Method of SSNIT Students Loan Scheme criticised

Techiman (B/A), November 28, GNA- The Social Security and National Insurance Trust's (SSNIT's) method of acquisition and repayment of students' loan was criticized at a meeting of heads of decentralized departments and organizations at Techiman on Wednesday.

The meeting, which was addressed by the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister Nana Kwadwo Seinti formed part of the Regional Minister's two-day duty tour of Techiman district.

Nana Seinti was accompanied by Mr Francis Ofori Boateng, the Regional Coordinating Director (RCC), Mr. Isaac Osei-Antwi, Techiman District Chief Executive (DCE) and his District Coordinating Director (DCD), Mr. David Yaro as well as New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairmen for Techiman North and and Techiman South.

The departmental heads complained about the cumbersome method of administering SSNIT's student loan scheme and made suggestions for the smooth running of the scheme.

They said guarantors should themselves be contributors and each contributor was entitled to guarantee for only two persons at one's working life-time.

They complained that for sometime now some applicants find it difficult to get guarantors because "the system is choked".

From all indications, unless SSNIT reviewed its system, applicants might find it difficult to get guarantors.

The meeting, therefore, reached a consensus that the criteria for the granting of the loan be reviewed to ensure flexibility instead of its present rigid nature.

Nana Seinti promised to do a follow up at the Regional Office of SSNIT in Sunyani.