The Ghanaian government is refusing to release a critical interministerial committee report on contracts between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited. This refusal follows persistent requests from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) through Ghana's Right to Information (RTI) Law.
The committee, established by President John Mahama in December 2025, concluded that the NLA-KGL arrangements, while not illegal, were not financially beneficial to the state. President Mahama subsequently directed that these agreements be renegotiated to ensure Ghana receives appropriate financial benefits from its lottery operations. The government's continued withholding of the full report prevents public scrutiny of these findings and the subsequent renegotiation process.
This situation highlights broader issues of transparency and accountability within Ghana's public sector, particularly concerning agreements that impact state revenue. The government's reluctance to release the report contrasts with its stated commitment to good governance and the effective implementation of the RTI Act. Such actions can erode public trust and create an environment where questions about financial prudence and contractual integrity persist.
The MFWA initially requested the report from the Attorney General's Office. That office stated it did not possess the report and directed the MFWA to the Office of the President. The Presidency then advised the MFWA to direct its request to the Ministry of Finance, citing its oversight responsibility. As of July 30, 2026, the Ministry of Finance had not responded to the MFWA's request, which, under Section 23(5) of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), is considered a refusal.
The government's 'merry-go-round' approach in handling the MFWA's request raises significant concerns about the operational effectiveness of the RTI Law. The law mandates public institutions to provide requested information within 14 days or face a deemed refusal. This legal provision empowers citizens and organizations to seek redress when information is withheld without proper justification. The MFWA has since petitioned the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to intervene and ensure the report's release.
The implications of this non-disclosure are substantial for Ghana's economic governance. Lack of transparency in such deals can lead to suspicions of corruption or mismanagement, potentially deterring foreign investment and undermining investor confidence in the fairness of public contracts. It also limits the ability of civil society and the media to hold government agencies accountable for their financial decisions and their impact on national revenue.
Moving forward, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Finance and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to see if they will comply with the RTI Act and release the report. The outcome will set a precedent for how future requests for public information are handled and will indicate the government's true commitment to transparency. Failure to release the report could lead to further legal challenges and increased public pressure, potentially impacting the government's credibility and its efforts to attract crucial economic partnerships.
The original investigation by The Fourth Estate, which prompted the committee's formation, highlighted concerns that the NLA-KGL licensing agreements were depriving the state of significant lottery revenue. The committee was specifically tasked with examining the legal basis, scope, duration, and financial terms of these contracts. Its findings, though partially revealed, remain officially undisclosed, preventing a full understanding of the financial implications for the state and any necessary corrective actions.