Gov’t outlines measures to support Ghana’s growing population of older persons

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) of Ghana has unveiled initiatives aimed at bolstering social protection, healthcare and support frameworks for the nation's burgeoning elderly population. This commitment was announced in a statement to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Older Persons. The theme for this year's observance is "The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives."

Ghana's population aged 60 and above has surged from 213,477 in 1960 to 1,991,736 in 2021, with projections suggesting this number could swell to 5.7 million by 2050. The MoGCSP underscores that such demographic trends necessitate robust systems addressing income security, healthcare, caregiving services, age-friendly communities, and the safeguarding of older persons' rights.

Priority areas for the Ministry include bolstering support via the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program, fostering healthy ageing, revising the 2010 National Ageing Policy, and fortifying the National Technical Committee on Ageing. Additional measures focus on combating age-based discrimination, neglect, abuse, and exploitation, alongside efforts to reinforce family, community, and formal caregiving structures while supporting unpaid family caregivers.

The MoGCSP emphasizes that proactive planning for longer lives must commence well before the onset of old age. This entails investments in education, decent employment, healthy lifestyles, accessible healthcare services, secure housing, and inclusive societal frameworks.