Post a comment
The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), under the leadership of Acting Auditor General Abdul Aziz, has launched a proactive initiative to ensure Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) implement past audit recommendations.
This move comes as the ASSL prepares for the 2024 audit process, aiming to bolster transparency, improve governance, and enhance public sector performance.
Engagements with MDAs commenced on Monday, February 17, 2025, with a meeting held with the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). Further meetings with other MDAs are scheduled to follow.
Deputy Auditor General Aiah Gbondo Tugbawa, in welcoming MDA representatives, emphasized that the process is designed to foster transparency and improve public sector performance. He stated that the primary objectives of the discussions are to assess the current status of implementing previous audit recommendations, address challenges, and highlight developmental progress.
Acting Auditor General Abdul Aziz stressed the importance of collaborative partnerships between the ASSL and MDAs. He outlined a shift in the ASSL’s focus from traditional financial audits to a more dynamic approach centered on service delivery and its impact on citizens’ lives.
“Audits are not intended as punitive measures or a ‘witch hunt’,” Aziz clarified, emphasizing their role as vital tools for national development. He highlighted the audits’ purpose in fostering accountability, enhancing financial management, adding value to MDAs, and ultimately improving service delivery to the public.
The meetings provided a platform for MDAs to raise concerns and seek clarification on audit findings. The ASSL team offered insights into the audit process and discussed irregularities identified in past reports, providing guidance on strategies to overcome implementation challenges.
