The Network of Finance and Tax Reporters (NFTR), The Gambia last week had their first media engagement and orientation seminar for tax reporters and communicators on taxation.
It was organized in partnership with The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) and The Gambia Bankers Association, on the theme: Media have a critical role to play in tax matters.
Held at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) conference hall in Bakau, the seminar brought together media practitioners, private sector, tax authority and financial institutions to discuss issues relating to tax.
In his welcoming remarks, NFTR president Abdoulie Nyockeh said tax is the life blood of every government and the level of understanding by reporters and taxpayers on the importance and the need to pay tax is very low in The Gambia.
He said since Gambia is a tax base economy, the Network deem it fitting by it composition of members to conduct media engagement and orientation forum for communicators and tax reporters on the essence of taxation.
He said the objective of the seminar is to create strong collaboration between tax reporters and revenue administrations, to enhance tax education and awareness in supporting domestic resource mobilization among others. He said NFTR have the vision to report on finance and tax matters in order to create awareness and ensure compliance and efficient tax administration in The Gambia.
Mr. Nyockeh explained that the Network aims to enhance critical understanding among Gambian journalists of the intricacies of reporting on business, finance and tax news, and their linkages to the broader structural transformation of The Gambian economy.
According to him, the purpose of the convergence was to sensitize the media practitioners on taxation and by extension on public finance management reform in The Gambia as well as to sensitize them on the Treasury Single Account.
He also indicated that participants will develop a three month strategic plan towards the end of the year, which will include capacity building, stakeholders and media dialogue on taxation and outreach program countrywide.
He commended their sponsors and partners, particularly Lotto Gaming Gambia limited, Rotary Club of Fajara and Banjul Breweries.
Ousman Bah, head of cooperate and public affairs at GRA commended the Network for the initiative, saying their objective is to improve tax compliance which, he said is in line with the government vision.
