SSNIT authorities should be appointed by contributors, not government — Austin Gamey

Austin Gamey, a Labour and alternative dispute resolution expert, is calling for a change in how authorities of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) are appointed.

The expert argued that contributors rather than the government should have the power to appoint the SSNIT authorities.

"Having the long arm of government in the affairs of SSNIT to this extent should be curtailed. And it is up to the contributors who are actually the owners of the money. The government is not the owner of SSNIT, the owners of SSNIT are the contributors and therefore the appointing authority or those who manage SSNIT," he said.

Gamey, who was speaking on Accra-based JoyNews' ‘The Probe’ programme on Sunday, April 28, suggested that organised labour groups have a responsibility to protect contributors' interests.

“Organised Labour must know that they have a responsibility to protect the interest of those who pay union dues to them. They must look for people who can make decisions and report on them, and who will be the Director-General of SSNIT should be of consent to us,” he said.

He added that the President should not have sole power to appoint SSNIT authorities.

“It shouldn’t be appointed by the President. And I am not talking of just this current one, I mean that should be the norm going forward,” noted Mr. Gamey.

Gamey further said organised labour must ensure the government, as an employer, properly deducts and pays contributions to SSNIT.

“They need to ensure that the government as an employer has deducted money from people’s salaries and needs to pay SSNIT. And if they default, the penalty it has to pay, the interest they need to add,” he stressed.

The calls come amid concerns about SSNIT's prudent management and ability to pay future benefits, though the scheme has denied claims it may struggle in years to come.