The newly appointed Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Mr. Mohamed Abdul-Salem, has called on the management and staff of the Authority to work collaboratively to build on the legacy of his predecessor.
In a formal introduction held on Friday, January 17, 2025, by the outgoing Director-General and Member of Parliament for Akuapem-North, Samuel Awuku, Mr. Abdul-Salem expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to him by the NLA team.
Acknowledging the task entrusted to him by President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Abdul-Salem pledged an open-door policy, emphasizing his readiness to engage with staff and the union to address their concerns.
He assured them that his leadership would focus on inclusivity and progress, not division or retribution.
“Let nobody think that as a new Director-General, I am here to break what has been built. We succeed or fail together,” he stated. “To the best of our ability, we will do what is in the best interest of our organization, so help me to build on what the outgone DG has done. We will learn from the mistakes and improve what needs to be improved.”
A leader with experience and vision
Mr. Abdul-Salem highlighted his personal connection to the lottery industry, sharing that he had worked as a Lotto Receiver earlier in his career.
This hands-on experience, combined with his extensive background in senior management, positions him as a leader well-versed in the intricacies of the organization.
His qualifications include an International Executive Master of Business Administration in Strategy and Consultancy Management from the Paris Graduate School of Management, a Post Graduate Diploma from the same institution, and a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering from Tamale Polytechnic.
Before his appointment, Mr. Abdul-Salem served as a Senior Manager for Monitoring and Evaluation with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and held senior roles at Metro Mass Transit Ltd in Tamale.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Abdul-Salem is a seasoned politician, currently serving as the Northern Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a key member of its communications team.
His political career spans over two decades, including roles as the NDC Northern Regional Campaign Coordinator during the 2024 elections.
Outgoing DG’s support
In his farewell remarks, Samuel Awuku presented his handing-over notes to Mr. Abdul-Salem and urged the staff to support the new Director-General as they had supported him.
“I wish you well in your new role, and I believe that with unity and teamwork, the NLA will continue to thrive,” he added.
