The Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Secretariat of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) is implementing the agenda catch them young’ initiative to increase pension scheme enrolments among informal sector workers.

In the interim, Mr Williams Ohene - Adjei, the Regional Manager of the Authority, initiative targeted and to whip the interest of students in technical (TVET) institute in the three regions to register and join the informal sector pension scheme.

Speaking in an interview with Sompa FM in Sunyani on the activities of the Authority, Mr Ohene -Adjei said joining informal sector pension schemes had no age limit or requirement, hence the need to inspire the students to register and enroll to benefit.

These students are targeted because many of them will soon complete and establish their own businesses TVET education provide employable skill training and ready and immediate jobs for youth", he said.

Mr Ohene -Adjei indicated that as the engine of national growth and development, the private or informal sector contributed between 75 and 85 percent of the nation' s workforce but regretted that only about four percent was registered and actively contributing to pension schemes. 

"That is why we have to re-focus and direct attention to the informal sector to empower workers to understand the essence and relevance of joining pension schemes in their own interests", he said.

Mr Ohene -Adjeibsaid the Authority had strengthened collaboration with religious bodies and traditional authorities, saying "last year we were able to visit and intensify pension education in churches and local communities to inspire the informal sector to register and join".

Describing 2023 as action year, the Regional Manager said the Authority in the three regions had upscaled its outreach programmes, targeting carpenters, masons, market women and other artisanal workers.

Source: Ghana/Sompaonline.com/K.Peprah