CLAAG bears teeth at NLA

The Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) has expressed disappointment over directive by the Director General for the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Sammy Awuku asking Private Lotto operators to pay an amount of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis to renew their licenses.

According to CLAAG, the National Lotteries boss is treading on a serious dangerous path by putting businesses of the private Lotto Operators in danger.

In a press statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of CLAAG, Mr. King David, said “renewal of a license should not involve such huge and arbitral charges.”

“We the Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana wants to say that the current National Lotto administration is treading a dangerous path of trying to put the business of Private Lotto Operations in the lands of few rich people to the detriment of the masses who voted the present government in power.

“Mr. Sammy Awuku who doubles as the National Organizer of the NPP and Director General of the National Lottories is now calling for Private Lotto Operators to pay 1.5 Million Ghana Cedis to renew their licenses. Renewal of a license should not involve such huge and arbitral charges. The intention of the actions of the new Director General of National Lottories is to give the job to only rich few and sack the majority of Ghanaians who depend on business for their livelihood. We think it is unfair and inequitable.”

The statement further added, “Last year some people paid for licenses which were never issued to them and the NPP apostle is asking them to come and renew or re-register for a whopping 1.5 million again when previously last year some of them paid 1 million cedis. This is incredible. lt appears that few rich lotto operators who want to control the market and who are in bed with National Lotto Authority are dictating the charges so as to weed out competition and have absolute control over the market.

“They have therefore convinced the NPP apostle to use tough tactics by arresting the other lotto operators who were unable to mobilize as much as 1.5million Ghana Cedis. The harassment and intimidation of these lotto operators and their agents using the police is something that we intend to demonstrate against massively if it continues.”

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Mr. King David further charged President Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency call the Director-General of NLA, to order with regards to certain unfriendly decisions spearheaded by him against private lotto operators.

He said the actions of Mr. Sammy Awuku if not brought to better satisfaction would escalate and violate matters to the highest dissatisfaction in the lottery industry.

“Already the economic conditions of the country are harsh and if the government would allow few selfish people to use the police to harass and intimidate others over a job they have been doing all these years. We Concerned Lotto Agents Association of Ghana (CLAAG) therefore want to raise red flags that we will organize massive demonstration to bring forth our grievances and want the National Lotteries Authority to sit up.

“We therefore call on government of the day to call the Director General of the National Lottories to order and explain to him that the ordinary people of the country also matter and money is not everything.”