The Ghana News Agency (GNA) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) have agreed to deepen collaboration on pension information.

The partnership will focus on improving public education on pensions and retirement planning, particularly among young workers, rural communities and the informal sector, while countering misinformation and disinformation.

Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of GNA, made this known when he led a delegation from the Agency on a courtesy call on SSNIT in Accra.

He said the visit was also to inform SSNIT about the upcoming commissioning of GNA’s renovated headquarters and other offices, the Agency’s 70th anniversary celebrations, and to rekindle existing relations between the two institutions.

Mr Owusu said GNA would continue to support SSNIT’s membership drive through its regional network of journalists and trained correspondents, particularly in reaching rural communities and the informal sector.

He said the Agency’s modernised infrastructure, including a studio, would enable it to produce quality reports in video, audio, infographics and other digital formats for radio, television and other subscribers.

“The modernisation of our operations will improve productivity and efficiency, position the agency to better serve government institutions, businesses, and citizens, with commitment to digital transformation and innovation in journalism,” he said.

Mr Owusu said GNA, as a State institution largely reliant on government subventions, had faced financial constraints over the years, including difficulties in replacing retiring journalists due to delays in securing recruitment clearances from the Ministry of Finance.

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He said the situation began to change a few years ago through the Agency’s advocacy for increased government investment, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) providing support the renovation of GNA’s facilities since 2024.

Mr Owusu called for partnerships in public education on pensions and retirement planning, dissemination of accurate information on SSNIT policies and services, joint awareness campaigns targeting young workers and the informal sector, and knowledge-sharing activities during GNA’s anniversary year.

“As a government institution that depends solely on government grants, what we are seeking for is goodwill, participation, and backing for investment operations to expand reach, especially to rural and informal communities where information gaps persist.

“We would like to assure SSNIT of our Agency’s continued commitment to accurate, balanced, and development-oriented journalism. Anytime you want to engage the media, just call us,” he said.

Mr Kwesi Afreh Biney, Director-General of SSNIT, welcomed the proposed renewed partnership, saying closer collaboration between the two State institutions was important for national development.

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