The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) says it has made a ¢60 million savings after halting the printing of the SSNIT biometric cards for members in 2018.

The Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, indicated the adoption of the Ghana Card by the institution has been of tremendous benefit in its operations.

He spoke at the 6th regional meeting of SSNIT in Kumasi.

The regional meetings of SSNIT are aimed at sensitizing regional and district leaders of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) about the scheme and the benefits offered to members to enable them to plan effectively toward retirement.

SSNIT has currently merged the identity of more than 1.9 million Ghanaians to the National Identification Card.

The Director General of SSNIT, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, explains how the Ghana Card has saved the cost of printing SSNIT cards.

“The card alone was costing us about 7.1 dollars, but since we stopped printing cards, we have signed on about 1.2 million people. Basically, when we stopped printing cards, we’ve saved about 60 million Ghana cedis,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, Deputy General-Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, has bemoaned the meagre salaries employees receive which he says is affecting their retirement benefits.

“The conversation should shift from SSNIT paying low pensions to payment of contributions on consolidated salaries. Government, employers and labour must engage to consider paying contributions on consolidated salaries to improve pensions”, he opined.

The forum was on the theme: “Understanding the Value Proposition of SSNIT; the Role of Organized Labour as Partners in Promoting the Scheme among Workers in Ghana”.

TUC Chairman in Ashanti Region, Daniel Amanfo Acquah, commended SSNIT for continuously engaging workers and leadership of the TUC.

He encouraged, “employees to take keen interest in their social security contributions and check their SSNIT statements periodically’’.