Gender Ministry fetes the aged in Cape Coast

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, has initiated the process to mainstream geriatric care in the country's healthcare delivery system.

In view of this, the two ministries, in collaboration with development partners and civil society, have started discussions to mainstream geriatric training for health professionals to address the healthcare needs of the elderly.

Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, said this during a Christmas donation to more than 500 elderly persons in the Cape Coast Metropolis and Agona East District at Cape Coast on Wednesday.

The beneficiaries were presented with packed food and a parcel which comprised items such as rice, piece of cloth, soap and oil, and were treated to music provided by the “Music Enquiry International Band.”

The Minister said a National Advisory Committee had been inaugurated to develop the National Ageing Bill and that the drafting instrument for the bill had been finalised.

She said the Ministry was also reviewing the Policy Implementation Action Plan with key stakeholders in order to include emerging issues to reflect the real challenges facing the elderly

Nana Lithur said in addition the ministry had established aN “Ageing Desk” to address issues affecting the elderly.

She said the Ministry had launched the Eban Elderly Welfare Card, a priority identity card which would enable the elderly to enjoy preferential treatment in the use of some social services.

The card, she said, would allow the aged, 65 years and above, to board the Metro Mass Transit Bus at a 50 per cent reduce d fare and that It would also help the aged skip queues in banks and hospitals among other things.

Nana Lithur said the ministry had registered 1200 elderly persons in Greater Accra under the pilot scheme of the card.

She said 3,500 elderly persons had also been registered under the National Health Insurance Scheme and that the ministry was negotiating with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to reduce fares for elderly.

The deputy Central Regional Minister, Mrs Queenstar Pokuwaa Sawyer, commended the ministry and the President for selecting the Central Region as the first region for the programme and expressed the people’s gratitude to the Government for the numerous social interventions.

Three persons; Mr Augustus Addison, Madam Esther Botchwey and Mr Sammy Dacosky were given special awards for their contributions towards sanitation, health and the development of Cape Coast.

They were each present with a plaque and undisclosed sum of money.