Workers busily constructing the bridge over Adokonsua stream
Joseph Bonsu Frimpong – DCE Ahafo Ano South West
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Ahafo Ano South West District, Joseph Bonsu Frimpong, has commended Prof. Peter Twumasi, Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), for his continuous support to the District.
According to the DCE, the NSA boss had contributed to various developmental projects in the District.
Notably among the projects are the construction of bridges and roads to aid the movement of school children and farmers in the locality.
The DCE mentioned that Prof. Twumasi was helping with the construction of three bridges in the area, which had helped farmers, pupils and motorists all year round.
One of the said bridges is over the Adokonsua Stream linking the Abodease community to enable children attend school, and enabling farmers to convey their produce to other communities.
The DCE thanked Prof. Twumasi for the donation of over 1,000 mathematical sets recently to all Basic Education Certificate Examination candidates in the District.
“On behalf of the management of the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly, I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation for your support to the natives of Abodease Akwasiworo Electoral area and surrounding villages, and the District at large,” the DCE said in a letter of appreciation to the NSA boss.
The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) is sponsoring 2,000 children less than 18 years to enrol onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The gesture is in support of the ‘1000k for Health’ project which seeks to court the support of well-meaning Ghanaians to pay and underwrite the NHIS registration fees for at least 1,000 vulnerable children under 18 years living in the Ashanti Regional communities.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei-Mensah, said this when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, paid a courtesy call on him last Monday.
Mr. Osei-Mensah stated that the initiative would help address a major challenge bedevilling access to health care in the region, and the country as a whole.
Dr. Bernard Oko Boye disclosed that the ‘1000k for Health’ project was an initiative to supplement the government’s commitment to enroll vulnerable children, especially children with childhood cancer, onto the NHIS.
He also stated that the NHIA Board of Directors had approved that persons 70 years and above, who had registered with the NHIS, could access health care the same day.
Dr. Oko Boye said the initiative was necessary due to the frustrations that some elderly people experience when attempting to obtain health care.
Thus, the waiting period of 30 days had been waived for subscribers who were 70 years and above, just like pregnant women.
Inj. Lamptey (middle) with GHARSA chairman (left) and Western Regional GHA director addressing concerns raised by GHA Staff
The Ghana Highway Authority Retired Staff Association (GHARSA) has appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to consider the payment of arrears due single man contractors (SMCs) in the country.
The National Chairman of the GHARSA, Nana Ninsin-Imbeah II, made the appeal through the Deputy Chief Executive (Maintenance) of the Authority during a joint meeting of the staff and retired staff of the Ghana Highway Authority in the Western Region.
The GHARSA Chairman pleaded that the GHA finds ways and means to, as a matter of urgency, clear all arrears of SMCs for works done from 2019 to 2022.
Nana Ninsin-Imbeah II also suggested that the GHA must consider the payment of interest on delayed payments for work done by SMCs in the same way the other contractors for road works enjoy.
He noted that positive response to their plea would help alleviate the plight of the contractors.
The SMCs are engaged by the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) and are responsible for the clearing of weeds along road shoulders throughout the country to make stretch of roads visible.
They also desilted culverts and drains to help prevent overflows of running waters unto the streets and roads and thus help to prolong the lifespan of such roads.
However, these contractors have not been paid for executed jobs since 2019 hence the appeal.
GHARSA’s appeal is a follow up to a similar petition to the President in 2021 to ensure that the government releases funds to pay contractors and single man contractors (SMCs) in the road agencies.
Inj. Lawrence L. Lamptey, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Highway Authority entreated the workers to work hard to uplift the image of Authority. He thanked the Retired Staff for their great contribution to the growth of the Authority during their tenure of office.
The Western Regional Highway Director, Inj. Seth Komeng Ofori thanked the Deputy Chief Executive for the visit to the region and the interaction with the staff and the retired Staff.
During the meeting some members of staff of the Authority who are due for retirement were presented with parting gifts in accordance with conditions of service of the GHA.
Some of the retired staff of the Ghana Highway Authority praised Ing Seth Komeng Ofori for supporting workers whenever the need arose.
