Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has welcomed the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) GH¢10 million dividend payment to government, but says the State must receive significantly more from the Authority.
Dr. Forson said the payment was the first dividend presented to government by the NLA since 2017.
He described the development as a positive step but stressed that the payment should not become symbolic.
“The taxpayer deserves more than 10 million,” he said.
Dr. Forson said he is working with the Attorney-General to review agreements that, in his view, have resulted in NLA revenues being ceded to other entities at the expense of the State.
“I am working with the Attorney-General to complete, this month, a review of agreements that have unreasonably cedi NLA revenue to others at the expense of the State,” he stated.
He said the review is intended to ensure that the NLA focuses on its core mandate and generates greater value for the country.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Forson said the NLA had not presented any funds to the Ministry of Finance since 2018 until the latest payment.
“From 2018 to today, National Lottery’s authority had not presented a PESWA to the Ministry of Finance until this morning,” he said.
He further argued that revenue arrangements involving the NLA need to be reconsidered.
“I believe the National Lottery deserves better than what you are getting. The revenue has been ceded unreasonably to the other entity as against the government and we believe that that needs to be corrected and we’ll correct it in the end,” he said.
Dr. Forson said government would ensure that revenue generated through the national lottery contributes more directly to public development.
“We will provide public good to the people of Ghana on your behalf,” he stated.
The GH¢10 million dividend marks the NLA’s return to presenting a dividend to government after several years, according to the Finance Minister.
Dr. Forson said the government’s review of the agreements affecting NLA revenue will be completed in October, with the aim of ensuring that the State receives what is due to it.
