A statement from Myke Berewa, Communication Director in the Office of the President, has triggered a wave of public reactions after he shared new figures showing growth in Sierra Leone’s tourism sector.
In his post, Mr Berewa said Sierra Leone welcomed more than 117,000 visitors in 2024, bringing in over $100 million in tourism income. He also said the sector supports more than 20,000 jobs, with women making up 40% and young people over 15% of the workforce.
He described the numbers as progress for the industry and a sign of the country’s growing appeal to visitors.
But the announcement sparked strong debate online, with many Sierra Leoneans questioning the figures and asking how the recorded income has improved daily life in the country.
Mixed Reactions From the Public
Shortly after the post went up, hundreds of people reacted, with many expressing doubt.
One commenter wrote:
“Y u nor kin fraid for lie baa… with this kind high rate of unemployment na di country?”
He argued that if 20,000 people were truly employed in tourism, the public would see the impact.
Another user joked that Berewa had become “the biggest content creator na government,” while others said the numbers feel far from their lived reality.
A man wrote:
“Salone we all sabi. If wok dae we go kn.”
Others asked for clearer details on how the money was used. One comment read:
“Watin $100M don do for Salone? Show we dat ba.”
There were also criticisms about unemployment. Another user wrote:
“How you kin feel wae you dae lie? With this rate of unemployment, you just kam en type figures of jobs wae one nor see.”
Some people mocked the report, suggesting government workers only announce numbers without showing real results.
“Una yone wok na figure nor more,” one commenter said.
Another added laughing emojis and wrote:
“Dan dae de lie tday… we dae beg you now, lie small small for pepul dem.”
A few comments shifted the conversation to other issues such as the state of hospitals and beaches.
“When are una going to relocate Connaught Hospital?” one person asked.
Another said tourism income should be used to clean beaches:
“Tourism ministry needs to buy a front head loader.”
Despite the criticism, some users welcomed the update and simply asked for more clarity, such as:
“Great. How many men?”
Tourism is often seen as a potential engine for Sierra Leone’s economy, especially with the country’s well-known beaches, islands, and cultural sites. But many young people say they still struggle to find work and do not see the benefits of the reported growth.
Analysts say public doubt is partly driven by economic hardship, rising unemployment, and frustration around government communication.
Mr Berewa’s post appears to have opened a wider conversation about transparency, job creation, and how government statistics are shared with the public.
Officials say the government will continue investing in tourism to create jobs and bring in new income.
But for many Sierra Leoneans, the debate online shows that statistics alone are not enough—they want to see visible improvements in services, infrastructure, and employment.
