Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei has urged Parliament to take immediate steps to address Ghana’s rapidly ageing population, warning that the growing number of elderly citizens could place significant pressure on pension schemes and social protection systems in the coming decades.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Asokwa MP said Ghana’s demographic structure is undergoing a major transformation that requires urgent policy attention to ensure the country is prepared for future challenges.
She cited official projections showing that the number of Ghanaians aged 60 and above, which stood at about 2.05 million in 2020, is expected to increase to 2.42 million in the near term before rising sharply to 6.3 million by 2050.
According to her, the projected figure represents a twelvefold increase from 1960, when only about 200,000 people were aged 60 and above.
Ms Appiagyei also pointed to rising life expectancy as evidence of the changing demographic trend. She said life expectancy in Ghana has increased from 47 years in 1960 to 65.4 years in 2025 and is projected to reach 68.98 years by 2026.
She stressed the need for proactive measures to protect pension funds and strengthen social protection systems before the demographic shift reaches its peak.
“Parliament must treat ageing and retirement as a matter of national urgency,” she told the House.
The Deputy Minority Leader commended the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, SSNIT, for maintaining consistent pension payments over the past six decades without defaulting. She also noted improvements in pension processing times, which she said have been reduced from several weeks to fewer than ten working days.
She said these gains should be sustained as demand for pension services continues to grow.
Ms Appiagyei further acknowledged efforts by SSNIT to expand pension coverage through initiatives targeting self employed workers. She praised the institution’s digital platforms and enrolment drives but said more work was needed to prepare for future demands.
She also called for stronger social protection programmes and improved healthcare services for older people, particularly in deprived and rural communities where family support systems are often limited.
The Asokwa MP said a comprehensive national response would be necessary to ensure that Ghana can effectively support its growing elderly population while maintaining the sustainability of its pension system.
Source: metrotvonline.com
