Ghanaian economist disputes Finance Minister’s lottery tax claims

Financial economist Dr. Razak Opoku has challenged Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson regarding the reported benefits of the lottery industry to Ghanaian taxpayers. Dr. Opoku contested the Minister’s claim of GH¢10 million in benefits, alleging it is based on misinformation.

According to Dr. Opoku, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) received over GH¢153 million from KGL for the 2025 financial year, while the National Lottery Authority (NLA) received over GH¢173 million from KGL. Additionally, 29 licensed private lotto operators paid GH¢44.9 million to the NLA in 2025.

Dr. Opoku criticized the NLA for what he described as the wastage of financial resources, noting that the authority uses over 90% of its income for CSR activities and the Good Causes Foundation, while paying only a GH¢10 million dividend to the Ministry of Finance.