Are the aged on the president’s radar?

Ageing is part of life’s cycle that every human being, if death does not call early, will experience at all cost. In Ghana, the sorts of treatments most of our aged are made to go through are very appalling to the say the least. We struggle to board public transport with them, join queues with little reverence for them, and the worst part of it is that, they are unjustifiably blamed for the misfortune of a tactless or wayward family relation.

It is without dispute that there is not any single legislation that has been promulgated in support of some of our hard working elderly men and women who have served the country immensely in diverse ways. If I am in the wrong, I can be put aright. I would not want to conceive that it is sheer waste of time and energy to serve my country only to retire without any provision that caters for my well being.

In this regard, I would want to know whether the President has any policy for the aged or ageing population in the country. I am not in the known relative to the percentage the aged in the country constitute per the 2010 population census. But I can recollect vividly the determined interest and effort with which some of these fragile bones were baked under heat of the sun in a bid to exercise their franchise which, of course, has largely benefitted our sage politicians.

Afterwards, how are they rewarded? It was a sad sight when I witnessed the rushing in of an old lady to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital by her relations. Unfortunately for her, the validity date on her National Health Insurance Card had expired. She nearly was denied access to medical service had it not being for the kindly intervention of a senior nursing officer who had pity on her. Even when she was about being ushered into the right ward, there were some people who furiously expressed rude qualms by porously positing that they had been there long before the old woman out of nowhere burst on to the scene.

How sad I felt; where has the regard for the aged run to? I whispered to myself, wouldn’t it be prudent if government or the Director General of the Ghana Health Service or the Minister of Health in conjunction with parliament of Ghana issued a legislative instrument that easily facilitated quick and cheap access to quality health care for the aged? The National Health Insurance Scheme in its current state has no special provision that caters for certain ailments of the ageing population in the country. Is it not possible to have a special unit in government hospitals that purposely caters for the aged?

It appears every aspect of our society has neglected the aged to their frail fate. Recently, the retired footballers of Ghana complained bitterly about how previous and the current governments have greatly failed to honour their numerous promises aimed at bettering their lots. The members of the 1963 squad that won the African Cup of Nations bemoaned the most in registering their economic wretchedness.

The train of neglect does not stop with the retired footballers. The war veterans of the Second World War on most of our Independence Day celebrations have drawn our various governments’ attention to their deplorable quandary. There have been numerous calls for the society at large to support them but to no avail. Pathetically, they only march in their worn out boots and frail medal decorated military apparels, listen to colourful but empty speeches that hold no promise for their fortunes and they retire into their homes awaiting their death or another year of pointless parades.

For how long will this raw deal grind on? An encounter with a retiree at the SSNIT main office in Kumasi was quite revealing. This man has continuously served in the teaching service for twenty five years. Upon his retirement, he was asked to get his first appointment letter and other relevant documents which he struggled to secure them. But the tossing and the go-and-come refrains were weighing him down into desperation. He recounted with pain the number of times he has been assured of the near readiness of his paltry retirement benefit.

Aside this, the recurring proposition has often been, can’t the systems in this country be made more friendly to the aged in this country. There is not any shelter or places in the country that these perceived oldies can visit to wind down their pressure. Nothing, virtually there is nothing that we or they can boast of. Yet the youth and the working class in this country are daily admonished to die for their motherland. Very interesting, I would rather die for myself and my family instead of a country that holds nothing in terms of security against the future if the situation does not change..

I now understand why top government officials, politicians and members of parliament are clamouring and amassing for themselves gargantuan better end of service benefits. They know the nation holds little or nothing better for them after their exit. Why would not there be massive bribery and corruption as against the dry retirement awaiting civil and public servants? Government’s end of year party for the selected few aged Ghanaians is not enough.

In all sincerity, the government must rise up to the challenge of initiating and implementing better social intervention policies for the aged, especially the cocoa farmers, and other neglected individuals who are the backbone of our economy. The political rhetoric are deafening our ears. The need for action is now. Otherwise the best of the land may find their way out of the country to serve other realms that have their future at heart.

One thing that warmed my heart per the retiree’s narration was that out of his paltry salary, he has been able, with help of his wife, to put all his children through formal education and that the youngest was in the final year at the university. Beyond that, he has built a house that accommodates him presently. I was so proud of him. He mentioned the names of prominent men he had taught in Prempeh College and Kumasi High School in his heyday.

The nation cannot be inert when it comes to ensuring the welfare of its ageing population. Of course, the usual chorus of ‘no money, no money’ may resound. But I am pretty sure that if prudent fiscal measures are employed to plug the leaking financial waste in the country, there will be enough money to ease the pain of these gallant former servants of the nation. The fight against corruption should not only be reduced to committee reports and sub-committee reviews. Ghanaians deserve the best and the aged are no exceptions.

SOURCE: OKOFO DARTEY SAMUEL E-MAIL: sodesq2000@yahoo.com