A former Public Relations Manager of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, has called for legislative reforms to change how lottery revenues under the NLA–KGL arrangement are paid to the state through the NLA.
Dr Opoku argues that the government should amend the existing law to allow KGL Technology Limited to make payments directly into the Consolidated Fund or establish a dedicated National Lottery Fund under the supervision of the Minister of Finance.
According to him, the proposed changes would ensure that the state derives maximum financial benefits from the arrangement between the NLA and KGL.
He contends that routing payments through the NLA could limit the funds ultimately available to the state because the Authority is said to use significant portions of the money for operational and other expenditures.
These, he cited, include payments to the Good Causes Foundation, staff salaries, lottery winnings paid through point-of-sale terminals at kiosks, commissions and debt servicing.
Dr Opoku believes that directing the payments into the Consolidated Fund or a dedicated National Lottery Fund would provide a more transparent mechanism for managing the proceeds and strengthen government oversight of the revenue.
The proposed National Lottery Fund, he suggests, could serve as a dedicated channel for receiving payments from KGL, with the Minister of Finance providing the necessary oversight.
His proposal would, however, require legislative amendments and decisions on the appropriate framework for managing the funds, including how the NLA’s operational expenses and statutory obligations would be financed.
The call comes amid broader discussions about the management of lottery revenues, accountability and the state’s financial returns from its arrangements with private-sector operators.
Dr Opoku maintains that reforms to the payment structure would help ensure that a greater proportion of the proceeds benefits the state and, ultimately, the public.