There’s No New Ministry For Pensions; Eugene Arhin Clarifies

The Director of Communication at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has provided clarification on the appointment of Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, as the Minister responsible for Pensions.

According to Mr Arhin, the appointment is in accordance with National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766) and not formation of a new Ministry.

“It is not going to be a new Ministry, and neither will it recruit new staff, or be allocated a budget. It is only a supervisory role, especially as Hon. Ignatius Baffuor Awuah is already in charge of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, the regulator of SSNIT.”

He continued, “this is not the first time a Minister has been designated to be responsible for the activities of Pensions in the country. Indeed, following the amendment of the National Pensions Act, 2008, the then Minister for Labour and Employment, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, MP, was assigned by former President John Dramani Mahama as Minister responsible for Pensions. As a result, he assumed responsibility for SSNIT.”

Until Mr Baffour Awuah’s appointment, Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta was responsible for the role.

“Prior to this designation by President Akufo-Addo, the Minister responsible for Pensions was the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta. However, certain provisions of Act 766, such as Section 13 on ‘Allowances’, states that “Members of the Board and Members of a Committee of the Board shall be paid allowances approved by the Minister, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance”. The Minister for Finance, who was also responsible for Pensions, cannot consult himself, for example, in determining the allowances of Board Members. Indeed, there are also specific provisions in Sections 41, 54, 69 and 177 of Act 766 detailing the roles and responsibilities of the Minister for Finance in relation to SSNIT.”

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Mr Baffour Awuah disclosed his appointment as the Minister designate for Pensions to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Following this, it was mistaken for the establishment of a new Ministry by the President.

A statement released later by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations called on the public to disregard the “erroneous impression”.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini