The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has celebrated its oldest female pensioner, Madam Ima Zenabu Dagomba, on her 100th birthday, using the occasion to encourage more Ghanaians, particularly those in the informal sector, to plan for retirement through pension enrolment.

Madam Dagomba, who turned 100 on 1 July, has received a monthly SSNIT pension since March 1993. She retired on 31 January 1992 and has remained on the Trust's pension payroll for 33 years and four months.

The celebration, held at her home in Wa in the Upper West Region, brought together SSNIT officials, pensioners, family members and community leaders.

Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Benefits, Adam Sulley, said the event was intended to recognise the contributions of pensioners while demonstrating the value of the national pension scheme.

"We need to keep our pensioners excited, expecting and connected to the scheme. Pensioners are one of our valued stakeholders," he said.

He explained that holding the celebration at Madam Dagomba's residence, rather than at a hotel, was meant to strengthen community engagement and create greater awareness of pension enrolment, especially among self-employed and informal sector workers.

"The future of pensions is for the informal sector. We have a self-employed programme and continue to engage workers to join the scheme," he said.

Mr Sulley also highlighted SSNIT's telehealth initiative, implemented with Trust Hospital and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which allows pensioners to consult doctors remotely.

"If you sample ten pensioners, nine will mention health as their biggest challenge. Through telehealth, a doctor's consultation is just a phone call away," he said.

Tamale Area Manager of SSNIT, Seth Kpakpa Quartey, described Madam Dagomba as an example of the long-term value of contributing consistently to a pension scheme.

"She stands as a living testimony to what it means to plan effectively for the future. A secure and dignified retirement is built on consistency in contribution," he said.

For Madam Dagomba, the pension has provided financial stability throughout her retirement.

"Without SSNIT, life would not have been easy for me. I am able to feed myself and pay my bills because of SSNIT," she said.

Upper West Regional Treasurer of the National Pensioners Association, Victoria Danoro Dangori, congratulated the centenarian and said her life and retirement journey should encourage workers to prepare for the future.

The celebration formed part of SSNIT's efforts to recognise long-serving pensioners while encouraging more Ghanaians to participate in the national pension scheme and secure financial stability in retirement.