Govt urged to expedite the repeal of PNDC Law 223

Koforidua, Dec 9, GNA -The Director of the Department of the National Lotteries (DNL), Mr. Kojo Andah, on Tuesday called on the government to expedite the process of repealing the PNDC Law 223, to enable the DNL take charge of all lotto operations to boost government's revenue generation.

This, he said, would create efficiency for the DNL to generate revenue for government and to bring sanctity to the lottery business.

Mr Andah, who was addressing the second National Delegates Congress of the National Association of Lotto Agents and Writers (NALAW), called for a better restructuring of the lotto industry to boost job creation.

He said the repeal of the law would put all the private lotto organizations under the administration of the DNL as agents. The DNL will issue out the same staking papers and using the same draw numbers to operate the lotto business.

Mr Andah said in anticipation of the policy the DNL is working on the introduction of new perm books to enhance the smooth transition from the private operators to the government-owned business enterprise.

He advised all "banker-to-banker" operators to register with the DNL for a legal and recognized business since the private lotto operation would be rendered illegal when the new law becomes effective from next year.

The Deputy Director of Operations of the DNL, Mr George Addo-Yobo, said the lotto industry is the fourth on the pedestal in terms of employment generation and an indirect way of taxation.

He condemned the perception that lottery is a social liability which needs to be done away with. "It's clear from advanced countries that lotto is a national asset and not a liability."

The chairman of the NALAW, Mr. Mark Bosompem, urged members of the association to endeavour to register in their numbers with the DNL so that the gains would go to government in the form of tax payment for the nation's development.

He said with this new arrangement members of the NALAW would operate in a better environment than the past years where they had been exploited and harassed on many occasions.