The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has been petitioned to investigate the contract between the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) and KGL which came into force in May 2020.
The investigation rides on the back of the contract impoverishing the NLA to the extent that the institution is in debt as to payment of wins, late payment of commission to its marketers and lack of funds for the NLA to carry on certain activities including the renovations of its bungalows.
The contract which was made public initially was meant for KGL to take over the sales of lotto on USD for the NLA.
The petitioner, Kwaku Antwi-Boadu, who is the Interim National Organiser of the Lotto Marketing Companies (LMC), said he has reported the situation to the Ghana Integrity Initiative but was informed that answers received from the Director-General of N.L.A, Mr. Sammy Awuku through the Right to Information bill was completely unsatisfactory.
According to him, funds meant for the consolidated account is also being diverted into private pockets, as “Mr. Sammy Awuku has tried to portray the establishment as a viable entity but a careful study of the situation proves otherwise”.
Below is a copy of the letter addressed to EOCO:
P. O. BOX AC659
ARTS CENTRE
ACCRA
16TH NOVEMBER, 2022
THE DIRECTOR – GENERAL
E.O.C.O
HEAD OFFICE
ACCRA.
Dear Sir/Madam,
PETITION AGAINST N.L.A/K.G.L AGREEMENT
I wish to petition your august office to investigate the above contract which came into force in 2020. The contract was for KGL to take over the sales of lotto on USD for the National Lottery Authority (N. L.A).
The above contract has impoverish N.L.A to the extent that the institution is in debt as to payment of wins, late payment of commission to its marketers and lack of funds for the N.L.A to carry on certain activities including the renovations of its bungalows.
It was placed in the public domain that the K.G.L by the agreement had introduced a technology into the sales of lottery coupons by the use of the mobile phone which was a complete false. That assertion is a complete false because before the coming in of KGL, that uses the short code *959#, the N.L.A already had *890# for the same purpose. The N.L.A was deliberately run down for K.G.L to take over and in May 2020, a delegation of three, including myself booked an appointment with the National Security Coordinator to inform him of the development.
At the said meeting with Major General (RTD) Adu Amanfo and then his deputy who is now the substantive coordinator, the two promised to convene a meeting between us and KGL to know more about the deal but has proved futile.
With each passing day, funds meant for the consolidate account is being diverted into private pockets. The current Director-General of N.L.A, Mr. Sammy Awuku has tried to portray the establishment as a viable entity but a careful study of the situation proves otherwise. Every good thing coming from the N.L.A eg N.L.A good causes is being finance by K.G.L. Just take a look at the daily live draws of N.L.A on U.T.V and you will hear the M.C’s advertising the payment of up to GH¢ 1,200.00 instant payment whilst K.G.L pays every amount instantly. It will interest you to know that, the N.L.A was deliberately run down for its loyal customers to switch camp to K.G.L
I have already reported this unfortunate situation to the Ghana Integrity Initiative and I was recently informed that answers they received from Mr. Sammy Awuku through the Right to Information bill is completely unsatisfactory.
I will therefore be glad if your office will constitute an investigation into the activities of N.L.A since state funds are being diverted to private companies through agreement such as N.L.A / K.G.L deal. With the daily draws by N.L.A including Sunday Aseda draw, monies meant for the consolidated account is being diverted into private pockets.
I hope my petition will receive the needed attention it deserves. Hoping to hear from you.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
……………………………..
KWAKU ANTWI-BOADU
(INTERIM NATIONAL ORGANIZER)
L.M.C’S
0244-377416