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A total amount of GHC500,000.00 would be paid into Pensioners’ Medical Health Scheme next year to help pensioners pay their medical bills.

The figure represents 60 percent increase over that of this year's which was GHC300,000.00.

The Board Chairman of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor revealed when he commissioned the renovated offices of the National Pensioners’ Association (NPA) in Cape Coast on Tuesday.

Again, he said the pension benefit had been increased by 10 percent and by the increment; the current minimum pension of GHC276.00 was higher than the minimum wage, which stood at GHC234.30.

He said efforts were being made to reduce the processing time for payment of pension benefits.

Dr Addo Kufuor assured the pensioners of further improvements to enhance their benefits, adding that “board and management regard the pensioner as an important partner of the trust”.

He further assured that the Board and management of the Trust remained committed to enhancing the benefits paid to pensioners as well as their general wellbeing, and that the cost of foreign trips of Board Members had been cut down.

“Board members who undertake foreign trips will do so at their own expense,” Dr Addo Kufuor said.

This, he explained formed part of the cost-cutting measures to ensure that adequate resources were made available to the Trust for the benefit of Ghanaian Pensioners and victims of occupational injuries and their dependants.

He said the Trust was collaborating with the Registrar General’s Department and the Ghana Revenue Authority to connect their database to bring on board all newly registered establishments for effective mobilisation of resources.

“It is this concern for the wellbeing of pensioners across the country that upon being notified of the dilapidated state of the Pensioners Association’s office in Cape Coast, management decided to renovate the premises,” he stated.

Mr T. K Appiah, Central Regional Chairman of NPA, said the health of pensioners must be made paramount by the Trust because old age came with a lot of health issues and implored government to formulate comprehensive policies aimed at addressing their health and transportation challenges.

He expressed delight about the renovated offices, saying it would aid the administrative functions of the Association.