“Pension reforms should be speeded up to reduce the sufferings of people at old age” – Hon. Frema Opare

05/07/10 :The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wagon, Hon Frema Opare said today in Parliament that the on-going pension reforms should be speeded up to reduce the sufferings of people at their old age and after retirement. She was making a statement to commemorate the 1st of July as Senior Citizens Day in Ghana.

Hon. Frema Opare revealed that between 1970 and 2000 the number of people who are 60 years and above have more than tripled and this she attributed to an improvement in health, nutrition and quality of life.
She added that older persons of today face many challenges most of which are as a result of our failure to plan as individuals and as a nation.

Hon Frema Opare further noted that the annual increase in pension should reflect living economic conditions in the country.
She also commended government for supporting issues which impact on the wellbeing of older persons in Ghana through the premium exemption for older people, 70 years and above in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the SSNIT pensioners inclusion of poorer older people 65 years and above, the LEAP cash transfer programme being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and the National Ageing Policy to help reduce suffering at old age.

Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Member of Parliament for New Juabeng North who contributed to the statement bemoaned the situation where the aged are demonized in many parts of Africa and Ghana; urging that the youth should respect the older generation.
Hon. Alhaji Mohammed- Mubarak Muntaka, MP for Asawase who also contributed to the statement advised the younger and older generation to ensure peaceful co-existence.