Also at the meeting was Sister Vivien Letitia Tetteh, Western Regional GHARSA Chairperson, who is also the National GHARSA Assistant Secretary.
Information gathered by www.asonabamediaonline.com indicates that the government of Ghana is set to lose huge revenue in the mining sector as some Chinese nationals at Golden Star Resources, a member of Chifeng Jilong Group of Companies in Wassa Akyempim in the Western Region, have now taken positions that are meant to be occupied by Ghanaians, a situation that has raised concerns from workers.
While galamsey, mostly funded and run by Chinese Nationals has become an albatross on our neck, this worrying situation at Golden Star Resources breaches the Legislative Instrument L.I.2431 of the Minerals And Mining (LOCAL CONTENT AND LOCAL PARTICIPATION) REGULATIONS, 2020, which stipulates that locals [Ghanaians] should be employed and trained to create local employment and promote the growth of domestic manufacturing.
In a document intercepted by this website, the government of Ghana has only 10% shares in this mining company whiles the Chinese owners have 90% shares upon which the Chinese nationals on site keep increasing day by day with a particular quota that was given to the government is still unknown.
Positions such as Human Resource [HR], HSEC [Health, Safety, Environment, and Community], as well as Commercials and Finance, have currently been taken over by Chinese nationals even though it is an infringement of the LOCAL CONTENT Regulations.
The infringement of the Local Content Regulation could generate an unprecedented demonstration against the company and the government.
“We feel betrayed by the company and the government because until the mining company was given the concession, we were used to spearheading the activities of this company when the locals were used to occupy those various departments but now we feel betrayed” Angry staff who spoke to the website on anonymity revealed.
Another shocking revelation gathered also indicates that a Chinese national who is occupying the Commercial Department was alleged to be previously engaged in galamsey activities.
Golden Star Wassa Mines which has a ten percent government stake started its surface mining operations in 2005 in the Wassa area, followed by underground mining in 2017 until it transitioned into an underground-focused mining operation in 2018.
Ghana is currently having difficulties winning investors as Fitch rates the country’s stability CC which is a clear indication that the government may need Internal Revenue to improve the economy.
The unpleasant experience with Chinese companies that took over the Ghana Manganese Company and Ghana Bauxite Company should guide Ghana’s regulators and Government authorities to take a quick decision on the Golden Star Wassa matter.
The Ghana Manganese Company and Ghana Bauxite Company were messed up by the Chinese until the authorities realized that it would not help the economy and that the influx of Chinese had to be controlled.
The minerals commission and Ministry of Lands and Natural resources must step in to make sure that multinational companies operating in the country strictly comply with the LOCAL CONTENT Regulations.
Golden Star Wassa Mines started its surface mining operations in 2005 in the Wassa area, followed by underground mining in 2017 until it transitioned into an underground-focused mining operation in 2018. In 2021, the previous owner sold the company to Chifeng Jilong Group of Companies. Source: www.asonabamediaonline.com
President Akufo-Addo and CEO of Alisa Hotels Group, Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, exchanging pleasantries
Front view of Alisa Hotel, Tema
The ever-beautiful landscape of the most industrial city in the country, Tema, has been upgraded with the chic piece of architectural design of the new branch of the go-to brand in hospitality in Ghana, Alisa Hotels.
The Alisa Hotel, Tema, is conveniently positioned within close proximity of the motorway and harbour, with the distinctive style of the Alisa conference rooms and facilities.
The hotel can easily be located at Community 12, off the Tema General Hospital Road from Ashaiman.
It is opposite the Emmanuel Methodist Church, Community 11 and adjacent to the Electricity Company of Ghana office on the Hospital Road. It is also an 8km drive from Tema Harbour.
FACILITIES
Designed by Ghanaian architect, Augustus Richardson, the new Alisa Hotel, Tema, features a total of 46 guest rooms and four suites. There are five indoor meeting and event spaces; three outdoor event spaces; a restaurant, pool bar, patrone lounge and a sky bar. Also, the hotel features a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a tennis court and a SPA.
COMMISSIONING
A colourful ceremony was held on Friday, September 30, 2022 to formally commission the Alisa Hotel, Tema branch.
