Tap experiences of retired officials - Howard

Accra, Jan. 03, GNA - Mr Patrick Howard, Vice Chairman of "Seniors Without Borders," a Denmark based non-governmental organization on Wednesday called for collaboration between the youth and the elderly to enhance continuity in administration. He said the youth were full of exuberance whilst the elderly had experience, caution, time and resources needed for accelerated development in any country, community or a company, therefore both resources should be harmonised for the benefit of society. "These vast experience of operational resources imbibed in retired officers needs to be tapped and rationalized for the advantage of the public, before their death," Mr Howard told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on arrival in Accra for feasibility studies in the Western Region. He is on a visit to study and share ideas with the Chiefs and people of Apranponso, in the Wassa East District of the Western Region and to identify viable economic and social ventures needed in the community to enhance their living standards.

"Seniors Without Borders," is an association of retired officers formed three years ago in Denmark with membership of over 300 men and women, that seek to channel their resources, energy, money, time and ideas to assist deprived communities in developing countries. Mr Howard invited by the management of Ekua Bri Educational Endowment Fund explained that retired people were not retarded but senior citizens full of wisdom and time to help other people in the globalised world who seemed neglected with basic family values. He said Seniors Without Borders believed in the principles of self-help through effective collaboration to ensure sustainability of the projects to enhance community ownership. Mr Howard who is in charge of Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark said "We identify the needs of a community mobilize resources across the world to provide that needs through the collaboration of local counterparts."

Nana Ekua Bri II, Chief of Apraponso noted that Ghana was currently at a favourable position towards poverty reduction but that would depend on consistency in the strategies and a long-term economic arrangement. She said with the economic position and debt relief, the country could make momentous inroads into poverty reduction. Nana Bri also known as Ms Anna Ekua Saakwa and a member of Copenhagen City Council, called for specific anti-poverty measures and development of income generating activities based on local resources and organisations. She suggested prudent and sustainable economic policies for a vigorous economic growth, which must be driven by a buoyant and diversified export sector.