08 October, 2026
TAXATION IS MORE THAN REVENUE COLLECTION
He does not only have his footprints as an expert in revenue collection, he received an award from the WHO as a recognition for his role in the promotion of public health through stringent tobacco control policies and enforcement.
It is in recognition of this strategic role, the Association of Public & Environmental Health Officers of The Gambia invited Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General to speak at their annual convergence. In delivering his key note address, Mr.Darboe said, "Taxation is more than revenue collection - it is a tool to shape behavior, protect health and drive national development." For CG Darboe and the GRA, tobacco taxes should not be judged only by how much revenue they generate, arguing that their wider objectives should be to make cigarettes less affordable and discourage people from smoking.
He further stressed that "the ultimate goal should be to have fewer young people taking up smoking, reduce the cases of preventable diseases and premature deaths and fewer public resources spent treating diseases associated with smoking. The convergence held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Conference Center brought together stakeholders such as WHO, UNICEF, MRC The Gambia, Ministry of Heatlh, and health practitioners.