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Henry Dei Recreational Centre Osu, Accra

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About the Association

History, vision and mission, objectives, and organisational structure of the National Pensioners Association (SSNIT).

History and Founding Members of the National Pensioners Association (SSNIT)

Colonization and the introduction of new methods of work transformed the traditional structures and working conditions resulting in the development of paid employment in the urban areas. The Ghanaian wage-earner and his family were uprooted from their traditional environment and exposed to social contingencies similar to those which prevailed in the industrialized countries. Before Ghana's independence, there was neither a national nor a uniform social security scheme in the country.

There were public and private schemes which catered for the security of various categories of workers. Prior to the establishment of a social security scheme in Ghana in 1965, private schemes had been established for the urban wage-earners — and various attempts made to put in place some semblance of security for workers beyond retirement.

Compulsory Savings Scheme

The compulsory savings scheme came into being in the early 1960s. Under the scheme, compulsory deductions were made from the wages and salaries of all workers and paid into government chest with the promise to workers that the savings would be paid back to them with interest. Due to lack of education on the scheme, many workers developed apathy towards it. This attitude worsened by the inefficient system for refund under which many workers failed eventually to withdraw their savings. In 1965, this scheme was abolished. On 17th February, 1965 the parliament of the first republic passed a bill known as the social security act, 1965, act 279 to establish a social security fund to provide for contributors, benefits beyond retirement.

Social Security Scheme of 1965

The social security scheme of 1965 was a Provident Fund (PF) scheme under which lump sums were paid to qualified members. The scheme was intended to operate as a provident fund for a five-year period (1965 to 1970) and thereafter be converted into a pension scheme for periodic monthly payments.

Conversion from Provident Fund to Pension Scheme

The main reason for the change was due to the rapid expansion of the social security fund to bring benefits to meet the social needs of workers. The major impetus that pushed for the transformation of the NRCD 127 into the PNDC law 247 of 1991. For the conversion to be meaningful and to be all encompassing, there was massive public education on the review proposals by all the identifiable bodies — Trades Union Congress and all it's affiliated unions including civil servants' association, Ghana Registered Nurses' Association, Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), employers' association among others, other bodies include committee for the defense of the revolution (CDR), government, media and other opinion leaders. Public education committees were formed on the national, regional and district levels to handle talks on the pension scheme. Workshops, press briefings, adverts, television and radio discussions were the other measures undertaken to educate the public on the pension scheme.

After the review of the proposals and legal drafting, the PNDC law 247 was promulgated in 1991 during the tenure of Mr. Henry G. Dei, the Director General of SSNIT who was director general between 1986–1998.

The conversion marked a great significant landmark in the history of social security scheme in Ghana. Some concerned pensioners therefore decided to form an association to take care of the interest of its members. The then director general of SSNIT, Mr. Henry G. Dei and Mr. Allotey Pappoe the then Head of public relations welcomed this idea and supported it all the way.

Mr Henry Dei was a pillar for the association and played a major role in its formation.

Formation and Membership of the Association

In 1992, the National Pensioners Association was formed. It was then known as the SSNIT Pensioners Association. All workers who contributed to the pension scheme were entitled to join the association.

Aims of NPA (SSNIT)

  1. To organize all beneficiaries of SSNIT pension scheme for a common purpose and activities with regards to their welfare.
  2. To assist members financially or in kind in case of bereavement or during any reasonable calamity.
  3. To co-operate mutually or otherwise with any other organization in the country or outside having similar aims and objectives.
  4. To assist SSNIT in making people aware of the benefits of the pension scheme.

These aims and objectives have been so far sustained.

Unfortunately, when the association was generating roots, Mr. P. E. A. Bekwei the then assistant general secretary of Ghana Government Pensioners Association who assisted very much in the founding of the association paid the debt of nature. He was then followed by Messrs. G. A. Torgbor, the first general secretary of our association. Mr. S. A. Addo, the first regional secretary for Greater Accra and Mr. Alex Fenning, the then regional chairman for Eastern Region who were very much instrumental in the formation of the association also passed away.

Just when the association was about to clock ten years, Mr. L. T. Kwami the then vice president and Mr. P. E. Brew, the former vice chairman of Greater Accra all left to the celestial realms.

When the association was founded, the foundation members in Accra constituted themselves into groups and toured the whole country to establish the regional branches. We are very grateful to SSNIT for providing the association accommodation for our head office and all the regional offices. Their managers and P.R.O.'s gave much assistance in the establishment of our branches. We now have branches in all districts of the country.

The association is made up of Senior Citizens and is affiliated to the HelpAge Ghana, a non-governmental organization which champions the welfare of the aged. NPA (SSNIT) is also affiliated to Public Services Workers Union (P.S.W.U) and have good relations with the Ghana Government Pensioners Association.

Founding Members of National Pensioners Association (SSNIT)

In 1992, a group of pensioners who were the main founders of this association worked hard to bring all SSNIT pensioners under one umbrella for a common purpose. They are as follows:

  1. Mr. David Thomas Kotei
  2. Mr. Seth Sowah Akpor Mensah
  3. Mr. J. T. Quartey
  4. Mr. Alhaji Pierrie
  5. Mr. J. N. A. Bulley
  6. Mr. C. A. Torgbor

In the year 2011, six pensioners who were in the leadership of the association saw the need to legalize the operations of the association and they proceeded to put the required structures in place. These members include:

  1. Mr. Seth Ametefe Sesi
  2. Mr. Stephen Boakye
  3. Mr. Eward Ameyibor
  4. Mr. Solomon Laryea Tawiah Yemoson
  5. Mr. Jacob Nii-Aryee Bulley
  6. Mrs. Janet Esseku

The initial name was SSNIT National Pensioners Association however in June 2015, the name was amended to National Pensioners Association (SSNIT) and it's motto is Honesty and Hard work.