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Forty-six Sierra Leone auditors from the Audit Service Sierra Leone have completed an intensive six-day training programme funded by the European Union, aimed at sharpening their report-writing skills to enhance public-sector accountability.
The six-day intensive programme, held at the Country Lodge Hotel in Freetown, focused on management letter report writing. It was delivered under the EU-funded State and Resilience Building Contract (SBRC) managed by LINPICO, a consultancy firm that provides technical assistance to strengthen Sierra Leone’s public financial management systems
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Auditor-General Abdul Aziz emphasised that audit reports serve as vital communication tools for Parliament, government bodies, development partners, and the public. He urged auditors to prioritise quality over quantity, stressing that clear, evidence-backed reports are essential for driving reform.
Aziz outlined five core elements required for effective audit findings: criteria, condition, cause, consequence, and actionable corrective steps. These elements are considered standard in public sector auditing, providing a framework for auditors to present their findings in a way that enables government entities to take corrective action.
Augustus Cole, EU Team Lead for the LINPICO project, noted that clear reporting ensures identified management weaknesses lead to prompt corrective measures. Lead facilitator Rachel McKechnie stressed the need for objective, context-rich reporting that avoids ambiguous language, helping ensure audit recommendations are understood and implemented.
The training forms part of the EU’s broader support to Sierra Leone’s public financial management reforms. Under the State and Resilience Building Contract, the EU has provided €65 million in budget support as part of the Nature Nourishes Programme, which aims to strengthen Sierra Leone’s resilience, protect the environment, and enhance educational outcomes.
The initiative also aligns with recent reforms under Aziz’s leadership. Since assuming office, he has expanded performance and compliance audits, increased citizen engagement, and strengthened collaboration with development partners. In May 2026, he was elected Vice Chairperson of the Governing Board of AFROSAI-E, the regional body for English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions.
