By: Audrey Raymonda John
BBC Media Action, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and with support from the European Union, has concluded a two-day Public Financial Management (PFM) training for 41 female journalists. Held from 5-6 December 2025 at the Civil Service Training College in Hastings, the training focused on ethical reporting and deepening women’s participation in financial journalism.
The session forms part of a broader national initiative aimed at empowering 75 female journalists under the Media Empowerment for Democracy, Inclusion, and Accountability Project.
In his opening remarks, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara said the programme was deliberately designed to address the low number of women reporting on public finance. He underscored the importance of equipping female journalists with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national accountability processes. He also encouraged participants to attend national budget hearings at the Ministry of Finance and to take advantage of similar capacity-building opportunities.
The training, facilitated by the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), enhanced participants’ understanding of public finance systems, budget processes, and accountability reporting. The initiative aims to increase women’s representation in financial and economic journalism across Sierra Leone’s media sector.
During the session, Mr. Abdulraman M. Sesay delivered an introduction to Public Financial Management, outlining the roles and responsibilities of key state institutions in budget execution and treasury management. These included Parliament, Cabinet, Ministers, Delegated Authorities, the Financial Secretary, the Accountant General’s Office, Budgetary Agencies, Oversight Committees, Subvented Agencies, Public Enterprises, the Auditor General, the Bank of Sierra Leone, the National Revenue Authority (NRA), and the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA). He also highlighted the legal provisions guiding their operations.
BAN representative Mr. Abu Bakarr Tarawalie led sessions on media ethics and investigative reporting on public finance, covering key topics such as responsible and ethical reporting on PFM, avoiding defamation and depoliticising financial reporting, using PFM reports for investigative journalism, fact-verification, cross-checking figures, and using credible data sources and balancing accountability with fairness in reporting.
BAN’s Executive Director, Mr. Abu Bakarr Kamara, discussed the legal framework supporting PFM in Sierra Leone and presented case studies demonstrating how journalists have used these laws to hold public institutions accountable. He also highlighted the fundamentals of public procurement processes.
In closing, SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara reiterated that the programme aims not only to bridge the gender gap in financial reporting but also to develop a strong pipeline of female journalists capable of covering economic, budgetary, and governance-related issues. He added that beneficiaries will continue to receive support through a structured mentorship programme.
The training concluded with a certification ceremony, during which all 41 female journalists were awarded certificates of completion symbolizing their commitment to professional growth and their strengthened capacity to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical reporting in Sierra Leone.