The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is celebrating senior citizens who have contributed immensely to the development of our great nation Ghana.

According to the Ministry, old age is inevitable and therefore its important to recognised them by giving issues affecting older persons outmost importance.

A statement issued by the Ministry states that "This day is about recognising and appreciating the contributions of older persons to their families, communities and the country at large."

"The population of the elderly in Ghana has increased by more than seven-fold since the 1960 census. Rising from 213,477 in 1960 to 1,643,381 in 2010. However, there seem to be more negative perceptions about older people that tend to exclude them from performing certain functions in the society. The roles of the elderly in traditional society cannot be underestimated. They are symbols of knowledge and profound experience. They still impart knowledge, skills, training and usher the young men and women into adulthood."

Read full statement below

1st July of every year is set aside to celebrate our Senior Citizens who have contributed immensely to the development of our great nation Ghana.

Everybody, once you are born you are bound to grow old. This makes old age inevitable, and therefore issues affecting older persons must be of outmost importance to everyone. This day is about recognising and appreciating the contributions of older persons to their families, communities and the country at large.

The population of the elderly in Ghana has increased by more than seven-fold since the 1960 census. Rising from 213,477 in 1960 to 1,643,381 in 2010.

However, there seem to be more negative perceptions about older people that tend to exclude them from performing certain functions in the society. The roles of the elderly in traditional society cannot be underestimated. They are symbols of knowledge and profound experience. They still impart knowledge, skills, training and usher the young men and women into adulthood.

Efforts are being made by the Ministry to address issues affecting the aged and these include;

• The Ministry is currently working on the draft Bill which will be presented to Cabinet for approval and subsequently laid in this august house to be passed into law to take care of the needs of the Aged.
• 25,000 Eban Elderly Welfare Cards have been issued in all ten regions to facilitate easy access to public social services.

Plans are far advanced to introduce the ‘Freedom Pass’ for the aged to;

• Help them gain priority access to social services by service providers such as banks, transport operators, hospitals and other service the elderly might require.

• Enjoy 50% rebate on fares for using the services of the Metro Mass Transit.
• Give them a sense of national appreciation for their contributions to national
development.

The Ministry, through its Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme, collaborated with the Ghana National Health Insurance Authority to register 82,189
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elderly persons, (65 years and above), onto the National Health Insurance Scheme across the nation.
The Ministry is also providing LEAP cash transfer grant to 259,853 to persons who are 65 years and above in extreme poor households to smoothen their daily consumption.

As part of the Ministry’s effort in addressing the health care needs of the aged, we are collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to mainstream geriatrics care into the health care delivery system in Ghana.

Twelve percent (12%) of the elderly has one or more type of disability or other. The Ministry has therefore developed the Ghana Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment which is to ensure that all public institutions are disability friendly, as well as to older persons.

The Ministry is also in the process of ensuring that all the ten regions in Ghana have day recreational centers for the aged, to The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is adopting policies and strategies to deal with the needs
enable them interact with each other as well as the younger generation. This will also enable them share their experience with the younger generation.

Older persons after serving the nation deserve to be given all the necessary assistance
towards their welfare of the aged.

It is in recognition of their contribution to national development that the Government of
Ghana initiated this special day (1st July) to honor them as well as provide the opportunity
for them to interact with H.E The President of the Republic

As we mark this special day, I urge all Ghanaians to celebrate the older men and women
in their respective communities.

On this note, the Ministry wishes all Elderly Persons in Ghana a happy Senior Citizens
Day.