The ceremony attracted key personalities in the hospitality industry, as the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made time to attend and to open the facility.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo indicated his delight to being at the ceremony and to open the Tema branch of the Alisa Hotel, “which undoubtedly is one of the biggest hotels in Ghana.”
The President said that he had attended the ceremony not because of the brand Alisa Hotels, or his personal relationship with the owner, but because of his government’s vision to help market the country as an exciting destination for leisure, culture and tourism, amongst others.
“The existence of hotels such as Alisa is critical to the realisation of this vision and I congratulate the man popularly referred to and known as Sikkens and his partners on the brilliance of this vision.
What we are seeing today is a result of commitment, dedication and hard work. Kwame Bamfo Sikkens, ayekoo,” president Akufo-Addo praised his friend.
HOSPITALITY INITIATIVES
The President said his government has boosted the tourism economy since coming into office in 2017, through some measures and initiatives put in place.
The vision, according to President Akufo-Addo, is to use tourism as an effective tool for economic transformation. He opined that it would help to create jobs and prosperity for the people.
He acknowledged that the hospitality sector is the third largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), after cocoa and oil and gas, accounting for two out of every ten jobs in the country.
The President noted that the government’s focus over the next 18 months is to exploit Ghana’s culture, heritage, history, hospitality and beautiful natural scenery to attract tourists, fun-lovers, and leisure seekers hoping to find a unique experience in Africa.
BY DINT OF HARD WORK
The Chairman, Alisa Hotels Group, Kwame OfosuBamfo, popularly known as Sikkens, in his remarks, said the edifice had come out of hard work, as the majority of the construction works were done during the COVID-19 pandemic season.
He recalled how the idea of the Alisa Hotel was conceived some 35 years ago, when he had a challenge to house his principals from Holland, who had visited Ghana to train local artisans in car spraying.
“This is when the idea of Alisa Hotels was conceived and the 14-room boutique hotel came on board at Labone. On completion, I deemed it appropriate to name it after my cherished mother, Alice Amanua.”
The Chief Executive of Bamson Group, Sikkens Paints, Glostal Aluminium and Alisa Hotels explained that his outfit decided to establish a branch in Tema because “the significance of Tema cannot be over-emphasised in my journey as a businessman.
Tema is where my business foundation was laid. At a young age of about 20 years, before bringing Sikkens into Ghana in 1983, I used to supply building materials such as iron rods, galvanised pipes, copper pipes, steel plates, bolts and nuts among others to the industrial hub of Tema.”
DEPUTY TOURISM MINISTER
In the absence of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Awal Mohammed, the Deputy Minister, Mark Okraku Mantey, commended the customer service of the hospitality sector, citing the just ended Global Citizens Festival.
He stated that the Ghana Tourism Authority is undergoing routine checks to ensure that hotels in the country are operating with the right regulations.
Meanwhile, he extended the ministry’s regard to the Sikkens for his “tremendous contribution to the hospitality industry. What we see here today is enough to say ayekoo.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Richard K. Amankwa has appealed to the Minister for Railways Development to approve the pending agreement between UMaT and the Ministry to fully operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two.
According to him, when the MOU is operationalised, it would help in the development of the UMaT School of Railway and Infrastructure Development (SRID) to achieve its mandate and also to prevent future litigation.
He said currently, a private investor was ready to build a 2,500 bed capacity hostel for the students of SRID, but the deal is delaying because there is no evidence that the land belongs to them.
The UMat Vice Chancellor was speaking at the first Rail Transport Observance Day at UMat School of Railways and Infrastructure Development at Essikado, near Sekondi, over the weekend.
The Day was on the theme “Ghana’s Rail Transport, Challenges and Future Prospect”.
The UMat SRID became operational in 2021 and has currently 800 students population from seven BSC engineering and seven certificate programmes.
The certificate programmes tailored for the Railway sector include; Locomotive Engineering, Signalling and Telecommunication, Railway Planning and Operations, Survey and Mappings amongst many others.
Prof.Amankwa showed appreciation to all stakeholders for their efforts towards the establishment of the SRID, with special mention of the former Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey.
