New Lotto launched

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - A new private lotto - Tombola Raffle - was officially launched in Accra on Thursday by Rambo Tombola Company Limited to offer employment to the youth and to assist needy students.

The lotto, to be run by a director and a seven-member board of directors, will be drawn on Thursdays and announced on the radio on Friday mornings. Mr Gabriel Mensah, member of the Board of Directors, said the new company aims at assisting the government in raising revenue to enhance the development of the economy and provide employment opportunities for the young men and women roaming the streets.

With its offices located opposite Achimota Breweries Company limited, on the Accra-Nsawam road, the new lotto intends to "establish offices in all the regional capitals". Mr Mensah said the company has agreed to pay five per cent of its annual net income to the Ghana Education Service towards the proposed Education Fund to be set up by the government and provide occasional packages for needy students.

"Our motto is 'slow but sure'," he said, adding, "we have decided to gradually capture the lotto market in the ensuing years". Mr Mensah said key agents and writers would be given incentive packages, adding, "the more you stay with Tombola, the more you enjoy these benefits".

"The company has also planned some incentives and commission for all agents and managers, including writers, which would be spelt out to them at a special meeting to be convened after the launch." Mr Mensah said payment would be prompt and effected within 21 days. Mr Solomon Tetteh, official of the VAT Service, said the company has duly registered with the Service.

Mr Bright Adjah-Kodjoe, another official, said in answer to a question that taxes collected by the Service go into the socio-economic development of the country. Mr. Charles Armah, Managing Director of Tombola Company Limited, enjoined writers of the new lotto to join the National Lotto Writers Association so as to get assistance in times of difficulties, such as paying the school fees of their wards.

He urged the VAT Service to guide officers of Tombola Company in calculating the correct taxes to be paid to the Service. Mr. Andrews Oduro Abrokwah, President of the National Lotto Writers Association, who presided, expressed his appreciation to the decision by the management of the new lotto to contribute to the country's education fund. He urged them to cater for the interest of lotto writers and build lotto kiosks for them to ensure efficient performance.

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Addae, a member of the National Lotto Writers Association, reminded the management of Tombola Lotto that the success of their operations would depend on the efficient manner the writers would carry out their work.

He, therefore, implored them to pay one per cent of their weekly earnings into a welfare fund of the Lotto Writers Association to cater for the members in times of need. The maiden draw of the new lotto was also held at the function. The winning numbers were 5 - 25- 55 - 66 - 7. GNA