Ex-president John Mahama has responded to SSNIT’s concerns on his suggestion that, the Trust should pay its vulnerable contributors as they take a hit from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Mahama, in a previous digital interaction, suggested the Social Security and National Insurance Trust considers paying its vulnerable contributors a portion of their monies, to help them through the economic challenges associated with the pandemic.

“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.

Replying the NDC presidential nominee for 2020 however, SSNIT said making such expenses would be illegal.

“We are governed by an Act of Parliament,” Afua Sarkodie, the Head of Corporate Affairs at SSNIT told JoyNews, adding “we cannot be seen acting contrary to what the law mandates us to do.”

But in a reply on Thursday, Mahama says he did not suggest that SSNIT acts illegally.

He said the government and SSNIT, if they were so minded, can cause a change in legislation which would allow the Trust alleviate the difficulties of contributors facing challenges.

“We’ve been in Parliament when amendments are brought under certificates of urgency; are moved in the morning and passed by evening.

If government has the will and SSNIT has the will, then it is possible for this to be done. So my suggestion was not that SSNIT should act illegally…” he said.