Former President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need for the promotion of the economic well-being of older people in the country by guaranteeing them financial inclusion and giving them access to financial services.
This he said, would enable them save, invest and access funds for their basic needs and emergencies.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who made the call at the first Ghana Aging Conference, held in Accra, on Sunday, said focusing on the youth alone, and overlooking the plight of the elderly who have served society and deserved their earned rest in retirement, was a move in the wrong direction.
He expressed worry that the lack of subsidised healthcare and transport, near absence of both geriatric centres for specialised care and aged-friendly environments in communities and low pension allowances and income, compounded the problems.
“The recent decision by the government on the retirement income securities of the elderly due to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) also shows clearly that the country has become insensitive to the needs of these individuals,” he said.
Former President Mahama assured that a next NDC administration will focus more on the welfare of the aged in the country, by establishing a centre of excellence for training social workers to care for the elderly and reactivate the Eban Elderly Welfare Card, to enable Ghanaians above 60 years have priority access to social services.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Los Abuelos Foundation, organisers of the conference, Mrs Eunice Abban Afari, in a speech read on her behalf, said Ghana must take positive steps to fulfill the promise of the universal declaration of human rights for older generations.
He suggested the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare to older persons and strengthen social security systems, create employment opportunities and combat age discrimination at work places.
Mrs Afari noted that isolation and loneliness could have devastating effects on the elderly and called for fostering a culture of inclusion and providing opportunities for older persons to remain engaged in the society.
“We must work tirelessly to protect older persons from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that they live in safety and security. We must also make sure legal frameworks are strengthened to protect the aged, especially when it comes to issues related to inheritance, property rights and decision making autonomy,” she added.
According to Mrs Afari, it was also very necessary for older persons in the country to have access to technology and the digital world to enhance their quality of life and connectivity.
Older persons, she said had dedicated their lives to building communities and the nation at large, fighting tirelessly to provide for their families “therefore, it is our moral duty to honour them.”
National Secretary of the Ghana Government Pensioners Association (GGPA), Mr Joe Quist, appealed to the government to exempt older persons from paying utility and hospital bills, set up homes for the aged, and engage elderly persons who are fit, in government institutions as consultants or advisers.
Former Pres Mahama seeks well-being of older people
Former President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need for the promotion of the economic well-being of older people in the country by guaranteeing them financial inclusion and giving them access to financial services.
This he said, would enable them save, invest and access funds for their basic needs and emergencies.
The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who made the call at the first Ghana Aging Conference, held in Accra, on Sunday, said focusing on the youth alone, and overlooking the plight of the elderly who have served society and deserved their earned rest in retirement, was a move in the wrong direction.
He expressed worry that the lack of subsidised healthcare and transport, near absence of both geriatric centres for specialised care and aged-friendly environments in communities and low pension allowances and income, compounded the problems.
“The recent decision by the government on the retirement income securities of the elderly due to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) also shows clearly that the country has become insensitive to the needs of these individuals,” he said.
Former President Mahama assured that a next NDC administration will focus more on the welfare of the aged in the country, by establishing a centre of excellence for training social workers to care for the elderly and reactivate the Eban Elderly Welfare Card, to enable Ghanaians above 60 years have priority access to social services.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Los Abuelos Foundation, organisers of the conference, Mrs Eunice Abban Afari, in a speech read on her behalf, said Ghana must take positive steps to fulfill the promise of the universal declaration of human rights for older generations.
He suggested the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare to older persons and strengthen social security systems, create employment opportunities and combat age discrimination at work places.
Mrs Afari noted that isolation and loneliness could have devastating effects on the elderly and called for fostering a culture of inclusion and providing opportunities for older persons to remain engaged in the society.
“We must work tirelessly to protect older persons from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that they live in safety and security. We must also make sure legal frameworks are strengthened to protect the aged, especially when it comes to issues related to inheritance, property rights and decision making autonomy,” she added.
According to Mrs Afari, it was also very necessary for older persons in the country to have access to technology and the digital world to enhance their quality of life and connectivity.
Older persons, she said had dedicated their lives to building communities and the nation at large, fighting tirelessly to provide for their families “therefore, it is our moral duty to honour them.”
National Secretary of the Ghana Government Pensioners Association (GGPA), Mr Joe Quist, appealed to the government to exempt older persons from paying utility and hospital bills, set up homes for the aged, and engage elderly persons who are fit, in government institutions as consultants or advisers.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
