The Kumasi Magistrate's Court has issued bench warrants for the arrest of 18 Managing Directors of companies and heads of institutions for allegedly defaulting in the payment of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions of their staff.

By their refusaI to pay the SSNIT contributions, the defaulters are said to have contravened the National Pension Act of 2008, Act 766, which empowers SSNIT to institute criminal charges against them.

The total indebtedness of the defaulters amounts to GH¢194,39724. Out of the amount Mr Menten Appiab-Menkah tops the list with GH¢75,164.44, while Owusu Amankrah of Top Timbers Company Limited is indebted to the tune of GH¢75,075.05.

The court also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Ano Frimpong of ANF Hotel at Dichemso, for allegedly failing to register his business with SSNIT and pay contributions of its staff.

Other defaulters are Mary Achiaa Siribour, proprietress of Kentish Kitchen at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, who owes GH¢3,431.14; Fanny Ofosu. Aganbire, Area Accountant of the Kumasi District Co-operative Distillers at Ohwimase, GH¢464.57; Justice Equaye Ofori, the Managing Director of Justlink Travels and Tours and Car Rentals at Asokwa, GH¢875.24.

Others are Nafisah D. Borigu, the Managing Director of Chinese Chopsticks Restaurant at Adum, GH¢945.20; Johnson N. Ikechukwu, the Managing Director of Expert Consult Limited at Daaban, GH¢1430.58; Marfin Osei-Hemeng, the Managing Proprietor of Rapha International School at Tanoso, GH¢2037.65 and Florence A. Pokua, the Managing Proprietress of Neville Preparatory School at Asuoyeboah, GH¢9,794.45.

The rest are Thomas Osei Owusu, the Managing Proprietor of Saint Thomas International School at Sepe-Timpom, who owes GH¢5559.64; Seth Nkansah, the Managing Proprietor of Faith International School, Kumasi, GH¢570.97; Yaw Aboagye Opoku, the Managing Director of YAPO Transport Services Limited, GH¢2423.58; Mr David K. Ansah, the Managing Director of McKans Printing Press at Asafo, GH¢1,435.69; George Nsowah, the Managing Director of Georgins Enterprise at Asokwa, GH¢823.41; Bans Bandoh Jm, the Proprietor pf Bans International School at Moshie Zongo, GH¢961.38; Yen Vilis, the Proprietor of Holy Child International School at Offinso, GH¢19800.92; and John K. Nattey, the Managing Director of JONART Herbal, GH¢603.33.

Unhappy about the refusal of the defaulters to either appear before it in person or be represented by others, the court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Agyir, expressed disquiet about their conduct and threatened to remand them in custody if they were eventually arrested and hauled before him.

"You can be Managing Directors of your companies, but once you have been summoned, you need to respect the court," he said.

For as long as the debt remains outstanding, it attracts three per cent monthly penalty of the contribution payable as spelt out in Section 83, Sub- section one 'A' of the Pension Act.

Realising the increasing indebtedness of companies to the Trust, the Kumasi Area Office of SSNIT took legal action against recalcitrant debtors.

Companies sited within the jurisdiction of the Kumasi Area of SSNIT now owe the Trust GH¢l,622,433.27 and as of the last SSNIT Special Court Day, last Thursday, the Asafo branch of the Trust alone had, about 40 cases in court while the Adum branch was also prosecuting scores of defaulters.

The court adjourned the cases of Saad Turkmani, the Managing Director of Star Sawmill Productions, Atwima Nwabiagya Area Council, Kwame Ofosu Agyarko, the Managing Director of Iron Birds Company Limited, Obiri Yeboah, the Proprietor of Church of God Preparatory School, and Royal Country International until April 7, 2011, after they made some part payments of their indebtedness.

The court sentenced Nana Boadu, the Managing Director and Obiri Boahen, accountant of Ridge Timbers and Mr Sam Bediako Asare of Durabed Company Limited to a fine of GH¢240 or in default serve six months in prison.

They were granted bail in the sum of GH¢600 with a surety each to settle their indebtedness before the next adjourned date of April 7, 2011 or serve an additional six months imprisonment.

Benjamin Minneaua Thompson, the Proprietor of European International School at Suame, paid GH¢200 out of his GH¢ I ,801.271 debt, and the court rescinded an earlier bench warrant it issued for his arrest.

Rather, the court granted him bail to negotiate new terms of payment with SSNIT.

The court was told that Mark Tonto of King Solomon International School at Offinso had issued a cheque that covered his indebtedness.

The court, however, granted him bail until April 7 for the Trust to confirm whether the cheque cleared or otherwise.