By Fatou Dahaba
In a significant move to enhance public understanding of tax administration and promote digital compliance, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday organised a day-long sensitisation training for journalists, editors, and bloggers on its new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) at the Senegambia Hotel.
The workshop underscored the pivotal role of the media in educating citizens about tax obligations and facilitating a smooth transition to modern, technology-driven tax services.
Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the GRA, told participants that the success of ITAS depends not only on advanced technology but also on effective communication by key stakeholders, particularly the media. He urged journalists and bloggers to fully grasp the system’s functionalities so they can accurately inform and prepare taxpayers across the country.
“ITAS is designed to enhance transparency, reduce compliance burdens, minimise fraud, and ultimately strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation,” Darboe said. He encouraged active participation, urging attendees to ask questions, share experiences, and contribute ideas during the sessions. The Commissioner General described the workshop as a collaborative platform that would help transform tax administration and service delivery in The Gambia, making the process fairer and more efficient.
Darboe emphasised that the voices and influence of media professionals would play a crucial part in building public confidence in the new system and fostering a stronger tax culture nationwide.
Samba Sallah, ITAS Project Manager, highlighted the dual responsibility of the participants as both taxpayers and reporters. He explained that while the existing tax system has served its purpose, ITAS leverages modern technology to deliver superior services to both administrators and the public.
“From the beginning, we have involved taxpayers in the development process to ensure the system serves the entire country and not just the GRA,” Sallah noted. He stressed that the platform aims to simplify tax administration, making it more accessible and user-friendly for all.
Lamin Cham, Editor of The Standard Newspaper, commended the GRA’s proactive approach in raising awareness about tax matters. He observed that while many Gambians still see taxes merely as contributions to government coffers, a deeper understanding of their importance is essential for voluntary compliance.
Cham praised the inclusion of diverse media professionals in the training, saying it would better equip them to report accurately on ITAS and its implications for the national tax landscape.
Abdoulie Nyockeh, representing the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR), welcomed the GRA’s initiative to improve journalists’ knowledge of tax administration. He described the workshop as an important avenue for direct dialogue between media practitioners and GRA management, thereby enhancing the quality of tax-related reporting.
ITAS is a comprehensive, secure, web-based platform that represents a complete overhaul of the GRA’s tax collection processes. Once fully launched, it will move core services online, enabling taxpayers to perform e-registration, e-filing, e-payment, and e-refunds with greater ease and security.
The training forms part of broader efforts by the GRA to modernise tax administration, reduce human interface in transactions, and boost revenue collection through digitalisation. Officials believe widespread awareness, particularly through the media, will be key to the system’s successful adoption.
Participants left the session better informed and more prepared to play their part in educating the public, as The Gambia takes a major step towards a more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven tax regime.
