Make processing of retirement benefits less cumbersome - official

Apam (Central Region) 18 May ?99

A retired district director of education, Mr Benjamin Kojo Odoom, has called on the Controller and Accountant-General's Department not to remove the names of workers who are due for retirement from pay rolls until their entitlements are ready for payment.

Mr Odoom said the present situation where retired workers had to stay without salaries for more than six months before their entitlements are paid, is very frustrating.

He made the appeal at a get-together organised by the Gomoa District Directorate of the Ghana Education service in his honour at Apam.

Mr Odoom called on the authorities to make the procedure for the processing of retiring benefits less cumbersome saying the demand for birth certificates and first appointment letters must be reviewed.

The length of time it takes the service to pay salaries of newly recruited teachers and benefits to those retiring are disincentives to teachers, he said.

The Gomoa District Chief Executive, Mr Kow Anyanful, urged teachers to show positive attitude to work to help salvage the falling level of education in the country.

The district director of education, Mrs. Rose Newman, commended Mr Odoom for his efforts to raise the standard of education in the district.

Mr Odoom was presented with assorted gifts and cash.