Ghana’s public financial management architecture has received a significant boost following the appointment and swearing-in of Mr. Conrad Z. Dumbah as the new Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), bringing with him more than fifteen years of international experience in banking, finance, governance, risk management and internal audit.
Mr. Dumbah was officially sworn into office by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance in Accra. The event was attended by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Rev. Dr. Patrick Nomo, the outgoing Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Mr. Thomas A. Thompson-Aryee, members of the Agency’s management team, and senior officials from the Ministry.
He succeeds Mr. Thompson-Aryee, who retired from active public service on 8 June 2026, after years of dedicated leadership at the Agency.
A Career Built on Global Financial Governance
For many observers, Mr. Dumbah’s appointment reflects Ghana’s growing recognition of professionals who have excelled on the international stage and are now bringing their expertise home to strengthen public institutions.
Prior to his appointment, Mr. Dumbah served as Vice President, International Finance Controllers at Citibank in London, where he oversaw international finance control teams operating across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Latin America (LATAM). His role involved ensuring operational excellence, strengthening enterprise-wide risk and control frameworks, and driving compliance across one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
Before assuming that global leadership position, he served as Vice President, EMEA Finance Controller at Citibank UK, where he led finance control operations across multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Hong Kong. His responsibilities included enhancing financial governance, strengthening internal control systems, identifying operational risks, and implementing strategic improvements across international banking operations.
His professional journey also includes senior leadership roles at Santander UK, where he served as SOX Audit Manager (Finance, Risk and Controls). There, he led major Sarbanes-Oxley compliance reviews, directed organisation-wide control improvement programmes, and supported the implementation of multi-million-pound financial reporting systems designed to improve governance and regulatory compliance.
Earlier, Mr. Dumbah held the position of Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit at Barclays Bank, leading audits across critical banking functions, including payment processing, customer management systems, collections, recoveries and regulatory compliance. His work focused on strengthening internal controls, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting effective corporate governance.
Perhaps one of the defining chapters of his professional career was his nearly eight-year tenure at PwC UK LLP, where he rose rapidly from Associate to Audit and Assurance Manager in less than four years. During this period, he led audit and advisory engagements for some of the United Kingdom’s largest financial institutions and multinational organisations, including Santander Bank UK, Bank of Ireland, Volkswagen Financial Services, Renault UK, DHL UK, Avon Cosmetics, Argos, Weetabix, Oxford University Press, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the UK Ministry of Defence.
Beyond delivering complex audit assignments, he also mentored junior professionals, taught continuing professional development programmes within PwC, and conducted audit quality reviews to ensure compliance with international accounting and auditing standards.
Internationally Recognised Professional Credentials
Mr. Dumbah’s appointment is underpinned by internationally respected professional qualifications that reflect his expertise in finance, audit and governance.
He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), one of the highest professional distinctions awarded by ACCA.
He is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), a globally recognised certification demonstrating expertise in information systems auditing, governance and cybersecurity controls.
In addition, he holds the Institute of Internal Auditors Certificate in Internal Audit and Business Risk (IACert), reflecting specialised competence in internal audit practice and enterprise risk management.
He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance and Accounting, further reinforcing his commitment to continuous professional development and thought leadership in public financial management.
A Leadership Style Grounded in Accountability
During the swearing-in ceremony, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem challenged the new Director-General to strengthen Ghana’s internal audit system at a time when prudent management of public resources has become increasingly critical.
He urged Mr. Dumbah to work diligently to reduce financial irregularities, improve compliance with financial regulations and deepen accountability across public sector institutions.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Dumbah pledged to work collaboratively with stakeholders across government to strengthen transparency, reinforce internal controls and promote sound governance throughout Ghana’s public sector.
He stressed that effective internal auditing is not merely a compliance exercise but a strategic tool for improving public service delivery, safeguarding public resources and building confidence in state institutions.
According to him, his leadership will align closely with the Government’s broader agenda of promoting accountable governance, improving financial discipline and strengthening institutional performance across the public service.
Bringing Global Experience Home
Mr. Dumbah’s appointment comes at a time when Ghana continues to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline and improving the management of public finances.
His extensive experience across international banking, corporate governance, audit, financial reporting and risk management positions him to introduce global best practices into Ghana’s public financial management framework.
Those who have worked with him describe him as a strategic leader with a collaborative management style, a strong commitment to ethical leadership, and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Throughout his career, he has been recognised for building effective relationships across organisations, driving operational improvements and fostering cultures of accountability and continuous improvement.
As he assumes leadership of the Internal Audit Agency, expectations are high that his blend of international experience, technical expertise and commitment to public service will contribute meaningfully to strengthening internal audit systems and enhancing financial accountability across Ghana’s public sector.
For many within the governance and finance community, Mr. Conrad Z. Dumbah’s appointment represents more than a change in leadership. It signals an opportunity to leverage world-class expertise in advancing transparency, protecting public resources and supporting Ghana’s ongoing efforts to build stronger and more accountable public institutions.
Mr Conrad is product of Birkbeck Univeristy of London, University of Ghana Business School and Notre Dame Minor Seminary in Navrongo. He is married to Yvette and are blessed with two lovely children.
By Anderson Buabeng Danso, Lawyer & a Broadcaster
