THE CONCERNED Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) has appealed to the government to amend the National Lottery Act, Act 722 of 2006 to include private sector participation in the country’s lottery industry.
“In fulfillment of your pledge made during the election campaign in 2006, we respectfully submit our proposal to enable you engage government towards the realization of our goal in securing an amendment of the National Lottery Act, Act 722 (2006) to allow Ghanaian private sector participation in lotto,” according to the petition addressed to the Acting National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay.
The petition signed by Kwaku Duah-Tawiah, Executive Secretary of CLAAG, said “The Association has met its members and resolved to work with the NPP Government to find acceptable ways of restoring private sector participation in a transparent, equitable and patriotic manner, for healthy competition among state and private operators for increased revenue maximization to the state.”
It urged government to among other things, “Establish modalities for regularizing CLAAG’s operation under the section 2(4) of the National Lottery Act; discuss modalities for the establishment of a Lotto Commission, the issuance of Licenses to private operators nationwide, and the payment of appropriate registration fees, monthly GRA Taxes, VAT and other charges to government.”
“Discuss modalities to allow CLAAG to make significant financial contributions to the national budget, while providing nationwide employment to the teeming unemployed people in the district,” it added.
In June 2015, members of the Association accordingly paid a courtesy call on Mr. Blay to solicit the party’s support in amending the lotto act when it comes to power.
The promulgation of the National Lottery Act, 2006 (Act 722), was the outcome of consultations between private sector operators and Government, to advance private sector’s role in the operation of lottery in Ghana.
“Government at that time did not fulfill its assurance to the private sector hence the promulgation of another state monopoly under Act 722,” according to the petition.
“However, support for amendment was obtained under the late President Atta-Mills, but the amendment process could not take place until his demise. This effort must be continued to complete the process of inclusion and regularization of the private sector in the operation of lotto in Ghana.”
Dr. Charles Dwamena, NPP’s Director of Finance, who received the petition on behalf of government, assured the operators that their concerns shall be addressed, indicating that government was prepared to work with all players in the sector to end the lotto ‘war.’
BY Melvin Tarlue