Make Ghana Month period of appreciation for elderly — Busia Institute

The Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD), a think tank that promotes education, democracy and rural development, has suggested to the government to declare the Ghana Month (March) as a period of appreciation to the elderly. 

In that period, it said, the district and municipal assemblies should also organise forums for older people to interact with the youth to share their life experiences and proffer ideas towards the nation-building efforts.

A statement signed and issued by the Executive Director of BIRDD, Anane Agyei, to commemorate this year’s Ghana Month, which is celebrated in March, expressed confidence that the spirit of camaraderie that had characterised the celebration would inspire the citizenry to give their utmost in the service of the country.

It also used the month to make a series of donations to some elderly people.

Commendation

The BIRDD also urged the citizenry to pay special attention to the needs of older people in society who were often found to be lonely, adding that “loneliness can push people to an early grave. Old age is a must for everyone who will not die early. We pray for a long life, meaning being old is a blessing; hence, the aged must not be neglected”.

“A crucial period to care for people is when they are vulnerable especially as children, in ill health or old age when pregnant,” it added.

“Many of the older people in their younger days served the nation and humanity to the best of their abilities. Now that some of them may be weak and helpless, it is incumbent on us all, as individuals and groups, on behalf of the nation and society, to reciprocate the services our cherished senior citizens rendered to the motherland in their active years,” it said.

The BIRDD also appealed to the youth to tap into the wealth of knowledge, ideas and wisdom of the elderly, saying through the oldies, young people can learn a lot about history, culture and traditions.

The BIRDD commended the government for its interventions regarding the aged such as the institution of the Senior Citizens’ Day, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme of which many senior citizens are beneficiaries, and the exemption of older people from the payment of National Health Insurance.