Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has advocated for inclusive pension systems that protect workers in old age, stressing the need for reforms that recognise the realities of Africa’s labour market and provide citizens with dignity and security after years of contribution to society.
The Vice President made the remarks while opening the 7th APSA Annual Conference at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, hosted by Ghana’s National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), where pension regulators and policymakers from across Africa are deliberating on building more inclusive and resilient retirement systems for the continent.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said governance must prioritise systems that ensure citizens do not spend a lifetime contributing to national development only to enter old age without adequate protection.
“In our time, one of those responsibilities is to ensure that our citizens do not spend a lifetime contributing to society only to enter old age without dignity and security,” she said.
She noted that millions of Africans work, produce, sell and contribute to economic growth, but many continue to face uncertainty in retirement due to limited access to formal pension protection.
According to her, pension systems across the continent must evolve beyond traditional models designed mainly around formal employment and embrace approaches that accommodate informal sector workers, who make up a significant part of Africa’s workforce.
She said the realities of irregular incomes, multiple livelihoods and changing employment patterns require innovative solutions that create pathways for more citizens to participate meaningfully in retirement savings and protection schemes.
“The choices we make today will determine whether millions of Africans enter old age with dignity and security or not,” the Vice President added.
She further highlighted the importance of innovation in expanding pension coverage, pointing to Africa’s success in areas such as telecommunications, financial services and mobile money as examples of the continent’s ability to develop solutions suited to its unique needs.
The 7th Africa Pension Supervisors Association (APSA) Annual Conference is a continental gathering of pension regulators, supervisors, policymakers, development partners and industry leaders focused on strengthening pension systems across Africa. The conference, hosted by Ghana’s National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), is being held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, Accra, from July 29–31, 2026.
