Founder and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has called for the immediate dismantling of what he describes as a monopolistic structure within Ghana’s digital lottery space, following a directive by President John Dramani Mahama to review agreements between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited.
In a press release, Dr Ayariga said the president’s intervention presents a critical opportunity to restore fairness, transparency, and legality in the operation of the country’s flagship 5/90 lottery.
Dr Ayariga expressed concern that the granting of exclusive control over digital and USSD channels of the 5/90 lottery to a single private company has effectively created a monopoly that threatens Ghana’s economic and regulatory integrity.
According to him, such exclusivity restricts competition, stifles innovation, and denies other capable Ghanaian businesses the opportunity to participate in the sector.
He further argued that the arrangement weakens transparency and raises serious legal concerns regarding compliance with existing laws governing lottery operations.
“No single private entity should wield such disproportionate control over a national revenue-generating asset,” he stressed.
Citing provisions of the National Lottery Authority Act, Dr Ayariga emphasised that the NLA remains the sole legally mandated operator of lottery activities in Ghana. While private sector participation is permitted, he noted that it must operate within clearly defined limits and under the supervision of the authority.
He warned that any agreement that effectively transfers operational or financial control to a private entity violates both the letter and spirit of the law.
“Ghana cannot afford selective enforcement of its own legal framework,” he stated.
Dr Ayariga urged government, regulators, and the ongoing technical review team to take decisive action to restructure the sector. Key among his recommendations are the following:
- The termination or restructuring of exclusivity clauses that grant unfair advantage
- Opening the digital lottery ecosystem to multiple qualified operators through a transparent licensing process
- Ensuring full revenue visibility and accountability under NLA supervision
- Providing equal opportunities for Ghanaian technology firms and investors
He maintained that competition is essential for efficiency, innovation, and value creation.
The APC leader also questioned the declining contributions of the lottery sector to the national purse, suggesting that the current structure may not be serving the best interests of Ghanaians.
“A system that concentrates control while limiting transparency cannot inspire public confidence,” he noted, adding that citizens deserve a lottery system that is fair, transparent, competitive, and fully accountable.
Dr Ayariga described President Mahama’s directive as a defining moment in addressing systemic imbalances within the sector. He said the review goes beyond contractual obligations and represents a broader test of the government’s commitment to good governance and the protection of national interests.
He concluded by urging swift and decisive action to end monopoly control, enforce existing laws, and open the lottery sector to fair competition.
“The path forward is clear,” he said. “Anything less risks entrenching inequality, weakening institutions, and denying Ghana the full economic benefits of its lottery industry. The time to act is now.”
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