In 2025, the Republic of Sierra Leone established an embassy in Ireland for the first time. The goal is to strengthen bilateral, economic and cultural ties between our two nations.
I currently serve as finance attaché and head of finance at the embassy. It’s a role that sits at the intersection of diplomacy, public financial management and international accountability, an increasingly important space for the global profession.
My portfolio covers the financial administration of our newly established mission. This includes compliance with both Sierra Leonean and Irish regulatory environments, engagement with international partners and oversight of public funds abroad.
I would like to share perspectives from public service and diplomacy
I am passionate about public sector accountability, ethical leadership, and the role of professional accountants in national development. I also bring a forward-looking interest in climate finance instruments, green finance, and sustainable public and private investment – areas I see as critical for Africa’s future development.
I see the profession as extending beyond traditional number-crunching and making financial decisions. I believe finance professionals should engage directly with macroeconomic issues such as fiscal policy design and implementation, and interaction with monetary policy frameworks, particularly in public sector and international settings. This broader perspective reflects the evolving role of the profession and will resonate with members interested in the wider economic and societal impact of accountancy.
As an ACCA member newly arrived in Ireland, I am keen to contribute to ACCA Ireland’s professional networks. I would like to share perspectives from public service and diplomacy – and encourage young accountants to see global mobility and public impact as viable and rewarding career paths.
As a finance professional, I have enjoyed more than a decade of varied but complementary experiences, across government, academia, banking and hospitality. A central theme through these roles has been a desire to strengthen financial governance in complex environments.
I was posted as head of finance by the Accountant General’s department to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Sierra Leone, prior to my 2025 diplomatic posting to Dublin. Over the years, I have been directly involved in government budget planning and execution, revenue and expenditure analysis, donor-funded project management and the implementation of public financial management reforms.
I find Dublin’s weather especially dynamic
Living and working in Dublin has been both enriching and professionally rewarding. Coming from a much warmer climate, I adapted quickly to Ireland’s colder weather. Although I completed my postgraduate studies in Leicester in the UK, with an MSc in Financial Economics, I find Dublin’s weather especially dynamic, and I have come to appreciate this aspect of daily life here.
The friendliness and openness of people in Ireland have also made the transition very welcoming. From a professional perspective, I was accustomed to largely in-person engagements in Sierra Leone, whereas in Dublin much interaction is conducted online or by phone.
Outside of work, I place strong value on maintaining balance and wellbeing. Long daily walks have become an important part of my routine. I have also enjoyed experiencing elements of Irish culture, including traditional Irish dance and occasional trips to the countryside, which offer a refreshing contrast to city life.
