The newly appointed Commissioner General of Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA), Abu Martin Kanneh, has assumed office with a commitment to strengthening tax compliance and plugging financial leakages.

Kanneh, a 20-year veteran of the institution, outlined a collaborative approach to leadership during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, while also making an unusual ethical gesture before formally taking office.

In what the Leader of Government Business described as a novelty for a public appointee, Kanneh voluntarily declared his assets and those of his family during the vetting.

Emphasising a flexible and collective approach to addressing the NRA’s challenges, Kanneh told the committee that overcoming systemic difficulties would require the active involvement of staff at every level.

Related News

“In terms of challenges, it’s essential to get your team working,” he said, adding that he was prepared to “lead from the front or the back depending on what circumstances demand.”

A key priority for the new administration will be addressing revenue leakages in high-risk areas, particularly within Sierra Leone’s large informal sector. Kanneh outlined a targeted operational approach to closing persistent revenue gaps while also improving compliance with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) through increased staff engagement and public education.

To strengthen accountability, the Ministry of Finance has proposed a performance contract to assess Kanneh’s tenure against agreed targets and evaluate revenue outcomes.

His appointment has also generated optimism within the NRA, with staff welcoming one of their own to lead the institution.