Koforidua, July 2, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah has told pensioners that the Government was putting in measures to address bottlenecks in the payment of their pensions. He said since the Government duly recognized the dedicated contributions they made over the years towards national progress and development, everything would be done to ensure that they enjoyed a blissful retirement.

Dr Osafo-Mensah, who gave the assurance at a Republic Day Reception held for over 80 senior citizens by the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council (ERCC) at Koforidua on Thursday, said the Government had asked the Controller and Accountant General's Department to step up measures to ensure that workers and pensioners were not only paid on time but all arrears due them were settled without delay.

He reminded the pensioners about the process put in place to pay them the 50 per cent arrears of their pensions by the Controller and Accountant General's Department and urged them to ensure that they filled the appropriate forms.

The Regional Minister announced that a joint workshop for pensioners and the public would be held in Koforidua on July 9. Dr Osafo-Mensah expressed the determination of the Government to continue implementing measures that would put the economy on an even keel for the collective well being and creation of wealth for the people to reduce the incidence of abject poverty and deprivation. Each of the senior citizens was presented with a parcel of souvenirs.