The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it has successfully completed the integration of its data with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
According to the Executive Secretary of NIA, Professor Ken Attafuah, the integration process which started on June 28, 2021, will be completed by the end of the year.
He said “We have signed an MoU with SSNIT on this related relationship”
He added individuals can now merge their National Identification Numbers and their SSNIT numbers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my fervent belief that we are firmly on the part to achieving the aspirations of our country as articulated by His Excellency, the President” he noted.
The Director-General of SSNIT, Dr. John Tenkorang on his part stressed that the new development will now make payment of pensions and its related settlements easier due to the merger of both systems.
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) says since Monday, 28th June 2021, it deployed systems for members to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers.
Dr. John Tenkorang said “Members can now use one card, that is the Ghana Card, for multiple transactions. There is no need to carry two cards when one can do the job. This implies that Members don’t have to carry a separate card for SSNIT transactions”
Speaking about easy identification, he explained that the merger will tie in with the Trust’s quest to improve the ease with which Members and Clients do business with SSNIT.
On cost-saving, he also hinted that the use of the Ghana Card will eliminate the cost associated with the printing of SSNIT biometric cards for our members.
On the compliance with the law, Dr. Tenkorang said “The adoption of the Ghana Card is a legal requirement. Regulation 7(1) of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, L.I. 2111, requires the use of the Ghana Card for “transactions pertaining to individuals in respect of pension”.
He noted that the adoption is also in fulfillment of a directive from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority.
“The Merger process; the Trust has deployed two platforms for Members of the SSNIT Scheme to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers. These are the use of USSD (shortcode) *711*9#, the SSNIT website (www.ssnit.org.gh)”
“Using the USSD (shortcode) *711*9#, dial *711*9# on your mobile phone, select option 1 to merge NIA number with SSNIT number, enter your SSNIT Number, enter your NIA number, and select option 1 to complete the merging of your SSNIT and NIA numbers”
He also mentioned that after completing the steps, a confirmation message will be sent to the Member via email informing the Member of the success of the merger stressing that if it’s not successful, an error message will be sent to the Member to get in touch with SSNIT for redress.
“Using the SSNIT website; visit www.ssnit.org.gh, click MY STATEMENT, fill in the required details to sign in or click GET ACCESS if you don’t have an account or click on FORGOT PASSWORD if you have forgotten your password, click Merge My NIA number, agree to the terms and conditions and enter your NIA number and click Submit. A message will be sent to a Member’s email confirming the success of the merger. If it’s not successful, an error message will be sent to the Member to get in touch with SSNIT for redress”
Explaining the walk-in process, he said “Members who cannot use either the shortcode or website to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers must visit the nearest SSNIT Branch to be assisted to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers. They need to carry along their: Ghana Card or NIA numbers, SSNIT card/numbers, Valid email address, or Phone number
Speaking about what happens after the merger; he noted that the NIA number will now become the SSNIT number.
He also mentioned that every activity that one could perform with the SSNIT number, can now be done with the Ghana Card or NIA number adding that members can check or print their SSNIT Statements of Accounts, pay contributions, apply for their benefits and perform other social security activities with SSNIT using the Ghana Card.
“From January 2022, Members who fail to merge their numbers will not be able to transact business with the Trust. This is because the Ghana Card will be the only acceptable identification for Members to transact business with SSNIT. This also means Members cannot apply for their benefits”
Dr. Tenkorang mentioned that from January 2022, employers will be required to pay contributions for their workers using the NIA number, which is now the SSNIT number.
On who can merge, he said “The merger can be done by all SSNIT Members who have done the SSNIT biometric registration. However, SSNIT Members who have not done the biometric re-enrolment cannot merge their numbers. Such Members must first visit the nearest SSNIT Branch to re-enroll onto the SSNIT biometric platform, after which they can merge their numbers”
For all inquiries on the integration of SSNIT and NIA numbers, Dr. Tenkorang appealed to the public to contact SSNIT on; 0302 611 622 / toll-free number 0800 1100 94 (Vodafone only) or email at contactcentre@ssnit.org.gh. WhatsApp or SMS to 0500003050. Facebook, Twitter & Instagram handles @SSNITGhana.
Below are pics and a video:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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