NLA Embarks On Massive Reforms And Innovations

Mr Razak Kojo Opoku, President and Founder of the Concerned Voters Movement has commended Mr Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and the Board for implementing reforms at the Authority.

He said after just nine months in office the management and the Board of the NLA had succeeded in implementing a number of reforms and innovations that deserved commendations.

Mr Kojo Opoku praised the Director General and the Board in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, on Thursday.

He mentioned some of the reforms as the abolishment of the 7.5 per cent Income Tax on the Commission of the Lotto Marketing Companies (LMC) and the yet to be restored 25 per cent Commission to the LMC's.

'With the removal of the 7.5 per cent Income Tax, the LMC would now enjoy 25 per cent Commission and this will significantly improve the conditions of service for them.

Mr Kojo Opoku said the restoration of the 25 per cent commission will equally compete fairly with the 30 to 35 per cent commission of the Banker-to-Banker Lottery, bearing in mind the reliability and dependability of the NLA as a Government Institution.

He said the government in the 2018 Budget also removed the 5 per cent Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes through the efforts of Mr Osei-Ameyaw and the new NLA Board, adding that, 'this laudable initiative will increase patronage from the LMCs.'

The CVM President said with the passage into law of the National Lottery Act, 2006 (Act 722) and Lottery Regulation, 2008 (L.I. 1948), the first since 2006 by the Board and Management of NLA.

He said Mr Osei-Ameyaw also decided to 'Register and License' Lotto Operators, Agents, Sub-Agents and writers of Banker-to-Banker Lottery under the Public-Private Partnership.

This, he said, would enable them to operate legitimately and pay their taxes to Government in order to increase revenue mobilization for Government through Lottery as well as create jobs for people who are interested in Private Lottery.

Mr Kojo Opoku said this initiative would help Government to join forces with the Licensed Banker-to-Banker Lotto Operators to identify and fight against money laundering and recalcitrant operators, including foreigners, who are operating Banker-to-Banker Lottery in the Country.

He said within the few months in office, Mr Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA had paid over GH¢26 Million into the Consolidated Fund, as compared to the GH¢16 Million paid in 2016.

Mr Kojo Opoku said the Implementation of the NLA owned self-regulated, self-monitored and self-controlled Platform, as part of measures of maximizing revenue for the Government as well as cementing the 25 per cent commission to the LMCs will be launched soon.

'The over 30, 000 modernised lotto kiosks known as 'E-Kiosk' introduced by Mr Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA will be a multi-purpose centre for staking Lotto as well as serving as a receiving point for the payment of Light and Water Bills, GRA Revenue Collections as well as Banking Transactions.'

He said as part of the NLA efforts in fulfilling the vision of President Akufo-Addo's Government, Management and Board of the NLA would be creating over 100,000 jobs for Ghanaians through initiatives such as Recruitment of District Managers and Supporting Staff to manage the 216 NLA District Offices.

Also the recruitment of over 60,000 employees to work in the NLA E-Kiosks and recruitment of over 30,000 Security Personnel to protect the NLA E-Kiosks across the Country.

GNA
By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA