GRA’s Top Official Is New Chair of West African Tax Admin

By Abdoulie NYOCKEH

Effective 20th October, 2020, Commissioner General of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Yankuba Darboe, is the new Chairperson of the sub-regional tax administration.

The top official of the country’s revenue authority was elected to lead the West African Tax Administration (WATAF), for the next two years, during the body’s 16^th General Assembly meeting which was virtually convened from the 20^th-22^nd October 2020. The theme of the virtual meeting was, “Promoting Transparency in the Governance of Tax Incentives in West Africa.”

As per the report from GRA, the event started on Tuesday, 20^th October with the 10^th Council Meeting which comprised members from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Togo (Chairperson), Senegal (Vice Chairperson) and The Gambia. The meeting commenced with the “call to order” by the [out-going] Chairperson, Togolese Director of Taxes, and the confirmation of the quorum by the Executive Secretary of WATAF, Mr. Babatunde Oladapo.

The meeting saw, among other things, the “Review and adoption” of the Report of the 9th Council Meeting; presentation of WATAF Secretariat Progress Report; and presentation of the Draft 2020 Financial Statement; presentation of Draft WATAF 2021 Budget; and Drafting and adoption of the Council’s Resolution.

The following countries were nominated by the meeting as the new Council for presentation to the General Assembly for adoption: The Gambia as Chairperson, Senegal as Vice Chairperson, while Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Liberia as Council Members.

The second day of the event was set aside for a high-level policy dialogue of the theme: “Promoting Transparency in the Governance of Tax Incentives in West Africa” The report also cited the General Assembly meeting where all members were required to attend and after strong discussions, the Assembly agreed as follows: The Gambia as Chairperson, Senegal as Vice Chairperson, and Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Cabo Verde as members.

The new Chairperson, Commissioner General Darboe made his closing remarks and thanked the member countries for their trust in The Gambia to lead WATAF, and he promised to raise the flag higher.