The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has launched this year’s Mobile Service Week to bring its services directly to the doorstep of the public.
At the moment, SSNIT has 59 locations nationwide with 53 branches.
The event, held on "A Legacy of Service”, was attended by the Board Chairman of SSNIT, who is also the Mamfehene, Nana Ansah Sasraku III; the General Manager in charge of Operations of SSNIT, Philip Kofi Senyah; the Koforidua Area Manager of SSNIT, Alex Appeagyei, staff of SSNIT and the public.
Representatives from the National Pension Regulatory Authority (NPRA), the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Trades Union Congress (TUC), self-employed associations, students from senior high schools, learners from basic schools and senior high schools, heads of schools, and traditional religious rulers also attended.
The event is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of SSNIT.
SSNIT transactions
Addressing the gathering during the launch of the week at Koforidua in the Eastern Region last Monday, the Director-General of SSNIT, Kwesi Afreh Biney, said the Trust was committed to making social security accessible to all Ghanaian workers.
Kwesi Afreh Biney (inset), Director-General of SSNIT, addressing the participants in Koforidua
He explained that bringing services directly to the doorsteps of the public would enable workers to perform every SSNIT-related transaction at convenient locations instead of travelling long distances to the Trust's offices for such transactions.
That, Mr Biney stated, formed part of the Trust's efforts to have constant interactions with its members, made up of employers, pensioners and the public, on matters concerning social security and retirement planning at locations convenient to them.
He indicated that SSNIT and social protection reflected the essence of the Trust, which remained to support every Ghanaian from the cradle to the grave.
Health security
Mr Biney said SSNIT had always ensured the health security of contributors by remitting 2.5 per cent of their contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover their healthcare premiums.
He further stated that SSNIT would be providing services as registration and enrolment of new workers and employers, benefits processing and status verifications and renewal of pensioners' certificates and Ghana Card number merger, among others, during the Mobile Service Week.
No default
The Director-General of SSNIT said for over six decades, the Trust had never defaulted in its obligations, and that every month it had been paying pensions to over 256,000 retired men and women nationwide.
He emphasised that as of October this year, a total of GH¢5.19 billion had been paid in pensions and related benefits.
With regard to investments, he said the Trust had invested in key sectors such as energy, education, housing and finance to drive growth by creating jobs and strengthening the country's economy.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, said it was refreshing that SSNIT had continuously been innovating to better serve the Ghanaian worker, and lauded the Mobile Service Week for serving one such purpose.
She indicated that by bringing services closer to workers, traders and employers, SSNIT had removed one of the biggest barriers that hindered the public’s participation in its services.
Changing needs
The Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, who chaired the event, said the launch of the Mobile Service Week had demonstrated SSNIT’s responsiveness to the changing needs of its members by bringing services to their doorsteps, particularly the aged and pensioners who might have difficulties accessing service centres.
He added that since 1965, SSNIT had been a pillar of social protection, ensuring that after years of service to the nation, workers could retire with dignity and security.
Support
Daasebre Boateng assured SSNIT of the traditional council's support to improve the welfare of the people, adding that retirement security was not just a financial issue but also a social one that touched on dignity, family stability and intergenerational responsibility.
The Omanhene commended the leadership of SSNIT for its forward-thinking initiative with a focus on self-employed persons, as well as the formal sector.
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