Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh, Chairperson of the African Tax Media Network (ATMEN), has urged African journalists to focus more on tax reporting. He believes this will help mobilize domestic resources and boost development across the continent.
Media’s Role in Tax Awareness and Compliance
Speaking at the Workshop for Exchange between Communication Officers of African Tax Administrations and Journalists, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on February 11-12, Sengbeh emphasized how the media can influence public perception and improve tax compliance.
The workshop, organized by the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) of Burkina Faso and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), brought together over 50 journalists, tax communicators, and policy experts from more than 20 African countries. The goal was to create a strong partnership between the media and tax officials to improve tax reporting.
“The media plays a big role in national development,” Sengbeh said. “When journalists make tax issues part of their coverage, the public becomes more aware. This leads to better compliance and increased revenue.”
He explained that many African nations still depend on foreign aid. To achieve economic independence, countries must focus on domestic resource mobilization (DRM). “Journalists must help people understand that taxes are not a burden but a tool for development,” he added.
Sengbeh described the workshop as a turning point. He called it a mission to bring journalism and tax administrations together so that Africa can tell its own tax story. “We need African voices to speak about Africa’s tax issues. If we don’t tell our own story, others will do it for us, and they may not get it right,” he said.
He stressed that tax communication strengthens democracy, promotes accountability, and builds trust between governments and citizens. He also encouraged journalists to continue the work started at the workshop, referring to their commitment as the “Burkina Faso Accord.”
“Let’s make this a historic moment. From now on, we must report on tax matters with accuracy, persistence, and credibility,” he said.
Reviving ATMEN
ATMEN was created in 2019 in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of an ATAF initiative. At the time, over 70 journalists and tax experts came together to improve tax communication. However, from 2019 to 2022, ATMEN remained inactive.
That changed when Sengbeh and a new team from ATAF took steps to bring the organization back to life. They reconnected with members, relaunched communication channels, and encouraged journalists to focus on tax-related topics.
Since then, ATMEN has been involved in major tax events. Its members participated in ATAF’s Annual Meetings in South Africa (2023) and Rwanda (2024). They covered key discussions and published over 80 tax-related articles across different platforms. The revival also led to the creation of a dedicated website, a Facebook page, and the drafting of a constitution to guide the network’s activities.
Sengbeh thanked ATAF for its support. “Without ATAF’s sponsorship and belief in the power of media, ATMEN would not have come this far,” he said.
ATAF Stresses the Importance of Media in Tax Reporting
Eugene Southgate, ATAF’s Head of Corporate Services, also spoke at the workshop. He represented ATAF’s Executive Secretary, Logan Woart, and highlighted the need for strong media engagement in tax matters.
Southgate explained that many people resist tax policies because they don’t understand them. Poor communication leads to mistrust and low compliance. He said journalists have a key role in making tax policies clear and relatable.
“A well-informed media helps people understand why taxes matter. They can explain complex tax policies in simple terms,” Southgate said.
He recalled that ATMEN’s launch in Kigali in 2019 was a big step in improving tax journalism. The Burkina Faso workshop, he added, builds on that progress by giving journalists more tools to report on tax issues effectively.
The Role of Journalism in Tax Awareness
Taxation affects everyone, but many people don’t fully understand it. Misinformation and lack of awareness often lead to resistance and low compliance. This is where journalists can make a difference.
By writing clear, accurate, and engaging tax stories, journalists can help people see how taxes contribute to roads, schools, hospitals, and other public services. Good tax reporting can also hold governments accountable and ensure that tax revenue is used properly.
Many African countries are working to improve their tax systems. Digital tax collection, automation, and policy reforms are helping to increase revenue. But these efforts will only succeed if people understand them. That’s why media involvement is essential.
Moving Forward
The workshop in Burkina Faso marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between journalists and tax administrators. Sengbeh and other leaders believe that with consistent effort, Africa can take control of its tax narrative.
Journalists left the workshop with a renewed sense of purpose. They are now better equipped to report on tax matters and help their audiences understand the importance of taxation in nation-building.
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