Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) who doubles as the chairperson of West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) has recently returned from his official trip to Cote d’Ivoire and Cape Verde where he held discussion with the Director Generals of Revenue Authorities and Ministers of Finance of Cote D Ivoire and Cape Verde.
The visit according to the Commissioner General, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, the meeting was used to discuss matters connected to participation in WATAF meetings, trainings and other events and the payment of subscription fees to help finance the activities of WATAF.
In hid meeting with the DG of Taxes, Cote d’Ivoire on 14th February 2022, the CG Darboe highlighted the main reasons why the Council and General Assembly approved for the visit to be made to the two countries.
Among these reasons, he said, included getting Cote d’Ivoire to fully participate in WATAF events and activities and for the payment of subscription to the WATAF Secretariat.
Meanwhile, during the visit, the WATAF Executive Secretary made presentation on the journey so far, the attendance of meetings and trainings by member countries, subscription payments over the nine years of WATAF existence and the activities that are in plan for the year 2022, ratification of the WATAF agreement, request for technical assistance and the hosting of WATAF events.
CG Darboe thanked the Chairman, the Executive Secretary of WATAF and the team for the visit and for the presentation and documents shared while expressed and promised that the halt in the participation of Cote d’Ivoire in WATAF activities and the arrears in the subscription contributions will fully recommence participation and that arrangements for the payment of the arrears will be made.
In a similar Meeting with the Minister of Budget Cote d’Ivoire on15th February 2022, the WATAF Chairman, Yankuba Darboe, commended the Honorable Minister and his team for accepting to receive the team and for having a meeting with them. He explained to them that WATAF was established in 2012 to bring Tax Administrations in West Africa together for increased collaboration and to speak with one cohesive voice in international forums.
The Executive Secretary made a video presentation on WATAF and its achievements over the years. He highlighted the need to partner together and participate in WATAF events. He invited the Honourable Minister to be a key note speaker in an upcoming event being organized by WATAF in collaboration with International Bureau for Fiscal Documentation (IBFD).
He also highlighted the need for the Ministry to participate in WATAF events, to facilitate the implementation of policy recommendations arising from WATAF meetings.
The Honorable Minister welcomed the team and wished them good stay in Abidjan. He said ECOWAS is more integrated in Africa than any other bloc and if WATAF is attempting to bring Tax Administrations together, their efforts should be welcomed and supported.
He too also promised that they will always be available to support WATAF and promised to get Cote d’Ivoire participate in WATAF events and activities.