The UN Day For The Aged

Saturday October 24, 2009
By Justice Mingle, A Journalist

OLDER persons throughout the world contribute
immensely towards societal growth yet all too often they are portrayed as a drain on economies.

They are discriminated against and in some instances, systematically excluded from many activities for the simple reason that they are showing signs of ageing.

In Ghana for instance, older people are discriminated against and denied employment opportunities once they reach retirement age and after retirement.

They are forced to retire to create room for younger people even when they still have so much to contribute.

Older people remain among the poorest and much vulnerable groups in the Ghanaian society, yet despite the chronic poverty, the majority of them support themselves and continue to contribute to their families and community.

At the community level, they play unique roles in mentoring, counselling and supervision.

They are involved in marriage ceremonies, funerals, festivals and the naming of children. Older persons are also helpful in the maintenance of the family and are custodians of culture.

In conflict resolution, the role of older persons is quite pertinent. Many older persons are still active in economic activities in both the formal and informal sectors.

Looking at all these, it becomes paramount that we start investing in the productive and social capacities of older people.

This makes the theme for this year’s International Day of Older people, “Age Demands Action”, very relevant.

The campaign urges the international community to protect older people’s rights by introducing a UN convention on the rights of older people.

Truly, older persons have rights like any other social group. Policies must therefore be tailored to meet the hopes and aspirations of older people.

Their potential to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives must be factored into all national programmes.

Help Age Ghana, the national network doing advocacy for the protection of the rights of older people deserves tons of commendation for the work so far which has undoubtedly projected and promoted their right to economic and physical security, health care and social services.

Equally deserving mention is government’s attitude and acceptance of the rights of older people.

Today, poor older people, that is, those within age 65 and above have been considered for cash transfer under the LEAP programme.

Exemption has been granted older people 70 years and above as well as SSNIT pensioners from paying premium under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

A three-tier National Pension Scheme has been launched by the President and is about to take off in January next year.

Nevertheless, it will be prudent if the NHIS premium exemption age is reduced from 70 to 65 years or to the age definition of an older person in the National Ageing Policy.

Disease coverage under the NHIS must be expanded and made more relevant to the healthcare needs of older people.

It is unfortunate geriatic healthcare system is non-existent in the country. It will be necessary to review the curriculum of health training institutions including the medical school to turn out geriatic nurses and doctors.

The on-going pension reforms must be expedited to help reduce suffering of people at old age.

Cabinet must do well to consider and approve the draft National Ageing Policy possibly before the end of the year to give national direction to ageing issues and provide the need relief to older people.

A policy on ageing will truly promote the social, economic and continued integration of older person into mainstream society.

It will enable them to participate fully in national development and social life while recognising their fundamental rights.

Older people need to be issued with identify cards so they can get concession on public transport.

Ageing issues must be included in the school curriculum so that future generations are made aware of the challenges and opportunities that ageing brings.

The maintenance law must be reviewed to include children supporting their aged parents.

The value of state pension must be increased in line with the cost of living.
It must be adjusted to a level that meets more than basic survival needs.

It is rather unfortunate that today in Ghana, old age is more of a curse than a blessing. Older people must have access to social and legal services to enhance their autonomy, protection and care.

It is rather unfortunate that industrialisation, organisation and westernisation have caused a gradual disintegration of the extended family system rendering it me effective in its role as a social security institution.

Looking at the way things are going, we have indeed not done much to improve the livelihood of older persons.

The youth will be the eventual beneficiaries of whatever structures are put in place for the aged today, for ageing is a ladder we shall all climb.

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