Kenema: Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and its Agencies have officially launched the Mini Gastronomy Festival (Second Edition) in Kenema, Eastern Region, as part of ongoing preparations for Sierra Leone’s hosting of the United Nations Tourism Gastronomy Event in 2026.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the initiative forms part of a nationwide awareness tour designed to promote Sierra Leone’s culinary and cultural heritage while positioning the country as a leading destination for eco-tourism and sustainable travel.
The ceremony, held at the Government Secondary School in Kenema, brought together the Ministry officials, Local Authorities, Chefs, Students, and cultural performers to celebrate Sierra Leone’s diverse cuisine and creative industries. Mr. Foday Jalloh, Director of Culture, Creativity and Innovation at the Ministry, chaired the ceremony and welcomed participants, noting that the festival serves as both a platform for creativity and a prelude to the 2026 glo
bal gastronomy event.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s support for other upcoming initiatives, including the One Nation Reggae Festival. Representing the Resident Minister, Mr. Joseph O. Dauda commended the Ministry for choosing Kenema to host the second edition of the festival. He assured the delegation of the community’s hospitality and support, emphasizing the region’s commitment to promoting peace and development.
Madam Fatmata Yanka, representing the Kenema District Council Chairperson, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for bringing such an important initiative to the district. She pledged the Council’s full cooperation and encouraged residents to take advantage of the opportunity to promote local talent and products.
Madam Judith C. Jones, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, thanked the school authorities and the people of Kenema for hosting the event. She explained that the Mini Gastronomy Festival acts as a preparatory platform for the UN Tourism Gastronomy Summit, which Sierra Leone would hos
t in 2026, adding that the international event would boost the national economy through tourism, investment, and cultural promotion.
Mr. Mohamed Jalloh, Director of Travel and Exchange Programmes, commended Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis for her leadership and commitment to advancing the government’s ‘Big Five Agenda,’ which includes job creation, human capacity development, and revenue generation. He applauded the Minister’s initiatives such as Tourism for All, Women in Tourism, Year of Ecotourism, and UN Gastronomy, which he described as transformative for the sector.
‘I am glad that Sierra Leone will host the Third UN Tourism Gastronomy Event in 2026, where people from across Africa will converge to experience our local cuisine,’ Jalloh said. Chef Kainessie, President of the Chef Association, thanked the Minister and the Ministry for their ongoing support and expressed optimism about the upcoming UN Gastronomy event. He pledged continued collaboration among chefs nationwide to promote Sierra Leone’s culin
ary diversity.
Madam Fatmata Carew, General Manager of the National Tourist Board (NTB), praised the Minister’s leadership and the collaborative spirit of all agencies involved. She reaffirmed NTB’s commitment to working with both public and private sectors to enhance tourism. ‘The Mini Gastronomy Festival in Kenema sets the stage for Sierra Leone’s hosting of the Third UN Tourism Gastronomy Event in 2026,’ Carew said.
Delivering the Keynote address, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, thanked her team, local partners, and the people of Kenema for their support. She conveyed greetings from President Julius Maada Bio, acknowledging the community’s contributions to national development. Minister Tunis emphasized that the Ministry is focusing on private-sector-led growth and sustainable partnerships to enhance the tourism industry. ‘Today’s event is about celebrating our local food, culture, and creativity,’ she said. ‘We want to make Sierra Leone the premier tourism destinatio
n in the subregion.’
She encouraged residents to adopt eco-friendly practices, noting that eco-tourism plays a vital role in preserving the environment and promoting long-term growth. The Minister officially launched the Mini Gastronomy Festival (Second Edition) and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to host the Third UN Tourism Gastronomy Summit in 2026, an event expected to attract diverse participants from across Africa. ‘Today, we also celebrate our women through the Chef Association as they showcase their culinary excellence,’ Tunis added.
The festival featured live cooking demonstrations, food tasting sessions, and performances by David Little, a local dance troupe, and the Institute of Tourism and International Studies (ITIS). Chefs from Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun showcased their regional cuisines, highlighting Sierra Leone’s rich culinary traditions. The event concluded with a call for continued collaboration among stakeholders to promote tourism, culture, and community development through food and
creativity.