Use Ghana Month to honour the elderly in society – BIRDD appeals to govt

In a statement, BIRDD noted that many of these older generations, when they were younger, served the country.

“The BIRDD encourages the citizenry to pay special attention to the needs of older people in society who are often found to be lonely.

Loneliness can push people to an early grave.

Many of the older people in their younger days served the nation and humanity to the best of their abilities,” the group stated.

The Busia Institute wishes to encourage healthy relationships among older people and their families, friends, organisations and the state and ensure the participation of older people in community and national development praxis.

The Busia Institute commends the government of Ghana for its interventions regarding the aged such as the institution of the Senior Citizens’ Day, the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme of which many senior citizens are beneficiaries, and the exemption of older people from the payment of National Health Insurance.

As such, we would like to encourage individuals and groups such as faith-based organisations and others to identify older people in their communities and not only to appreciate those who merit honour but also to offer help to those requiring assistance,” the statement added.