News
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
The Ghana High Commission in Pretoria has advised Ghanaians living in South Africa to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures ahead of planned protest activities expected on June 30.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, June 29, the Mission urged Ghanaian nationals to prioritise their safety following a deadline announced by a group known as “March and March” and its affiliated organisations, which could lead to demonstrations and disruptions in parts of the country.
The High Commission advised Ghanaians to stay indoors, especially in central business districts, transport hubs, informal trading areas and other locations where protests may occur.
It encouraged them to temporarily close their businesses where necessary and avoid unnecessary movement until the situation stabilises.
The Mission further urged members of the Ghanaian community to avoid confrontations or provocative discussions, including on social media, and to ensure that their passports, residence permits and other identification documents were readily available at all times.
According to the High Commission, emergency telephone lines have been activated to provide assistance and receive reports from Ghanaians who may require help during the period.
It encouraged Ghanaians to remain calm, obey the laws of South Africa and cooperate fully with local authorities.
The Mission advised them to rely only on information from credible official sources and avoid sharing unverified reports or rumours that could create unnecessary panic.
The Ghana High Commission assured the Ghanaian community that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates when necessary, adding that it remained committed to protecting the welfare of all Ghanaian nationals in South Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticised the government’s handling of the flooding that hit parts of Accra and surrounding communities on Monday, urging it to move beyond what it described as public relations activities and take decisive action to address the country’s flood challenges.
In a press release issued on June 29, the party expressed sympathy to thousands of people affected by the floods but maintained that the government had failed to respond effectively to the recurring disaster.
The NPP noted that communities including the N1 Highway, Apenkwa, Achimota, Kaneshie, Weija, Spintex, Darkuman Junction and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange were flooded after heavy rains.
According to the party, these communities have experienced flooding repeatedly over the years, making it necessary for government to adopt long term solutions.
The NPP argued that the current administration had created confusion by splitting responsibility for flood management between the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
It claimed that the arrangement had resulted in poor coordination, with the two ministries competing over responsibilities instead of working together to address the problem.
The party questioned the decision to place Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe in charge of coordinating flood response efforts.
According to the NPP, he does not have the authority to direct ministers, making the current command structure ineffective.
The opposition party further alleged that some anti flood measures announced by the government had either not been implemented or had been poorly executed.
It claimed that delays in the release of funds for flood mitigation programmes had affected ongoing interventions.
The NPP rejected recent comments by President John Dramani Mahama that flooding was partly caused by poor environmental practices and indiscipline among some citizens.
It argued that while public cooperation was important, the government should take responsibility for designing and implementing effective flood management policies.
The party called on the President to place flood management under one ministry, appoint a single minister to lead the response, and provide a public account of the work and spending of the Anti Flood Task Force.
It also urged the government to work closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and technical experts to improve land use planning, sanitation management and drainage infrastructure.
The statement, signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, stressed that the party would continue to hold the government accountable while standing with families affected by the floods.
By: Jacob Aggrey
