By: Aminata Sesay
The Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA) has taken a major step toward strengthening transparency and accountability by convening its first Internal Audit Committee meeting for 2025. The meeting was held on Thursday, 18th September, at the Youyi Building in Freetown.
Established in accordance with the 2016 Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, the Committee is tasked with providing independent oversight to bolster risk management, compliance, and the integrity of financial reporting within the Ministry.
Addressing the session, MoPAPA’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mohamed I. Kutubu, underscored the importance of the Committee in advancing the Ministry’s mission of transforming Sierra Leone’s public service.
“Independent oversight is essential for effective governance across all MDAs, and this Committee provides that assurance,” he stated.
The Committee is chaired by Mr. Victor S. Peacock, Director of Audit at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), who commended MoPAPA for establishing and operationalizing the body. He stressed the importance of clearly defining members’ Terms of Reference, developing a timely 2025 work plan, and maintaining adherence to quarterly meetings.
Mr. Dauda Solomon Conteh, Head of MoPAPA’s Internal Audit Unit and Secretary to the Committee, reaffirmed the legal foundation for the Committee’s work. Referring to Section 76 of the PFM Act, he noted that the Committee’s operations are aligned with international best practices in public financial oversight.
Also speaking at the event, Acting Director of Public Administration, Mr. Momoh Conteh, highlighted the Committee’s strategic role in monitoring the Ministry’s performance contract obligations. He added that its work will help identify and address gaps in policy and program implementation.
Key priorities for the Committee’s initial phase include finalizing audits for the 2024 financial year, approving the 2025 annual work plan, and reviewing all audit reports before submission. Members also hold the authority to propose or amend regulations aimed at strengthening MoPAPA’s governance framework.
Through this initiative, MoPAPA demonstrates a firm commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and results-oriented governance in Sierra Leone’s public administration sector.