When Prakash Kumar Rishya Sirungar accepted a job offer in Ghana at the age of 31, he was fully aware it would change the course of his life. Having obtained his Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualifications in Malaysia and worked his way up to a stable role at Shell Malaysia, leaving for Ghana was a leap of faith into unknown territory. Nonetheless, it was a risk that paid off, as Prakash is presently the Financial Controller of Wilmar International, a Fortune 500 manufacturing company in West Africa.
“I had always wanted international exposure to not only working abroad but to how things are done differently in other parts of the world,” Prakash said of why he made the switch.
“It was a decision driven by a desire to grow, embrace new challenges and be part of something bigger on a global scale.”
Since transitioning to working in Africa, Prakash sums up the work culture there as such: “In Ghana, things are done differently—more laidback, slower-paced—but the end goal is the same. That perspective shift changed how I see the world.”
Now four years into his journey abroad, Prakash stands tall not only as a Fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) -qualified finance leader, but as a proud Malaysian who remains firmly connected to his roots from over 11,000km away and harbours dreams of playing a more active role in the country’s economy.
Relearning the Art of Leadership
Living and working in a foreign country for the first time comes with a lot of changes, and Prakash learned early on how different things were compared to his homeland.
“Malaysia is characterised by a dynamic, fast-paced environment, in contrast to the more laid-back rhythm of life in Ghana. The speed of execution is different,” he said. “Consequently, I made a conscious effort to bridge the gap by learning about their culture and establishing a rhythm that suited the entire team.”With time, patience and persistent follow-ups, Prakash adapted. Today, he manages a nine-member finance team.
One of the greatest highlights of leading has been watching his team grow. “Many people shy away from leading teams with performance challenges. But to see someone go from being mediocre to excelling after a few years brings me real joy.”
This hands-on leadership style has also led to measurable impact. Among his proudest achievements are leading initiatives to strengthen internal controls — resulting in an audit rating improvement from ‘Needs Improvement’ to ‘Good’ within the next audit cycle and spearheading the development and implementation of a comprehensive payment process that streamlined workflows and delivered significant full-time employee hour savings.
“It was disorganised before, with no structure. Now, everyone knows who’s doing what and when, which has helped with internal coordination and managing supplier expectations,” he said.In another testament to Prakash’s leadership prowess, he was awarded the FCCA designation in 2024. The status is bestowed by the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) to members who have shown long-term commitment to the profession through at least five years of ACCA membership and relevant professional experience.
Elaborating on how his career in Ghana helped him achieve this distinction, Prakash explained: “My journey to FCCA began with Shell Malaysia, where I completed the first two years of post-ACCA experience. In Ghana, I was able to gain another three years of relevant experience in accounting and finance to reach the five-year requirement for FCCA.”
A Malaysian Heart in Ghana
Being so far away can be an isolating experience at times, but Prakash has found his own ways of staying connected to his roots.
For one, he is an active member of “Malaysians in Ghana Official,” a WhatsApp group initiated by the Malaysian embassy that now has over 30 members. Regular “makan” sessions and festive gatherings during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali provide a much-needed sense of home and community.
“These Malaysians are all we have here. It helps keep our minds sane,” he shared with a laugh.
However, Prakash’s ties to Malaysia extend beyond the social. Professionally, he maintains close links with his former colleagues at Shell, as well as the Malaysian finance team at Wilmar, where he often facilitates discussions on bridging cultural and operational gaps between the two regions.
“We would have weekly calls with the Wilmar team in Penang, and I would share insights about local business practices in Ghana to help them understand how things operate differently here,” he explained.
Prakash’s connection to Malaysia also takes shape through the MyHeart platform. As a member who actively uses the Collaboration feature, he has reached out to several Malaysians abroad to explore potential future partnerships.
“It wasn’t just about networking. I wanted to see where people were headed and how we might work together. Many of us are looking to return home eventually. Why not see if we can create something meaningful before that?”
Bridging Two Regions for a Brighter Future
Prakash’s spirit of collaboration is tied to his longer-term ambition: to build trade links between Malaysia and Africa.
From his vantage point in Ghana, Prakash sees tremendous potential for Malaysian businesses to explore African markets, particularly in sectors like palm oil, F&B, medical supplies and IT equipment.“ Malaysia ranks among the leading manufacturing hubs in Southeast Asia, but most companies may be targeting traditional giants like China, India or the US. Africa, with its growing demand and enabling economic policies, has greatly untapped potential,” he pointed out.
Having spent the past four years observing the landscape, Prakash is keen to one day return home and launch a venture that facilitates cross-border trade. His background in finance and business operations, he believes, gives him the tools to make this a reality.
“I’ve been researching the market, and I believe there’s a huge opportunity to contribute to the Malaysian economy in this aspect. I know I can make an impact.”
Bold Steps, Big Rewards
Reflecting on his time abroad, Prakash wholeheartedly believes that Malaysian youth should not be afraid to take bold steps.
“In your 20s, you should just grab the opportunities that come along. You never know where they’ll lead,” he shared.
He also encouraged aspiring finance professionals to remain open to working in non-traditional markets.
“There’s always something to learn from everything you give a shot to, so there isn’t really such a thing as a good or bad experience. The world rewards those who are willing to step forward, even when the path is unfamiliar.”
And for those looking for more direct guidance, Prakash expressed that he hopes to connect and one day even mentor ACCA candidates or young finance professionals back home.
Are you a Malaysian working abroad hoping to share your story and collaborate with fellow countrymen to give back to Malaysia? Sign up as a MyHeart member today and connect with a rapidly growing network of Malaysian diaspora.
