Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku, has strongly refuted claims by the Fourth Estate alleging the misapplication of funds allocated to the NLA Good Causes Foundation during his tenure.
In a comprehensive response, Awuku clarified that the Foundation was established under his leadership with a clear, lawful mandate to implement impactful social interventions across Ghana. Drawing inspiration from similar successful initiatives in Ivory Coast, he said the Foundation aimed to redirect lottery proceeds to support vital community development projects.
Awuku recounted that on October 20, 2021, the NLA officially rebranded its Special Projects unit as the NLA Good Causes Foundation, with full endorsement from the Governing Board. The move, he explained, was in line with Section 2(3) of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722), which mandates the use of lottery proceeds for the benefit of vulnerable groups—including the needy, aged, orphans, and the physically or mentally challenged.
“The Good Causes Foundation is not a lottery scheme, as mischaracterized. It was set up to build a robust structure supporting Health, Education, Youth and Sports Development, and Arts and Culture,” he emphasized.
He further explained that, in addition to its four core pillars, the Foundation also executed discretionary projects annually. These projects allowed the Foundation to be responsive to urgent and unique community needs beyond its original scope.
Awuku highlighted several social interventions initiated under his leadership, citing sanitation and water projects that significantly impacted underserved communities. He noted that these projects were well-aligned with national development priorities and provided direct, tangible benefits to ordinary Ghanaians.
“These initiatives were completed, commissioned, and handed over to communities,” he stated, “ensuring lasting value.”
Awuku criticized the Fourth Estate’s reporting, arguing that it failed to capture the full extent of the Foundation’s work, instead presenting a “selective and misleading” narrative.
“It is unfortunate to see such a laudable initiative reduced to claims of extravagant events and questionable dealings. The Foundation has made real, measurable contributions to society,” he asserted.
In conclusion, Sammi Awuku defended the integrity of the NLA Good Causes Foundation and called for a more balanced and informed perspective on its achievements and objectives.
Source: mynewsgh
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