-Keynote Speaker King-Sackie says empowering students with tax knowledge fosters responsible citizenship
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), in partnership with the USAID-LEAD Activity and the Ministry of Education (MoE), organized the nation’s inaugural National Students Tax Day (NSTD) on Thursday, November 21. With the theme “Moving to Billions: Celebrating Taxpayers’ Impact,” the event highlighted the importance of tax education in cultivating a prosperous and law-abiding society.
Lucia Welwolie, a 12th-grade student at Innovation Preparatory Academy International, delivered an engaging speech at the event, highlighting the origins and significance of National Students Tax Day (NSTD).
Addressing policymakers, students, and educators, she emphasized the importance of empowering future leaders with taxation knowledge and its role in national development.
Welwolie illuminated the objectives of the Student Tax Education Program (STEP) and urged stakeholders to ensure its full integration in Liberia’s civic curriculum. She proposed the establishment of National Students Tax Day as an annual event to promote tax awareness and significance among students.
“National Students Tax Day is a milestone in empowering us—the future leaders of Liberia—with the knowledge of taxation and its role in nation-building,” Welwolie declared.
Welwolie outlined STEP’s objectives, which include promoting voluntary tax compliance and integrating tax education into Liberia’s national civic curriculum. She called on stakeholders to revisit a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the LRA, MoE, and WAEC Liberia to ensure the program’s full implementation across all secondary schools.
“Let us rally behind the call to recognize National Students Tax Day as an annual working holiday,” she urged, advocating for its expansion to enhance awareness and significance.
Atty. Decontee T. King-Sackie, Managing Partner at ZE’AD Advisors and Consultants, presented the keynote speech at the event, focusing on the correlation between tax education and sustainable economic progress. Her address, titled “How Tax Education Empowers Students to Become Tax-Compliant Citizens and Spur Economic Growth,” highlighted the role of tax knowledge in cultivating responsible citizenship among students.
“When students are empowered through tax education, they transition seamlessly into adulthood as tax-compliant citizens, contributing to a diversified economy,” King-Sackie said.
Referencing international models, she pointed out the successful enhancement of tax compliance and revenue generation in nations such as Finland, India, and South Africa through early educational initiatives. She recommended Liberia follow suit by incorporating tax education into academic programs and utilizing technology to facilitate learning.
“Tax education does more than create compliance,” she added. “It nurtures informed, responsible citizens who fuel the engines of economic growth.”
George Akl, Chief of Party for the USAID-LEAD Activity, emphasized the societal importance of tax compliance. “Paying taxes is not just a legal obligation; it is a fundamental civic duty,” Akl stated. “It reflects your commitment to the common good and strengthens the social contract that unites us all.”
The event also provided a platform for dialogue among students, educators, and government officials regarding the broader implications of tax education. Other partner institutions including the Ministry of Education, praised the initiative and committed to supporting and integrating tax education into Liberia’s development agenda.
