NDC presidential candidate, John Mahama, says the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) should support contributors amid economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The former president says the monies should not only be reserved for retirement purposes but should be used to alleviate the sufferings of its contributors in times like these.

Mahama, speaking in a live telecast Thursday, said the administrators of SSNIT must liaise with the government to devise plans to give a portion of the monies to the contributors.

“Social security contributions are essentially an insurance scheme made not just for pension and old age before we die.

"They are also made to help contributors in times of adversities such as this,” Mahama said.

The monies, Mahama says would afford beneficiaries the chance to purchase food and other necessities while their livelihood takes a hit from restrictions being put in place to control the pandemic.

Impact of three-week lockdown

President Nana Akufo-Addo lifted a three-week lockdown on the capital, Accra and other parts of the country on Sunday.

During the period, vulnerable groups had to rely on donations from NGOs and the government’s alleviation team.

However, other groups remain at home despite the lockdown being lifted.

Schools, both private and public, remain closed.

Teachers and other affected groups in the private sector, have stressed the impact of such measures on their economic lives.

Mr. Mahama says a portion of the SSNIT contributions of such persons should be used to cushion them in such times.