Sierra Leone’s Arkman receives government support

The event, which is supported by the mobile company Africell and Sierra Leone’s ministry of tourism and cultural affairs will take place under the theme, “promoting free education through tourism” on 1 January 2019.

At a recent press conference, Memunatu B. Pratt, the country’s minister of tourism, said the Sierra Leonean government intends to use entertainment to better the lives of its citizens because “Sierra Leoneans like to recreate themselves with good music". She also commented on the devastations of piracy, declaring 2019 the year the government comes down hard on the illegal business of music pirates.

“I love Arkman’s music,” she said, “and it is good for all of us to support him in his beach fiesta.”

Along with announcing Arkman’s event, the meeting with the press, said the director of culture at the Ministry of Tourism Foday Jalloh, was set-up to showcase Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry and the extent of the government's support through Pratt.

“We will look at the laws that govern tourism and the entertainment industry,” Jalloh said, adding that the goal is to receive touristic attention from outside of the country.

Arkman’s manager, Abdul Karim Kanu, confirmed the foreign draw of his artist's forthcoming event, saying last year’s edition of the Arkman Beach Fiesta attracted local and international tourists. Arkman, he said, also has social value as his song 'Vanity' was deployed in helping young Sierra Leoneans see the value of education.