Lawyer in private practice and managing partner at Marfo & Associates, Gary Nimako Marfo, has been reassigned by President Akufo-Addo to serve as the board chairman for the National Lottery Authority (NLA) from his previous position as the board chairman of the Gaming Commission.
Mr Nimako Marfo’s reassignment was contained in a letter dated 7 March 2024 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante. The letter was copied to the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, and the Minister for Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam.
“I have been directed by the President of the Republic to inform you that effective Monday, 11 March 2024, you have been reassigned to chair the Governing Board of the National Lottery Authority pending receipt of the constitutionally required consultations with the Council of State,” the President’s letter read.
“Kindly prepare your handing over notes as the Chairperson of the Gaming Commission (the “Commission”) and deliver same to the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission pending the appointment of the new Chairperson.
The President thanks you for your service to the Commission. Please accept the President’s best wishes,” the appointment letter further read.
National Lottery Authority
Gary Nimako Marfo takes up the role of board chairman of the NLA, where Sammi Awuku, former national organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) serves as the Director-General. The NLA is a public service institution designed to provide a corporate platform that encourages creativity, innovation, and best management practices.
The Authority was first established as the Department of National Lotteries in 1958, with a mandate to organise prize raffles for the public. In 1960 the Lotto and Betting Act (Act 94) was passed into law to launch a lottery in Ghana to raise revenue to support national development.
Over the past 50 years, the NLA has evolved into an autonomous public service institution with a legal monopoly over the organisation of lotteries in Ghana. It is one of the single most important contributors to government revenue and avenues to employment. In 2006 the passage of the National Lotto Act (Act 722) gave birth to the National Lottery Authority.
Work ahead
The NLA’s slogan is “Development through Games”. Gary Nimako Marfo will be expected to work with the management and staff at NLA to make this a reality.
Together with the staff of NLA, Mr Nimako Marfo will be responsible for spearheading the NLA’s vision to create moments of hope and happiness through exciting lottery games that generate revenue for development and make all stakeholders winners.
He will also be expected to support the ongoing reforms at the NLA in line with President Akufo-Addo’s vision to reposition the Authority as a major income earner and to create wealth for individual Ghanaians.
Profile of Nimako Marfo
Gary Nimako Marfo, is a product of the Ghana School of Law and University of Ghana, Legon, having been awarded the professional law certificate by the General Legal Council in 2011. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana in 2009.
He also holds a Bachelor’s degree (BA Hons) in political science and philosophy from the University of Ghana, which he obtained in 2002. He obtained his A’ level certificate from Opoku Ware Senior High School between 1994 and 1996 and studied towards his O’ level certificate at St Hubert’s Seminary between 1989 and 1994.
As an active legal practitioner, he has a working understanding of civil litigation, corporate law practice, communication service contracts, international immigration law practice, alternative dispute resolution and negotiations, commercial contracts, labor-related matters, insurance, criminal law, and procurement law.
In 2011 he joined the national communication team of the New Patriotic Party and was appointed a member of the party’s legal and constitutional committee. He has remained part of the legal team.
In 2020 he served as national co-ordinator for legal affairs for the Ashanti Region in the December election, as well as being a member of the NPP national vetting committee with special responsibility for parliamentary candidates in Ashanti. Gary Nimako Marfo is currently the director of legal affairs of the NPP.
