Virtual branch to launch by September as part of nationwide digital service expansion
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) is ramping up efforts to modernise its operations through digital transformation, as it seeks to strengthen employer compliance and improve access to pension services across the country.
At a stakeholder breakfast meeting held in Accra, the Director General of SSNIT, Mr. Kwesi Afreh Biney, revealed plans to roll out a fully operational virtual branch by the end of September 2025. This digital branch, he noted, would allow users to interact with SSNIT officers online, access services in real time, and resolve issues without visiting physical offices.
“Our digital platforms exist today… but we are taking this to the next level,” Mr. Biney said. “With the virtual branch, we are ensuring that employers and contributors can get the help they need from anywhere, at any time.”
The meeting, themed “Strengthening Employer Compliance for a Sustainable Pension Scheme through Digital Transformation,” brought together employers and industry leaders to discuss how digital tools can make social security services more efficient and accessible.
Highlighting the institution’s current reach, Mr. Biney disclosed that SSNIT pays monthly pensions to over 257,000 pensioners, and emphasized the need for broader stakeholder collaboration to ensure all eligible employers comply with statutory requirements.
Mr. Philip Kofi Senyah, General Manager of Operations at SSNIT, presented usage statistics for the Trust’s digital platforms, noting that more than 76,000 Android users had downloaded the SSNIT Mobile App, with lower numbers on Apple and Huawei platforms. He called for more active use of the tools already available, such as the website and USSD codes, which allow users to register, pay contributions, and access account statements.
“We are not just counting downloads; we want people to actually use the tools,” Mr. Senyah said, adding that SSNIT would expand access through banking partnerships as part of its digital rollout strategy.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Employers Association, Mr. Alex Frimpong, urged SSNIT to increase digital outreach and education efforts, especially to help workers better understand the benefits of contributing to the scheme.
“Greater appreciation of social security’s value boosts compliance. It’s important for employers and employees to understand how it affects their future,” Mr. Frimpong said.
Participants at the forum also had the opportunity to raise operational concerns and make suggestions aimed at improving service delivery. The session forms part of SSNIT’s ongoing engagement strategy to align its technological advancements with the needs of stakeholders.
