Parliament to probe SSNIT - TUC

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Friday petitioned Parliament to set up a public inquiry into media allegations of mismanagement at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

A statement signed in Accra by Mr Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, TUC Secretary-General, called for the inquiry "in order that the sinking image and fortunes of the Trust can be salvaged in the interest of contributors.

“We also expect that the result of the inquiry would help Parliament to undertake a positive review of the current SSNIT Law - PNDCL 247". Several allegations of mismanagement at SSNIT have been raised in the media recently.

The TUC said it is constrained by the magnitude of the allegations and the negative impact they can have on the operations of the Trust and the perception of its members who are major contributors.

It said Parliament, "as the representative of the people", is well placed to conduct an open and independent inquiry, the outcome of which can allay fears raised in the minds of contributors.

Some of the allegations listed in the statement are; "1997 audited account showed red", "Poor audit procedures", "No system of control over bank lodgements and disbursements" and "SSNIT employee acquires 30-million-cedi property and sells it back to it at 1.2 billion cedis".

Others are "SSNIT financing military housing project", "Loan to Celltel", "Loss in value of investment of about 335 billion cedis", "Missing laptops" and "Board members’ and conflict of interest".