By: Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
Ghana has joined the rest of the world to mark the United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP), an annual observance that celebrates the contributions of older adults while highlighting the challenges they face.
The 2025 commemoration is being organised by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) under the global theme: “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights.” The theme stresses that older persons should be seen not only as beneficiaries of services but also as active agents within their families, communities, and the wider society.
“This celebration provides an opportunity to reaffirm Ghana’s commitment to building an age-inclusive society where the voices, aspirations, and rights of older persons are fully respected,” the GHS said in a statement.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service, the country’s aging population is expected to reach about 2.3 million by 2025 and as many as 5.6 million by 2050. Despite this growth, many older Ghanaians continue to grapple with ageism, limited healthcare access, inadequate financial protection, and exclusion from decision-making spaces.
Globally, the number of people aged 60 years and above is projected to rise from 1 billion in 2019 to 1.4 billion in 2030, and further to 2.1 billion by 2050. Ghana’s observance of UNIDOP 2025 reflects its recognition of this demographic shift and its implications for development.
This year’s event focuses on five key goals: raising awareness about the rights and challenges of older persons; advocating for equitable access to healthcare, pensions, and legal support; promoting intergenerational dialogue; supporting age-friendly environments; and celebrating the continuing contributions of older adults to national life.
In a press release signed by the Acting Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity, well-being, and rights of older persons.
“Through legal reforms, targeted advocacy, and stronger institutional frameworks, Ghana will continue its journey toward a society where older citizens are recognized, respected, supported, and engaged,” the press release stated.
