By Freda Mwini/Osman Seidu Nipa
Wa, (UW/R), July 4, GNA – Madam Ima Zenabu Dagomba, the oldest female pensioner on the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) payroll, has appealed for support to secure decent accommodation as the Trust honoured her decades of association with the pension scheme.
She said she had been renting a two-bedroom apartment, in which she occupied one room while her grandchildren occupied the other.
The 100-year-old woman made the appeal during a ceremony in Wa organised by SSNIT to celebrate and honour her for her dedicated service to the nation and unwavering commitment to the pension scheme.
Madam Dagomba had worked in the kitchen of a hospital in Wa preparing meals for patients before her retirement over three decades ago.
She had been on the SSNIT payroll since 1993 and had depended on her monthly pension to pay rent, access healthcare and support the educational and health needs of her grandchildren.
To commemorate the occasion, SSNIT presented Madam Dagomba with a hamper, while the NPA honoured her with the association’s official cloth.
She said though the pension had sustained her over the years, she wished to have more decent accommodation to improve her living conditions.
The centenarian expressed appreciation to SSNIT for recognising her as its oldest female pensioner.
She encouraged workers in both the formal and informal sectors to enroll on the SSNIT pension scheme to guarantee a reliable source of income in old age.
Mr Adam Sulley, Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Benefits at SSNIT, congratulated Madam Dagomba on reaching the milestone and described her as a symbol of the benefits of retirement planning.
He said her alertness, good health, and positive outlook at the age of 100 demonstrated the importance of combining financial security with healthy living.
Mr Sulley said SSNIT had adopted a new approach to stakeholder engagement by taking its services directly to communities to improve public understanding and the benefits of the pension scheme.
“SSNIT turned 60 last year, but at 60 you do not go to bed. We are committed to doing things differently. That is why we are bringing SSNIT to the communities rather than expecting people to come to us”, he said.
Mr Frank Molbila, General Manager for Benefits at SSNIT, described Madam Dagomba as a living testimony to the value of consistent pension contributions.
She said her continued receipt of pension benefits illustrated the long-term security provided by the scheme.
“Your life is a powerful example that a secure and dignified retirement is built on consistency in contribution”, he said.
Mr Molbila urged self-employed persons, traders, farmers and workers across the region not to leave their future to chance but to join the SSNIT scheme to secure financial stability in old age.
Mr Seth Kpakpa Quartey, Tamale Area Manager of SSNIT, commended Madam Dagomba and said her life demonstrated that disciplined contributions during one’s working years could guarantee a secure and dignified retirement.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Freda Mwini/Osman Seidu Nipa