The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has exonerated Lighthouse Chapel International (LCI) over the contributions of six former employees.
The six former employees sued the church for failing to pay their mandatory pension contributions and for abuses they say they suffered while they worked there.
Before filing their case in court, the six had petitioned the head of prosecutions at SSNIT in a letter dated February 1, 2021, over the LCI’s failure to adhere to “basic” labour regulations.
While SSNIT was investigating their complaints, the complainants surprisingly sued LCI on the same complaints.
In May 2021, SSNIT launched investigations into complaints against LCI.
In a statement dated August 20, 2021, SSNIT confirmed the church paid the contributions of the former employees.
Below is the full findings
Bishop Larry Odonkor
Records currently available to us indicate that there was an employer/employee relationship between LCI Ghana and Bishop Lawrence Odonkor for the period June 2005 to June 2010 and January 2020 to April 2020. During these periods, social security contributions were paid on his behalf, based on the available employment history records.
From our independent investigations and records currently available to us, we could not establish an employer/employee relationship between LCI Ghana and Bishop Lawrence Odonkor for the periods September 20 IO to September 2017 and April 2017 to December 2019. This was because he was in the employment of LCI South Africa and Madagascar respectively; and not LCI Ghana.
For the other period under contention, (November 2001 to May 2005), we could also not establish an employer/ employee relationship, based on records provided and our own investigations.
Rev. Edward Laryea
From our independent investigations, we could not establish an employer/employee relationship between Rev. Edward Laryea and LCl Ghana during the period July 2005 to July 2008. Rev. Edward Laryea also failed to provide us with evidence of being in your employment for the period under contention. We were therefore unable to establish an employer/employee relationship for that period and by extension, any salaries earned on which social security contributions were not paid.
Ps. Seth Duncan
Ps. Seth Duncan failed to provide evidence of being in the employment ofLCI Ghana. Our independent investigations also could not establish an employer/employee relationship between LCI Ghana and Ps. Seth Duncan, during the period under contention and by extension, any salaries earned on which social security contributions were not paid.
Ps. Edem Amankwah
Ps. Edem Amankwah failed to provide evidence of being in the employment of LCI Ghana. Our independent investigations also could not establish an employer/employee relationship between LCI Ghana and Ps. Edem Amankwah, during the period under contention and by extension, any salaries earned on which social security contributions were not paid.
Ps. Faith Makafui Fiakojo
Ps. Faith Makafui Fiakojo, failed to provide evidence of being in the employment of LCI Ghana. Our independent investigations also could not establish an employer/employee relationship between LCI Ghana and Ps. Faith Makafui Fiakojo, during the period under contention and by extension, any salaries earned on which social security contributions were not paid.
Bishop Emmanuel Oko Mensah
Bishop Emmanuel Oko Mensah was employed and worked as a full time Pastor for LCI Ghana from August 2003 to November 2018 during which period his contributions were paid. We did not find any employment document contrary to what was available to us, for the period under contention apart from May 2019 where his name was cited on your PA YE records. On the basis of that, you are requested to submit a contribution report to the nearest SSNIT Branch for validation and subsequently, pay the contribution amount and any accrued penalty for the period May 2019.”
Latest Stories
-
I want scouts, agents to believe there are better players in Africa than me – Mohammed Kudus
14 mins -
NPP’s Mpohor treasurer arrested for allegedly aiding the registration of a minor
59 mins -
Davido hints at retirement after next album
1 hour -
Dr Baah-Nuakoh chairs Ghana’s organisation of Athletics Championships next month
1 hour -
Speaker of Parliament has not breached Standing Orders – Dafeamekpor
1 hour -
Ghana Cocoa Board refunds $250m loan procured from ADB for irrigation in cocoa farms
2 hours -
6 out of 10 registered deaths in 2022 were males – Births and Deaths Registry
2 hours -
Prof. Kofi Abotsi to deliver keynote at ECOWAS Court of Justice Conference
2 hours -
MTN Ghana Foundation inaugurates new Accident and Emergency Centre for Bawjiase Polyclinic
2 hours -
Government has paid all individuals who opted out of DDEP -1st Dep. Governor of BoG
2 hours -
We are confident about our board meeting in June on Ghana’s second review – IMF
3 hours -
Prince Adu-Owusu: The role of the ‘God Factor’ in marriage
3 hours -
MEST Africa announces 12 companies selected for first cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
3 hours -
Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo in contention for Bournemouth Supporters’ Player of the Season
4 hours -
I try to set good example for kids who look up to me in Ghana – Mohammed Kudus
4 hours