Samuel Awuku’s NLA Splurged on Celebrities, Politicians and Awards While Orphanages Struggled

In 2021, the National Lottery Authority (NLA), under the leadership of then Director-General Samuel Awuku, launched the Good Causes Foundation. The foundation was supposed to give life to Section 2(3) of Act 722, which mandates the NLA to run special lotteries to provide care and protection for “the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans, and destitute children.”

But records obtained by The Fourth Estate show a troubling picture: instead of channeling funds to the vulnerable, millions of cedis were spent on elite awards shows, political projects, and well-connected personalities.

Millions for the Powerful, Little for the Poor

Among the beneficiaries of the “Good Causes” money were some of Africa’s most glamorous award schemes and institutions:

• GHC 350,000 – Ghana CEO Awards

• GHC 250,000 – Africa Prosperity Network Awards (run by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko)

• GHC 200,000 – Ghana Club 100 Awards (GIPC)

• GHC 90,000 – EMY Africa Awards

• GHC 80,000 – Glitz Ghana Women of the Year Awards

• GHC 50,000 – Ashanti Business Leaders Excellence Awards

Government agencies and political institutions also benefitted:

• GHC 350,000 – Office of the Chief of Staff for Independence Day celebrations

• Over GHC 1 million – MPs from both political parties for “pet causes”

• GHC 570,000 – Attorney General’s Office for conferences and seminars

• GHC 180,000 – National Labour Commission for conferences

• GHC 70,000 – NLC delegation to Geneva for International Labour Conference

Shockingly, the fund also sponsored personal projects of the wealthy. Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan received GHC 50,000 for his memoir project—even as psychiatric hospitals and orphanages across Ghana remained underfunded.

In Awuku’s own constituency, the foundation financed the construction of police stations and an astroturf pitch—projects that critics argue served political interests ahead of his parliamentary run in Akuapem North.

Defending the Indefensible?

Mr. Awuku, now a Member of Parliament, defended the foundation’s spending. He claimed the law allows the NLA, in consultation with its board and the Finance Ministry, to support “broader obligations to society.” He also argued that such sponsorships were part of a marketing strategy to position the NLA among corporate leaders.

“If you’re going strictly by the act, it would turn out that so many things that the NLA has been doing are illegal,” he told The Fourth Estate, insisting that “all lottery bodies all over the world” spend for society’s benefit.

When pressed about why Independence Day fanfare or elite award galas should take precedence over psychiatric care or orphanages, he simply said: “The Office of the Chief of Staff requests funding for some of these events.”

Silence from Inside

Attempts to get further clarification from the former Coordinator of the Good Causes Foundation, Amma Frimpong, were unsuccessful. She declined to comment, citing her continuing work with the NLA.

Neglect of the Truly Needy

This lavish spending spree unfolded at a time when Ghana’s psychiatric facilities were overcrowded and starved of funding, and orphanages were surviving largely on private donations. The contrast raises serious questions about whether the Good Causes Foundation has lived up to the spirit—or even the letter—of the law.

The Fourth Estate will in subsequent publications release the full list of all beneficiaries of the NLA’s Good Causes Foundation.

SOURCE: thefourthestategh.com