Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Samuel Awuku, has called on the government to establish clear guidelines for the allocation of lottery proceeds to ensure transparency, accountability, and national development.

Speaking as the sole African panellist at the World Lottery Association (WLA) and European Lotteries Conference in Spain, Awuku stressed the need to earmark lottery revenues for specific national projects rather than allowing them to be absorbed into the general government budget.

Awuku emphasized that lottery players should know exactly how their contributions are being utilized.

“I advocate that we should target these funds towards specific causes like healthcare or education so that the players who contribute know exactly where their money is going,” he stated, urging policymakers to boost public confidence in the management of lottery funds.

He cited successful global examples where lottery funds have been instrumental in financing large-scale projects.

“Part of the City of Miami was built through lottery proceeds. So why can’t Ghana follow that model?” he questioned, referencing other landmark initiatives such as the Great Wall of China and the UK’s Olympic Games, which were partly funded by lottery revenues.

Awuku also highlighted the need for greater oversight in tracking lottery revenues, ensuring they reach intended beneficiaries rather than being lost in the national budget.

“We need to track how much is being collected and ensure it reaches the people it is meant to benefit.

The funds should not simply disappear into a general pot,” he stressed.

Drawing from his experience at the NLA’s Good Causes Foundation, Awuku proposed a similar approach for allocating lottery proceeds to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and youth development.

“This way, we ensure that lottery funds are being used effectively to serve the public good,” he added.

Awuku also underscored the significant global impact of lottery contributions, revealing that in 2024 alone, World Lottery Association member organizations contributed over $90 billion to support social causes worldwide.

“Member bodies alone contributed over $90 billion last year to promote good causes around the world,” he said, reinforcing the crucial role lotteries play in national and global development.