Bolgatanga, July 2, GNA - Government has assured senior citizens that it was doing everything possible to make their living conditions better. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, said this when the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) hosted senior citizens from all the nine districts in the Region to a reception at the Residency at Bolgatanga on Thursday to mark Republic Day.

He said it was in this direction that government had introduced a three-tier pension scheme to enhance pensions for retired workers. He added that steps were being taken to decentralize the processing and payment of pensions at the regional levels to eliminate the hustle and bustle that pensioners go through to access their money. Mr Woyongo said the government had noted with concern the struggle that many pensioners go through and that is why it was continuing with the free medical care for people who are 70 years and above.

Mr Woyongo said statistics showed that Ghana was experiencing a rising ageing population that stands at about 7.2 percent and that government was promulgating an ageing policy for consideration and approval by cabinet. He appealed to the senior citizens to contribute to the region's 50th anniversary celebration scheduled to take place this year. Sixty senior citizens received half a piece of piece of cloth each and 30 Ghana cedis.

The guests thanked government for recognizing them and called on the youth to emulate what they had achieved for the development of the country.