The Director General of the Social Security and National Trust, SSNIT, Dr. John Tenkorang has encouraged the informal sector to enroll in the Self-employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) Scheme.
At a regional engagement between the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Takoradi, Dr John Ofori Tenkorang says the move is to help deepen the knowledge of leaders of informal sector affiliates of the TUC.
The SEED initiative targets self-employed individuals and formal sector workers, urging them to make regular contributions to the SSNIT scheme based on their full earnings.
“We encourage everyone, including those in the informal sector under the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to enroll in the Self-Employed Enrollment Drive (SEED) to enjoy social security protection during retirement,” he stated.
In addition to the retirement benefits, members are entitled to invalidity pensions, survival lump sums, emigration benefits, disability support, and free access to the National Health Insurance Scheme, all of which contribute to a more secure life during retirement.
He said the private sector is contributing more to the public sector, where about 57, 000 self-employed workers contribute to the trust. He pointed out that “there is a potential of 3.2 million self-employed workers who are between 15 and 25 years old that can join the scheme.”.
Dr. Tenkorang added, “When we began the campaign in 2022, only 14,000 active contributors were self-employed. Now, this number has risen to 56,000, demonstrating the effectiveness of our advocacy efforts.”
A beneficiary of the Trust, Mr Cole, called on all and sundry to sign up for the initiative.
The event brought together leaders and members from various organizations, including the Ghana Beauticians and Hairdressers Association, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, and the Ghana Jewellers Association.
