The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has marked its 60th Anniversary celebration in Accra.
The celebration which was held at its headquarters brought under one umbrella patrons, stakeholders among other high-profiled personalities.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku said "The Authority has had its fair share of challenges. It has been a 60-year journey of generating revenue for national development, touching lives, communities, and institutions as well as making its patrons millionaires"
Mr. Awuku added that some new reforms, policies, and decisions taken by the current Boards and Director-Generals have helped shaped the premier organisation.
"A new dawn is upon the Authority, and management looks forward with anticipation to what the future holds in this new exciting journey.”
“Mr. Chairman, from the very first draw held by the Department, which had Five Thousand Pounds (5,000.00) as the prize money, through the years of operating manually, transitioning from the Department into an Authority, with its attendant evolution into an automated system 44 years later, NLA can confidently boast of exemplifying its mandate to make all stakeholders ultimate winners,” he said.
The Director-General took the opportunityto shower praises on the Boards, Director-Generals, Directors, Management, and Staff.
He commended them for working tirelessly to keep the NLA at the level it finds itself.
Touching on the activities lined up for the anniversary celebration, the Director-General disclosed that October has been dedicated to its cherished customers adding that November is slated for its Good Causes.
“In this month, we will give back to society by commissioning some Projects, in various parts of the country. These will be climaxed with a Grand Durbar of the Anniversary Celebration in December, held concurrently with a Conference on Responsible Gaming as we host the African Lotteries Association (ALA), “ he added.
Juristic person
On his part, the Minister of Defence, Dominic Nitiwul said "60 years of existence in any person’s life is no mean feat noting that if the NLA were a natural person, then the Authority would be retiring from active service"
“Fortunately, NLA is a juristic person, hence this launch to commemorate this eventful milestone and also look forward to a more successful future for the organisation as a going concern"
"Enriching Lives Through Gaming,” is highly germane to the current lottery space since “the whole idea of lottery is a celebration of the partnership between NLA and its patrons to give every member of the staking public an exceptional lifetime opportunity.”
He stressed that much of the success and popularity of the national lottery can be attributed to the combination of a chance to win and dream, and undoubtedly, this has been a huge success with the general populace.
“Even in instances where people fail to win any prizes, the thought that NLA applies the proceeds towards good causes makes this experience worthwhile,” he added.
Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II commended the NLA for changing the lives of many.
He charged the NLA to continue to ensure transparency in its game.
Other speakers lauded the NLA for its immense contribution to the national development.
Below is video and some pictures:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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