By: Aminata Sesay
In a significant move to promote public accountability through informed journalism, the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) has launched a strategic initiative aimed at building the capacity of journalists across the country. The goal is to enable them to better interpret and report on audit findings, transforming complex reports into accessible stories that drive citizen awareness and action.
The one-day training session, held at the Empowerment Africa Hall in Freetown, brought together over 30 journalists with a shared mission to turn technical audit reports into engaging narratives that can effectively communicate key issues to the public.
Martin Sandi, ASSL’s Communication Officer, set the tone for the session by emphasizing the critical role of the media in the audit accountability process. “Our reports only become meaningful when the public understands them. The media is our bridge to the people,” he said, urging the journalists to consider themselves allies in promoting transparency and integrity.
Alhaji Manika Kamara, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), commended ASSL’s initiative and highlighted the importance of demystifying audit reports for the average citizen. “These documents are not meant to sit on shelves; they should spark public conversations and demand for change,” he said. Kamara also called for continued collaboration between ASSL and SLAJ, advocating for regular training, simplified audit summaries, and stronger media follow-up on audit recommendations.
In his keynote address, Auditor General Abdul Aziz urged journalists to go beyond sensational headlines about missing funds and focus on the real-life consequences of poor governance, such as stalled projects, underfunded clinics, and communities deprived of essential services. “When citizens hear that an account is ‘true and fair,’ they ask, ‘What does that mean for me?’” Aziz explained. “That’s why we now focus not only on financial accountability but on service delivery whether government spending truly improves people’s lives.”
He also introduced the five E’s framework Economy, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Equity, and Environment through which ASSL now evaluates both the financial and social dimensions of governance in its audits.
Auditor General Aziz emphasized the importance of responsible reporting rooted in verified evidence rather than speculation. “Auditing is a science. We deal with facts, not rumours. Journalists must partner with us, ask questions, and report accurately,” he cautioned.
In a notable disclosure, Aziz revealed ongoing discussions with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to ensure that recovered funds are redirected to the communities they were originally meant to serve, promoting tangible restitution over bureaucratic processes.
Closing the workshop, SLAJ Eastern Region Chair Philip Koroma encouraged participants to apply their new knowledge and produce impactful reports that bring audit issues into everyday public discourse.
Throughout the interactive session, journalists asked insightful questions about audit laws, processes, and standards. This demonstrated a growing interest in elevating audit reporting from technical jargon to powerful, impactful stories that inspire accountability.
With this training, ASSL reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating a more informed media landscape one where journalists are not just passive observers, but active partners in ensuring that public resources are used to deliver the services citizens deserve.