Accra:External Consultant Dr Razak Opoku has disputed Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson's claims regarding the financial returns from the National Lottery Authority's operations.
According to Ghana Web, Dr Opoku criticized the Finance Minister for misinforming the public, highlighting that Dr Forson claimed the NLA received only GHS10 million in dividends. Dr Opoku argued that this figure does not fully reflect the financial benefits to the state from KGL's lottery operations.
Dr Opoku pointed out that Ghanaian taxpayers, through the Ghana Revenue Authority, received over GHS153 million from KGL for the 2025 financial year. Additionally, he noted that the NLA received more than GHS173 million from KGL during the same period.
He questioned the disparity between the amounts received by the NLA and the Ministry of Finance, emphasizing the importance of understanding the financial flows within the NLA. Dr Opoku alleged that the NLA's expenditure on the Good Causes Foundation and other social responsibility activities accounted for over 90% of its income, leaving only GHS10 million for the Ministry.
Dr Opoku suggested that addressing the NLA's spending habits should be part of a broader government initiative to manage public finances, rather than solely reviewing agreements involving the NLA. He expressed concern that increased revenue for the NLA would not result in greater returns for the state if the authority continued to prioritize internal operations over taxpayer interests.