In a move to strengthen transparency and accountability in Sierra Leone’s public sector, the Acting Auditor General of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), Abdul Aziz, alongside his dedicated team, has commenced engagements with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in preparation for the 2024 audit process. These consultative sessions aim to enhance governance and improve service delivery across the nation.
The engagement process officially began on Monday, 17th February 2025, with a meeting with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). Subsequent discussions followed with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning, held at the ASSL Conference Room on the 12th Floor of the Freetown City Council Building, Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.
During these high-level interactions, Deputy Auditor General, Aiah Gbondo Tugbawa extended a warm welcome to the heads and representatives of the various MDAs. He reiterated the core objectives of these engagements, which include evaluating the implementation status of previous audit recommendations, identifying challenges faced by MDAs and highlighting institutional progress.
In his address, Abdul Aziz underscored the importance of collaboration between the ASSL and MDAs to tackle issues impeding institutional growth and efficiency. He emphasized a paradigm shift in the ASSL’s audit approach, transitioning from conventional financial audits to a broader, service-oriented model that directly impacts citizens’ lives.
The meetings also served as an interactive platform for MDAs to seek clarifications and voice concerns regarding audit findings. This open dialogue fosters a culture of accountability and continuous institutional improvement. The ASSL team provided insights into recurring irregularities identified in past audits and offered guidance on best practices to address these challenges.
Reassuring the MDAs, Abdul Aziz stated that audits should not be perceived as punitive measures or a “witch hunt” but rather as critical tools for national development. He highlighted that audits are designed to enhance financial management, reinforce accountability and ultimately improve governance and service delivery.
Moving forward, the ASSL plans to extend these engagement sessions to other MDAs, ensuring a comprehensive and systematic approach to the 2024 audit process. These meetings aim to instill a shared sense of responsibility for performance and integrity at all levels of Government, aligning with Sierra Leone’s broader national development objectives.
As the country progresses with its commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility, these proactive engagements signal a positive step towards a more transparent and efficient public administration system.
