The escalating controversy surrounding Ghana’s National Lottery Authority (NLA) has taken a dramatic turn, with its Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Abdul-Salam, popularly referred to as ‘Alhaji Lotto’ forcefully denying allegations of salary manipulation and excessive benefits, while warning of imminent legal action against sections of the media.
The NLA says any benefits accrued to the Director General are part of his conditions of service which previous DGs also benefitted.
A strong rebuttal issued on April 10, 2026, marks the Authority’s first comprehensive response after days of intense public scrutiny over claims that the NLA boss is pushing for salary increment, slashed staff wages, and drawn large sums as rent allowance shortly after assuming office.
The rebuttal follows earlier reports that accused the NLA leadership of financial impropriety, including claims that the Director-General is demanding salary increment from GH¢38,000 to GH¢70,000 and overseen a 13% reduction in staff salaries.
Additional reports alleged that he had received rent payments running into $108,000 within a short period of his appointment, at the time there was no Board in place and his appointment is yet to be ratified by the Public Services Commission, PSC.
Report suggested that the NLA boss is demanding another rent advance of about $144,000 making it $6000 a month for two years.
These claims sparked widespread criticism from the public and concerns among staff, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing economic pressures and calls for accountability across state institutions.
The NLA, which plays a crucial role in mobilising revenue for national development, has in recent months also been in the spotlight over policy and contractual reviews, including government-ordered scrutiny of key operational agreements—heightening attention on its governance and leadership decisions.
NLA Rejects Salary Reduction Claims
In its statement, management of the Authority categorically dismissed claims that staff salaries had been reduced under the current administration.
According to the NLA, “at no point” has the Director-General implemented any salary cuts, insisting that what has been portrayed as a reduction is, in reality, an increase resulting from negotiations conducted through a transparent and collaborative process.
The statement emphasised that the outcome of these engagements can be verified by all relevant stakeholders, pushing back against what it describes as a misrepresentation of internal compensation adjustments.
CEO Salary Increment Yet To Be Approved
Addressing claims about the Director-General’s own salary, the Authority described reports of a jump from GH¢38,000 to GH¢70,000 as “entirely false.”
Management clarified that while discussions around salary adjustments may exist, no increment has been effected. Any such change, it stressed, would be subject to established procedures and approvals, including oversight by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
This clarification seeks to counter public perception that the CEO had unilaterally adjusted his compensation without due process.
Rent Allegations Also Dismissed
The Authority further rejected claims that the Director-General had received between $108,000 and $228,000 in rent allowance.
Describing the figures as false, management maintained that the reports circulating in the public domain are inaccurate and intended to damage the reputation of the NLA’s leadership.
The rent issue had become a central point of criticism in recent days, with commentators questioning the scale of the alleged payments and their justification within the public sector framework.
Legal Threat Signals Escalation
In a significant escalation, the NLA disclosed that the Director-General has instructed his lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against media organisations and individuals responsible for publishing what it calls “falsehoods.”
The Authority warned that it would not treat the matter lightly, signalling a readiness to defend its leadership and institutional integrity through the courts.
Concluding its statement, the NLA urged the public to disregard the allegations and maintain confidence in its operations. More anon
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