Gender Ministry to establish Aging Desk

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection would soon create Aging Desks in districts across the country to ensure the social and cultural reintegration of the elderly into the mainstream society.

Nana Oye Lithur, the sector Minister, said on Tuesday at the launch of the Pensioners Medical Fund in Accra.

The Desks are to help supplement the medical benefits of the pensioners under the National Health Insurance Scheme, and cover other areas not under the Scheme.

It is a self-help effort by members of the National Pensioners Association (NPA) operating under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust to help the pensioners in times of urgent need.

Nana Oye Lithur expressed worry that traditional societal establishments could no longer be depended upon to support the elderly, saying a lot was needed to be done to ensure that the aged lived comfortable lives.

“We need to put in place systems and structures to ensure that the aging process is smooth, so the aged are comfortable”, she said.

Nana Oye Lithur gave the assurance that government remained committed towards giving support to the aged and vulnerable in society.

Mr Edward Ameyibor, NPA General Secretary, expressed the hope that efforts to raise funds to support the Pensioners Medical Fund would usher in the period when members would access medical care without denial of services due to lack of finances on the part of the pensioners.

He expressed gratitude to Nana Oye Lithur for her support saying “it shows the passion she has for the elderly and their problems”.

Nana Oye Lithur donated an undisclosed amount of money as seed money for the Fund.

The newly-launched fund is to be managed by a “special” Board which would report to the National Executive Committee of the NPA and conduct regular and timely audit of the Fund.

It would also make proposals for changes in either contributions or benefits levels and ensure that the Medical Fund was put in a safe financial investment instrument.

The Fund would have a year’s gestation period before the disbursement begins.