SSHFC Media Sensitisation Training on their mandates and digitalisation drives

On 17 July 2025, the Network of Tax and Financial Reporters (NTFR), in partnership with the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), held a one-day media sensitisation training at the NaNA Conference Centre, Bertil Hardin Highway, The Gambia. The event attracted 50 media practitioners and 15 SSHFC staff and aimed at improving understanding of SSHFC's operations, recent digital initiatives, and their role in social protection and financial security. The event featured an opening ceremony and presentations by SSHFC staff, followed by a Q&A and recommendations session. Key dignitaries included Mr. Alieu Ceesay (Gambia Press Union), Mr. Musa Sheriff (Publisher, Voice Newspaper), and Mr. Fabuka Nyaay (SSHFC Director of Corperate Affairs, representing the SSHFC Director). Other presenters and contributers included Ebrima Faye- Documentation Manager, Amadou Badjie- Benefit Manager, Fatou Lobbeh Dibba-SSHFCEstate Manager, and Mr John Zack- Customer Care Supervisor delivered the closing remarks Presentations and Key Topics Three SSHFC resource persons delivered presentations on: SSHFC’s governance structure and organisational framework Operational modes, legal framework, and compliance requirements Investment strategies supporting fund management Recent digitisation programs to improve efficiency Structure and management of SSHFC’s constituent funds SSHFC Funds Structure Presenters highlighted on Contribution Details, such as Payments, Benefit Coverage affecting Federated Pension Fund (FPS), National Provident Fund (NPF); Investment Policy: the Legal Application and Exemptions and The Social Security and Housing Cooperation Act 2015 which covers covers: employers registered under the Business Registration Act 1973; Employers/employees under the State Pension Board Act; Gambian citizens in diplomatic/international service roles; All employees aged 18+ in registrable businesses in The Gambia (regardless of nationality) Exemptions: Presenters also hexplained that the Act does not cover Civil Servants under the Pensions Act 1950 (Cap.137); Workers under 18 years Workers above 59 years (except by special arrangement); Casual employees (daily/piecework/fixed-term ≤1 month) and other casual employees as determined by SSHFC’s Managing Director. Contribution Rates and Member Benefits Undeer the Federated Pension Fund (FPS) the employer contributes 15% of gross salary; attracting benefit of Pension income for life after retirement, based on final salary. Under the the National Provident Fund (NPF) Employer contributes 10%, and employee 5% and the benefit: Lump sum payment is amde at age 60 including all contributions plus interest. Resourse persons also presented on the Industrial Injuries Compensation Fund (IICF) in which the Employer contributes 1% of gross salary (max D15.00 for salaries ≥ D1,500); Presenter also presented on the Housing Finance Fund; the SSHFC’s ongoing digitalisation efforts focus on Simplifying contribution processes, enhancing transparency, improving efficiency of service delivery to both employers and employees Remarks at opening ceremony: Mr. Abdoulie Nyockeh, President of the Network of Financial and Tax Reporters, during his opening remarks highlighted that the training was coordinated by NFTR-Gambia chapter with SSHFC’s technical and financial support. he said it aims to deepen journalists’ understanding of SSHFC’s operations and legal frameworks; equips media practitioners to report more accurately on social protection and SSHFC’s mandates. He said part of a long-term effort to improve public understanding of national development and social security. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between media, public, and private sectors to promote factual reporting and raise awareness of tax, business, and economic issues in The Gambia. He recollected on the NFTR Gambia’s formation in 2019, focused on transparency in tax communication, with a key milestone being a 2019 continental media engagement training in Kigali, Rwanda. Recommendations Participants urged: SSHFC to organise more sensitisation programs to widen awareness; Increased use of social media platforms, including creating WhatsApp groups to share relevant information with media practitioners; Media to establish and SSHFC to sponsor dedicated newspaper columns for sustained public engagement; Maintenance of the SSHFC lodge in Basse, with updates from Fatou Lobbeh Dibba, SSHFC Estate Manager, confirming ongoing maintenance efforts; Media to broaden investigative focus beyond politics to include financial and human-interest reporting; Enhanced financial reporting specialization for in-depth and factual journalism; Regular briefings on SSHFC activities to help journalists accurately disseminate information; forge closer collaborations between media and SSHFC to promote transparency and accountability. Conclusion The SSHFC Media Sensitisation Training successfully provided journalists with enriched knowledge, contributing to more accurate public awareness about social security and highlighting SSHFC’s digital service delivery transformation. The event strengthened the partnership between media and institutions, fostering increased capacity, transparency, and trust on key national issues.