PUL, LRA begin two-day training to strengthen tax reporting in Liberia

Published: August 11, 2025

KAKATA, Margibi County — The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) have opened a two-day workshop in Kakata to train more than 30 journalists in reporting taxation and revenue issues with greater accuracy, clarity, and impact.

Running from August 11–12 and fully funded by the LRA’s Communication, Media and Public Affairs (CMPA) Section, the training targets journalists primarily from Montserrado and Margibi counties. Organizers say it is designed to bridge persistent gaps in the media’s coverage of tax matters and improve public understanding of Liberia’s revenue system.

PUL President Julius Kanubah said the initiative addresses “low media literacy and limited reporting” on tax issues in the country.

“The Press Union is an advocacy organization, but one of our core responsibilities is capacity building for journalists,” Kanubah told participants. “We are excited to work with the LRA to improve reporting on tax matters. The skills gained here will help produce reliable, accurate information and strengthen the link between taxpayers and the Liberia Revenue Authority.”

He noted that the LRA covered all accommodation, meals, and transportation for participants, calling it “a meaningful step toward capacitating the media” rather than a routine donor-funded workshop.

Second in LRA’s 11-Year History

LRA CMPA Manager D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh described the event as “historic” — the second media training the LRA has organized in its 11 years, and the second this year following a June session in Tubmanburg, Bomi County.

“This is a landmark year for our engagement with the media,” Sengbeh said. “We are building a network of informed, capable, and empowered media partners to tell the Liberia tax story accurately, clearly, and consistently.”

Sengbeh, a former PUL official, said the training is part of the LRA’s 2025 Media Engagement Strategy, which identifies the press as “one of the most powerful tools for increasing public awareness, promoting voluntary tax compliance, and boosting revenue for national development.”

Identifying Gaps in Tax Coverage

A pre-training survey found participants faced several challenges, including limited understanding of core tax concepts, weak practical skills in tax reporting, insufficient knowledge of LRA processes, and outdated awareness of its innovations.

“These gaps directly affect the accuracy and relevance of tax stories,” Sengbeh said. “Even experienced journalists can find tax reporting challenging without the right preparation. This training will help you report with authority, clarity, and impact.”

Training Journalists as ‘Tax Ambassadors’

Sengbeh said the program’s main objectives are to empower journalists to serve as “tax ambassadors” in their communities, increase public awareness of tax obligations, and strengthen LRA–media partnerships for long-term national development.

Over two days, participants are engaging with LRA experts from the Domestic Tax Department, the Customs Department, and the CMPA to learn about tax administration, development journalism, and media ethics.

Looking Beyond Kakata

Sengbeh said the training is the start of a longer partnership between the LRA and the media. Planned follow-up actions include certification for participants, distribution of learning materials, joint awareness campaigns, a national media network on tax reporting, and opportunities to join international tax reporting programs under the African Tax Administration Forum’s Media Network (ATMEN), which Liberia currently chairs.

PUL Urges Unity in the Media

Kanubah also used the occasion to call for solidarity within the PUL, stressing that the union’s strength lies in its unity. He urged journalists to register with the organization to benefit from future opportunities and to take part in programs that strengthen the profession as a whole.

Both the PUL and LRA said the initiative represents a shared commitment to building a better-informed public and fostering a stronger culture of tax compliance.

“A strong, informed, and independent media is an indispensable partner in building a tax-conscious nation,” Sengbeh said. “Together, we can foster a culture where taxes are understood, compliance is embraced, and revenue is mobilized for Liberia’s development.”