Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has called on the National Lottery Authority (NLA) to increase its revenue contribution to the state following a dividend payment of more than GH¢10 million to the Ministry of Finance.

Dr Forson received the payment from the NLA Board of Directors, led by Board Chairman Frederick Amissah and Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam, describing it as a positive step towards improving the Authority’s financial contribution to the government.

He noted that the NLA had previously paid dividends annually, but the payments stopped after 2017. According to the Minister, the latest payment marked the resumption of dividend contributions to the Ministry of Finance after several years.

“The taxpayer deserves more than GH¢10 million from NLA, but this is a good step,” he said.

Dr Forson stressed that the Authority must do more to support public revenue, adding that the government expects stronger financial returns from its operations.

He also urged the NLA to focus on its statutory responsibilities and ensure that its activities deliver greater value to the state and taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman Frederick Amissah described the dividend payment as the beginning of reforms and improvements at the Authority. He assured the government that the NLA would work towards delivering stronger returns in the coming years.

“This is just the beginning of the reforms and improvements in NLA,” he said.