The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in partnership with the Independent Information Commission (IIC), over the weekend hosted a one-day Freedom of Information (FOI) Awareness, Compliance & Records Management Training at the LRA Headquarters. The capacity-building exercise brought together at least twenty staff members, including Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Managers, Supervisors, and senior officers. Facilitated by the IIC, the training aimed to strengthen institutional understanding of the FOI Act of 2010, improve public access to information, and reinforce the LRA’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Speaking at the opening session, Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah reaffirmed the Authority’s unwavering dedication to upholding the FOI Law. He stressed that transparency remains central to the LRA’s work and essential to building public trust in tax administration. Commissioner General Jallah highlighted the significant strides the LRA has made in making public information more accessible than ever before. He noted that the LRA website now features a wide array of information, including annual reports, audit reports, leadership details, and regular updates on institutional activities. Most notably, he emphasized the introduction of the Real-Time Revenue Dashboard, a groundbreaking tool that enables anyone to view the country’s current revenue position at any given moment.
“This dashboard represents one of the most progressive steps toward openness in public finance,” he said. He further noted that the LRA’s daily updates on its social media platforms continue to promote pre-disclosure and enhance engagement with taxpayers. Providing an overview of the training, Mr. Armah Boimah Johnson, Director of Compliance at the IIC—speaking on behalf of Commissioner Joash T. Hodges commended the LRA for its strong track record in FOI compliance. He noted that the Authority has consistently demonstrated leadership in transparency, both past and present. Johnson explained that the session was designed to deepen staff understanding of the FOI Law, ensuring improved access to information and full adherence to the 2010 Act. Also speaking, Mr. Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh, LRA Manager for Communication, Media & Public Affairs, underscored the Authority’s longstanding commitment to FOI compliance.
He recalled that since 2016, the LRA has diligently implemented the law, responding to numerous FOI requests and consistently earning high marks in the IIC’s annual compliance grading of public institutions. “The IIC has repeatedly ranked the LRA among the better-performing government entities,” Sengbeh noted. “Today’s gathering is another step in a deliberate journey one that began in 2016 when the LRA appointed its first Public Information Officer.” The LRA and IIC reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening transparency and ensuring the public’s right to information remains fully upheld.
