The Gaming Commission
The Gaming Commission has established a regional branch of its office in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, to monitor and regulate activities of gaming in the three northern regions.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Kobby Annan, revealed that under Article 721 of the Gaming Act, it is a criminal offense for an underage person to be allowed to engage in such activities.
He said the essence of government’s commitment to make education universal and free for all children in Ghana is to provide access to education to all Ghanaians especially the underage and the activities of gaming should not be allowed to deny them their education.
According to the deputy commissioner, the attention of the commission has been drawn to the involvement of youths especially the underage in the gaming activities in the Northern Region.
Mr. Kobby Annan indicated that operators of gaming centres, sites and activities must not allow children under the age of 18 years into their auditoriums and centres. He said when they are caught, they could be fined, prosecuted or receive both.
According to the Gaming Act, underage persons caught engaging in gaming activities stand to spend two years of their lives in Juvenal homes.
He therefore called on the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and the general public to support government and ensure strict adherence to the laws and rules governing gaming activities in the country.
Mr. Richard Kambootah, Deputy Director for Institute of Local Government Systems, Tamale, told DAILY GUIDE that the establishment of an office of the commission in Tamale would help mobilize funds to support MMDCEs in carrying out developmental projects in their various jurisdictions and territories.
He assured the commission of their support and collaboration to make sure that children do not leave school for game centres.
The presence of online gaming sites in the country is slowing gaming prominence and becoming vital contributor to the economy of the country. However, the activities of these sites can spell doom for the youth, creating in them the evil attitude of laziness and idleness and to a large extent increase the number of school dropouts in the country when not regulated and monitored.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale