The Newly Executives of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), led by its President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has secured a scholarship scheme for journalists with the National Lottery Authority (NLA).
This was after the GJA paid a courtesy call on the NLA on Wednesday as part of activities to re-engage, re-introduce the new executives to stakeholders and deepen relationships.
Speaking at the meeting, the GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour prayed the NLA to, as part of its corporate social responsibility, support journalists with scholarships through its NLA Good Causes Foundation.
The scholarship when rendered he said will focus on the welfare, capacity building, and rebranding of journalists.
He also called on the NLA to collaborate with the GJA to create a common media platform to educate the public on Lottery operations, its management, and the game itself.
He observed that most people do not understand the work of the NLA and mostly see lottery as gambling and do not regard it because they do not know the benefits of it.
Mr. Dwumfour appealed to the NLA to recruit journalists into its public relations office or communications office to study and abreast themselves with issues concerning the NLA, and its operations so that they can manage the public relations and reactions moving forward.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NLA, Mr. Sammy Awuku gave the GJA a nod on its request for sponsorship for journalists.
He also called on the GJA to help the NLA fish out fraudsters who send out false publications to the public concerning the NLA.
The NLA CEO mentioned that one of the challenges the Authority was facing was the influx of illegal operators.
He also noticed that some people add people on Social Media platforms and promise to give them numbers to stake the lotto.
He pointed out that 70 percent of the lottery market belongs to illegal operators.
Due to this, he said Ghana only makes $80,000 a day from lottery while neighbouring countries like Nigeria and Ivory Coast make about $3.2 million and $1.6 million per day.
Meanwhile, he said the NLA was dealing with the Security Agencies to arrest persons involved in the illegal lottery operations.
He also reaffirmed the NLA’s commitment to partner with the GJA to expand its horizon and halt the activities of illegal operators.
Mr. Sammy Awuku also hinted at the NLA’s 60th anniversary in September 2022, calling on the GJA to support the NLA in planning the celebration which will be done in December 2022.