The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday told the Judgment Debt Commission that two of its retired staff who had petitioned the Commission opted for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Pension Scheme.
Mrs Agnes Tawuiah, retired Deputy Nursing Officer and Mr Seth Adzah had petitioned the Commission on grounds of their inability to access their pensions under Cap 30.
Alhaji Hamidu Adakurugu, MoH Director for Administration and Legal Affairs testifying before the Commission in Accra recounted that Mr Adzah had earlier petitioned the Presidency in 2005, but the President wrote to the Ministry for action, directing that he (Mr Adzah) qualified for pension.
Mr Kofi Dometi Sokpo, Lead Counsel for the Commission, wanted to know from the Director why Mr Adzah was finding it difficult to access his pension under Cap 30.
To this, the Director replied that although Mr Adzah qualified for retirement under Cap 30, he opted for SSNIT Pension Scheme, which is the reason for placing him there.
Alhaji Adakurugu said Mr Adzah was paid ?40, 000,000 under the SSNIT Pension Scheme but he (Mr Adzah) now wanted to be retired under Cap 30, so that the amount SSNIT paid to him is deducted and the balance be paid to him (Mr Adzah).
Mr Justice Yaw Apau, Sole Commissioner of the Judgement Debt Commission asked the Director why people wanted to be retired under the Cap 30 instead of the SSNIT.
Alhaji Adakurugu replied that the amount paid under the Cap 30 Scheme was higher than that of the SSNIT, hence people were now opting for the former.
Mrs Tawuiah who was due to testify at the Commission?s sitting could not make an appearance due to ill health.
The Commission has adjourned sitting to Wenesday, August 20, 2014.
GNA
