President John Mahama has designated Kwesi Afreh Biney as the new new Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). He succeeds Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo, who was appointed by previous President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In a related appointment, Adam Sulley has been named Deputy Director-General in charge of Operations and Benefits.
The leadership reshuffle at SSNIT follows the dismissal of Osafo-Maafo and his three deputies:
- Kwame Adu-Darkwa – Deputy Director-General, Finance and Administration
- Ms Juliana Kpedekpo – Deputy Director-General, Operations and Benefits
- Nana Serwah Bonsu Amoako – Deputy Director-General, Investment and Development
The move is seen as part of ongoing restructuring within state institutions under the new administration.
SSNIT has gone through a progression of initiative changes over the course of the last year. In April 2024, previous President Akufo-Addo stood out as truly newsworthy when he excused Dr John Ofori Tenkorang as Chief General of SSNIT and supplanted him with Kofi Bosompem Osafo-Maafo, child of Yaw Osafo-Maafo. His residency ignited inward moves, prompting the acquiescence of Michael Addo, then, at that point, Deputy Director-General for Finance and Administration, , and the reassignment of Pearl Nana Ama Darko from SSNIT to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) administers Ghana’s Basic National Social Security Scheme, also known as the First-Tier Pension Scheme. It provides income security for workers, including the self-employed, by offering pension benefits for old age, invalidity, and death—similar to how insurance companies cover contingencies like accidents and fire.
In a related development, President Mahama has appointed energy strategist Dr Yusif Sulemana as the new acting Managing Director of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). He replaces former Managing Director Kofi Tagoe Mocumbi.