By Samuel Sam
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has intensified efforts to enrol self-employed workers in Wa into its Self-Employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) campaign.
Over the weekend, SSNIT organised a float through the Wa municipality to raise awareness about the initiative – which aims at encouraging self-employed individuals to secure their pensions through the SSNIT scheme.
Launched in May 2023, the SEED initiative seeks to enrol self-employed persons into the SSNIT scheme; allowing them to contribute 13.5 percent of their income in exchange for up to 60 percent income benefits upon retirement. So far, over 100,000 self-employed individuals have joined the scheme… and the number continues to grow.
During the float procession, dubbed ‘Operation-A-Thon’, participants carried placards with messages such as ‘Join SSNIT and get a free Health Insurance package’, ‘Safeguard your future to avoid dependency on family’, and ‘Save now and enjoy tomorrow’. Brass-bands accompanied the event, adding vibrancy to the awareness campaign.
SSNIT also set up desks at various market locations to engage more informal sector workers about the SEED campaign.
Staff distributed flyers and provided information on how self-employed individuals between the ages of 15 and 45 can enrol in the scheme, choose their contribution amount and determine how often to contribute. This, they explained, will help them access funds during retirement or in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Residents of Wa expressed their appreciation for SSNIT’s efforts, with some suggesting that the scheme should be made compulsory for all informal sector workers to help alleviate the stress and financial challenges often faced during retirement.
Over the years, many self-employed workers have relied on private financial schemes, some of which have proven unreliable. SSNIT’s SEED initiative offers a more secure option for these workers to plan for their retirement.
Speaking to media, Mrs. Victoria Gifty Abaidoo, Acting Corporate Affairs Manager- SSNIT, emphasised the campaign’s importance as part of a nationwide effort reaching out to self-employed individuals in the informal sector.
“We are bringing self-employeds onto the SSNIT scheme because we care for every worker in this country. Every worker, after working hard and retiring, deserves to retire on a good income,” Mrs. Abaidoo said.
She added that SSNIT’s mission is to ensure that all Ghanaian workers – including those in the informal sector – benefit from a reliable retirement package, helping them avoid dependency in their old age.
