By Sheku Putka Kamara and Martin Sandy
Sierra Leone’s Present, His Excellency Brg. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio has appointed Abdul Aziz as substantive Auditor-General of the Audit Service, Sierra Leone. The appointment which was made in consultation with the Public Service Commission came after Mr. Aziz had acted in the capacity for months after both his predecessor and deputy had left office.
In a letter dated Thursday 3rd July, 2025 and signed by Press Secretary, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, Esq., Mr. Abdul Aziz was cleared to head the Audit Service pursuant to Section 119 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991).
Mr. Aziz has widely been regarded as a thorough and result-driven expert who understands audit and related technical issues in bringing about the much-needed change and transformation to and the Audit Service requires.
The Audit Service Sierra Leone, the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Sierra Leone is established by the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and charged with the responsibility to promote accountability and good governance through audit activities and services.
‘Our mandate as the supreme audit institution of Sierra Leone is to audit all government institutions and any other entities that receive money for and on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, as enshrined in Section 119 of 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the Audit Service Act of 2014, and the Public Financial Management Act of 2016. Our mandate stops at reporting to Parliament. As the guardian of Sierra Leone’s economic security, our business is to ensure that public resources are utilised in the best interest of the citizens. We continue to assure the public that the Audit Service Sierra Leone will continue to be the leading audit organisation, promoting excellence and accountability in public institutions,’ Mr Aziz had earlier been quoted while he was acting as A-G.
The appointment is expected to drive positive change and transform Audit Service as a reputable institution in Sierra Leone.
Mr Asiz’s appointment is seen as a landmark step in the country’s ongoing efforts to improve public financial management, transparency and accountability. His appointment is in line with Section 119(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Mr Aziz’s journey in the public service spans over 30 years where he demonstrated unwavering diligence and professionalism. Over the years, he exhibited remarkable leadership qualities, which facilitated his swift career progression, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Auditor-General in 2008—a position in which he played a pivotal role in shaping
Sierra Leone’s audit landscape.
In November 2021, Mr. Aziz was appointed as Acting Auditor-General, a role he embraced with dedication and visionary leadership. During his tenure, he spearheaded targeted reforms that expanded the scope and quality of audit activities. He prioritised improving data collection and analysis, updating audit standards, and increasing the transparency of government financial operations. His emphasis on independence, integrity, and professionalism has been central to maintaining the Office’s reputation as a credible institution committed to good governance.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Aziz has been instrumental in modernizing and strengthening Sierra Leone’s public financial oversight mechanisms. Under his guidance, the Service adopted innovative audit methodologies, improved operational efficiency, and fostered strategic collaborations with international development partners—including the World Bank, Gavi, Global Fund, the African Development Bank, and United Nations agencies—contributing significantly to aligning Sierra Leone’s financial oversight with international standards.
His appointment as Auditor General comes at a critical juncture for Sierra Leone, a nation actively pursuing economic growth and enhancing public service delivery to its citizens
Mr. Aziz’s appointment is expected to catalyze a new phase of institutional strengthening within the Office of the Auditor-General. His vast experience and leadership qualities position him to advance reforms that align audit practices with international standards, enhance the capacity of the office, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. His vision includes leveraging technological advancements, adopting innovative audit techniques, expanding oversight activities to cover emerging risks and challenges and diverting auditing methodologies to meet service delivery requirements of the government of Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,4th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
