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SSNIT targets informal sector workers with SEED initiative
Mr Ofori-Tenkorang addressing participants
The Director General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang has asked self-employed persons in the informal sector to enroll to the Self-Employed Enrollment Drive (SEED) scheme to alleviate financial hardships in future.
He said SEED was a tier one product that has been repackaged to encourage self-employed persons to contribute regularly on their full earnings for a guaranteed pension.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang made the call at a regional education forum with self-employed persons in the informal sector at Wa in the Upper West Region on Thursday.
He explained that the engagement was to equip the informal sector workers with information about the SEED initiative to enable them enroll onto the scheme and also spread the information to their colleagues.
Outlining some of the benefits of SEED, the Director-General said it would provide a regular flow of financial support to the contributor after retirement from active work or during a permanent disability as well as a life insurance policy of a lump-sum that was paid to beneficiaries in case the contributor passed away.
He explained that the lump-sum was computed based on the individual’s contributions to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) during their lifetime.
“I encourage every one of you to enroll on the scheme; it is the surest way to reducing and preventing poverty among all,” he stressed.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang said SSNIT aims at eradicating poverty in the country by ensuring active participation of informal sector workers through its SEED initiative.
He said if the informal sector workers had basic knowledge about what the SSNIT scheme offered them, they would gladly join the scheme, hence the need for the sensitisation.
Self-employed persons, he noted were entitled to the same benefits as formal sector workers as long as they were committed with their monthly contributions and paid regularly as well.
Dr Ofori-Tenkorang added that management of the Pensions Scheme had made it easier for the informal sector to be able to make their contributions through mobile money payment due to the nature of their businesses.
He said only two per cent of self-employed persons out of 1.9 million Ghanaian workers have registered with SSNIT, stressing that it was sad and needed to be addressed.
Participants at the programme included members of the dressmakers, hairdressers, beauticians, weavers and tailors associations and also market women.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
News
Gomoa West: NPP, NDC supporters clash over commissioning of DRIP equipment
Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday morning clashed over the commissioning of machinery for the District Road Infrastructure Project in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.
According to Citi News sources, the conflict began when NDC supporters questioned the decision to display images of Bismark Basie Nkum, the NPP’s Gomoa West parliamentary candidate on the DRIP machinery.
This disagreement quickly escalated, almost leading to a physical altercation between the two groups.
Baisie Nkum, who doubles as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa West, further claimed that the Member of Parliament for the area, Richard Gyan Mensah, brandished a pistol and issued threats against the NPP’s local leadership.
A viral video circulating on social media captured the DCE accusing MP Richard Gyan Mensah of pulling out a gun and threatening NPP supporters during the heated incident.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Why should you resist calls for forensic audit? – Alan quizzes EC
Founder of Moment for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to address concerns identified by political parties ahead of the December elections.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to conduct free and fair elections and must ensure that all stakeholders trust the system. If concerns are raised about the process, he said the EC should work to clear any doubts in the minds of the people.
His comments were in response to whether the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) request for a forensic audit of the register.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that the NDC, being a major stakeholder, has pointed out certain discrepancies. Therefore, the EC has the responsibility to prove that it is committed to running a free and fair election.
Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk on September 16, he said “For the sake of ensuring the integrity of the elections, to respond to the specific cases that have been identified about irregularities in the voters’ register.
“It only goes to enhance the credibility of the commission. Yes. It [ forensic audit] has to be. I am not sure why there should be a resistance to that. Because, yes the Electoral Commission has indicated that they have responded to those comments.
“But we have to put all reasonable doubt. There is a need to have a credible voters register. So if there is an indication that there is still doubt associated with the electoral register, then let us allow an extensive comprehensive audit, which can be done without any difficulty,” he said.
The presidential aspirants said this would help improve perception about the credibility of the EC.
Mr Kyerematen said although the EC has an incredible track record in Africa, there is a need to ensure that their reputation remains intact.
Additionally, he said the election management body has the responsibility to prove that the electoral register is clean and has no basis for complaints.
“It is only through an audit that this could happen.” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
