SSNIT DG, Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang (middle) and executives, with visiting Liberian Social Security delegation. Flanking him on the left, Nya Twayen
Deputy Director-General of National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), Liberia, Nya Twayen, has described Ghana’s Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) as a model in the administration of social security in the sub-region.
Nya Twayen disclosed this during a two-day working visit to SSNIT.
He said though the Liberian social security system had legal status as far back as 1988, the civil war set the scheme back, hence the need to learn about current trends and best practices on the continent.
In his estimation, SSNIT was the best choice.
He indicated that over the past three years, NASSCORP has been going through reforms to streamline its operations and ensure effectiveness. “Looking around, we saw no better institution than SSNIT to fall on,” he stressed.
“We are here to learn the basics of processing lump sum payments, as well as strategies and initiatives to ensure that we provide value to our members. SSNIT has remained vibrant in the face of all the challenges that have emerged over the years and we are very happy for you to share your experience with us,” the Deputy Director General said.
Welcoming the team, Director-General of SSNIT, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, said even though the Liberian delegation was in Ghana to learn best practices of social security administration, they should also apprise themselves of the challenges SSNIT had gone through.
Head of Legal of NASSCORP, Michael Cyril Itoka, lauded the legal regime backing SSNIT’s operations.
“In our jurisdiction, there is no enforcement clause in our legal framework. What happens is that the State absorbs defaulters’ payments and that debt becomes difficult to retrieve sometimes.”
The five-member team were taken through topics such as Processing and Determination of survivor’s lump sum benefits, challenges and way forward, types of benefits, the law on social security in Ghana, formula for calculating benefits, among others.
The National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) of Liberia was established in 1975 and operated as a provident fund until it was given legal backing in 1988.
Reforms in the sector started in 2006 when the new administration of Sirleaf Johnson took power.
The delegation left Ghana on Wednesday.