Photo: Kwesi Afreh-Biney
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is introducing a range of new initiatives aimed at improving service delivery to pensioners and enhancing access to healthcare. This is according to the Director-General of the Trust, Kwesi Afreh-Biney.
Speaking during a member engagement session in Kumasi as part of SSNIT’s ongoing nationwide outreach, Mr. Afreh-Biney stressed that pensioners remain central to the Trust’s operations and must be kept well-informed and actively engaged.
“At the heart of our work is the Ghanaian worker, especially those transitioning into retirement. Engaging pensioners regularly allows us to better tailor our services to their needs,” he stated.
Among the issues raised by pensioners at the forum were delays in receiving timely information from SSNIT and concerns over healthcare support. In response, the SSNIT boss pledged to improve communication channels and announced a series of health-related interventions.
He revealed that SSNIT is partnering with the Mahama Care initiative to extend support to pensioners living with chronic conditions. Additionally, the Trust plans to launch a telemedicine service before the end of the year to ensure members in remote areas can access medical advice even without nearby clinics.
“We want to remove location as a barrier to health support for our members. The telemedicine platform will help us reach those who need medical guidance the most,” he explained.
To enhance physical access to SSNIT services, Mr. Afreh-Biney disclosed that two new branches have recently been opened in Spintex and Adenta. Furthermore, the Trust will increase the operation days of its existing “day offices” from three days a week to five in selected communities.
Another significant development is SSNIT’s plan to co-locate its services within bank branches. This initiative, expected to roll out by the end of the year, will see SSNIT desks stationed in selected banking halls across the country, allowing members to access pension services conveniently.
“We are building a stronger, more accessible system, but we need every Ghanaian worker to come on board. It is only together that we can sustain and grow our pension scheme,” Mr. Afreh-Biney concluded.
The SSNIT membership engagement program is designed to bridge the gap between the institution and its members, providing a platform for feedback and collaborative growth of the national pension system.
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