GRA Boss Elected WATAF new Chairperson

The Commissioner General of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Yankuba Darboe had been elected to take mantle of leadership of the West African Tax Administration (WATAF) for the next two years.

The GRA boss appointment came into effect on 20th October, 2020 during its 16th General Assembly  meeting held through virtual from the 20th to 22nd October, 2020. The theme for the meeting was  “Promoting Transparency in the Governance of Tax Incentives in West Africa”.

According to the report emanated from GRA, the event started on Tuesday 20th October with a council meeting (10th council meeting) which comprises members from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Togo (chairperson), Senegal (vice chairperson) and The Gambia.  The meeting started at 9.00 GMT with the call to order by the outgoing chairperson, Togolese Director of Taxes and the confirmation of the quorum by the Executive Secretary of WATAF Mr Babatunde Oladapo.

The meeting agenda included 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. And also, presentation of draft WATAF 2021 Work Plan , presentation of draft WATAF 2021 Budget, WATAF Membership Subscription update, 17th GA/10th anniversary celebration and , drafting and adoption of the Council’s resolution.

The Executive Secretary and his team at the Secretariat presented the documents and reports stated on the agenda.  Observations and comments were made on the presented documents and reports before the council members adopted them.

This was then followed by elections of new council members as the term of the current council members have ended. Nominations to council were based on submissions of interest made by countries prior to and during the meeting.

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, Nigeria, Council Member. Burkina Faso, Council Member, Mali, Council Member and Liberia, Council Member.