BAN Capacitate Media On Public Financial Management
By Mohamed Konneh
The Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) on Saturday 20th May, 2023, concluded a two-day training for journalists on public financial management (PFM) at the Campanero Hotel, Newtown outside the capital Freetown.
The training was organised under its Irish Aid Program Grant (IAPG) III which seeks to promote a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Sierra Leone where citizens claim and enjoy rights.
Speaking during the training BAN, IAPG Project Coordinator, Abu Bakarr Tarawally, said the Project title is: “ACTION FOR INCLUSIVE, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE BUDGET Sierra Leone. Procedures in Contracting Loans and State of Public Debt 2022. The project is supported through Christian Aid Sierra Leone with Budget Advocacy Network, NMJD, SEND, Green Scenery and WoNES as implementing partners. The 5-year project (2023-2027) is funded by Christian Aid Ireland.
The project’s goal is to enhance an inclusive, transparent, accountable, and peaceful Sierra Leone where citizens claim and enjoy rights. The specific objectives of the project is to ensure that Government improves its compliance with PFM laws and reforms to enhance quality service delivery, strategic budgetary allocations, and fiscal discipline.
It will also strengthen the capacity of the media and civil society organisations (CSOs) working on PFM issues to effectively demand accountability and transparency from MDAs; to contribute to revenue generation by providing evidence-based advocacy and raising awareness on tax laws and revenue provisions contained in the Finance Act; to enhance audit accountability by increasing the implementation of audit recommendations; and to enhance the inclusive and participatory budget process.
Presentations were made by officials from the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Budget Bureau, Accountant General’s Department, Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and Public Debt Management Division.
Journalists were taken through issues around, How Taxes are Raised, Accounted for and Challenges Faced in Meeting Revenue Targets; Sierra Leone; Procedures in Contracting Loans and State of Public Debt 2022; Highlight of Fiscal and Financial Reporting In Sierra Leone; and Audit Accountability and Common Audit Issues Across MDAs.
