The Minister of the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has reiterated the need for a review of the legislations governing the gaming industry, in the bid to strengthen governance of the industry to address emerging trends as well as meet international best practices.
On a familiarization working visit to the Gaming Commission of Ghana headquarters in Accra, the Hon. Minister noted that his visit was to acquaint himself with the activities and the operations of the Commission, following his recent appointment to the Ministry.
He stressed the need for the Commission to heighten efforts to prevent minors from engaging in gaming activities and called for deliberate measures to promote responsible gaming practices in Ghana among players.
The Hon. Minister further indicated that though the target of gaming operators was mainly on revenue generation, the Commission should work closely with the operators to ensure they do not lose focus of their responsibilities in ensuring that their activities do not pose harm to players (punters).
The Minister also touched on Government’s readiness, to assist the Commission to secure its own permanent office accommodation.
The Acting Gaming Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo thanked the Minister and his entourage for taking time to engage with the management and staff of the Gaming Commission, to gain first hand information about the operations of the organization. The Commissioner recounted several initiatives of the Commission, to streamline the gaming industry and ensure that the sector contributes significantly to the country’s revenue generation.
Mr. Quainoo indicated that he had initiated engagements with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on how both institutions would work closely with gaming operators, to ensure government got its fair share of revenue.
On the health and integrity of the gaming industry, the Ag. Gaming Commissioner informed the Minister that he had issued a directive to all staff of the Commission, to preventing unauthorized staff from dealing with the operators. He said such move was to curb harassment of the gaming operators.
Mr. Emmanuel Siisi Quainoo further applauded that support and commitment of the Minister, to assist the Commission to secure a permanent office accommodation.
The Minister then toured the facilities of the Gaming Commission. He was in the company of the Ag. Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior, Mrs. Doreen P. Annan and other Directors of the Ministry.
