Merging SSNIT with Ghana Card: Extend the 31st Dec Closing Date

Many Ghanaians and SSNIT contributors will be handicapped if SSNIT goes ahead with the decision to make 31st December 2021 the closing date for the merging of the SSNIT numbers and Ghana Card.
Merging of the Ghana Card number and the SSNIT number should be a continuous process and not an event for a period. The closing date does not help anyone including SSNIT.
The decision of SSNIT and other stakeholders to merge two numbers so that contributors to the pension scheme can use their Ghana card number to process their SSNIT and other related transactions with the organization is laudable. It will make sure only one national ID card is used in Ghana for all transactions. The re-registration of SIM cards using only the Ghana card is also going on up to the end of March 2022.
However, if the purpose of the merging SSNIT and NIA numbers is to help in the unification of identity cards in Ghana and processing of pensions among others, many contributors through no fault of theirs will not be able to get their two cards merged.
The merging SSNIT and NIA numbers will bring about Convenience, Easy identification, Compliance with the law and lead to cost-saving thus the cost of printing of SSNIT biometric cards for our Members will be avoided.
The four reasons why you need to take the SSNIT and Ghana Card merging serious is:
a. It will help you carry along only one card (The Ghana Card) for all transactions.
b. It will also help in the easy identification of your nominated dependants.
c. You save money since you do not need to pay for a SSNIT card.
d. Would have carried out a key legal requirement for merging the two numbers.
Merging SSNIT Number with Ghana Card Number: Why The 31st Dec Closing Date Must Be Extended
The National Identification Authority (NIA) would attest to the fact that there are many applicants whose cards have not been released or processed.
There are others who have not picked their cards because of errors. The NIA does not have a system that updates applicants via text messages that their cards are ready.
SSNIT continuous to register new and old members someone who do not have the new biometric SSNIT card/ number.
New graduates are getting employed after universities and colleges education however they may not have both cards.
There are SSNIT contributors who may be out of the country and so they cannot merge the two numbers or they are studying outside and cannot go through the process. Others are yet to receive their cards from the NIA. People outside the country will have the opportunity to merge their SSNIT and NIA numbers any time they come to Ghana.
Are we considering these realities?
READ: Have you merged your SSNIT with your Ghana Card? Merging Ends 31st Dec.
New employees who need to acquire their SSNIT biometric cards will be required to use their Ghana Card to register for SSNIT. This means they have to visit the nearest SSNIT branch for additional information to be taken, such as salaries, beneficiaries, etc.
It needs to be repeated that the merging of the Ghana Card number and the SSNIT number would be a continuous process and not an event for a period.
SSNIT would not stop registering new entrants. The moment you get employed, acquire your Ghana Card and go to the nearest SSNIT office to register.
It is good to put in place such closing dates to ensure compliance but what else can contributors do, when their Ghana Cards have not been released to them, the NIA is still registering Ghanaians and the systems put in place to issue the NIA Ghana card is causing delays in the releasing and issuing of the cards?
It will be prudent that, SSNIT reviews the closing date further for at least another 6 months to ensure contributors are not disadvantaged.
Those who have merged their SSNIT and Ghana Card numbers will receive one of the following notifications.
a. The moment a contributor merges both numbers he or she receives a message “Hello ]Contributor name] Your NIA number (*****************) has been merged with your SSNIT number (***************) If you didn’t initiate this merger please visit the nearest SSNIT Branch or call 0302611622 or email us at [email protected]
b. Those who are not successful with the merging will receive the message “Your previous merger failed. Please call 0302611622 or email [email protected] for assistance.
SSNIT and NIA must take note of the following.
a. Many Ghanaians have registered for the Ghana Card but are yet to receive them.
b. There is the need for more education across all media platforms since there are still many who are not aware of the directive and the closing date.
c. The closing date is frustrating and unrealistic, it needs to be extended further for not less than 6 months.
d. Those with errors on their Ghana cards are still waiting for their cards to be replaced.
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There is no need to be in a hurry to build new systems and to capture the accurate identity of Ghanaians. Let us give every Ghanaian and worker the chance to get his or her details captured through the Ghana Card issuance. This will help the process. Extend the closing date. The 31st December 2021 is not realistic.
Ghanaians must continue to work towards merging their SSNIT numbers with the Ghana card, Check this: How to merge Ghana Card and SSNIT Number with Shortcode
Source: Wisdom Hammond