President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo has tasked the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to implement stringent policies on responsible gaming, chiefly to prevent minors and under age persons from patronising games and to help sanitize the lottery and betting space.
Furthermore, he directed the Authority to exercise the highest form of integrity and transparency in the conduct of it draws to uphold the confidence the public reposes in them.
“The Ghanaian people are expectant of reforms that will help you live up to your vision of becoming the organisation of choice and blue print for lottery in Africa”.
The President made the call in Accra when he addressed the 60th Anniversary celebration of (NLA).
He noted that the drive of the Authority to deliver on its core mandate does not only lie in its ability to generate revenue for government nor give back to society but more importantly, to ensure that the countless Ghanaians who patronise the lottery game receive a true reflection of the daily results published .
“It is only then that your purpose of enriching lives through games will hold true meaning, ” he added.
He thanked the Board, directors of the NLA and the able leadership provided by its young dynamic Director General, Sammy Awuku for steering the affairs of the Authority thus far.
President Nana Akufo-Addo also extended the appreciation of the people of Ghana to the Maltese government for its contribution to the establishment of the National Lottery Authority.
He said Ghana values very much her relations with Malta and recalled the landmark visit paid to Ghana in July 2017 by the former president of Malta as one of the first foreign leaders to visit the country when Nana Addo’s presidency was just six months old at the time.
President Nana Ado noted that since then, the two countries have signed a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding in the areas of bilateral cooperation, avoidance of double taxation, tourism, arts and culture, visa waiver and cooperation in medicines and aviation.
These he said have served as a strong launch pad for more dynamic and vibrant engagements in key sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
“Long may these cooperation flourish”, he added
The President noted that proceeds from lottery the world over are known to support good courses in society adding that according to the World Lottery Association (WLA), earnings have funded more that 1.5 million scholarships and grants.
He further made reference to The WLA data compendium which also indicates that total revenues for WLA member countries amounted to some $284 billion in 2020 while in the same year the total of funds returned to society came to $74.9 billion and up to $92 billion this year.
The President also applauded his Ivorian counterparts for blazing the trail in the lottery sector on the African Continent and serving as a valuable inspiration to the NLA.
He commended the NLA for its sustained efforts in mainlining the national endeavour especially for the sense of commitment to fulfilling the obligation in the National Lotto Act to take care of the needy , the aged , orphans and destitute .
“Giving back to society through your good courses foundation compliments the efforts of government to the development of our country and it worthy of emulation by others, ” he said.
The President reposed confidence in the current leadership of the NLA to further improve the fortunes of the Authority
Illegal lottery
President of WLA Rebecca Paul, who traveled to Ghana to support the 60th-anniversary celebration of the NLA, ahead of the celebration, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
She stated that WLA is ready to support all the efforts Ghana is currently making to stop illegal gaming activities in the country.
“Part of what the World Lottery Association does is to help set up standards that our members meet and certainly, one of the most important is the corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards which you (Ghana) are applying for and working towards.
“One of the things that is most threatening to lottery that gives back to good courses are those illegal folks who do nothing.
“We are working with all the lotteries across Africa on those two initiatives namely CSR and responsible gaming which are two of our most important and we are just elated to be here in Ghana” the WLA president added.
Renewed commitment
Board Chairman of NLA, Torgbui Francis Nnonyo, in his address, welcomed the task of the President and indicated that the NLA will work hard to be a leader in the sub region.
“The Board of NLA, together with Management will ensure the growth of this organization, and we are even more determined to ensure that NLA’s flag flies high among its peers and lives up to its vision to become the organization of choice on the African continent,” he said.
Mr Awuku, DG of NLA assured the President that the organisation would not rest on its oars and would strive to do more in the years ahead.
“We are excited about this new phase and of what the future holds as we forge ahead in our journey. We believe there will be bigger hurdles to cross and while we acknowledge the work that lies ahead, we remain resolute with a renewed commitment to do much better for our cherished patrons.
“We are excited about this new phase and of what the future holds as we forge ahead in our journey. We believe there will be bigger hurdles to cross and while we acknowledge the work that lies ahead, we remain resolute with a renewed commitment to do much better for our cherished patrons,” Awuku stated.
He also commended the Management, Staff, and other stakeholders for contributing to the success story of NLA.
