The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has updated the press on the successes recorded during the just-concluded One Nation Reggae Festival, highlighting its immense benefits—from setting a new benchmark for stage performances to repositioning Sierra Leone as a vibrant cultural destination.
Speaking during the press conference, the Permanent Secretary, Judith Jones, stated that the One Nation Reggae Festival perfectly aligned with the Ministry’s 2025 Year of Ecotourism, themed connecting Culture, Conservation, and Community. She noted that the festival was designed to revitalize reggae music in Sierra Leone while strengthening cultural diversity and exchange between Sierra Leone and Jamaica.
Speaking on the conceptualization of the festival, Francis Momoh, Research Officer at the Monuments and Relics Commission, described the One Nation Reggae Festival as a people-centred and inclusive event. He emphasized the richness of the culture showcased and explained that the clarity of the festival’s vision encouraged people to wholeheartedly support the movement. He further noted that the festival created a platform to showcase Sierra Leone as a destination worth visiting.
One of the Lead Producers of the One Nation Reggae Festival, Bhai-Dhawa Sesay, whose role involved scrutinizing local artists and perfecting their stage performances, explained that 65 local artists were presented to him for auditions. These artists underwent several live band practices at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to accustom them to band performances. After a thorough audition process, 24 artists were selected from the initial pool, and from those, 15 of the best performers were chosen to perform on the main stage. He emphasized that this rigorous process was intended to set a benchmark for artistic excellence in Sierra Leone. He also highlighted another significant role he played—the production of “troupe beat,” a unique Sierra Leonean sound, which he stated is 95% complete.
Ishmael Bull, CEO and Founder of Inkee Media, who championed the branding of the festival, expressed excitement about collaborating with the Ministry to produce such a high-calibre event. He noted that the One Nation Reggae Festival logo and slogan, “Shared Roots, Shared Rhythm,” embody a unique and sacred drive, similar to the country’s Coat of Arms motto: Unity, Peace, and Freedom.
While reiterating the Ministry’s belief in a private sector-led tourism and creative industry, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis, extended gratitude and appreciation to all sponsors of the One Nation Reggae Festival. She also commended all artists who made themselves available for the numerous live band rehearsals aimed at perfecting their stage performances. She noted that some of these live band performances were taken into communities, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the festival.
The Minister further explained that the festival focused on fusing the cultures of Sierra Leone and the Caribbean, noting that some Jamaican artists, including Queen Ifrica and Arqane, were backed by Sierra Leonean bands. She acknowledged that although some Sierra Leonean artists could not perform on the One Nation Reggae Festival stage due to service providers not meeting expectations, their contracts were fully honoured by the Ministry.
Madam Tunis announced that 50% of the proceeds from the concert would go towards the development of a Creative Village. She explained that the project would begin with 10 plots, which would be made accessible to the public through a transparent process. While the architectural designs will be uniform, creatives will be encouraged to express their individuality and talent within their spaces. She therefore called on fashion designers, carvers, artists, and other creatives to utilize the space to develop their God-given talents.
The Minister also revealed plans to establish a Cultural Village, envisioned as a replica of Sierra Leone, consisting of five plots. She noted that one plot has already been allocated to Jamaica for development, with plans to extend similar opportunities to other African countries and eventually create an ECOWAS cultural space, where each ECOWAS country will be represented.
Madam Tunis emphasized that the One Nation Reggae Festival goes beyond being just a concert, stating that it reflects the identity of the people and creates a bridge not only within West Africa but also between Sierra Leone, Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean. While assuring the public that challenges encountered during the 2025 edition would not recur, she called on service providers to improve on their standards, stressing that any shortcomings experience will reflect on the country as a whole.
The press conference climaxed with the presentation of: A cheque for SLE 767,100.50 towards the Creative Village project; cheque for SLE 230,130.50 to the National Revenue Authority; and a cheque for USD 10,000 towards the Hurricane Melissa Fund, as support from the Government of Sierra Leone to victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
