Freetown, 12th June, 2026 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has embarked on a landmark inspection tour of Bunce Island, Leicester Peak Viewpoint, and the Tacugama Innovation Centre, underscoring his administration’s drive to position Sierra Leone as a premier destination for heritage and eco‑tourism.
The President’s visit to Bunce Island was particularly historic, the first by a sitting Head of State in four decades. Situated in the Sierra Leone River, Bunce Island is one of West Africa’s most significant slave trade sites, a place of remembrance and resilience. Touring the remnants of the fortress, President Bio laid a wreath in honor of the thousands of enslaved Africans who passed through the island, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to preserving its heritage and strengthening ties with descendants of the African diaspora.
At Leicester Peak Viewpoint, a flagship tourism project offering sweeping views of Freetown and the Atlantic coastline, President Bio praised the Ministry of Tourism for its work in transforming the site. He urged continued maintenance, stressing that investments in tourism infrastructure are vital for job creation, local economic growth, and showcasing Sierra Leone’s natural beauty.
The tour concluded at the Tacugama Innovation Centre, where construction is underway on a state‑of‑the‑art hub blending conservation, education, and recreation. Featuring a green park, amphitheatre, canopy walk, and creative spaces, the project is designed to promote sustainable tourism and environmental awareness. President Bio hailed the initiative as transformative, warning against land grabbing in protected areas and pledging decisive government action to safeguard Sierra Leone’s ecological assets.
“This Innovation Centre should be utilized as a space for creativity, conservation, and sustainable development,” he said, emphasizing that heritage preservation and environmental protection are central to Sierra Leone’s development agenda.
The inspection tour reflects the government’s integrated approach to national growth, leveraging history, culture, and ecology to build a tourism sector that strengthens identity, attracts global visitors, and creates opportunities for future generations.
