Greater thanks to the Lord of Host for how far he has brought Mother Ghana. Sixty seven years after independence is never a joke, there have been lots of developments and downfalls however a lot more must be done because the people of Ghana will attest to the fact that making ends meet in Ghana is not an easy thing for majority of Ghanaian youth here in Ghana.
In this speech I would like to hammer on the living conditions and the health of older people here in Ghana and also on issues related to youth unemployment.
One of the biggest socioeconomic and political issues affecting young people today is the problem of unemployment and poor employment quality. In Ghana, at least throughout the previous ten years, it has consistently dominated the political conversation during election campaigns which I think wasn't supposed to be so.
In addition to representing a loss of potential output and tax revenue for the government, a high rate, protracted periods of unemployment, and low-quality employment for young people also amount to a waste of the nation's human capital investment due to the high public and private costs associated with educating these individuals.
Ghana has a high proportion of youth unemployment.
It's quite unfortunate that despite submitting a limitless number of applications, I still don't have a job and, for the most part, don't even know where I'll get my next meal. So sad.
I have also observed the way and manner that the aged in this country are been treated Sixty five years after independence. Those from the rich homes, one can voice with little evidence that, they are been treated well to some point.
The majority that are not from rich homes or do not have any rich background, it is the vice versa. No one wish to be old, but then whatever the case may be, we will all grow old someday.
It becomes so dishearten when see people out there treating older persons like refuse. I plead to be pardon for the tone of my language but that is the truth. Some of our older persons sometimes too would have to go out there and be begging arms before they can even get money to afford a three square meal each day.
I therefore want to ask of the plans been put in place as a country for older people in this country. I do not want to make mention of those that are sometimes carried to prayer and witch camps because that make me so sad. I, Bro. Samuel therefore call for the drafting of a working ageing policy with immediate effect as we celebrate this year's independence anniversary.
If there is an existing document too, there's a need for us to attend to it quickly to guide the way and manner that older people are been treated here in Ghana. The way and manner that some older persons too are been attended to in some of our hospitals are nothing good to write home about. We must therefore do something about it as a country now.
If there is an existing older persons or ageing policy document, I Bro. Samuel plead that we attend to it. I want to plead to the government of Ghana, stakeholders, the media that will develop interest in this issue to help in the setting up or building of an AGEING CENTER that will be having the following facilities
1. A hospital for older people alone
2. A mini market
3. A recreational center
4. An offices
5. A 500 bed space capacity apartment et al
This facility or center will help us to be able to take good care of older persons in the society that are sick. This facility will also serve as a better home for the care of older persons in the country.
This older person’s center will at the end of it all create employment for nurses, doctors, drivers and many others. Lots of social work graduates too can be employed to serve as care givers at the center as well.
The need to take good care of older persons in the country is now.
As we celcelebrate sixty seven years of independence, let us put measures in place to build stronger ties to move further together in growth and prosperity. Happy Independence Day Mother Ghana.
Bro. Samuel Obeng Badu
samuelsoba14@gmail.com