The Gambaga branch of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, SSNIT has held a days seminar in the East Mamprusi district of the Northern region to educate its schedule officers and stakeholders on the Employer Member Accounts Reconciliation, EMAR system, a new product.
 
In his presentation, the Gambaga Branch Manager of SSNIT, Mr. Henry Hagan-Brown said EMAR is computerized operational system that involves a monthly reconciliation of employers¢ accounts with SSNIT based on the last known payment records.
 
The branch manager added that under the EMAR system, all contribution reports submitted by employers are captured and processed in order to declare the employers¢ credit or indebtedness at any given time.
 
Mr. Hagan-Brown said monthly statements will then be distributed to employers showing their financial status with SSNIT. Attached to these statements will be a list of employees as declared by the employers themselves.
 
He noted that EMAR will avoid the issue of accumulated indebtedness which employers tend to dispute. This is because SSNIT inspectors will visit establishments for proper scrutiny and thereafter give immediate feedback to employers for necessary and timely response.
 
Amongst the objectives of EMAR are that it will help SSNIT to promptly determine and inform employers about their payment status, promote excellent relations between SSNIT and clients and allow for the delivery of bills through a courier system to the doorsteps of clients.
 
The branch manager therefore urged employers to furnish SSNIT with their location and addresses and also designate officers who will receive bills when SSNIT calls on their premises.
 
Mr. Hagan-Brown also noted that the EMAR system which will improve the data base of SSNIT and give it up-to-date information of employers¢ financial status cannot succeed without the full co-operation of employers.
 
He therefore asked employers to regularly inform SSNIT of any changes in their records ranging from new addresses to salary adjustments of employees.
 
During an open forum, participants asked various questions including the steps to take to make claims of benefits, decisions that SSNIT will take in a situation where both a contributor and his next of kin die and whether or not members could take loans from the SSNIT scheme.
 
Responding, the Area Manager of the three Northern regions, Mr. Felix Adams said SSNIT has ceased the offer of loans to students as this function has been transferred to the students loans trust about two years ago.
 
Mr. Adams said in a situation where a contributor and his next of kin both die, SSNIT has guidelines in place for the distribution of benefits. He said for instance, where a contributor dies without providing his next of kin; SSNIT pays 60 percent of the benefits to the deceaseds children of school going age if any.
 
The area manager revealed that, for a registered member to enjoy full retirement benefits, the contributor must have attained the age of 60 years and must have contributed for a minimum of 240 months.
 
He remarked that apart from employees of the security services who are not obliged to enroll with the SSNIT scheme, it is mandatory for all workers in Ghana to register with SSNIT.
 
The Head Master of Nalerigu Senior High school, Mr. S.B Awari who chaired the function said employers have the responsibility of ensuring that their employees do not work in vain. He said this could be done by paying promptly the SSNIT contributions of workers.
 
Mr. Awari urged employees to play their part by giving their correct personal details to employers.
 
 

Source: Peter Atogewe Wedam(ISD GAMBAGA)
 
Posted: 04/07/08