Abuja, Nigeria, 23 September 2026 — The West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) has elected a new Council leadership and members during its recent 23rd General Assembly held in Accra, Ghana.
In a secret-ballot election, Benin, represented by Mr. Erick Maxime Mensah Akakpo- Djihountry, was elected Chairperson of the WATAF Council. Guinea-Bissau, represented by Mr. Malam Sissé, was elected Vice Chairperson.
Mali, represented by Mr. Hamadou Fall Dianka; Burkina Faso, represented by Ms. Talato Eliane Djiguemdé-Ouédraogo, outgoing Council Chairperson; and Ghana, represented by Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, were elected as Council members.
A scene immediately after the election A scene of some elected officials and members of the election commission, immediately after the election.
Together with Nigeria, which serves as a permanent member, they constitute the new Council leadership of the Forum.
The newly elected Council will serve a two-year term, providing strategic leadership and governance oversight to WATAF as the Forum continues to support stronger tax administrations, deeper regional cooperation and enhanced domestic revenue mobilization across West Africa.
The WATAF Council, comprising heads of member tax administrations, is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the Forum. It oversees the work of the Secretariat, reviews key programmes, plans and budgets, and provides a platform for assessing progress, addressing shared challenges and strengthening accountability among member administrations.
Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General James Dorbor Jallah, who chaired the Election Commission for the exercise, congratulated the newly elected officials and wished them success as they take up responsibility for steering the affairs of the Forum over the next two years.
Outgoing Council Chairperson Ms. Talato Eliane Djiguemdé-Ouédraogo, who was also elected to serve on the new Council, congratulated the incoming leadership and members.
WATAF Executive Secretary Jules Tapsoba also extended congratulations to the new Council and expressed his best wishes as they assume their responsibilities.
In his acceptance statement, the newly elected Council Chairperson, Mr. Erick Maxime Mensah Akakpo-Djihountry, thanked the General Assembly for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to serve in the best interest of the regional body.
He said his leadership would priorities capacity building for tax administrations, particularly on emerging issues such as taxation of the digital economy, while promoting a united regional approach to addressing challenges affecting domestic revenue mobilisation.
The election marks a new chapter in WATAF’s governance as the Forum celebrates its 15th anniversary and continues its work to strengthen tax administration, promote cooperation among member countries and support sustainable development through improved domestic revenue mobilization.
The new Council will serve for the next two years, after which elections will be held in accordance with WATAF’s governance arrangements.