Launching the scheme, the Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu who was Guest of Honour at the occasion applauded the Board of Trustees of the HSOPS for their initiative in providing members with first-hand information on Pensions and also giving access to members to track their second tier contributions.
The Chief Director at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Rudolph Kuuzegh described the HSOPS as a trail blazer among the Public Sector Schemes.
“We all have a lot to learn from the HSOPS. As far as the scheme is concerned, the work of the Trustees is to do what is right to the benefit of the scheme members and I can say that the HSOPS is doing an excellent job in this regard,” he said.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the HSOPS, Dr. Derek Amoateng, said the scheme, made up primarily of Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Government Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA), Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) and its allied unions has made significant strides since it started operations in 2012.
He said the scheme’s asset under management has experienced tremendous growth due to prudent management and wise investment decisions made by the Board. He therefore urged all other health unions who were not yet part of the scheme to join the HSOPS to ensure growth under one umbrella.
Speaking on the benefits of the website, the Executive Director of Enterprise Trustees Limited administrators of the scheme, Mr. Joseph Ampofo said the website has been designed as a mobile friendly one that is available to members across all geographical locations.
He urged all members of the scheme who have not yet filled their enrollment forms to contact their head of facility and do so in order to access their member statement and other relevant information through the website.
The HSOPS is one of the four public sector schemes currently operating in Ghana.
It is a second tier scheme structured to conform to requirements of the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766). This will enable members to enjoy the tax reliefs and other benefits provided under the Pensions Act 766. The scheme is an Employer Sponsored Scheme set up to cover all health sector employees.