Freetown: The Community of Solidarity to Improve Lives in Sierra Leone (ComSIL), under the leadership of Founder and Team Lead Alpha Bakarr Barrie, has successfully concluded a one-day staff capacity-building training focused on financial management and resource mobilization. This initiative aims to bolster institutional accountability, financial stewardship, and organizational sustainability.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the training session took place at ComSIL headquarters in Mambureh, Calaba Town, as part of the Youth Action for Good Governance and Self-Resilience project. This project is implemented with the support of ActionAid Sierra Leone and the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA). The primary goal was to enhance staff knowledge and skills in sound financial management, effective resource mobilization, and responsible use of project resources, thereby promoting transparency, accountability, and long-term growth within the organization.
Facilitator Moses Komuwa from the Edu
cation for All Coalition delivered a detailed presentation on the principles and importance of sound financial management within organizations. He emphasized that effective financial systems hinge on efficiency, effectiveness, equity, value for money, accountability, and compliance with established financial laws and regulations.
Komuwa further outlined the critical responsibilities of finance departments, highlighting their central role in tracking financial performance, maintaining sound management practices, monitoring expenditure, and supporting the approval and implementation of annual budgets. He described the budget as the backbone of every successful organization, stressing the need for effective planning, prudent spending, and comprehensive financial reporting as essential components of credibility and sustainability.
In discussing resource mobilization, Komuwa stressed its significance in securing both financial and non-financial support necessary for development interventions. He encouraged parti
cipants to explore innovative and sustainable strategies for mobilizing resources to strengthen ComSIL’s operations and expand its impact in the community.
The interactive session provided staff members with the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and address questions concerning financial procedures, budgeting, reporting, and organizational resource management. Participants acknowledged that a stronger understanding of financial management would enhance accountability and support more effective program delivery.
The training concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to applying the knowledge and skills acquired to advance transparency, responsible financial stewardship, and effective resource mobilization in line with the organization’s mission. Staff members later gathered for a group photograph, marking the successful conclusion of the session.
This initiative underscores ComSIL’s ongoing commitment to staff development and the establishment of robust institutional systems t
hat promote sustainable community development across Sierra Leone.