The World Bank has appointed a Gambian national, Yusupha B. Crookes, as country director for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.  His appointment takes effect from March 1, 2012 and he will be based in the World Bank’s Accra Office.

According to reports from the World Bank communication unit in Dakar, Senegal, Crookes joined the Bank in 1983 as a young professional. He currently serves as director, regional integration in the Africa Region.  Prior to this assignment, he held senior managerial positions including country director for Pakistan, senior manager and sector director in South Asia Region.  

Earlier on, he was senior manager in corporate resource management and the oil, gas and mining department, and sector manager for energy in the Africa Region of the World Bank, during which time he lead high level energy sector review missions to Ghana, Sierra Leone and other African countries. As such, he brings to this position extensive operational experience in a variety of complex country and sector situations.

In this new position according to the bank, Yusupha’s top three priorities will be to: (i) work closely with the three partner countries to provide innovative products and services that respond to their diverse development challenges and contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction; (ii) lead and support staff and the country management team, working closely with internal and external partners, to enhance results on the ground; and (iii) lead and support staff in implementing the priorities of the new Africa Strategy while adjusting to corporate realities and opportunities.

Crookes holds degrees in Economics, Finance and Accounting.  His assignments in the bank have covered various responsibilities in the Caribbean, Russia and Central Asia, Turkey, South Asia and various countries throughout Africa.  Prior to joining the Bank, he worked in equity research and investment management in the United Kingdom. He is married, with two children.