Lotto receivers demonstrate against reduction in commission

Sunyani, Feb. 15, GNA - More than 1,000 members of

Brong-Ahafo Lotto Receivers' Union have staged a peaceful

demonstration in Sunyani against the National Lottery

Authority's (NLA)proposed decision to reduce each

member's lotto sales commission from 25 percent to 20

percent effective February 01. The three-hour demonstration, led by the regional

chairman of the union, Mr. Benjamin Kwabena Amoako and

other executives, was accompanied by brass band music. The demonstrators started from the Post Office Square

and marched through the principal streets of the regional

capital and ended at the Union's office where they presented

a resolution to the Regional Manager of the NLA, Mr.

Modestus Nakaar. The demonstrators carried placards some of which read,

"Remember there is no pension scheme in Lotto Business",

"NLA Board have you reduced the size of your

Allowances?", 93Don't we deserve single spine?", 93We

contribute to the national economy", 93Please hear our cry 96

Mr. President", 93NLA do away with unapproved lotto

machines", 93Monkey dey work, Baboon dey chop", among

others. In their six-point resolution signed by Mr Amoako and Mr

Alex Akuffo, secretary, the union complained about the short

dates given to receivers to collect their commission cheques,

saying it was a bother to lotto receivers who pre-financed the

sale of tickets and coupons by raising loans that should be

paid back promptly. The practice whereby broken down lotto receivers'

machines were sent to Sunyani for repairs for servicing

instead of to service centres being set up in the various

districts was not auguring well for members, it said. The members stated they had over the years assisted the

NLA in the region and for that matter the country, to mobilize

substantial revenue to support the economic activities of the

central government hence they should be treated honourably. Mr. Amoako told journalists would not back go to work

unless the Authority rescinded its decision to reduce their

commission from 25 percent to 20 percent. Mr. Nakaar promised to forward the petition to the

national headquarters and expressed the hope something

good might come out of it.