The 1992 Constitution acknowledges the need to protect the welfare of older persons. The Constitution Review Commission also highlighted this issue and made strong recommendations, stressing that Ghana must adopt deliberate policies to support the aged defined as persons above 60 years.
In many countries, the elderly enjoy well-structured welfare systems, including health benefits, environmental protections, appropriate housing, and accessible public transportation.
Ageing in Ghana
Unfortunately, in Ghana, ageing is often treated like a burden. If older people escape accusations of witchcraft, they may still face rejection or exclusion from decision-making processes.
Yet these are the very individuals whose hard work and expertise contributed significantly to the nation’s development. Their intellectual contributions, taxes, duties and property rates, which once fueled the economy, are now treated as insignificant. Even though the Local Governance Act exempts persons aged 70 and above from taxes, including property rates, some assemblies interpret the law differently in order to collect revenue.
Their pensions, too, offer little comfort. The long-delayed Aged Persons Bill which could provide meaningful support has remained inactive for years.
A review of the Bill shows that it could greatly improve the lives of older persons by promoting their welfare through the establishment of a dedicated body to address their needs. The Bill defines an aged person as someone above 60 years, consistent with Article 199 of the Constitution.
Demographic Trends
Globally, the population of older persons is expected to rise sharply within the next five years. In Ghana, the 2021 Population and Housing Census reported that nearly two million people are 60 years and above. The Ghana Living Standards Survey 7 also shows an increase in the elderly population from 4.9 per cent in 1960 to 7.2 per cent in 2000.
Projections suggest that by 2050, older persons will make up 14.1 per cent of Ghana’s population — a trend driven largely by increased life expectancy.
Recognising Contributions
In other nations, individuals above 60 are honoured for their decades of service with subsidised healthcare, social support systems and environments that enable graceful ageing.
In Akan culture, the presence of an elderly person is considered a blessing to a household or community. The aged are valued for their wisdom, experience and ability to pass down historical knowledge.
Governments, organisations and individuals must begin to appreciate the immense contributions the elderly have made, and work to ensure better living conditions for them in return for their sacrifices.
Providing intentional support for their welfare is a recognition of their past efforts in building the society we enjoy today.
Human Rights Perspective
While human rights laws focus on children, women, girls and persons with disabilities, there are few explicit protections for the aged. In health care, paediatricians and gynaecologists cater to specific groups, yet geriatric specialists — who focus on elderly health — are rarely utilised, leaving the health needs of older persons largely generalised.
Article 37(2)(b) of the Constitution states clearly that the State must enact laws to protect and promote vulnerable groups. The Constitutional Review Commission proposed an amendment to Chapter 5, recommending explicit rights for the aged. It stated that the State must ensure that older persons live in dignity, with respect, and free from abuse. It also urged Parliament to pass laws to enforce these rights.
Time for Action
It is time for Ghana to establish a dedicated institution perhaps a National Council for the Aged — to champion the rights and welfare of older citizens who once carried the nation forward.
The long-stalled Aged Persons Bill must be revived without further delay.
The moment is now to set a clear national direction for supporting the elderly. Their welfare matters, because the lives of the aged matter too.
