Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has dismissed as “entirely false” and “misleading” media reports alleging that its Director-General, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, has increased his salary from GH₵38,000 to GH₵ 70,000 and receives up to $228,000 annually as rent allowance.
The Authority, in a statement issued on Friday, April 10, described the publications as “inaccurate” and “distorted,” accusing sections of the media of attempting to damage the reputation of the Director-General.
According to the NLA, salary adjustments are not determined unilaterally by the Director-General but are subject to formal processes involving the Governing Board and relevant state institutions. It stressed that no such increment has been effected.
Salary Increment
The Authority also refuted claims that the Director-General had unilaterally increased his salary to GH₵70,000.
It emphasized that salary adjustments are subject to formal procedures involving the Governing Board and relevant state institutions, noting that no such increment has been effected.
Management explained that a broader review of conditions of service for Executive Management is currently underway and applies to all staff, not solely the Director-General.
It outlined that the review process began after a request by the Public Services Commission (PSC) for the Authority’s approved Conditions of Service. This revealed that the existing framework for Executive Management had not been reviewed since 2015.
A committee was subsequently established to develop proposals, which were submitted to the Governing Board. The Board directed that a comparative survey of conditions of service across public financial institutions be conducted.
When peer institutions declined to share data, the NLA sought guidance from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the statutory body responsible for such matters.
The FWSC requested a Board resolution on the 2015 approval and the Authority’s four-year financial statements. These have since been submitted, and the NLA is currently awaiting feedback.
Management stressed that no salary increment has been implemented.
Rent Allowance
On the issue of rent allowance, the Authority clarified that such benefits form part of the approved Conditions of Service for the Director-General and are consistent with entitlements granted to previous office holders.
It categorically denied claims that Mr. Abdul-Salam receives an annual rent allowance of $108,000 or $228,000, describing the figures as false.
Staff Salary Issues
Addressing claims of salary reductions, management clarified that at no point since assuming office has the Director-General reduced staff salaries by 13 percent or any other margin.
Rather, what has been misconstrued as a reduction is an approved increase resulting from a transparent and collaborative negotiation process involving relevant stakeholders.
The statement explained that upon assumption of office, Mr. Abdul-Salam inherited an 8 percent utility allowance approved by the previous administration for both management and staff, scheduled to take effect in January 2025.
Additionally, the Authority’s local union had formally requested a 20 percent salary increment. Following negotiations between management, the union, and the Governing Board, a 5 percent increase on basic salaries was approved alongside the 8 percent utility allowance. This has since been implemented.
Management, therefore, urged the public and stakeholders to treat claims of salary cuts with “the contempt they deserve.”
Legal Action
The statement further disclosed that the Director-General has instructed his lawyers to initiate legal action against media houses responsible for publishing the allegations without offering the Authority the opportunity to respond, contrary to journalistic ethics.
Management urged stakeholders and the general public to disregard what it described as attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Director-General and undermine the integrity of the Authority.
It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and its mandate to serve the public.
