The Deputy Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in charge of Operations and Benefits, Adam Sulley, has revealed that the scheme is aiming to increase its active contributors to 2.4 million by the end of 2026, as part of efforts to expand pension coverage across the country.
Mr. Sulley made this known in an exclusive interview with the media during the 2026 SSNIT/Trades Union Congress (Ghana) Regional Forum held at the Catholic Social Centre Bolgatanga in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region.
The forum, which brought together labour leaders, workers, and pension stakeholders, was held under the theme “Empowered Unions, Secure Future: Deepening Pension Literacy Across Ghana.”
According to Mr. Sulley, SSNIT currently has about 2.1 million active contributors nationwide and is working strategically to increase the number through sustained public education and improved service delivery.
“Currently, in terms of active members, we are around 2.1 million. The projection is to get to 2.4 million by the end of this year, and I am sure we can do even better than that if we continue our efforts,” he stated.
He further explained that the Trust’s three-year strategic plan aims to increase the contributor base to 2.8 million members, expressing optimism that the target could be exceeded if ongoing initiatives continue to yield positive results.
SSNIT Marks Six Decades of Service
Mr. Sulley emphasized that SSNIT, which recently marked *60 years of existence, has proven itself to be a reliable and resilient institution that continues to protect the retirement income of workers across *Ghana.
“You can only get the best from an institution that has matured,” he noted, highlighting the Trust’s strong asset performance over the years.
He disclosed that SSNIT’s investment assets are projected to grow significantly, reaching GH¢20 billion in 2024 and GH¢25 billion in 2025, reflecting steady financial growth and improved fund management.
Growing Pension Contributions and Payments
Mr. Sulley also indicated that SSNIT’s operations continue to expand, with *contribution collections exceeding GH¢12 billion in 2025. The Trust is expected to pay out approximately GH¢8.21 billion in pensions by the end of 2026, compared to *GH¢6.77 billion in 2025.
According to him, these figures demonstrate the growing importance of the pension scheme in ensuring financial security for retired workers.
Based on data from the Ghana Statistical Service, he noted that SSNIT’s 2.1 million active contributors represent a fraction of the country’s 30.8 million population, as recorded in the *2021 Population and Housing Census.
Digital Innovation to Improve Accessibility
Mr. Sulley further disclosed that SSNIT has introduced new business models aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for contributors. Among these innovations is the introduction of a virtual branch, which allows contributors to access key SSNIT services online without physically visiting offices.
He said the digital initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Trust to modernize its services and enhance efficiency.
Calls for Pension Reforms and Housing Support
Despite the progress made, discussions at the forum highlighted lingering concerns regarding *pension adequacy, benefit optimization, and payout efficiency, particularly for workers in the *informal sector and younger contributors who may face uncertainties about their retirement security.
Some grassroots participants also appealed to SSNIT and policymakers to consider allowing contributors to access a portion of their pension funds to support housing projects, arguing that such reforms could help address Ghana’s growing housing deficit.
The SSNIT/TUC Regional Forum forms part of ongoing nationwide engagements aimed at strengthening pension literacy, promoting worker welfare, and encouraging more workers to participate in the national pension scheme.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM/ Maurice Duncan
