Former President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the need for comprehensive support systems for the elderly in Ghana.
Addressing the 1st Ghana Ageing Conference on Sunday, October 1, he shared poignant stories highlighting the challenges faced by older persons, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging their contributions to society.
“Ageing should be everybody’s concern and our priority and business,” stated Mahama, endorsing the conference as a significant platform to discuss issues affecting quality ageing in Ghana.
He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the conditions of the elderly and commemorating the UN International Day of Older Persons.
Mr. Mahama called for a collective effort to support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights regarding older persons and advocated for financial inclusion and easy access to microfinance services for the elderly.
The former President reiterated his commitment to the promises made ahead of the 2020 elections, including establishing a Centre of Excellence for training social workers, reactivating the Eban Elderly Welfare Card, and exempting persons aged sixty and above from paying the NHIS premium.
He also proposed the creation of a Senior Citizens Tourism Programme and emphasized the need for better healthcare services, particularly for those suffering from chronic illnesses.
Mahama raised concerns about the high cost of dialysis treatment and urged the government to exempt medication and kits for dialysis from taxes and duties.
He shared a personal account of an Assembly member’s struggles with kidney disease, emphasizing the real-life impact of these challenges on families.
He also called for immediate attention to the inadequate ventilators in hospitals, especially in Intensive Care Units, highlighting the urgency of addressing the healthcare system’s deficiencies.
He stressed the importance of reinforcing the legal framework protecting the rights of the aged and advocated for the passage of the Social Protection Bill and the Aged Persons Bill.
Mahama encouraged the use of technology to enhance the quality of life for the elderly and urged individuals to spend quality time with older family members, emphasizing that investing in elderly care is an investment in the future.
The former President, quoting Ecclesiastics 3: 1-15, emphasized the significance of honouring and supporting parents in their old age and expressed gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to celebrate the UN International Day of Older Persons at the conference.
