Global community focuses attention on welfare of elderly
OCTOBER 1 each year is celebrated as the International Day for Elderly People to recognise the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment”.
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Instituted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990, celebration of the day started on October 1, 1991 to enlighten people on issues which affect elderly persons, as well as to appreciate their contribution to society.
The aim of the annual celebration is to focus global attention on the impact of the physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elder persons.
Demographic changes
Currently, the world is undergoing significant demographic changes, and according to the United Nations, "one of every 10 persons is now 60 years or older. By the year 2050, one of five will be 60 years or older and by 2150, it will be one of three persons, which will exceed the number of younger people.
These changes have led to a worldwide recognition of the problems and challenges that face the elderly.
Research has shown that abuse of the elderly, neglect, violence and exploitation are some of the biggest issues facing senior citizens around the world, and the World Health Organisation’s data suggests that four to six per cent of elderly people suffer some form of abuse, a large percentage of which goes unreported.
Ghana currently has 6.7 per cent of its population made up of older persons above 60 years, making it one of the countries with the highest proportions of persons aged 60 and above in sub-Saharan Africa, and this is expected to increase.
In addition to the celebration of the International Day for Elderly People, the United Nations (UN) has designated June 15 as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), with the first event held in 2012 during which the World Assembly adopted a Plan of Action on Ageing, to encourage society development for all ages.
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Public awareness
There is, therefore, the need to promote public awareness to examine issues and focus on which type of behaviour can help older men and women throughout their life. This is to encourage people to be wary of their responsibility of making elderly people happy and comfortable.
In a statement to mark the event, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has congratulated all elderly persons in Ghana on their contribution over the years to the development of the nation.
The statement acknowledged the challenges some older persons faced in society, and mentioned some as the accusation of being witches, discrimination, income insecurity, inadequate access to healthcare, unemployment, abuse and lack of access to proper transport systems.
It is for these reasons that the ministry is putting in place proper legal and policy framework to provide adequate safety nets for older persons in Ghana.
In 2014, the ministry inaugurated an Advisory Committee on Ageing which has developed instructions to help the Attorney-General’s Department to draft an Aged Bill. When passed, the bill will create a legal framework for the implementation of pro-elderly interventions and also establish a council to manage the affairs of the aged.
The ministry has also created a desk for elderly persons to coordinate and ensure the full implementation of the National Ageing Policy.
Social interventions
In order to make life more comfortable for older persons, the ministry has been providing social interventions for older persons in Ghana, and in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority, registered more than 6,000 older persons in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta, Ashanti and Central regions under the NHIS.
The statement said under the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Cash Transfer Programme, elderly persons aged 65 and above with no productive capacity are eligible for cash transfer, and currently, 46 per cent of beneficiaries on the LEAP programme are elderly.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has also been signed between Ghana and the Aahus Social Health Care Collage of Denmark to support the introduction and mainstreaming of geriatrics at the various health training schools in Ghana, as well as healthcare delivery system.
Eban Card
According to the statement, the ‘Eban’ Elderly Welfare Card Programme introduced by the ministry is one major intervention to address the urban pressure faced by the elderly. It indicated that about 4,500 elderly persons have been issued with the Eban Card for identification and provision of social protection intervention modules for older persons aged 65 and above.
Currently, the modules under the programme include: 50 per cent rebate on transport fares on Metro Mass Transit Ltd buses and priority access to services at transport terminals. “These interventions are in line with the theme for this year’s International Day of the Elderly: “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment”.