Published on 16 January, 2018.

The Board of Trustees of and Management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have donated 300,000 Ghana cedis to the National Pensioners Association (NPA) in support of its countrywide Pensioners’ Medical Scheme.

The donation followed an appeal made by the National Pensioners’ Association (SSNIT) during the launch of its 25^th anniversary in July this year.

The Association requested support for its Medical Scheme which is supplementary to the National Health Insurance Scheme under which ailments such as prostate and cervical cancers as well as eye problems are treated. They also called for a more appreciable indexations rate for their monthly pensions.

Mr Edward Ameyibor, the General Secretary of the NPA expressed the group appreciation to SSNIT for its kind support to members of the Association and promised that the money would be used for the intended purpose.

He enumerated various support SSNIT has given to the Association over the years which included a recreational centre, office accommodation at many SSNIT Branches across the country. property management services, a bus and 10,000 Ghana cedi seed money for the start of the Pensioners’ Medical Scheme.

Dr Kwame Addo-kufuor, the Chairman of the SSNIT Board of Trustees who earlier   presented the cheque to the association, said SSNIT was carving for itself a new image and was determined to render good service to Ghanaians.

He said the welfare of pensioners and also contributors would be a priority in the the management of the Social Security Scheme.

Dr Addo-kufuor said as a medical doctor and also pensioner, he was highly appreciative of the initiative by the National Pensioners’ Association to improve the quality of health care for its members.

On the increase in the Pension Indexation rate, the SSNIT Board Chairman explained that the matter was being taken through approval processes before the National Pensions Regulatory Authority and Parliament and the outcome would be communicated to pensioners in due course.

Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, the Director General of SSNIT explained that SSNIT manages the First Tier Pension Scheme and not the Cap 30 Scheme, adding that the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders are holding discussions towards having a unified National Pension Scheme for the country.