Fatou Touray, CEO Kerr Fatou Media
By Fatou Touray
Benjamin Franklin’s famous assertion that “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” remains as relevant today as it was centuries ago. Taxes are the lifeblood of any functional government, funding essential public services and infrastructure that citizens rely upon. However, in the Gambia’s current political climate, taxation has become a contentious issue, particularly in the West Coast region, where political maneuvering is threatening to undermine an essential revenue source for local governance.
Around the world, municipalities rely on property taxes to finance services such as sanitation, healthcare, education, and road maintenance. This is a standard practice in developed nations like the United States, where local governments depend on property taxes as a primary source of revenue. Municipal councils do not have the luxury of minting money; their existence and effectiveness depend on the taxes they collect and the fees they charge for services.
In a resource-scarce country like the Gambia, where revenue generation is heavily dependent on taxation, loans, and grants, responsible tax rhetoric and compliance are crucial. The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has been lauded for its growing tax collection, underscoring the government’s reliance on this revenue stream. But where does the GRA source its revenue? The answer is straightforward: taxes.
During a Meet the People’s Tour in Tujereng, President Adama Barrow emphasized the necessity of tax compliance, stating:
“Since I started the tour, everywhere I go, people have called for development. They want water, hospitals, electricity, and roads. But if you are not paying taxes, you cannot have the development you called for. And in the Gambia, statistics show that only 25% of the population is paying taxes. The other 75% are not paying their share of taxes, and those who are not paying taxes are the ones making noise, saying Barrow doesn’t do this, Barrow doesn’t do that. But if you don’t pay your tax, where is the government going to get the money without tax?”
It is therefore ironic that some politicians from the president’s own party are spearheading a movement urging residents of the West Coast region to refuse to pay taxes imposed by the area council. As a West Coast voter, I firmly believe that such a call sets a dangerous precedent that could erode trust in taxation authorities. If political disagreements become a justification for tax resistance whenever the opposing camp is in charge, what happens when political control shifts? How will councils pay salaries and provide necessary services if their primary revenue stream is compromised?
While governance and politics are inevitably intertwined, certain issues should transcend political rivalries. Debating tax rates and scrutinizing service delivery efficiency are legitimate discussions. However, undermining the legitimacy of tax authorities due to partisan disputes is reckless and short-sighted. Such actions could lead to dire consequences for the country’s financial stability. With dwindling international aid and drying up grants from Western nations, the Gambia must safeguard its most reliable revenue source—taxes.
The question is not whether we like taxation; rather, it is whether we can afford to run a government without it. If we expect development, we must recognize our shared responsibility in funding it. Citizens and politicians alike must rise above partisan interests to ensure that taxation remains an effective tool for national progress rather than a political weapon used to score points.