$72 million software: Former SSNIT boss speaks

A former Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Ernest Thompson has broken his silence on the controversial $72 million Operational Business Suite (OBS) system that gained national attention last week.

Mr Ernest Thompson who is at the centre of accusations for allegedly superintending the purchase of the software which according to the current Director General, Dr. John Kojo Ofori Tenkorang is still not fully functional, has disagreed with such claims.

On Accra-based Joy Fm on Saturday, he admitted that one of the components of the software is having some challenges but denied categorically claims the entire OBS is not functioning.

“When I was in office we realised that that particular module was not giving us the correct figures that we wanted. The data issue has always been a problem everywhere in the world”.

“If the registration module is not working, there is no way the government would have cleared the over 800,000 [names] that it said it has cleared”

While justifying the decision to purchase the controversial software, he disclosed that Ghana is the only country south of the Sahara to have automated its pensions.

“For the first time sub of the Sahara apart from Egypt, contributions are coming in straight from the banks”.



About 5 people are currently being investigated by the Economic and Organized Crime Organization (EOCO) for their involvement in the acquisition of BOS software for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) at $66 million which has now ballooned to $77 million.

Reports say the software was to network all branches of SSNIT across the country to enable them to receive data directly to the headquarters and enhance efficiency.

The Board of SSNIT has since engaged the services of an audit firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) to audit the transaction.