MONROVIA: Many development experts are unanimous in their view that Liberia’s intractable nemeses lie in the sad fact that despite the enormous rich natural endowment the country enjoys, it is acutely poor in terms of tangible development and transformation. All this is underpinned and expressed by a poor revenue regime as evidenced by the fact that nearly two decades after the ruinous civil conflict, it has been difficult for various political administrations to raise an annual budget of up to one billion United States Dollars. Thus, as President Weah picks a new Commissioner General for the nation’s revenue hub, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), skeptics wonder what good can come out of Nazareth. This pushed The Analyst to take a peep into the professional history and handiwork of the man, Samora P. Z. Wolokolie, destined to take over the gavel of authority at this critical institution of government.
The Liberian public servant preferred by President George Manneh Weah to replace fallen professional Thomas Doe-Nah at the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) is one of Liberia’s finest academics and economic tacticians.
Atty. Dr. Samora P. Z. Wolokolie is an accomplished and esteemed Liberian Public Financial expert and Lawyer who has had an illustrious academic journey and a distinguished career.
With over 18 years of impactful service, Dr. Wolokolie has embodied a resolute commitment to both academia and public service, influencing and inspiring countless aspiring young Liberians through his role as a University Assistant Professor while fulfilling substantial responsibilities within the government and private sector.
Such an impressive wealth of qualification and stature in academia is not all that he carries; he also leaves behind a colossal success story that eloquently answers questions about what he has achieved as a public servant, specifically as Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Independent sources, including personnel and records at the Ministry Finance and Development Planning interviewed and reviewed by The Analyst show that Dr. Wolokolie was one of the pillars that helped in salvaging the country from its unprecedented economic turbulence at the onset of the Weah administration.
Notable are his contributions to the Ministry’s Revenue and Tax Policy, effectively
presenting and defending national budget revenue estimates at the National Legislature for five consecutive years.
Records show that he also provided guidance on tax policy resulting in increased revenue from 2018 to 2023, as he led the historic transition of the fiscal year from September to June to align with the calendar year January to December.
Attorney-at-Law Wolokolie is also credited for successfully overseeing transitional activities related to Value Added Tax (VAT), and managing amendments to the Liberia Revenue Code, focusing on streamlining tax expenditures in accordance with section 16 of the LRC.
It can be recalled that it was under his supervision the Ministry Finance and Development Planning issued administrative regulations to facilitate trade and enhance revenue generation in the country.
Also regarding Expenditure Policy and Execution, the LRA Commissioner General-Designate is credited for establishing transparency in budget execution reports, and for publishing weekly fiscal reports on the Ministry’s website.
As Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Affairs he ensured with much acumen the implementation of a comprehensive data management system encompassing processes and people, strengthening and improving the robust Cash Management System that enabled the preparation of cash plans guiding the allotment process based on available cash resources in the bank.
Dr. Wolokollie also played a key role not only in renewing and extending the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, but also instituting fiscal measures leading to a significant decline in inflation from double digits to single digits and an increase in the economic growth rate.
Dr. Wolokolie’s career, which encompasses Public Finance, Certified Public Accounting, Forensic Auditing, and Law, showcases his ethical professionalism and dedication.
Presently serving as the Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, he manages the nation’s fiscal economy, designs fiscal policies, and supervises all government accounting operations and expenditure proposals. His previous roles include Managing Partner at BICON. INC. Liberia, Director of Internal Audit at the Ministry of Finance, and various high-level positions in renowned firms.
In academia, Dr. Wolokolie imparts knowledge at esteemed Liberian universities. His expertise extends to lecturing at prestigious universities and speaking engagements at international forums. He is an acclaimed researcher and is currently an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the Stella Maris Polytechnic University, University of Liberia. His rich career in consulting, risk management, and audit practice across national and international markets reflects his versatility and adeptness in multidisciplinary areas.
Dr. Wolokolie’s expertise spans various domains, including business evaluation, corporate strategy, governance, financial management, litigation, and project management. He is currently a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) student, reading Economics at the Faculty of Social Science and Law, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and MSc. in Forensic Accounting & Audit in February 2020 and February 2016 respectively, from the Charisma University in the Turks & Caicos Islands and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from the Cuttington University in 2007, and a Bachelor of Law (L.L.B.) from the prestigious Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia in March, 2021.
A member of several professional bodies, including the Liberia National Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants (Ghana), Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (USA), International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals, Liberian Institute of Tax Practitioners, Institute of the Financial Accountants (UK), and Institute of Public Accountants (Australia).
Dr. Wolokolie has overseen impactful audits for USAID contractors and implemented system improvements in organizations, demonstrating adherence to auditing standards and fostering internal control enhancements.
He has authored two books, “Forensic Accounting Analytics and Pension Fund Administration: A Study of Selected Administrators in Liberia” and “Combating Money Laundering: A Guide to Forensic Investigation Professionals”, available on Amazon. Dr. Wolokolie’s career highlights include managing audits for USAID contractors, overseeing complex multi-site engagements, and implementing system improvements across public and private sectors.
Samora is married to Mrs. Christine Reeves Wolokolie and has been married for over ten (10) years and the marriage is blessed with two children: Samora P. Z. Wolokolie, Jr. and Christira Sienneh Wolokolie. He is a devoted Christian and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
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