In a bid to secure a comfortable retirement for all, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has organised its 2023 edition of the Employers’ Breakfast Meeting. The event, held on August 9th, marked the fourth in a series of gatherings that have been ongoing since 2019.
Addressing the attendees, Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, Director General-SSNIT, emphasised the organisation’s ongoing efforts to align the public and stakeholders with their mission. “Our focus over the past three years has been on clarifying misconceptions and increasing awareness about our operations. This has been successful, and now we are at a juncture where our goal is to expand our reach and encourage more people to join our cause,” he stated.
The highlight of today’s event informing employers about the significance of enrolling their non-formal sector relatives and friends in SSNIT’s scheme. Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang stressed that self-employed individuals can also ensure a secure retirement by joining SSNIT, highlighting that they deserved a similar level of financial security to those who work in formal office settings.
One of the pivotal developments in SSNIT’s recent journey has been the introduction of its electronic payment platform ssnitpay, which went live in October 2022. This platform has enabled members to pay their SSNIT contributions using their Mobile Money Wallet via USSD short code, Mobile Money POS, or Debit Card through the Trust’s Web Portal. The innovative system has been introduced to enhance service delivery to both members and clients of SSNIT, making contribution payments more convenient and accessible.
The Director General revealed that the adoption of this e-payment platform had already started yielding positive outcomes. Members no longer have to travel long distances to a SSNIT branch or partner bank to pay their contributions, relieving them of a significant inconvenience.
“We have seen remarkable growth in our contributor base,” Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang said. “From around 1.4 million, our active contributor base has surged to approximately 1.9 million over the past few years. This growth has been organic and reflects the increasing recognition of SSNIT’s value by self-employed individuals as well.”
Turning to the compliance rates, Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang reported a compliance rate of 76 percent as of end 2022. While emphasising the significance of prosecuting non-compliant parties, he also highlighted the encouraging fact that most contributions are voluntarily remitted by understanding employers. He further emphasised the trust’s commitment to meeting pension obligations and ensuring employees’ future protection.
The Trust’s comprehensive campaign to register self-employed individuals and informal sector workers onto the scheme was also discussed. Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang expressed optimism about the future, stating that despite recent challenges they anticipate returning to a positive trend in the coming years.
The 2023 Employers’ Breakfast Meeting showcased SSNIT’s dedication to enhancing service delivery, expanding its reach and securing a bright retirement future for all contributors. The strides made in digital payment systems, coupled with the growing contributor base, reflect the organisation’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity. As SSNIT moves forward, it aims to strengthen the bond with its contributors and continue advocating secure retirements for all, in both the formal and informal sectors.
