Labour Ministry urges retirement security for health workers as HSOPS pledges easier benefit payments

The Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment has called for stronger protection of workers’ retirement years, insisting that decent work must extend beyond active employment to guarantee financial security and dignity in old age.

The call was made at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Health Sector Occupational Pension Scheme (HSOPS) in Kumasi, where stakeholders emphasised the need for reliable benefit payments and responsible management of members’ retirement savings.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Director of Research at Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Shadrack Mensah, said workers who contribute to national development throughout their careers deserve peace of mind after leaving the workplace.

“A worker who has contributed to national development throughout an active career deserves financial security, dignity, and peace of mind in later life,” Mr Mensah said.

The Ministry noted that pension security is an essential component of decent work and social protection, highlighting the importance of sustainable employment, fair wages and reliable contributions to retirement savings.

The concern comes as the health sector occupational pension scheme reports paying GH¢116.7 million in benefits in 2025, compared with GH¢26.3 million in 2021.

Chairman of the HSOPS Board of Trustees, Frederick Mensah Acheampong said the scheme was working to make the process more convenient for members, particularly those transitioning out of active service.

"This year, we will further strengthen our investment strategies through greater diversification, robust risk management, and innovative approaches that support sustainable long-term growth. We will also deepen engagements by expanding access to user-friendly digital platforms and enhance servicing."

But beyond the figures are workers who need their retirement benefit to be accessible, reliable, and sufficient to support them after years of service.

Stakeholders say the value of a pension scheme should not be judged solely by the size of its assets or investment returns, but also by whether members can access their benefits accurately and without avoidable delays.

President of Ghana Securities Industry Association, Kisseih Antonio stated that "the security of a pension must be measured not by how impressive a fund looks today, but by the dignity and choices it gives a member tomorrow".

The discussions also underscored the need for prudent investment decisions, transparent governance and timely remittance of contributions to safeguard members’ long-term interests.

The Ministry of Health says the welfare of health professionals must extend beyond the workplace, particularly as Ghana continues to grapple with the need for more health workers.

"The enhanced continuum of care provided through free primary healthcare, the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund depends on skilled and motivated professionals at every level. Our responsibility for their welfare must therefore extend throughout their careers and into retirement," Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Desmond Boateng stressed.

For health workers who have spent years serving patients and supporting families, the ultimate measure of pension security is whether their savings can provide stability and dignity after retirement.