Senior citizens honoured in different parts of country
Senior citizens who have contributed to the development of the country in diverse ways were yesterday honoured at ceremonies organised in different parts of the country.
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Some of the deserving senior citizens were presented with certificates and gifts, including wax print.
The awards were instituted as part of activities to mark the anniversary of Ghana’s attainment of Republican status.
At Adentan in Accra, more than 100 senior citizens, mostly retired civil servants and security officers, traditional leaders, traders and farmers, were honoured for their contribution to national development, reports Emelia Ennin Abbey.
They received pieces of wax print and assorted items.
They were also refreshed with food and drinks, while the event also served as a reunion for the senior citizens to interact.
Invaluable service
Speaking at the event, the Adentan Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Benjamin B. Angenu, commended the aged for their invaluable services to the nation.
“We cannot look back and take stock of how far we have come 56 years on without acknowledging the efforts of the youth of yesterday, the generation which took over affairs to successfully achieve this peaceful status as a nation,” he said.
He paid glowing tribute to the brave men and women who fought to establish this nation.
“It is because of their selfless service, determination and dignity that we can celebrate independence day,” he added
Projects
Mr Angenu outlined a number of projects being undertaken by the assembly to enhance development in the area.
He said 500 street lights had been installed in the various electoral areas in the municipality, while 500 dual desks had been distributed to all the public schools.
Senior citizens
A 67-year-old retired navigator, Mr Addo A. Hall, who is resident at New Ogbojo, one of the communities in the municipality, asked the aged to help in reshaping society by educating the youth to lead lives worthy of emulaton.
From Tamale, Samuel Duodu reports that a reception was organised at the Residency in Tamale for a number of senior citizens to mark the day.
It was organised by the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with ActionAid, a human rights-based non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Speaking at the event, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakari, called on the public to learn the lessons of hard work, sacrifice, commitment, dedication to duty, honesty and love for one’s country exhibited by senior citizens in their heyday.
Those attributes, he stated, were even more relevant today because of the concern over increasing acts of indiscipline, disrespect, criminality and apathy among the youth.
Those who were honoured at the reception to mark the day were also presented with certificates and pieces of wax print.
Mr Benjamin Angenu (2nd left), the Adenta Municipal Chief Executive, Adenta, dancing with some senior citizens at the celebration. Picture: MAXWELL OCLOO
Influence
The regional minister urged senior citizens to continue to exert their influence on the communities and use their rich experiences and wisdom to influence national development.
He said although the youth were faced with the problem of unemployment, they could take advantage of the few existing opportunities to earn a living.
He stated that the government had made job creation for the youth a priority by revamping GYEEDA into the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), adding, “As I speak today, the YEA has generated 4,125 jobs in the region.”
Time for lunch, as some senior citizens are served with sumptuous meals at the State House in Accra
Support
Mr Abubakar said the government had indicated its determination to implement policies and programmes to make life easier for the people.
Some of the interventions by the government, he said, included the free registration of elderly persons onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the introduction of the Eban Elderly Welfare Card to enable those aged 65 years and above to enjoy public transport services at 50 per cent discount and also have priority access to banking, transport and health services.
From Bolgatanga, Vincent Amenuveve reports that some senior citizens in the Upper East Region cautioned politicians and particularly the youth against insulting the elderly and those in positions of trust in the run-up to the November polls.
They observed that the rich cultural heritage of the country was being thrown overboard in the name of politics, a development that did not augur well for the peace, security and stability of the nation.
One of the senior citizens, Mr Noble Alagskomah, who spoke on behalf of the other senior citizens at the reception, said such negative tendencies had the potential of creating unnecessary tension.
"Any politician who uses indecent language should be blacklisted or sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others. We in this country have nowhere to go and so politicians should avoid creating fear and panic," he stressed.
Election
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Albert Abongo, observed that senior citizens had a crucial role to play to ensure that "the hard-earned and enviable democracy in Ghana is preserved".
"Your mere presence and pieces of advice as senior citizens at certain turbulent and chaotic areas will go a long way to normalise the situation," he said.