A delegation from Zimbabwe’s Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) visited the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) from February 24th to 27th, 2025, in a strategic move to enhance their public relations and communication practices. The visit aimed at gaining valuable insights into best practices from ASSL’s experienced Information Education and Communication (IEC) team.
The delegation was warmly received by Acting Auditor-General, Mr. Abdul Aziz, who emphasised the importance of collaborative learning to improve public service delivery. The Zimbabwean team, which included the Acting Deputy Auditor-General and two Directors of Audit, received in-depth support from the Senior IEC Officer, Martin Sandy, and the ASSL’s IEC team throughout their visit.
The benchmarking sessions began with an overview of ASSL’s Communication Division, detailing its strategic work plan and the crucial role played by the Legal Affairs Unit in shaping communication strategies within the organisation. The discussions highlighted how the division’s work aligns with broader objectives to ensure effective governance and public accountability.
A key focus of the visit was ASSL’s proactive approach to stakeholder engagement, exemplified by their breakfast meetings with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These meetings facilitated public education and improved collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media. The Zimbabwean delegation also learned about the crucial relationship between ASSL and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, which plays a significant role in ensuring transparency.
The visit fostered a productive exchange of ideas, laying the foundation for future cooperation between the two countries’ audit services. Both teams expressed optimism that shared knowledge and practices would enhance public engagement and accountability in their respective nations.
The Zimbabwean delegation also made a courtesy visit to Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), a leading civil society organisation promoting public financial management accountability in Sierra Leone. These interactions provided additional insights into the intersection of communication, public financial management, and audit practices.
The visit concluded with a deepened understanding of how communication strategies integrate with the audit cycle, improving overall organisational effectiveness. The Zimbabwean team left Sierra Leone equipped with actionable insights and a renewed commitment to enhancing their Public Relations and Communication strategies, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in their operations.