The Centre for Retired Experts (CREX) has recently released a comprehensive study revealing a remarkable 96% of Ghanaian pensioners are willing to continue working beyond the mandatory retirement age. This significant figure, meticulously examined in February 2026, underscores a substantial pool of experienced professionals who remain available to contribute to Ghana’s continued development and economic growth. The study, conducted across the country, involved 559 pensioners and involved a rigorous assessment of their willingness, motivations, and capacity to remain engaged in productive activities following their formal employment. The research sought to understand how these seasoned individuals could leverage their skills and experience into various sectors. The study’s primary objective was to assess the extent to which retirees could actively participate in workforce engagement after retirement. Specifically, the study focused on understanding the extent to which retirees would mentor young professionals, serve as advisors, and contribute to national development through various means. It involved a detailed analysis of responses regarding their motivations and preferences, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their potential involvement. The research employed a methodology that incorporated a survey of 559 retirees across the nation, focusing on their willingness to remain active, their preferences regarding their continued engagement, and their capacity to adapt to a post-retirement lifestyle. The study’s findings highlight a strong desire among retirees to remain active and engaged, with 86% rejecting the notion of reduced usefulness to society after retirement. Furthermore, 87% expressed a desire to contribute to national development, while approximately 97% agreed that there was a gap between the potential of retirees and the existing systems available to support them. The study reveals that while a substantial portion – approximately 14% – are still professionally engaged, the majority – nearly half – are primarily involved in religious, social, community, and family-related activities. The research indicates a strong preference for retirement age extensions to 65 years or beyond, reflecting a significant desire to maintain mental stimulation and contribute to national advancement. The study also examined the financial aspects of this willingness, noting that while nearly 95% reported stable physical and mental conditions, a significant 14% reported financial insecurity. Despite this, the study found that over 95% of pensioners rejected the assertion that they had become less useful to society. Approximately 87% continued to consider themselves useful to national development, while nearly 97% agreed that there was a gap between the potential of retirees and the systems available to engage them productively. The research underscored the availability of retirees for structured post-retirement assignments, with 98% expressing willingness to volunteer, 88% prepared to serve as advisors, and approximately 98% willing to work in rural and deprived communities. The study also revealed that more than half of the respondents preferred the retirement age to be extended to 65 years or beyond, suggesting a desire to maintain mental stimulation and contribute to national development. The study’s findings demonstrate a significant desire for continued engagement, with income supplementation accounting for only about 14% of motivations cited. The research highlights the importance of governance and development activities, which attracted approximately 21% of respondents, followed by business and education. The study also pointed to the potential for agricultural and health sectors to receive less interest, with the agricultural sector’s lower preference potentially linked to its labor-intensive nature and limited mechanisation, while the health sector’s response could have been influenced by the study sample’s composition. Dr. Salifu, the lead researcher, attributed the lower preference for agriculture partly to its labor-intensive nature and limited mechanisation, while the response regarding health could have been influenced by the study’s sample. The study also underscored the availability of retirees for structured post-retirement assignments, with 98% willing to volunteer, 88% prepared to serve as advisors, and approximately 98% willing to work in rural and deprived communities. The study highlighted the potential for further strategic engagement through targeted initiatives and the provision of appropriate support and transportation, suggesting a pathway toward maximizing the benefits of this significant demographic pool of experienced professionals.”}”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
Source: Adom Online
