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Claim: A Facebook page called BORN 2 BLOG posted several pictures claiming they show “some of the best places to visit when you come to Salone (Sierra Leone) on vacation,” including Lumley, Annie Walsh Corner, Congo Cross Junction, P.Z. Junction, and No. 2 Beach.
Verdict: False. The images shared in the post are not real pictures of Sierra Leone. They do not reflect the actual appearance of those locations.
Full Text
A Facebook post by a page named “Born 2 Blog” has gone viral, garnering hundreds of likes and comments. The post displays beautiful night scenes with glowing lights, tall buildings, and neatly arranged palm trees, labelling them as popular tourist spots in Sierra Leone such as Lumley, Annie Walsh Corner, Congo Cross Junction, P.Z. Junction, and No. 2 Beach.
The caption reads: “Some of the best places to visit are in Salone on vacation.” Many users reacted positively, believing the images truly represent the current state of these areas. However, several users expressed doubts, saying the pictures look unrealistic or foreign.
Because of the potential misinformation the post may cause, especially to foreigners or Sierra Leoneans living abroad, DUBAWA decided to verify the authenticity of the pictures.
Verification:
A close inspection of the images shows clear signs of AI distortion and digital editing.
For instance, in the photo labelled “Lumley,” the cityscape includes structures, lighting patterns, and road designs that do not exist anywhere in Sierra Leone. The arrangement of the streets and the type of architecture resemble those of Western or Middle Eastern cities, rather than the typical infrastructure found in Freetown. Below is the original photo of Lumley.
Credit: Fambuleh
Similarly, the picture marked “Annie Walsh Corner” shows extremely tall palm trees and luxury-style lighting, which is inconsistent with the area’s actual appearance. Annie Walsh Corner is situated in Sierra Leone’s capital, near the Annie Walsh Memorial School. It’s a business area and bus park.
No. 2 Beach
Moreover, the No. 2 Beach photo, though beautiful, shows an overly bright and sandy coastline typical of Caribbean or AI-simulated beaches. The visual lacks real-world details such as the familiar rocks and greenery found at Sierra Leone’s No. 2 Beach. Below is the actual photo of No. 2 Beach.
Credit: Sierra Leone Tourism
Below are the real pictures of those places in Sierra Leone.
Conclusion
The claim that the photos show real tourist sites in Sierra Leone is misleading. The images give a false impression of the country’s infrastructure and tourist destinations. While Sierra Leone indeed has beautiful beaches and growing urban areas, such as Lumley and Aberdeen, the photos in the post do not accurately represent them. Social media users should always verify such content before sharing, as false visuals can mislead the public and distort the nation’s actual image.
