On a brisk morning in Accra, members of the Concerned SSNIT Pensioners Forum (CSPF) gathered, their faces etched with concern.
News had just broken that the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) would increase pensions by 10 percent in 2026. For many, this announcement was far from the relief they had hoped for.
“We expected more,” said one forum member, echoing the collective sentiment. The CSPF argued that the increment fell short, failing to counter the steady erosion of pension values brought on by persistent inflation. Every year, pensioners watched as their incomes lagged behind the national minimum wage, and this latest adjustment, they felt, would do little to bridge that widening gap.
Months before, the forum had formally proposed a more ambitious plan: a minimum monthly pension of GH¢600 and a general increase of 15 to 20 percent to help restore real value to their payments. Their hopes were dashed when SSNIT’s announcement came in at just half their suggested rate.
To make matters worse, CSPF members questioned what they saw as inconsistencies in SSNIT’s communication. A statement issued on January 6, 2025, had pegged the minimum monthly pension for the year at GH¢396.58. This, CSPF argued, highlighted a lack of clarity in how the figures were calculated and communicated to pensioners.
Amidst the frustration, the forum called for unity and action. They urged a national dialogue to establish a sustainable pension framework, one that would guarantee retirees a life of dignity and security in their later years. Until such changes come, the CSPF remains steadfast, their voices raised in hope for a fairer future.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
