Daily Graphic

Govt to save ? 22b

17 Ghanaians jailed in Europe for drug offence

 

The Graphic reports in its front page story that government will boost its revenue by 22.2 billion cedis if the Cap 30 Pension Scheme is phased out within six years.

"Govt to save ? 22b", caps the lead story of the paper which says that over 13,000 civil servants are yet to proceed on Cap 30 pension while a 1996 data indicates that ?67,039 billion was paid to 91,361 pensioners under the scheme. The figure is projected to rise to over 91.3b cedis in 2006 for 122,782 pensioners, the Graphic says.

It quotes Mr. J. E Allotey-Pappoe, acting General Manager in charge of Administration for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), as saying during a forum for the media, that what the statistics reveal makes it unfortunate for government to be acceding to requests from a group of workers either to remain under Cap 30 or to opt out of SSNIT.

Mr. Allotey-Pappoe reportedly submitted that the requests are likely to have devastating effects on the Social Insurance Pension which SSNIT currently run and consequently on government?s budget.

" The SSNIT scheme and the Cap 30 are incomparable since the SSNIT scheme is a universal pension plan that cuts across all category of workers and offers compulsory income protection for all contributors while the Cap 30 is only an occupational scheme for pensionable officers in Civil Service paid from general taxation", Mr. Allotey-Pappoe was quoted by Graphic as saying.

17 Ghanaians jailed in Europe for drug offence

In another front page story the Graphic reports that 17 Ghanaians are serving prison terms ranging from five to nine years in Moldavian jails in Europe for various drug offences. According to the paper a statement from the Narcotic Enforcement Agency of Moldova to Ghana?s Narcotics Control Board said most of the drug dealers were arrested in Moscow while on transit from Central and South America.

The Graphic says it gathered from official sources that investigations are being conducted into the backgrounds of the culprits. Among those that the Graphic story gave to be serving five year sentences are Ms. Heather Osei, Theodus Thompson, Okine Laryea, Joseph Akwasi and Francis Blay while Nana Akwasi Amoah, Charles Osei Agyemang, Edmund Ofosu Asante, Prince Peter Tsibu, Edward B. Anipoma and Ahmed Addai are serving six years each.

The Graphic report carried also that Alex Adams and Nana Kwasi Gyasi were each sentenced seven years with Peter Kwasi Amo and Abu Ahmed receiving eight years each. Benjamin Amankwah is serving the highest sentence of nine years.

GRi?/