Gambian leader, President Adama Barrow will grace the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) 5th Mega edition of the Taxpayers Awards ceremony night scheduled for Saturday, the 4th March 2023 at the invitation of the Board of Directors, management, and staff under the dynamic leadership of the Commissioner General Mr. Yankuba Darboe.
As part of the Authority’s annual routine, the Award ceremony will be at the Kairaba Beach Hotel headed by the Deputy Director Compliance and Taxpayers Education Unit Mrs. MattyNjie Senghore.
Speaking at the Taxpayers Award ceremony 4th edition President Barrow said “Looking ahead, the event will form part of my annual calendar of activities.”
President Barrow commended the Board and Management of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on this brilliant initiative, designed to honour and recognise the most compliant taxpayers in the country’s economy.
“As a former businessman, I know how difficult it can be for business entities to pay taxes; as such, GRA deserves commendation for initiating this laudable scheme.
“Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank all taxpayers, Gambian nationals and non-nationals alike, especially those in the private sector, for their consistent contribution to national development,” President Barrow told taxpayers last year at the 2021 award night.
Mr. Yankunba Darboe, the Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority, described the day as ideally placed at the beginning of the 2022 financial year of the government.
“To appreciate their distinguished taxpayers working very hard to liberate the country from external resources dependency. Therefore, mobilization of domestic resources is crucial for the funding of our budget, our priorities to spur our economic growth and development,” he said.
According to the Commissioner General, the growth in their manpower and capacity has translated into the excellent revenue performance that GRA continues to register year after year.
According to him, since GRA started operations in 2006 the Authority has been able to grow revenue from D2.8 billion within 15 years.
He said: “During this period, average monthly revenue collection grew from D235 million in 2006, to over D1.1 billion in 2021, representing more than 35% growth, Similarly, the average year–on–year revenue growth between 2006-2021 stands at 11%, making the Authority one of a few in Africa to have registered this level of consistent revenue performance and growth over time.”
“In 2020 and 2021 financial years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Authority was able to exceed the target and collected over D11.8 billion in 2020 and over 12.7billion in 2021 despite the numerous challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” CG Darboe disclosed at 2021 award night.
The award ceremony is expected to be attended by over five hundred people from various sectors including Cabinet Ministers and will be presided over by His Excellency President Adama Barrow.
The ceremony is meant to give the most tax-compliant companies awards as a sign of motivation and appreciation so that others can emulate in paying taxes to the state regularly. The award ceremony has different categories, and invitees are urged to be at the conference hall on time before the President’s arrival and his encouragement.