The Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery has appealed to the Governing Board of the Gaming Commission of Ghana to ensure good corporate governance by helping in developing policies for the growth and development of the industry.
The Board is also expected to guide the Commissions’ current operations as well as its future development.
The appeal was made at the inauguration of the Board of the Gaming Commission of Ghana held in Accra on Wednesday, July 19, 2017.
Addressing the Members, Mr. Ambrose Dery noted that, there has been an exponential growth in Ghana’s gaming industry in the last few years with gaming centres all over the country and has thus called on the commission to intensify its monitoring operations to cover the whole country.
“You, therefore, have a huge responsibility which cannot be accomplished by the Commission alone especially when casinos, sports betting shops and route operations are located across the length and breadth of Ghana” he said.
According to the Minister, the gaming industry is faced with a number of challenges including the indiscriminate siting of slot machines, activities of illegal operations, surge in minors engaged in gambling, the lack of proper office accommodation, inadequate staff and other resources which the Board should work hard at resolving.
“As the regulator, the Commission needs to strengthen its monitoring and regulatory role to ensure that the gaming industry meets international standards and best practices.
I am informed that the Commission has started its joint Police Task Force operational activities. This collaboration shall be intensified. I urge you to fight corruption in the operations of the Commission” He said.
To this end, Mr. Dery assured the Board of the Interior Ministry’s support in delivering on its obligations.
The Board is required to give policy direction to management for implement and also monitor the implementation by ensuring that the directives are executed using due process.
The Gaming Commission was established by the The Gaming Commission Act, Act 721 (2006) as a regulator responsible for the supervision of the importation and installation of gaming equipment.
The 11-Member Board are Mr. Alex Baafour-Gyimah, Chairman, COP Nathan Kofi Boakye (Esq.), Ghana Police Service, Mr. Kwasi Gyimah-Asante, Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. John Bayuo Warisa, Mr.Ransford Kissi Appiah and Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah (all Nominees of the President)
Others are Mr. Peter Mireku (Chief Executive Officer), Gaming Commission, Mr. Walter Kwao-Anati, Ministry of the Interior, Hon. Charles Kofi Adu Boahen, Ministry of Finance, Ms. Dorothy Onny, Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development and Mr. Kwodwo Odame Antwi, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Public Affairs & Com. Unit│ Wednesday, 19th July, 2017│Accra
