HelpAge Ghana celebrates Day

Accra, Oct. 1, GNA - Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment on Wednesday urged the aged in society to prevail on their working children to support the health insurance scheme to benefit everybody, especially those oppressed by the cash and carry system.

He said: "Government acknowledges that most of the people cannot afford their medical bills, that is why it is asking workers to just contribute 2.5 per cent of their SSNIT contributions to help establish the scheme."

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the UN Day for older persons, which falls on October 1 every year, Mr Barimah said the government accepts the fact that the elderly especially, could not take care of their medical bills because their children have a lot of needs to meet that is why "we are asking you to intercede and ask your children to allow government start with the scheme as soon as possible".

The UN set aside the day, to recognize the roles the elderly have played in their most productive stages of life for society's development and also to review mechanisms for providing support and services for the well-being of the aged.

HelpAge Ghana, (HAG) started activities marking the day under the theme: "Developing Positive Attitudes Towards Aging in an All Embracing Society" with a durbar, eyes screening exercise, picnics and health walks.

A thanksgiving ceremony would be held on Sunday, October 5 to climax the day.

Over 300 of the elderly dancing to brass band music converged the Efua Sutherlands Children Park in Accra, holding placards some iof which read: "Value Old Age,' 'Appreciate the Elderly' and 'Hand in Hand with the Elderly" marked the day with a procession from the National Sports Stadium.

Mr Barimah said there were potentials in the elderly, which the young could tap to help govern and build society.

He said the old age policy has taken some time to come out because government was exploring and collating ideas to ensure that it effectively caters for the need of the aged, saying "we look at your issues not with sympathy but with empathy and responsibility".

Professor Nana Araba Apt, President of HAG announced that Ghana would host the African regional meeting of HelpAge International in August next year and urged government to ensure that the policy on older persons comes out before the meeting to affirm Ghana's commitment to the aged.

She advised young people to plan wisely for their retirement and old age by cultivating healthy life styles.

She said society must not see aging as helplessness and illness but a phenomenon ordained by God.

Mr Moses Mukasa, UNFPA representative said currently, there has been an increase in the older population with women constituting the majority, most vulnerable and poor.

"We need more advocacy efforts, partnership and dialogue for long and short term planning, improve support services and ensure a greater and intra-generational equity and solidarity actions with the aged". 1 Oct 03