News
Technology kicking us out of business …Lotto operators cry
THE growing popularity of digital and online lottery platforms is steadily undermining the livelihoods of traditional lottery vendors in Accra, many of whom say the change has not only reduced their income but also affected their family lives.
Several vendors, commonly known as ‘lotto writers,’ say the shift to mobile and online lottery systems has significantly reduced the number of customers who visit their kiosks to stake games.
Some say the financial strain has become so severe that it has created tension in their homes, with a few even losing their marriages because they can no longer provide for their families as they once did.
Others indicated that they were now searching for additional jobs to supplement their lottery business to meet their household responsibilities.
The vendors, operating in areas such as Shukura, Tema Station, Laterbiokorshie, Mamprobi and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange area, shared their experiences in separate interviews with The Spectator.
Mr Michael Addy, a lotto writer for 15 years and father of four, said business had declined sharply in recent years.
According to him, he previously earned about GH¢3,000 from ticket sales and commissions after paying winning customers, but his earnings have now dropped to less than GH¢1,000.
“Although I have been able to see my children through the basic level, Senior High School and the university, there is a lot of responsibility on me as my wife left me because I am unable to earn enough to take care of the family. I wish I could find another job in addition to this lotto business but I no longer have the strength to do any hard work,” he lamented.
Another vendor, Mr Thomas Nimo, who has spent more than 20 years in the trade, recalled when customers used to gather around his kiosk early in the day, waiting for him to open so they could stake their numbers.
Today, however, he says the ‘crowd’ has disappeared.
“Only a few people who are not technological inclined come to buy tickets because they cannot play the lottery game on their phones,” he explained.
Mr Nimo added that some winners occasionally show appreciation by giving vendors a token of their winnings.
“At times some of the customers who we pay for winning the lottery game sometimes gives us a small amount as a sign of appreciation for being truthful to them,” he noted.
For Mr Alfred Nii Lartey, who has operated in Laterbiokorshie for 10 years, the business has simply become a means of survival while he searches for a better opportunity.
He also raised concerns about unlicensed private lottery operators whom some vendors unknowingly work for. When such operators are pursued by the National Lottery Authority (NLA) for breaches such as failure to pay Value Added Tax (VAT), vendors working under them often suffer the consequences.
Mr James Ankamah, a vendor at Tema Station, admitted that the decline in customers sometimes puts pressure on operators.
“Sometimes I am tempted to sell tickets to students because people don’t come to us to buy tickets and play the game,” he said.
Despite the challenges, some vendors believe their services still have a place. Mr Frank Baafi explained that unstable internet connections occasionally force players to return to the kiosks.
He added that trust also keeps some loyal customers coming back, confident that their winnings will be paid promptly.
By Benjamin Arcton –Tettey
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
Read Daily News
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Buy Maps
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
