EMMANUEL ODARTEY-LAWSON AND SSNIT

In an oral complaint filed on 30th October, 1998, the Complainant, Mr. Emmanuel Odartey-Lawson requested the Commission to prevail on the Respondents, SSNIT to pay to him an invalidity pension on the grounds that he had been incapacitated by diabetes from holding any employment. In their response to the complaint the Respondents stated in their defence that under PNDCL 247, Section 34(i) (d), to qualify for an invalidity claim members must "have contributed for not less than 12 months within the last 36 months" and also "must have been certified by a Medical Board to be incapable of normal gainful employment, by virtue of a permanent physical or mental disability". They argued that the Complainant had not satisfied these conditions and as such did not qualify for an invalidity pension. The Complainant was requested to reply to the Respondents comments by a letter dated 8th March, 1999. By another letter dated 16th July 1999, the Complainant was reminded to forward the said reply to ...