The Chairman of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) Staff Union Eric Tamakloe says they are pleased with President Akufo-Addo's directive asking the Director-General of the NLA Kofi Osei Ameyaw to retire.

Speaking on Top Story, Thursday, he indicated that this is one of the many steps that need to be taken to ensure that the mismanagement witnessed in the NLA in recent times it resolved.

He stated that the NLA has "struggled" under the leadership of Mr Osei Ameyaw, as such, they need a leader who listens to staff and will be able to solve the institution's problems.

Mr Tamakloe stated that the former Director-General had attempted to extend his contract, an action he and other NLA staff believed would have further deteriorated the fortunes of the Authority.

“We thought that in the face of all this mismanagement and the dwindling fortune of NLA, we have to react quickly by petitioning the President not to again extend the contract of Mr Ameyaw.”

“This is a big relief to me personally and the staff at large. First and foremost let me use this opportunity to thank the President for reacting to our call, intervene in the problems that are affecting us at the authority. At least one hurdle has been crossed by not extending his contract.”

The retirement of Mr Ameyaw comes after some Staff of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) on March 1 demanded the immediate dismissal of the Director-General, Kofi Osei Ameyaw over non-payment of big wins across the country as far back as April 2020.

They alleged that some of their members had received threats and in some instances been attacked due to the development.

The management of KGL Technology Limited, a licensed online lotto marketing company responsible for the operation of *959#, the official shortcode of NLA later arrived at a consensus to pay outstanding wins of its customers.

This was after meeting with the leadership of Financial Business and Services Employees Union (FBSEU) of G.F.L., and the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

It authorised its Finance Directorate to release funds for the Authority so that NLA would be able to pay outstanding wins which have recently become a worrying situation for the staff, lotto marketing companies and the industry as a whole.

The NLA Staff Union Chairman accused that Mr Ameyaw of being responsible for the many troubles NLA is facing currently.

“NLA used to be the second-highest contributor to the Consolidated Fund, but now where are we? All these things are due to mismanagement over the years. NLA, currently we are struggling,” Mr Tamakloe said.

He stated that the Staff Union is hoping the new person selected to lead the NLA will be one who would involve stakeholders, partners and staff in the affairs of the Authority.

“We hope and pray that if an appointment is made at least somebody who is well-versed in corporate governance practices is chosen. He can come in make some kind of institutional realignment to take the NLA back to where we used to be.”