Government to roll out social pension schemes - Mr Asaga

Government would roll out appropriate social pension schemes to provide income security for those who are unable to contribute to any social security schemes.

Mr. Moses Asaga, Minster of Employment and Social Welfare who made this known at the weekend, said the scheme would be implemented side by side with strengthening of existing social security schemes.

He was speaking at the Third Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the SSNIT National Pensioners Association (NPA) held in Kumasi.

Mr. Asaga gave the assurance that the Government would pursue a national development agenda that prioritises the realization of citizens’ rights and entitlements and which enhances Ghana’s democratic development.

“As a Government that believes in social democracy, issues relating to the creation of a solid protection floor for working people are a core focus for us”, he said.

“Promoting decent work and enhancing social protection schemes is consequently very high on the development agenda of my ministry.”

Mr. Asaga said the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare was currently engaged with the Ghana Health Service to mainstream services for the elderly into the Health Delivery System at the community level.

“The engagement is also looking at the best ways of integrating nutrition issues of the elderly into the programme of work of the Ghana Health Service”, he added.

Mr. Edward Ameyibor, General Secretary of SSNIT NPA, said the Conference was organized to provide the platform for more pensioners to get involved in decision-making process of the Association and to make the activities of the Association more visible in the regions.

The participants adopted a 15 bullet-point resolution aimed at improving the welfare of its matters.

The resolutions included the establishment of a Charity Fund by the National Executive Committee to assist pensioners in emergency medical situations.

“The NPA intends to pursue these demands vigorously with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning”, it said.

The resolution also said “the NPA looks forward to consolidating our relationship with the Public Services Workers Union and HelpAge Ghana, to whom we are affiliated, so that together we fight for a life of dignity for older persons and pensioners.”

“NPA appeals to the Trades Union Congress to support genuine demands for pensioners under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) scheme and to always add their voices to our concerns”, it said.

It said the “NPA appeals to the government to consider allocating money from the Consolidated Fund to cushion the meagre monthly allowances of SSNIT pensioners, as being enjoyed by Ghana Government Pensioners (Cap30)”.

The resolution said that the NPA believed that the issue of corruption in the public service could be effectively tackled through adequate, secured and more rewarding pensions and called on political parties to cool down the political temperature.

The resolution urged the parties to place issues of old people and pensioners high in their manifestoes and address how their lots could be improved.