Mahama urges SSNIT to aid contributors in times of adversity

John Dramani Mahama says SSNIT contributions are not just ‘before we die’ monies at old age but rather are insurance schemes meant for contributors in times of adversity such as the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus.

He expressed worry about the unresponsive nature of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) at the time when businesses and business owners are suffering because of Coronavirus.

“The lockdown may have been lifted, but many businesses are still down, and suffering. Employees are suffering too, just as the many players in the informal sector. It makes me wonder why our SSNIT has not been responsive in this time of need of many contributors,” Mahama stated during his live digital conversation on his social media pages on Thursday.

The former president noted that his office has been flooded with correspondence from many working-class people, especially in the private sector who have not received their February and/or March salaries, and are having a difficult time feeding, and taking care of their families.

John Dramani Mahama said the SSNIT contributions will as well support people who will not be able to come out to queue for food or receive food boxes handed over by politicians.

But he thinks “a token payment to all contributors of a certain token sum over three months would have afforded many the assurance of feeding their families during these abnormal times.”

Mahama stated that Ghanaians should wait for a clearer understanding of the factors underpinning the decision of the President to relax efforts aimed at managing the spread of the virus. He called on all and sundry to continue being responsible and not to assume that the country is out of the woods yet because of the removal of the lockdown.

“I want to strongly encourage all my fellow citizens particularly the aged and those with underlying medical conditions to continue to remain home,” he said.