As part of our commitment to cultural preservation and inclusive tourism, One Love Salone Foundation, a proud partner of the Tourism for All Campaign, has officially unveiled the refurbished Up-Gun and Kings Yard Gate Monument in the eastern part of Freetown. This milestone was achieved in collaboration with West African Heritage and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
The unveiling ceremony brought together key stakeholders, heritage advocates, and students from various educational institutions, all united in celebrating Sierra Leone’s rich historical legacy. The Up-Gun Monument, once one of three strategic artillery points (alongside Jomo Kenyatta Road–Dwarzark Junction and Leicester Road), served as a boundary marker between Freetown and its rural outskirts in the 1800s. Today, it stands as a powerful reminder of our city’s colonial past and its evolving identity.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministerof Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, Ann-Marie Kamara, Administration Manager of the Monument and Relics Commission, commended the Foundation for its role in restoring this iconic site. She emphasized that the refurbishment aligns with the June theme of the Tourism for All Campaign, and encouraged other organizations to follow suit in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s cultural assets.
Representing One Love Salone Foundation, Mohamed Kallon reaffirmed our dedication to national development through heritage conservation. He noted that the restoration of these monuments reflects our ongoing collaboration with the Ministry to promote tourism, education, and cultural pride across the country.
This project also reflects our belief that monuments are more than stone and metal, they are vessels of memory, resilience, and shared legacy. In restoring these landmarks, we honour the generations that came before us and inspire those yet to come. The presence of students and stakeholders at the unveiling ceremony underscores the importance of engaging young minds in the preservation of our cultural assets.
Moreover, the initiative aligns with our broader mission to promote inclusive tourism and sustainable development. By revitalizing historical sites, we not only attract visitors but also create opportunities for local businesses, educators, and artists to thrive. We call on fellow organizations, community leaders, and citizens to join us in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s heritage because when we protect our past, we empower our future.
The program climaxed with the distribution of school and learning materials to students and pupils from the various institutions, promoting the spirits of home-base cultural norms and values among citizens. Participants and citizens across the communities appreciated the work of the Ministry and the One Love Foundation for promoting the cultural heritage through city beautification. They inspired the Foundation to cascade similar development initiatives in other part of the city as a way of improving cultural values among communities.
We are proud to have partnered with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and West African Heritage to bring this vision to life. As we continue to support cultural preservation, we call on fellow organizations, communities, and leaders to join us in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s historical landmarks. Together, let us ensure that our monuments stand tall not only as symbols of memory, but as beacons of pride, education, and sustainable tourism. This is the only way we honor our past and empower our future.
“Preserving our monuments is more than restoring stone, it’s about reigniting pride, protecting memory, and passing on the stories that shaped us. Through this restoration, we honour our past and invest in a future where history continues to inspire.”
“At One Love Salone Foundation, we believe that history is not just to be remembered, it is to be honored, protected, and shared. The Up-Gun and Kings Yard Gate Monument now stand renewed, ready to inspire future generations and welcome visitors with stories etched in stone.” One Love Salone Foundation.