President Akufo Addo says the strong financial performance posted by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in its 2023 financial report should put to rest agitations over the Trust’s decision to sell off some non-performing assets.
This comes after the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in partnership with Organised Labour staged a protest against the institution in June.
Among other things, the group had called for the immediate dissolution of the Board of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the resignation of top management members over the decision to sale off 60% of SSNIT’s stake in some hotels.
But commenting on the matter at the 12 Quadrennial National Delegates Congress of the Trades Union Congress on August 20, the President said contrary to arguments that SSNIT is not being properly managed, the pension scheme continues to record significant gains.
“Active contributors to the SSNIT scheme have increased from 1.35 million in 2016 to 2 million as of April 2024. The National Pensions Regulatory Authority has expanded its zonal offices from 2 in 2016 to 6 thereby enhancing visibility and bringing its services closer to the people.
“Coverage of pension in the informal sector also increased from ninety-one thousand two hundred and fifty-three in 2016 to eight hundred and seventeen thousand four hundred and forty-four currently.
“Total assets under management have grown from 15.7 billion cedis in December 2016 to 71.6 billion cedis in March 2024,” he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo also described the controversies surrounding the sale of the hotels to his Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotels as unnecessary.
“I take note in particular of the improved performance of SSNIT which recently announced a surplus of 230 million cedis on its operation. This should be reassuring to Organised Labour and perhaps bring into sharp relief the unnecessary controversy that was recently generated by SSNIT’s efforts to offload none performing assets in its hotel portfolio.
“It is my understanding that the transaction that was aborted represented the only occasion in recent history of SSNIT that external investors sort to invest in SSNIT’s holdings.
“All of us need to be measured when it comes to making decisions and pronouncements that will affect the long-term interest of pensioners,” he added.
Meanwhile, a string of events has taken place since the news broke that Mr Acheampong’s company was the successful bidder of the 60% shares in four hotels belonging to SSNIT.
Labour unions first engaged with the board of SSNIT to terminate the transaction.
