13 Organisations In Brong Ahafo Owe SSNIT 324.8 Million Cedis

Kato (Brong Ahafo) 18 Nov. One Hundred and ten organisations including all the District Assemblies in the Brong Ahafo Region are owing the social security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), 324.8 Million cedis in respect of workers contributions as at October, this year. According to Mr.. Richard Ampadu, SSNIT Manager in charge of Regional Operations, this is holding back projects such as housing and health facilities it intends to initiate. He was speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony for a 190 million cedi housing projects at Kato. The project which is expected to be completed within 5 months, involves the construction of 10 houses comprising two bedrooms and other facilities to ease accommodation problems of the workers, especially those of decentralised government departments. A similar project initiated for the Asunafo District at Goaso started last year under SSNIT District level housing programme is almost completed. Mr.. Ampadu said a drop in the payment of workers contribution would create severe constraints and slow down SSNIT projects in the region.

Mr.. J.H. Owusu Acheampong, majority leader in Parliament and MP for Berekum who jointly cut the sod for the project commended SSNIT for the project and said it will ease some of the problems facing workers in the district. He said the district housing scheme is a testimony to the government determination to ensure equitable distribution of nations resources and called on land owners to release land for the other phase of the project. Madam Mary Boakye, Berekum District Chief Executive assured land owners of adequate compensation. Mr.. Amoah Mensah Deputy Director of building and road research institute (BRRI) consultants for the project said the institute is introducing a cost saving and fast track house building technic to promote housing project in the country. He mentioned Berekum in Brong Ahafo, Oda in the Eastern Region and Sekyere West in Ashanti an areas to benefit from the new building technic.