Published: November 22, 2024
Congo Town – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has taken a bold step toward fostering a tax-compliant culture with the first-ever National Students Tax Day, held on November 21, 2024. The event, part of the ongoing Taxpayers Appreciation Week, sought to educate students about the critical role taxes play in national development and inspire a new generation of responsible taxpayers.
Guest speaker Atty. Decontee T. King-Sackie, Managing Partner at ZE’AD Advisors and Consultants, spoke on the long-term benefits of introducing tax education to students. In her address, King-Sackie emphasized that tax education is a foundational investment in Liberia’s economic resilience.
“Tax education is more than just learning; it’s an investment in Liberia’s economic future,” King-Sackie said. She explained that teaching students how taxes fund infrastructure like roads, schools, and hospitals helps them view taxpaying as a civic duty rather than a burden. “This is how we build a generation of tax-compliant citizens,” she added.
King-Sackie further called for sustained efforts to integrate tax education into school curriculums. “Empowering students with the knowledge of taxes means investing in a prosperous future,” she said.
National Students Tax Day is an extension of the LRA’s Student Tax Education Program (STEP), which was launched in 2017 in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA). The program aims to instill an understanding of the importance of taxation among Liberia’s youth, emphasizing its role in driving the nation’s development.
In 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the LRA, the Ministry of Education, and WAEC Liberia to integrate tax education into Liberia’s secondary school curriculum. This initiative has since become a key part of the LRA’s strategy to increase tax compliance by educating young people about their role in sustaining public services and infrastructure.
The event featured a lively debate among students on the motion, “Improving Tax Compliance is the Most Effective Way to Ensure Sustainable Economic Growth in Liberia.” The students passionately argued the importance of tax contributions, demonstrating a strong understanding of how taxes impact the nation’s progress.
LRA Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah praised the students for their active participation and intellectual curiosity. “The engagement we’ve witnessed today shows that young Liberians are ready to embrace the importance of taxes and their role in driving economic growth,” he said.
Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services at the Ministry of Education, Sona T. Sesay, also commended the students for their confidence and enthusiasm. “Public speaking is a skill that many struggle with, but seeing these students speak with such passion is inspiring. This is the future of Liberia,” Sesay remarked.
George AKL, Chief of Party for USAID’s Funded LEAD Project, emphasized the broader importance of tax compliance during his remarks to the students. “Taxes are not just a legal obligation; they are the foundation of society. By paying taxes, you help fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure that benefit everyone,” he stated.
Discussion about this post