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President Akufo-Addo unveils a plaque to inaugurate the building. With him is Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah (right), General Secretary of the TUC. Photo: SAMUEL TEI ADANO
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured public sector workers who are retiring this year that the government will pay the difference in global payments between the beneficiaries of Law 247 of the PNDC and those of Law 766.
He said the difference would be paid through the Social Security and National Security Trust (SSNIT), adding that a committee would be established to oversee the implementation of the decision.
President Akufo-Addo made the unveiling when he opened the remodeled Trade Union Congress (TUC) Hall in Accra on Tuesday.
Originally constructed during the First Republic, the building now has 175 rooms, three conference rooms, a clinic, a bank, a post office, a dining room, and a dedicated ECG transformer.
The government provided GH ¢ 12.7 million as a contribution to the total renovation cost.
Collaboration
President Akufo-Addo noted that as long as he remains as president of the country, he will continue even more firmly on the path of cooperation and collaboration with workers for the benefit of workers.
He said it had been his policy to find accommodations for matters of concern to the TUC and to try to find ways to address them on a mutually satisfactory basis.
One of those matters was a letter sent by the Secretary General of the TUC on August 24, 2020, requesting his intervention to correct the injustice and injustice in the implementation of the three-tier pension system and resolve the issue of past credit for the public. . workers in the sector who retired as of January 2020.
President Akufo-Addo said that he asked the chief minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, to study the matter and, after extensive deliberation, presented the government’s position on the matter.
SSNIT position
This year marks the transition year when all public sector workers who retire under the three-tier pension plan receive their pensions paid under the 2008 National Pensions Law, Law 766.
Although SSNIT argues that Law 766 offers higher monthly pensions and better lifetime benefits to workers, compared to the old PNDC Law 247, some workers may receive lower lump sums (made up of the previous credit paid by SSNIT and level 2), compared to what was paid according to PNDCL 247.
Recognition
President Akufo-Addo said the government recognized the contributions the TUC has made to building a happy and prosperous country.
“I remain comforted by the determination of organized labor and its leadership to join the government in creating a progressive nation fueled by faster rates of economic growth and fueled by the pursuit of decent jobs,” he said.
Fitting tribute
On the renovated headquarters, he said it was a fitting and fitting tribute to the memory and work of the leadership and members of the TUC.
The president recalled his visit to the hall in December 2016 as part of several stakeholder engagements he made prior to that year’s general election to engage with the TUC leadership and outline his vision for the country’s transformation if elected.
“In fact, the state of the Hall of Unions, at the time of my visit in 2016 and in the early years of my administration, would have saddened people like Pobee Biney, Vidal Quist and their successors,” he said.
He pointed out that in recognition of the efforts and sacrifices that the TUC had made to build a prosperous Ghana, when the government received a request from the TUC leadership to help it remodel the hall, it did not hesitate and offered GH ¢ 12.7 million.
He explained that the renovated room was a fitting and fitting tribute to the memory and work of the TUC leadership of yesteryear and today, including Joe-Fio Meyer, John Tettegah, BA Bentum, AM Issifu, AK Yankey, Christian Appiah Agyei, Kwasi Adu Amankwah and Kofi Asamoah.
Peace
Referring to the upcoming general elections, President Akufo-Addo ensured the peace and stability of the nation and called on all political actors and citizens to commit to a peaceful process and renounce all recourse to violence.
He reiterated that the Inspector General of Police and the other heads of the law enforcement agencies had assured him of their determination to enforce the country’s laws, including the law prohibiting vigilantism, in an impartial and impartial manner, without resorting to political color. , to ensure the peace of the nation.
He offered all his support to the security agencies.
The president said that in 2008 he accepted the results of a close election, which was won by the narrowest of margins of some 40,000 votes, without calling for a recount, and again in the disputed 2012 elections, he protested the result in the most high. cut of the earth.
He noted that after court proceedings, he accepted the verdict and asked his supporters to respect the court’s decision, which ensured that Ghana would come out with enhanced democratic credentials, while maintaining the peace and stability of the nation.
President Akufo-Addo stressed that the New Patriotic Party (PNP) had shown the world “that we were willing and able to submerge our individual and partisan preferences for the common good.”
Gratitude
TUC Secretary General Dr. Yaw Baah commended the President for responding favorably to the request for support to rehabilitate the building.
He paid an enthusiastic tribute to all who assisted in the construction and maintenance of the building since the time of the first president.
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