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Be flexible in dealing with state institutions …NTC MD tells SSNIT

• Mr. Martin Adu Owusu [fourth from right], Mr. Lord Koramoa [sixth from left], with SSNIT delegation and NTC management after the meeting. Photo Lizzy Okai.

The Managing Director of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers, Mr. Martin Adu Owusu has asked the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to be flexible in its dealings with government institutions.

According to him, it was important SSNIT takes a second look at its dealings with these agencies, regarding the imposition of penalties for late payment of contributions.

Mr Adu Owusu said this on Wednesday when he received a delegation from SSNIT on a familiarisation visit.

“There are times our contributions delay and we are penalised heavily, even taken to court. But we are all government institutions, so I think there should be some understanding,” he said.

That notwithstanding, Mr Adu Owusu gave the assurance that the Corporation was ready to deepen its partnership with the Trust for the benefit of Mother Ghana.”

Mr. Lord Koramoa, Public Affairs Manager of SSNIT who led the delegation disclosed that the Trust was beginning to build stronger partnerships with government institutions, especially the media.

Such collaborations, he explained, were necessary because the institutions served the same national goals and work towards a common agenda.

According to him, government institutions like the NTC plays a crucial role in creating public awareness, adding that such partnerships would go a long way to propagate activities of the Trust.

“I believe in building solid relationships with organisations like the NTC. It’s a win-win situation, it’s a win for the institutions and by extension the government,” Mr Koramoa said.

He said such a partnership should go beyond the promotion of the national pension scheme to other areas of mutual benefit.

The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo, assured the officials of SSNIT of The Spectator’s readiness to collaborate with them to educate the public on issues relating to pensions, updating of records for beneficiaries among others.

“We hope that officials of SSNIT would be ready to release information on time whenever they are contacted,” she said.

The Acting Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, advised the SSNIT officials to sustain the campaign to ensure that journalists remain informed to correctly inform the public.

The Deputy Manager of Public Affairs at SSNIT, Ms Jemimah Ofori said the Trust has chalked some feats in its service delivery with the use of digital platforms to make pension contributions and benefit claims faster and easier.

“Our SSNIT App, website, and MoMo payment system now allow self-employed persons and employers to pay contributions conveniently, processing of claims has also improved significantly. Some people even receive payments in less than a month,” she said.

By Andrew Nortey

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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.

The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”

The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.

“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.

He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.

The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.

He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.

“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.

She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.

The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.

He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.

The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.

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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.

In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.

He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.

Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.

He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.

Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.