The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) today 24 March convened journalists at the Senegambia Hotel for a day-long sensitisation workshop on its new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), a digital platform expected to transform tax administration and compliance in the country.
The training, organised in collaboration with the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR) and supported by the World Bank, brought together over 35 media practitioners to deepen their understanding of the system and its implications for taxpayers.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gambia Revenue Authority’s Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe described ITAS as a major milestone in the Authority’s ongoing modernisation drive.
He said the system would overhaul existing processes by moving core tax services online, allowing taxpayers to register, file returns, and make payments electronically.
“This reform is about improving service delivery, enhancing transparency, and making tax compliance easier for all,” Darboe said, emphasising that taxpayers remain central to national development efforts.
For his part, GRA’s Deputy Commissioner General Essa Jallow underscored the importance of the media in bridging the information gap between the authority and the public.
He said journalists have played a critical role in communicating reforms and ensuring citizens understand their obligations.
“With ITAS, taxpayers will be able to access services anytime and from anywhere, reducing the cost and time associated with physical visits,” Jallow explained, adding that the system would also strengthen efficiency within the authority.
Earlier, ITAS Project Manager Samba Sallah highlighted the need to involve stakeholders from the outset, particularly the media, to ensure smooth implementation.
The system is designed to simplify transactions and align tax administration with modern technology, he said.
Delivering the welcoming remarks on behalf of NFTR, Abdoulie Nyockeh, president of the organisation, commended the GRA leadership for engaging the media and investing in capacity building.
The training would equip journalists with the knowledge required to report accurately on taxation and digital reforms, he said.
“The media plays a crucial role in educating the public on tax matters and supporting national development,” he stated, urging participants to derive much knowledge from the training to be utilised in their reporting of ITAS and other tax matters in the country.
Participants were taken through key features of ITAS, including e-registration, e-filing, e-payments and improved refund processes.
Officials said the platform would enhance efficiency, reduce human error, minimise opportunities for fraud, and create a transparent digital record of transactions.
The workshop formed part of broader stakeholder engagements by the GRA aimed at promoting awareness and ensuring a smooth transition to the new system, which officials say marks a significant step towards a more efficient and accountable tax administration in The Gambia.
