By P.K. Yankey
Ampain (W/R), Oct. 02, GNA-Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament, has called on the Government to review the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme to prioritise the health needs and total well-being of the elderly.
He said Ghana must take a cue from how other countries took good care of their elderly persons with adequate cash and health insurance packages to make life comfortable for them.
Mr Buah, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, made the call when he interacted with some elderly men and women in the Ellembelle District to mark this year’s World Elderly Care Day celebrations at the AYA Community Centre at Ampain in the Western Region.
This year’s event was on the theme: “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care Support Systems for Older Persons.”
He reminded Ghanaians that taking proper care of the elderly, “will attract more blessings from God to the country and also prolong the lifespan of the elderly.”
The MP observed that some of the aged were left alone without care and were also branded as “witches,” a situation, which underscored the importance of the Elderly Care Project.
Mr Buah said: “Ageing with dignity means we want them to grow to be happy, to have good health and care support systems so they do not feel lonely.”
“On a day like this, Ghana must reflect as a country on what it can do to make the life of the elderly more meaningful,” he said.
He called on the Government to do more for the elderly, especially under the social protection programmes to help them live dignified lives.
“Ghana should be a country where when you work hard and grow old, there will be support systems in place to help you grow and live comfortably,” the MP stated.
Mr Sylvester Kwarteng Quarm, the Administrator at the AYA Elderly Care Centre, advised the aged in the area to adopt safe and healthy ageing practices to avoid ailments and prolong their lifespan.
As part of the celebration, the elderly men and women at the AYA Centre were treated to breakfast and lunch, special takeaway food packs and an unspecified amount of money to support their livelihoods.
GNA