By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Alhaji Manika Kamara, has underscored the importance of a stronger partnership between the media and the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
He made the call last Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the opening of a training workshop for journalists organized by the Audit Service Sierra Leone at the Empowerment Hall, Freetown City Council building.
In his statement, Kamara thanked the Audit Service for convening the workshop, noting that it demonstrated the institution’s recognition of the media as a key partner in ensuring accountability in Sierra Leone. He stressed that the work of the Audit Service Sierra Leone is central to building public trust in institutions, as it provides citizens with an honest assessment of how state resources are being managed.
“The true impact of the Audit Service depends on how well the public understands and engages with audit findings,” Kamara explained. “That is where the media comes in. Our role is to transform technical audit reports into stories that citizens can understand, debate, and use to demand accountability from their leaders.”
The SLAJ President emphasized that the workshop aimed to build the capacity of journalists to understand audit laws and processes. By doing so, he said, the media would be better equipped to fulfil its constitutional duty as watchdogs of society. He cautioned against allowing audit reports to remain “technical documents gathering dust on shelves,” insisting instead that they should be used as tools to spark national conversations on accountability.
Looking ahead, Kamara called for the partnership between SLAJ and the Audit Service to be institutionalized. He recommended that similar training sessions be organized regularly, not only in Freetown but across the regions, to ensure all journalists have the skills to interpret audit reports, follow audit processes, and report with clarity and accuracy.
He further encouraged the Audit Service to explore ways of simplifying its reports by producing summaries, infographics, and citizens’ versions. This, he said, would help both journalists and ordinary citizens engage more meaningfully with audit findings.
Kamara also drew attention to the wider accountability ecosystem, noting that the work of the Audit Service does not end with the production of reports. He reminded participants that audit findings must be taken up by Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee, and in some cases, by the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.
“Journalists must understand these linkages to effectively track how audit recommendations are acted upon,” he stated. “It is our duty to inform the public about whether corrective measures are taken or whether impunity continues to prevail.”
The SLAJ President reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Audit Service. He said that by working together, the two institutions could help build a stronger culture of accountability in Sierra Leone, one where public resources are managed responsibly and citizens feel empowered to demand answers from their leaders.
He urged journalists attending the workshop to take full advantage of the training by asking questions, engaging actively, and building networks that would improve their reporting.
“As journalists, we must leave here better equipped to serve the people of Sierra Leone through accurate, insightful, and impactful journalism,” Kamara concluded.
The workshop, which brought together media practitioners from different outlets, is part of the Audit Service’s drive to strengthen public awareness and ensure that its work translates into real accountability in the use of state resources.
