Director General Of The NLA, Sammy Awuku Wins Prestigious Public Sector CEO Award Two Times In A Row
Mr. Samuel Awuku, the Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), has once again been honored with the prestigious Overall Public Sector CEO of the Year Award at the 8th Ghana CEO Summit and Excellence Awards. This marks his second consecutive win, a remarkable achievement underscoring his exceptional leadership and profound impact on the lottery industry.
Mr. Awuku, the recipient of the 2023/2024 Overall Public Sector CEO of the Year Award, was also recognized as the CEO of the Year in the Lottery Industry. He attributed these achievements to the collective hard work, dedication, and commitment of the NLA’s management and staff.
Under Mr. Awuku’s visionary leadership, the National Lottery Authority has gained significant recognition in the sub-region and among lottery bodies. Notably, he serves as the first-ever elected Anglophone Vice President of the African Lotteries Association (ALA). His strategic direction has positioned the NLA as a key partner for other African lottery bodies, such as those in Ivory Coast and Nigeria, where the Authority’s games are exported, generating substantial revenue.
Mr. Awuku is credited with transformational leadership, having regulated the consumer promotion space on the Caritas lottery platform and significantly contributed to community development through the NLA Good Causes Foundation. His efforts have also improved staff welfare considerably.
In line with World Lottery Association (WLA) standards, Mr. Awuku, with the support of the NLA Governing Board and Management, has enhanced the Authority’s business operations. This includes remodelling the Draw Studio, acquiring state-of-the-art draw machines, attaining WLA Level 2 Certification in Responsible Gaming, and spearheading innovation and digitalization across various business functions.
In addition to Mr. Awuku’s accolades, other CEOs and business leaders were recognized at the summit for their achievements in various fields. Mr. Moses Baiden Jnr., CEO of Margins ID Group, won the award for CEO of the Year in Technology, Infrastructure National, and was also named Overall CEO of the Year in the Private Sector. Mr. Alex Appau Daddey, Group Chairman of KGL Group, received the Group CEO and Conglomerate CEO awards.
The Ghana CEO Summit and Excellence Awards annually convenes top CEOs, heads of state, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across West Africa and beyond. This year’s event saw the attendance of over 500 CEOs, business leaders, industry captains, and market leaders, including former President H.E. John Mahama and Vice President of Ghana H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who participated via Zoom.
The CEO Summit and Excellence Awards foster high-impact learning through insightful panel discussions, expert insights, and strategic networking opportunities, reinforcing its role as a premier event for business leadership and innovation in the region.