….After GH¢10 million dividend payment into Consolidated Fund
The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has paid a GH¢10 million dividend to the Ministry of Finance for onward payment into the Consolidated Fund, as the state-owned lottery operator seeks to strengthen its contribution to government revenue.
The payment, which the Authority described as a significant milestone, forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving financial accountability, operational efficiency and revenue generation.
A delegation from the NLA, led by its Board Chairman, Frederick Amissah, presented the cheque to the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr Amissah briefed the Minister on measures being implemented by the Authority to shore up revenue, including a directive requiring all Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) to discontinue manual operations and migrate to Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals.
He also appealed to the Ministry of Finance for logistical support to enhance the NLA’s operational efficiency.
Presenting the cheque on behalf of the NLA Board, Management and staff, the Director-General, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, said the payment demonstrated that the Authority’s ongoing reforms were beginning to yield positive results.
He said the NLA, as a state-owned institution, had a responsibility to generate value for Ghanaians and make a meaningful contribution to government revenue.
According to Mr Abdul-Salam, the Authority has launched a comprehensive reform programme focused on improving efficiency, transparency and revenue mobilization.
The measures include a review of revenue-sharing arrangements with private operators, the adoption of an open and competitive licensing framework to eliminate exclusivity, and the introduction of independent, real-time revenue-monitoring systems across all licensed lottery operations.
He said the reforms were intended to ensure that the state received a fairer share of revenue generated from the lottery industry while strengthening accountability within the sector.
The NLA Director-General also announced plans to introduce a Sports Fund Lotto in collaboration with the Ghana Sports Fund.
The initiative, he said, would help mobilize additional resources for sports development while increasing the lottery sector’s contribution to national development.
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the Government of Ghana, Dr Forson welcomed the NLA’s return to making contributions to the Consolidated Fund.
He described the payment as a positive step towards restoring the Authority’s role in supporting government finances.
The Finance Minister said the Ministry of Finance would collaborate with the Office of the Attorney-General to review existing agreements affecting the NLA’s revenue position.
The exercise, he said, would help ensure that the national interest was adequately protected.
While commending the Authority for the GH¢10 million contribution, Dr Forson said the NLA had the potential to generate significantly higher returns for the state.
He therefore urged the Authority to remain focused on its core mandate and ensure that surplus funds were remitted to the government to support public services and other national development initiatives.
The GH¢10 million dividend marks a renewed effort by the NLA to improve its financial performance and accountability while strengthening its contribution to Ghana’s socio-economic development.
The Authority’s latest reforms, particularly the move towards electronic monitoring of private lottery operations, are expected to improve revenue visibility and reduce leakages across the sector.
