Minister of Public Enterprises Joseph Cudjoe has tasked the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to consider creating its own gaming platform as management seeks innovative ways to generate revenue.
The NLA has, for long, been using platforms of different countries to play its games and the Minister believes, “the time is ripe for management to think outside the box”.
“Obviously, you are losing money because you are using the platform of other countries. But you have an IT department with brilliant young professionals who should be able to develop a friendly gaming platform unique to Ghana. Challenge yourself, start something, try it out and you will be amazed at what might come out.”
Joseph Cudjoe, who was interacting with management of the NLA on a working visit to the Authority, said, “once you are able to do that, you can also in turn export your platform to other countries and invariably increase your revenue”.
The Minister’s visit was for him to learn at first hand happenings at the NLA and discuss ways to strengthen and make the gaming Authority more efficient.
“If you will recall, I took this position with the sole purpose to make state owned enterprises profitable and this visit is in tandem with that drive which will require an all inclusive approach,” he stressed
He also entreated the NLA to take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand further into other African countries with their games.
Director General of the National Lottery Authority Sammy Awuku welcomed the Minister’s suggestions and mentioned the Authority has already set in motion plans to expand further into more African countries.
He used the opportunity to brief the Minister on some successes chalked by the Authority in recent times.
“We have seen a remarkable improvement in revenue from our online partner, KGL as well as the introduction of NLA games to Nigeria and Burkina Faso.”
Sammy Awuku added, “our Caritas Lottery Platform and the Good Causes foundation are also making giant strides”.