Upper West: SSNIT encourages self-employed to join pension scheme

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is actively encouraging self-employed individuals across the Upper West Region to enrol in its pension scheme called  the Self Employed Enrollment Drive (SEED).

This push is part of a broader initiative by SSNIT to extend the benefits of social security coverage to the informal sector, which has historically been underserved.

Victoria Gifty Abaidoo, the corporate affairs manager of SSNIT, has been at the forefront of this campaign, reassuring the public that registration is straightforward.

“If you want to register, you just need to come with your NIA card, or Ghana card, and we will register you,” she explained.

Abaidoo emphasised that the scheme is open to individuals between the ages of 15 and 45, making it accessible to a wide range of self-employed workers.

The initiative comes in response to the recognition that a significant portion of Ghana’s workforce operates in the informal sector, often without the security of a pension plan.

SSNIT’s outreach efforts aim to rectify this by ensuring that these workers can enjoy the same benefits as their counterparts in the formal sector.

“When we launched the scheme in Kumasi last year, we had just about 13,000 self-employed individuals enrolled,” Abaidoo noted. “But as of today, we have over 100,000 self-employed people enrolled in the scheme.”

This rapid growth highlights the increasing awareness and interest among self-employed workers in securing their financial future through SSNIT.

To further facilitate the enrolment process, SSNIT has set up registration points across various regions, where self-employed individuals can sign up with minimal effort.

Abaidoo urged more people to take advantage of this opportunity, stressing that the process is designed to be as convenient as possible.

“We are here, we are settled, and we are ready to help anyone who wants to join the scheme. All you need is your Ghana card, and we’ll take care of the rest,” she said.

SSNIT’s pension scheme offers several key benefits, including a lifetime pension after retirement, invalidity pension for those who can no longer work due to illness, and survivors benefits for dependents in the event of a member’s death.

Abaidoo highlighted that these benefits are crucial for ensuring financial stability in retirement, especially for those in the informal sector who may not have other forms of social security.

She also stressed the importance of regular contributions to the scheme, which directly impact the level of benefits a member will receive.

“It is not only important for you to register. After you have registered, ensure that your contributions come in every month. That is what will secure your future,” she advised.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region

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