The East and Central African Social Security Association (ECASSA) plans to increase public awareness on social security issues in the region in an effort to increase the coverage rate.

According to ECASSA, the campaign would help attract more people in the informal sector, which comprises majority of Africa’s working population 

"Owing to the limited efforts to sensitize employers, workers, self employed persons and the general public about the importance of social security, the coverage rate in many African countries is below 10 percent,” Afrique Ramba, the Acting Director General of the Social  Security Fund of Rwanda said, Monday.

Ramba was speaking during ECASSA’s workshop on enhancing social security awareness, where he said that the major factor that contributes to this sorry state of social security is lack of awareness.

The body’s Secretary General, Margaret Osure said that the association is mandated to create a forum that brings people together for training, and to discuss particular issues related to member states’ social security institutions.

"We are succeeding in providing training to the fresh graduates who join social security Institutions without enough experience”, said Osure.

"Based on the work so far accomplished by the association, there is sufficient evidence to prove that the mission and vision of ECASSA will be effectively achieved,” she added.

Ends