Minimum Pension is now 15,000 cedis

Current pensions will be increased by an average of 21.8 per cent from January 2001, Mr Charles Asare, Director General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust, told pensioners in Accra.

He said minimum pension would be increased by 50 per cent from 10,000 cedis to 15,000 cedis per month.

The Director General was addressing over four hundred pensioners at the SSNIT Guest House in Accra at an end-of-year party on Saturday.

Mr Asare said, "we admit that there are some challenges in the investment areas, we also need to improve on our operational performance and more importantly find a way to improve service delivery".

He said the trust has initiated measures to either divest interest or restructure some of its investment for improved performance.

"Indeed, it is the investments in the manufacturing areas in particular, which under performed and clearly the difficulties in the economy have affected such investments".

Mr Asare assured the pensioners and contributors that all steps are being taken to improve service delivery.

On alleged corrupt practices at SSNIT, he said, "we welcome the investigation, which have started and we have pledged to co-operate for the truth to be established".

Mr. K. B. Asante, a former diplomat, chaired the function.