SSNIT enrols 114,983 informal sector workers on SEED initiative
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Mr Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo (inset) addressing participants Photo: Stephanie Birikorang
 The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has received over GHÂą 61 million contributions for its Self-Employed EnrolÂment Drive (SEED) initiative between May, 2023 and August, this year.
According to the SEED Manager, Mr Richard Manu, the contributions were colÂlected from about 114,983 members who have been registered onto the initiative.
Launched in May, last year, the initiative was aimed at extending pension coverage to self-employed persons and workers in the informal sector.
Mr Manu disclosed this during the annual Employers Breakfast Meeting organised by SSNIT for some selected employers and stakeholders in Accra, yesterday.
Under the theme, âMaximising the use of digital platforms to improve contribution collection and payment,â the meeting was to serve as a platform to provide feedback for the Trust and to help strengthen the Trustâs relationship with employers.
It also formed part of effort to interact with its stakeholders, share ideas and also use the platform to educate them on new initiatives meant to enhance the Tier One Pension Scheme.
Shedding light on the monthly registraÂtion, Mr Manu said in May last year 5,022 SEED members were recorded as comÂpared to 6,070 members in May this year.
For the contribution, he said, the GHÂą 2.11million was received in May last year and it increased to GHÂą 4.32 million, one year later.
The highest contributor, he said received GHÂą186,777.58 monthly and the lowest contributor received GHÂą409.10
Mr Manu said the SEED allowed every worker to join the SSNIT scheme and conÂtribute towards their retirement by enabling them to benefit from a comprehensive pension package offered by the Trust.
In addition to the retirement benefit, he said contributors were also entitled to invalidity pensions, survival lump sums, emÂigration benefits, disability support, among others.
In maximising the use of digital platÂforms to improve contribution collection and payment, Mr Manu said the Trust had introduce a new initiative, the SSNIT DigiÂtal Bouquet, which aimed to improve access to social security services across the nation, bringing convenience and efficiency to the fingertips of all stakeholders.
The SSNIT Digital Bouquet, he exÂplained encompassed three groundbreaking digital platforms namely the upgraded SSNIT website & portal, the enhanced USSD service and the brand-new SSNIT Mobile App designed to make social security services more accessible than ever before.
âThis initiative improves trust with our key constituents- employers and increase contribution payments through the e-payÂment platform,â he added.
The Director-General, SSNIT, Mr Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo, emphasised the significant role played by SSNIT in all pension schemes, and assured the Trustâs commitment to offering workers the best composition of benefits for their retireÂment while monitoring, and managing their investment and operations prudently.
He advised workers, particularly those in the informal sector, to prioritise their pension by joining the SSNIT scheme and actively contributing towards their retireÂment to secure their future.
The Deputy Director-General, OperÂations and Benefits, Ms Juliana KpedekÂpo, underscored the need to continue to communicate the unparalleled value and benefits of the SSNIT Scheme, rather than solely rely on the legal compulsion to extend pension coverage.
Participants present at the meeting raised concerns about potential loopholes in the enrolment process and urged SSNIT to address these issues to facilitate a smoother registration experience.
 BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
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