New generation for Sierra Leone dey ready show visitors say di civil war don pass and dem wan make di world know say na one of Africa great places. Under di shade of palm tree for Tokeh Beach, one fine white-sand place, Peter Momoh Bassie share him story with me. “I no dey shame to talk say I be part of di rebels because dem capture me by force,” e talk as e dey look di green water. “I never kill anybody,” e add. Stories like Bassie’s full ground for Sierra Leone, small country for West Africa wey get over 300km of coast between Guinea and Liberia. Di 11-year civil war wey end for 2002 kill over 50,000 people and push 2.6 million more come outside dem home. Dem capture Bassie when e be just 11 years. Dem hold am for six years, e escape – but dem catch am again – three times. Now, Bassie dey work as tour guide for Tourism Is Life, one of di plenty Sierra Leonean travel companies wey dey eager show di world say di country don safe and make visitors enjoy di rainforests, beaches and rich culture. Even though di war don finish more than twenty years, wetin remain from di war – add 2014 Ebola virus wahala – make Sierra Leone still dey like one hidden gem, wey dey attract only small visitors wey fit waka go Ghana or Senegal, for example.
