SSNIT saga; Majority Leader suspects cronyism

Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has criticised the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for failing to conduct proper investigation into the background of its staff.

MIS Manager, Dr Caleb Afaglo, is reported to be occupying the position with fake certificates.

Dr Afaglo had claimed to have Master's and Doctorate degrees, but it was discovered after investigation by the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) that he does not have even a first degree.

This comes in the wake of a probe into the acquisition of a software system for $72 million. There are concerns that the monies paid for the system have been overpriced, with ICT experts arguing that the cost for the application is outrageous.

The Minster for Parliamentary Affairs, speaking to Class News on Tuesday, August 29, wondered if it could be a case of cronyism as he indicated that it was unimaginable that such a situation could slip by the management of SSNIT in the appointment of the official.

“Whoever applies, there should be a system of looking at the background of the person, and I’m told that particular person had employment at a place when he was found out, he was thrown out. So how was it that SSNIT was not able to detect that this man has gone for employment at this particular place and was found and thrown out? SSNIT, as the mighty institution, could not find out, was it attributable to some cronyism? We need to look at those things,” he insisted.

For him, various institutions “need to find a way to clean up the system to ensure that we have probity and accountability”.