The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring income security for Ghanaian workers especially pensioners by strengthening stakeholder engagement and improving access to services. This assurance was made by the Director-General of SSNIT, Kwesi Afreh-Biney during a member engagement session held this week in Kumasi of the Ashanti Region.
Mr. Afreh-Biney emphasized that engaging with pensioners is central to SSNIT’s mandate as the institution exists to provide support for workers transitioning into retirement.
> “The very essence of what we do is to provide income security for the Ghanaian worker, especially as they transition into the pension group. It is therefore important that pensioners, our key stakeholders receive regular updates and interactions from us,” he said.
During the interaction, pensioners raised several concerns including delayed information from SSNIT and challenges related to their medical needs. Mr. Afreh-Biney assured them that the Trust is taking immediate steps to address these issues.
He announced that SSNIT will collaborate with the Mahama Care program to support pensioners living with chronic illnesses ensuring they receive the medical assistance they need. Additionally, he revealed plans to roll out a telemedicine platform before the end of the year aimed at providing remote medical advice to members in underserved communities.
> “The essence of that is to ensure members who may be in communities that do not have clinics nearby get access to medical advice,” he noted.
In a bid to expand access to SSNIT services, The SSNNIT boss disclosed that two new branches have been opened this year at Spintex and Adenta. He further stated that SSNIT’s day offices which previously operated for only two or three days a week will now extend their service period to five days a week in selected communities.
Another major innovation in the pipeline is the co-location of SSNIT services in banking halls across the country. According to Mr. Afreh Biney, discussions with financial institutions are far advanced and by the end of the year, Ghanaians will be able to access SSNIT services at selected bank branches nationwide.
> “We need everyone on board. Every Ghanaian worker must join so that we all can achieve the success together,” he urged.
The SSNIT member engagement program is part of an ongoing initiative to strengthen trust, improve service delivery and build a more inclusive and responsive pension system for all Ghanaians.
Story: Nancy Obimpeh