He was optimistic that with the involvement of the Omanhene of Essikado, Nana Kobina Nketia, and the Regional Minister amongst others, various academic, residential and road infrastructure would be built to expand the school and enable it contribute more to the education and socio-economic development of Sekondi-Takoradi.
“Nana Chair, I believe that through a synergic association between sectors and interdisciplinary research that drives information, SRID will make progress. The Railways industry is part of the solution to a sustainable future and UMaT will continue to play its role to ensure national development,” he said.
Touching on the rational for the Rail Transport Observance Day, Prof. Richard Amankwa pointed out that sustainable development was about creating a balance between meeting the needs of a growing population and the health of our planet by embracing environmental sustainability.
Without any mode of transport, the UMaT VC said there would be no trade to foster the survival of our communities.
Quoting the International Energy Agency, he said railway transport was one of the most energy-efficient transport modes responsible for 9% of global motorised passenger movement and 7% of freight shipping, but only 3% of transport energy use.
With that in mind, he said rail plays an important role in addressing many of the SDG-some directly and some indirectly.
However, despite the importance rail transport plays in an economy, the sector, he observed, had not lived up to expectations to spearhead national development.
It was in this regard that the University thought it wise to champion the day, in solidarity with the gallant railway staff who work tirelessly for the benefit of this country and also come together and share ideas on the sustainable implementation of the railway master plan for Ghana.
The Minister for Railway Developments, Peter Amewu, whose address was read on his behalf observed that due to decades of poor maintenance, neglect and inadequate investment by successive governments, only 15% of the existing narrow gauge railway network was operational.
He said in a strategic effort to develop the overall rail transport system in Ghana, government has carved out rail transport mode from other modes of transport and prioritised its development, in order for it to serve as a catalyst for the industrialisation and socio-economic development of the country.
The government has, therefore, developed a railway Masterplan to serve as a guide for the fulfilment of the Ministry’s mandate to systematically modernise and expand the railway network in the country, starting with the rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge network.
However, the Minister pointed out that due to the deterioration of the old narrow gauge network and its corresponding high cost of rehabilitation, a policy decision was taken by government not to rehabilitate the entire network save limited sections from Accra through Tema to Nsawam on the eastern line and Sekondi-Takoradi through Kojokrom to Tarkwa on the western line, in order to operate passenger rail services.
This, he said, was to keep the system running with existing fleet of narrow gauge rolling stock, while steps are being taken to reconstruct and expand the entire network on a new standard gauge.
According to Minister Amewu, the western line, which stretches from Takoradi to Kumasi with a branch from Dunkwa to Awaso, used to be the major route for the transportation of major minerals and other bulk commodities.
Unfortunately, due to several decades of neglect and underfunding, the western line completely broke down, except for partial freight services on the Takoradi-Nsuta section.
The Ghana Railway Workers Union, on its part, argued that the rail sector arguably has the potential of solving most of the economic challenges facing the country, as well as the panacea to the unemployment situation.
For that reason, it was important that a day was set aside to critically examine the challenges and prospect of the sector.
The Union Genera Secretary, Godwill Ntarmah, whose address was read on his behalf, however, said the railway sector was bedevilled with a number of challenges and qualified to be called a highly indebted poor company.
He, however, requested the Ministry of Railway Development to arrange and conclude on the 2018 MOU between the Ministry and the school to ensure that as the original owners of the school, GRCL benefits from the progressive strides the school was making.
Nana Konina Nketiah V, Omanhene of Esskado who chaired the day, advised the students to use the knowledge they would acquire to liberate the country.
Present were the Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UMaT, Anthony Simmons, Yaw Owusu, Managing Director of Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) amongst others.
The GRA enforcement team engaging the Alley Bar attendants
Alley Bar attendant tying to explain issues to the GRA team
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as part of efforts to mobilise the needed resources for the country’s development, has snooped on restaurants and entertainment centres that are not complying with the Authority’s regulations.
The GRA, in addition to its day and night enforcement exercise, arrested non-complying registered businesses charged with the mandate to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) on behalf of the Authority.
The Authority discovered the non-complying businesses through test purchasing exercises embarked upon by staff of the Authority to establish, which enterprises are defaulting in the application of the VAT Act.
