By: Sainabou Sambou
In a significant step toward fostering transparency in public resource management, Deputy Auditor General Baba S. Drammeh praised journalists for their pivotal role in promoting accountability during the closing ceremony of a two-day Media Engagement Workshop held at a local hotel in Kololi. The event, organized by the National Audit Office (NAO), aimed to deepen collaboration with media practitioners and enhance public understanding of the NAO’s critical audit processes.
Addressing a diverse group of journalists from various media platforms, Drammeh expressed profound gratitude for their active participation, noting that their presence underscored a shared commitment to ensuring greater transparency and accountability in governance. “We understand you all have very busy schedules, and your participation confirms your commitment to promoting greater accountability and transparency in public resource management, which is only possible through our close collaboration,” Drammeh stated.
The workshop covered essential topics, including the NAO’s legal framework, governance structure, five-year strategic plan, and the various types of audits it conducts. These sessions were designed to equip journalists with a deeper understanding of the NAO’s operations and their impact on citizens’ lives. Drammeh emphasized the media’s crucial role in disseminating audit findings to the public, ensuring that the NAO’s work resonates beyond government offices and reaches the broader population.
“Your contributions have made this engagement incredibly impactful and resourceful,” Drammeh said, highlighting the media’s role in advancing accountability. He expressed confidence that the workshop’s discussions would strengthen ties between the NAO and media houses, fostering a partnership that amplifies the impact of audit reports.
Speaking on behalf of Auditor General Modou Ceesay and the NAO’s management, Drammeh extended appreciation to media institutions for facilitating their journalists’ attendance. He also commended the NAO’s communication team for orchestrating a well-coordinated and successful event. “To our communication teams, thank you for organizing this successful event. We are grateful for everyone’s support in helping the NAO fulfill its constitutional mandate,” he said.
The workshop marks a strategic effort by the NAO to bridge the gap between its technical work and public awareness, recognizing the media as a vital partner in this mission. By equipping journalists with knowledge about audit processes, the NAO aims to ensure that its findings are accurately communicated to the public, fostering informed discourse on governance and resource management.
In his closing remarks, Drammeh reaffirmed the NAO’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with the media, emphasizing that such partnerships are essential for promoting transparency and ensuring that audit outcomes benefit the public. The event, attended by representatives from various media outlets, signals a promising step toward a more accountable and transparent governance framework, with the media playing a central role in amplifying the NAO’s mission.
As the NAO continues to uphold its constitutional mandate, this media training underscores the power of collaboration between public institutions and the press in building a more informed and engaged society. The NAO’s outreach to the media is expected to pave the way for stronger public oversight and greater trust in the management of national resources.
