[1] He worked for the Tonga Commodities Board and Tongan Development Bank, before becoming CEO of the South Pacific Tourism Organization in 2000.
[2] On September 1, 2011, he was reshuffled to the Ministry for Police, Prisons and Fire Services.
[4][5][6][7] He developed a reputation as a financial conservative who didn't want to see Tonga overwhelmed by debt repayments.
[8] He was also the lead Spokesperson for Pacific ACP States' negotiations with the European Union on a comprehensive Economic partnership agreement.
[9] On 9 January 2014, ʻAkolo was fired from his position as Minister for Finance after publicly criticizing aspects of the budget.