How much would you like to give?
$

1

Your Details

2

Payment Details

3

Thank You

Can't find your address? Enter it here
Australia

Jacob Sarkodee takes on new role as Chief Impact Officer

After having the privilege of serving IJM Australia as Interim Chief Executive, I’m now deeply excited to be taking on this newly created role of Chief Impact Officer.

This work, works 

Every day, I hear incredible stories of the impact that your support of IJM is having on the ground. Entire communities that were once highly vulnerable to violent criminals are being transformed, as IJM teams and partners train law enforcement, prosecute traffickers and restore freedom and dignity to victims.

Truly, the news we are hearing out of these communities is astonishing, because it proves that there actually is a real solution to slavery.

So, I want to bring you closer to this work that’s happening. I want to help you see that when you give to IJM, you aren’t just making a statement – you’re making real change happen.

My heart for justice 

I am so grateful that God has brought me to this position at this time. Justice is in God’s heart and he’s placed it in mine too.

If you haven’t heard my family’s story before, let me briefly share. When my father was young, he was forced to flee from his home in Ghana after his father, a High Court judge, was murdered for seeking to defend the rule of law and justice amidst attempts to overthrow the Ghanaian government. 

My grandfather, Fred Sarkodee, boldly stood up for the systems that could protect the vulnerable, and he paid for it with his life.

This work that we do together is part of my identity and my family’s story. I know firsthand what the cost can be when we pursue justice no matter what, but I know that it’s so worthwhile. I am committed to ensuring that future generations are protected through strong and effective justice systems.

Demonstrating impact: my new role

In my role I’ll be finding these stories, as well as the data and facts to back them up, and bringing them to you in a way that you can understand. I’ll be working with a team of experts who really grasp the value of our programs on the ground to help me communicate with you and bring the impact of your support to life.

I’ll also be focused on helping some other really significant groups understand the significance of this work – including the Australian government. The model that we have developed for ending slavery has proven to be effective, and we would love to see the government get on board with implementing this framework to protect the most vulnerable people in Australia and around the world. In order to have knowledgeable, informed conversations with the Australian government, we really need to focus on translating our impact for them, so that will be a big part of my role.

For you, who are already on board with what we’re doing together to end slavery by 2030, I’m excited to act as your link to the work on the ground, helping you understand and celebrate the impact that you’re having.

And for those who aren’t on board just yet, I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to convince them that when we all strive together, we can end slavery – and that’s a deeply worthwhile goal.

Thank you for your support, and I ask that you do keep me in your prayers as I begin this role. It’s going to be a challenge, but I am looking forward to serving alongside you in this way as we work together for freedom.


Read more about IJM’s work and model for change.

Find Jacob on LinkedIn and Twitter.

You might also be interested in…