Health Minister Urges Ghanaians To Stake Lotto

Story: W. K. Adusu

The Minister for Health, Ms. Sherry Ayittey, has called on Ghanaians to stake more game of lotto from the National lotteries, to help effective development of the country.

She added that the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) is one of institutions that contribute to the development of Ghana; so if one stakes lotto from the NLA, the person is automatically improving social amenities of the country in areas like the hospitals.

Madam Ayittey made this commendation whilst receiving GH¢192,855.00 worth of blood refrigerators from the National Lottery Authority (NLA) on behalf of her ministry.

The Health Minister lauded NLA for the gesture, and appealed to other institutions for more of such gestures to mitigate some logistical problems in other hospitals.

She explained that some of the hospitals in the rural areas have logistical problems; and the government cannot do it all alone without the support of the people and institutions like the NLA. On this score, Madam Ayittey commended NLA for the move in the health sector.

The Managing Director (MD) of National Lotteries Authority (NLA), Brigadier Martin Ahiaglo, said the donation of the six (6) blood refrigerators amongst other things part of the outfit’s social responsibilities.

He said the mandate of NLA per the provisions set in the National Lotto Act 722 of 2006 is to generate revenue for national development. The Lotto MD further explained that the Act enjoins the NLA to also conduct lottery with the aim of offering support to the less privileged in society as part of NLA’s corporate social responsibility.

In view of that, he called on Ghanaians not to patronize the banker to banker, in order to contribute to the development of this country.

 The MD mentioned that the procured six blood refrigerators would be donated and installed in some selected hospitals under the health ministry.

The beneficiary hospitals include; Father Thomas Alan Rooney Memorial Hospital, Asankrangua District in the Western Region; Lawra District Hospital, Jirapa East in Upper West Region, and Military Hospital near Okomfo Anokye in the Ashanti Region.

Other beneficiary hospitals are Atibie Government Hospital, Mpraeso in the Eastern Region and Princess Marie Children’s Hospital, James Town in Accra. All the blood refrigerators are expected to serve other surrounding hospitals.

It was noted that NLA has amongst many other contributions, also contributed about 80.5 million to the consolidated fund since it was set up in 2006; 70% of which amount was raised last four years showing that the outfit’s revenue generation is growing.

During this 50^th anniversary, and as part of NLA’s activities, lots of social projects were undertaken in health sector.

This includes support to ‘London Market Maternity Home’ – James Town, Accra; Korle-Bu Children’s Ward; Korle-Bu Children’s Ward Cancer Unit; Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, amongst other related Projects across the country.