By Elizabeth PUNSU, Obuasi
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has projected that its Self-Employed Enrolment Drive (SEED) could see a surge in enrollments, potentially reaching 250,000 people in the coming year.
Since the campaign’s launch in May 2023, about 120,000 individuals have already been enrolled as of September.
SEED is an initiative aimed at expanding coverage of the basic National Social Security scheme to self-employed workers, ensuring they can retire comfortably and with dignity. The campaign seeks to redefine social security in the country, offering hope to self-employed workers that they too can enjoy a secure and comfortable retirement.
“Through our continued efforts to raise awareness, we’ve managed to enrol about 120,000 people as of September. We are optimistic that with ongoing sensitisation across various cities, we will reach approximately 130,000 enrollments by end of this year.
“Our target is to exceed 250,000 enrollments by next year. With each visit to towns, our message is spreading and growth is accelerating,” said Joseph Poku, Chief Actuary-SSNIT, in an interview with journalists during the Operation-A-Thon campaign in Obuasi.
Mr. Poku attributed the anticipated growth to the campaign’s geometric expansion, particularly through the Operation-A-Thon sensitisation tour that covers major towns across the country.
The ‘Operation-A-Thon’ (Ops-A-Thon) is part of SSNIT’s ongoing efforts to educate self-employed individuals about benefits of the SSNIT Scheme and encourage them to enrol. As part of this initiative, SSNIT staff are touring business hubs, markets and key streets in selected towns, distributing flyers and holding placards to raise awareness and encourage self-employed persons to join the scheme.
“This initiative is designed to help people access the valuable services SSNIT offers to all Ghanaians, particularly in the fight to curb or eliminate old age poverty. Through this outreach we’re speaking to as many people as possible, stressing the importance of preparing for retirement or times when they’re no longer able to work.
SEED serves as a form of insurance, providing financial protection during old age and helping to ensure that people are not dependent on their families during retirement,” he highlighted.
Mr. Poku expressed confidence that continued public engagement and education will lead to greater understanding of SSNIT’s role and the importance of joining the scheme.
“We recognize that many Ghanaians are still becoming familiar with the work SSNIT does, and it won’t happen overnight. But we are confident that, through sustained efforts, people will come to see the value of joining the scheme. We remain committed to spreading the word and encouraging as many people as possible to join SEED, ensuring they benefit from a secure and comfortable retirement,” Mr. Poku added.
In addition to Obuasi, similar events have already been successfully held at Wa and Techiman in the Upper West and Bono East Regions, as well as Koforidua, Eastern Region, and Tarkwa, Western Region.
