By Kebba AF Touray
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the National Audit Office (NAO) convened a press conference to clarify its stance on the premature publication of audit reports circulating on social media.
These reports, which have sparked considerable public discussion, were not fully completed, prompting the NAO to address concerns about their credibility.
The NAO, while not objecting to the release of audit reports, stated that the documents currently circulating had not gone through the necessary audit processes. Officials expressed concern that the premature release could compromise the integrity of the reports.
Binta Touray, the Communications Specialist for the NAO, said that the office does not discourage publication, but emphasised that reports should be shared only after they are fully vetted.
“The audit process is meant to contribute to improvements,” Touray said. “The impact of audits is realized when findings are discussed, and corrective actions are taken based on the recommendations.”
The NAO’s press release, issued on March 17, 2025, referred to three specific audits that have generated public debate:
- The Special Audit of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) (2020-2023)
- The Financial Audit of the National Assembly Service (2022)
- The Consolidated Financial Audit of the Government of The Gambia (2021-2022)
Touray stressed that the purpose of the release was not to discourage media coverage of audit findings, but to address concerns regarding the early publication of incomplete reports.
“Once the audit process is finalized, the completed reports will be made available on the NAO’s official website,” she explained.
During the event, journalists acknowledged that while excerpts of the reports had circulated on social media, they had not been officially published by mainstream media outlets. Media practitioners also suggested that the NAO strengthen its partnership with the press to foster more consistent and structured engagement beyond press conferences.
Touray concluded by emphasizing that the National Assembly holds the responsibility of ensuring that audit recommendations are acted upon, ultimately leading to tangible improvements for citizens.
