According to him, the decision to hire the services of his private company was not a rubber stamp decision by him, but was decided by the entire board together with the procurement authority.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KVmN4CPWL1lbRoH1qcCZjR4er6j7ohD3″]His claim comes on the back of allegations by a group calling itself the Concerned Voters Movement, who accused him of awarding contracts of the NLA to his own company, LOTS Services to the tune of GH¢89 million Ghana cedis between 2013 and 2017, while serving as an external lawyer for the NLA and at the same time, the Chairman of the entity Tender Committee of the NLA.

Leader of the group, Razak Kojo Poku, said the president must urgently cause an investigation into the matter to ensure the country does not lose money through the “dubious contract”.

Mr. Razak Poku also alleged that Kojo Graham was peddling falsehood against the current Managing Director of the NLA, Osei-Ameyaw, after the latter tried to cancel the dubious contract.

But speaking on the Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Kojo Graham said although the positions he held may have appeared to be in conflict of interest, there was no conflict of interest.

“There could be an appearance of a conflict of interest because of the position that I was an external solicitor and a board member, but you cannot, as a matter of fact, come to a logical conclusion that because I was in these positions, anything that happens amounts to a conflict of interest… I never asked to be external solicitor for the NLA…There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a board member and being an external solicitor for the NLA,” he said.

Mr. Graham said the selection of his private company (LOTS Services) for a contract with the NLA, was not taken by the board of NLA while he was serving on it, but by the Public Procurement Authority.

“The Entity Tender Committee is not a rubber stamp, this is a high-level committee made up of 3 board members, senior directors from the NLA as well as a senior state attorney from the AG’s department. In any case, the decision to award contracts are not made by the Chairman of the Entity Tender Committee. It wasn’t the NLA Entity Tender Committee that awarded contract to LOTS, the contract was awarded by the Public Procurement Authority,” he said.

My interest in LOTS was after NLA contract

Mr. Kojo Graham further denied that, his interest in the LOTS Services, was only after the NLA had signed the contract with the company.

“My interest in LOTS Services came in way after the contract had been awarded,” he said.

‘I gave $60,000 loan on humanitarian grounds’

It is alleged that Mr. Kojo Graham gave a bribe of $60,000 to the new Director–General of the NLA, after learning of the latter and the new NLA board’s plan to be more stringent in payments to LOTS services.

But according to Mr. Graham, the money was a personal loan which he gave on “humanitarian grounds” to the new Director General.

We are open to a probe

He said his company was ready to cooperate with state agencies should there be a probe into the case.

“He who alleges must prove. Our doors are as open as the heavens,” he said.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kojo Graham rubbishes NLA conflict of interest claim  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He emphasized that, attaining departmental and individual set targets, prudent management of resources, and most importantly, staff motivation, are contributory factors to achieving these.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KuFnYzRmZ3XRJ7pHAQ1WOxhOlq8MviMw”]The Chairman, who is also a member of the Council of State, said this when he addressed a staff durbar on Thursday 12th October, 2017 at the Breman Hall of the Authority, after members of the 4th Board of Directors were formally introduced to staff by the Director-General of NLA Kofi Osei-Ameyaw.

The other members are: Mr. Philip Aning, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, Mr. Henry Yentumi, Mrs. Helen Awo Ziwu, Kofi Osei-Ameyaw and Ms. Joana Frances Adda.

The Chairman announced that, the Director-General had forwarded outstanding operational, administrative and welfare-related issues that needed urgent attention to the Board.

However, in order to make upright judgements and appropriate decisions, there was the need for the 3-month old Board to have some orientation on the institutional background, hence; it has been going through files to be abreast with issues.

Torgbui Nyonyo added that, from the records, staff did not meet their 2016 set targets, a critical determinant for either paying or not paying bonus.

“Administratively, staff do not qualify to earn bonus, however, considering the fact that there was a success in operational excellence, notably an increase in revenue despite the challenging economic environment and unstable electricity supplies amongst others that affected businesses, the Board will approve and make payment of 2016 bonuses to staff by end of October.”

He was however quick to caution that the 2017 bonus will be paid only upon achievement of set targets.

A good working relationship and commitment to work is a powerful ingredient to corporate successes; the Chairman, therefore, encouraged management to get closer to staff through informal social activities.

He assured staff that the Board will interact with their counterparts in the other regions.

Reforms

The Chairman hinted that, the Board will introduce reforms in the operations of the lotto business with a view to protecting the public purse, expanding the markets, and also pursue the President’s vision of creating employment and mobilization of lottery funds for national development.

He however noted that they are mindful of the law on causing financial loss to the state, and so all hands must be on deck.

According to some elated staff, this is the second time a Board has been introduced to them.

The first was in 2006 during the Kufuor government, and they see this act as a sign of respect for staff.
–
By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NLA Board urges staff to work hard to grow businesses appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the authority it will rather use the opportunity to sanitize the lottery terrain.

Former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Woode, inaugurated about 11 lotto courts across Ghana in June to aid the prosecution of all lotto-related offences.

The courts include Circuit Courts one and eight in Accra, Circuit Courts B in Tema and Koforidua, Circuit Court 4 in Kumasi, Circuit Court one in Cape Coast, and Circuit Courts in Tarkoradi, Ho, Tamale and Wa.

Addressing the media at the authority’s headquarters, the Director General of NLA, Kofi Osei Ameyaw said though there are laws available for prosecution, his outfit will adopt dialogue and negotiations to harmonize all other lotto companies in their operations.

He said that “it (the court) is not to witch-hunt anybody, this happened previous. In the previous administration there was an executive instrument for prosecution. That is not to say that because we have the laws, the courts and the prosecution, everyone should be prosecuted.”

Mr Osei Ameyaw also seized the opportunity to call on all lotto operators in the country to legally register with National Lottery Authority to enable the m contribute their quota towards natonal development.

“I am calling on everyone engaged in the lottery business to come forward and obtain their license so that they can pay their due share of taxes and revenue for government so that we use the money to develop the country.

Those that are lawfully working and paying their taxes feel that they are being cheated by those who are not paying their taxes and are doing the business clandestinely, this restricts the revenue base of the country” he added

The authority however indicated that it will ensure that the law is strictly enforced after six months.

The Director General said “ When the chief justice announce the eleven lotto courts throughout the country, I made a plea and a  pledge that there will be an amnesty period of about six month moratorium, all those engaged in the illegal lotto activities should come forward so that we can deal cordially.

“The law courts may be there but we don’t have to utilize it, prosecution maybe there but we don’t have to utilize it. Please let’s work together so that we can all feed our families, we are not trying in any way to deprive anybody of their daily bread or livelihood.”

–

Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Lotto courts not to persecute illegal operators – NLA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The winner, a 64-year-old Electronic Technician from Akatsi in the Volta Region, expressed his delight at the price, and thanked the NLA of keeping its promise. According to him, though he was hopeful of winning, he least expected to win the overall reward.

“I am very much elated today for what NLA has done in my life. I was expecting to win but not a car. But I knew I will win because I sent so many entries,” he said.

An emotional Harrison certified the credibility of the processes leading to the grand draw, and encouraged the NLA to continue with the good work.

“I use to have my doubts previously but with this, I can tell everyone that it’s a fair deal for anyone who stakes, very fair. The National Lottery Authority should keep this thing up. I am hopeful of winning again, maybe a car so that I can give it to my daughter” he added.

He also encouraged other patrons of lotto to do business with the national lottery Authority to get the chance of winning as well.

“I encourage everyone to stake national lotto and stop the banker to banker business so that they can win like me “the winner added.

At a ceremony to present the car, the Director General of the National Lottery Authority, Kofi Osei Ameyaw, said the initiative gives their cherished patrons the opportunity to win better especially those who couldn’t win in the normal lottery.

He added that, more of such initiatives would be implemented by the NLA to reward deserving costumers, and thus called on all to do business with lawful lottery agency, which is the NLA.

The “NAL Lucky Hands Promotion” sought to give their cherished players a second chance to win valuable prices even when they did not win cash prizes in the normal games.

Participation was via texting the serial number on the lottery coupon to an SMS shortcode 1945. The face value of the lottery was pegged at GHC2.00 and above.

A total of 302,000 people participated in this promotion, and there were three monthly draws which rewarded winners with hundred Smartphones.

The Grand Draw was held on 9th May 2017. The prizes included a flat screen television set, a trip to Dubai and the Hyundai Elantra saloon car

–

By: Anass S. Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NLA presents car to latest ‘Lucky Hands’ promotion winner appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Kanye West will reportedly face a £6 million bill if he cheats on Kim Kardashian, in a clause that is part of an £82.8 million prenuptial agreement, according to insiders.

Source: Entertainmentwise

The post Kanye to pay £6m if he cheats on Kim appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.