By: Gabriel M C Parker
BOMI COUNTY – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in collaboration with the Western Region Journalists Association (WReJA), has successfully concluded a two-day capacity-building training workshop for journalists in Bomi County.
Held from June 20–21, 2025, the event brought together over twenty media practitioners from Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
Themed “Enhancing Tax Awareness and Public Engagement,” the workshop aimed to strengthen journalists’ ability to report effectively on taxation and revenue-related issues.
A key focus was on promoting public understanding of domestic revenue mobilization, particularly in underserved regions.
During the opening session, D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh, LRA’s Manager for Communication, Media, and Public Affairs, underscored the critical role of the media in fostering tax awareness.
“This training is a deliberate and timely intervention aimed at empowering journalists as tax ambassadors, thereby enhancing public awareness in underserved regions,” Sengbeh stated.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the LRA Communication Division’s 2025 strategy, which prioritizes media engagement as a cornerstone of tax education and public outreach.
Sengbeh also described the workshop as the LRA’s first media-focused engagement on customer taxation, marking a milestone in the Authority’s broader efforts to promote transparency and improve taxpayer compliance.
He emphasized that as Liberia’s development increasingly depends on domestic resource mobilization, it is vital for journalists to be well-equipped to inform the public on the importance and benefits of taxation.
Also speaking at the event, Meloshe Roberts, Chairperson of the Western Region Journalists Association, expressed gratitude for the LRA’s ongoing support and partnership with the regional media.
“We are grateful to the Liberia Revenue Authority for this meaningful engagement and their consistent support, especially their contribution toward our second general assembly held in Gbarpolu County in 2024,” Roberts said.
He reaffirmed WReJA’s commitment to strengthening the partnership and promoting professional journalism through continued collaboration with institutions like the LRA.
Several participants lauded the training, describing it as an “eye-opener” that provided new insights and tools for reporting on taxation and financial accountability.
The workshop concluded with the certification of all participating journalists, marking a significant step toward enhancing tax education and civic engagement in Liberia’s western region.
