The ongoing public debate over the National Lottery Authority’s (NLA) partnership with KGL Technology Limited has intensified, as a former NLA official has publicly criticised investigative journalists for what he claims is a flawed understanding of the lottery sector.
Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, a former Director of Communications at the NLA, has waded into the controversy, taking issue with recent investigations by The Fourth Estate—a project of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). The investigative reports allege that Ghana could be losing millions of cedis weekly through the NLA-KGL arrangement, a claim that has reignited concerns about transparency and accountability in public-private partnerships.
Dr. Opoku, however, pushed back on the allegations, accusing the MFWA and its Executive Director, Sulemana Braimah, of failing to engage with the NLA before going public. He suggested that critics “seek proper education” from the Authority or pursue legal redress if they believe the deal is problematic.
“If Mr. Braimah is truly concerned, he is free to either visit the NLA for proper education or seek legal redress to abrogate the KGL agreement,” Dr. Opoku stated in a release.
The war of words highlights a deeper issue: the disconnect between independent media investigations and official narratives, especially when it comes to complex financial agreements involving state institutions.
While The Fourth Estate’s reporting focused on potential revenue losses and a lack of transparency, Dr. Opoku labelled the criticisms “myopic,” arguing that the NLA-KGL deal was a strategic move to modernise lottery operations and increase efficiency through digitisation.
“Was Ghana gaining millions every week before the NLA-KGL deal was signed?” he queried, challenging the methodology behind the loss estimates.
The KGL partnership has remained under public scrutiny since its inception, with civil society organisations and sections of the public calling for a detailed audit of the agreement. Critics argue that the deal may be skewed in favour of private interest, with inadequate safeguards for public revenue.
In contrast, some former and current NLA insiders defend the arrangement, saying it has introduced technology-driven reforms and broadened the Authority’s revenue base.
As media watchdogs press for answers and public institutions respond with counterclaims, the standoff has brought fresh attention to the importance of transparency, accountability, and public engagement in the management of state resources.
