The Gambia’s minister of information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay has cited the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) as a shining example of the Gambia government’s increasing focus on technology to combat official corruption.
The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Hon. Yankuba Darboe, is leading the charge for an ambitious digitization reform process at the Gambia’s main revenue collection agency.
The GRA is on the verge of digitalizing all its revenue lines to not only enhance efficiency in revenue collection but also to also promote accountability and transparency in tax administration.
Speaking on Coffee Time With Peter Gomez on Tuesday morning, the Gambia’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, hinted that the GRA is a perfect example of the Gambia government’s increasing gravitation towards technology to combat graft.
The GRA has consistently surpassed the collection target set for it in the past few years without burdening the taxpayer with a burdensome tax obligation.
The GRA boss reiterated in press conferences and media briefings that the secret behind the Gambia revenue administration’s remarkable revenue generation performances over the years were rooted in efficiency enhancement initiatives, broadening of the tax base and integration of technology in the Authority’s revenue lines.
“GRA has gone almost 100% digital to enhance revenue collection. The government has [in place] digital measures to fight corruption,” acknowledged the information minister.
“Corruption should be fought by everyone. Everyone has a stake in the fight against corruption.”
As part of its digitization reform project, the GRA introduced a digital weigh bridge at the Banjul Port, digital tax stamp, fuel marking stamp, e-tracking system, ASYCUDA World, among other cutting-edge technology, to promote transparency and accountability in revenue administration. CG Darboe last month informed reporters that:”We have in plans other reforms, for example revenue assurance, which will deal with telecom services providers; GSM operators. GSM companies are paying us a lot of money. However, we also want to show off our tax liability in the process of people, making calls and texting.”
Hon. Darboe further informed reporters that the GRA also has in the pipeline a rental income compliance software and a VAT electronic invoicing system, all geared towards ensuring efficiency, accountability and transparency in tax administration.
