Finalize
national ageing policy- HelpAge
Accra, Jan. 31, GNA- HelpAge Ghana (HAG), a
non-profit making organization established to promote the
prospects of older persons on Friday celebrated its 20th
anniversary Awards with the call on government to finalize
the national ageing policy.
Professor Nana Araba Apt, President of HAG who made the call
said the process of developing the policy started in 1997
but was yet to be approved by cabinet.
She expressed the concern that despite the 1992 constitution
providing for a decent standard of living for the aged
“older people of today still face many challenges as they
age”.
Professor Araba Apt said some of the challenges include
poverty, inadequate housing, social security, inadequate
healthcare and the need to make geriatric care a part of
Ghana’s healthcare training system.
She complained about the changing perceptions and negative
attitudes towards ageing and older persons.
“This negative trend, coupled with dominant negative images,
myths and stereotypes portrayed in the media are a serious
barrier to older person’s well being and human rights” she
added.
Professor Araba Apt said HAG has grown from the stage of
information giving and advocacy on behalf of older people,
where it only offered direct relief services to them in the
communities to the stage where it is additionally playing
key roles in national and international social policy
development on behalf of older people.
Mr. Ebenezer Adjetey-Sorsey, Executive Director HAG, said
their mission was to advance the interest and welfare of
older persons in the country regardless of sex, creed and
colour.
He said they have assisted organizations working with and
for older persons to develop appropriate community based
services for older persons and also created public awareness
on ageing issues and problems facing older persons.
Awards were presented to individuals and institutions that
have supported the work of HAG in the past 20 years.
GNA
