The Auditor-General of Sierra Leone, Mr. Abdul Aziz has played host to Madam Messie Nkau, the Chief Executive Officer of the African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) in Freetown.
Madam Nkau was in Sierra Leone on a 5-day courtesy visit from 24th – 28th November, during which she is expected to have meetings with stakeholders in the accountability sphere. Her visit to Sierra Leone comes from the cordial and cooperative relationship with the Auditor-General. She was warmly welcomed by the Auditor-General, who expressed gratitude over the arrival of AFROSAI-E’s CEO to
Sierra Leone.
On Tuesday 25th November, Madame Messie Nkau was welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Mr. Augustine Foday Ngobie at the Integrity House in Freetown. Her visit to the Anti-Corruption Commission was part of her support towards the capacity and autonomy of accountability institutions, for which the Audit Service and ACC are part of.
Madam Nkau stated that AFROSAI-E is intensifying its support for SAIs through technical and capacity building programmes in order to ensure that audit reports are credible, and of high quality.
She stressed that the work of AFROSAI-E is anchored on five priority pillars protecting SAIs’ Independence, improving strategic management and leadership, strengthening human resource capacity, modernizing audit practices in response to emerging risks and deepening communications and stakeholder management. She also expressed the need for collaboration between the ASSL and the Anti-Corruption Commission, and internal audit units to ensure that audit findings and recommendations translate into real improvement in public financial management and social services delivery.
The Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Ngobie said the ACC’s mandate closely aligns with that of the ASSL, even though the institutions play different roles in the accountability system. He pointed out that the work of the ACC starts where the ASSL ends stressing that the Commission is committed to work in line with its mandate and the MoU between the two institutions.
Madam Messie Nkau also paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Justice Komba Kamanda, three judges of the Supreme Court and other staff of the judiciary
Welcoming Madam Nkau and her delegation, the Honorable Chief Justice described the visit and the discussions focused on institutional collaboration as both appropriate and timely, especially for independent institutions to operate effectively, and financially independent.
He commended AFROSAI-E for its work in supporting the independence and efficiency of Supreme Audit Institutions across Africa, noting that no country can function effectively without the vital oversight provided by the Auditor-General. The Chief Justice underscored that auditors play an indispensable role in service delivery by examining financial records, evaluating internal controls, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
In her remarks, Madam Messie Nkau expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice and the Judiciary’s leadership for their dedication to promoting accountability and transparency. She stated that AFROSAI-E, is a member-based organisation that strengthens public audit institutions in English-speaking African countries.
Madam Nkau highlighted the organization’s mandate to enhance the capacity of SAIs through professional capacity building and quality assurance, in order to ensure effective audit government spending and adherence to international best practice.
She also met with the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, the Accountant General and other Development partners.
