Candidate for: Area 1 Director
Zonta Club of Freetown
Years in Zonta: 29
Classification: 2244 Taxation & Management Specialist
District appointment: Chairperson Finance Committee 2021; Chairperson Fundraising Committee 2021
District elected: None
Club appointed: Nominating Committee 2016-2018; Internal Auditor 2018 – 2020
Club elected: Treasurer 1994 – 1998; Current President 2020 -2022

Describe your main achievements in Zonta

Zonta club of Freetown since its inception has never recorded the production of Financial Statements for any year. Under my current leadership as President and with my professional background in Accounting and Taxation, I led the Club to produce its first ever Financial Statements and that for the fiscal year 2020/2021 thus adding credibility to my administration in achieving this goal as well as putting the Club in good standing in the society.

On May 16, 2021, the Club held its first Webinar on Violence Against Women and Girls in the light of growing reports of sexual abuse cases against young girls and the topical issue of sexual exploitation of school going girls and female university students by those in positions of authority. The Club also brought onboard as one of its panelists the Ambassador for the HeForShe Organisation as a male champion to help address sexual violence against women and girls.

On another note, the Club is in the process of adopting one of the seaside villages in the Rural area of the city (Kent), to carry out its advocacy drives. The Club held its Menstrual Hygiene Day
programme in Kent and is currently planning another visit to celebrate 16 days of Activism to address both girls and parents on issues relating to Early Child Marriage.

Responsibilities of position: (Current company/previous company)
As a result-oriented accounting professional (the first female Commissioner of Income Tax in Sierra Leone) with 30 years of experience, a strong background in taxation at national level and proven track record of achievements in revenue collection and tax administration, coupled with several years of excellent managerial and administrative skills, my responsibilities included.

Providing consultative services on tax policies and procedures of all description, by giving valuable advice to potential local and international investors to ensure that the best result is achieved especially in terms of policy decisions/interpretations on the provisions of the ITA, 2000 and the GSTA, 2009 legislations to international commercial businesses, mining companies and banks operating in Sierra Leone.

Preparing training programmes for interested members of the public, including staff of international and local non-profit organisations/private enterprises and university students on basic taxation and accounting as well as the interpretation and implementation of the annual Finance Acts which repeal/amend certain provisions of the Income Tax Act (ITA), 2000 and the Goods and Services Tax Act (GSTA), 2009.

· Creating and monitoring computerized and non-computerized accounting systems to produce proper books of accounts, undertaking the preparation of audited accounts together with income tax computation annually for the submission to the tax authority

Formulating and implementing tax laws and policies nationwide and carrying out the day-to-day administration of the Department.
Describe how your business or professional experience and skills will contribute to the position for which you are submitting your nomination:
As a taxation expert and Head of a reputable taxation and management company, Marcel De Vere Limited in Freetown, Sierra Leone, my experience, skills and achievements in a male-dominated field in my country could well be summed up as building bridges. I can confidently boast of my strategic leadership skills to network with people in diverse ways from different walks of life and culture.

Quite honestly, I have never had a conversation or met with any of the Presidents of Clubs in my Area, I don’t know them, nor do they know me. My strongest reason for deciding to run for Area Director, is so that I could use my experiences and skills to network with the various Clubs within Area 1 thus creating an amicable, harmonious and workable platform for Club Presidents to intensify promotion of the goals and ideals of Zonta International.
Other reasons:
· Develop joint creativity and teamwork between francophone and anglophone Clubs