Gender ministry donates to the aged

The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, has donated items to the aged women and men from communities like Teshie and Chorkor to enable them feel part of the society. The items donated included 10 bags of rice, two cartons of cooking oil, 70 boxes of Chocolim, 15 boxes of Cerelac, 15 trays of ideal milk, 60 boxes of sanitary pads, 100 bags of sachet water, seven sacks of children�s clothes and toys, 15 crates each of Alvaro and Malta Guinness, GH�50 from one Gifty Osei, GH� 2,500 from National Lottery Authority and GH� 2,500 from Direct Aid Ghana. Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, said in fulfilling the constitutional requirements the country has made strides in the implementation of some policies, strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing the status of the elderly. Nana Oye said the ministry through its collaboration with the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, is in the process of drafting a bill for enactment by parliament that would facilitate the establishment of the National Council on Ageing as provided for by the National Ageing Policy. She said the ministry has initiated action to review the Policy implementation Action Plan with key stakeholders in order to include emerging issues and to reflect the realities of issues facing elderly persons. Nana Oye noted that social protection programmes such as the Livelihood against Poverty, National Health Insurance Scheme, and the National Pension Scheme aimed at providing support to enhance the social and economic development of the status of the elderly. She said a desk would be setup at the ministry to address issues affecting the aged. She said the ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service has initiated the process to mainstream geriatric care in the health care delivery system. The Minister said this would improve upon the lives of the aged as they would be well taken care of by health professionals and facilities to address their needs. Nana Oye thanked sponsors such as Mrs Lordina Mahama, National Lottery Authority, Nestle Ghana, Sanita consumer Products, Special Ice Water, Akuma Mama Zimbi Foundation, Direct Aid Ghana and Guinness Ghana Ltd for their support in making the programme a success. Madam Cecilia Annor, a beneficiary thanked the ministry for the gesture and prayed that more of such donations should be given from time to time.