The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Ministry, Hon. Bright Wereko Brobbey has said the government is in the process of undertaking critical reforms to strengthen the regulations of the pension industry in Ghana to guarantee decent pensions for all.
Giving a remark on behalf of the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Hon Ignatius Baffour Awuah at the maiden Annual General Meeting of the Health Sector Occupational Pensions Scheme in Accra, Hon Bright Wereko Brobbey said that, the reforms are aimed at improving equity and removing disincentives.
He congratulated the current Board of Trustees of the Health Sector Occupational Pensions Scheme for their commitment and dedication and encouraged them to continue working hard to achieve the best for the scheme adding that, the AGM reaffirms strong collaborations between government and industry players to provide decent pensions for workers.
He also urged them to help sensitize workers in the informal service operators on pensions to alleviate old age poverty.
“The chairman, ladies and gentlemen permit me to use this platform to urge members of the health services occupational pension scheme to sensitize our brothers and sisters who operate in the informal economy and do not have access to any pension scheme.
The informal sector must be encouraged to take advantage of the tier 3 pension scheme to ensure that they are determined to ensure their retirement security. This will help alleviate old age poverty and help cushion them in times like this. We have to recognize that government cannot do it all alone without the combined efforts of all stakeholders”, he explained.
Hon Tina Naa Ayerley Mensah who also read a speech on behalf of the Minister of Health, Hon Kwaku Agyeman Manu also urged healthcare workers to take a keen interest and be active members of the Health Sector Occupational Pensions Scheme.
Hon. Kwaku Agyeman Manu further called on all health stakeholders to let unity be a cardinal principle in their work and towards the success of the scheme.
“It is important that saving is done before Spending otherwise there will be nothing to save after consumption. If you save money today, money will save you tomorrow. For this reason, I encourage all members of the health sector to take advantage and other active members to do the same, because the fund will fundamentally share the contribution among the members,” Hon. Tina Mensah read.
In an interview with the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Health Sector Occupational Pensions Scheme, Madam Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, she revealed that the tier 2 pension funds are very important for investments but they do not agree with the government using their tier 2 pension funds, especially without their consent.
