The National Pensioners Association, on Wednesday appealed to banks in the country to adopt diplomatic ways of treating pensioners on pay days by opening special booths to quickly process their payments.
�It is completely unacceptable to see pensioners lining up in the sun or stand in long queues for hours before receiving their pension,� the Association said in a statement after a 10-day tour of the three Northern Regions by Mr. Tawiah-Yemoson, President and Mr. Edward Ameyibor, General Secretary.
It noted that the situation was even worse when after long delays in the sun pensioners were told their monies had not arrived.
�SSNIT credits banks by the sixth of every month,� the statement said, and urged banks to stop delaying payment and accord pensioners with respect.
�Although the pensions may be meagre, collectively they provide good business for the banks.�
The executives said they explained to pensioners during various meetings that the new three-tier pension scheme did not affect those who were already enjoying the old scheme or about to retire.
To this end, the association would continue to fight for its 41,000 members to receive increased and regular pension on scheduled dates while it seeks other benefits like scholarships for brilliant but needy children of pensioners in second cycle schools.
Mr. Ameyibor said, to mark the United Nations World Day of the Elderly on October 1, the public should show solidarity with their senior citizens by showing them respect and added that it was through the hard work and honesty of pensioners that Ghana was thriving as a united country.
He urged pensioners to maintain their dignity and self-respect and refrain excessive drinking or creating more �Pension Babies� to add to their woes.
�Going on pension is not a death sentence, please maintain your dignity and self-respect by being role models in your communities.�
Mr Ameyibor advised pensioners who were 72 years and above to remember to sign their life certificate regularly at any SSNIT office to enable them to enjoy their pensions all their life time.
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