The United Nations International Day of Older Persons - 2021

THE CENTRE FOR AGEING STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON

PRESS RELEASE: THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS

(OCTOBER 1, 2021)

THEME:  DIGITAL EQUITY FOR ALL AGES

”Honor the elderly, never mock them. They were once like you and you will become like them’. (A Swedish adage)

”Don’t bite the hand that gives you food’ (An African Proverb)

The year 2021 marks the 76^th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 31^st Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP). This year’s observance aims at the following:

• Ageism and Human Rights

• To bring awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons, while tackling stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination associated with digitalization, taking into account sociocultural norms and the right to autonomy in order to enhance their human rights.

• Sustainable Development

• To highlight policies to leverage digital technologies for full achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

• Access and Literacy

• To address public and private interests, in the areas of availability, connectivity, design, affordability, capacity building, infrastructure, and innovation.

• Cybersecurity and Ethics

• To explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety of older persons in the digital world.

• Accountability

• To highlight the need for a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons and an intersectional person-centered human rights approach for a society for all ages.

Despite the high proliferation of digitalization in this era, there is some perception that it is an exclusive domain for the younger generation. However, over the years, the use of digital platforms has grown significantly among the ageing population of the world as many older people now use emails and other digital platforms to help manage their daily communications. With the rapid growth of older people in the African continent and Ghana, it has become essential to devote time to focus on ageing-related issues in order to enhance their wellbeing.

Current research on older persons in Ghana reveal a high prevalence of chronic medical conditions, such as hypertension, along with significant incidence of geriatric-specific situations like falls and mobility disorders. Due to the increase of migration among the youthful population in search of greener pastures, isolation and neglect among older persons are also on the rise. COVID-19 has further exacerbated social isolation among older persons and made them vulnerable to ill-health. Opinions shared on older persons in Ghana have become imbued with negative attitudes. Ageism is predominant, especially against the frail female older person who is poor, single, uneducated, experiencing some cognitive health issues, and has little or no knowledge about digitalization.

Until recently, no centres or institutions aimed at ageing studies in Ghana or the sub-region had been established. The Centre for Ageing Studies (CFAS) at the University of Ghana is the first ageing Research Centre in the sub-region. The Centre encompasses interdisciplinary faculty with teaching and research interest in issues related to ageing and older people. The Centre also seeks to provide resources for healthy ageing, conduct advanced research and offer training in ageing studies. CFAS celebrates United Nations International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) every 1^st October, as part of its major activities, bringing together stakeholders like academics/researchers, social work practitioners, health workers, caregivers, religious institutions, state and non-state institutions, and older people in the Ghanaian society to deliberate and devise national strategies and action plans on ageing. The Centre is also working together with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in the training of medical doctors in the specialty of Geriatric Medicine.

As we celebrate another achievement in recognition of older persons, the Centre for Ageing Studies infers from this year’s objectives to make the following recommendations:

• The creation of awareness on digital inclusion of older persons by governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as research institutions, such as the Centre for Ageing Studies.
• Place emphasis on digital technologies for full attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the availability, design, connectivity, capacity building, affordability, infrastructure, and innovation among older persons.
• Government and other stakeholders should explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure that older people are safe and have their privacy in the digital world protected.
• The youth in our society should pay attention to older persons and offer them the requisite support to thrive in this era of digitalization, acknowledging that in the future, old age would catch up with them as well.
• Finally, CFAS continues to add its voice to the voices of other stakeholders to make an appeal to the Ghana Government and Parliament to pay urgent attention to the Aged Persons’ Bill and expedite its passage into law. The legislation would provide the principal guidelines for the holistic care of older persons. In view of the fact that major political parties in the country have made some promises regarding older people in their respective manifestos, the Centre and other relevant stakeholders look forward to the manifestation of these promises.

As we celerate the day, the Centre for Ageing Studies at the University of Ghana, would like to applaud all older persons in Ghana and prays that they age in security, dignity, and digitally.

Professor Mavis Dako-Gyeke

Director, Centre for Ageing Studies

University of Ghana.