GRA Finance director hails WCO SG Gambia visit

According to the GRA finance director, the WCO covers 180 countries including West and Central Africa but the SG decided to first visit The Gambia.

Visiting The Gambia first out of the 180 countries, according to Mr. Denton, is a big achievement for the Gambia; particularly for GRA who serves as a key player at the World Customs Organisation.

“We at the level of GRA are proud of his visit and this is great motivation and encouragement for us to do more to boost our tax administrations.”

“This visit was part of WCO SG’s mission to meet tax administration officials and discuss with them issues relating to the work of the WCO and see how to provide support to various countries.

Mr. Denton currently holds two positions at the level of the World Customs Organisation. He is the chairman of the Finance Committee of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and also the elected chairman of the Finance Committee of the World Customs Organisation for West and Central Africa.

These are positions that had never been occupied by an African before, thanks to the GRA Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe for his leadership in ensuring things happen the right way to the right people at GRA, Mr. Denton stated.

“I have been representing The Gambia at the World Customs Finance Committee for the past nine years,” he disclosed, adding he had served as the vice chair for two years and now the chairman of the Finance Committee.

“It is indeed a big pleasure for me to receive the WCO Secretary General (SG) in The Gambia. “It makes me happy to see your work and efforts recognised by your superior.”  “We know that we are the main pillar in terms of collecting revenue for government. So seeing that revenue money is utilised for development projects to better the lives of people is pleasure.”