In the night exercise in which The Chronicle participated in, the Authority caught one non-complying entertainment centre, The Alley Bar at Osu Leading.
Leading the operation team was the Head of Enforcement at the Accra Centre Office of the GRA, Joseph Annan, who told journalists that the Authority has a tall list of non-complying enterprises that operate at night.
While the Authority would leave no stone unturned during the day, he said the enforcement team would soon snoop on them as well, since they had been registered to VAT or an appropriate invoice that has been authorised by the Commissioner-General, but they have failed to act right.
“The places we have visited are those that are not doing the right thing, and we have just started the night. And we will be doing more nights, as against the days so that at least nobody doing day or night will go doing the wrong thing,” he stated.
He explained that even though the domestic tax division of the Ghana Revenue Authority closes at 5:00 pm, the enforcement team would alert until the last taxpayer goes to sleep to block all revenue leakages or loopholes.
“Like I said this exercise will continue until we all do the needful. So as I always advise when you are registered, please issue the VAT invoice or an appropriate invoice that has been authorised by the Commissioner-General.
“And for those who are not registered at all, they must register because definitely we will come and be knocking at your door and the penalty for none registration is much more than what you suffer for when you are registered, but you have not issued the invoice.”
Mr Annan added that businesses are mandated under Section 41 of the VAT Act to issue VAT invoices or an appropriate invoice sanctioned by the Commissioner-General and anything other than that is an offence.
He stated: “So obviously, we will look at your records of accounts and if you are using a machine, then we will try to retrieve something so that we can assess you pre-emptively and what it means is that you have to pay immediately, but obviously there would be a full audit when investigations are done.
“The CID, who is with us would investigate the case and when the investigation is done, the case would be handed over to our legal unit who will then prosecute the cases in court.”
Mr Annan added that the enforcement team would pre-empty how much a non-complying business must pay and the amount would be collected affront before a full audit is launched into its account.
Furthermore, the said business would be made to bear all liabilities that would be incurred in the process, explaining “When the full audit is done, the payment made now is considered payment in advance and it would be taken out of the liability that would be established after the full audit and the difference, the taxpayer would be asked to pay.”
He disclosed that as much as GH₵125, 000 was assessed pre-emptively from one of the non-complying organisations, which it has paid and after the full-scale audit, it would still have to pay the difference.
The Head of Enforcement described the exercise as fruitful, as most of the companies caught on the web are cooperating with the Authority’s directives.
Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, the former Member of Parliament for Manyhia and Minister of Defence, has been sworn in as the first Chancellor of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) since 2016 when the Kumasi Polytechnic was converted to a university.
The new Chancellor poses with Veep Bawumia
The Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Ben Baffoe-Bonnie, during the swearing in ceremony last Friday, noted that under the leadership of Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor the University would seek to continue to produce graduates who are critical thinkers.
He described Dr. Addo Kufuor as an illustrious son of the land, and a perfect candidate to serve as Chancellor of the great institution. He explained that the choice of Dr. Addo Kufuor followed the recommendation of a search party, in line with the status of the university.
According to him, it would take a man of great integrity, disciplined and vision oriented to lead KsTU towards its purpose of empowering Ghana’s economy and reducing unemployment among university graduates.
Prof Baffoe-Bonnie commended the university community and all those who played various roles in the selection process.
The Vice- President, Dr. Alhaji Muhammad Bawumia, described the new Chancellor as a man of integrity, was and glad that he was the first Chancellor of KsTU, and advised him to continue to make the University one of the best in Africa and beyond.
Dr. Bawumiah hoped that KsTU, under the leadership of Dr. Addo Kufuor, was going to bring out highly trained technicians to move the nation forward, and gave an assurance of the government’s commitment to technical education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor pledged to provide all the necessary support and assistance to the Council, Faculties and administration required to transform the University into one of the topmost institutions for development training in Ghana.
He commended the government for establishing the numerous TVET institutions and called for closer collaboration between the academia and artisans of Suame magazine in Kumasi for solutions to mechanical problems to enhance the automobile industry.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a statement denying reports that its personnel allegedly caught on camera were providing security for mining firms devastating the country’s forest reserves.
