The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has introduced an electronic payment system to allow employers and self-employed workers pay their SSNIT contributions with ease.
The payment platform, named ‘ssnitpay’, allows members to now pay SSNIT contributions using their mobile money wallet via Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) short code, Mobile Money POS – walk-in and Debit Card via the Trust’s Web Portal – portal.ssnit.org.gh.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang, the Director General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) explained that the innovation formed part of new measures to enhance service delivery to members and clients.
“The adoption of the e-payment platform is expected to bring relief and convenience to employers and members, who hitherto, had to travel long distances to a SSNIT branch or a SSNIT partner banks to pay their contributions.”
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang
The Director General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust encouraged employers and self-employed workers to use the mobile money channels to pay their contributions, adding that payment of contributions via ‘ssnitpay’ is E-Levy exempt.
“The Trust has also enhanced its self-service portal. The portal now allows members and clients to perform a number of activities including viewing and downloading Clearance Certificates and requesting for negotiation meetings for outstanding debts among others.”
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang
Paying the Right Amount of Contributions
Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang encouraged employers to pay the right contributions for their workers by consolidating the earnings of their workers for enhanced pensions.
“We advise you to pay SSNIT contributions on or before the 14th day of the ensuing month. We also urge you as employers to pay contributions for yourselves because you also deserve a pension.”
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang
Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang also hinted that the scheme would also implement policies to make registration easier for individuals interested in being added to it.
According to Dr Ofori-Tenkorang, it has become necessary to extend coverage 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 enjoy social protection.
This, the Director General added would help reduce poverty and over-dependence on family relations and friends during old age. Explaining, he said the SSNIT scheme offered unique benefits and provided value that no other pension product in Ghana offered, adding that the scheme also gave superior value to invested members’ contributions.
The SSNIT Director General disclosed that the Trust introduced ‘Employers Breakfast Meeting’ to educate contributors on the various projects being undertaken by SSNIT and to also educate the public on the need to join the scheme.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang added that ‘Breakfast Meeting’ is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Trust and employers to help deepen their understanding of the operations of the First Tier Social Security Scheme.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang explained that the meeting provides a platform to discuss challenges facing employers concerning the SSNIT Scheme and how they can be resolved.
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