The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) is committed to bolstering its operational effectiveness and improving the quality of its audit functions through strategic investments in its ICT capacity. Recently, the ASSL received a generous grant of $40,000 from the General Court of Audit (GCA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This grant was facilitated by the International Organization for Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) aimed at providing comprehensive cybersecurity training for staff of the Audit Service Sierra Leone.
This initiative is part of a broader effort supported by the GCA of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has established a dedicated fund to improve Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) performance globally. In 2022, the GCA expanded its support to include all INTOSAI regions, with particular emphasis on developing countries and SAIs operating in fragile situations. The assistance also extends to initiatives such as the GSAI and PAP-APP programmes, which aim to strengthen audit institutions across the globe.
The grant awarded to the ASSL underscores the GCA’s commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and good governance in developing nations. By focusing on cybersecurity training, the ASSL aims to equip its ICT personnel with vital skills to safeguard sensitive information against cyber threats — an increasingly critical component in today’s digital audit landscape. An upgraded cyber security infrastructure will further enhance the ASSL’s ability to secure its cyber security space with greater resilience against hreats and disruptions.
Expressing gratitude for the support, the Auditor-General of Sierra Leone, Abdul Aziz commended the GCA’s initiative and the efforts of INTOSAI, emphasizing how such assistance will significantly contribute to the modernization of the Audit Service’s ICT capabilities. “This grant represents a vital step towards strengthening our ICT and cybersecurity posture. It will enable us to better serve our stakeholders by ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of our data,” he stated.
The ASSL’s leadership reiterated their commitment to leveraging this funding to not only improve their internal systems but also to foster a culture of continuous capacity-building within the organisation. They believe that a robust ICT environment and a well-guarded cyber security environment is essential for delivering high-quality audits that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Sierra Leone.
Osman Mansaray, ICT Manager at the Audit Service Sierra Leone stated that, the objective is to improve the cyber security robustness, to ensure operational continuity against cyber threats, and to strengthen ICT staff’s ability to detect, prevent and respond to such threats. He said through strategic investments in technology and skills development, the ASSL aims to enhance its operational effectiveness and thereby contribute meaningfully to national development efforts.
The Audit Service Sierra Leone remains dedicated to its mandate of promoting accountability within the public sector. The agency looks forward to further collaborations and support from international partners committed to strengthening SAIs worldwide.