According to the statement issued on September 30, 2022, and signed by the Director of Public Relations, Naval Captain M. A. Larbi, some of the supposed footage in the widely circulated documentary was unsubstantiated allegations of past content, which had been recycled.
It said in the viral video the Mentiahene of Bekwai, Nana Kusi Frempong Kotobre, alleges that military personnel were providing security for an illegal mining firm operating in the Kobro Forest in Amansie Central, but the claim was false.
“GAF wishes to state categorically that there was no military personnel deployed for such activities and no Soldier is providing security for any mining company in any forest reserve in any part of the country,” it said.
It said following the reports, a patrol team from the 4 Infantry Battalion and the Central Command Headquarters in Kumasi was dispatched to conduct an operation in the general area on September 28, 2022.
It disclosed that persons who were picked up, some of them were dressed in the United States military-patterned camouflage uniforms, and working for a private security firm contracted by a registered small-scale mining company named Elvis and Co Mining Ltd.
Although the statement said their findings contradict the report put out in the public domain, it warned that private security guards should not be misconstrued as GAF personnel, because their camouflage patterned uniforms were even totally distinct from that of GAF’s.
It said: “In respect of the unauthorised use of military pattern uniforms by private security firms and individuals, it would be recalled that a few months back personnel of the 4 Infantry Battalion rounded up some members of a District Assembly Taskforce wearing different shades of military camouflage uniforms, captured in a viral video manhandling some civilians in the Kwabre South District.
“Considering that they were dressed in military pattern camouflage uniforms, they were wrongly perceived to be GAF personnel, thereby drawing GAF into disrepute. Aside from this, GAF has also picked up several impersonators in recent times and handed them over to the Police for prosecution.”
In the same vein, the Ghana Armed Forces reiterate that it did not condone any such acts of personnel engaging in illegal and unauthorised activities, especially illegal mining, and wished to assure the public that it would not shield any soldier engaged in any illegal, unauthorised or criminal activity, either in military uniform or not.
“It must be specifically placed on record that in the fight against illegal mining, GAF is at the forefront and remains resolute and will therefore not countenance any conduct that will derail the progress being made.
Accordingly, GAF has revamped Operation Halt II in order to intensify its surgical operations to curb the destruction of the forest reserves and pollution of the river bodies,” it stressed.
The recent reports of the numerous arrests made, excavators seized and immobilised, and other equipment destroyed, attests to this renewed and sustained effort.
“The Ghana Armed Forces, therefore, wishes to once again refute the allegations made and to state that its personnel were not providing security for any mining firm in any forest reserve.
“However, it is prudent that the media and other stakeholders verify claims to ensure accurate information is published. GAF, therefore, wishes to urge Joy News and other media partners that its doors are open for the necessary clarifications to be made to ensure a balanced reportage at all times.
“GAF will continue to count on the support of all Ghanaians especially the media and major stakeholders, in curbing the illegal mining in our forest reserves and water bodies and also in clamping down on the use of military pattern uniforms by private security guards and other unauthorised persons.”
Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi Bonte (l) and NLA Director-General, Samuel Awuku sitted on the front roll.
On September 29, 1962 under the leadership of a Maltese -William Francis Brennan- the then Director-General of the National Lotteries Department, held its first draw to mark the beginning of responsible gaming in Ghana and the prize was £5,000.00.
This new direction of generating revenue through gaming came about following a visit to Malta by Komla Agbeli Gbesemah, Finance Minister under Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s regime.
Giving details of an account of the birth of NLA, the Director-General, Samuel Awuku said: “As the story goes, Mr Gbedemah informed the then Prime Minister, Dr Kwame Nkrumah on his return, who in turn sent envoys to Malta to understudy the lottery and requested the Maltese government to help Ghana set up its own lottery body.
“In granting that request, the Maltese government seconded Mr William Francis Brennan, an Officer of the Malta Public Lotteries Department, to assist Ghana set up the Department of National Lotteries (DNL). Mr Brennan was thus the Department’s first Director-General.”
The lotto historian continued that the genesis of lotto is credited to the Roman Empire before taking shape in Spain in 1434 and subsequently, spreading to England and other parts of Europe.
A wide angle view of board members, management, staff and invited guests
In respect of this, he said although Malta cannot claim the origin of the lotto as part of its history, it was through the south European nation’s effort that Ghana successfully established its charter and held the maiden draw on September 29, 1962.
Therefore, he added that, September 29th marks a very important calendar in the history of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), and this year is remembered as the Authority’s diamond jubilee.
He said these at the launch of the NLA 60th anniversary in Accra last week Thursday, 29th September 2022.
Addressing invited guests, management and staff, the Director-General said lotto has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Ghana, since its introduction.
According to him, the NLA can boldly say over the past 60 years, it has generated revenue for national development, touched lives, communities and institutions, as well as made its patrons rich (millionaires).
However, he noted that coming this far had not been without tests and trials and that the NLA has had its fair share of challenges in this 60-year journey, hence the reforms, policies and decisions taken by successive Boards and Director-Generals, which had transformed the organisation to chalk this feat.
Mr Awuku also made known social intervention projects being undertaken by the NLA under its charity branch, Good Cause Foundation, which covers education, health, youth development and culture.
Outlining the programme for the 60th anniversary, Mr Awuku said three months had been set aside to celebrate the anniversary, in which the month of October has been dedicated to its cherished customers, whom they recognise as their most valued assets, while November is slated for giving back to society including commissioning various projects embarked upon across the country, and the anniversary would be climaxed with a grand durbar in December.
The NLA board members taking their turn to cut the anniversary cake
He indicated that the celebration will be held alongside the first-ever conference of the Africa Lottery Association in Ghana from December 7th to 10th.
The Director-General thanked the Board, the Veteran Administration of Ghana (VAG), management, staff and stakeholders for keeping their faith in the Authority.
On his part, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr John Kumah thanked Mr Awuku for bringing dynamism to the operation of the NLA, especially the contribution of GH₵10 million to the Youth Start Programme.
He was sure that these new drives and energy in the Authority would help management and staff to work assiduously to seal all revenue leakages, “as far as NLA is concerned, this revenue is to support activities of the NLA and to help the government in its revenue drive. So we implore you to be mindful about how you handle revenue in the operations of the NLA.”
Commenting on the event, he urged the board, management and staff to use the occasion as a time for reflection on the past, present and future.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, added that if the NLA was a natural person, he or she would be proceeding on retirement at age 60 years, but the new age is a rather new dawn for achieving the greater feat.
Already, he noted that the NLA has positioned itself as a tool used by political actors in their quest to improve the economic circumstances of the country.
Mr Yeboah was of the opinion that if the NLA is managed well, it would serve as a catalyst for national development.
According to him, since the lotto is more than a game or entertainment, it requires fairness and continuous adoption and adaptation of new technologies for an effective operation.
The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul, thanked NLA for its longstanding relationship with the Veterans Administration of Ghana, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Defence Ministry.
He proudly said six of the NLA former Director-Generals were military persons and their immense contribution, including the construction of the NLA main administration block – the Fortune House, had helped shaped the Authority to this day.
The Defence Minster stressed that his ministry would continue to explore new ways of partnering with the NLA to better the lives of the servicemen and women.
The Board Chairman of NLA who also doubles as a Member of the Council of State, Togbe Francis Nyonyo Agboada said the Authority would resolve to deepen its partnership with Corporate Ghana.
He said “We have successfully licensed some Private Lotto Operators, (PLOs) and look forward to welcoming more on board. The security services, together with the NLA task force, will continue to clamp down on defaulters to sanitise the lottery industry.
“We are also in the process of signing on some more Collaborators who will introduce some exciting new games for our cherished patrons. By the end of the year, we should take delivery of our modern machines, which purchase was done in accordance with the standards of the World Lottery Association (WLA).”
A diamond jubilee crest and sculpture of NLA’s first Director-General, William Francis Brennan, were unveiled, as well anniversary song by Ayigbe Edem.
While the Authority would leave no stone unturned during the day, he said the enforcement team would soon snoop on them as well, since they had been registered to VAT or an appropriate invoice that has been authorised by the Commissioner-General, but they have failed to act right.
