The latest scandal surrounding Ms. Gloria Nkrumah, an worker of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), has unveiled surprising irregularities inside one among Ghana’s key public establishments. Documents obtained by way of the Right to Information Act reveal that Ms. Nkrumah reported to work for under 203 days over a four-year interval, elevating questions on favouritism, abuse of energy, and systemic failures in governance.
According to SSNIT’s digital attendance information, Ms. Nkrumah’s attendance has been dismal: simply 53 days in 2021, 102 days in 2022, a mere 4 days in 2023, and 44 days in 2024 as much as October. Such numbers not solely mirror a staggering absenteeism fee but in addition level to doable collusion inside the group that enabled her to stay on the payroll with out going through penalties.
Sources allege that Ms. Nkrumah’s continued employment has been facilitated by her shut associations with senior officers, significantly the lately ousted Deputy Director-General, Michael Addo, and General Manager of Administration, Jonathan Akyeampong. These connections have purportedly shielded her from scrutiny and disciplinary motion, regardless of her blatant disregard for office norms.
A senior SSNIT official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, expressed deep concern concerning the implications of such favouritism. “When an employee can effectively abandon their responsibilities without repercussions, it sends a damaging message about accountability and fairness,” the official said. This sentiment echoes the broader fears of many inside SSNIT, who fear that the integrity of the establishment is being compromised.
In mild of those findings, SSNIT has initiated investigative committees to delve into office conduct and the medical claims related to Ms. Nkrumah. Although the findings of the medical board stay confidential, the Trust has confirmed that no international medical payments had been paid on her behalf, countering earlier rumours that she had exploited medical provisions throughout her extended absence.
On June 6, 2024, in a big coverage shift, SSNIT suspended Ms. Nkrumah’s wage funds. Management has directed the General Manager of Administration/HR to subject a proper question relating to her failure to return to responsibility by July 31, 2024, offering her with 48 hours to reply. This motion aligns with the protocols outlined in SSNIT’s HR Manual 2011 regarding the trip of publish, but many surprise why it took so lengthy for decisive motion to be taken.
Labour relations professional Dr. Augustus Kwame Mensah has described this case as “unprecedented in Ghana’s public sector.” He emphasised the necessity for robust inside controls, stating, “An employee being absent for approximately 85% of their required working time raises serious questions about the oversight mechanisms in place.”
The scandal has raised consideration from numerous civil society organizations advocating for public sector reforms. Philomena Owusu-Agyapong, a very good governance professional, has known as for a complete investigation into related circumstances throughout public establishments. “This isn’t merely about one employee; it highlights systemic issues that allow such abuses to persist. We must examine how widespread this problem is,” she asserted.
Further complicating issues, investigations recommend that Ms. Nkrumah has misused SSNIT’s medical provisions. After taking paid annual depart within the USA for 2022, she refused to return, citing medical excuses for 2023. Alarmingly, she continued to obtain her full wage and allowances, together with gas stipends, whereas residing within the USA, blatantly violating SSNIT guidelines, the Public Services Manual, and related Ghanaian legal guidelines.
The disparity in therapy between Ms. Nkrumah and different workers raises critical considerations about bias and favouritism inside the group. For occasion, one other worker from the Hohoe department was dismissed for a minor infraction involving simply GH¢280.00. Such incongruities underscore the necessity for a clear and equitable enforcement of office insurance policies.
A memo dated April 15, 2024, from SSNIT’s General Counsel to the General Manager of Administration and HR, explicitly said that each one illegal wage funds made to Ms. Nkrumah in 2023 should be returned to the Trust. This memo displays a rising recognition of the necessity for accountability and highlights the urgency of addressing such discrepancies inside public service.
As SSNIT navigates its disciplinary actions, important questions stay relating to how such a blatant abuse of energy was allowed to proceed unchecked for thus lengthy. Stakeholders are calling for sturdy oversight mechanisms and stringent measures to forestall related infractions sooner or later. The case serves as a stark reminder of the significance of accountability in public establishments and the necessity for clear processes that uphold the rules of fine governance.
Authorities should take this scandal critically, because it has the potential to erode public belief within the establishment and the broader public sector. The parliamentary Select Committee on Employment has expressed curiosity within the case, advocating for a complete audit of attendance and payroll techniques throughout state establishments. “This case could be just the tip of the iceberg; we need to ensure public funds are not misused to pay for ghost workers or perpetually absent employees,” said a committee member.
As the scandal unfolds, the implications are clear: the established order can’t proceed. The SSNIT administration claims to be following due course of, however stakeholders are demanding extra than simply lip service. The public deserves transparency, accountability, and a dedication to reform that addresses the basis causes of those systemic failures.
In conclusion, the case of Gloria Nkrumah just isn’t merely a person scandal; it’s a name to motion for the authorities to take a seat up and take discover. The time for reform is now, because the integrity of Ghana’s public service hangs within the steadiness. It is crucial that the related authorities act decisively to revive public confidence and be certain that such abuses are eradicated from the system. Only then can the belief in public establishments be rebuilt, safeguarding the pursuits of all Ghanaians.
By Innocent Samuel Appiah