Kuntanase (Ash), July 04, GNA - The Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District branch of the Ghana Pensioners' Association has commended the government for increasing pension by 50 per cent and the subsequent payment of arrears from 2002 to 2004.

Mr Sarfo Kantanka, chairman of the district branch of the association, said the package had helped to relieve pensioners of their financial difficulties.

He was speaking at the 45th Republic Day celebration at which a party was organised for pensioners and the aged at Kuntanase last Friday.

Mr Sarfo Kantanka appealed to the government to expedite action on efforts to provide cameras to all the regions in the country to facilitate the provision of photo identification cards for pensioners to save them the trouble of travelling to Accra to obtain the cards. Mr Bright Addai-Mununkum, the District Chief Executive, appealed to senior citizens to impart their knowledge and experiences to workers for national development.

He expressed the hope that the stabilisation of the cedi and the cancellation of the country's debt by some donors would bring about a big boost in the economy and increase job opportunities for the youth. 4 July 05