By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security recently held a two-day induction training for newly recruited accountants and their assistants at the Wizard Conference Hall in Bo. The training aimed to enhance financial management and accountability within the agricultural sector.
Organized with support from the Office of the Chief Accountant and technical oversight from the Accountant General’s Department, the training was designed to equip the new staff with the necessary skills to effectively support the implementation of the government’s flagship Feed Salone Initiative. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with District Agriculture Offices (DAOs) and Local Councils nationwide.
In his keynote address on the theme, “Onboarding and Skills Development for New Accounting Staff,” the Chief Accountant of the Ministry, Mathew Sellu Yokie, emphasized the crucial role that sound financial management plays in achieving Sierra Leone’s agricultural and food security goals.
“This induction is designed not only to sharpen your skills but to strengthen your commitment to accountability, teamwork, and service delivery,” Mr. Yokie told the participants. “Accountants must ensure the timely disbursement and accurate recording of agricultural funds, closely monitor budget execution, and maintain strict compliance with financial regulations to safeguard resources and ensure efficient use.”
Mr. Yokie further stressed that the training aimed to build capacity in public financial management, improve coordination between accountants, DAOs, and councils, and promote transparency through clear reporting and visual financial flowcharts to track fund allocation and utilization. He emphasized that accountability and integrity are vital in ensuring that every leone disbursed under the Feed Salone Initiative delivers tangible results for farmers and communities.
Facilitators for the training included experts from the Accountant General’s Department, the Auditor General’s Department, the Local Government Finance and Decentralization Directorate, and the Feed Salone Technical Team. They conducted sessions on various topics, such as procurement and auditing processes, internal controls, and compliance with financial laws.
Participants were encouraged to view themselves as custodians of public trust, ensuring that agricultural funds are managed in a way that promotes efficiency, transparency, and measurable impact.
The Ministry highlighted that this induction is part of ongoing efforts to align its workforce with the National Vision for food security and sustainable agricultural development, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency and reducing Sierra Leone’s dependence on food imports.