A delegation from the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) of Zimbabwe visited the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) from 24th – 27th February 2025 in a significant move to enhance the public relations and communication strategies of the OAG Zimbabwe. The visit aimed to gain insights into best practices in public relations and communications.
The visiting team was warmly welcomed by the Acting Auditor-General, Mr Abdul Aziz who expressed his enthusiasm for hosting the Zimbabwean delegation, emphasizing the importance of collaborative learning in improving public service delivery.
The Zimbabwean delegation which comprise the Acting Deputy Auditor General and two Directors of Audit received comprehensive support from ASSL’s Information Education and Communication (IEC) team led by the Senior IEC Officer Martin Sandy.
The benchmarking activities kicked off with an overview of the ASSL’s Communication Division, detailing its strategic work plan, which provided context on how the division functions within the broader remit of the ASSL. One critical aspect deliberated was the importance of the Legal Affairs Unit, demonstrating its integral role in shaping effective communication pathways within the organisation.
The ASSL team showcased its approach to fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, exemplified through breakfast meetings held with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These sessions highlight how proactive engagement facilitates public education initiatives and improves stakeholder engagement. The Zimbabwean delegation gained valuable insights into how the ASSL effectively interacts with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and media, as well as their relationship with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament.
The visit culminated in a productive exchange of ideas and friendship, laying the groundwork for future collaborations that promise to enhance both nations’ audit services. As both teams parted ways, the hope was palpable that shared knowledge would lead to improved public engagement and accountability in their respective countries.
Throughout the visit, the Zimbabwean team learned about the ASSL’s comprehensive client engagement strategies, including intricate roles played by the communication unit in the audit cycle and the processes involved in citizen engagement. The team also made a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh and the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), a leading civil society organization promoting public financial management accountability in Sierra Leone.
The visit included extensive discussions on how communication transcends its traditional boundaries, merging with audit frameworks and contributing to overall organisational efficacy. The delegation left Sierra Leone equipped with actionable insights and a renewed commitment towards elevating their Public Relations and Communication strategies.