Inadequate Data, Bane Of SSNIT

INSUFFICIENT DATA has been described as a major problem affecting the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme.

The situation, according to the Manager of the Gulf House Branch of SSNIT, Leslie Arde Acquaah, was very alarming especially within the construction and security sectors.

Out of 20,702 employees' contribution made to SSNIT by employers at the end of June this year, 4,702, representing 23 per cent, were not registered under the trust.

Addressing about 40 employees on the theme, 'Building and Maintaining Quality Data on Members- The Role of the Employer', he said these challenges can be resolved if there are prompt submission of monthly contribution as well as quick submission of contribution report for entire workers, not forgetting the registration of all workers with valid social security numbers.

Mass statement of accounts are printed and distributed annually to each contributor as part of efforts to address these difficulties, Acquaah stated.

It is also necessary for every employer and employee to update their records at the end of every five years, he added.

The branch manager cautioned employers who are under-declaring their employees' SSNIT contribution to desist from that, adding that it is mandatory for all employers to register or provide their workers who don't have valid SSNIT numbers with some, from the first month of assumption of a new job.

He explained that SSNIT is committed to providing cutting-edge income replacement schemes to Ghanaian workers and their dependants in the event of old age among others if adequate data and the necessary obligations are fulfilled.

According to its duty, SSNIT generate statements of account that are complete, accurate and acceptable to members as well as make sure of prompt and accurate processing of benefits.

It also transfers accurate data on the health insurance of beneficiaries.

When a worker raised the issue of how SSNIT deals with casual workers at the forum, Acquaah said his outfit admits every worker, be it casual or full time, according to the law and as such it is necessary for every employer to contribute to the trust on behalf of the employees.

On his part, Head of Public Affairs at the Trust, Rev. Kwaku Osei Bimpong appealed to employers to desist from under-declaring their employees' monthly contribution, adding that workers' contribution must fall within the minimum requirement.

He noted that low levels of income have been the major contributor to the low level of pension payments, explaining that some pensioners could receive as low as ¢40,000 as monthly contributions.

He also called for accurate provision of data to enable the trust work on the monthly payment for beneficiaries on time.

The vision of the trust is to develop SSNIT into a world-class financial institution dedicated to the promotion of economic security of the Ghanaian worker.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah