The 1992 Constitution takes note of it. The Constitution Review Commission picked on it and made emphatic proposals alluding to the fact that a national intention and direction on the lives of the aged, classified as above 60 years, in our country needed some intentional policies and direction.
In some countries, practices and priorities given to the aged cushion them with calculated privileges as far as welfare policies, including health, environment, housing and public transportation are concerned.
Ageing
Unfortunately, in our dear nation, ageing is more like a curse. If you escape being branded as a witch or wizard, you are likely to encounter rejection and sidelining in many decision-making processes.
Yet, these are people whose contributions in active life shaped and moved the economy to weathering heights.
Their contributions in terms of intellectual abilities, taxes, duties and property rates are now considered inconsequential. Even where in the local authority bill, persons of 70 years plus are said to be exempted from taxes, including property rates, Assemblies are applying varied interpretations just so they can squeeze some revenue.
Sadly, their national pensions are nothing to write home about. Where would their help come from at a time when an Aged Persons Bill, which could have been of support and saved the day for them, has been marking time on the drawing Board.
A scan through the long-awaited Bill reveals a saving grace for the aged if it were to be passed into law. The Bill is meant to promote the interest and well-being of aged persons with the establishment of a body to focus on related matters.
The Bill defines an aged person as one who is more than 60 years, in accordance with Article 199 of the Constitution.
It is predicted that globally, the population of the aged will increase phenomenally in five years. In Ghana, the latest Population and Housing Census Report of 2021 established that the population of persons aged more than 60 had increased, accounting for nearly two million. This fact is corroborated by the Ghana Living Standards Survey 7, which indicates that the population of the elderly increased from 4.9 per cent in 1960 to 7.2 per cent in 2000.
Projection figures, however, indicate that by 2050, the aged population will be 14.1 per cent of the total population. The increase is attributed to the rise in life expectancy.
Contributions
Elsewhere, for their toils and contributions to the economy during their active age, persons above 60 are honoured with the provision of efficient and subsidised national health care plus other services and a supportive living environment that would ensure ageing gracefully.
In the Akan language, where quarrels and indecency occur in a home or community, the question is often asked if there is no elderly person in that house. And it is true. The aged are considered an advantage for the home, society or community.
The aged are said to transfer skills, experience and expertise, including passing on historical facts.
Governments, organisations and individuals need to come to terms with the priceless contributions of aged persons and see them as an honour to progress better living conditions in return for their valuable toils and selflessness in building the society one finds one’s self today.
Making intentional favourable decisions to support their welfare is, in effect, recognising their active involvement in times past, towards the developmental agenda which has brought the country thus far.
Human rights
A cursory look at all the basic human rights one could think of – rights of children, of women and girls and of persons with disabilities, one hardly sees any specifics when it comes to the aged. Plus, in the health sector, for example, one sees paediatricians focusing on children’s health needs and gynaecologists focusing on women’s issues.
Even though geriatricians are specialising in health issues relating to the aged, they are scarcely referred to in our environment, thus generalising health concerns of the aged.
Article 37 (2) (b) of the Constitution is explicit that the state shall enact laws that assure the protection and promotion of certain groups.
It is believed that the Constitutional Review Commission happily proposed an amendment to Chapter 5 of the Constitution on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms. They made a categorical statement on the Rights of the aged, stating that the State shall, as far as practicable, take the necessary measures to ensure the rights of the aged to live in dignity and respect and free from any form of abuse.
That same clause also states that Parliament shall enact legislation which is necessary to ensure the implementation of the rights of the aged.
In light of the aforesaid, it is definitely time for the establishment of a body, perhaps a National Council for the Aged, whose purposeful duty will be to focus on the rights of our non-active citizens who once bore the torch.
It is indeed time for the long-awaited Aged Persons’ Bill, which has been put on pause for whatever reason.
The time is now for reactivation and reset of a focused direction for a comfortable welfare for the aged, because aged lives also matter.
*****
The writer can be contacted via email at [email protected]
- President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District
- You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer
- I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters
Visit Our Social Media for More
About Author
