Labour expert Austin Gamey has urged for legislative changes to curb governmental and presidential influence over the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), particularly in board appointments.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Gamey emphasized that SSNIT, which manages workers’ funds, should operate independently from government control.
He proposed that board members elect a chairman internally to promote effective leadership without external dominance.
Critiquing the current system, he stated, “The people should choose a chairman from among themselves who will lead meetings without being overbearing. In Ghana, our leaders often have an overbearing nature, which has been a problem for years.”
“We have experienced 57 years of retrogression. It’s time to move forward, and the transition should begin now,” Gamey emphasized. “Regardless of the party in power, the government must understand that overbearing control will no longer be tolerated, not only in SSNIT but across all sectors. We will not be treated like slaves in our own country.”
Mr. Gamey noted that the existing board comprises two presidential nominees, two representatives from the Ghana Employers Association, four from organized labour, and one from the National Pension Association.
When questioned about the need for reform involving organized labour representatives, Mr. Gamey suggested that current members of organized labour on the board could nominate successors.
He advocated for a comprehensive overhaul and the implementation of new policies to ensure the responsible management of SSNIT’s funds.
“This doesn’t mean automatically sending a secretary general to SSNIT. Organized labour should nominate individuals based on competence. For example, I was nominated to help draft the pension scheme on behalf of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, even though I was not a teacher.”
“We need to dismantle and recompose the board and increase the representation of non-government stakeholders. Government involvement should be minimal, with only two representatives. The president should not exert excessive control over SSNIT, as its funds do not belong to the government. God forbid that it will be taken as such” he concluded.
tigpost.co
