Politics

Ato Forson says NLA’s GH¢10m dividend is not enough for State

The Crystal Clear LENS 1 month ago 2 min read

The government is reviewing revenue-sharing agreements involving the National Lottery Authority (NLA) after the Authority presented GH¢10 million in dividends to the State.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson welcomed the payment but said the amount does not adequately reflect what the national lottery should be contributing to government revenue.

“The taxpayer deserves more than 10 million,” he said.

The GH¢10 million payment is the first dividend the NLA has presented to the government since 2017.

Dr. Forson said the government is taking steps to examine arrangements that have seen portions of NLA revenue go to other entities.

💡 READ NEXT: Politics

Bawumia criticises NDC over GH¢1.7bn gold reserves loss

Nov 5, 2026

He said the review is being undertaken with the Attorney-General and is expected to be completed in October.

“I am working with the Attorney-General to complete, this month, a review of agreements that have unreasonably cedi NLA revenue to others at the expense of the State,” he stated.

The Finance Minister said the exercise is intended to ensure that the NLA operates within its core mandate while delivering greater financial value to the country.

He also raised concerns about the absence of payments from the NLA to the Ministry of Finance over several years.

“From 2018 to today, National Lottery’s authority had not presented a PESWA to the Ministry of Finance until this morning,” he said.

💡 READ NEXT: News

Volivo Bridge project advances as gov’t eyes construction in 2027

Nov 5, 2026

Dr. Forson said the government believes the existing revenue arrangements require correction to ensure that a greater share of lottery-generated income benefits the State.

“I believe the National Lottery deserves better than what you are getting. The revenue has been ceded unreasonably to the other entity as against the government and we believe that that needs to be corrected and we’ll correct it in the end,” he said.

He said the government intends to channel a greater share of national lottery revenue towards public development.

“We will provide public good to the people of Ghana on your behalf,” he stated.

The latest dividend payment therefore marks a return by the NLA to presenting dividends to government after several years.

Dr. Forson said the October review will focus on the agreements governing NLA revenue and how they affect the State’s financial returns.

The government’s position is that the review should help ensure the NLA generates greater value for the country and that the State receives what is due to it.