Former Deputy Commissioner for technical affairs at the Liberia Revenue Authority Decontee King Sackie has underscored the importance for educators, policy makers and the private sector to collaborate in order to incorporate tax education into school curriculum.
Speaking at programs marking National Students Tax Day, Madam Sackie stated that the move among other things will ensure that Students become empowered , compliant and impactful citizens for the Country.
The now Managing Partner of ZE’AD Advisors consultants at the same time encouraged the government and educational institutions to include tax education in the schools curriculum across the country in a drive to reach the students early.
She pointed out that tax education is a global practice and does make impact.
“Let’s recognize that tax education is not just an academic exercise, it is a long term investment in economic resilence”, she noted.
As a move of further improving the sector, the former Deputy Commissioner wants interactive platform like apps and games to be used to make learning about taxes more engaging and accessible for Liberian students.
Moreover, she encouraged the continuation and recognition of tax complaint individuals and organizations which will also inspire others to follow suit.
She told the gathering that by teaching students the value of compliance, moving to billions will also help build a sustainable system for generations to come.
“By empowering students with the knowledge about tax compliance, we are investing in a prosperous and equitable future “, she added.
Madam Sackie encouraged all to champion tax education as an essential pillar of national development.
“Together, we can move from millions to billions, not just in revenue but opportunity in tax”, she highlighted.
According to her , tax education fosters a sense of fairness of emphasizing that everyone contributes to nation building.
She, at the same time, stressed that when citizens are more informed about taxes, they will more likely demand accountability from their government, ensuring that their taxes are used effectively.
“A population that understands how taxes are used is more likely to trust their government as well as strengthen its trust in government institutions “, she re-emphasized.
Such trust she reechoed fosters a stable economic environment, thereby attracting both domestic and foreign investments.
Speaking more about tax education and its benefits, Madam Sackie told the gathering that revenue generated from taxes enable the State to fund essential public services and eventually improve economic growth of the Country.
Also speaking at the program was the Chief of Party of USAID-LEAD Activity George AKL who stated that taxes are life blood of any nation, adding that they fund meaningful projects like roads and other public infrastructures.
He said that taxes are more than a requirement, indicating that it is a civic duty and reflects the commitment of the people to building and developing their Country.
Mr. AKL wants leaders of Liberia to drive a positive change for the benefit of the society.
Taxes he reechoed have several benefits namely, the improvement, efficency and effectiveness of public services , better health care services that will be accessible among others.
According to him, understanding civic responsibility is key as such, each one has a vital role to play in building their community, nothing that it is time for them to take action.
The USAID-LEAD Activity Boss calls on the people to embrace their civic responsibility with pride and purpose.
“Paying tax is not just an obligation but an expression of your commitment to a more brighter and important future for everyone “, he added.
According to him, through the contributions of the people to paying their taxes, they have the power to change the society for generations to come.
Well , student Lucia Maxma Welwolie giving the background of the National Students Tax Day Program recommended the revisitation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Liberia Revenue Authority, (LRA) The Ministry of Education and the West African Examination Council (WAEC ) in 2017 which gives rise to Students Tax Education Program.
The revisitation of the MOU according to her recommendation will further help in forming a technical working group to overseas the implementation of the “STEP”
“STEP” among other things will ensure that tax education is included into the national civic education”, she told the gathering.
Lucia also indicated that tax education opens doors for students to explore greater opportunities, contribute to the skills and knowledge workforce of the Country.
Student Lucia used the occasion to rally calls for more awareness and education about national students tax day and to ensure that it is annually observed as working holiday in a drive to inform and engaged the public and people to understand their role and importance of taxes in fostering national development.
“It is a call to action for all to take ownership of Liberia’s progress”, she re-emphasized.
The 12th grade student of the Innovation preparatory Academy International told the gathering that the overall goal of the Students Tax Education Program is to improve voluntary tax compliance by teaching the next generation of leaders the principles and policies of Taxation.
“It fosters a sense of civic responsibility and also seeks to foster a tax pay culture including cultivating a new generation of committed and patriotic Liberians”, she noted.
