The Concerned Voters Movement (CVM), has lauded the Director-General of National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw for achieving unprecedented reforms and innovations at the Authority.

Mr Osei Ameyaw, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asuogyaman Constituency, was appointed by President Akufo-Addo on 13th May, 2017 to replace Brigadier-General Martin K.G Ahiaglo (Rtd) as a Director-General of NLA.

Mr. Osei-Ameyaw, after his appointment, has been criticised by some Ghanaians especially the Operators of Banker to Banker.

But in a statement issued on Thursday November 23, 2017 and signed by Concerned Voters Movement's Founder and President, Mr. Razak Kojo Opoku indicating that Mr. Osei-Ameyaw as a Director-General of NLA has done a lot at the Authority and deserves highly commendations.

According to him, under the able leadership of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, the Director-General and Board of NLA, the Government has abolished the 7.5 Income Tax on the Commission of the Lotto Marketing Companies. With the removal of the 7.5% Income Tax, Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) will now enjoy 25% Commission.

He also added that, the removal of the 5% Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes by President Akufo-Addo's Government which was contained in the 2018 Budget through the efforts of Mr. Osei-Ameyaw and Board of NLA would increased the patronage of Lotto Staking from the Lotto Marketing Companies.

Mr. Razak Opoku applauded, Mr. Osei-Ameyaw for within the few months in office, has paid over GHc. 26 million into the Consolidated Fund. "This is unprecedented as compared to the GHc. 16 million which y paid into the Consolidated Fund for the whole 2016".

Commenting on the innovations, Mr. Razak Opoku, said the implementation of E-Kiosks powered Solar Energy (Solar Power Systems) introduced by Mr. Ameyaw and the Board will serve as the receiving point for payment of Light Bills, Water Bills, GRA Revenue Collections as well as Banking Transactions.

He also revealed that, the efforts made by Mr. Osei-Ameyaw, 100,000 jobs are going to be created through the recruitment of District Managers and Supporting Staff to manage the 216 NLA District Offices across the country.

Below is the full statement

*Unprecedented Reforms & Great Innovations Are Taking Place at the NLA Under Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board-----------CVM*

Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, Director-General and the Board of NLA constituted by President Akufo-Addo's Government have done so well within the few months in office to achieved a number of unprecedented reforms and great innovations at the NLA which honestly deserves commendations.

The *Unprecedented Reforms* at the NLA are as follows:

1. *Restoration of the 25% Commission to Lotto Marketing Companies(LMCs)*

Under the able leadership of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw, the Director-General and Board of NLA, the Government has abolished the 7.5% Income Tax on the Commission of the Lotto Marketing Companies. With the removal of the 7.5% Income Tax, Lotto Marketing Companies will now enjoy 25% Commission.

This will significantly improve the conditions of service for the Lotto Marketing Companies.

The restoration of the 25% Commission will equally compete fairly with the 30-35% Commission of the Banker-to-Banker Lottery bearing in mind the reliability and dependability of NLA as Government Institution.

2. *Removal of the 5% Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes*

The imposition of the 5% Withholding Tax on Lotto Prizes has been totally removed by President Akufo-Addo's Government as contained in the 2018 Budget through the efforts of Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA.

This laudable initiative will increase the patronage of Lotto Staking from the Lotto Marketing Companies.

3. *Maximizing Revenue for the Government Through the Registration and Licensing of Banker-to-Banker Lottery*

Since the passage into law the National Lotto Act,2006 (Act 722) and Lottery Regulation, 2008 (L.I. 1948), this is the first time since 2006 that the Board and Management of NLA led by Kofi Osei-Ameyaw have decided to *Register and License* the Operators, Agents, Sub-Agents and Writers of Banker-to-Banker Lottery under Public-Private Partnership Agreement so that they can operate legitimately and pay their taxes to Government in order to increase revenue mobilization for Government through Lottery as well as create jobs for people who are interested in Private Lottery.

This laudable initiative will help Government to join forces with the Licensed Banker-to-Banker Lotto Operations to identify and fight against money laundering and recalcitrant ones including foreigners who are doing Banker-to-Banker Lottery in the Country.

4. *Payments into the Consolidated Fund*

Within the few months in office, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA have paid over GHC 26 Million into the Consolidated Fund. This is unprecedented compared to the GHC 16 Million which was paid into the Consolidated Fund for the whole 2016.

The *Great Innovations* taking place at the NLA are as follows:

1. *Implementation of NLA owned self-regulated, self-monitored and self-controlled Platform* As part of measures of maximizing revenue for the Government as well as cementing the 25% Commission to the Lotto Marketing Companies, the NLA will be launching its own Platform.

2. *Implementation of E-Kiosks powered by Solar Energy(Solar Power Systems)*

The 30, 000 modernised lotto kiosks known as *E-Kiosk* introduced by Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA shall be a multi-purpose centre for the staking of Lotto and serves as the receiving point for the payment of Light Bills, Water Bills, GRA Revenue Collections as well as Banking Transactions.

3. *Creation of over 100, 000 Jobs in the Lottery Business*

As part of the NLA efforts of fulfilling the vision of President Akufo-Addo's Government, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA are going to create over 100, 000 jobs for Ghanaians through the following initiative:

a) *Recruitment of District Managers and Supporting Staff* to manage the 216 NLA District Offices across the Country.

b) *Recruitment of over 60, 000 Employees* to work in the NLA E-Kiosks across the Country.

c) *Recruitment of over 30, 000 Security Personnel* to provide security for the NLA E-Kiosks across the Country.

Conclusion

Mr. Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and the Board of NLA are really working diligently to change the face of Lottery Business in Ghana through contributing significantly to:

1. Revenue Mobilization

2. Revenue Maximization

3. Jobs Creation

4. All Inclusive with the registration and licensing of Banker-to-Banker Lottery

5. Top-notch delivery of Lottery Services in Ghana.

....Signed.... Razak Kojo Opoku (CVM Founder & President)