Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited has announced the appointment of Professor Osman Alimamy Sankoh, DSc, COR, as Chairman of its Board of Directors, a position he will officially take on in November. Professor Sankoh, also known as Mallam O., brings over three decades of distinguished service in national governance, international research leadership, academia, and board-level oversight, and is expected to provide strong strategic direction as the bank enters its next phase of growth.
Professor Sankoh, a highly respected statistician and epidemiologist, combines extensive technical knowledge with experienced leadership in governance, risk management, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
His professional footprint includes Sierra Leone, Germany, South Africa, Vietnam, and numerous other African and Asian countries, providing him with a unique combination of global perspective and local insight that will inform the bank’s strategic priorities. Since September 2024, Professor Sankoh has served as Acting Chairman, providing the Board and management with consistent stewardship and strategic direction.
He has also chaired the Board Governance and Risk Sub-Committees, which have been critical in improving board effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and institutional resilience. Aside from his professional and academic accomplishments, Professor Sankoh is the Founder and Publisher of the Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) and the benefactor of the Mallam O. Bongolistic Award, which recognises the best graduating student across Sierra Leone’s universities—a testament to his long-standing commitment to education and national development.
The board, management, and staff of Ecobank Sierra Leone have congratulated Professor Sankoh on his appointment and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the bank forward. Ecobank Sierra Leone’s appointment reaffirms its commitment to strong governance, rigorous risk oversight, and inclusive growth in the markets it serves.
