President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the board of directors and the management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to ensure transparent and responsible gaming in the country.
He stressed the need for the NLA to exercise the highest form of transparency and integrity in the conduct of its draws. That, he indicated, will solidify the confidence that Ghanaians repose in the Authority.
Addressing a gathering at the 60th anniversary celebration of the NLA on Friday, President Akufo-Addo commended the Authority for its “sustained efforts aimed at maintaining this national endeavour”. He also commended the Authority for the sense of commitment to fulfilling the obligation embedded in the National Lotto Act to take care of the needy, the aged, orphans and the destitute.
“Giving back to society through your Good Causes Foundation compliments the efforts of government in the development of our country and it is worthy of emulation by others,” he said.
On the need for transparency, he said: “The onus to achieve this does not only lie in your ability to generate revenue for government and give back to society, but more importantly, in ensuring that the Ghanaian, who plays your lottery games, receives a true reflection of the daily results published.”
Enriching lives
According to President Akufo-Addo, the NLA’s ability to ensure responsible and transparent gaming is the surest way for their “promise of enriching lives through games” to hold true meaning.
He urged the Authority to implement stringent policies on responsible gaming, chiefly, to prevent underage persons from patronizing the games, as well as help sanitize the lottery space.
Touching on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the NLA, President Akufo-Addo admonished the Authority to follow strictly, the high standards of the World Lottery Association (WLA) on CSR and supporting good causes.
“Proceeds from lotteries the world over are known to support good causes in society. According to the World Lottery Association, earnings have funded more than 1.5 million scholarships and grants. The WLA global data compendium has also indicated that total revenues for WLA member lotteries amounted to 284 billion United States dollars in 2020, whiles in the same year, the total of funds returned to society came to 74.9 billion United States dollars,” the President noted.
These statistics, President Akufo-Addo, said clearly define the focus of the global body, WLA, and that “the NLA cannot afford but to emulate same in Ghana”.
The President further emphasised that “the NLA has no reason to fail because right here in Africa, Cote d’Ivoire had blazed the trail in line with the standards set by WLA and the NLA ought to be inspired by the Loterie Nationale de Cote d’Ivoire (LONACI) of Cote d’Ivoire.”
Renewed commitment
The Director General of the NLA, Sammy Awuku, said the Authority will strive to achieve more success beyond what has been done in the last two years.
He commended the staff of NLA for their discipline and punctuality to work. He assured them that he will continue to lead the authority to the best of his ability in ensuring that they achieve the stated objectives of the NLA.
“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,” he indicated.
Illegal lottery
Meanwhile, President of the World Lottery Association (WLA), Rebecca Paul, ahead of the celebration, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
She said WLA is ready to support all the efforts Ghana is currently making to stop illegal gaming activities in the country. According to Madam Paul, the WLA has two dominant objectives, which include giving back to good courses in the countries where they have representation by way of membership and fighting all forms of illegal gaming and lottery activities.
“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 are most threatening to the lottery that gives back to good courses are those illegal folks who do nothing. They don’t pay any taxes, they don’t give any money to good causes and they don’t follow the same rules and standards that those of us who are government sanctioned follow,” the WLA President said.