Various actions by government over the years indicate that it recognizes the need to intervene to promote quality aging and proper care for older persons in the country.  Data shows that, numerically, Ghana ’s aging population has more than tripled in 30 years which is a reflection of improvement in health and life expectancy.  Old age in Africa and especially Ghana, is considered desirable and a reward from God for righteousness.  Others also see it as a growing vulnerability to sicknesses and diseases. 

Contrary to people’s beliefs and thoughts however, older people continue to contribute in diverse ways towards development in the family, society and the nation at large.  These include maternal and paternal roles, family management and maintenance as well as being custodians of our culture.  During marriages, funerals, conflict resolution, mentoring and counseling the impact of older people is largely felt.  Despite all these older persons in Ghana face a number of challenges in our society.

Ageing or old age largely means unemployment especially for those who work in the formal sector and reach age 60.  Even though a few are re-engaged on contract, this is for a limited period.  Retirees without alternative skills and employment therefore remain economically idle for the rest of their lives even though they might have the physical strength to continue to work. The result is that in Ghana today, as in many African countries, people become poor in old age. Majority of older people are the poorest among the poor.

Many old people are today experiencing discrimination and in some instances, systematic exclusion in many activities which impact on their lives for the single reason that they are showing signs, mainly physical, of ageing.  So today in Ghana , grey hair is a risk when accessing credit from some institutions.  Also there is a changing perception and attitudes for the worse towards ageing and older persons in relation to their roles, status and authority due to religious beliefs, urbanization, education and a lot more. 

As we honour our aged today, it is important to call  for speed on the draft national ageing policy and the final document which was been presented to the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment for onward submission to Cabinet last month.  The curriculum of health training institutions, including the medical schools, should be renewed as specified under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II to turn out nurses and doctors.  Even though some doctors are on record to have been trained in the field of Geriatrics, most of them have diverted to general practice because Geriatrics is not part of Ghana's health care system.  This is not good enough. 

The National Health Insurance premium exemption must be reviewed to 65 years.  At the moment exemption under the scheme covers older people from 70 years and above and for SSNIT pensioners, 60 years and above.  The three tier Pension reform must be expedited to reduce suffering at old age.  Efforts to bring workers in the non-formal sector onto the Pension scheme is quite commendable.  There must be an annual increment on pension entitlements to reflect current economic conditions. 

Help Age, about the only Non-Governmental organization promoting prospects of older persons in the country must be commended for the yeoman’s job.  Whether we like it or not ageing is a ladder we shall all climb one day.  So the earlier we create structures and conditions for the enjoyment of old age, the better.

BY: JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST