Tension between lotto agents and NLA heightens

Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) has appealed to the Ministry of Finance which supervises the work of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to call the NLA to order.

It questioned why the Ministries of Finance and Employment and Labour Relations have so far not intervened in the ragging dispute with NLA over commission reduction.

The lotto writers are incensed by a directive from NLA ordering Private Lotto Operators to reduce commissions to 20%.

Executive Secretary of CLAAG Kwaku Duah Tawiah in a statement said in the midst of high unemployment, drastic reduction in lotto sales and astronomical rise in the cost of living, it is insensitive for the NLA implement such a restrictions and well as breaking lotto kiosks with the bat of guns, harassing and arresting some Lotto Agents and Writers.

He cited a video going round with supposed National Security Operatives breaking even locked Lotto Kiosks.

CLAAG alleged that NLA has engaged Editech Ghana to take over the operations of lottery in Ghana but the authority explained that it received a proposal from the company to be licensed as a collaborator same as NLA licensed others in the past.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NLA, Goodfellow Ofei, said if the Company meets expectations of NLA board, the company will be issued a license to operate

On proposals of the lotto agents to contribute to NLA, Ofei said NLA has no direct relationship with the lotto agents and advised that they route their concerns through their employers-Private Lotto Operators.

He stated that NLA is doing nothing illegal since the law mandates it to regulate lottery explaining that the proposal from CLAAG is before the NLA board for consideration and any decision of the board will be communicated to CLAAG

CLAAG applauded its members who were attacked for exercising the maximum restraint thereby forestalling confrontation and possible gunshots or death to innocent Ghanaians.

It assured lotto writers and agents across the length and breadth of the country that it will explore every legitimate means at its disposal to have this matter resolved.

It therefore urged members to continue to remain calm and law abiding as leadership activates the various processes.