The Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Adams Sukparu, yesterday launched the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Virtual Branch, calling on pension institutions to deploy digital and technological solutions to serve their clients better.
According to him, every worker in Ghana must be able to access essential services conveniently, efficiently, and with dignity, anytime and anywhere.
The SSNIT Virtual Branch, a digital platform, is designed to bring convenience to clients, enabling them to access pension services from the comfort of their homes without physically visiting an SSNIT office.
The launch was attended by representatives of the Trades Union Congress, Ghana, Ghana Employers Association, National Pensions Regulatory Authority, and Industrial and Commercial Workers Union.
Mr. Sukparu, who was the special guest, said the launch of the SSNIT Virtual Branch strongly aligned with the government’s commitment to building a modern, inclusive, and technology-driven economy.
He added that the initiative reflected the vision of President John Dramani Mahama, whose 24-hour economy and national reset agenda aim to create opportunities through technology, innovation, and productivity for all workers.
Mr. Sukparu explained that government investments in broadband expansion, cybersecurity, digital identification systems, and interoperability across public platforms were enabling institutions such as SSNIT to innovate and improve service delivery while reducing operational costs.
He noted that the changing nature of work, including the rise of the gig economy, remote work, and freelancing, required pension institutions to adapt to meet contributors on digital platforms.
Mr. Sukparu commended SSNIT for designing a system that brought gig workers, freelancers, artisans, small business owners, and digital creators closer to the pension scheme, stressing that transparency and easy access to information would strengthen public confidence in the pension system and enhance national stability.
The Director-General of SSNIT, Mr. Kwesi Afreh Biney, said the Virtual Branch, which brings the branches of SSNIT to 54, is part of measures to enhance accessibility and convenience for contributors.
He explained that the idea, developed this year, aimed to ensure that SSNIT services were available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without losing the human touch.
Mr. Biney emphasized that the platform was built on a genuine commitment to care for contributors, noting that dedicated staff would be available around the clock to provide support.
“By eliminating challenges such as travel time, mobility difficulties, and long queues at service centres, SSNIT is delivering cost-effective and efficient services to all categories of workers,” Mr. Biney stated.
The SSNIT DG assured the public that the system was robust and secure, with strong firewalls to protect user data.
The Executive Manager in charge of Digital Channels and Innovation, Ms. Afua Sarkodie, said the Virtual Branch was developed with clients at the centre and designed to bring convenience and ease to SSNIT clients.
A representative of Utmost Konsult, Mr. Kwabena Dorbu, described the platform as seamless and robust and urged employers and contributors to fully utilise it for pension services.
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