With effect from today, June, 28, one's number on the National Identification Card has become the unique SSNIT Number. 

This follows the decision by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), to merge the two numbers in line with government policy.

The merger is in compliance with Regulation 7 (1) of the National Identity Register Regulations, 2012, LI 2111, and a directive from the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA).

The regulation, among other things, requires the use of the Ghana Card as a means of identification for “transactions pertaining to individuals in respect of pensions”.

The Ghana Card, is a secure and multi-purpose card that establishes the biometric identity of the holder for verification and authentication of electronic and physical transactions to be conducted in the public and private services space.

It is proof of identity, citizenship and residence of the holder.

The SSNIT number on the other hand is a unique identification number issued to contributors to the Pension Scheme as mandated by the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766). SSNIT's mandate is to cater for the First Tier of the Three-Tier Pension Scheme being implemented in Ghana.

The unique number is used by pensioners to access their funds from SSNIT.

Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Monday, the Ag. Public Affairs Manager at SSNIT, Charles Akwei Garshong explained that the merger is expected to improve the ease of doing business, as it will create the convenience of using only one card for all transactions.

The process of merging the two identification numbers will continue until December 31, this year.

This means that from January 1, next year, SSNIT contributors will no longer use their scheme numbers but will transact all business with SSNIT with their Ghana Card.

Mr Charles Akwei Garshong outlined the steps one needs to take to merge the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and National Identification Authority (NIA) numbers.

https://youtu.be/mkGt--eO53U

He said one can either do so via the SSNIT website or through the USSD short code.

Using the short code.

1. Dial *711*9#. Follow the prompt.
2. Select option 1. This option would lead you to merge your SSNIT and NIA numbers.
3. Then you enter your SSNIT number.
4. Then you enter your NIA number. Once you enter your NIA number, the system would address you, for example; Hello Kojo, ABC. Then you click okay.
5. Then automatically, your two numbers would be merged.
6. Once your numbers are merged, a message would be sent to you via text or email. An email or text would be sent to the email or number in the database of SSNIT.

Using the website option

1. Visit www.SSNIT.org.gh.
2. Click 'My Statement'. It will take you to a page where you would be asked to log in. If you already have login credentials, key in your SSNIT number and your password.
3. If you don’t have login credentials, you go to ‘Get Access’. Enter your SSNIT number and email.
4. A message would be sent to your email. There would be an authentication question. Answer the question.
5. An email would be sent to you, containing your password. Copy the password.
6. There would be a link in your email that would take you back to the SSNIT page. You click on that link, and enter your SSNIT number again.
7. Paste the password you have copied. It is advisable to change the password to the one you prefer.
8. After going through that process, it would take you back to the ‘My statement’ page. Where you would click ‘Merge my SSNIT and NIA number’. Once you click that, you would enter your NIA number and you are done.

Mr Garshong said persons who used their SSNIT numbers to register for NIA, do not have to go through these steps since their numbers have already been merged.

However for new users, SSNIT will only accept the Ghana Card as the unique identification for processing benefits and contributions.