The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has celebrated its longest-serving female pensioner, Madam Ima Zenabu Dagomba, on the occasion of her 100th birthday, using the milestone moment to renew calls for informal sector workers to enroll in the national pension scheme.
Born on July 1, 1926, Madam Dagomba retired from active service on January 31, 1992, and was first placed on the SSNIT pension payroll in March 1993.
With 33 years and four months on the scheme, she holds the record as Ghana’s longest-serving female SSNIT pensioner.
Reflecting on her journey, the centenarian expressed profound gratitude to the Trust, crediting her monthly pension for preserving her dignity in old age.
“I am grateful to SSNIT for the support so far. If it hadn’t been for SSNIT, life would not have been easy for me. I am able to feed myself and pay my bills because of SSNIT,” she said.
In a departure from tradition, SSNIT held the ceremony at Madam Dagomba’s home rather than a hotel, a deliberate move, according to Deputy Director-General for Operations and Benefits, Adam Sulley, to take the message of pension security directly to local communities.
“Many of the people gathered here today are from the informal sector. They are beginning to appreciate that SSNIT is not only for formal sector workers but also for them,” Mr. Sulley said.
“We want them to become contributors today so they can also enjoy a secure retirement tomorrow.”
He noted that SSNIT already operates a self-employed enrolment programme and regularly engages traders, artisans, farmers, and other workers through outreach activities.
While national-level discussions on expanding informal-sector coverage continue, he stressed that the Trust already has products tailored for self-employed individuals.
Mr. Sulley also announced a new telehealth service, rolled out in partnership with Trust Hospital and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to address one of pensioners’ most pressing concerns.
“If you ask 10 pensioners about their biggest challenge, nine are likely to mention health. We believe this intervention will make health care more accessible to them,” he said, explaining that the service allows pensioners to consult doctors by phone from anywhere in the country, reducing the need for travel to health facilities.
The Tamale Area Manager of SSNIT, Seth Kpakpa Quartey, used the occasion to urge informal workers to secure their future by enrolling in the scheme, while the Upper West Regional Treasurer of the National Pensioners Association, Madam Victoria Danoro Dangori, hailed Madam Dagomba as an inspiration to pensioners nationwide.
“She is a testament to the value of long-term planning and the reliability of the SSNIT scheme,” Madam Dangori said.