SSNIT Honours 100-Year-Old Longest-Serving Female Pensioner, Urges Ghanaians to Plan for Retirement

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has honored its oldest female pensioner, Ima Zenabu Dagomba, in recognition of her remarkable longevity and more than three decades on the national pension payroll.

The colorful ceremony, held at the centenarian's residence in Wa, celebrated Ima Dagomba's contribution to the country's social security scheme while encouraging workers, particularly those in the informal sector, to enroll on the SSNIT pension scheme to secure their future.

Ima Dagomba, who worked as a cook at the Wa Municipal Hospital, retired on January 31, 1992. She was placed on the SSNIT payroll in March 1993 and has remained a beneficiary for 33 years and four months.

Speaking at the event, the Tamale Area Manager of SSNIT, Seth Kpakpa Quartey, described Ima Dagomba as a living example of the benefits of retirement planning and consistent contributions to the pension scheme.

He said the celebration was a demonstration of SSNIT's appreciation for pensioners whose years of dedicated service helped build the nation.

"Today we are here on a mission of profound gratitude," he said. "Ima Zenabu Dagomba stands as living testimony that planning effectively for retirement pays dividends."

Mr. Quartey urged self-employed persons, traders, farmers and workers in both the formal and informal sectors not to leave their future to chance by joining the SSNIT scheme.

"If Ima Zenabu Dagomba can stand strong and continue to enjoy the fruits of her labour several decades after retirement, then others can also secure their future through regular contributions," he stated.

The Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Benefits at SSNIT, Mr. Adam Sulley, said the celebration formed part of a renewed strategy by the Trust to strengthen engagement with pensioners and contributors across the country. According to him, SSNIT is adopting a community-centered approach by taking its activities directly to communities.

"We want to do things differently," Mr. Sulley said. "We want communities to know that SSNIT is close to them and that everyone who earns a living can become a contributor."

He stressed that workers in the informal economy—including traders, artisans, transport operators and farmers—are eligible to contribute to the scheme and should begin planning early for retirement.

Mr. Sulley also commended Ima Dagomba for maintaining good health at the age of 100, noting that healthy ageing complements financial security in retirement. Expressing appreciation for the honor, Ima Dagomba thanked SSNIT for recognizing her as its oldest female pensioner.

She encouraged workers across the country to enrol on the pension scheme to guarantee a reliable source of income after retirement. She also appealed to SSNIT to assist her in securing suitable accommodation to improve her living conditions.

As part of the celebration, SSNIT presented the centenarian with a hamper, while executives of the National Pensioners Association presented her with the Association's official cloth. Family members, pensioners and SSNIT officials joined her in cutting a commemorative cake as food and drinks were served to guests.

Delivering a message of solidarity on behalf of the Upper West Regional Secretary of the National Pensioners Association, James Kwabena Natia, the Association's Regional Treasurer, Victoria Dohoro Dangori, congratulated Ima Dagomba on the recognition, describing her longevity as "a rare blessing" and an inspiration to pensioners across Ghana.

She said the honor reflected not only Madam Dagomba's remarkable lifespan but also her enduring place in the SSNIT family and urged Ghanaians to emulate her example by preparing adequately for retirement.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Yussif Adam expressed profound gratitude to SSNIT for celebrating Ima Dagomba, saying the recognition had brought joy and pride to the family.

The event formed part of SSNIT's ongoing public education campaign aimed at increasing pension coverage, especially among workers in the informal sector, while recognizing pensioners whose lives exemplify the value of long-term retirement planning.