The Founder and president of the Concerned Voters Movement (CVM), Mr. Razak Kojo Opoku lauded the National Lottery Authority (NLA) for paying GHC19 million into the consolidated fund.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that they have received payment for the money on September 29 2017. ‘’I verified it myself on Monday myself at the ministry of finance. The NLA has paid GH¢19 million into the consolidated fund. We need to commend the NLA and also laud CVM for doing what is right.’’ he stated.
In a statement signed by Mr Razak Opoku also indicated that the NLA has given assurance that the supposed GHC15,000, 000 judgement debt would not be paid to MERLIN Gaming Limited as mentioned earlier. ‘’the NLA has assured us fully that they will do anything possible to make sure that they don’t commit NLA funds to the Merlin Gaming Ghana Limited. This reason finally made us ‘’smoke the peace pipe’’ with them. He added.
He however warned all police officers and NLA regional managers who take bribes from ‘’banker to banker operators to refrain from arresting or taking bribes from them adding that the police can cause their arrest based on the approval from the board or the Director General of NLA.
Read Full Statement
Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General and the Board of NLA constituted by President Akufo-Addo’s Government have done so well within the few months in office to achieve a number of unprecedented reforms and great innovations at the NLA which honestly deserves commendations.
The *Unprecedented Reforms* at the NLA are as follows:
1. *Restoration of the 25% Commission to Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs)*
Under the able leadership of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, the Director-General and Board of NLA, the Government has abolished the 7.5% Income Tax on the Commission of the Lotto Marketing Companies. With the removal of the 7.5% Income Tax, Lotto Marketing Companies will now enjoy 25% Commission.
This will significantly improve the conditions of service for the Lotto Marketing Companies.
The restoration of the 25% Commission will equally compete fairly with the 30-35% Commission of the Banker-to-Banker Lottery bearing in mind the reliability and dependability of NLA as Government Institution.
2. *Removal of the 5% Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes*
The imposition of the 5% Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes has been totally removed by President Akufo-Addo’s Government as contained in the 2018 Budget through the efforts of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA.
This laudable initiative will increase the patronage of Lotto Staking from the Lotto Marketing Companies.
3. *Maximizing Revenue for the Government Through the Registration and Licensing of Banker-to-Banker Lottery*
Since the passage into law the National Lotto Act,2006 (Act 722) and Lottery Regulation, 2008 (L.I. 1948), this is the first time since 2006 that the Board and Management of NLA led by Kofi Osei-Ameyaw have decided to *Register and License* the Operators, Agents, Sub-Agents and Writers of Banker-to-Banker Lottery under Public-Private Partnership Agreement so that they can 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.
This laudable initiative will help Government to join forces with the Licensed Banker-to-Banker Lotto Operations to identify and fight against money laundering and recalcitrant ones including foreigners who are doing Banker-to-Banker Lottery in the Country.
4. *Payments into the Consolidated Fund*
Within the few months in office, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA have paid over GHC 26 Million into 犀利士
the Consolidated Fund. This is unprecedented compared to the GHC 16 Million which was paid into the Consolidated Fund for the whole 2016.
The *Great Innovations* taking place at the NLA are as follows:
1. *Implementation of 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% Commission to the Lotto Marketing Companies, the NLA will be launching its own Platform.
2. *Implementation of E-Kiosks powered by Solar Energy(Solar Power Systems)*
The 30, 000 modernised lotto kiosks known as *E-Kiosk* introduced by Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA shall be a multi-purpose centre for the staking of Lotto and serves as the receiving point for the payment of Light Bills, Water Bills, GRA Revenue Collections as well as Banking Transactions.
3. *Creation of over 100, 000 Jobs in the Lottery Business*
As part of the NLA efforts of fulfilling the vision of President Akufo-Addo’s Government, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA are going to create over 100, 000 jobs for Ghanaians through the following initiative:
a) *Recruitment of District Managers and Supporting Staff* to manage the 216 NLA District Offices across the Country.
b) *Recruitment of over 60, 000 Employees* to work in the NLA E-Kiosks across the Country.
c) *Recruitment of over 30, 000 Security Personnel* to provide security for the NLA E-Kiosks across the Country.
*Conclusion*
Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA are really working diligently to change the face of Lottery Business in Ghana through contributing significantly to:
1. Revenue Mobilization
2. Revenue Maximization
3. Jobs Creation
4. All Inclusive with the registration and licensing of Banker-to-Banker Lottery
5. Top-notch delivery of Lottery Services in Ghana.
….Signed….
Razak Kojo Opoku
( Concerned Voters Movement Founder & President)
Source: otecfmghana.com/ Agya Owusu Anash