Pensioners Association Inaugurates District Office at Asafo; Leaders Lament Low Salaries and Call for Government Support

The General Secretary of the National Pensioners Association has officially inaugurated a new district office at Asafo Labor (SSNIT) in the Kumasi Metropolis, as part of a broader decentralization and rural development agenda aimed at strengthening the operations and welfare services for pensioners across Ghana.

The inauguration ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, brought together key figures from the association, including the Regional Secretary, District Chairman, and District Secretary. The initiative is in partnership with the regional leadership of the association, and it seeks to bring administrative services closer to the grassroots level, enabling better coordination and direct support for retired workers.

In an interview with the media  Regional Secretary, Mr. Stephen Boakye, explained that the newly inaugurated office will not only serve administrative purposes but will also support the rollout of the Pensioners Medical Scheme. He disclosed that government has granted the association authority to allow registered pensioners to use their ID cards to access healthcare from both private and government health facilities that are signed onto the scheme.

“This card gives pensioners the opportunity to seek medical care without worry. Hospitals that accept the card are obliged to treat them in full. However, we are also educating our members about avoiding unhealthy lifestyle habits that could worsen their health condition,” Mr. Boakye stated.

The District Chairman of the association, Mr. Martayas Kwadwo Gyan, used the platform to draw attention to the growing challenges faced by pensioners in the country. According to him, many retirees are being neglected, and no institution has come forward to understand their real struggles, particularly concerning their salaries.

“Nobody has come to our aid to ask us what we are going through. The salaries we receive are far below acceptable standards. During the tenure of the former president, there was a decrease in our salaries by about 10 percent. We are now hoping that the current president will step in and increase pensions to reflect today’s economic conditions,” Mr. Gyan lamented.

District Secretary, Mr. Ohene Asante, also spoke at the event and gave a broader view of the operations and reach of the National Pensioners Association in the Kumasi district. He revealed that over 12,000 pensioners have so far been registered in the district, making it one of the largest and most vibrant branches in the country.

Despite the high membership numbers, Mr. Asante said that the association still grapples with financial limitations. He appealed to the government to consider setting a basic monthly pension of at least GH₵500, arguing that the current amounts are insufficient to meet the daily needs of elderly citizens.

“Many of our members are living in difficult conditions. The amount they receive cannot sustain them. But we understand that authorities are afraid that if they start with high salaries, they may not be able to sustain it in future budgets. This is the main reason they don’t want to give us a significant increase,” he explained.

Mr. Asante also discussed the internal operations of the association, noting that members contribute GH₵10 monthly as dues and hold general meetings on the last Wednesday of every month. These meetings serve as a platform for information sharing, welfare planning, and community building among pensioners.

The inauguration of the Asafo District Office is expected to bring renewed hope to pensioners in Kumasi and its environs, offering them not just a formal structure for their concerns but also a stronger voice in national pension-related policymaking. Association leaders, however, continue to call on government and stakeholders to show greater empathy and provide meaningful support to improve the lives of retired workers who once contributed immensely to national development.