SSNIT Managers accused of cheating pensioners

The Central Regional Branch of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Pensioners have expressed regret at the new pension increment announced by the management of SSNIT.

At a press conference held at Cape Coast over the weekend, Mr Thomas Appiah, the district chairman of the SSNIT Pensioners Association said there was no iotas of truth in the so called hundred per cent increase in pension payment to SSNIT Pensioners.

According to him those earning GHC130.00 were raised to GHC209.00, whilst those earning GHC155.00 were placed at 199.00 Cedis, others at 199.50 were also placed at exactly GHC200.00, whilst those above GHC200.00 were given 10 per cent of their pension payment.

He said following the trend, it was very clear that the exercise was haphazardly done and therefore appealed to the management of SSNIT to correct the errors made.

Mr Appiah said SSNIT Pensioners were worried because, the high rate of inflation coupled with the recent increase in the price of fuel, water, electricity, goods and services in general, as well as the depreciation of the cedi had reduced their purchasing power.

“SSNIT Pensioners hold the view that they are the most vulnerable of all the generational groups and they have suffered the most in Ghana today” he added. Mr Appiah called on the government to put in place measures that will enable SSNIT Pensioners to enjoy meaningful and credible pension.

Mr Paul Kingsley Opoku the SSNIT branch manager who briefed the Pensioners on the new Life Certificate advised those aged 72,75, 78 to contact the nearest SSNIT office to sign their Life Certificate to ensure regular payment of their pension.