Kumawu (Ash), June 15, GNA - Pensioners who have not yet received their 50 per cent increment announced by the government to exercise restraint, since the Accountant-General was streamlining the process. Mr Francis Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti regional secretary of the Ghana Pensioners Association, who made the appeal, assured those who have not yet received their arrears would do so beginning this month. He was interacting with pensioners at Kumawu in the Sekyere East district at the weekend as part of his tour of the region to find out their problems and how to solve them.

The tour has so far had taken him to Antoakrom, Agona, Bekwai, Kumasi and Asante-Mampong.

Mr Owusu-Ansah asked them to join the District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme, since they have peculiar problems with their health in spite of the fact that the association takes care of their health bills. He urged them to ensure that they produce their medical bills to their respective branches to enable them collect their refund.

Mr Nii Aryee, the deputy regional secretary of the association, advised members who have not yet filed their nomination forms to do so in order not to bring any confusion after their death. Welcoming the regional team, Mr Samuel Adomako, the local secretary of the association, entreated members to pay their dues and attend meetings regularly to ensure the effective operation of the association.

He asked other pensioners in the area who have registered with other branches to come together to increase the numerical strength of the local branch.