The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has witnessed a significant surge of nearly 300% in the number of self-employed individuals actively participating in the fundamental social security programme.
This remarkable increase follows the launch of the Self-Employed Enrollment Drive (SEED) initiative less than a year ago.
Before SEED’s inception, SSNIT had only 14,000 self-employed contributors in its system, but this number has now grown to 57,000, marking a substantial transformation within a relatively short timeframe.
Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang, the Director-General of SSNIT, unveiled these statistics during an SSNIT-Trades Union Congress (TUC) event in Accra.
The SEED programme exemplifies SSNIT’s commitment to extending pension coverage to all workers, including those who are self-employed.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang expressed his optimism, saying,
“I am hopeful that by the end of the year, we will double this figure and reach another 100,000 contributors, representing a 614% increase. If we continue on this growth path, we might surpass the one million mark in just two or three years”.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang
One of SEED’s primary objectives is to ensure that self-employed individuals have access to the same pension benefits as their counterparts in traditional office settings.
The programme aims to bridge the pension gap and integrate the extensive informal sector workforce into the social security system.
Prior to SEED, only around 32,000 self-employed contributors were part of the SSNIT scheme, making up a mere two percent of the total, with approximately 1.9 million out of an estimated 10 million workers in Ghana covered by SSNIT.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by self-employed individuals, Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang explained that SSNIT has streamlined the enrollment process, requiring only a Ghana Card and offering contributions through mobile money, making it more accessible for self-employed individuals.
With approximately 6.7 million self-employed individuals in Ghana, of which roughly 3.1 million are aged between 15 and 45, the growth potential for SEED is substantial.
Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang expressed confidence in the program’s trajectory, emphasising the importance of ensuring that self-employed individuals enjoy the same pension benefits as their office-working counterparts.
Furthermore, Dr. Ofori-Tenkorang highlighted the cost-effectiveness of utilising the Ghana Card and an electronic remittance system, which have significantly improved efficiency in the contribution process.
SSNIT’s efforts extend beyond SEED, encompassing a nationwide campaign that involves regular engagement with self-employed associations and workplaces.
The campaign’s goal is to educate and enrol eligible individuals into the pension scheme, employing initiatives like ‘You Are Wanted’ activities, weekly workplace visits, and multimedia advertising.
The success of SSNIT’s SEED programme marks a substantial stride towards expanding pension coverage in Ghana and increasing inclusivity within the social security system.
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