The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has praised Organised Labour for appointing a Technical Committee in response to a one-month ultimatum given to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). He described this move as the best way to protect state assets.
Organised Labour formed the committee to address concerns about managing state resources and privatising public assets.
Organised Labour announced the suspension of its strike which took effect on Monday, July 15, against moves by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
This strike was in protest against SSNIT’s decision to sell 60% of its shares in four hotels to a private firm owned by Ghana’s Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong.
To tackle these issues, Organised Labour has appointed a ten-member Technical Committee. This committee will focus on SSNIT’s management and other significant national concerns.
According to a statement by Dr Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on behalf of Organised Labour, the committee is tasked with identifying all relevant issues related to SSNIT governance and pensions in general.
The committee is also responsible for preparing a position paper based on their findings. This paper will guide Organised Labour’s leadership in discussions with SSNIT, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), and other relevant state institutions.
The committee is expected to submit its report by July 31, 2024.
The members of the committee are:
Bernard Adjei, Franklin Owusu Ansah, Salamatu Braima, and Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, representatives from the Trades Union Congress (TUC), along with Samuel Akologo, Lucy Addy, Andulai Yakubu, and King Ali Awudu, nominated by The Forum (which includes the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), and the Coalition for Concerned Teachers (CCT)), and Eric Tetteh (Industry) and George Taylor (Judicial Service Staff Union) nominated by the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL).
The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 25, 2024, at the TUC Board Room.
In response to the committee’s formation, Abraham Koomson emphasized the need for continued vigilance and advocacy following the halted sale of SSNIT’s hotel shares. He stressed the importance of proper management and accountability within SSNIT.
Speaking with Ahotor FM‘s Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh, Mr. Koomson acknowledged that dissolving the SSNIT board outright could create a leadership vacuum. However, he highlighted the importance of competent replacements and effective management during this transitional period.
He applauded Organised Labour for nominating the ten representatives to engage SSNIT on future management strategies.
“We need to be prepared. We can’t just dissolve the entire board. We must make sure SSNIT functions properly,” he stated.
Mr. Koomson also called for legislative amendments to strengthen the role of Organised Labour in SSNIT’s governance. “Our ultimate goal is to amend the National Pensions Act 2008 (Act 766) so that executives of Organized Labour will have a stronger mandate to work effectively in the interest of the scheme and its contributors,” he explained.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
