By: Trokon Flahnma
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in collaboration with the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), has concluded a two-day intensive training program for 30 journalists Margibi and Montserrado Counties.
According to the LRA, this initiative is part of its ongoing efforts to increase Liberia’s national budget to $1 billion USD. The institution described the media as a critical driving force behind this national goal.
The training focused on enhancing participants’ ability to clearly distinguish between tax collectors who are responsible for mobilizing government revenue and fee collectors, such as city authorities, who collect charges for urban services and infrastructure development.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), emphasized the importance of media capacity building in tax education .
“One of the core responsibilities of the PUL is building the capacity of journalists. So, we are very excited to collaborate with the LRA to host this training program,” he stated.
“This initiative is based on the fact that in Liberia, as many of us know, media literacy and advocacy around tax issues are very low. We have also observed limited reporting on tax-related matters in the country. Therefore, the LRA, in collaboration with the PUL, is working to address this existing gap.”
Danisius Kaihenneh Sengbeh, from the LRA’s Communication, Media & Public Affairs (CMPA) Division, noted that the training is part of the LRA’s 2025 Media Engagement Strategy. He said the strategy aims to build a well-informed media sector capable of accurately reporting on taxation and revenue matters.
He highlighted that this was only the second training of its kind in the LRA’s 11-year history, marking a strategic shift in the Authority’s media engagement approach transforming journalists into partners who can simplify complex tax issues for the public and promote voluntary tax compliance for national development.
The LRA seeks to empower journalists as “Tax Ambassadors,” enhance public awareness, and build long-term partnerships between the LRA and the media.
On behalf of the 30 participating journalists, Samira Wonlah, Director of Radio at Voice of Liberia (VOL), and Emmanuel Tatormue Kollie of Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) expressed gratitude to the organizers. They described the training as a milestone in revenue generation efforts and a significant boost for public tax education.
The workshop, held in Kakata from August 11–12, aimed to empower journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to promote accurate tax reporting and improve public understanding of Liberia’s tax system.
