The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) says it will push for a comprehensive overhaul of the current pension scheme as the Advisory Group tasked to review the country’s payment systems, begins work.
According to GNAT, the issue about the management of Tier 1 and 2 pension schemes remains its major concern and would advocate a complete review of the system to ensure that workers, particularly its members derive optimum pension benefits.
The Pay Systems Review Advisory Group, inaugurated last week by the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, has among its terms of reference the mandate to examine and review the public and private sector pay systems as well as pension schemes, and recommend modern and best systems for Ghana.
Mr K. Ahenakwa-Quarshie, Head of Salaries and Conditions of Service at GNAT, told ADR Daily in an interview in Accra that the issue of pensions was critical for GNAT, and would explore all avenues to have their concerns addressed.
Mr Ahenakwa-Quarshie, who is one of four representatives of Organised Labour on the Advisory Group, said the subject of pension would be the main focus area for organised labour in the review exercise.
He remains optimistic that all concerns bordering on pension would be duly reviewed and addressed by the committee.
Mr Quashie agreed that the pension scheme had always been an area of concern for workers and that the review of such a scheme would be of great benefit to workers.
“We along with the committee members would try our best to review all the various issues and would find a way to either maintain the structures we have or recommend that we upgrade them,” he added.
Mr Quashie advised all workers and teachers to remain calm and wait patiently for the outcome of the committee.
“What would come out would depend on the totality of broad consultations and expertise of the committee members,” he added.
By: Fred Gadese-Mensah/adrdaily
