By Benjamin Akoto
Sunyani (Bono), July 28, GNA – Professor Joseph Osafo, Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana, has urged swift passage of the Ghana Ageing Bill to address the emerging needs of the nation’s increasing elderly population.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 25th Annual Public Lecture of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Sunyani, themed “Ghana’s Ageing Population: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for the Next Decade,” Prof Osafo emphasized that the bill was essential to safeguard the welfare of the aged—particularly in health, pensions, security, and regulation.
He noted that the bill would facilitate resource mobilization and policy implementation aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by the elderly. Prof Osafo lauded the government for establishing the Ageing Desk and the National Committee on Ageing, describing these as positive steps toward addressing the issue.
Citing data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, he said life expectancy in Ghana had risen from 47.5 years to over 64 years and is projected to reach 70 years by 2050. The country’s aged population is expected to hit six million in the next 25 years.
Prof Osafo expressed concern about the increasing challenges facing the elderly, including poor health and limited care, and reiterated the urgency of passing the bill.
Dr Frank Serebour, President of the GMA, also expressed concern over the absence of targeted healthcare policies for the aged, which often limits their access to quality healthcare. He stressed the importance of specialized care for common elderly conditions such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, vision loss, and hearing impairment.
In a related interview, Madam Diana Dankwah, Deputy Cassava Queen at the Sunyani Market, appealed to the government to provide free medical healthcare for citizens aged 60 and above.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Audrey Dekalu