The management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has issued an urgent call to its local staff union and workforce to immediately call off their sit-down strike and demonstration, urging employees to resume negotiations over an ongoing wage dispute that has led to industrial action.

The appeal follows media coverage and growing public attention surrounding the labour impasse, which escalated when staff initiated a sit-down strike on Monday, August 24.

In a press statement issued on Monday, August 24, 2026, and signed by the board and management, the Authority reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the impasse peacefully while outlining the financial context that influenced its salary offer.

The Root Cause: Unpaid Tax Arrears & Net Pay Adjustments

Management clarified that while the local union demanded a 17 per cent salary increase for 2026, the Authority granted a 12 per cent increase. According to management, this decision was directly tied to intervention regarding historical tax liabilities owed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The GRA notified the NLA of a backlog of unpaid income taxes on staff salaries covering six years from 2016 to 2022, stemming from an incorrect tax application.

"After several meetings with the GRA, the board and management entered into an arrangement with the GRA to pay the tax arrears totalling over five million Ghana cedis at no cost to Staff," the statement revealed.

To prevent further liabilities, the board and management agreed to rectify the anomaly by applying appropriate statutory taxes to salaries going forward. However, this adjustment reduced staff net takeaway salaries, prompting the Union to request a 17 per cent increment to cushion workers against the shortfall.

Budgetary Constraints and Salary Negotiations

During budgetary approvals, the board noted that because it had already absorbed over GH¢5 million in tax arrears alongside other budgetary constraints, it could initially approve only a 10 per cent salary increment. Management subsequently advocated for an additional 2 per cent, bringing the final offer to 12 per cent.

The union rejected the 12 per cent offer, declared a deadlock, and forwarded the matter to the National Labour Commission (NLC) for redress. On Friday, August 21, the Union officially served management with notice of its intention to commence a sit-down strike and demonstration on Monday, August 24.

Fair Wages Commission Recommendation & Ongoing Arbitration

The statement also revealed that management had earlier written to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) on February 11, 2026, seeking guidance. In its response dated June 11, 2026, the FWSC advised the Authority to increase salaries by 8 per cent, based on the NLA's current financial capacity, 4 percentage points below management's offer of 12 per cent.

Management affirmed that it is actively engaging the National Labour Commission (NLC) to achieve an amicable resolution through formal arbitration.

"Management wishes to assure its cherished patrons, Lotto Marketing Companies, Private Lotto Operators (PLOs), third-party collaborators, and all stakeholders that it remains fully committed to fulfilling its mandate to raise revenue for national development," the statement concluded.