PAY ATTENTION TO NEEDS OF AGED (PAGE 20, DEC 15)

A study conducted on the aged in Ghana has underscored the need for the government to focus more attention on the needs of the aged.
The study, which was carried out by the Centre for Social Policy Studies of the University of Ghana and the Helpage Ghana, said although the government had done a lot for the aged more could be done to ensure their welfare.
The findings of the research were presented at a workshop designed to build the capacity of healthcare providers on the needs of older people in Accra.
The Executive Director of HelpAge Ghana, Mr Ebenezer Adjetey-Sorsey, who presented the findings, also stressed the need for the media to use the aged as role models in the society.
He said the study indicated that television, in particular, had the potential to raise the profile of older persons as a distinct component of the population as ageing became a growing issue in the country.
He said from the findings, the needs of the aged could take centre-stage if the government implemented relevant policies.
He said taxation could be used to generate more resources to implement pension schemes for a better livelihood for the aged.
The Project Officer of HelpAge Ghana, Ms Ama Ofori Antwi, also attributed most health-related problems facing the aged to lack of proper health care for them.