MONROVIA: Since the presidential appointment of Atty. Samora P. Z. Wolokolie, Deputy Finance and Development Planning Minister for Fiscal Affairs, as Commissioner General of Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), there have been widespread public interest and deliberations bordering on his specialized trainings, wealth of professional and hands-on experience, and impeccable academic and expert credentials.
Recently, the President of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. George Manneh Weah, nominated Wolokolie, a graduate of the famous Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law of the University of Liberia, and inarguably, one of Liberia’s youthful and astute lawyers, financial management experts, and forensic audit specialists, to serve as Commissioner General of state-owned Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
In a formal communication, marked: GMW/MOS/ RL/625/2023/ and dated December 27, 2023, President George Manneh Weah told the Liberian Senate through its President Pro-Tempore, Professor Albert Tugbe Chie, in these words: “I have the honor to submit, for confirmation consideration to the Liberian Senate, the following person nominated to the following position in Government; Liberia Revenue Authority, Att./Dr. Samora P. Z. Wolokolie—Commissioner General, Liberia Revenue Authority.”
“Please accept, Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, the Sentiment of my highest consideration and esteem,” the Liberian leader told the Senate.
Prior to Wolokolie’s nomination by the Liberian Chief Executive, it was indeed a public knowledge that he was a tested and credible professional whose professional and leadership acumen remains outstanding at home and abroad, with many members of the public believing that on the basis of his reservoir of knowledge and experience, he is best placed to smoothly navigate the LRA towards a trajectory of progress and resounding success in the execution of its statutory responsibilities, including generating more revenues for national development and the provision of basic social services across the country.
Although, there is no clear date announced by the Liberia Senate for Dr. Wolokolie to face that august body, message of his appointment by President Weah, is now on the agenda of the Senate.
During the Senate’s Plenary last session, Wolokolie’s appointment communication sent to the Upper House of the National Legislature was read, with the body, through its relevant standing committee, expected to report to full plenary for appropriate actions.
However, a peep into the profile of Dr./Atty. Samora P.Z. Wolokolie established the following inspiring, glittering and stimulating picture as regards his crucial and indelible services to the state, the private sector, local and international groups, including some of the country’s premium colleges and universities, the larger society, as well as local and international professional groups.
Presidential nominee, Dr. Wolokolie, is the current Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
He holds solid Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and MSc. Degrees in Forensic Accounting & Audit from the Charisma University in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting from the Cuttington University, and Bachelor of Law (L.L.B.) from the prestigious Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia.
At present, Dr. Wolokolie, also serves as Assistant Professor of Accounting at the Catholic-owned Stella Maris Polytechnic University.
He is also an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the University of Liberia (UL), one of the Nation’s premium institutions of higher learning.
Without any iota of doubts, Atty. Wolokolie stands as an accomplished and esteemed Liberian Public Financial expert and Lawyer.
He has to his credit, an illustrious academic journey and a distinguished career.
For nearly two decades, Dr. Wolokolie has made impactful contributions to the Liberian nation and the larger society.
Assistant Professor Wolokolie embodies a resolute commitment to academia and public service, immensely influencing and inspiring increasing number of young Liberian professionals and intellectuals at home and abroad, through his role as University Assistant Professor while fulfilling substantial responsibilities within both the public and private sector.
The career of this astute financial expert, covers other multiple professional areas including but not limited to Public Financial Management, Certified Public Accounting, Forensic Auditing, and Law or jurisprudence.
As Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Samora P. Z. Wolokolie manages the nation’s fiscal economy, designs fiscal policies, and supervises all government accounting operations and expenditure proposals.
His previous roles include serving as Managing Partner at BICON. INC. Liberia; Director of Internal Audit at the then Ministry of Finance, now Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and various high-level positions in renowned accounting, auditing and financial management firms at home and in the Diasporas.
His expertise extends to not only lecturing at leading colleges and universities but also speaking engagements at chain of international business, financial management and auditing forums.
An acclaimed researcher, Wolokolie is fully armed with reservoir of knowledge in consultancy, business evaluation, corporate strategy, governance, financial management, litigation, project management, risk management, and audit practice across national and international markets, which reflects his versatility and adeptness in multidisciplinary areas.
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.
He is a member of scores of globally respected professional bodies, including the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), 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 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contractors and implemented system improvements in organizations, demonstrating adherence to globally acceptable audit standards and fostering internal control enhancements. In other words, he managed audits for USAID contractors, overseeing complex multi-site engagements. He is also credited for implementing system improvements across public and private sectors.
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.” Both books are available on Amazon.
Samora has been married to beautiful Christine Reeves Wolokolie for over ten (10) years. The union 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.