Oldest female pensioner appeals for decent accommodation as SSNIT celebrates her
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 celebrated her decades-long association with the pension scheme.
The 100-year-old pensioner made the appeal in Wa during a ceremony organised by SSNIT to honour her dedicated service to the nation and commitment to the pension scheme.
Madam Dagomba said she currently rent a two-bedroom apartment, occupying one room while her grandchildren use the other. Despite the support she received through her monthly pension, she expressed the desire to live in more decent accommodation to improve her living conditions.
She worked in the kitchen of a hospital in Wa, where she prepared meals for patients before retiring more than three decades ago. Since 1993, she has remained on the SSNIT payroll and has relied on her pension to pay rent, access healthcare and support the educational and health needs of her grandchildren.
To commemorate the occasion, SSNIT presented her with a hamper, while the National Pensioners Association (NPA) honoured her with the Association’s official cloth.
Madam Dagomba expressed appreciation to SSNIT for recognising her as its oldest female pensioner and urged workers in both the formal and informal sectors to enrol in 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 attaining 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 of the pension scheme and its benefits.
“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 in charge of Benefits at SSNIT, described Madam Dagomba as a living testimony to the value of consistent pension contributions.
He said her continued receipt of pension benefits underscored 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 other 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, also commended Madam Dagomba, saying her life demonstrated that disciplined contributions during one’s working years could guarantee a secure and dignified retirement.
Source: GNA