Workers in the informal sector have been educated and encouraged to join the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) pension system to receive benefits in retirement.
The Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, said “The scheme is not limited to only government workers in the country but to all citizens who are desirous of contributing to the trust”.
The Director General, who was speaking to stakeholders, particularly members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in Ashanti Regional Capital, Kumasi, refuted the myth that the plan solely benefited government salaried personnel.
He said that about 57,000 self-employed individuals have registered with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.
He added that the initiation of the self-employed enrollment drive (SEED) and the subsequent public awareness campaign have had 14,000 self-employed individuals enrolled with SSNIT.
He, however, emphasised that anyone who worked either in the formal or informal sector to cater for his or her daily needs could enjoy a paid pension during old age, provided they contributed to the scheme.
Participants included members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, traders, fashion designers, dressmakers, caterers, farmers, craftsmen, and tailors.
Dr. Ofori-Tekorang said the initiative was in collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which had urged the trust to go around the country to sensitise people to why they must join the scheme since all workers are pensionable.
He explained that government workers had been benefiting from the scheme because they were organised and received regular salaries.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang said out of a population of about 34 million people, it was estimated that two million workers, out of which only 708,731 people, representing 36 percent in the formal sector, contributed to SSNIT.