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Sammy Awuku: A results-oriented CEO - Joana Adda, NLA Board member writes

To a results-oriented CEO, motivation is a vital strategy in getting staff to buy into the corporate agenda, change behavior, improve efficiency and most importantly build friendly relationship. 
Sammy Awuku, Director-General NLA.
Sammy Awuku, Director-General NLA.

Motivation comes in different forms and the most embraced by workers are salary increments, promotions, good working environment, social intervention eg. allowances/enhancement of same, etc. etc. etc.

Another critical, yet overlooked, strategy is carrying your staff along with you, especially when introducing drastic and ‘alien’ reforms, to say, “the old order changeth, yielding place to new” is exactly what the young, wise and smart Mr. Samuel Awuku, the Director-General of National Lotteries Authority (NLA), has adopted.  

(1) Leadership by example; walking his talk. He tells his staff, 8am you start work and 5pm you end. 7:30am, Sammy Awuku is in the office and leaves the office after 5pm. Pay a surprise visit to any NLA office nationwide at 8am, and they would be too busy to notice a visitor. 

(2) Moving to Site: Visiting offices, sometimes unannounced, knowing their challenges and sharing knowledge makes staff feel they are treasured and part of the team. 

(3) Being Frank: Bluntly disclosing what is acceptable and what is not, frankly disclosing what is doable and what is not. 

(4) Occasionally de-stressing 

Staff of NLA demonstrated their readiness to work tirelessly and make quality service delivery their goal at a social nite Mr. Samuel Awuku organized on Friday 29th October, 2021 after a hard day’s work.  

As I sat enjoying the good music, I could see genuine happiness from the body language of the staff. They jumped, laughed, danced and teased each other. I could not help but to join in the dancing.  

What else can we party faithfuls say but to thank His Excellency for appointing Mr Samuel AWUKU as DG and to wish him God’s direction and protection in his herculean task. 

By: Joana Frances ADDA

Board Member , NLA 

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