Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang (Right) receiving a plaque from Director-General of SIGA
Director-General of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr. John Ofori Tenkorang, has received the outstanding Public Service Personality of the year award 2022 at the 13th Ghana Entrepreneurs and Corporate Executives Awards and Summit 2023 in Accra.
Under his leadership, SSNIT has spearheaded the transformation of the company into a transparent and client-focused public institution since 2017.
Some achievement chalked under his leadership include reduction in the processing time and payment of pensions from 47 days in 2016 to about two weeks as well as the introduction of multi channel touch points across the country to enhance service delivery.
Dr. Tenkorang who spoke to a section of journalists after receiving the award said the award will go a long way to inspire SSNIT to do more to ensure all workers in Ghana have a secured future through pension benefits irrespective of their backgrounds.
He said SSNIT will therefore continue to encourage all workers to take advantage of the Self Employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) and enroll onto the SSNIT scheme to secure a means of livelihood during old age or in the event of invalidity.
Other CEO’s and individuals awarded for outstanding Corporate CEO of the year, banking sector was Abena Osei-Poku, of ABSA Bank, Catherine Wesley, for the Airline category, Emirates Airline,
Kosi Yankey-Ayeh received the outstanding Public Service CEO of the year award 2022,  for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Services category  while Jemima Oware, Registrar, Office of the Registrar of Companies took the Outstanding Public Service CEO of the year award for Business Development Services.
Other individuals awarded were MD of National Lottery Authority, Sammy Awuku, CEO of the National Identification Authority, Prof. Ken Attafuah, CEO of Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Mahama and CEO of BOST, Edwin Provensal.
Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maheir Kheir, received the outstanding Ambassador of the year award, while Akosua Frema-Opare, Chief of Staff, office of the President, received the life time Achievement Award for 2022.
Ambassador Edward Boateng, Director General of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) said unlike other jurisdictions where private sector rides on the back of the public sector to thrive, the focus has largely been on job creation in Ghana.
According to him, steps were being taken to reverse the trend by ensuring  SOE’s comply with certain fundamentals such  as payment of taxes, good governance adherence to KPI’s, among others.
This, he stated would help create an enabling environment for the public sector to serve as an economic superhighway for the private sector to work effectively.
Founder, Entrepreneurs Foundation Ghana, Sam Ato Gaisie, said the award scheme which started 13 years ago is expected to among others assist entrepreneurs and business community to influence dialogue on the economy as well as enhance awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship while stimulating the growth of local brands.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah