Allegations of Financial Impropriety: NLA Director-General Mohammed Abdul-Salam Under Scrutiny | Discuss Ghana

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, explosive allegations surfaced regarding the personal welfare demands of the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Mohammed Abdul-Salam. The claims, first detailed in an investigation by the Hawks Newspaper, suggest a stark contrast between the executive's requested perks and the deteriorating welfare of the Authority's workforce.

The NLA, which is currently undergoing a "National Reset" of its major contracts under a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, is now facing a new internal crisis over these reported demands.

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The Three Major Allegations

According to the investigative report, the NLA boss has tabled several high-value requests to the NLA Governing Board:

The $6,000 Monthly Rent: Mr. Abdul-Salam reportedly demanded a monthly rent allowance of $6,000, a figure described as "far above" standard public sector benefits.

The $108,000 Drawdown: Most controversially, the report alleges he has already drawn down $108,000 from the Authority’s coffers to cover 18 months of rent in advance, raising questions about who authorized the payment before board approval.

84% Salary Increment: The Director-General is said to be pushing for a salary increase from his current GH₵38,000 to GH₵70,000 per month.

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Worker Welfare vs. Executive Perks

The investigation highlights a "disturbing irony" regarding the timing of these demands:

13% Salary Reduction: While the Director-General seeks an 84% pay rise, the report alleges that the salaries of rank-and-file workers at the NLA have recently been reduced by 13% as part of "cost-cutting measures".

Board Pushback: Sources indicate that the NLA Board, chaired by Mr. Fredrick Amissah, has initially refused to sign off on the requests, advising the CEO to benchmark his pay against similar state agencies.

Sidestepping Protocol: In response to the board's hesitation, Mr. Abdul-Salam has reportedly petitioned the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission directly to force a review of his compensation.

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Context: The NLA "National Reset" (2026)

These allegations come at a time when the NLA is already under the microscope for its financial management:

Event	Status
Presidential Directive	President Mahama ordered a review of the NLA-KGL contract on Dec 24, 2025.
Revenue Loss	Investigations by The Fourth Estate revealed the NLA lost nearly GH₵500 million in 2024 due to poor licensing deals.
New Management	Mohammed Abdul-Salam was appointed in early 2025 following the resignation of Sammi Awuku.
Inauguration	The current board was charged on May 19, 2025, to "streamline operations" and fight illegal lottery.

"Executive compensation must reflect the wider economic pressures facing ordinary Ghanaians. We cannot have a system where the head eats gold while the body starves." — Excerpt from the investigation report.