Tema, Sep 12, GNA - Maame Ekua Amoah, Tema Area Manager of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) said on Saturday that the New Pension Scheme which takes off in January next year, makes it mandatory for every employer to pay contributions on the minimum wage.

She said this would have a positive impact on the level of pensions paid to contributors of the scheme. Maame Amoah was outdooring a new cloth for members of the Tema-Ashaiman District branch of the National Pensioners Association at a ceremony in Tema.

The theme for the occasion was: The Challenges of the SSNIT Pensioner".

Maame Amoah pointed out that the business philosophy of SSNIT was its commitment towards continuous improvement of its product quality, and that this was expressly stated in the Vision and Mission Statements of the Trust.

She observed that SSNIT's Vision could only be achieved with the support of its valued customers, whose contributions the Trust would continue to cherish.

The Area Manager who was the Guest Speaker at the function, noted that recreational facilities played a vital role in prolonging the life span of pensioners.

For this reason, she said, it was the pensioner's expectation that the Trust supported by government, would provide recreational facilities nationwide for the members. Maame Amoah advised pensioners not to be apathetic towards the Association, but to join it in order to be abreast with current issues affecting their welfare.

Mr Robert Kempes Papa Nii Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, lauded pensioners for their sacrifices and hard work which contributed in no small measure to building the nation. Mr Ofosuware urged residents within the Metropolis, senior citizens inclusive, to resolve to re-double their efforts at restoring Tema to its past glory by embracing the Tema Restoration Agenda which sought to re-build and re-construct the Metropolis.

Mr Edward Baiden-Ghartey, Chairman of the Tema-Ashaiman District Pensioners' Association, said pensioners were optimistic that the new scheme slated for early next year would not leave them out. Mr Adanse Bonnah, General Manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority in charge of Administration who chaired the function, urged members of the Association to feel proud attending meetings regularly in their new SSNIT clothes.