$72million SSNIT rot: Sanction culpable authorities – Pensioners demand

Some pensioners have called on the government to thoroughly probe the activities of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and punish authorities culpable in the scandalous 72 million dollar contract.

This follows recent controversy over the acquisition of a 72 million dollar IT software by the institution.

The system was installed to network all branches of SSNIT nationwide to enhance efficiency but the current administration questioned the cost and have contracted PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit the transaction.

Although SSNIT argues that the system has made its operations easier, most stakeholders think otherwise and have issues with the cost of the software.

The Director General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang has assured Ghanaian workers that their contributions are “safe” despite the rot recently uncovered within the Trust.

But Member of the Pensioners Association of Ghana, Felix Essa-Hianu believes a comprehensive probe is necessary to instill confidence in the operations of SSNIT.

“If it goes to the court and it becomes a civil and a criminal issue, then we expect those who have misappropriated that monies should be made to refund.

“Then the criminal aspect is where we give them some severe penalty…so I will wish that something is done so that we the pensioners will have some confidence that our monies is being put into good use,” Mr. Essa-Hianu said.

The company that was awarded the contract earlier demanded $27 million but some modifications added by SSNIT pushed the amount to $34 million, Starr News has gathered.

The modifications according to information gathered by Starr News were necessary for the success of the software customized for the operations of SSNIT.