Court convicts Shirley Frimpong-Manso over unpaid SSNIT contributions

An Accra District Magistrate Court, has convicted two employers, for failing to pay Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions of their workers.

Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Director of Sparrow Productions Limited, failed to pay the SSNlT contributions of her workers, while Sachin Kupta Gapta, an Indian businessman in charge of Paratham International Limited, did not register with SSNIT to pay the contribution of workers.

They were each fined GH¢600, in default they would serve 14 days imprisonment. Prosecuting, Nana Akua Annimwaa Thompson of the Trust, told the court, presided over by Dr. Worlanyo Kotoltu that Sparrow Productions Limited, failed to pay Social Security of workers totaling GHS64, 203.52.

The court heard that the company, located at Kokomlemle, Accra, provides advertising services.

Ms Manso, was not in court last Saturday when judgment was pronounced, but her representative, Kenneth Attoh, a director of the company, was convicted on his admission of guilt.

The court, further ordered the management of Sparrow to settle its indebtedness.

According to Nana Thompson, the company was in arrears between September 2011 and June 2016, adding that the employer was notified of her indebtedness, but she did not comply.

In the case of the Indian businessman, the prosecutor said Gupta did not register his company with SSNIT, contrary to Section 83(1)(a)(h) of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) as amended by section 7 of the National Pensions (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 883).

Mr. Gupta was convicted on his plea of guilty.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Josephine Osafo-Affum, Legon Branch Manager of SSNIT, said the Trust had begun mass prosecution of defaulters.

She said employers were mandated to honour SSNlT contributions of their employees at the end of every month, and warned that those who would default would be dealt with.