By Sulaiman Karim
In a bid to enhance public service delivery through effective communication, the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) welcomed a delegation from Zimbabwe’s Office of the Auditor-General from February 24 to 27, 2025. The visit focused on exchanging insights into best practices in public relations and communication strategies.
The Acting Auditor-General of ASSL, Abdul Aziz, warmly received the Zimbabwean delegation, expressing enthusiasm for the collaborative learning experience and its potential to improve public service efficacy.
The visiting team consisted of an Acting Deputy Auditor General and two Directors of Audit, who were supported by ASSL’s Information Education and Communication (IEC) team, led by Senior IEC Officer Martin Sandy.
Benchmarking activities began with an overview of ASSL’s Communication Division, detailing its strategic work plan and highlighting its role within the organization. A critical discussion focused on the importance of the Legal Affairs Unit, which is integral in shaping effective communication pathways within ASSL.
The ASSL team illustrated its approach to collaboration with key stakeholders through breakfast meetings with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These sessions underscored how proactive engagement fosters public education initiatives and enhances stakeholder relationships.
The Zimbabwean delegation gained valuable insights into ASSL’s effective interactions with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media, as well as its relationship with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament.
The visit culminated in a productive exchange of ideas and friendships, laying the groundwork for future collaborations that promise to enhance the audit services of both nations. As the teams parted ways, there was palpable hope that the shared knowledge would lead to improved public engagement and accountability in their respective countries.
Throughout their visit, the Zimbabwean representatives learned about ASSL’s comprehensive client engagement strategies, including the critical roles played by the communication unit in the audit cycle and citizen engagement processes.
The delegation also made a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, and met with the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), a leading civil society organization promoting public financial management accountability in Sierra Leone.
Discussions emphasized how communication can transcend its traditional boundaries, merging with audit frameworks to enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
The delegation left Sierra Leone equipped with actionable insights and a renewed commitment to elevating their public relations and communication strategies.
