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
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Libreville, Gabon, to participate in the inaugural Libreville International Forum for Innovation and Development, a high-level event that brings together Heads of State, government officials, global investors, and technology experts.
The forum, being held under the patronage of Mr Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, is on the theme “Political Stability, Business Climate, and Artificial Intelligence: Catalysts for Growth.”
The forum seeks to position Gabon as a regional innovation hub and key destination for international investment.
Organisers are holding the Forum to inaugurate the newly constructed Omar Bongo Ondimba Congress Centre, which also serves as the venue for the Forum and as a future centre for international dialogue.
The forum will culminate in the “Libreville Declaration,” which will showcase the strategic political leaders’ commitments to enhancing governance, transparency, and digital integration across the continent.
President Mahama remains a strong advocate for fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between government policy and private-sector growth to ensure inclusive development.
Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko has informed the New Patriotic Party’s 2028 flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia, of his decision to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party.
Mr. Agyarko disclosed this during a courtesy call on Dr. Bawumia on May Day.
According to a statement from his team, the visit gave him the opportunity to commend the former Vice President for his service to both the New Patriotic Party and the country.
During the meeting, Mr. Agyarko, together with members of his campaign team, formally notified Dr. Bawumia of his planned nationwide tour as part of his campaign for the National Chairman position.
He reaffirmed his support for the former Vice President and stressed the need for unity within the party ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Mr. Agyarko said the NPP must remain united and committed to securing victory in the next elections.
According to the statement, his nationwide tour is expected to begin in the Ashanti Region next week.
By: Jacob Aggrey
