By Rachel Monjama Horner
He was probably sleeping when the announcement was made—may be tired from the historical happenings at the Japoma stadium in Cameroon where the National Team, the Leone Stars, had held the Desert Foxes of Algeria earlier in the day to a goalless draw at the Cup of African Nations. Sierra Leone was returning to the competition for the first time after twenty-six years of absence at the continent’s biggest soccer fiesta. Kalokoh is one of hundreds of Sierra Leoneans who have made it to Cameroon to support the lads.
While the country was still celebrating this laudable effort, word came from State House that “it has pleased His Excellency” to make some announcements to his team. Many, I am sure were interested in the appointment of Hon Alpha Khan from the opposition APC who served in the previous administration. But on the list was also Bockarie Kalokoh, who was probably dreaming away in his hotel room.
Surprised? The President has nominated him to swap places from the upper part of George Street in Freetown, where he currently serves as Acting Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank to the other end, at the Ministry of Finance to serve as Deputy Minister 2.
Like the goalkeeper who saved Sierra Leone’s blushes against the Algerians on the day, Kalokoh may have also felt excited for the privilege to serve in Government, albeit unexpectedly.
For starters, Kalokoh is an outstanding professional in banking and financial management, having served in many capacities in premium financial institutions in and out of Sierra Leone. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Hons in accounting(major) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and an MBA from Jack Welsh Management Institute, USA.
Kalokoh is bringing with him to the Ministry of Finance over twenty years of experience in Assurance Risk Management: Accountancy; Finance, Banking, Marketing, Administration and General Management. He possesses a maximum degree of experience in the banking and financial industry in Sierra Leone. For those who have been following his exploits, this makes him distinct and puts him on a solid pedestal to contribute to the country’s financial management scheme.
Before he was nominated Deputy Minister, Kalokoh was also Director, Finance and Administration at the SLCB. He was General Manager Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Director of Finance and Administration, Union Trust Bank (UTB), Finance Analyst at KPMG in Lagos, Nigeria.
Colleagues in the financial institution say the new No 2 exchequer has the penchant, wisdom, and knack to deliver in his new assignment. They say he has maintained a considerable foothold in the institution, and his track records are indelible.
Kalokoh is a man who believes in competence and performance. President Julius Maada Bio didn’t make any mistake to appoint a financially savvy person to hold such an important position at the Ministry of Finance.
He is currently a council member at the Sierra Leone Stock Exchange. He is also a Board Director, Golden Tulip Kimbima, since 2016.
Mr Kalokoh is an all-rounder, a powerful financial technocrat that has tremendously contributed to the development of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. Many believe he can bring quality reforms to the Ministry of Finance.
Bockarie Kalokoh is happily married and with two children.
