SSNIT launches 50th anniversary
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has launched its 50th anniversary with a pledge to contributors that the scheme will continue to be sustainable.
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The Director-General of SSNIT, Mr Ernest Thompson, who made the pledge, also noted that the trust had adequate financial reserves to meet its obligations. He said the present number of contributors on the scheme was at a little more than 1.2 million.
Mr Thompson said on a monthly basis, SSNIT pays GH¢53.5 million to a total of 148,000 pensioners across the country, as against 971 pensioners in 1992. However, he noted that “the ageing population structure demands an increasing larger inflow of resources to cater for elderly pensioners”.
As a result, he warned that the current scheme could not countenance delays in contribution payment and was, therefore, intensifying sourcing for more workers to contribute to the scheme.
Projects
Mr Thompson said SSNIT was executing ‘monumental’ community projects to commemorate the anniversary: the construction of a children’s library, 40 community police stations across the country and a sports complex at Odododiodio in Accra to enhance fitness and good health and at the same time provide employment to the youth.
On the issue of the police posts, Mr Thomspon wondered why some sections of the public would criticise the move by the Trust to provide security posts for the police to enhance their visibility within the communities to check crime.
“Societies look to social security systems for their contribution to solve current and future social, economic, demographic and other challenges”, he said, and quoted the International Social Security and Association (ISSA) which says “social security is now perceived as an integral part of a political strategy that seeks to achieve inclusive social and productive economies.”
Mr Thompson paid glowing tribute to staff of SSNIT, describing their actions as “selfless” and one that had propelled the Trust to its present status.
Activities
The General Manger, Special Projects of SSNIT, Rev. Kweku Osei-Bempong, earlier announced a number of activities to crown the celebrations to include donations to needy institutions across the country, observance of customer week, a symposium and a thanksgiving service.
He explained that the activities were geared towards ensuring that the celebrations would make an impact on society.