IT is often said that a nation that does not honour its heroes and heroines is not worth dying for. That it why it is gratifying that over the years one of the highlights of Republic Day celebrations has been the recognition of the contributions of some senior citizens to the country’s development aspirations.
Happily, yesterday, which marked the 49th anniverssary of the nation’s Republican status, was no different. The government organised a luncheon for a section of senior citizens in Accra and other parts of the country to send signals that at least the nation will continue to spare a thought for them and appreciate their contributions.
This recognition and honour transcends material gifts and presents an emotional satisfaction and thrill that also helps to atone for the strain and stress that accompanied their sacrifices.
Clearly, such recognition and honour also serves to encourage the youth to make meaningful and selfless sacrifices to help boost the country’s development and expedite the attainment of development targets.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC lauds the efforts by various governments to celebrate our senior citizens and the aged on this day, we call for the institution of policies and initiatives that will continuously secure the welfare of the aged at all times.
It is against this background that we welcome the move by the government to review the current medical support programme for the aged, with the view to making it more comprehensive.
It is quite pathetic to see some aged persons in our society going through difficult times in the streets and begging for alms, not to mention the lack of shelter and decent food.
In our part of the world, homes for the aged are virtually non-existent and the attitude of society towards the aged sometimes serves to compound their difficulties. All of us, therefore, owe it a duty to show more care and love towards the aged wherever our paths cross theirs.
While many of our senior citizens have contributed their quota to national development, the fact cannot be ignored that there are many others who, despite their old age, can still contribute quite significantly to national development through very useful pieces of advice on important issues. For this group, the necessary platform must be provided for them to do just that.
The DAILY GRAPHIC urges the government to continue to provide more social safety nets that will ameliorate the hardships the aged in our society face because they may not be in active employment.
We also call for the institution of measures and policies that will encourage more workers and farmers in the informal sector to sign on to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the three-tier pension scheme so that they can become beneficiaries when they are no longer in active employment and do not earn any meaningful incomes.
Whether we like or not, the aged will continue to be part of our national life for years on end. It, therefore, behoves us, as a nation and a people, to fashion out programmes that will make the advanced stages of their lives glorious and superb.
Anything short of that will be suicidal for our national aspirations, which is the last thing any true son of this country would wish for.
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