Promoting Welfare of Seniors in Ghana, How Far?

By Ebenezar Adjetey-Sorsey(PhD), Lecturer, University of Professional Studies

About 34 years ago, on the 14th of December, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly by Resolution 45/106 designated October 1, an International Day of Older Persons (IDOP). This is in recognition and appreciation of the varied contributions that older persons have made and continue to make to the growth and development of the family, society and the nation at large. It is also to draw attention to the state of their well-being and create opportunities for all, particularly our governments to reflect on their levels of commitments towards the improvement of the quality of life of older persons.

The population of Ghana, as in many developing countries, especially in Africa, is ageing at a relatively faster rate and the effects of this on social, political and economic growth and development cannot be underestimated. Indications of Ghana’s ageing population include increases in the median age, ratio of the elderly to children and Life Expectancy for both sexes. An ageing population has both positive and negative implications for national development. It has the potential to overstretch many sectors of the economy, including health, transportation and housing and the earlier we put in place the necessary strategies to harness the many benefits of our ageing population, the better it would be for us at our own old age and for national development. This requires well-informed policy  interventions to harness the opportunities and also mitigate any negative impacts on the development of the nation. This year’s commemoration is focused on “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.” 

This theme draws direct attention to and in Ghana, in connection with the way we have treated issues relating to dignity and support systems for our older persons. The normal best for special days such as these in Ghana have been creating fanfares around them and spicing them with press releases full of ‘good intentions’. One need not overstretch the fact that older persons in Ghana face many challenges, including inadequate healthcare, income insecurity, which sometimes culminate into poverty and deprivation, abuse of their rights, and discrimination. These have been compounded by the negative impact of social changes and negative stereotypes. *HelpAge Ghana, the only national non-governmental age care organisation in the country, has carried the burden of providing care for older persons for 36 years, without any governmental support, beyond the making of speeches at events by invited government officials.

The State has largely reneged on her responsibilities to improve care systems and quality of life for our older persons. We cannot continue to regard our older persons as recipients of welfare. They are holders of rights like all other citizens. Ramsey Clark, the former Attorney General of the United States of America, puts it succinctly when he said, “A right is not what someone gives you; it’s what no one can take from you.” Articles 37 (2) (b) and 37 (6) (b) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana make specific demands on the State to protect and promote the rights of older persons and to provide them with social assistance to enable them to live in dignity. 

The issues at stake therefore have to do with constitutional rights, not a favour. We cannot continue to take delight in making election campaign promises, which have largely turned out to be deceits and lies to these hitherto revered members of our society every four years. The performances of the two main political parties in the country aimed at improving the well-being of older persons in Ghana can best be described as abysmal. The signing of the AU Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on The Rights of Older Persons in Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2017 by the President of the Republic gave ageing watchers the hope that older persons would experience significant activities to improve the quality of their lives, but alas, the evidence is there for all to see. Additionally, the commemoration of 1st July as Senior Citizens Day in Ghana, where selected and deserving older persons, who have toiled and sacrificed their lives and lots for the country are honoured with a luncheon by the President of the Republic, has also vanished into thin air. It took Ghana 13 years to develop a National Ageing Policy (1997 to 2010) and a 5-year Implementation Action Plan which was never put into action and expired in 2015. The drafting of a National Older People’s Bill, which began as far back as 2015, is still on the shelves of both the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, sector ministry) and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.  As usual, the two major political parties have not missed the opportunity for another merry-go-round manifesto promises, targeted at older persons in the country. 

The 2024 elections provide another opportunity for older persons in Ghana to demand action and accountability from political and policy actors. They have not benefited from the gerontocratic elements of our democracy. 

Let all older persons come out on the day of voting on December 7, 2024, and peacefully exercise their voting rights, not only on the basis of affiliation to political parties, but more importantly on the issues at stake and demand comprehensive healthcare and social support services  required from both the family and State.  Older persons also have rights and this does not change because one is growing old. The rights of older persons are also human rights and they should feel being celebrated rather than dreaded. We salute all older persons on this Special Day and encourage them to continue to be law abiding and pursue justice for themselves and for all in society. 

AGE DEMANDS ACTION!.

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