By Shannon A. L. Scott | April 15, 2021, | Freetown, Sierra Leone
In a celebration of national achievement, Martin Samson Koroma, one of Sierra Leone’s most distinguished finance professionals, has received the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Project Financial Management for 2020. This national honor was conferred at a grand ceremony held on April 9, 2021, at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Freetown, recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national development.
Pioneering Transparent Financial Systems Without Precedent
Koroma was honored for his pioneering leadership in establishing the financial management systems behind the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) Project, Sierra Leone’s first nationwide emergency healthcare network. His selection followed SLAJ’s rigorous annual review process, which evaluates excellence in public sector management and financial accountability.
Other award recipients include government ministers, Supreme Court justices, university vice chancellors, and other distinguished national figures, placing Koroma among an elite class of transformative leaders reshaping Sierra Leone’s institutions.
When the NEMS Project launched in 2018 through funding from the World Bank and implementation by Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Sierra Leone faced an unprecedented challenge; there was no existing financial framework for managing a national ambulance service or coordinating donor funds on this scale.
As the project Finance Manager, Koroma architected every layer of the NEMS financial infrastructure. From designing accounting systems and drafting financial policies to setting up treasury operations and payroll for over 1,000 emergency personnel across 16 districts, his work created a blueprint that met both World Bank fiduciary standards and Sierra Leone’s government regulations.
Paolo Ferrari, Director of Finance and Administration for CUAMM, described Koroma’s achievement as “revolutionary for Sierra Leone’s development sector.” He added, “Martin didn’t just manage funds-he built an entire financial ecosystem from concept to operation, ensuring every dollar could be traced, audited, and put to effective use.”
Independent assessments cited in the SLAJ award highlighted Koroma’s role in establishing financial controls that became reference models for future development projects in the healthcare sector. His compliance frameworks aligned with international best practices while maintaining full transparency in donor reporting and government oversight, a rare balance in complex development contexts. Under his guidance, NEMS consistently earned clean audit reports, a factor that sustained donor confidence and ensured ongoing project financing.
Sustainable Systems Enabling Life-Saving Impact
Koroma’s financial systems did more than meet numbers on paper- they directly improved healthcare delivery across Sierra Leone. His payroll management ensured that emergency staff were promptly paid, ambulances were fueled, and medical supplies were available nationwide. This reliability was crucial in maintaining operational readiness, especially in rural and hard-to-reach districts.
By coordinating annual budgets between World Bank grants and government contributions, Koroma ensured seamless fund distribution even across Sierra Leone’s challenging geography. The continuity of the system proved essential to the sustained functioning of NEMS, connecting financial integrity to real-life outcomes that save lives daily.
Beyond immediate project success, Koroma’s legacy lies in the institutional capacity he built. He trained a new generation of financial professionals, mentored 16 District Ambulance Supervisors, and embedded stringent accountability practices throughout the organization. His team members described his leadership as “transformative,” praising his ability to instill both competence and purpose.
One team member, Olive Nicholson, reflected, “He made sure we understood not just what to do, but why- it’s the reason his systems continue to work even after his departure.”
Legacy of Excellence
The timing of Koroma’s recognition added to its significance. The award came shortly after the completion and successful handover of NEMS to the Government of Sierra Leone, marking a seamless transition with sustainable financial systems fully in place.
By the award’s presentation, Koroma had joined Sierra Rutile Limited, further demonstrating the independence and strength of the systems he had built, structures that continued functioning effectively in his absence.
The SLAJ Presidential Distinction Award thus stands not only as recognition of Koroma’s professional achievement but also as a symbol of national progress through integrity, innovation, and accountability. His work has become a benchmark for how sound financial management can fuel sustainable public development, ensuring that the nation’s projects are both transparent and transformative.
