The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, has announced a significant milestone in the Authority’s drive for professional development, revealing that GRA now has over 200 staff members with university qualifications ranging from bachelor’s to master’s degrees and 12 fully qualified legal practitioners.
Mr. Darboe made the remarks on Wednesday shortly after five GRA staff members were formally enrolled as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of The Gambia. The enrolment ceremony, held at the High Court complex in Banjul, was presided over by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow.
The five were admitted to the Bar following their successful completion of the Bar Examinations and a one-year mandatory pupillage under the supervision of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice.
According to the GRA boss, the addition of five new lawyers brings the Authority’s total number of in-house legal practitioners to 12. He says this reflects GRA’s continued investment in capacity building and legal expertise, particularly in areas like revenue recovery and enforcement.
“This is unprecedented in the history of GRA,” Darboe noted. “We are proud to have this pool of young, talented lawyers whose contributions will significantly boost revenue compliance.”
He explained that the Authority initially had seven lawyers who played critical roles in recovering outstanding revenue from non-compliant institutions and businesses. “Now, with five more lawyers joining, our legal capacity has been strengthened even further,” he added.
Darboe said GRA’s growing number of university graduates now more than 200 demonstrates the management’s unwavering commitment to staff development. He stressed that capacity building will remain a top priority under his leadership.
“As an institution, we are introducing new reforms, and these reforms can only succeed if we have qualified and committed personnel to implement them,” he said.
He also urged the newly enrolled lawyers to remain professional, respectful, and patient in executing their duties. “We expect you to apply your knowledge and uphold the values of this institution. GRA is proud of your hard work and dedication,” he concluded.