By Ndey Sowe
The President of the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters (NFTR) Gambia chapter has strongly defended his network’s vision to empower and enhance the competence of Gambian journalists through capacity building for them to effective and efficient journalists.
President Abdoulie Nyockeh in an interview with this medium on Tuesday 19th Monday, 2021, said one of the driving tools for the NFTR Gambia chapter is capacity building which is fundamental to any productive journalist.
“The media have a pivotal role to play in our society, without requisite knowledge, it will be difficult for journalists to disseminate factual information to the public,” he said.
Nyockeh said because media play a significant role in society, there is need for support from both the public and the private sectors to build their capacity in all areas. He said the media play a critical role in creating more awareness and/or in advocating for tax payment.
“The objectives of the NFTR Gambia chapter is to enhance the competence of Gambian journalists in business, finance and taxation reporting and data journalism and their linkages to the broader structural transformation of the Gambia economy and to help Gambian journalists familiarise themselves with the activities of GRA and explain the Authority’s mandates to the general public,” he explained.
“NFTR Gambia Chapter is affiliated to the African Tax Media Network (ATMEN) based in South Africa which comprises 150 tax reporters and tax communicators in Africa, established purposely to champion the African Tax conversation with the aim of enhancing domestic resources mobilization and development on the continent.”
Mr. Nyockeh also said NFTR Gambia chapter aims to create strong collaboration between tax reporters and the national revenue body to enhance tax education and awareness in supporting domestic resources mobilization among others.
The NFTR president advised Gambian journalists to exercise patience, saying with NFTR Gambia chapter, the sky is the limit in terms of building their capacity in all sectors. He assured journalists that more training will be provided to NFTR members in a bid to enhance their capacity.
Nyockeh said NFTR Gambia chapter is a non-political network and non-profit making entity. He said the network intends to complement government’s effort in creating awareness to improve tax compliance.
To wrap up, NFTR president called for more innovative and creative journalism and condemn unnecessary tarnishing of each other’s image.
