Staff of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology due to retire in the years 2020 to 2023 from the service of the University have attended a workshop organised by the Human Resource Division(HRD). The two-day workshop attended by all categories of staff namely Senior Members, Senior and Junior Staff was on the theme: “life Begins at Retirement”.
Opening the workshop, Reverend Professor Charles Ansah, stated that the governing Council and management of the University recognizes the contributions of the workers to the development of the institution and congratulated them for staying and serving the University throughout their whole life.
Reverend Prof. Ansah said current trends in the country bring to bear two major issues in relation to employment in the country which are life after national service when graduates are looking for jobs and life after retirement, when workers are preparing to leave the labour force. He continued that life after retirement can be enjoyable if is planned properly and pledged the University’s support to the participants as they prepare to go on pension.
Mr. Ben Andoh, Deputy Registrar, HRD, explained that the rationale behind the workshop is to help staff prepare for retirement and to be better informed to help them manage their life before, during and after retirement. Mr. Andoh revealed that this is the fourth in the series since its inception by management and it has been added to the orientation programme for newly recruited staff of the University.
Mr. John Mbroh, a Human Resource Consultant and a facilitator at the Workshop, in his presentation on “Leaving Office and Managing Time” encouraged the participants not to lose hope of their impending pension but to manage their time effectively. Mr. Mbroh encouraged them to invest in profitable ventures and to use their knowledge and experience gained to do something to help society and themselves in order to be fulfilled after retirement.
Mr. Philip Kobina Abodoh, General Manager of UTRAK Capital Management, in his presentation on Securing and managing Personal Investment Portfolios” said it is a known fact that the social security and pension system in most African countries are not able to achieve their intended objectives of providing adequate retirement income for individuals who retire after decades of serving their institutions. Mr. Agbodo said though some institutions in Ghana supplement the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) with the Provident Fund and others these might still not be adequate to help retirees. He therefore advised the retiring staff to prepare by saving and investing in the right portfolios to be able to have a sound financial standing during retirement.
Dr. Mrs. Phyllis Tawiah, a Geriatrician and Lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, further encouraged the participants to take good care of their health in retirement.
Mrs. Tawiah stated that a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2016 indicates that life expectancy in Ghana is 62.4, however, everyone can live longer and healthier if they maintain a healthy lifestyle. She used the occasion to expose them to specilaised clinics and units at the University Hospital.
She stated that most Ghanaians above sixty years have high blood pressure with 86% unaware according to the Ghana Statistical Service report in 2010. She continued that most people after retirement suffer from common medical problems such as diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, pneumonia, Urinary Tract Infections, heart diseases, cancers, HIV/AIDS, among others and advised them to take preventive measures in addition to regular medical examinations to avert any danger.
She encouraged participants to take prescribed medication only, eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly and to maintain a healthy weight. In conclusion she encouraged them to have a good financial standing as bad finances can impact negatively on their health.
Mr. Frederick Essien, Head of Pensions, educated participants on the retirement benefits and entitlements at KNUST. He stated that KNUST retirees would all benefit from the Social security and National Insurance Trust(SSNIT) Tiers1 and 2 and the End of Service Benefit formerly ex-gratia which would be given by the University. He further said members of staff who voluntarily contributed to the Provident Fund would also enjoy that as an added package. Mr. Essien advised the participants to reconcile their records at the University and the SSNIT offices before retiring.
Isaac Berko, Senior Assistant Registrar of the Legal and Welfare Office, also took participants through Wills and Inheritance planning.
