Pensioners Association unveils integrated Centre

Ho, Dec. 6, GNA-The Volta Region branch of the Ghana Government Pensioners Association (GGPA) on Wednesday unveiled a 2.2 billion cedis integrated Centre made up of a secretariat, a 1,000 capacity conference hall and restaurant and a one-storey hostel.

The project, tackled in three phases got started in 1995 with each member contributing 500 cedis and later 1,000 cedis deducted at source from their monthly pensions and voluntary contributions from some members and appeals for fund.

These were contained in a report on the project read during the unveiling by Reverend A.K. Nyavedzi, the regional Vice-Chairman as part of the fifth Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the GGPA in Ho under the theme "pensions in an era of government's monetisation policy and new pension scheme".

The report paid tribute to the vision of the pioneer regional Executives of the Association "to mould the Regional Association to be the best or among the best in performance", and "to construct and leave behind monumental structures as legacies that would enhance the dignity and comfort of the Voltarian pensioner".

None of the Executives lived to see the fruition of their vision, but Mr Jacob Okine, National President of the Association said, "they are also happy with us today".

He said the completion of the project "shows that where there is a will there is a way".

Mr Okine said the un-daunting spirit of members of the Association showed that, "we are building for the future and should not give up". An appeal for funds yielded 11.3 million cedis.