Gaps in Social Security Knowledge among Formal Sector Contributors: A Study of Akuapem-North Municipality.

Abstract

This research examined how much knowledge formal sector contributors of social security in the Akuapem-North Municipality have on their contributions and benefits and their agency in seeking such information. Underpinned by the knowledge gap hypothesis and Wilson’s 1996 model of information seeking behaviour, the study also sought to test if socio-demographic variables such as gender, income and age affected contributors’ level of knowledge of social security issues. Also, it examined whether the information seeking behaviours of contributors affected their level of knowledge of social security issues. Three hundred respondents were surveyed using the multi-stage sampling approach. The study revealed that there were low levels of knowledge of social security contributions and benefits among formal sector contributors in the Akuapem-North municipality. In addition, the study identified lack of motivation to seek information, relevance of the topic to the contributors, misconceptions about social security issues, apathy and time constraints as factors that accounted for the gap in social security knowledge among formal sector contributors in Akuapem-North municipality. Also, findings suggested that the sources through which contributors sought information on social security issues affected their level of knowledge of social security issues. The contributors used more interpersonal sources of information than mass media. The study found that there were active searchers of information, that is contributors who consciously sought information to increase their level of knowledge, and passive searchers of information who unconsciously gained some knowledge on social security issues without them seeking the information. This study recommends that contributors should be encouraged to interact with information sources and even the internet to be updated on their social security contributions and benefits.