A faith-based institution under the banner: “Faith and Justice” Network (FJN) regional ecumenical ZaC Tax campaign Conference got underway on Thursday, July 3, 2025, to tackle some of the challenges the region is facing.
The essence of the Zac Tax Conference, is to devise and strategize means by which the entrenched systems of corruption, tax injustice, illicit flows and a deepening economic inequality that continues to permeate and undermine the peace and growth across the region can be tackled.
The conference was held under the theme: “Reshaping Financial and Economic Ethics: A Transformative Approach to Justice, Reparation, and Accountability in the Mano Basin.”
The chairman of the board, Bishop Samuel quire said, the gathering requires concerted and collective efforts of leaders to fight injustices of taxation and corruption.
According to him, a well-coordinated system of corruption can be changed if leaders can turnaround to redeem their respective nation when they confront the economic and ethical injustice that has often been familiar in societies.
Bishop Quire cited a biblical example of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who was named after the conference that was consume with greed, but repented and restored what was stolen.
He added: “This can still happen when we show a remorse of conscience and belonging to our country.”
He said, as faith-based communities, residents should not remain silent on the margins of fiscal debate, rather, should be vocal on how national budget reflects moral priorities and how tax structure impacts the poor.
“Economic decision should align with or violate the values of justice and human flourishing.”
The conference will afford the opportunity to critically analyze unjust tax policies and their impact on social and economic inequalities in the country and the region.
Bishop Quire expressed gratitude that the conference offered a theological and moral reflection on taxation, wealth and justice from a faith-based perspective.
Meanwhile, a long-term campaign on tax justice, economic dignity and ecological restitution in the region and beyond will be launched from 2025 -2027.
The new campaign will mobilize churches, mosques and the civil society to advocate for transparent and equitable tax systems at national and international levels.
The conference brought together civil society actors, national stakeholders from the various churches, mosques, including those from Sierra Leone, La Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and the host, Liberia.