John Dramani Mahama has raised alarm over the state of Ghana’s pension system, warning that it is at a “critical crossroads” due to low participation and sustainability concerns.

Addressing Organised Labour at the Presidency, the president revealed that fewer than two million workers are actively contributing to the pension scheme out of an estimated 10 million workforce.

“If we fail to act, the imbalance between contributors and retirees will threaten the sustainability of the system,” he cautioned.

To address the situation, President Mahama said the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel A.B. Forson, has been directed to undertake a comprehensive review of the pension system, with a focus on expanding coverage — particularly within the informal sector — and strengthening governance structures.

He also pointed to ongoing challenges in the energy sector, noting that inefficiencies continue to drain critical resources needed to improve wages and social protection.

“These losses directly impact our ability to improve working conditions and support Ghanaian workers,” he said.

The president called on Organised Labour to back the government’s reform agenda, stressing the need for collective action.

“The reset agenda is not just a slogan,” he said.

“It is a commitment to fix what is broken, build what is sustainable, and ensure that every Ghanaian worker is treated with fairness and dignity.”