Dr. Opoku Queries Minister’s GH¢10m Lottery Benefit Claims

Dr. Razak Opoku, a financial economist and former Head of Publications at the National Lottery Authority (NLA), has criticized Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson's claim that Ghanaian taxpayers receive only GH¢10 million from the lottery industry. Dr. Opoku argues that the figures cited by the Finance Minister are misleading and based on misinformation.

According to Dr. Opoku, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) received over GH¢153 million from KGL in the 2025 financial year alone, while the NLA benefited from over GH¢173 million.

Dr. Opoku stresses that the Finance Minister must understand how the NLA generated these substantial sums for taxpayers. He further highlights that other 29 private lotto operators, licensed by the NLA, also contributed GH¢44.9 million to the NLA in 2025. Dr. Opoku contends that this is not the first time taxpayers have benefited from the lottery business, with the practice continuing since 2018.

He criticizes the NLA for its wasteful spending, noting that over 90% of its income goes towards Good Causes Foundation and other CSR activities, with only GH¢10 million paid as dividends to the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Opoku suggests that instead of focusing on reviewing agreements, the government should address the issue of wastage in financial resources at the NLA.

He believes that as long as the NLA receives more funds, they will continue to squander them on unnecessary internal operations, leaving taxpayers with a poorer return on their investment.