About 60,000 persons in the informal sector, especially the self-employed have joined the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), since the inception of the Self Employed Enrollment Drive (SEED) programme.
The SEED programme seeks to ensure that both workers in the formal and informal sector benefit through their monthly contribution on their retirement or in case of validity.
Mr. Michael Addo, Deputy Director in charge of Human Resource, Administration and Finance at SSNIT, disclosed this at the observation of SSNIT Customer Appreciation Day on Valentine Day, to encourage Ghanaians to sign onto the SEED.
According to him, SEED is targeting about 350,000 in the informal sector to join the SSNIT.
He stated that even when the contributor passes on, the next of kin of the deceased would be the beneficiary, hence the need for both the public and private workers to be encouraged to join the SSNIT.
According to him, SSNIT paid about GHS5.4 billion pensions last year and would be paying GHS7.4 billion this year. For that matter, the informal sector workers or the Self Employed also deserve to benefit.
The Deputy Director disclosed that one can start benefitting from SSNIT after 15 years of monthly contributions or validity.
Mrs. Rhoda Opoku Yeboah, a cold store operator and other market women who joined the SEED, also advised their colleagues to consider the benefits and retirement and join the SEED programme.
