Ghanaian Immigrant Wins $16m in Toronto

A $16.6 million lotto win means John Addo can finally put down his mop.

The Toronto janitor and father of four who works seven days a week to make ends meet believed he would one day strike it rich.


“My co-workers would often tease me about my weekly ticket purchase, but I had faith I was going to win, but when it really happened I couldn’t stop crying,” said Addo.


The 50-year-old emigrated from Ghana 20 years ago. He settled first in Montreal and moved to Toronto three years ago.


An employee of a Toronto industrial cleaning firm, Addo said he went into shock after checking his April 15 Lotto Max ticket at a neighbourhood store last Sunday and found he was one of three winners of the $50 million grand prize.

“I immediately went home and lay down for a while to think about it. Then I called a friend to come over, so that I could tell someone,” he said.


Wanting to keep a low profile and not divulge personal details of his life, Addo told lottery officials he did not want publicity.


He said he plans to visit Ghana where he has lots of relatives and he is looking forward to buying his own home and invest his winnings.


His winning ticket was purchased at a Gateway newsstand at Wellington and John Sts. in downtown Toronto.