The former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has firmly rejected allegations that funds intended to support the poor and vulnerable through the Authority’s Good Causes Foundation were misappropriated for “glamorous events and questionable enterprises”.
In a statement addressing claims published by Fourth Estate, the former NLA leader contended that the report presented a “lopsided” perspective, neglecting to acknowledge the “life-saving projects and donations” achieved under his management.
Established in October 2021, the Good Causes Foundation was created to direct NLA’s corporate social responsibility initiatives toward health, education, youth and sports development, and the promotion of arts and culture.
The statement detailed various projects undertaken during his leadership, including the construction of toilet facilities and mechanised boreholes across all 16 regions, the refurbishment of hospitals and schools, scholarships for underprivileged students, and medical outreach programs that reached thousands of individuals.
Specific accomplishments highlighted included the establishment of a neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Ghana Hospital, donations of incubators to healthcare facilities, scholarships, and support for sports clubs like Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, as well as cultural sponsorships like the Hogbetsotso and Homowo festivals.
Regarding the contentious topic of “glamorous expenditures”, the former Director-General acknowledged that NLA had sponsored notable events such as the EMY Awards, Ghana Club 100 Awards, and the Ghana CEO Summit.
However, he maintained that these sponsorships were strategic marketing efforts that increased the revenue of the Caritas Lottery Platform from just GH¢100,000 in 2021 to over GH¢11 million by the end of 2024.
He emphasised that less than 5% of total funds were allocated to such sponsorships, with approximately 95% directed towards community-impact projects.
“It is a falsehood to suggest that awards were bought. The few I received were in recognition of the collective efforts of management and staff,” he stated.
The former NLA chief also referenced endorsements from the World Lottery Association and praise from international figures, including former Maltese President Dr. George Vella, as proof of the Foundation’s credibility.
Concluding his statement, Sammi Awuku defended his record by asserting, “During my tenure, I worked diligently, served with integrity, and left the NLA in a better financial and operational state than I found it”.
