Renowned cultural advocate and veteran public servant, Mr. Abdallah Ahmed, popularly known as ChiefMonor, has called for urgent reforms to Ghana’s public service retirement system, describing the existing benefits for retirees as woefully inadequate and deeply unjust.
Speaking at his farewell event on Sunday 8 June 2025 in Damongo Community Center under the theme “Preserving Our Past, Shaping Our Future,” Mr. Ahmed said it is unacceptable for many civil servants to end decades of service with retirement packages that fall below GHS 15,000.
“Some remain on post-retirement contracts not because they are unwilling to rest, but because they simply cannot afford to stop working,” he lamented. “This is not just my personal experience. It is a national concern.”
He urged government and policymakers to re-examine salary structures, ensure fairness in Social Security and pension payments, and design long-term welfare support systems for retired personals.
“A nation that disrespects its elders and public servants is a nation heading for trouble,” he warned. “We can and must do better.”
Mr. Ahmed used the farewell platform to reflect on decades of public service and cultural leadership in Damongo and beyond.
His contributions include designing emblems for key institutions, establishing the Centre for National Culture and CHRAJ office in Damongo, and pioneering work at PADfm among others.
He also unveiled The Tradition & Transformation Project a legacy initiative built on six pillars: documenting Gonja history, promoting indigenous language use, reviving drum language, preserving traditional dances, supporting local artists, and establishing a storytelling village.
Beyond heritage preservation, Mr. Ahmed advocated for the revival of the playmate system (kurubi) for conflict resolution, called for responsible communication in the digital age, and praised the Savannah Region’s religious harmony as a national example.
He concluded with a call to blend tradition with progress. “The future is not ahead of us it is within us.”
The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries including Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Yusif Sulemana, Managing Director of Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Limited, the MCE of West Gonja Municipality, traditional rulers, Head of institutions, and residents from across the region.
Source: kashafmonline.com
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