Audit Office to release CAG reports in braille

KILIMANJARO: THE National Audit Office of Tanzania (NAOT) has announced plans to make the Controller and Auditor General’s (CAG) reports available in Braille, a significant move aimed at promoting information access for visually impaired citizens.

This announcement was made by Mr Focus Mauki, NAOT’s Head of the Communication Unit, during a training workshop for journalists in Kilimanjaro Region focusing on the understanding and dissemination of audit reports.

He explained that the innovation seeks to empower visually impaired citizens to directly access official audit findings without relying on third-party interpretations.

“Introducing the CAG report in Braille is one of our major inclusivity milestones. Blind people will no longer have to depend on others to know how public funds are used,” said Mr Mauki.

He noted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand NAOT services and strengthen transparency in public sector accountability.

“We are not only reaching more citizens, but also reinforcing the right of access to public information as provided for under the Constitution,” he added.

Mr Mauki also revealed that NAOT has expanded its workforce to include engineers and medical professionals in its newly established technical audit unit. This unit allows NAOT to conduct specialised audits for construction projects and health-related programmes.

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“We now employ sector specific experts like engineers and doctors. Their expertise helps us thoroughly assess the implementation quality and value-for-money aspects of large government projects,” he said.

Opening the workshop, Mr Arnold Kishimbo, Chief External Auditor for Kilimanjaro Region, said the training aimed to enhance the collaboration between NAOT and the media, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of audit findings to the public.

Mr Kishimbo, who represented CAG CPA Charles Kichere, urged journalists to consistently read and analyse CAG reports to provide the public with insightful, factual reporting on the use of taxpayers’ money. “Journalists play a crucial role in promoting transparency. Their reporting ensures that mismanagement and misuse of public resources are exposed and corrected,” he said.

During the training, Mr Emmanuel Lazaro from the Audit and Efficiency Division of NAOT explained that besides audits, the office also monitors the disbursement of funds to ensure they are used for intended purposes.

Mr Jeje William from the same division added that the media remains a critical bridge between audit institutions and the public. “Through accurate and simplified reporting, the media holds officials accountable and promotes good governance,” he said.