Ghanaian pensioners show high willingness to work past retirement age

A study by the Centre for Retired Experts (CREX) conducted in February 2026 reveals that 96% of surveyed Ghanaian pensioners are willing to continue working beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60. The research, which involved 559 participants, highlights a significant disconnect between the desire of retirees to remain productive and the available systems to facilitate their engagement.

Findings presented at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) indicate that nearly all respondents are willing to mentor younger professionals, while 88% are prepared to serve as advisers or board members. Despite this readiness, approximately 93% of pensioners reported being unaware of any existing platforms where they could offer their expertise. Dr. Adam Salifu, a lecturer at UPSA and co-researcher, noted that the primary issue is a lack of coordination mechanisms rather than a lack of willingness.

Additionally, over 50% of respondents expressed a preference for extending the retirement age to 65 or beyond. The study also found that 87% of retirees still consider themselves useful to national development, with 86% rejecting the idea that retirement has diminished their sense of societal usefulness.