By Musa Paul Feika
The One Nation Reggae Festival has been hailed as a major cultural milestone, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s growing reputation as a hub for ecotourism, cultural diplomacy, and creative expression.
Addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs on Kingharman Road, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry described 2025 as a defining year for ecotourism. She explained that the Ministry deliberately aligned cultural preservation with community participation as a core pillar of its national tourism strategy.
She noted that the One Nation Reggae Festival was conceptualised to reignite reggae music while strengthening cultural relations between Sierra Leone and Jamaica two nations bound by shared historical roots linked to the transatlantic slave trade. On behalf of the Ministry, she commended the media for their extensive coverage and consistent support, describing journalists as “instrumental throughout the entire process.”
The total amount generated during the One Nation Reggae Festival is over NLe 1Million of which NLe230, 130 was paid to NRA, $10,000 Reserved for the Hurricane in Jamaica, and NLe 767,100 for the establishment of a creative Village by the Ministry, underscoring government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of the festival.
Providing an overview of the festival’s implementation, Master of the Ceremony (MC) of the Programme, Foday Jalloh, said the ecotourism theme centred on connecting communities through cultural education and conservation. He explained that the initiative was well supported by Sierra Leone’s tourism and Cultural sectors with strong institutional backing from staff.
According to the Master of the Ceremony (MC), Mr. Jalloh, the festival celebrated the fusion of Sierra Leonean, West African, and broader African cultures. He revealed that the event spanned five days, incorporating diverse cultural and educational activities beyond the grand finale held on 30th November, 2025. He said widespread public appreciation had positioned the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs among the best-performing ministries in 2025, adding that the 2025 edition was “just a smoke,” with 2026, declared the Year of Culture and the Creative Industry expected to surpass all expectations.
Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Nabeela Tunis, expressed profound gratitude to institutions, partners, and individuals whose collective efforts ensured the success of what she described as a landmark cultural event for Sierra Leone and the African continent.
She thanked God Almighty and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, emphasizing that the festival demonstrated the power of unity and collaboration. The Minister singled out Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) for its immense contribution, describing the company as a key pillar behind the realization of the 2025 edition. She also commended the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Reggae Union for their invaluable support.
Madam Tunis further acknowledged partners including Inkee Media Team, the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project, Kamara Studio, Padi, and Rokel Commercial Bank, noting that their involvement highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing tourism and culture.
Reflecting on the broader impact of the festival, the Minister emphasized the growing role of private sector investment in the tourism industry, describing it as critical to national growth and economic transformation. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting cultural events that enhance unity, creativity, and international recognition, positioning Sierra Leone as a leading cultural destination in Africa.
Offering deeper insight into the festival’s origins, the Ministry’s Research Manager, Mr. Francis Momoh, traced the conceptualization of the One Nation Reggae Festival to his return to Sierra Leone after receiving a U.S. government scholarship in 2023. Determined to contribute meaningfully to national heritage development, he said discussions with Minister Tunis August 1st was the test case leading to the main event on 30th November, 2025.
Mr. Momoh explained that the date was deliberately chosen to coincide with Emancipation Day, marking the historical significance of the Abolition Act of 1833, which took effect in 1834. He described the Act as a symbol of African resistance, identity, and resilience, making it an ideal foundation for the festival.
He said the massive turnout at Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, demonstrated the need for a global platform to showcase Sierra Leone’s culture, describing the festival as a tool of cultural diplomacy and soft power. He emphasized that the initiative sought to address gaps in cultural consciousness among young Sierra Leoneans through education, history, food, and music.
Mr. Momoh stressed that Sierra Leone’s history predates the last 500 years and must be told from a deeper and more authentic perspective.
He described the country as one of West Africa’s most historically significant locations, particularly as the first place on the continent where formerly enslaved Africans returned and were emancipated.
“We don’t need anyone to validate our history before respecting it. We must tell our own stories,” he asserted.
Production Lead, Mr. Bhai Dhawa Sesay, who returned to Sierra Leone specifically for the festival, said his mandate was to deliver world class sound and visual production. He disclosed that although 65 Sierra Leonean artists were initially assessed, only 15 were selected based on performance standards. Despite logistical challenges, he said the production team achieved 99 percent of its objectives, pledging to perfect the remaining one percent in future editions.
Mr. Sesay described the 2025 festival as an experimental success, declaring that Sierra Leone has now set a benchmark for reggae festivals in Africa. He also highlighted innovative collaborations with the Sierra Leone National Dance Troupe, which introduced a unique reggae rhythm using traditional instruments instead of electronic machines.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Ministry staff member Fatmata Samura praised Minister Tunis for her relentless leadership and reform-driven vision. She appealed to President Julius Maada Bio to retain the Minister at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in order to sustain the current momentum of transformation.