Why Ibrahim Mahama failed to pay workers’ SSNIT contribution
Ibrahim Mahama, CEO of Engineers and Planners
Engineers and Planners Company Limited owned by Ibrahim Mahama defaulted in the payment of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contribution for employees due to what it describes as “unexpected delays in our receivables on current contracts being executed”, a letter from the firm addressed to the statutory public Trust stated.
Read full article Government has filed a suit against the company for failing to pay SSNIT contributions of its employees between the periods of February 2015 to July 2015 and June 2016 to October 2016. The unpaid contributions amounted to GH¢ 668,754.75 and has attracted a penalty of GH¢ 387,709.31 which brings the total indebtedness to SSNIT to over one million Ghana cedis, according to the Prosecuting officer, Leena Adomah Boakye.
SSNIT and the company had entered into a negotiation agreement but a default in the payment, according to the terms, constitutes a breach and subsequent abrogation and an imposition of all penalties waived on the arrears.
But a letter dated March 10, 2017, signed by one Kwadwo Aboagye-Atta, for and on behalf of Engineers and Planners Company Limited in response to SSNIT explained that the company’s inability to heed to the agreement was due to circumstances beyond its control adding, that it had made frantic efforts to settle the debt.
“We made every effort to make the payments as agreed. We however defaulted in the payment of February 2017 installment as a result of unexpected delays in our receivables on current contracts being executed.
“We have attached three bankers draft in the settlement of the overdue installments for end of February 2017 and advance payments for end of March 2017 as well as end of April 2017 installments. This is to demonstrate our commitment to abide by the negotiation agreement going forward,” portions of the letter read.
The company consequently pleaded with SSNIT to rescind its decision to abrogate the negotiation.
“We therefore humbly request that you reconsider your decision to abrogate the agreement and allow us to make the installment payments as initially agreed.”
Ibrahim Mahama was recently dragged to the Economic Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to be interrogated on accusations of financial malfeasance, after which he was ordered to pay some GHC 12 million. The EOCO interrogation had to do with allegations that he had issued 44 dud cheques to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) as payment of duties at the port.
