The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has taken its Self-Employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) initiative to Techiman in the Bono East Region.
The initiative focuses on extending pension coverage to all workers, particularly the self-employed, and sensitise them on the benefits and value the Scheme offers its Members.
This follows a similar exercise held in Wa in the Upper West Region last month. The exercise dubbed ‘’Operation-A-Thon’’ or ‘’Ops-A-Thon’’, which is expected to be carried out across the country saw some Executive Members and staff of SSNIT walked through some of the principal streets, business enclaves and markets in the area and finally ended at the Techiman Magazine.
The staff of SSNIT from Techiman and Wenchi branches held placards and distributed flyers to encourage self-employed individuals and informal sector workers to enrol on the SSNIT Scheme.
Some of the placards displayed had messages such as: “The only scheme that provides you with life insurance at no extra cost”, “Bring 13.5% of your income and get up to 60% of your income”, “Join SSNIT and get free National Health Insurance”, among others. These were accompanied by brass band music and one-on-one education on the benefits of SSNIT.
The Operation-A-Thon initiative aims to ensure that self-employed workers in the country are abreast with the value proposition of the SSNIT Scheme and encourage them to enrol for a decent pension during retirement.
Addressing the media at the Techiman business enclave, the Chief Actuary of SSNIT, Mr. Joseph Poku, emphasised the benefits the Scheme offers to the Members, stressing that the self-employed also deserves a pension when they have retired.
He explained that highlighting the benefits of the SSNIT Scheme to self-employed individuals is important as it would ensure public understanding of the superiority of the SSNIT Scheme and to garner support which would result in more workers in the informal sector joining the SSNIT Scheme.
“Once you are a Member of the Scheme and you qualify for pension, we pay you till you pass on to eternity. This is the value the Scheme provides. SSNIT will continue to pay you pension and it’s important to note that we have never defaulted in the payment of benefits, he said.
Operation-A-Thon is a nationwide sensitization activity. In the coming weeks, other regional capitals are expected to host the event.
