The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has revealed plans to roll out an electronic payment scheme to ease the payment of contributions.
According to the Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, the electronic scheme will allow people to pay their contributions using mobile money or bank applications without any electronic levy charges. He added that the scheme would also implement policies to make registration easier for individuals interested in being added to the electronic scheme.
This was revealed by the Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, at a meeting with leaders of Churches and Christian Organisations in Accra. The forum formed part of efforts by SSNIT to expand and deepen coverage of the Basic National Social Security Scheme to self-employed workers.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang noted that it has become necessary to extend the coverage of SSNIT to informal sector workers not only to increase the active membership and contributor base of the scheme but also to ensure that every worker in Ghana enjoys social protection. This, he asserted, would help reduce poverty and over-dependence on family relations and friends during old age.
SSNIT Scheme to Offer Unique Benefits
The Director-General of SSNIT explained that the new SSNIT scheme will offer unique benefits and provide value that no other pension product in Ghana ever offered, adding that the scheme will also give superior value to invested members’ contributions.
“The Trust pays minimum pension by subsidizing pensions for pensioners whose salaries were woefully low during active service. It also pays invalidity pension regardless of age and with minimal contribution and also provides a life policy by paying survivors when a member passes on.”
Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang
The Director-General also called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage about SSNIT, and also focus on the benefits of the scheme so that more people would be encouraged to join. He urged participants to ensure that they send the message they received to their members by educating them on the significance of securing their future.
In his remarks, former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Most Reverend Dr. Aboagye-Mensah, lauded the management of SSNIT for spearheading such an initiative to extend coverage to self-employed workers.
Dr. Aboagye-Mensah stated that although some ministers retired and received a monthly pension from SSNIT, which was augmented by in-house benefits paid by the church, most of its members, largely self-employed, were not under any structured social security scheme.
Dr. Aboagye-Mensah noted that the church has a responsibility to promote the holistic development of Christians in the country by ensuring adequate preparation is made for a better life when they retire from active service.
“Most people believe the SSNIT scheme is for formal sector workers. In the past, SSNIT has not reached out enough but I am happy we have this engagement today.”
Dr. Aboagye-Mensah
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