ATMeN Chair Hails Mary Baine’s Appointment
IPNEWS: The Senate on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, unanimously confirmed the three non-statutory members of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Board.
All 21 senators in Tuesday’s session voted unanimously in favor of the nominees, thereby fully constituting the LRA Board—pending their official appointment by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who nominated them in October.
The three non-statutory board members are Mr. David Vinton, Ms. Yvonne Harding, and Ms. Maureen Shaw. They each bring a wealth of experience from years of service in both public and private institutions in Liberia.
These individuals will join the four statutory members of the LRA Board, who are Mr. Augustine K. Ngafuan, Minister of Finance; Cllr. Oswald Tweh, Minister of Justice; Madam Magdalene Dagoseh, Minister of Commerce; and Mr. James Dorbor Jallah, Commissioner General of the LRA, who serves as Secretary to the Board.
Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah hailed the Senate for the confirmation of board members and described the it as “a major milestone for the Authority”, noting that the LRA Board had not been fully constituted for several years.
With the Board now fully constituted, the LRA is positioned to implement critical decisions and reforms that had been delayed in the absence of a functioning Board. This development will significantly enhance strategic oversight, support institutional reforms, and strengthen the Authority’s capacity to mobilize domestic revenue for national development.
Commissioner General Jallah extended congratulations to the three confirmed members on behalf of the staff and management of the LRA and expressed optimism about working “collaboratively with the full Board to advance the Authority’s mission”.
The confirmation of the Board underscores a renewed national commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue administration. It sets the stage for more robust policy direction, improved operational performance, and greater public trust in Liberia’s tax system.
The LRA remains confident that with the strategic leadership and guidance of the newly confirmed Board, it will achieve even greater success in mobilizing revenue to support Liberia’s national priorities.
Meanwhile, the African Tax Media Network (ATMeN) has extended warm congratulations to Ms. Mary Baine on her appointment as the new Executive Secretary of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
Ms. Baine is the first woman—and only the second person—to occupy this role since ATAF’s establishment in 2009. Her leadership kicks off effective July 1, 2025.
In a press statement issued in Monrovia, ATMeN Chairman Danicius Kaihenneh Sengbeh expressed confidence that Ms. Baine’s leadership will further strengthen ATAF’s mission to enhance tax systems across Africa, promote domestic resource mobilization, and support sustainable development.
“We look forward to continued collaboration with ATAF under Ms. Baine’s leadership,” said Sengbeh. “Together, we aim to foster greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency in tax administration by working with journalists and media entities to tell Africa’s untold tax stories.”
ATMeN, a network of tax journalists and communicators from across the continent, hailed Ms. Baine’s appointment as a landmark achievement for gender representation and leadership in African tax administration, as well as a significant boost for tax journalism on the continent. “Not only was ATMeN born with her support, but I have every confidence that Ms. Baine will nurture and grow this platform to amplify tax messages, improve compliance, and build a stronger Africa,” Sengbeh, who also manages Communication, Media and Public Affairs at the Liberia Revenue Authority, stated.
Ms. Baine brings extensive experience and an unwavering commitment to advancing fair, effective, and inclusive tax systems across the continent. As ATAF’s former Deputy Executive Secretary, she played a pivotal role in strategic planning, international cooperation, and multilateral initiatives—including the establishment of ATMeN in 2019. She has also served as Commissioner General of the Rwanda Revenue Authority and Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
ATMeN also paid tribute to outgoing ATAF Executive Secretary Mr. Logan Wort, applauding his exemplary and transformative leadership over the past 15 years.
“We thank Mr. Wort for his unwavering dedication to ATAF’s mission and to the advancement of tax administration across Africa. His visionary and inclusive leadership significantly elevated Africa’s voice in global tax discourse,” the release quoted Sengbeh.
Among Mr. Wort’s notable achievements was the founding of ATMeN, a bold step in promoting transparency, accountability, and African ownership of the continent’s tax narrative.
“His legacy includes a deep belief in the power of communication and advocacy,” Sengbeh noted. “Under his leadership, tax communication became a core pillar of modern tax administration in Africa.”
ATMeN wishes Mr. Wort continued success in his future endeavors and reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with ATAF under Ms. Baine’s leadership, building on the strong foundation that she and Mr. Wort have establish.
