant skills to participate meaningfully in the tourism industry, while calling on the government to support local entrepreneurs and businesses operating within tourism communities.
She further raised concerns about environmental cleanliness, laid emphasis on the poor sanitation conditions affecting some of the country’s beaches, warning that an unhygienic environment could discourage tourists and undermine efforts to promote Sierra Leone as attractive destinations.
Citing Lumley Beach, she urged the relevant authorities to strengthen beach management, sanitation and environmental maintenance to ensure that the country’s coastal attractions reflected its natural beauty.
The modernization issue of Mambo Waterfall, a Tourism Asset Awaiting Development was discussed lengthily.
In a direct appeal to the government, Hon. Bah drew Parliament’s attention to the development potential of Mambo Waterfall, unfolding it as an emerging tourist attraction that could contribute significantly to the country’s tourism profile if properly developed.
She expressed concern over the lack of basic facilities, comprising inadequate access to good roads, water infrastructure and electricity and argued that such lapses could limit its accessibility and attractiveness to visitors.
The legislator therefore calling on the government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, to prioritize the development of Mambo Waterfall and its surrounding environment.
She discussed that investment in such natural attraction, would not only help expand Sierra Leone’s tourism industry but, it also create opportunities for surrounding communities and provides sustainable livelihoods for young people.
Hon. Bah maintained that tourism development should go beyond promoting destinations and attracting visitors, insisting that the government must create the necessary infrastructures and enabling environment for local communities to benefit directly from the sector.
“If we invest today in tourism, we are investing in the lives of our youth and in the future of Sierra Leone,” she told Parliament concluded by extending appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio, Speaker of Parliament and her fellow MPs, while reiterating her call for increased government attention and investment in the country’s tourism sector.
