The Pensioners Association of Ghana has pleaded with the Social Security and National Trust (SSNIT) Board to be considerate when granting the 2023 annual increases of their monthly stipends, since they were not considered in the implementation of the recent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) paid to cushion workers.
It said considering the escalating cost of living standard in the country, where prices of commodities change almost every week, it was important the SSNIT Board considered them when granting the 2023 annual increases of their monthly allowances.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Effiakuma branch of the SSNIT Pensioners Association, F.F Agbenu Amuzu, however said while they were aware that the basis of each pensioner’s allowance was hinged on the three best year’s basic pay before retirement.
The SSNIT Board should not forget that a lot of them retired before the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Policy (SSSP), therefore, the current allowances of certain pensioners who were in the low salary bracket before retirement was a reflection of poor salary levels in the country.
Consequently, he called on SSNIT to stop the rhetoric for better conditions for pensioners and rather walk the talk to enable pensioners enjoy better retirement benefits.
“Please, the rhetoric for better conditions for SSNIT pensioners must stop. We implore the SSNIT Board to have compassion on pensioners and walk their talk to enable pensioners enjoy a little before their death. It is important at this juncture, to recollect the sacrifices of pensioners who used their youthful lives to build the economy of Mother Ghana.”
Continuing, the Chairman said: “We wish to draw the attention to the escalating cost of living standard in the country whereby prices of commodities change almost every week. Of late, research in the country indicates that one would require GH¢10.00 to be able to offer for a meal which means one will spend GH¢30.0 a day as an individual on feeding, excluding other relevant needs.”
Shockingly, he said, a pensioners who worked for over 30 years in the civil service received GH¢332.00 as monthly pay.
“The fact must be established that old age in Africa goes with health problems and heavy financial obligations. Due to this reason, pensioners die prematurely and also at a fast rate.”
Consequently, he called for a review of section 80 of Article 766 which took care of their welfare to be amended to allow the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Board have flexibility to decide on the plight of SSNIT pensioners.
He called on the public to judge if a pensioner could live on GH¢332.00 a month considering the high cost of health care, coupled with the astronomical increases in utility services.
To that end, Chairman Amuzu called on the SSNIT Board to consider a better 2023 increment for SSNIT pensioners, taking into account COLA and the general increases in cost of goods and services in the country.
He concluded that the living standard of pensioners in the county had been worsened due to uncontrolled inflation and high cost of living.
