Why you can’t merge your SSNIT & Ghana Card numbers and what to do

The merging of the SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers that the SSNIT contributor has the biometric card issued by SSNIT and the NIA. The merging commenced on June 28th, 2021, and ended on December 2021. As of 31st December 2021, 1.1 million active SSNIT contributors had successfully merged their cards with a backlog of 600,000 yet to do so. 

After successfully merging the two numbers, one receives a notification in his or her email or phone number which has been captured in the database of SSNIT. Even if you are not successful, you should receive an email or text message to that effect. Ensure that you know your phone number and email on the database of SSNIT to get feedback. 

When a SSNIT contributor merges the two numbers through the shortcode *711*9# or the SSNIT website www.ssnit.org.gh/member, he or she receives a message that Feedback has been sent into your (email) and that merging is ongoing.

Why you’re unable to merge your SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers

There are reasons why you’re unable to merge your SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers. 

If you merge the two numbers, the SSNIT system will compare the fingerprints connected to both SSNIT and Ghana Cards. If the fingerprints are not the same or there is a problem with it, the merging is very likely not to be successful and you may not receive a message from the system.

Again, in case you do not have a Ghana card number, you cannot start the merging process. Those who have registered with the National Identification Authority but are yet to receive their physical cards can call or visit the NIA office to request their unique card number so as to merge it with the SSNIT number.

Contributors to SSNIT are also required to go through biometric membership registration. After their details have been captured in the SSNIT database, a unique card/number is issued which will be used for the merging to be successful.

Failure to do this implies you cannot merge the two numbers since the SSNIT contributor does not have biometric data with SSNIT. Attempts to merge your SSNIT number which is not the biometric SSNIT card number will not work. The SSNIT biometric registration started in 2012.

Now, if you do not have your SSNIT biometric card number, you are advised to visit the SSNIT when they resume operations in 2022 to initiate the registration process. Go to the SSNIT office with your Ghana Card to register. 

From the above, it is clear that any attempt to merge the SSNIT number with the Ghana Card number when your details have not been captured in the SSNIT biometric database will make you unsuccessful. 

If the fingerprints do not match, merging may delay or may not be successful.

Those who have both SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers, have gone through the merging process but have not been able to merge them or did not receive a message are advised to get in contact with SSNIT and or NIA. 

READ: Have you merged your SSNIT with Ghana Nos? Merging Ends 31st Dec.

4 Reasons to merge your SSNIT and NIA (GHAN CARD) numbers

The four reasons why you need to take the SSNIT and Ghana Card merging serious is:

a. It will help you carry along only one card (The Ghana Card) for all transactions.

b. It will also help in the easy identification of your nominated dependants.

c. You save money since you do not need to pay for a SSNIT card.

d. Would have carried out a key legal requirement for merging the two numbers.

READ: Merging SSNIT and Ghana Card Numbers: Importance of the adoption of the Ghana Card

Now that you know the challenges confronting you and the reasons why you must merge the two numbers, take the needed steps to get your data captured by merging the two numbers. Good luck.

Source: Wisdom Hammond |Ghana Education News